Scene 2



"Just remember," the director said as he straightened from his crouch, "everyone here is behind you. We're all dedicated to the same thing: making a film that's worthy of the source material. You two are the most important elements in the equation."

"So … no pressure, right?" Jake Gyllenhaal said lightly.

Heath Ledger glanced at his co-star with a smile that made director Ang Lee itch to capture it on film. As if Jake felt the fond look like the sun on his face, he turned to Heath. Unnoticed, Ang went to the sidelines.

"What?" Jake asked.

"I like your sense of humor," Heath said.

"It's a nervous response to fear," Jake said, his grin flashing on and off like a faulty light bulb. "You should try it."

"I'm not clever," Heath said equably, putting a stalk of grass in the corner of his mouth.

Jake stopped talking and watched, as by the miracle of minutiae, his co-star became Ennis del Mar in tiny increments. It was utterly fascinating to Jake, now that he'd noticed it for Jake was just the opposite. He was himself right up until "roll tape" was called.

Heath's portrayal was like a painting by Suerat: an exquisitely detailed image that broke down into countless tiny dots of color the closer you got. Jake's style was more like ink slashed on rice paper.

Since his days as a child actor, Jake just sort of assumed he'd channel his character when it was time, and it had always worked for him. He'd been born into the Hollywood equivalent of royalty and had absorbed film and theater around the family table. Never doubting that he was going to be an actor, he never doubted that he'd be a good one.

Heath's patient, diligent building of his character was a revelation. Jake knew that a role could be more than intuitive; there were literally millions of fine points that might be read by an audience. But he had considered that technique a time-consuming one designed for actors not blessed with a natural talent for mimicry.

So Jake was content to lie back on his elbows, soaking up the sun and squinting at the truly magnificent view, while Heath morphed into Ennis. Jake never doubted that Ang would give them all the time they needed, no matter how much it cost. Or that this run-through would not be left to the assistant director.

Jake had been touched and amused when Ang informed the cast that he had banned non-essential crewmembers from the outdoor set. Heath had thanked the director profusely for his consideration. Despite the rehearsals in Jake's trailer, Heath was still far from comfortable with, as he put it, "givin' Jake a root in front an audience."

Jake knew that when Heath got completely into character he wouldn't even acknowledge that anyone existed but the two of them. And Heath would believe it so intensely that he would take Jake with him to Brokeback Mountain. Once they were in the same space, they would give their director something to make him smile for the rest of the day.

Jake never doubted it and it went pretty much as he'd imagined. Heath was dead on, dealing him more than one bruise as they grappled with the physical indignities of a simulated prelude to lovemaking. Jake was glad that his co-star cut him no slack, but he was also glad when the director called a halt.

Jake let all the tension drain from his muscles as Ang walked toward them. He felt the rise and fall of Heath's breathing and the strong steady heartbeat and felt a disinclination to move from his present position. However, Heath let go of Jake and sat up as the director squatted down. It wasn't until then that Jake became aware of the applause from the crew.

"You earned it," Ang said in his faint accent. "You impressed the world's toughest audience so enjoy it."

"Thanks," Jake said. "That went fast, didn't it?"

Ang cocked his head to one side. "Well, time is very subjective," he said. "But we've been at it for over an hour, closer to two. You did at least seven run-throughs."

Jake raised his eyebrows at Heath. "Wow. I guess you really rocked my world."

"And that was just foreplay," Heath said, much more at ease now.

"Thank you, gentlemen," the director said. "Enjoy your evening. As I said, you earned it."

"We should celebrate," Jake said, as he and Heath walked to the helicopter that would take them to the bottom of the mountain.

"Too right," Heath agreed. "Can you hold your liquor?"

"Not much of a drinker," Jake said. "A couple of martinis and I'm done."

"Then you can watch me," Heath grinned, throwing an arm around Jake's neck.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Ow! Jeez! Fuck! My leg!"

"Jake, are you okay?" Heath asked.

"Yeah. Shit. I walked into a trailer hitch. Watch out."

