Main building known as The Tower at the University of Texas at Austin.

Golden Boy

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Logline

When a country boy’s dreams of becoming a star quarterback are lost, he looks to remain a golden boy in the eyes of the people he cares about.

Daniel Florian Rios (20): 

Background: A Pisces cowboy with the biggest grin, Daniel walks through life with the natural charm of someone who has never been told “no,” at least not seriously. His humor is straight out of eighth grade, which somehow only makes him more lovable. His idea of flirting is jokes, teasing, and stupid grins, the kind that make Ben insane in both good and bad ways. Everyone thinks Daniel is straight, a belief Daniel himself kind of shares. He’s still figuring out the whole gayness thing, so he hides behind jokes and frat-boy energy, making queer jokes with Ben that feel too loaded, too affectionate, to be nothing. But Daniel’s life has always been coded masculine and Christian; he’s simply never had room to question it. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Daniel was built to be a star. Scouted early by the University of Texas, he became UT’s quarterback on a full ride. In his first year, he led the Longhorns to their biggest win streak in school history. He beat OU. He beat A&M in a historic 30–13. He became a statewide legend before turning twenty-one. The NFL buzz already surrounds him.

Daniel works at the ice cream shop for extra cash, though he doesn’t need it. People constantly want to help him, give him things, and tell him he’s perfect. He’s the “best boy,” the “best son,” the golden child of every room he walks into. His parents, Christian and conservative, adore him. They manipulate with their expectations rather than cruelty; they want the best for him, but their vision of “best” is not his. Then he meets Ben. And for the first time in his life, someone sees him as something other than a charming prodigy. Someone pushes back. Someone doesn’t fall for the grin. Someone makes him feel things, things he doesn’t have a name for yet. Ben becomes the first person who challenges him, who forces him to think about what he actually wants beyond the identity everyone else wrote for him.

Personality: Daniel is a golden retriever boy in human form, warm, open, and stupidly charming. Outgoing and good-natured, he’s the guy everyone roots for instantly. But beneath the grin is uncertainty. He’s spent so long being who he’s supposed to be that he’s never figured out who he actually is. His jokes are shields; his charm is armor. And Ben sees right through it.

Strengths: Naturally charismatic, funny, and warm, universally loved and deeply good-natured, Humble despite constant praise, A gifted athlete and natural leader

Weaknesses: Terrified of disappointing others, struggles with identity and self-understanding, uses humor to dodge his real feelings, and confuses genuine connection with performative charm.

External want: To get the boy, in whatever form he can have him (friendship, something more, anything).

Internal Need: to remain in the role of “perfect son” and “golden-boy athlete” in the eyes of those he cares about. 

Physical Description: Daniel looks like he stepped out of a Texas football movie: over six feet tall, broad-shouldered, with dark brown hair and a beaming grin that could talk anyone into anything. He dresses in perfectly starched jeans, fitted T-shirts that show his arms, boots, and a cowboy hat when he’s home. He’s the definition of a golden retriever boy, sunny, handsome, and adored everywhere he goes.

Benjamin (Ben) Mercer (19): 

Background: Ben grew up in a volatile home defined by extremes: a hyper-religious, personality-disordered mother and an alcoholic father who checked out long before Ben learned what stability even meant. Religion was forced on him like a chokehold, leaving him deeply scarred, yet he still wears a cross around his neck. Not out of faith, but as a reminder that he survived something he never chose. Now, Ben works at the ice cream shop not because he loves it, but because he needs it. It’s one of the few avenues he sees toward escape. He pours everything into his job because the money, the structure, and the routine are stepping stones: he wants art school, independence, and a life far from the world that raised him.

Personality: Ben is pure Leo intensity, bold, sharp, expressive, and always a little on fire. Artistic, alternative, and magnetic in a quietly dangerous way. He’s sarcastic, quick-witted, and appears cold, but his frostiness is just armor. He commits to everything fully, whether it’s his work, his art, or his grudges. Daniel thinks Ben is rebellious, confusing, and infuriating, which makes Ben even angrier, because he can’t figure out why Daniel’s stupidity and charm get under his skin like this. Ben’s idea of affection is warped by his upbringing: teasing, taunting, pushing people away just to see if they come back. He’s fully out, deeply experienced, and unashamed, qualities that both attract and terrify Daniel. Ben’s fascination with Daniel begins as irritation, then curiosity, then a quiet obsession he tries (and fails) to hide. For the first time in a long time, he cares, and he doesn’t know how to handle that.

