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(Adult content below)

“I wonder if I do just need to put you out of your misery.” Michael says to Lem.

“You don’t love me and never did?” Lacey asks Lem.

Colorblind by Counting Crows plays.

If Jack was gay out view of heterosexuality has been completely screwed since the 1960’s. Homophobic gay men who hate women are the heterosexual ideal. If they can convincingly act straight. Barney Stinson. A gay man convincingly acting straight. And Colin Firth is supposed to act gay? It’s vile.

Because it doesn’t make sense to believe women have no power over you when you’re straight. Jack’s He-Man Women Hater’s Club has silenced and destroyed the minds of many heterosexual men. Men who genuinely don’t secretly want cock. Because women do hurt men…with their unique sexual power over them when the men are straight. But if you’re being controlled by a power norm that is based on the premise that you’re secretly gay…it messes with your head. Because you don’t have to be accountable to women really. No, if you’re Jack Kennedy you can just go get Lemmers to suck your dick at night in the other room after your annoying wife makes you give her oral sex. The harsh reality of her feelings are nothing Jack ever had to truly face. Jack always had a secret psychological escape route.

“In the past we handled women very differently for a reason.” says Elliott Roosevelt.

“And Jack was possibly able to essentially molest an adult because of things wrong with the past!” says a living gay man.

“And this could be realty. That Jack raped a vulnerable man he made vulnerable. But we don’t live under a power norm that allows for this. We have to believe Lem was gay, even if he factually wasn’t.” says Lacey. “Because that’s how Jack and the Kennedy’s constructed the power norms after them to work on the left.”

“So we’ve been being subliminally brainwashed into thinking Lem is gay?!” laughs a man.

“Very much so if Jack wasn’t straight and wrongfully so if Lem was straight.” says Lacey.

“But then if that’s true and we ignore it we’ll have to deal with things that are scary that are destroying our society that are real.” says a Gen Z woman. “And people over 60 can’t handle that.”

“And under 80.” says a dead Queen. “The Boomers, are a troubled generation.”

“But homosexuality might really be wrong.” says Lacey.

“Yes! But we can have that conversation without screaming anymore. …Why did they turn it into the real basis for World War III?” wonders a dead Queen.

“Because they don’t hear the truth? Or because they don’t truly take correction? Or because they lack a stable sense of self? …Do they not like themselves?” wonders Lacey.

“The Greatest Generation liked themselves.” says Elliott Roosevelt.

“I liked Lem!” says Jack Kennedy trying to lighten the mood and be charming.

“You liked the idea you had of Lem?” wonders a gay actor.

“I still can’t handle it, buddy!” Jack says to the actor.

“But then that was your delusion, Jack.” says the actor.

“He gave me that impression openly-like. He umm…communicated to me that he was a homosexual. …Even if I had a gut sense he wasn’t at all.” says Jack Kennedy.

“Jack I understand why you didn’t come out of the closet…but…what do you expect? For your brother to screw Lacey to cover for you?” asks a Tom. “If Joe loves her more than Pat then great, but…if it’s at all more intricate emotionally than that…are you sure you can follow?”

“Why? Because not all gay men are emotionally gifted?” asks Jack.

“Was your mom emotionally gifted?” asks the Tom.

“Not as much as my dad.” says Jack.

“You know, you’re a lot like your mom.” a lesbian says to Jack.

“My mom was pretty and my dad was straight.” Jack responds.

“Yeah, but come on! If Lem was straight…why can’t you pursue someone like Michael? He wasn’t straight, seemingly.” asks a Tom.

“You know, manipulative isn’t the same thing as emotionally gifted. Is it, Jack?” asks the lesbian.

Lacey gets interrupted. Attacked. Her life threatened and her finger burned. Then interrupted by her children. She almost chokes. The they try to convince her that she’s dying, because they need her to die to protect their sense of reality however false it may be.

She feels bits of food shuffling down her self…past her lungs…and it’s terrifying, to a point. She’s not swallowing right. It snuck down her throat as a demon sent by Mr. Blue and Wobbly strangled her spirit, slightly overpowering her body. Does she have mild impairment? Probably. But they use demonic entities to make it far worse. Because they can. Because they know that the scientists don’t believe in the “supernatural.” They’re “good atheists” not heathens who believe in voodoo and witchcraft and Christianity or anything “supernatural.” Wobbly feels superior knowing “secrets?” They always get disappointed when it doesn’t work…and yet scared if it almost does like when she fell down the stairs. They want to kill her…but in an imaginary, cruel, bullying way where they can shovel their insecurities and inferiorities onto her…and laugh and feel…far better than themselves. They’re like medically retarded people but we don’t see it that way. They are not functional adults and they have way too much power because narcissists have been misunderstood as gifted when in fact they are essentially idiots. …On a certain level, they struggle bizarrely to firmly grasp reality. Not that it’s an excuse for their evil, but the opposite and a plea to Heaven on their behalf. Can’t God do something?!?

