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So...

tell me about yourself.

What would you like to know?

I don't know, just the basics.

Erm...

Where are you from, what do you do in life...

besides...

Erm...

Well, my name's Sebastian.

I'm twenty-four.

- From Edinburgh. - Oh...

I thought I heard an accent.

Are you okay? - Yeah.

Oh yeah.

Yeah. Good. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. - Get on your back.

Oh yeah.

I'm getting close. Do you want me to come?

Oh fuck, yeah. Yeah, yeah. - Are you sure?

Yeah, yeah.

Oh yeah.

So tell me about yourself.

What would you like to know?

Oh, I don't know, just the basics. Erm...

I must admit, I was a bit worried

when you wouldn't send a face pic, but...

you're very handsome.

Are you quite new to this?

Max, how is the Marloan review coming along?

You'll have it by Friday. Let's just say...

sophomore slump is a kind way of putting it.

For LLF, they've just announced Alina Casaro.

I would love to... - There's been some indication

she might give an interview, but we've all heard that before.

As for Easton Ellis,

his people just confirmed this morning.

I think this one's for you. - But didn't I ask first?

Actually, I think Max beat you to it, but in any case,

I do think it best

that queer writers cover queer authors.

Shouldn't anyone be able to write about anything?

That's a very cis-hetero response.

What does cis have to do with it?

I thought that the priority here was quality reporting,

not optics.

It's not about optics.

It's about sensibility,

sensitivity.

Just do me the favor and run those questions by me, Max.

I trust that you know what to ask, but I need to see them

because we may lead with it.

They're not that apparent to me.

I really tend not to write about my life at all.

People point to the story in The Informers called In the Islands,

which is about a father who takes his son...

♪ My heart, it felt complete and ♪

♪ Everything was Perfectly aligned [alright] ♪

♪ It happened just like that ♪

♪ We found ♪

♪ Our satellites ♪

Seriously, it's like a religious experience,

the new one.

Reading it I really feel changed as a person.

Sorry, I know I sound like a twat.

She's only given one interview in, like, eight years.

Dunno how her publisher let her get away with it?

I think the mystique is part of it.

Like, you actually have to read any of her work

to understand anything about her.

It should be out today.

Wow.

So fucking cool.

I just don't think it stands out.

It's so unpolished. - What?

No.

It's exactly that rawness that makes it work so well.

The way you capture the intimacy between the lovers and...

you know, then how it suddenly turns to distance.

Yeah, collapsing those two timeframes together like that

in one moment is...

fantastic.

I mean, yeah, it's atmospheric, sure, but...

Is it really saying anything? - Max...

Not everything needs to be some grand statement

if it's well-observed, if it's truthful.

This comes from the heart.

And that's why it works.

I really don't think this could've been written by someone

who... hadn't lived it.

I can't just be stuck writing short stories

and reviewing other people's work

for the rest of my life, Amna.

Do you know how old Bret Easton Ellis was

when he published his first novel?

Twenty-one.

Zadie Smith?

I'm already late.

Hi.

Come on in.

Okay.

You're a great kisser.

Thanks.

Sorry, it's a bit messy in here.

The cleaner is coming tomorrow.

Just got back from New York this morning.

Oh, nice. Erm... Business or pleasure?

Business, unfortunately.

Always business.

Do you want a drink? - Yeah, I'd love one.

Wine?

Whatever you're having is great.

Okay, kid.

You've got a beautiful place. - Thank you.

It's just for work days. The weekends I spend in Kent.

With the family, you know.

Oh yeah.

Are you gonna make me come? - Yeah.

Keep going.

Keep going.

[Daniel] Do you always have sex like that?

Did you like it?

You know the answer.

Do you know...

most of the people on that website are just awful.

Have you... had bad experiences?

Disappointments. - Hm.

It's so rare to find someone like you on there.

I mean...

people lie about their age.

Or height or dick size.

It's all exaggeration.

Some of them aren't even gay.

Can't get it hard with a man.

It's so nice that not everyone is deceptive.

"Sebastian stood by the window over London,

looking at both the city and himself with a new perspective.

As Daniel casually mentioned his family,

he felt suddenly complicit in a cliché,

acting out another role, but one he hadn't cast himself in.

Daniel's hands found him and pulled at his skin and flesh

as hungrily as a mouth seeking water in the desert.