Strengths: Fiercely independent, passionate and artistically gifted, hardworking and committed, emotionally intelligent (when he lets himself be)

Weaknesses: Doesn’t know how to express affection healthily, pushes people away before they can hurt him, carries unresolved trauma from his upbringing, tries to shoulder everything alone

External want: To become fully independent and carve out a life of his own through art school and self-sufficiency.

Internal Need: To learn how to live in the moment, trust people, and understand that independence doesn’t mean isolation. He can’t, and shouldn’t, survive everything alone.

Physical Description: Ben looks like the embodiment of an indie, cool, and chic: angular, expressive, and alternative. Pierced ears, sharp features, and eyes that always look like they see more than he says. His clothes are thrifted, intentional, and artistic; unlike Daniel’s clean-cut charm, Ben dresses like someone who creates rather than consumes. The cross around his neck is the most ironic part of his wardrobe, a relic of the life he fled, hanging exactly where a wound once was.

Luis Rios (27):

Daniel’s older brother. Trapped in oldest child syndrome, never the perfect son, trapped in the baby’s shadow. He was never as successful as Daniel, and his successes never amounted to as much. He now works a decent ranch job to help support the family, his dreams crushed to help his family. Dreams he was never really allowed to chase, not the same way Daniel was given. 

Buck Harrison (50s):

The head football coach for the University of Texas. He took a chance on Daniel at the start of the season. A chance that paid off hugely for the school and his career. Harrison is a formerly disgraced coach, after being fired from USC for misconduct as well as failing to bring the team to victory. Last season was his first season, after convincing the school to give him a chance, and it paid off hugely. He is now channeling his want for success into Daniel, his star player. 

Abby Richardson (20):

A pretty blonde sorority girl, dance major, a star of the pom squad, and Daniel’s ex-girlfriend. They were the prefect couple, a pretty blonde cheerleader and the tall, dark, and handsome quarterback. Any Texas parent’s wet dream. They broke up at the start of the summer. They blame each other, in Daniel’s words, “she was controlling and a total bitch.” In Abby’s words, Daniel was a “narcissistic, emotionally distant, dick with anger issues.” She is now a present melevolent force in his life and a key tension in his journey of sexual discovery. 

Beckett “Beck” Callahan (18):

The new kid. The new quarterback that Coach Harrison is taking a chance on. He’s the son of a famous NFL player, a legacy Longhorn, and is already getting buzz even without playing in any college leagues. He is dating Abby now, after meeting over the summer at an event. 

Act I

Opening Image: 

  • The end of last season. DANIEL is being carried by his teammates through a crowd of screaming fans in the Derral K Memorial Stadium. “A Historic end to a historic season, and the Longhorns have breakout star quarterback Daniel Rios to thank for that.” Fireworks explode in the sky. The entire stadium is singing the Eyes of Texas. Daniel is beaming, surrounded by love and admiration. 

Theme Stated:

  • The season starts in 3 weeks. In 3 weeks, he has to be better than last year. How can he beat near perfection? He runs drills alone on an empty field. Pushing himself. He cant think about the past, everything he did last year doesnt matter, all that matters is the future. He runs. Pushing himself faster and harder. He won’t allow himself to stop till he reaches perfection. His flow is broken by the calling of his name.

His parents, MANUEL and SILVIA, and his older brother LUIS stand on the sidelines watching. He jogs over to them. Hugs all around. His mother encourages him and says how good a player he is. His dad, while admitting his support is critical and urges him to push himself further. “Dont be the best, be even better.” His brother is encouraging, like their mother. 