And Joe can’t stop singing to Lacey. However many times he’s interrupted. Because he’s can’t process that he’s being kindly rejected by her. If she’s being nice about it…it must mean she’s still interested?

And Lem can’t catch a break. Because he keeps assuming Lacey is essentially a lurid clown.

The bits of potato finally make their way down Lacey’s throat. Her heart beats strangely for a second. An Irishman who sounds like Joe sings instead. Lacey hears a slight Irish accent. She can hear in her spirit that it’s not Joe.

“Wanna know why that Irish woman trusts her husband with Lacey?” asks Michael of Joe Jr..

“Why?” asks Joe.

“Joe, I’m sleeping with your wife.” Michael says to Joe.

Michelle by the Beatles plays.

Joe stares at Michael in a living-room at a party in 1967. He’s dressed like an old money hippie as a basic description.

Bobby is almost certainly going to be US President. Jack was a Senator. He still is one, but he’s thinking of ending his political career early?

Ivan, Boris, et moi as sung by Marie Laforêt plays. Start to finish without interruption.

Love Is Strange by Mickey & Sylvia plays.

Joe looks hurt. He listens to the song. It’s playing in the background. It doesn’t sound…like Karrie. It sounds like Pat.

“When did you two start up this thing you think you’re doing?” Joe Jr. laughs.

Michael smiles. “What is it you think we’re doing?” asks Michael.

Joe licks his lips, let’s out a closed mouth huff.

“Joe, try not to take it so hard. Right?” says Michael mockingly. He rubs Joe’s arm softly in a facetiously sexy way. “I know it’s hard! …But you’ve got to try to understand! …We like it that way!” Michael blinks in an exaggerated style like he’s acting like a gay man. He makes a fish face. “It’s not going to take long to get a divorce. Maybe…six months? And then…you’ll be free!” Michael grins and open mouthed grin. “Say, don’t feel bad. Only losers feel bad. Right?”

Help! by The Beatles plays.

Ethel walks up Joe wearing something with an animalic patchouli, sweet musk and a lovely bouquet of flowers including rose. She’s tan. She grins, teeth white with frosted coral lips. Her blue eyes catch his.

Joe reminds himself that she’s his sister-in-law. Ethel is quiet around him, but her confidence has always beguiled him. …And her cheery personality is unfailing.

He wants to cry. Tell Ethel all his woes. But just then Bobby approaches them out of nowhere, seemingly.

“Joe! Let’s get out of here and get some hash!” Bobby says to Joe.

“Yeah, okay.” Joe says, rolling his eyes. He hates getting inebriated. But pot has become cool as of late. It’s 1967.

A man in their posse snaps his fingers anxiously because he feels he needs to get high. He hates being sober.

Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones plays. It’s 1967. Not 1969. Nothing about the song has changed.

Lacey made-out with Lem in her house, which oddly resembles the White House inside. In the first six months of her marriage to Joe Jr. at age 24. While listening to Gimme Shelter. That was three months ago.

Previously Joe Jr. was a playboy. And nobody thought he was gay. He was engaged twice.

I Got A Woman by Ray Charles plays. In the car. Driven by Joe Jr.. He loves Ray Charles. Requested the local radio station play it.

“But why don’t the Kennedy’s ever get married?” they’re asking. One woman in particular is fascinated.

“Do you think they’re-“ asks another woman of the first about Jack.

“Oh, I doubt it.” she says considering Joe Jr.. “No.” She straightens out her dress in her lap. She relates to the women famously cast aside by Joe Jr.. “No, I think some men just don’t like marriage.” she says with melancholy longing.

The other woman sighs.

And elsewhere:

“Bobby needs to win this next one, dad!” Jack says to Joe Sr..

Joe Sr., aging gracefully but still aging, opens a bottle of Champagne. Pours it.

“Come here!” he commands Jack.

“What?” asks Jack.

He looks up, “What are you suggesting?”

“We need to make this happen.” says Jack.

“Yeah, but think about Bobby! He’s not you. Nor your brother. And you’ve made marriage a hobby?” asks Joe Sr..

Jack looks upset.

“I don’t understand what you mean?” asks Jack, acting indignant.

Joe fumes. “Can you manage a marriage?!”

Jack looks embarrassed. Fitful.

“Look, let’s put it this way.” Joe sighs. Breathes in and out. “I want your brother to get married, but your mother and I were lucky. We met each other early. Joe never seems to find anyone.“

Jack has no worthwhile input.

Joe Sr. laughs. Or more scoffs, lovingly. “I think you can find someone. Or I can. But let’s see if we can help him see our perspective, on this thing. Okay?”