He didn't just want [pause], he needed.

This was the relief he had from his family,

his job, his other life.

Sebastian in that moment felt that he was living

more authentically than Daniel."

That's good. So good.

Did you speak to actual prostitutes for your research?

I think Gloria means sex workers.

Yeah. Absolutely.

What initially drew me to the topic

was a piece I did for Wall Magazine last year

on students who escort.

I guess I was struck by how casually some of them

talked about the work. Erm...

They weren't really ashamed of it at all.

They saw very little stigma in it anymore.

And some of them had such a sense of professionalism

in the way that they set themselves up as entrepreneurs

or market themselves online.

There was almost this erm... sense of pride.

Anyway, I couldn't stop thinking about

some of the people I interviewed

and just felt like I had to write about it.

I thought it was all OnlyFans now.

Yeah. People do that, too.

But a screen will never replace touch.

Hm... It's an easier way to earn though.

Hm, to cultivate an audience

that'll make you any significant money

takes a lot of work. Yeah.

But you don't physically need to interact.

Yeah, but some people do just really enjoy sex though.

They might not want videos of themselves online forever.

I know someone that used to do it,

when they were young of course.

They didn't mind it.

And I asked her honestly

whether she didn't find some of the men repulsive.

For her, it wasn't about them, the clients.

It was about her. That's just...

The idea that I'm like Patrick Bateman because I described

a woman-hating man, that I am that man as well,

is just a load of... bunk.

The book that I had problems with was the first one

because everyone assumed it was autobiographical

and my family is really nothing like the family in that book.

So that was the one I felt might have been the hardest

for you and Dad to take because it was erm...

To an outsider it was the most autobiographical.

I don't think the content upset me.

The fact that it was such a tremendous hit

and it affected you so much at such an early age,

that had much more impact on me

than the content of what you'd written.

Listen, as a writer

I guess I tend to be a bit of a sociologist and I guess I tend

to be drawn to things that are happening in the culture

and incorporate...

I know it's superficial,

but you are a young, not unattractive guy

and you shouldn't be afraid to use that.

It's just...

I'm not really big on social media.

I find it to be a distraction.

I don't want anything complicated,

just a couple of quality posts every week.

I'm afraid nobody gets to say they're above it these days.

And what about the... novel?

Did you get a chance to look at the pages?

I have to say, I wasn't thrilled

when you said you were writing about sex work.

You're aware there's no shortage of treatises on the topic.

But...

I think it is alive.

Really intimate.

And you might have found a fresh perspective on it.

I do realize it is a sort of...

stock character of queer literature, but...

this new generation of sex workers

are all using technology.

The digital hustler.

Yeah. Something like that. - Hm.

Unfortunately, I can't offer you an advance,

but it would be fantastic if after the stories

we can get your debut novel published already next year.

How soon do you think you could get me a full draft?

Erm... Couple of months? - Oh really. That soon?

Don't want to rush it. - Yeah.

I've got to do more research. Erm, interviews.

Yes. I understand.

Sorry.

Did you have any notes on the pages?

Yes.

There was one bigger thing I've been wondering about.

Have you thought about setting it in the first person?

Almost like a memoir.

A pseudo memoir.

It's not something I'd thought about.

I mean, it might not work.

I just think there's something there.

♪ Dancing, Dancing with the lights out ♪

♪ Dancing, Dancing with the lights out ♪

♪ Dancing, Dancing with the lights out ♪

♪ Dancing, Dancing with the lights out ♪

♪ Dancing, Dancing with the lights out ♪

♪ Dancing, dancing with... ♪

- Get the door. Get the door. - I got it.

This calls for celebration.

It's just a couple of chapters so far.

Max, it's gonna be amazing.

I have faith in you.

♪ Open to the rhythm Like oh wah wah ♪

♪ Feel it in your bones Like oh cha-cha-cha ♪

♪ Did you miss me? ♪

Hi.

Have we met?

Don't think so.

Where do you go to uni? You look so familiar.

UCL, but I finished a while ago, so...

What's your name?

Erm... Max. I'm Max.

Are you sure?

Hey. Let me just grab my jacket. I'll come for a smoke.

Erm... Actually, I'm gonna have to go.

I just remembered I've got a deadline.

Oh... Grindr calls. - It's... It's not that.

Well, it was very nice to meet you.

So, I read your new pages.