  • The family of 4 sits in a booth at Kerby Lane Cafe, getting lunch. His parents gush over how excited they are for this coming season, asking how he’s doing, if he’s ready for classes to start. His brother asks him about any girls and if his frat is throwing any parties. He answers, happy to have the attention on him. His mother mentions getting a job, “get some good life experience.” His father argues back, “All that matters is football, no distractions. Plus, the kids got money coming in. Everybody wants him.” his mother pushes back. “This isn’t permanent, honey. I just want our son to have other options. Prepare him. You and I both know how beneficial that experience is.” His father scoffs but doesnt argue further. As they leave, his brother makes a joke about him being able to live up to and beat himself from last year. He can’t stay the golden boy forever. It is meant to be a joke, but Daniel internalizes it, and it shakes him a little, confirming his current fears and anxieties. 

Set Up:

  • Daniel sits at a table in a conference room. The room is full of coaches. Next to Daniel sits BUCK HARRISON, UT’s head football coach. They are going over the schedule of games and laying out some game plans for how to make the season better than last. Daniel is invested, but the stress of it all weighs heavily on him. 

His phone buzzes in his pocket. He checks it under the table. A text from a local ice cream shop he completely forgot he applied to, informing him they want to offer him a position. How soon can he start? Wait, why did he apply? Eh, what the hell, he’s kinda bored, and this could be fun? He accepts the offer. He is jolted back into the room by Coach Harrison telling him to cut out all distractions. They need him at his best always. 

Catalyst:

  • Daniel gets to the shop a little after 6 and makes his way through the door to be greeted by BEN. Their rapport is immediate, and the tension is palpable. Ben makes fun of Daniel for his country boy aesthetic. Daniel just laughs. He makes references to things that only a straight boy could understand, which Ben uses against him. They spend the shift going back and forth, yet it becomes clear from their sly smiles that they both are enjoying it. Daniel feels comfortable around Ben in a way he’s never felt before. Ben seems to challenge him, making him feel less like the golden boy, something no one has ever done. He enjoys fighting for it. The rush of passion and energy with every comeback. 

Debate:

  • Daniel is working out in the gym. The music in his ear is blasting. He pushes himself hard. His phone buzzes a reminder that he has a shift coming up. His father’s and coaches’ words about distractions and his brother’s comments about being the golden boy echo in his ears. He quickly texts Ben saying he cant make it in tonight, then puts his phone on DND. He continues his workout.
  • Daniels’ first party of the semester. The mansion is packed. People everywhere. He maneuvers through the crowds. Saying hi to every single person. He cant deny how much he loves the attention. It’s like drugs. And then he’s making out with two girls at once. And then the only person he doesnt want to see is right in front of him. His ex ABBY. She shoos the girls away. They have a tense exchange. Abby brings up their breakup last semester. 

He walks away from Abby and continues his rounds. He gets drunker and drunker. Everywhere he goes, people are hyping him up, endless attention. He lets the people guide him. Then he’s in a bathroom making out with… a boy. What the fuck. He pushes the guy off him. FUCK. He shoves the drunk guy out of the bathroom. In a fit of rage, he punches a hole in the wall. 

Break into 2:

  • He goes to work the next evening. The shift starts tense. Ben is annoyed after Daniel blew him off. But the same tension and rapport for their first shift soon returns. This time, a little hotter, now that they are getting more comfortable with each other. They are working in matching each other’s rhythm. While Daniel is nowhere near Ben’s speed or skill, his confidence makes it seem like he’s keeping up. The room is electric, full of energy. They’re joking back and forth, and then Daniel doesn’t think and responds to a dig from Ben about his dating life by saying that if he were gay, Ben would be number one on the list. Ben moves past the comment without giving it a second of attention, but Daniel seems stunned. Why would he say that? He’s not gay. He never would be. He slowly touches his cross chain. It feels red-hot against his skin. He doesn’t even know if Ben’s gay. Why on earth would he say that? 

Their shift is over. They close it up. And then Ben asks if Daniel wants to get a burger after work. Butterflies. No. Cause that would be gay. Why is he nervous to go eat with this boy? He’s not, so he has to go to prove he’s not nervous. He is not gay; if he were gay, he would be scared to spend time with Ben, and he’s not. 