“We can’t force Joe into marriage!” says Jack.

“Jack, grow-up!” says Joe Sr..

“Dad, you’re so forceful.” laughs Jack.

“I’m a man, Jack.” says Joe Sr.. “Men, make life.”

Finding that profound, Jack stands in thoughtful awe. There’s no one as cool as his dad. …Right?

A year later Lacey has a whirlwind romance with Joe Jr. that leads to marriage. At 24 she’s hopeful.

In about four months she discovers Joe cheats. And Lem and her stop fighting their longing for each other and almost make love. In 1967 24 is an adult, as it should be and a child is recognized as a real child because that’s what they are.

Where did Joe find Lacey? Through Hollywood.

And it wasn’t a bad marriage at first.

Lacey learned lessons in fidelity by being lovingly instructed not to do what her father Tom did.

“Your father means well, but men like him aren’t to be imitated in regard to marriage. Or your mother, really. …They’re never happy.” a woman told Lacey. “No, you need to find your own way of living. Maybe find a nice man, settle down and start a family. You could be a mommy that way, and I know you’d like that!” she said smiling.

Years later, “Love requires fidelity. And when you’re out there at night with those boys, driving around to who knows where…keep that in mind!” the woman yelled.

Lacey was an innocent person but of course she did like guys her age. And it was the early 1960’s.

Joe Jr. seemed so worldly. So handsome. Even edging into his 50’s.

“Why have you never gotten married?” Lacey asked him, sweetly.

“I loved. But it just never worked.” he says.

“Why?!” asked Lacey, worried.

“I always found them after they’d been married. For years. Or months. To some man somewhere who ruined them.” says Joe to Lacey.

“Ruined them?” asks Lacey.

“Most women as smart and understanding as you are-“. He sighs. “I love how you fight me off. It’s never bothered me.” He sighs again. “It’s not just because I’m an old fool, neither.” He laughs. “When you told me that you’d been given your first kiss by Harold Loeb I wasn’t surprised. And when you told me you hadn’t lost yourself…I knew you were…perfect.” He smiles. “Most people with families like our families aren’t able to make such boasts. That combination of rare experience and earnest humility in the eyes of God.”

“Well, I’ve just always loved artists and art.” says Lacey. “That’s all, really.”

“Is writing, art?” Joe asked her.

“Yes. I certainly think so.” said Lacey apologetically, but concealed confidence.

“Well, we’ll argue I suppose. But I’m not terribly worried.” he said.

“What would writing be if not art?!” Lacey asked Joe.

“It’s…all…language.” he said.

“But language can be art just like paint can be art on a canvas.” said Lacey.

“You’re right.” he said with a restraint that scared Lacey. But he seemed so confident and definite that they should get married.

“I want what you want! I want to create things. I want to build a world!” he said to talk her into marriage.

“Do you think you’d ever become President?” she asked him.

“Yeah, that was talked about.” he said casually, pushing a toy sailboat across a pool.

“But it wasn’t right in some way?” asked Lacey.

“I couldn’t make myself focus. In those early years after the war.” he said. “Once I returned home I just wanted to…enjoy that I’d survived.”

“It’s amazing you did.” says Lacey.

“Well, if the explosives had been detonated by me by hand and not after exit by remote, I’d probably be dead.” he said.

“So what will you do? You’re not dead yet.” she asked. “People sometimes live into their 90’s.”

“Marry you now, have a few kids. Help my brothers as best I can. Jack will probably never be anything much. He’s had his day. But I might still run for governor. I almost had that appointment twice, you know.” he says sadly.

“You’ve done so much for everyone. My father has often said that. Would Jack be a Senator at all if you hadn’t helped him?” Lacey asks sweetly.

Joe Jr. thinks. “He’s a swell guy once you get to know him.”

“He seems quiet.” said Lacey.

“Let’s spend more time with him. He’s not a bad guy.” says Joe.

But Pat flipped out when Joe got married. And in a matter of months she was calling and instigating phone sex. Joe just couldn’t be that vulnerable with Lacey. And Pat somehow always coaxed Joe’s self to the surface.

“Where is Joe?” Lacey asked Lem.

Lem looked disturbed. Raised one eyebrow slightly higher than the other.

“He’s probably just talking to the governor.” said Lem.

Lacey got angry. Politely, “Lem, I doubt that.”

Lem started crying. He rested his head on his fist as they sat in the dim glow of a well appointed living-room.

“Lem, he’s out with some woman isn’t he?” asks Lacey.

“I know what’s going on!” he says, as if choking on it.

“He’s having an affair.”

“Don’t you care?”

And at that Lacey moved in closer and kissed Lem. It shocked him, but like a desert traveler finding water he drank tentatively at first in stunned bliss, then more and more smiling. Then he lost himself and pushed her into the guest room.

