was a handsome man, and she was wild about him. He even asked her out; however, every time he took her home, he kissed her like a sister. When she finally made him dinner at her house and confronted him about his aloofness, he told her that he was gay, but swore her to secrecy. He wasn't very comfortable with his sexuality and didn't want anyone to know the truth. So, Karen became his "official" date. Unfortunately, he didn't let anyone know that he was sick until it was too late. He disappeared to another hospital and Karen didn't see him until he was already in a coma. She loved him for who he was and just wished she could have said good-bye. I BELIEVE IN YOU The sound of crickets is heard and a flashlight flashes. A candle is lit. Katy, age 12, is revealed reading a letter she has written to the "Quilt People." Her Uncle Billy was her favourite Uncle. Her parents, however, didn't approve of him and the other man he brought around, Uncle Bruce. Finally, he stopped coming for visits, and he and Katy just wrote letters and cards. Eventually, the letters and cards stopped, too. Her parents told her that he died of AIDS. She saw the Quilt on television and made a panel for Uncle Billy using crayons. In the panel are the words that Uncle Billy wrote to her in a poem. Uncle Billy appears behind her and the two of them share these special words. NAME REMOVED The Quilt Panel shows a Hawaiian shirt of tropical flowers. It reads Chris Polaski 1958-1986. Toby enters. He is black and about 28 years old. Toby remembers Chris and how he loved him so. He also talks of how he asked Chris's mother for help with the Quilt, but she refused. She even had everything Chris left to Toby taken away claiming that no dark-skinned roommate has rights to anything of her son's. She is Chris’s family. She even called the Quilt Project and asked that Chris's name be removed from the Quilt. After all, he didn't die from AIDS, and he wasn't gay! WES 4 - JULY 3 The Quilt Workshop and Wes is working on a panel. Wes is better than he thought. His T-cells are 800 not 80. The doctor made a mistake in reading the report. He talks to Philip and tells him that he will probably be staying down on earth for a while longer. In fact, he has met a younger guy, Timmy, who has been hanging around the Gay and Lesbian Centre. He, too, is HIV+. Wes is learning to trust Timmy and is quite happy. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANGELS The Quilt Panel is a child's artwork. It says "My Bri-Bri-Brian. 4 years old." Roberta Andrews steps forward. She is a former actress who was in a few made-for-television movies, but got married and left the business. She is a PWA (Person With AIDS) who received it during a transfusion and passed it on to her child when she gave birth to him. Unfortunately, this has been kept a secret because her husband is an esteemed state politician. She tried to use her connections to reach people of power. She even met President Reagan at the White House. She then decided to tell her story to the press and start The Coalition For Parents and Children With AIDS. She and her husband waited for the fallout, but their coalition became a huge success. Though her son died, what was done in his name has made a difference. AUTOBIOGRAPHY On the Quilt Panel is a business suit, white shirt, and tie. The name is "Michael Frank." Charles enters, dressed in a Brooks Brothers suit. He talks of how all along he denied his sexuality and bought into the conservative corporate system. He hid his relationship with Michael and life seemed perfect until Michael got sick. Then he found out the harsh reality of prejudice. Michael lost his job and eventually died. Now, Charles, has decided to not sit back anymore. He is member of ACT-UP and fights back against discrimination instead of buying into a system that doesn't care. KAREN'S SONG 10:00 p.m. We see Karen's finished Quilt Panel. On the top are letters that say "Dr. Tedd." The panel is an attractive mess. She proudly admires her handiwork. She is calm and happy and even thinks that she'll be back next week at the Centre to help out others in need.
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