P.Terry’s burger stand on the UT campus. Ben and Daniel sit across from each other, eating in silence. Then Daniel starts talking about what he did with the coach and how he’s going to be a star quarterback, and his parents, and brother, and his entire life story. Why is he talking so much, and why is Ben listening so intently? And then he’s done. Finally, he’s embarrassed, they’re silent, Ben didn’t ask for that. He already thinks of Daniel as some annoying fuckass country boy; this didn’t help. Why can’t Ben see himself as the golden boy everyone else sees him as? Why does he need Ben to see him that way? And then Ben’s talking, it’s beautiful. He talks about his parents, how his dad was never there, and how his mom found something in the church. He needs this job so he can get away and go to art school; he doesn’t care where, just not here. How, even though he wants to get away from his family, he still wants them to be proud of him. He’s never really felt like anything special, something he’s still trying to think of himself as. Almost the exact opposite of what Daniel has felt his entire life. 

Act II

B-Story:

  • Daniel is running drills with a few other members of the team. Coach Harrison calls Daniel aside. He says he wants to introduce Daniel to someone. A guy approaches. Daniel instantly recognizes him as Beckett Callahan. He is the up-and-coming rookie everyone has their eye on. His dad was a star quarterback for the 49ers, and now the kid is coming to follow in his footsteps a UT’s newest quarterback. They have a friendly exchange. Beck heads out to run drills with the rest of the team.

Coach Harrison holds Daniel back. “I’ve sensed some tension from you. Remember what I said. No distractions. I will not hesitate to cut you. He’s more than happy to take your place.” “Yes, sir.” Daniel sits in the locker room alone. Anxiety coursing through his body. He gets a text from Ben asking if he wants to meet him at Zilker Park.

Fun & Games:

  • Daniel and Ben lounge on a towel at the park together. The mid-August sun is descending in the sky. Reflecting off the downtown skyline. They talk about life and football. Ben mentions that he knows nothing about the game. Daniel runs to his truck to grab a football. We begin a montage of Daniel teaching Ben to play football. Both boys are half-naked and sweaty. The heat and tension are overwhelming. 
  • Daniel invites Ben to one of his frat parties. They get drunk and end up in Daniel’s truck. And then Ben’s giving Daniel head. It’s not gays cuz they didn’t kiss or anything, it’s just head. Meaningless, drunk head from a friend, who happens to be a boy. 
  • They sit on Daniel’s couch. Daniel is watching football, and Ben is watching Daniel. 
  • They’re on shift, a customer gets snappy with Ben, and in an instant, Daniel is in front of him, yelling and defending him. And then it’s over, he won, he defended his man. Why is Ben mad? They argue, for real. Ben had it handled; he doesn’t need Daniel to defend him. He honestly just made it worse. “It was over ice cream, it was nothing, how could I have made it worse?” “It wasn’t over ice cream, that dude was telling me to find god and stop being gay, do you even listen?” 
  • After their shift, they sit outside a gas station in Daniel’s truck, drinking. Ben gets out to go inside and pee. After a second, Daniel follows… Daniel has Ben pinned against the bathroom stall; it’s sex, but empty, drunk, and meaningless, devoid of any emotion or connection from either party. They are still mad at each other. They are still stuck in their own bubbles. Separated. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel good. Even separated, it feels fucking incredible.

Midpoint: 

  • FUCK, fuck fuck fuck. He missed a fucking practice because he was hanging out with Ben. Why did Daniel say yes? Why can’t he say no to that boy? WHY does he keep having sex with that Boy? He’s a straight man who’s gonna have his whole future ruined because he keeps having sex with a boy, a cute, beautiful boy. 

Daniel and Ben close up another shift. Ben suggests they climb up a ladder at the back of the building. On the roof, they can see the downtown skyline directly in front of them, large and looming, covered in bright, colorful lights. They sit in silence for a minute, their shoulders almost touching but not quite. Ben finally breaks the silence. “I think I’m falling in love with you.” Daniel is silent. He can’t respond with words. He slowly turns to look at Ben. Then their lips meet, and the romantic tension is finally broken. Within seconds, their clothes are off. This time, it is no longer emotionless. They look into each other’s eyes. The passion is there this time. The whole city could be watching, but the hunger of both of them is finally being satisfied. 

Hours later, they lay in Daniel’s bed naked and intertwined. Daniel has completely forgotten about his problems; all that matters is Ben beside him. 

