"[upbeat instrumental music]" "# #" "(woman) Sure, let's try that." " Here you go." " Thanks, Dad." "[tires screech] [dog barking]" "Oh, sorry, hon." "Didn't mean to wake you." "Oh, my God, I missed you so much." "Oh, I missed you so much too, sweetie." "How was your flight?" "Did you have a" "[answering machine beeps] [woman speaking Cantonese]" "What did she say?" "That it's a disgrace" "Wayne is getting married before me." "Well, we can have a commitment ceremony tomorrow and beat him to the altar." "I think you may need a sex change and a law degree first to make my mother happy." "Well, anything would be better than being the roommate." "Ali, do you think caffeine is a wise beverage choice for a ten-year-old?" "Yes, Mom, in moderation of course." "I want you to do a research project on the effect of caffeine on children under ten and present your findings to us." "Jesse." "Come here." "So proud of you, Jess." "I'm glad we had that talk yesterday." "(Jesse) Mom, I've been thinking." "I prefer queer over gay." "(woman) Take your time, Jess." "Self-definition is a process." "You only just came out." "What word does Dad use?" "You mean Daniel?" "Gay, I guess." "Ali, eat something." "You're not going to school on an empty stomach." "What time does Dad's plane land?" "Scheduled for 6:00, but you never know with Daniel." "He never comes anyway." "He will this time." "Jess, I took the liberty of going to that Gay and Lesbian Center." "Oh, that's okay." "I'm fine." "I picked up these pamphlets." "Uh, there's "Queer Youth"" "and uh, the "Queer Hotline"" "and uh, safe sex tips." "Can I be excused?" "(Cara) Morning, sweetie." "Morning, honey." "[man on radio] In other news," "Canada has taken a step closer to legalizing same-sex marriages, as B.C. becomes the second province where gays and lesbians can tie the knot." "We'll be back with more details in our 3:00 news edition." "Oh, my God." "Did you hear that?" "Unbelievable." "I didn't think they would pass the law so soon." "Come on, honey, let's get married." "I've been waiting so long for this." "It'll be perfect to do it while your parents are in town." "Whoa, hold your horses, sweetie." "I don't think I can come out in just two weeks." "Besides, they're gonna think it's just a phase even if I told them I was gay." "You mean when you tell them." "(Cara) My mom's gonna think it's because she's fed me too much chili and Sambal Belachan- too much "yang" in my system." "Funny; my mom never blamed it on the tofu in her cooking." "(Cara) I don't think they will even comprehend." "(Janet) Cara, honey, it's the perfect time." "It's legal now." "They want you to be happy and married, don't they?" "It's not just about getting married, Jan." "It's about who I marry." "Norman, I'm picking up Daniel right after work." "Don't remind me of the blessed event." "I thought you said you didn't mind his visit." "That was before Jesse decided to come out." "I'm listening." "Makeda, it's been hard enough." "It feels like he's finally starting to accept me as his father." "It's only been three years, babe." "Four." "And now he's got more in common with Daniel than he does with me." "There's no guarantee he'll actually show up." "That's true." "Last time, what was it?" "An audition for a part in Chicago." "Reporter Number Three was it?" "He's a good actor." "Whose side are you on?" "It'll be fine, sweetie." "Got to go." "Love you." "Oh, honey, look at this." "White satin on the beach." "Isn't that romantic?" "Let's have our wedding at English Bay." "Oh, God, Wayne's wedding." "Everyone there will be asking me when I'm getting married." "Soon." "With your girlfriend." "Ha-ha." "Very funny." "The therapist in the family marrying a woman." "They'll send me to a shrink." "Besides, marriage is a jinx to a relationship." "We've been together for three years." "Don't you think that it's important for us to be accepted as a legitimate couple?" "Do you think your mom would really accept our wedding?" "She thinks you're just going through a phase too, you know." "Well, I'll just blame it on her feeding me too much tofu as a kid." "Yes, Mom." "I'm eating well." "Oh, and I'm learning how to make Chinese-Malaysian food." "Yeah, Cara was really impressed with my Char Quay Teow