THE ASEXUAL GROUP

THE ASEXUAL GROUP Excerpt - written by Gordon Blitz

Tagline: They came to talk about asexuality. They discovered connection.

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INT-modest community center meeting room. Five folding chairs form a loose circle. A coffee urn sits untouched on a side table. The FACILITATOR (woman in her 30’s, plain looking, dressed casually) stands with a clipboard. The men sit quietly, each carrying a different flavor of discomfort. FRANK (50-year-old man, quiet), sits slightly apart, hands folded, posture stiff.

FACILITATOR

New member?

Frank clears his throat. The men glance over, curious but cautious.

FACILITATOR (CONT'D)

Okay. We have a new member in our group today. Why don't you intro-duce yourselves and tell us a little bit about what you expect   to get out of this experience.

She gestures gently toward FRANK.

FRANK

Hello. My name is Frank. If this is like an A.A. meeting, then I guess I should say that I'm asexual. I don't know if that's a bad thing, like being an alcoholic.

FACILITATOR

There are no judgments here. It depends on how you feel about being asexual. Most people who come here have questions or concerns about it.

FRANK

I'm fifty‑three, and I've never had sex. (shrugs) It never interested me. Never felt like I was missing anything.

The men nod. ELLIOT (55-year-old man; balding, open, curious), leans forward.

ELLIOT

I'm fifty‑five, and I never had   the desire either. But now that   I'm getting up there, I've been wondering. I mean, what it      would feel like.

FRANK

I feel that way too sometimes. Like I might have a regret. You know? Never having been intimate with anyone.

ELLIOT

Well, I've been lucky. I've had intimate relationships, just no sex. Sex is a show stopper for me.

TODD (45-year-old man; tall, restless, fidgety), shifts in his chair.

 TODD

For me, it's the opposite. I've had sex, but never intimacy. I didn't know that was possible until I realized I was asexual. I kept trying to "fix" myself. Didn't work.

The group murmurs in recognition.

FACILITATOR

Frank, what made you come today?

FRANK

I'm writing a book. A mystery. And the main character is asexual. I realized I didn't know how to write about him without understanding myself.

The men react; surprised, curious. CARLOS (35-year-old man; muscular, strong, but emotionally conflicted) speaks first.

              CARLOS

So you're here for research?

FRANK

I'm here because I think I've been living like a ghost. Not unhappy. Just unexamined.

FACILITATOR

That's a powerful reason.

CARLOS

You know, guys, one of my biggest issues is about being gay. I think I've been using that as an excuse to be asexual. If I never have sex, I would never have to admit I'm gay.

BEN (50-year-old man; very thin, gentle, softspoken) interjects.

BEN

I didn't think gayness was a problem anymore. It seems like it's a non-event.

CARLOS

What world are you living in? It's still frowned upon. Especially for Latinos. It's not accepted.

FACILITATOR

Have you ever been intimate with a man?

CARLOS

Not a man. It was when I was a teenager, and I had this persistent erection. I was fooling around with this other boy. All we did was kiss, but afterwards, the shame    I felt. I just shut down.

BEN

I'm sorry.