Bad Guys Close In: 

  • Daniel gets a message from his coach. FUCK. He is being put on suspension till he can prove he’s there with the team fully. All because he missed a practice for that dumb, cute boy. He gets out of bed. Ben is still asleep next to him. He paces, thinking. 

He’s running, a good jog to clear his head. He’s outside Coach Harrison’s office, sweaty and full of fire. He knocks, then, without thinking, he walks in. Coach is startled. Daniel doesnt give him a moment; he just starts pleading his case. Who he is, he’s good, the best, he has to get a second chance. He won’t shut up. He just keeps pleading his case, angry, not begging, but demanding. Finally, he’s done. He stands there strangely vulnerable; he feels naked, and he realizes, for some reason, he took his shirt off. He starts to realize where he is and what he did. Fuck. Coach is silent. Thenk he screams at Daniel to get out of his office. “Are you fucking stupid. The fucking disrespect.” Daniel backs down quickly. A dog with its tail between its legs. 

All is Lost:

  • On shift, Daniel is in a mood. The only thing that cheers him up is football. He sits in the back, headphones in, watching games on his phone. Ben paces around, unsure of what happened, oblivious to the fight that happened while he was asleep. He asks Daniel for help with customers. His request is ignored. They argue, Daniel seeming to forget that his new boyfriend is still his boss. The night is tense. Their energy is gone; now it’s frigid and unmoving. 

Finally, the shift is over, the store is empty, and Ben loses it. He screams at Daniel about how ignored and feels, and how this job means something to him, how he needs this job, how fucking disrespectful Daniel has been, asking him to stop acting like a child. Daniel explodes back, how he’s lost everything, he’s supposed to be the golden boy, and how it’s all Ben’s fault. Ben explodes back about his ego and how he’s been using Ben as an experiment. Daniel can’t take it and dumps a bucket of dirty mop water over Ben before storming out. Ben chases after Daniel and tackles him in a rage on the curb. They wrestle on the curb for a second, then Daniel throws Ben off and races across the street to his truck. Ben lies there on the curb, soaking wet and crying. 

Dark Night of the Soul:

  • Daniel is driving fast. He doesn’t quite know where he’s going, he just has to keep moving. Why did he do that? What does it matter? Everything is meaningless. 
  • Daniel is sitting on a couch, drinking a beer. The party rages around him. He feels nothing, just sits there getting drunk. And then Abby is next to him. She leads him upstairs. She pushes him onto the bed. He’s still unresponsive. She kisses his neck, and he flinches away but doesn’t stop it. Then she is on top of him. He lies there letting it happen, accepting, hoping in some way it will change the outcome. Change his mind. Erase Ben. But it doesn’t seem to be happening.

The door bursts open. Beck. The new kid. He’s yelling. He and Abby are… dating now. Makes sense, crazy bitch, her ned for attention is unbearable. But maybe so is his. Then he’s snapped back into reality by a punch to his jaw. Thrown by an enraged Beck. Daniel fights back.

They stumble out of the party, Daniel forcing Beck to the ground. The grass is wet. People scatter. Daniel just started punching, taking all of his insecurities and feeling out on the kid pinned beneath him. His replacement. His newer, younger, better version. Why could he stay the one, the golden boy? He’s pulled off Beck by a group of guys. They throw him to the ground. He just lies there. Tears streaming down his face, mixing with blood. 

  • Daniel is sitting in a jail cell alone. The blood is dried on his face and knuckles. His eyes are bloodshot and red from crying. Why did he do that? Where did he go wrong? He wants to tell Ben. He needs Ben. But he fucked that all up. Gay. He’s gay. Abby confirmed that. No wonder he was so lost in that relationship, so distant. He needed Ben. His golden boy. 
  • “Made bail, kid.” Daniel is released from the cell by an officer and led out into the lobby of the police station. Luis is standing there. “What the fuck, man, you beat up the kid. Callahans kid. Are you crazy?” Daniel doesn’t answer. They walk out into the parking lot. His brother stops him. He gives Daniel the biggest hug, and Daniel breaks down in tears. “Look, you know that no matter what, I’m proud of you. You’ve always been the prodigy, the star. And sure, I’ve had my jealous moments, but you’re my brother, and all I want is to see you happy. And man, you dont look happy.” “I lost it all.” “Football? You can get that back, just talk to the coach, apologize, you can work it-” “NO, him. I lost him!” “Friends fight, just give it time, and you get your boy back-” “I love him, loved him… and I fucked it up. I ruined the first relationship that made me feel like a real person. I cant. He cant forgive me.” “A boy?” “Yeah, I’m…” “I just want you to be happy, and if he… if football doesnt make you happy anymore, then look for what makes you happy.” Daniel stands there in silence, thinking. “For once in your life, Daniel, stop thinking about everyone else, think about you, find your happiness, and if this.. Boy, is it then go get your boy.” 

