On his final day, Alan Driscoll, obviously a long repressed gay man going through the final stages of ALS or something similar, is pleasured, in his hospital bed, by a male prostitute possibly hired by his soon to be widow. 'Never or Now' is a beautifully acted, poignant 18 minute short. It's focused on the soon to be deceased man and the young guy who's there to sexually, and spiritually, provide pleasure while helping the sick man to realize his fantasy of having a meaningful connection with a man. The wife leaves money before temporarily leaving her husband to run errands. The young man shows up, disrobes, and jumps into the hospital bed with Mr. Driscoll. He compassionately lays with him, guiding the sick man's hand all over his young body, fully cognizant of what's happening. When he leaves, he doesn't take the money most likely left there for him. He performs an amazing act of kindness to a stranger with very little time left.
Kudos to Smith Crowe's performance as the young man, and Greg Phelan, the writer. An act of kindness takes little effort but could mean the world to its recipient.