I think the character is really intriguing

and your prose is vivid as ever,

but I just wonder if it gets a little repetitive.

This series of the same kinds of erm... encounters

with generally always older men.

I'm just wondering what it might look like

to see him in a slightly different situation.

Only to give it a bit more variety

and maybe to explore how he might react to a new context.

Also, I was just a little thrown

by the bit about Sebastian's erm...

intermittent feelings of shame and the erm...

how did you put it...

shame about shame, which definitely makes sense,

but it's just that I thought you said

you were struck by how little shame

your interviewers felt.

I'll send you my new chapters tonight.

Anxious to get your thoughts before the submission.

Hey, Sebastian. - Hi.

Glad you could make it. Come on through.

We got friends over. I hope you don't mind.

Oh... Nice, Sam. Hello.

What's your name, son? Come on in.

Can I fix you a drink?

We have vodka, gin, wine. Erm, I think...

Or would you prefer a shot?

Actually, I think I'm gonna go.

No. No, wait. Wait, wait, wait.

Stay. Please.

You didn't tell me it was a group thing. I don't do that.

Why not?

Please, stay.

I'll make it worth your while

if that's what you're worried about.

It's late.

We'll have fun. I promise.

You didn't want it?

You put more in yours.

Okay. I don't see well. And after, you drink slowly.

So erm... where did you come from tonight?

Just from home. And where's home?

Erm... East.

Phone, please. You get it back when you go.

We put them away when we party. House rules.

Just so everyone can relax. It's to protect us all.

Yeah, you know. From any sneaky pornographers.

Or rather, it's because our lovely hosts here

wouldn't want to be pictured with the likes of you, Jacopo.

Fuck you. - Hey, whoa. Careful. Come on.

Turn it off if you want.

I'm just going to put it in a drawer.

Okay.

Want some?

What is it?

Mephedrone.

Do you notice the difference?

I didn't say.

The other one wasn't bad, but this stuff is a lot speedier.

Are you okay? You weren't in the meeting.

I need your piece ASAP and your questions for Bret.

Are you not coming in at all today?

Give me a call when you get this, please.

So tell us, where did you come from tonight?

Fuck him. Fuck him.

Like it, Carlo?

Oh fuck. - It's good, right? Yeah.

I think they enjoyed that.

You're new to this, aren't you?

So have you erm...

been here before?

Yeah, I've been over a couple of times.

They like to get trashed once a month or so.

Who are they?

Like, what do they do?

Both lawyers. Hence the phones.

I have no idea what kind, but...

they can afford to be generous.

Where did he find you?

Erm...

Dreamy... guys.

Yeah, I can see why he picked you.

We should collab, you know.

OnlyFans.

I don't think I want to be that erm... public.

You'd do so well though.

Do you think so? - Hm.

Yeah.

You've got that wholesome boy-next-door thing going on.

But it's all filth underneath.

Why don't you think about it. Hm?

What I find interesting now

is that there is this kind of anti-sex thing going on

in a way in terms of... In a lot of the reviews in America,

they complained about how much sex was in the book,

which surprised me because I don't think it was that much.

Morning. - Hey.

Max. Good to see you. - Hi.

Meeting's in five. - Yeah. Thanks.

Amna is doing the Rachel Cusk interview,

Fazel has the Design Biennale. Max...

Erm... I've got Bret. Change of plans.

You're going to Ecotec today for the app launch.

Erm... But I'm interviewing Bret.

No. James is taking care of Bret.

But erm... Max is like an expert.

He was here on Friday for the LLF meeting

and has prepared for it.

But that's not even our section.

What makes the existence of this magazine possible?

Do you think literature pays for itself?

And please hurry up with the Slimani review.

It should've gone up by now.

I know, it's fucked up.

But... why didn't you come in on Friday?

I told you.

I hooked up with someone and I fell asleep at their place.

You know, I really could've used your feedback on my pages.

Fuck, erm...

I'm sorry. I'll look at them tonight. I promise.

I've already submitted it. The deadline was yesterday?

...intuitive interface,

so all you'll be doing is swiping left or right,

which I'm sure you can all manage.

This time the best part is that you won't even have

to take an awkward stranger out for a drink.

Now, we have spots in our software

where you can share ideas, brainstorm,

make parking lots for your research and development...

So this is Max from Wall Magazine.

Joan, our Head Developer.