"I'm fine, mate. When I see a trailer, I assume it has a hitch."

"Smartass. I'm gonna be limping tomorrow."

"Want me to carry you?"

"I've already called you smartass," Jake mused aloud. "I guess I'll just pretend I didn't hear your last question."

"Fuck off! I was trying to help."

"Oh … in that case, thanks, but I'll make it."

Jake took a few hopping steps and leaned against a light pole. "On second thought, could I lean on your arm?" he asked.

"I'm the one who's drunk, but you need help getting home," Heath said. "That's funny."

"Not from my perspective," Jake said. "Damnit! Who moved my trailer?"

Heath laughed softly. "One and a half martinis," he said. "You're accident prone, mate."

"I'm not drunk."

"Not much you aren't," Heath said. "Here's my trailer. Come in and take your trousers off."

"I've been asked to take my shoes off before, but this is a first," Jake said, as he pulled himself up into the motor home.

"We should have a look at your shin," Heath said. "You're wearing jeans. If cotton fibers get into a cut, they can raise a hell of an infection."

"You like playing doctor, don't you?"

"I hope you're being ironic," Heath said. "Now take your trousers off."

"I feel so vulnerable," Jake camped as he doffed his jeans.

"Don't be a complete child," Heath said as he studied the dent just below Jake's kneecap.

The groove was fairly deep and the skin was broken, but the gash was hardly worthy of the name. Heath applied hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic gel and offered Jake a pair of shorts. Jake declined in favor of a bandage. Heath insisted that the wound should breathe before being covered, but Jake vetoed him after seeing Heath's skate-dawg wardrobe.

Heath finished taping the gauze square in place and looked up at his patient. "You're going to be black and blue tomorrow," he said. "But you'll live."

Jake drew breath to make a clever comeback, but the words never left his lips. It's hard to talk with someone else's tongue in your mouth. Heath gripped the back of Jake's neck and pulled his head down into the passionate kiss. Without thinking too hard about it, Jake let his knees drift apart so Heath could move closer.

"Sorry for attacking you," Heath said, when he broke the kiss. "It was a weird kind of torture today, pashing on you in front other people."

"It's fine," Jake said as Heath's arms went around his waist.

Jake rested his cheek on top of Heath's head and they stayed that way for a long time: Heath on his knees between Jake's thighs, Jake cradling Heath's head to his chest. The seconds ticked by and neither wanted to be the first to move. Tires on gravel and the sweep of headlights across the wall reminded them that there was a world outside the door.

"Security and their damned golf carts," Heath muttered.

"I should go," Jake said.

"Don't."

Jake looked down into Heath's earnest gaze. "I'll stay if you want, but why?"

"Sleep with me."

"Since we've already engaged in something I'd define as sex, you'll have to tell me what you mean by that."

"We did it wrong before. Jack and Ennis didn't do it like that. They had full on sex."

Jake nodded. "I know that, and I'm willing to do a lot of things for this film, but I don't know about this."

"Jake?" Heath said, stroking the other man's inner thigh. "How does it feel when I do this?"

Jake shivered as Heath's hand moved higher. "Like a virgin touched for the very first time," Jake said.

"Dickhead," Heath said as he stood up.

"Whoa," Jake said, rising to his feet as well. "You have to keep your sense of humor. It's just sex, remember?"

Heath turned to face Jake. "So … there's going to be sex?"

"Don't play coy," Jake said. "You knew what you were doing when you kissed me. It's all right though. I told you how committed I was to this role."

"You do it for whatever reason you like," Heath said. "I feel a powerful need to be inside you. If that's a problem …"

"What if I said the same thing to you?"

One corner of Heath's mouth turned up. "It would be a problem," he said.

"At least you're an honest fucker," Jake said. "I'll be honest too. I'm curious and I'll do almost anything to get a better handle on my character's mindset. But if we do this, you can't talk about it unless we both agree."

"Who would I tell?"

"Just don't tell anybody unless I say it's okay."

"Okay. Can I kiss you again?"

