Chadlee Skrikker | Arrangement / 2019

the next step

by Douglas Messerli

 

Chadlee Skrikker (screenwriter and director) Arrangement / 2019 [6 minutes]

 

Rex (Laurent de Froberville) is waiting in his car to pick up, as usual, his friend—whether or not Jess (Hagar Joubert) is just a close friend, his girlfriend, or even wife we never discover—as he checks out the security guard for Jess’ workplace.

     In fact, the good-looking guard Graham (Matthew Barrett) is at that very moment texting him about meeting up in the bathroom, evidently a usual Friday night occurrence. Jess arrives, apologizes for being late, and appears to even joke with Rex about his checking out the cute guard, which suggests that she knows he’s gay and hints that they are probably just close friends.

    Rex, however, remains noncommittal, but suddenly declares that has to go to the bathroom, also a common event apparently, since Jess complains, with some frustration, “every time.”

     Rex promises to be back in a moment. And immediately when the two men meet up the bathroom, they hurry into a stall where the guard quickly fucks him, ejaculating after just a few thrusts.  But when, after, Rex attempts to kiss him, he pulls back reminding him that he doesn’t do that, Rex slightly laughing, “We hook up every Friday and you still won’t kiss me?”

     “I don’t want to be unfaithful.”

      Rex wonders “Seriously?”

      “I work the graveyard shift man. I need some kind of release and you guys…you are just easier.”

      “Do you even love your wife?”

       Graham pauses, using the phrase that so many-closeted gay men trot out at such moments, “I’m not even into guys…just…it’s….” as he puts hands to his face and slides to the floor, unable to stand anymore to deliver his self-deluded statements.

      Rex quickly joins him, as Graham spills out the difficulties of what appears to be a dead relationship, beginning with an important admission, “She made me feel safe.”

       But by the time he finishes his short litany of difficulties, we can see that he is no longer safe in his relationship. Obviously his feelings for men, for Rex perhaps, in particular, is taking over his life.       

     Rex puts his arm around him as the poor man repeats his mantra: “I think I love her….just not the way I’m supposed to.” He leans in finally for a kiss with Rex, but Rex’s cellphone rings.

       It is obviously Jess, impatient. Rex stands, saying he has to go, wondering if he’s “going to be okay,” while Graham thanks him for the short listening session.

       Back in the car Jess asks, “Did you get lost in there,” as if she might not imagine what has been going on. But Rex clearly doesn’t want to explain, as he drives on with her into the night.

       One wonders about Rex’s own lies, or his own desires. Does he truly want more from the troubled guard, or is it now the guard is asking form more than Rex can give him. Will there be another Friday night or was this the last stand.

        South African film director Chadlee Shrikker, who has now produced several interesting gay short films, provides no answer. All we can see is that both beautiful men are seeking something which seems intangible, as unfulfilling as their “arrangement.” Both must answer to themselves what is the next step since tonight they seemed to have graduated from bathroom sex into something potentially more serious.

 

Los Angeles, October 21, 2022

Reprinted from World Cinema Review (October 2022).