Pleasure to meet you, Max. - Hi.

Shall we sit down over here?

Yeah.

Where do we begin?

Has anybody demonstrated to you how the app works?

Yeah, they have.

I can tell you more about the development process

or how we came about our user interface, or the design.

Actually, I think erm...

I've got enough.

Oh no, you really want to talk to Joan about this.

She pretty much spearheaded the project.

It's not necessary. The presentation

covered everything, so... I'm gonna have to be off.

Thank you so much.

No. I'm sorry. We're not done here.

Joan needs to be a part of this piece.

Did you find your way here okay?

Yeah. No problems.

I know it can be a little unintuitive from the station.

Where did you say you live again?

In Hackney. - Oh right, yes.

Hackney has really come up, hasn't it?

It wasn't that long ago no one wanted to go near it,

let alone live there.

I remember when it was just gangs and drug dealers and...

Can I offer you a drink?

I've opened some Primitivo.

I'm grateful to have had my career when I did.

Starting out in the seventies was an absolute joy.

Tertiary education was free.

The pursuit of knowledge was regarded as an end in itself.

Speaking with post-doctorates now,

the situation seems just dire.

I don't know how they manage to cope with all that...

uncertainty and debt.

You're erm... studying, aren't you?

I thought your profile mentioned that.

Yeah, erm...

I'm doing my masters. - Oh, what in?

French literature.

That's wonderful.

I used to lecture in comparative literature.

Do you know what you're going to do your thesis on yet?

Yeah. I think so, erm...

But I don't want to bore you. - Oh, you couldn't.

I live for that stuff.

I haven't...

Sorry, could we just keep talking for now?

Are you sure?

Please.

I just want to get to know you better first. There's no rush.

I hope you're all as excited and as honored as I am

to welcome onto the stage tonight

an author whose decade-spanning body of work

has not only left an indelible mark

on 20th and 21st century literature,

but someone who I can also say

has had a profound influence on the way

many writers of my generation, myself included,

have come to view the role of the writer in society.

Please join me in welcoming onto the stage

the winner of both the Goncourt and Booker Prizes,

the author of the devastatingly brilliant Blackwater,

her 18th novel, Alina Casaro.

I mean,

you were fucking incredible.

That question about the influence of erm...

Oh no no no. I don't want to talk to her.

After she rejected my manuscript. So embarrassing.

Max, hi. - Hi.

Erm... Amna, is it? - Yes.

Brilliant job on that Q&A. - Oh, thank you.

You really managed to drill down deeply.

Thanks.

I've got to ask. How did you randle that?

Oh well... I interviewed her for Wall

and then she asked me to interview her here.

Max, I've got a couple of people indoor

that I'd really love you to meet,

if you can spare him for a moment.

Yes, be my guest. - Okay.

Erm... Amna, why don't you come by the office.

We can have a chat about whatever you're working on.

Yeah. That'd be great.

I'm always on the lookout for a fresh voice like yours.

Brilliant.

Ready?

Just so you're aware,

Joy is on the panel for the Polari Prize. Okay?

Hi. Can I please introduce Max.

He's one of our latest discoveries.

Ian. - Hi.

Charmed. - Nice to meet you.

Ian runs the London Review. - Wow.

Dionne is being far too generous.

I merely oversee it nowadays.

I leave the daily business to...

well, to the younger generation.

Joy is with the Arts Council. - Hello.

Lovely to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

So, what are you working on? - A couple of things

at the moment. Erm...

We're really proud to be publishing

some of Max's short stories.

He's already had one in Granta a few months ago

and another has been nominated for the Bridport.

That's wonderful. - Oh, good. Well done.

Congratulations. - Thank you.

And currently, he's working hard on quite a tantalizing novel

that we're hoping to publish next year, all going well.

No doubt we'll be covering you on our pages soon.

Certainly one for the radar.

You look awfully young to be getting published.

How old are you, Max? - I am twenty-five.

Oh... Well, perfection.

So, what's your novel about?

Erm, it's about a student who erm...

who...

It's about sex work in the digital age.

Good, good.

Max is exploring it as perhaps just another job

amongst many other jobs in the gig economy.

Erm... I... I just remembered that I've left something.

I'm so sorry, I will have to excuse myself, erm...

I'm sorry. Thanks.

...it's not very fluffy. What can she do?