They came within seconds of conceiving Lacey’s first child. But of course, they were quite sure it was wrong. So they stopped.

“Let’s not tell Joe.” said Lem.

“I have to tell him.” said Lacey.

And feeling in love and wanting to be accountable to God…he agreed. In a moment of real happiness…and not painfully forced bullshit…he felt was surely a gift from God he decided to stop rebelling.

But Joe Jr. didn’t take kindly to it. As hypocritical as that was.

And…so…that’s why…Michael winked. Because Joe forced himself on Lacey.

“What?! You wanna get raped?!” Joe Jr. asked Lacey. “Like Lem rapes Jack!? That stupid faggot!” Joe yelled…about Lem.

“You slept with Joe?!?” asked Lem, appalled.

“I married him. I was trying to see if my marriage was salvageable.” Lacey pleaded with Lem.

But Lem couldn’t understand. And it wasn’t pretty…

He almost killed himself. Lacey had to escape home alone even as she pleaded with Lem to come with her.

In a month, “Lem is fine! Jack might be dead. You should check on him.” explained a voice on the phone.

“Why?!” asked Joe Jr..

“Because we caught your brother trying to buy sex from a group of girls at Miss Porter’s, Joe. He was high, Joe.” says the voice.

“What was he doing at Miss Porter’s?!” asks Joe Jr. aghast.

“Your ex-wife went to school there?” asks the voice.

“Lacey? Yes.” he says.

“Lem Billings was his companion and he claims he was- Well, Lem claimed he was- He knew your ex-wife went to school there. And he was looking for information about her history, it seems.” says the voice.

“Lem was researching Lacey?!” Joe asks the voice, confused.

“He’s not going to be spending a lot of time with your family anymore.” says the voice.

“Who in Hell is this?!?” asks Joe Jr..

“You know my voice!” the voice responds.

“Is it possible this is Nelson Rockefeller?” asks Joe.

“You know it is.” says Rocky.

“Damn it!” says Joe Jr..

Shift by Grizzly Bear plays.

…

Mr. Blue attacks Lacey.

In 2023, “Lem those are kids.” Lacey says to Lem about Cruel Intentions.

“First of all, you were in that generation. Second of all…I look at that and think of you and I at that age and what I wish we’d done.” says Lem to Lacey. “But if to you they seem like kids now…I’ll only wish-I really identify with them.”

“I don’t.” says Lacey.

“There are no good movies to watch to find catharsis or insight. And my words are dead…because I never truly loved Jack. I lied out of pity for him and his grieving family. I was bullied into thinking I was gay by that family although they’d likely never admit it alive. …I lied! But that isn’t my character. I’m not a liar. I’m an idiot at times…but not a despicable man. And I’m sorry I ever had imaginary sex with Jack.” says Lem.

“Did you cheat first or not?!” asks Lacey.

“No. You were lied to. I haven’t been with anyone but you since I died.” says Lem to Lacey.

—

Joe Jr. gets teased for being bad at flying planes.

Someone wonders, “Are Kennedy’s bad at flying planes?”

Lacey thinks, “Jack never flew a plane.”

Then people stifle giggles.

Turns out Joe Jr. is making a joke. To tease his nephew. Using Lacey’s tendency to explore voraciously with genuine innocence.

Moments later a group of snowmobiles arrive. Lacey assumes they’re all men. In fact they’re some men and some women.

Lacey gets told she’s extremely curvy and beautiful by Louis. And then he explains that it would be a struggle to fit in nowadays because she’s expected to be like these women. And, in fact, the woman she sees is very pretty without her helmet in the current fashion. But her gait is so much more masculine than anything Lacey can manage. And…to be comfortable and at ease Lacey has to be old money aesthetic about it so…she’d look…weird.

Elizabeth Taylor walks in dressed like the woman she saw. It looks ridiculous.

Lacey and Elizabeth laugh at themselves.

“I would have tried it.” says Elizabeth Taylor.

“But dressed exactly like that woman?” asks Lacey.

“No, it looks like a joke and the joke is on us.” says Elizabeth.

“Micheal, would you be utterly forlorn and then lost to me if you went snowmobiling?” Lacey asks him.

He has to restrain himself.

“I wouldn’t let you feel awkward.” says Lem.

“No, you’d just ride with me.” says Michael. “No. No, you’d not lose me.” he says.

Awkward silence.

“I want to fuck you!” Michael says to Lacey. “Not lose you!!” he yells at Lacey and to everyone listening. “One more joke about my sexual orientation and I’m losing my temper.”

“Was that a joke about your sexual orientation?” Lacey asks Michael.

“There’s a lot going on.” says Louis.

They laugh.

Michael acts hurt. Lacey feels bad and runs to comfort him.

Lem seethes.

“Snowmobiling really is fun though.” says Lacey. “I just don’t look right.”