"You're not gonna yank my pants down and take me on all fours?"

"Your pants are already down," Heath pointed out. "We'll get to the other thing."

"You're bold all of a sudden."

Heath ducked his head. "I want you so bad," he murmured.

"What? You're mumbling."

Heath took Jake's face between his hands and brought their lips together. Jake gave Heath control of the kiss, letting the other man set the pace. Heath moved his lips gently over Jake's, flicking his tongue against the soft seam until Jake opened to him. Heath's tongue pushed into Jake's wet heat in darting thrusts, insinuating what his cock would do in Jake's lower opening.

"Yeesh," Jake put his hands against Heath's chest and leaned back. "You're a great kisser."

"Well, I am a professional," Heath said.

Jake chuckled. "That's better," he said. "Don't take this too seriously and we'll be fine."

"You can say no at any time," Heath assured his co-star. "You have my word I'll stop whatever I'm doing."

"Chivalry isn't dead Down Under, huh?"

"That's right, little darlin'," Heath drawled.

Jake snickered. "It kills me when you call me that. I need a nickname for you."

"I like Diesel Dick," Heath said.

"You have to earn that one," Jake quipped, and instantly wished he could take the words back. "Maybe I am drunk."

"Come 'ere, little darlin'," Heath said, pulling Jake close again.

"If we do this," Jake said, "you will wear a condom and I'll hold you to that *stop anytime * rule. Okay?"

Heath nodded. "I'll be right back," he said.

Jake took several deep breaths and changed his mind countless times in the few seconds that Heath was gone. He could hear the Australian opening a drawer, and Heath returned with a packet of condoms and a tube of lubricant.

"Not very romantic," Heath said. "The mechanics of anal sex. I really don't want to hurt you, so I did some reading."

"You researched anal sex?"

"Why not?"

Jake lifted his shoulders. "Why not," he echoed.

"At least I'm prepared," Heath said.

"You sure are," Jake lifted an eyebrow.

"You're starting to think about it now," Heath said. "Let me fix that."

"You aren't really going to … Oh God!" Jake exclaimed as Heath freed his cock and went down on him.

I'm not gay, Jake reminded himself as Heath sucked his dick with more enthusiasm than skill. So why is this clumsy blowjob about to make the top of my head come off, he wondered? Then Heath ran a finger down Jake's balls to his crack and Jake shuddered in a wave of pleasure that tightened his groin almost painfully.

"How do you get me so hot, so fast?" Jake groaned.

Jake dug his fingers into Heath's shoulders as the other man nudged his anus with a slippery fingertip. With the aid of the lube, Heath's finger slid a half-inch into Jake.

"Wait," Jake gasped.

Heath pulled his finger back and continued to lavish the attention of his mouth on Jake's arousal. Tentatively, he rubbed the area around Jake's sphincter until his co-star grew used to his touch. Applying more lubricant, Heath eased his forefinger through the clenching ring of muscle.

"Fuck. I don't know," Jake said in a strained voice. "That feels pretty weird."

Heath worked his finger deeper, seeking the spot he'd located on the diagrams. His fingertip slid over a slight swelling in the front wall of Jake's sheath, and he paused. Watching Jake's face, Heath pressed against the smooth bump, moving his finger in slow circles. Jake's mouth fell open as his head tipped back against the couch.

"Oh … my … God," Jake panted. "That feels amazing."

Heath continued to stroke Jake's prostate while he took as much of Jake's length as he could down his throat. It didn't take much of this action to make Jake boil over. Heath pulled back, spitting frantically, as Jake's cock continued to jerk and spurt.

"Holy shit," Jake said sagging against the cushions. "Holy fucking shit. That was the best orgasm of my life. I shit you not."

"Give a guy some warning next time," Heath said, wiping his mouth.

"I didn't want to insult you by grabbing your ears."

Heath gazed with kindling eyes at his sated co-star, sprawled loose-limbed on the lounger. "Grab whatever you like, mate. It's my turn now."

Read Scene 3 of 11 of Method Acting