that I made the other night." "Her parents are flying in from Edmonton for her brother's wedding." "Have you been invited to the wedding?" "I don't know." "Oh, but we've decided to get married." "Get married?" "With who?" "Cara and I have decided to get married." "It's legal for same-sex couples now too." "I know the law." "I watch the news on the TV." "But that is for gays and lesbians, not for you." "I am a lesbian, Mom." "When are you going to get that?" "Cara and I love each other as "koibito", not just as friends." "You didn't do anything wrong, Mom." "Are you sure you are happy?" "I couldn't be happier." "And I want you to come to my wedding." "[phone ringing]" "Cara Chan, counseling." "(woman) Hi, Cara." "Congratulations on wedding." "[Cara over phone] Oh, Mrs. Nakano." "That's very thoughtful of you." "What Chinese do for wedding?" "Oh, well, we throw a big wedding banquet, and we eat and drink with family and friends." "Same for Japanese, neh." "When is wedding?" "In two weeks." "My parents will be flying over from Edmonton." "Two weeks?" "That too soon!" "I have to meet your family first, desho?" "We Japanese people take months to plan wedding." "How can two weeks?" "Mrs. Nakano, my family has been planning this with my brother." "Why your brother plan?" "You should plan with Janet, desho?" "It's your wedding." "My wedding?" "Tofu again?" "Can't we just have hamburgers like normal people?" "We're vegetarians, Ali." "We know, Norman, but does that mean our dinner has to bore us to death?" "You love tofu." "Not." "(Norman) And since when do you call me Norman?" "Well, if I call you Dad, then what do I call my real dad?" "What are you doing home so early?" "I canceled my 4:00 appointment." "My mom just called me." "They're on their way from the airport." "I thought they were supposed to come next week." "Well, they've obviously changed their minds." "Will you please help me out here?" "Imagine if we had to do this each time my mom came over." "Oh, your mom called me up at work today to congratulate me on our wedding." "You could have waited till we both decided to marry before you told her." "It's been three years, Cara." "If I didn't know you any better," "I'd say that you're afraid of commitment." "Do you think some marriage license is gonna make me more committed than I already am?" "And how much longer do you expect me to pretend to be the roommate just so you don't rock the boat?" "[doorbell rings]" "Okay, so what are we going to say about the queen-size bed?" "I'll think of something." "Hi, Mom." "Hi, Dad." "How was your flight?" "Good." "Very fast." "I slept through it." "You know, you really should have told me sooner that you were coming in a week early." "Ai, a travel agent found us cheaper deal, so we change flights." "You look good in red." "Why only one earring?" "You drop it somewhere?" "Oh, don't worry about it, Mom." "I'll look for it later." "Wow, what a nice apartment." "(Cara) Oh, um, Mom, Dad, this is Janet, my roommate." "Nice to meet you, Miss Janet." "(Mr. Chan) Cara, you're so lucky to have such a pretty roommate." "Can I move in too?" "(Mrs. Chan) Is this your room, Cara?" "It's so tidy." "You take good care of yourself." "Good." "Where is your room, Jenny?" "(Cara) Janet is a, um, flight attendant." "So she's never really home most of the time, right, Jan?" "So, um, she sleeps on the sofa bed." "[Mr. Chan speaking Cantonese]" "Your auntie and uncles are all flying in from Malaysia and Toronto for the wedding." "You have to wear a dress." "A beautiful one." "Who knows?" "Maybe you find good husband." "(Mr. Chan) We tell Wayne's bride to throw the bouquet to you." "It's only been two years." "I'm sure of it." "It's been four, Daniel." "I was called back for Chicago." "Do you know what that would have done for my career, Mack?" "Just be careful what you say to Jesse." "He's very impressionable right now." "Hey, Mack, cut me some slack, will ya, hon?" "I'm here now." "(Daniel) Jesse." "Look at you." "In the words of the immortal Barbra Streisand, "Gorgeous."" "I think you're going to knock the boys dead." "Come here." "Hi, Dad." "Hey, sweetheart." "(Norman) Hi, I'm Norman." "Figured that." "Yes, of course." "Who else would I