So that's Emily's idea of a dilemma, is it?

She's got a busy life,

she wants to make a nice cake for her party.

So in the morning, she's bothering people

with that sponge cake.

Oh, you know... It is true.

Hi, Mum.

Yeah, I'm good.

How are you?

You're already in bed?

All right then. Yeah, that's fine. I can call tomorrow.

No. Nothing's the matter. Don't worry.

Yeah. Okay.

Good night.

Love you.

Yeah, it had almost a dystopian vibe to it.

Yeah.

I thought it was very honest. So thank you for that, Joel.

Okay, let's move on to Max.

What do you have for us today?

"Although no one seemed to have been able

to detect the signs leading up to it,

they were all afterwards in mournful apprehension

that they had been there.

Everywhere. Undetected like an odorless, poisonous gas.

The morning had been routine.

Another identical link

in a chain of silvery summer days at Dunbar."

There we go, guys. Cheers.

I liked your poem.

Yeah?

Yeah.

It captured that sense of urban loneliness really well.

Did it... resonate with you?

I doubt those feelings are entirely foreign to anyone

who's single in London.

What happened to...

what was his name? Sebastian.

I don't know. I just...

I felt like that story wasn't going anywhere new.

I didn't know where to take it next.

I wanted to hear more.

Do you like that? - Yeah. Yeah, I do.

Do you like my cock? - Yeah, fuck me.

Stop.

Please, stop. Stop, stop. Slow down.

Sorry. That's okay.

It's all right. Don't worry.

It's not a porno.

Did you and Dad get round to watching that show

I told you about?

We started it, but I had to turn it off after fifteen minutes.

I don't know why every program nowadays has to be like that.

Just so vulgar.

Oh, Mum. You should have stuck with it.

Do you have anything for the wash?

No.

I read your story.

I thought it was very beautiful.

Which one do you mean?

His Breath. The one in the magazine.

How did you...

I do know how to use the internet, you know.

I thought it was very touching.

But...

It made me worry about you.

But it's fiction, Mum.

But it has to come from somewhere, doesn't it?

I just worry about you

being by yourself in London.

I have friends.

Has there been anybody else since...

You never talk about these things.

No, because I have honestly got to focus on work right now.

I should be staff at the magazine soon.

They've got a new position coming up.

Do you have to write about such personal things?

You do have the right to keep some things

just for yourself, you know.

Hey.

I've sent you the version with the latest edits.

We've picked the images and they're in Proof now.

I'll get started with the Husmann review next.

Max, come in.

I've got some not great news for you.

Our editorial board, now that we have a new staff editor...

You mean James.

They are looking to shift their emphasis away from freelancers.

So unfortunately, the pieces that we discussed for next month

are going to be done in-house. - Right.

So is there anything for me to do?

I'm afraid not.

Sorry, but wasn't my piece one of the most read last month

and the month before that too?

Max, I get the feeling that our magazine

hasn't exactly been your top priority of late,

so I wouldn't want us to keep you

away from whatever it is you'd rather be doing.

I'm sorry this didn't work out.

I get the sense that she can't handle

having anyone with any other prospects on the team,

like anyone with anything other than a shitty collection

of poetry to their name.

You could ask Steven if they've got anything at Glamour.

I know it's not exactly Granta, but... it's money.

Do you really think that will go down well with my publisher?

Glamour isn't exactly compatible

with being a serious writer, is it?

Hm... Yeah.

You know what, you should erm...

I think you should use a pseudonym.

No one need know after all it's by the Max Williamson.

I've got to focus on my fiction anyway.

And live on what?

It's not like you've got an advance or anything.

What did you see tonight?

It was The Goat by Edward Albee.

Oh yeah. - Are you familiar?

No. I've...

not had a chance to see it yet.

I'd like to though.

But I couldn't help thinking that for all its ingenuity

and brilliant allusion to Greek tragedy,

the play just didn't move me.

Whereas with Tennessee Williams, well...

I saw yet another production of The Glass Menagerie last week.

Seeing their work almost back-to-back

forces you to compare.

Is this a...

a Schiele?

A very lucky find back in the day.

I like all of your pictures.

I've managed to collect a few things over the years.

But really, it's a wealthier person's hobby.

No, no. You... You've got a beautiful home.

It's a bit big for one, but...

I've decided to stay.

So, you write as well then.