Break into 3:

  • A football hits a wall. Hard. Daniel throws another one. Again and again. Thinking. Waiting. “I dont want excuses anymore.” Coach Harrison stands there watching. Daniel doesnt acknowledge him. “YOU beat up that kid, what am I supposed to tell his dad. My star quarterback beat your kid up. Look, I know you want to be the best, but this is a team. You can get insecure and try to kill your teammates.” “He’s not my teammate.” “he damn sure is. If you want that suspension removed, you’d better start acting right, including apologizing to the kid, your teammate.” “NO” “no?” “all ive ever wanted is this, the star, the glory, and I fucking got it, and now I’m done.” “Daniel I took a chance on you, and you proved me right. You and I both had something to prove, and we did, and now you want to quit on me.” “Oh, now you’re begging me to come back. After fucking forcing me out with your power plays and shit.” “I was doing that to push you, to motivate you, I need you, you’re my lucky star.” “fuck you, good luck without your lucky star.” “Dont walk away from this, Daniel.” “FUCK YOU!”
  • Daniel drives towards the Ice Cream shop. It’s 5 pm. Ben should be getting out of work soon. He stops outside and waits. 5:10 Ben walks out. Daniel jumps out of the truck, grabs Ben, and drags him back inside. He peels out and takes off driving. Ben is fighting back the entire time, but it’s not enough to free him from Daniels’ grip. 

Act III

Final:

  • They sit in the truck, in a parking lot, looking out over the hill country as the sun sets. Silence. “I fucked up. I really fucked up.” Silence again. Daniel breaks, and the tears fall. “I quit. It’s over.” “Quit football?” “Yeah…” “Why?” “I just lost it. He’s everything I am and… and he’s got a future. He knows where he’s going. I dont. Fuck I haven’t even said it out loud…” “said what?” “I’m… Gay, I’m fucking gay as shit. And I really fucking love you.” “Daniel… did you quit football for me?” “No… I… I dont know. It didn’t make me happy. You make me happy. My whole life, I loved being the center of attention, the star. When I met you, you didn’t treat me like that. You treated me like a person. I don’t know, it made me realize that I’ve been living in a dream and I dont know reality.” “What made you realize you’re gay?” “I hooked up with Abby after… You know… our… anyway, we hooked up, and I hated it. And I realized that’s how I’ve always felt.” Silence again. “I almost killed him.” “Who?” “Beck. I just… It hurt so bad, and I just wanted to take him away so I could ignore it again.” “Is he ok…” “I dont know… I dont wanna talk about it anymore.” Ben sighs. “We’re both pretty fucked up, I guess.” Daniel laughs. “I think we both have shit to work through. I mean, what are you gonna do without football? I think a relationship is pretty stupid.” “I need you. You stopped me. When I was sitting in that jail cell, all I wanted was to tell you, to be with you. You make me really happy, and I dont know what to do without you here.” “You went to jail! Fuck Daniel. I dont want to lose you either… Partners?” “Huh?” “We stay together. We help each other get through shit. And be there for each other, then we can reevaluate a relationship.” “Can we still fuck.” “Yes, Daniel, we can still fuck.” “Deal.”

Final Image:

  • They sit in the back of the truck, the sun setting in front of them. Ben is holding Daniel in his arms. The sun shines on Daniel’s face, making him glow golden. He looks up and stares at Ben, who smiles down at him. “Well damn. You look pretty golden right now, country boy.” Daniel snorts. “What the actual fuck does that mean?” “It means I like you… kinda.” They both laugh and settle in together.