The Dying Gaul

In the sweltering summer of 1995, Hollywood beckoned novice screenwriter Robert Sandrich, whose poignant autobiographical script was born from the pain of his lover's untimely passing due to AIDS-related cerebral tuberculosis. The powerful narrative wowed both Jeffrey Tishop, a shrewd studio executive, and his wife Elaine, but for commercial reasons, Jeffrey was only willing to greenlight the project on one condition: Robert must transform his protagonist from Maurice to Maggie, shifting the focus from the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community to those of straight people. Initially, Robert stood firm in his artistic vision, refusing to compromise his principles, but when Jeffrey threatened to make the film without him, the promise of a $1 million paycheck proved too alluring, and he reluctantly agreed to make the requested changes.

As Robert became a regular fixture in the Tishops' Malibu home, he found himself ensnared in a web of deceit and desire. Both Jeffrey and Elaine developed an undeniable attraction to the grieving young man, but it was Jeffrey who ultimately won Robert's heart, and they began a clandestine affair. Meanwhile, Elaine struggled to connect with Robert on a deeper level, her emotional and cerebral bond with him growing stronger as she delved into his psyche. Unbeknownst to Robert, Elaine had been tracking his online activities, posing as a gay man in Internet chat rooms and exploiting the vulnerability of his grief-stricken heart. Using the intimate details he shared with her, she cleverly manipulated him into believing he was reuniting with his deceased lover.

As Robert's relationship with Jeffrey deepened, Elaine's facade began to crumble. The truth about her seemingly perfect marriage slowly unraveled, and a confrontation ensued that would ultimately lead to tragedy.