"Frank"
Author:Todd Bronson
Author:Todd Bronson
A genre-busting gay version of the classic 1955 "Marty" where a self loathing and lonely thirty
year old connects with another insecure man during a crazed Halloween eve .
Initial meet ups are awkward for two secure individuals, however for two insecure men it’s a
frightening adventure as they unzip their suitcases and share their baggage.
Frank is reluctant and thirsty for love due to his low self esteem and self body shaming.
However when he breaks from his demanding butcher job to drink at a local gay bar his lonely
life is challenged when he meets Clark. Clark is a creative non-assuming thirty year old masked
in teen acne scars who makes special effects at the Asylum, a local Halloween attraction.
When Clark is rudely ghosted at the bar by an attractive man and his friends, Frank feels
sympathy for him and tries to offer him a beer. However, Clark doesn’t want pity from a
stranger and escapes from Marty by dodging out into historic streets of Soulard.
Frank isn’t giving up this time and chases Clark down. Clark surrenders with a stroll around the
quaint cobblestone streets and French row homes and businesses. Frank opens up and shares
his life story with the captive Clark. Soon they share their common interests and secrets. They
share the baggage each other carries with them that they hide from the world.
When It really feels like a real date, Frank’s cheating brother thrusts his baby on them. The
night becomes a horror as the baby poops and vomits on Frank. Clark takes him to the Asylum
to clean off and shows him his scary makeup and costume work. Far scarier, Clark reveals the
physical wrist scars of a concealed suicide. He shares his personal and secret story for the first
time. Frank empathizes and the bond becomes authentic. Soon the two join together as Mr.
Hyde and the bloody Butcher and scare the men that rudely ghosted Clark. They share in their
revenge, but Frank self implodes his chance for a relationship. Frank physically forces himself
on Clark for sex, but Clark doesn’t want a one night stand and leaves Frank hurt.
Come Halloween, Frank goes to the bar to its annual Halloween Monster Ball where he gets
drunk and further morose. He drunkenly realizes love is more important than superficial looks.
After a bar-blowout Frank dashes away as Mr. Hyde. He sprints to the Asylum to get Clark
back, but must go through the maze of horrors to find him. After a scary chase he finds Clark
has become a horrific monster himself. Clark wrestles Frank in the pumpkin patch. They fight
until each surrenders when Frank blurts out that he loves Clark. They are tossed out of the
Asylum by the owner who exclaims “It’s Halloween, not Valentines Day.”
In the end the two misfits cuddle in a church spire as the sunrises over the Gateway Arch
toward a second date. Frank believes the relationship is a forever fairytale as Clark keeps it real
and uncertain.
year old connects with another insecure man during a crazed Halloween eve .
Initial meet ups are awkward for two secure individuals, however for two insecure men it’s a
frightening adventure as they unzip their suitcases and share their baggage.
Frank is reluctant and thirsty for love due to his low self esteem and self body shaming.
However when he breaks from his demanding butcher job to drink at a local gay bar his lonely
life is challenged when he meets Clark. Clark is a creative non-assuming thirty year old masked
in teen acne scars who makes special effects at the Asylum, a local Halloween attraction.
When Clark is rudely ghosted at the bar by an attractive man and his friends, Frank feels
sympathy for him and tries to offer him a beer. However, Clark doesn’t want pity from a
stranger and escapes from Marty by dodging out into historic streets of Soulard.
Frank isn’t giving up this time and chases Clark down. Clark surrenders with a stroll around the
quaint cobblestone streets and French row homes and businesses. Frank opens up and shares
his life story with the captive Clark. Soon they share their common interests and secrets. They
share the baggage each other carries with them that they hide from the world.
When It really feels like a real date, Frank’s cheating brother thrusts his baby on them. The
night becomes a horror as the baby poops and vomits on Frank. Clark takes him to the Asylum
to clean off and shows him his scary makeup and costume work. Far scarier, Clark reveals the
physical wrist scars of a concealed suicide. He shares his personal and secret story for the first
time. Frank empathizes and the bond becomes authentic. Soon the two join together as Mr.
Hyde and the bloody Butcher and scare the men that rudely ghosted Clark. They share in their
revenge, but Frank self implodes his chance for a relationship. Frank physically forces himself
on Clark for sex, but Clark doesn’t want a one night stand and leaves Frank hurt.
Come Halloween, Frank goes to the bar to its annual Halloween Monster Ball where he gets
drunk and further morose. He drunkenly realizes love is more important than superficial looks.
After a bar-blowout Frank dashes away as Mr. Hyde. He sprints to the Asylum to get Clark
back, but must go through the maze of horrors to find him. After a scary chase he finds Clark
has become a horrific monster himself. Clark wrestles Frank in the pumpkin patch. They fight
until each surrenders when Frank blurts out that he loves Clark. They are tossed out of the
Asylum by the owner who exclaims “It’s Halloween, not Valentines Day.”
In the end the two misfits cuddle in a church spire as the sunrises over the Gateway Arch
toward a second date. Frank believes the relationship is a forever fairytale as Clark keeps it real
and uncertain.
Awards Won
Awards won for Frank
Palm Springs Diversity Screenplay - Honorable Mention
Stage 32 Romantic Comedy Screenplay Competition - Semi Finalist
LGBTQ Unbordered Screenplay Competition - Gold Winner