Do you think I’m beautiful?

DREW

Beautiful.

Alex smells Drew’s neck, running his hand up into his hair.

He looks into Drew’s eyes, lips a breath apart.

Drew shivers.

ALEX

Would you like to kiss me?

DREW

Kiss you?

Alex closes his hand around a long spike of mirror behind his back.

ALEX

Kiss me.

DREW

Yes…?

Drew’s lips part.

Alex’s eyes narrow.

ALEX

Wrong answer.

Alex takes the shard of mirror and drives it into Drew’s heart. Drew spits blood and falls into Alex, who rocks him for a second before holding him at arm’s length.

ALEX (CONT’D)

What a mess you’ve made of your face.

He lets Drew drop to the floor, face up, quivering as he listens to Alex.

ALEX (CONT’D)

I always figured you were a fag but I liked the adoration. Did you like when you walked in on me last night? I’m sure it gave you plenty of material to jack off to.

Drew tries to shake his head no.

ALEX (CONT’D)

I’m gonna finally give you what you want.…

Drew gasps and falls still, the blood pooling around him.

ALEX (CONT’D)

What a shame! You’re not even alive to taste it.

Alex leans down and kisses Drew’s bloody mouth.

Alex pulls away, curiously tasting the blood on his lips.

ALEX (CONT’D)

That was hot, old buddy, but there’s something not quite right.

POV From behind, we see Alex straddling Drew. Taking a shard of mirror, he lifts it to his face.

EXT. ALEX’S HOUSE—EVENING

A police car sits in the driveway.

TWO DETECTIVES in suits and overcoats stand at the front door. They knock. After a few seconds, one tries the door.

It’s open.

INT. ALEX’S PRIVATE GYM—EVENING

A bloody shard of mirror is set on the ground.

ALEX

I apologize for the hack job, Drew, but one must make do, mustn’t one?

POV From behind, Alex is shirtless, straddling Drew and slowly rocking.

ANGLE ON

Alex’s broken image reflected in the shards of mirror on the floor.

ALEX (CONT’D)

Is it so much to ask for an equal? Hell is a world of mediocrity. Finally… perfection….

Faces of the two detectives enter the broken images on the floor. They slowly reach for their pistols.

POV Alex is hugging the body of Drew.

Fitted onto Drew’s face is the bloody face of Alex.

Alex turns to the police, a mess where his face once was.

ALEX (CONT’D)

Isn’t he beautiful? So beautiful.

INT. FLASHBACK—ALEX MANDARA’S BEDROOM AT 15—DAY

Teenage Alex has created a mask from his magazine clippings and slowly lifts it to his face.

FADE TO BLACK

Puer Aeternus

In the mirth of Bacchus I will revel

Glorious Youth Enduring

Forever.

Moved not by the fruit of the vine or the pipe’s insistence

The Dance comes from inside.