Or are you more of an aficionado, like me?

I'm studying. I told you that.

I wasn't sure I'd see you again.

I mean, I had quite a shock myself that night.

I have been offline for a bit. - I noticed.

I hope not on my account.

And it goes without saying that this is between us.

Nothing leaves this room, this house. So don't worry.

To be honest erm...

I was a little surprised to hear from you again.

That night that I was here, erm... I'm sorry...

No. No need to apologies.

I was on edge myself. Too tense.

I'm pretty much of a novice

in case you didn't realize.

So...

Is it poetry or prose you write?

I still do occasional work editing textbooks.

I still get invited to these things.

I'm only asking out of genuine interest, you know.

I do write.

Mainly just short stories.

Anything I can read?

Not so fast.

I need to get to know you a little better first.

Touché.

You remind me of someone. Thirty years ago, when he was your age.

It's something about the way you laugh.

The tenor of your voice.

Chin up a little bit.

Okay. No, not so sultry. Thoughtful, not sexy.

It's a serious subject you're writing about, yeah?

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, that's it.

Oh, that's stunning. I love this one.

Can we get a couple more very close up?

Yeah, sure.

Yeah. Max, what's your Insta?

Erm... It's @maximes.

But I've not really got many followers or anything, so...

We're going to fix that.

We'll do a big feature on our Instagram.

Once this comes out,

your face is gonna be on the top of everyone's feed.

Les Nuits Fauves.

Oh, that certainly sparked debate in my seminars.

I know some people view him as immoral.

Or selfish.

Unlikable.

But I think it's a beautiful account of a kind of... joy.

Even in the face of death,

against the tyranny of Aids and homophobia...

I think there's great beauty in his refusal to give up on life.

His continued desire to taste everything until the...

very end.

What?

Can I ask you a question?

Why is it that you do this?

I don't imagine there are many boys on that website

who are published in Granta or nominated for literary prizes.

Are you saying that I shouldn't be here?

No. No, not at all.

You know, there's not much money in writing fiction.

Or writing full stop.

No, I don't imagine there is.

But is it really just about the money for you?

Erm...

No.

It's not that simple.

We met in California in the early nineties.

I still wasn't out.

The only time I plucked up courage to meet anyone

was on work trips.

That too became a frightening business because of Aids.

Yeah, of course.

So how did you meet?

I had the afternoon off from my conference

and had gone to spend it at the Getty Villa.

It really is a marvellous place.

You should go if you haven't been.

I was looking at this sculpture, the Victorious Youth,

lost in admiration,

when suddenly I heard,

"Cute ass, isn't it?"

Turning round,

I saw David for the first time.

Smiling his cheeky smile. So handsome.

We got into conversation,

went for lunch, had drinks,

an unforgettable night in my hotel.

Three days later,

I flew back to London and David came with me,

and never left.

Until one day, twenty-nine years later,

he was taken away.

It'll be three years next month.

A stroke.

He went as suddenly as he had appeared.

Oh... Our time is almost over.

I'd like to stay.

Well, you know I'd love that, but really I can't afford...

Not him.

Me.

I've seen the proofs from the Evening Standard piece.

Really good shots, don't you think?

They're great. I'll see if we can get one for the dust jacket.

The interview's good too.

I love that thing you said... What was it?

"I carve out my existence in the world using words. They are..."

They are the footsteps I leave in my wake.

Beautiful. - Yeah.

It's not too lyrical?

No, it's just what we needed.

Fingers crossed it gets the review it deserves.

Shouldn't be a problem. Larry is doing it.

I think he'll have a real appreciation for your style.

So have you read the draft? - Yes.

Ben's had a look at it too.

I'm gonna be honest because

we want to get this out as soon as possible

after the short stories while you're still fresh

in everybody's mind.

This erm... whole new thread with...

Oh, what's the character's name? The older gentleman.

Jonathan.

I'm not sure about it.

But it's the heart... - Don't you think it's...

somehow too romantic in a way?

Is Sebastian, who has been so consumed by sex until now,

really about to become all Harold and Maude with this guy?

I'm trying to show that he's moved beyond that initial,

more superficial interest

in sex work to... to this deeper appreciation of its meaning.

I can see that's what you're trying to do.

But you spend so much time now on this one relationship,

I fear it's losing focus.

Don't get me wrong. It started off brilliantly.