be?" " Yeah." " Yeah." "Um... nice." "Tofu, huh?" "Yeah, stir fry, one of my specialties." "It looks, um, interesting." "Hey, guys, do you remember those seafood crepes I used to make?" "Yeah!" "We're vegetarians." "We don't eat meat... or fish." "Perfect, because these are just as fabulous with imitation crab meat made with soy beans." "And I can run to the store." "Sweet." "Why not?" "(Mrs. Chan) Where is your family from, Jenny?" "Is that a flag of your ancestor's country?" "Oh, my grandparents are from Japan." "Actually, that's a flag for" "Disneyland." "We bought it when we went there last year." "How colorful." "Cara, you should grow your hair long like Jenny." "Long hair attract boys, huh?" "Thanks for the compliments, Mrs. Chan, but I don't grow my hair to attract boys." "I'm a" "Yes, yes, Mom." "Janet has very nice hair." "[cell phone ringing]" "Wayne's fiancée's family has invited us all for dinner at the Gum Wah Restaurant." "You have to come, Cara." "Let's go." "Nice meeting you, Jenny." "Mom, her name is Janet." "Come on, come on, we don't want to be late." "Well, it was nice meeting you, Mrs. Chan, Mr. Chan." "Enjoy your visit, and congratulations." "Oh, Dad, this looks great." "Real food." "Finally." "This looks wonderful, Danny." "No, thanks, Daniel." "You know, I like tofu." "(Daniel) Enjoy." "So tell me the whole story." "When did you come out?" "And how?" "And with whom?" "Don't leave a thing out." "[door rattles] [man on TV] Hi, everybody, and welcome back to the show." "Today we have our guests on..." "Trust me, you didn't miss out on anything." "It was painfully boring." "Tell you the truth?" "I was kind of relieved that I'm not the one getting married." "Wayne looks like he's the puppet of the show." "Well, we won't let anyone run the show for us, now, will we?" "You know, in Japan, they do both the Western and the Japanese version of the wedding ceremony." "I think I want to do that too." "And if we do the Chinese wedding as well, that would be three ceremonies and three costume changes to go through." "Sounds like quite a workout to me." "No, actually, make that four:" "the wedding banquet." "I'll have to get a beautiful evening gown for that." "Don't say four." "It rhymes with "death" in Chinese." "It's bad luck." ""Taiwan to become first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage."" "Well, at least some Chinese in this world are recognizing gay relationships." "My family is different from yours, Jan." "They're superstitious." "They're Chinese." "They will pray to any god that will help them win the lottery." "I can't jinx Wayne's wedding by telling them about us." "Jinx Wayne's wedding?" "What, so our relationship is bad luck now?" "(Makeda) Okay, honey, quick grab a muffin." "You don't want to be late for the first day of summer camp." "I thought you were going to set your alarm clock." " I forgot." " Mm-hmm." "(Norman) Jess, I was thinking maybe you and I could play a game of tennis today." "What do you think?" "Uh, Dad's picking me up today." "He's taking me shopping." "Shopping?" "He says my clothes will never do in the gay scene." "They're too het." "Too het?" "What's wrong with your clothes?" "[knock at door]" "(Daniel) Hey, everyone." " Hey." " Hi." "Hey, Jess, before we shop," "I want to take you to the Gay and Lesbian Center." "We'll pick up some pamphlets, check out their programs." "I think it's important that he becomes connected to his community." "(Jesse) Great." "Great, Dad." "Bye, sweetie." "[knock at door]" "Hey." "You look great, Jan." "So do you." "So has Cara said yes to coming down here and volunteering?" "Oh, um, I'll have to try talking to her about it again." "She's not really spontaneous when it comes to trying new things, you know?" "Well, just let her know we need her here real soon." "Alana, our volunteer counselor, is going away on her holiday Friday." " Coffee?" " Oh, sure." "Oh, thanks." ""How to get hitched:" "An exclusive feature on gay and lesbian weddings."" "I can't wait to be the best dyke at your wedding." "Oh." "Yeah, Cara was really upset that I told my mom." "Maybe she doesn't love me enough to want to make a commitment." "(woman) Oh, don't be silly, Jan." "I'm sure Cara's just feeling insecure because of her brother's wedding." "Yeah, I