Scene 1: Park in Dupont Circle

Naïve young journalist, Timothy Laughlin sits on a park bench hastily scribbling notes on the story he is covering—the wedding of Senator Joseph McCarthy. A handsome stranger seats himself beside Timothy and strikes up a conversation, eventually introducing himself as Hawkins Fuller, “Hawk” to his friends. There is a moment of hesitation as they both feel the pull of attraction, then Hawk takes his leave and heads back to work at the State Department.

Scene 2: Senator Charles Potter’s Office

Timothy arrives at the office for an interview with Senator Potter but is told that the senator is still in a hearing. Tommy McIntyre intervenes, explaining that Hawk Fuller recommended Timothy for a job as Potter’s speechwriter. Tommy immediately puts the young man to the test writing remarks for Potter to deliver that afternoon. Timothy gets to work, but his thoughts drift towards Hawk. Senator Potter enters and is impressed by Timothy’s work. Timothy gets the job.

Scene 3: Hawkins’ Office

Miss Lightfoot and Mary, assistants in Hawk's office chat, while elsewhere Timothy Laughlin shops for a thank you gift for Hawk. Miss Lightfoot gossips maliciously about a recently fired colleague, apparently dismissed for homosexuality. Mary is appalled both by the firing and by Miss Lighfoot’s callousness.

Timothy arrives with the book he purchased for Hawk, but is told that he isn’t in. Timothy leaves his sentimentally inscribed book with Mary and leaves. Miss Lightfoot snatches the book and reads the inscription, speculating on the nature of Timothy and Hawk’s new friendship.

Scene 4: Timothy’s Apartment

Timothy is cooking supper and writing a letter to his sister Francie, when Hawk arrives unexpectedly. Timothy is flustered, but Hawk confidently takes control of the situation, seducing Timothy with a kiss. The two fantasize about taking a trip to Bermuda together.

Scene 5: St. Peter’s Church

Timothy sits in a pew reveling in his memories of his evening with Hawkins, wondering whether his love is a sin, but ultimately thanking God for sending Hawk to him.

Scene 6: The Washington Hotel

At a State Department function, the chatter is all about another firing for alleged homosexuality. Mary expresses her concern to Hawk, who brushers her off. She flirts with an Estonian activist, while Tommy McIntyre and Timothy discuss the impending confrontation between Senator McCarthy and the Army during the latest HUAC hearings. Hawk finds Timothy and suggests that they leave together. Their intimate conversation is overheard by Miss Lightfoot, whose suspicions seem confirmed.

Scene 7: Interrogation Room

Hawkins Fuller has been reported on suspicion of homosexuality and summoned for interrogation. He is subjected to a battery of “tests” to determine the truth of the accusation.

Scene 8: Timothy’s Apartment

Timothy and Hawk discuss the McCarthy hearings and Hawk’s interrogation. Hawk gifts Timothy with a pair of his own cufflinks and tells Timothy about a steamy encounter he once had with a clarinet player.

INTERMISSION

Scene 9: McCarthy’s Office

Timothy, Tommy McLoughlin, Senator Potter, and Senator McCarthy discuss the latest developments in the hearings and potential implications of new evidence. McCarthy is visibly intoxicated. Tommy takes Tim aside and reveals that he has dirt on Senator Potter. There seems to be an implicit threat in the revelation.

Scene 10: Mary’s Kitchen/Timothy’s Apartment

Mary tries to warn Timothy about Hawk’s romantic track record, but Timothy dismisses her concerns, saying, “He’s wonderful.”

Later, Hawkins suggests that Timothy and he bring a third young man into their relationship. Horrified and hurt, Timothy tells Hawk to get out.

Scene 11: Roof of the Old Post Office

Weeks have passed. Timothy, obviously still distraught, tells Hawk that he is joining the army to get over their relationship, and asks Hawk not to write.

Scene 12: Hawkins’ Office

Mary resigns, telling Hawk she cannot stay. Hawk confesses that he misses Timothy.

Scene 13: Timothy in France/Haw in Chevy Chase

Two years later. Through a series of letters, we learn that Hawkins has married Lucy but is eager to rekindle his relationship with Timothy when Tim returns from Europe.

Scene 14: Brick House

Timothy has returned to D.C. and despite his marriage, Hawk has rented a house as a love nest for romantic rendezvous. Timothy is jealous and hurt by Hawk’s relative contentment in his marriage. Hawk reflects that he cannot be the partner that Timothy wants.

Scene 15: Mary’s Kitchen/Brick House/Interrogation Room

Mary is packing up her apartment when a disheveled Hawk arrives. He confesses to Mary that rather than recommend Timothy for a job, he outed Timothy to officials, making him unemployable in the government. Hawk wants Mary to tell Timothy what he has done so that Timothy will hate him, making it easier for Timothy to forget their relationship.

Scene 16: Dupont Circle

On the bench where they met, Timothy tells Hawk he is leaving D.C. Both know they will never see each other again, but they part without saying goodbye.

Synopsis by Alexis Hamilton