Really exciting stuff.

I'd just like you to continue in that vein.

It's just, I really feel like I'm discovering...

something deeper here.

These exchanges between escorts and their clients.

They are really important,

connecting generations of gay men

that might have not had much to do with each other

and thus they're transmitting queer history and culture and...

That's something I want to talk about.

But that's not what we discussed originally, is it?

You've veered from your proposal.

An authentic portrait of contemporary sex work.

The reality of what life is like...

But it's grounded in reality. It's all based on research.

From my interviews.

I'm sorry. I just don't think our audiences will like it.

You need to bring something more to it, Max.

Find a way to raise the stakes. - I don't want it to be

just another tragic sex worker's story. Not at all.

And nobody is asking you to do that.

Look, we already know that you've mastered the short story.

But this is a novel. You have to remember that.

It is a different beast entirely.

As it is, I'm afraid it's not working.

It scares me. I don't know...

It's as if I have a cold heart.

Have you never fallen in love with a boy?

Yes.

Then why aren't you with him?

I don't know. It's my fault. I didn't know what I was doing.

Think of him a lot?

Sometimes. I don't want to talk about it.

If I were you, I'd listen to the people

who've done this 100 times before

and are giving you this opportunity.

Yeah, but I don't think that she actually gets it.

They're drawn to totally different aspects,

to this more superficial version.

Sure, but it really doesn't matter

how amazing your version is

if no one gets to read it.

That'll be 28 pounds when you're ready.

Sorry.

Thanks.

There's something I really think we should see,

erm...

The week after next it's coming on.

I think it...

The inside pocket of your jacket.

I'll see you again next Thursday.

Next week erm...

may be a bit tricky.

I've got a lot of work on at the moment with the writing, so...

Of course.

But I'll let you know though.

Whenever it suits.

Welcome aboard the 10:45 Eurostar

to Brussels Midi.

The restaurant-bar is located in carriage 4.

We will arrive at our destination

at 1:45 p.m.

We wish you a pleasant journey.

It's really good to see you.

Ah, Mr Larson. Nice to see you again.

Just follow me, please.

How are you? - Very good. Thank you.

So they all know you here.

Yeah.

I like to come here whenever I'm in town.

Yeah, I love their food.

Though I always seem to have the same meal. Yeah.

But never the same company.

No, erm...

Well...

If I find something I like,

I want to have it again.

So what are your family doing this weekend?

Just...

keeping themselves company, I suppose.

Have they ever been to Brussels?

Well...

I don't think they're very interested.

Would you like some more wine?

Yes, please.

Thank you.

Perhaps another bottle?

Erm...

Why not.

Sorry, I'm not feeling too well.

I think I had a bit too much to drink.

Go get some water then.

I'm tired.

It's okay. It's okay.

Can we just wait until morning?

Do I have to remind you who is paying for this?

Can you at least get a condom?

Please.

Max?

Max!

We haven't got all day.

Can you at least get a condom?

What the fuck is this?

Oh fuck. Erm...

"And in that moment, Sebastian realised

that to try to fight back

would have been fruitless, or dangerous even."

That is not what happened! What the fuck is this?

It's just for myself. It's nothing.

I should have known. Never trust a whore.

Sorry. Give my laptop. - Get out.

It's nothing. - Please. Get out.

Give my laptop back. - Get the fuck out.

Can I have my laptop? - Get the fuck out.

Just give it. - Now!

- Get... out!

Give me my stuff. - I'll give you your stuff.

- Out. Now.

Fucking whore!

Fuck.

Do you have my wallet? I need it.

Daniel!

Sir? Sir, please.

You need to stop. You are disturbing the guests.

I left my wallet. - Sir, please.

I want you to leave. Reception can sort it out.

I need to get in...

Good afternoon, Mr Larson. I'm sorry to disturb you.

I have a young man in front of me

who wants access to your room.

He's looking for his wallet. He says his name is Sebastian.

Do you know him?

No?

No, he's lying. - Okay. Thank you very much.

I'm so sorry to have disturbed you. Thank you. Bye.

There's nothing more I can do. - He's a liar.

Your colleagues have literally seen me here before.

I'm sorry. If you're not booking a room,

I have to ask you to leave.

Are you kidding? That's fucking ridiculous.

I've been here before! - Please, sir, calm down.

Sorry. I can't do anything. - Call him again.