guess you're right." "[sighs]" "I just wish there was something that I could do so her family would like me." "I mean, that would make it easier for her to come out." "And Dad knows exactly where to get the best shirts." "Comes naturally, I guess." "(Makeda) Come on, you guys." "Straight people know how to shop too." "Straight women maybe." "(Norman) Hey, what's wrong with the way I dress?" "You're an accountant, Norman." "Yeah, Dad." "You don't have to look good." "But I like this shirt." "Should we tell them, Jess?" "Tell us what?" "Jesse has decided to come back to New York City with me." "You have?" "To New York for the summer?" "No, Mom." "Forever." "(Cara) Hey, sweetie, I'm home." "Mmmm, something smells good." "I have invited your mom and dad over for dinner." "Yeah, I wanted to surprise you." "They're going to be so impressed with my Char Quay Teow." "You what?" "I think Janet's just too tired and came down with a cold." "Maybe some other time." "Okay, I'll talk to you later, Mom." "I can't believe you, Cara." "What's wrong with showing your parents a little bit of hospitality?" "We've been through this, sweetie." "I can't come out to them right now." "I don't want to play the pretense game in front of you and my folks, okay?" "Can you understand?" "Yeah, I understand." "I understand that you're ashamed of me, of our relationship, and you can't even be who you truly are in front of your family." "I can't believe you just said that." "Just because you had an easier time coming out to your mom doesn't mean it's easy for me." "You think that everything comes easy for me?" "What are you doing?" "I'm outta here." "I have an idea." "Why don't you call me when you grow some balls, huh?" "Don't forget your electric toothbrush." "Yeah, and don't forget to call Maureen." "She's counting on you." "The man waltzes in here and takes Jesse from us." "We have to do what's best for Jesse." "This is his home." "We have to let him go." "It's the only way." "[man on TV] One more time, folks." "Here's that before shot of Mike." "Look at that." "Looks like he crawled out from under a rock." "And here he is now." "Oh, my God." "Michael, you look fabulous." "Remember, if you need a makeover, call 1-800-LOOKGOOD." "[knock at door]" "Hey, everyone, are you ready?" "This is going to be great." "Do you know that our tickets are right beside the runway?" "(Jesse) Well, let's go." "(Daniel) Come on, come on, come on." "We can do those later, babe." "You know, I'm not feeling so well." "I should just stay home and rest." "Are you sure?" "Yeah, I'm a straight man." "What do I know about fashion?" "All right." "It's okay, honey." "I'm just kidding." "You go ahead." "All right." "See ya." "This is going to be fantastic." "[door buzzing]" "Not a moment too soon." "Let's see." "Let's see." "Where should we set up?" "How about the kitchen?" "Kitchen, yes." "Fabulous." "Are you sure it won't be too dark?" "Norman, Norman, Norman." "We must cover the grey, must we not?" "And next we'll need to do something about those eyebrows of yours." "My eyebrows?" "Don't panic." "We'll just tidy them up a bit." "[doorbell rings]" "(Cara) Mrs. Nakano." "Janet is very sad." "She cannot eat or sleep well." "I'm worried about her." "I'm so sorry." "I really didn't mean to hurt her." "I love her." "But I just can't deal with the issue of marriage right now." "Family is very important to her." "Janet wants to have family with you." "I feel so fortunate to be accepted by you, Mrs. Nakano." "I only wish my family would be as understanding as you and accept Janet." "I'm so scared that they will hurt her with their ignorance and anger." "All parents want their children to be happy." "It will take time, but they will understand." "(Norman) Ouch!" "You are such a baby." "Ow!" "That hurts." "Well, what'd you expect?" "I had no idea it hurt this much." "Well, beauty comes at a cost, sweetie." "Ask your wife if you don't believe me." "I had no idea." "A-la-la-la, what did you put in there?" "Let me show you how to make some healthy food." "Now, we must do something about those... clothes of yours." "My clothes?" "Come on." "We're going shopping." "No, no, no." "All of those actors are so old news." "Really?" "Ashton Kutcher is hot these days." "Who?" "Quiche is out." "Sashimi is in." "We're vegetarians." "Oh, veggie is so out." "So much to remember." "I don't think I can keep it all straight." "Mm-hmm." "Oh, I mean," "I don't think I can remember it all." "Look, do you want to impress your son or not?" "[sighs deeply]" "Veggie is out." "Ashley is hot." "Ash-ton." "Now, let's do something about that walk of yours." "My walk?" "Yeah, no offense, but you look a little bit like George Bush with a large cucumber up his butt." "I want to invite Janet to Wayne's wedding." "Okay, sure." "She can come to the wedding reception at night." "No, I want her to be at the ceremony too." "Ai, the ceremony is for immediate family." "That's our family tradition." "It's very private." "Janet is my family, Mom." "(Mrs. Chan) What is this all about, huh?" "[door rattles]" "[sighs deeply]" "Sweetie, I am so glad you're home." "What happened?" "I just came out to them." "What did she say?" "She's not even Chinese, Cara." "We love each other, Mom." "And it's not about the gods either." "I chose to be with Janet because I love her." "Mami, look at it this way." "At least she's not with a white woman." "Norman?" "Dad?" "You look fabulous." "Who would have thought?" "(Jesse) Norman" "Yes?" "You look ridiculous." "Why are you doing this?" "You don't like it?" "(Jesse) Oh, God, this is embarrassing." "Well, I think you look sexy." "Yeah, she's right." "Gross, Mom." "Oh, honey." "Who did this?" "I mean, who helped you?" "He's gone." "I hired a stylist." "You did?" "Norman, are you, like, coming out now?" "What?" "No." "Why?" "Do I look gay?" "Uh, no." "No." "Just checking." "Okay, well, I have to toddle off." "Big day tomorrow." "Got to pack." "I thought Jesse would like me better like this." "Oh, Norman." "But it doesn't seem to be having the desired effect." "Well, it's affecting me, Norman." "You like?" "Mm-hmm." "Looks like I blew it with Jesse again." "Oh, Norman, he's only 14." "It doesn't matter what we do." "You think?" "Come on." "I'd like to see what you look like under that sexy outfit." " You would?" " Mm-hmm." "I'm so sorry, sweetie." "I should have confronted my family sooner, and it wouldn't have blown up like this." "No." "I'm sorry too, honey." "I should have talked to you before I told my mom." "Your mom taught me how to make oyakodon." "Oh, yeah?" "What else did she teach you?" "How to eat tofu without cooking it." "You're still not ready to marry me, are you?" "Sweetie, I just came out to my parents." "Can we take things one step at a time?" "Honey, I love you." "It's not about your family anymore, is it?" "I think I need some space tonight." "So you're sure you got everything you need?" "(Jesse) I'm sure." "Well, when you get to New York, we'll send on more of your stuff." "What time is it, Mom?" "You just asked me one minute ago." "It's eleven after." "He was supposed to be here at 6:00." "Right?" "Yes." "[knock at door]" "(Jesse) Hi, Dad." "Let's go." "(Daniel) Hey, Jess, hold up a sec, will you?" "What's wrong?" "Look, we're just gonna have to postpone your visit to New York for a while." "Visit?" "Why?" "So exciting." "I just got off the phone with my agent." "I have an audition in L.A." "A new series with a major network." "Can you believe it?" "This is the chance of a lifetime." "It's a recurring role." "And did I say it was with a major network?" "Yeah, you mentioned." "It's the kind of break I've been looking for, Mack." "You know that." "Oh, Daniel." "I'll be back in a few weeks, and then you and I, we're going to New York City." "(Makeda) And what if another audition comes up after that?" "Well, that's show biz." "You know that." "Okay, Jess?" "We'll go in a few weeks." "Going for a walk." "(Norman) Jess?" "(Cara) And how does that make you feel, Jesse?" "Pissed off, I guess." "What would you like to say to your father?" "Are you married?" "Me?" "Well, no." "I mean, I've been with my partner for a while." "And we live together." "Well, why don't you marry her?" "Jesse, we're here to talk about your feelings." "I mean, if you love someone, why wouldn't you want to be with them?" "Are you thinking about your father?" "How do I know?" "You're the shrink." "What do you think?" "I think that you're worried that your father