I can't do that. I'm sorry.

Hi, Mum.

Hi, Max. Why are you not picking up?

I've been trying to get through to you.

I was just in the cinema.

Why am I getting a strange dialling tone?

Where are you?

Erm... I'm in Brussels, with Amna.

In Brussels?

Sorry, I didn't get the chance to tell you.

It was so last minute. Erm...

Amna got a deal on Eurostar tickets, so... erm...

She took me here for the weekend.

A late birthday present.

That was really nice of her.

Listen, your dad and I were just calling to say

that we had read that piece in the Evening Standard.

You came across really, really well.

I am so proud of you, Max.

Yeah.

That's great.

You spoke so beautifully.

Bye. - Bye, darling.

Closing time.

Closing time.

Get going. We are closing up.

Move along. We're closing.

♪ How much longer can you last? ♪

♪ Push it to the limit Over in a minute ♪

♪ Burning up until you crash ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ How much longer can you last? ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Burning up until you crash ♪

♪ Make you sweat Dripping down your neck ♪

♪ Let's get together Gonna make you sweat ♪

♪ My silhouette Running round your head ♪

♪ Let's get together Gonna make you sweat ♪

Thank you.

Thank you. - No problem.

A handsome guy like you should never be thirsty.

Are you here on holiday?

Yes. Something like that.

♪ Everything was mine [alright] ♪

♪ I knew it When I saw you that night ♪

♪ My heart, it felt complete and ♪

♪ Everything was Perfectly aligned [alright] ♪

♪ It happened just like that ♪

Want to go to my place?

It's not far.

Yes. I'd like that.

But that'll be 200.

What?

It's 200.

Hey, this is Amna.

I can't pick up now, but please leave a message

and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks.

Hello?

Sebastian?

Are you there?

Is everything all right?

I've always been rather fond of the name Jonathan.

I'm going to tell my publisher

that I'm scrapping the whole project.

They never even liked that section anyway.

Do you not hate me?

For using you like that?

No, I don't.

You need to carry on and finish it.

What I would hate you for is not publishing it.

And...

if I can help in any way, and heaven forbid,

be an inspiration to you,

I couldn't be more thrilled.

It's good.

There are fresh towels in the bathroom.

Really nice to meet you, Max. - You too.

Have a good rest of the day.

I'm really excited about our conversation.

Your book is one of my favorites of this year.

Thank you.

I'll begin by introducing and welcoming everyone

and then if you just want to follow out after me

and get seated

once I introduce you. - Yeah.

Did you get a chance to look at the questions?

I did, yeah. - And did they all seem okay?

I mean, if there is anything you don't feel

comfortable discussing...

or if anything feels too personal, please tell me.

You can ask me anything.

♪ I work all night ♪

♪ I do my thing ♪

♪ Just killin' time ♪

♪ Need a friend ♪

♪ Is this my life? ♪

♪ Beginning or end? ♪

♪ Can I start again? ♪

♪ Can we start again? ♪

♪ There's a new moon on the rise ♪

♪ Turn the tide, turn the tide ♪

♪ I've been walking a thin line ♪

♪ Between the Earth and the sky ♪

♪ Why do my realities take over All my dreams? ♪

♪ Why does all the purest love Get filtered through machines? ♪

♪ Gimme something good That's even better than it seems ♪

♪ Why does all the purest love Get filtered through machines?♪

♪ I work all night

♪ I do my thing [I do my thing] ♪

♪ Just killin' time

♪ Need a friend [a friend] ♪

♪ Is this my life?♪

♪ Beginning or end?

♪ Can I start again?

♪ Can we start again?

♪ There's a new sun In the sky ♪

♪ Where are you? Where am I?♪

♪ Have you been looking, ♪

♪ Like I've been looking For a reason or a sign? ♪

♪ Oh, why? Oh, why? ♪

♪ Why do my realities take over All my dreams? ♪

♪ Why does all the purest love Get filtered through machines?♪

♪ Gimme something good That's even better than it seems ♪

♪ Why does all the purest love Get filtered through machines? ♪

♪ I work all night

♪ I do my thing

♪ Just killin' time ♪

♪ Need a friend

♪ Is this my life? ♪

♪ Beginning or end?

♪ Can I start again?

♪ Can we start again?

♪ Can we begin again? ♪

♪ Can we begin again? ♪