doesn't want to be with you because he doesn't love you." "He hasn't really made a commitment to you, has he?" "(Makeda) Well, if you see him, can you please have him call home?" "Thanks." "[phone beeps]" "He's not at Jason's or Alexander's." "Who else can we call?" "Maybe we should call the police." "They won't do anything." "Not yet." "It's been eight hours." "I think we should call the cops." "Ali, think hard." "Where else could he be?" "He was never going to take me to New York." "Was he?" "I don't think he meant to hurt you." "I hate him." "Even if he comes back next week to get me," "I'm not going." "It's up to you." "He's fun, but... you can't depend on him." "So... you coming home?" "You look kinda good like that." "[laughing]" "Come on." "We should get going." "Your mom's pretty worried." "Okay, Dad." "Sweetie?" "Yes, it's me." "Come out to the bedroom window." "I want to show you something." "[upbeat guitar music]" "What are you doing?" "I can't decide which dress to wear for Wayne's wedding." "What are you up to?" "I love you!" "Ah." "Shit!" "And then we'll fold in some carob chips." "Oh, and let's add raspberries too." "Fabulous." "A four letter word for false, and it has to end with an E." "Fake?" "Let's see." "Hey, everybody." "Look." "I'm gay, not corny." "Hi, I'm Cara Chan." "I live upstairs." "And my balloon is stuck outside your window." "Can I come in and get it?" "Sure, come on in." "This is Cara." "Jesse." "Did I miss an appointment?" "No, it's my balloon." "You must be Norman?" "Sorry to barge in, but it's an emergency." "I- my girlfriend is waiting for this." "Yes." "Yes?" "I will." "Ooh, champagne." "For breakfast?" "Every moment of life with you is a celebration, sweetie." "(Norman) Oh, here we go." "I have one." "There you go." "Ali, want a new roll?" "(Cara) So embarrassing." "(Jesse) Hey, guys." "(Norman) Hi, you guys, welcome." "Really good to have you." "(Cara) How about a mimosa?" "(Norman) Champagne." "(Makeda) Shall we all sit down?" "(Norman) Wow, that's great." "That's wonderful." "I'll get the glasses." "Fine, here we go, yes, you are." "(Cara) Oh, wow." "(Norman) Got two there, that's four." "(Norman) It's never too early for champagne, at least not in this house." "(Cara) We've got a reason to celebrate." "(Norman) Here we go." "Here we go." "Here we go." "Here we go." "pop!" "[all cheering and clapping]" "(Cara) Yay, Norm!" "Cheers!" "(Norman) To balloons!" "[jazzy music]" "(woman) # Don't apologize for the way that you are. #" "# I won't apologize for the way that I am. #" "# Below the surface of a pretty ugly pretense, # # beneath the sadness where the beauty never ends. #" "# Draw the curtain." "Close the lights. #" "# Come stay with me tonight, # # and we'll drink and smoke and talk till dawn. #" "# The interview goes on. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are, # # whoever you ever want to be. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are. #" "# And you are a part... #" "# And you are a part... # # of everything, # # oh, everything. # [electric guitar solo]" "# Don't apologize for the things that you've done. #" "# I won't apologize for the place that I've come from. #" "# Below the surface of perpetual grind. #" "# Beneath the madness to the souls of our minds. #" "# Hungry hearts hold on tight. #" "# What will be will be tonight. #" "# We'll make love till the break of dawn. #" "# The interview goes on. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are, # # whoever you ever want to be. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are. #" "# And you are a part of me. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are. #" "# And you are a part... #" "# And you are a part... # # of everything, # # oh, everything. #" "# #" "# Ahh, ahh. #" "# Ahh, ahh, ahh. #" "# Ahh, ahh. #" "# Ahh, ahh, ahh. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are, # # whoever you ever want to be. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are. #" "# And you are a part of me. #" "# Whoever you are is all that you are. #" "# Who do you want to be?" "#" "# Whoever you are is all that you are. #" "# And you are a part... #" "# And you are a part... # # of everything, # # oh, everything, # # every, everything. #"