"Mr. Goldberg, there's a problem. We can't use this footage from last night."

"What's the problem?" The producer asked.

"Talent screened these guys, right? They're all supposed to be straight and in it for the money!" Dave, the production assistant, was beside himself.

"Right."

"Chris and Javier are going off the goddamn rails!" Dave angrily tapped at his tablet and set it down on Mr. Goldberg's desk with a little too much force.

The footage was raw. Chris and Javier sat on the couch. Chris fidgeted nervously.

"I came here to get money, Javier. That was my goal. Find the straight guy, laugh all the way to the bank. But you surprised me, man. I don't wanna lose touch with you when the show's over."

"Oh yeah, no, of course not, you have my number!" Javier leaned in closer. "I wouldn't fall out of touch. You're cool, I like hanging out with you."

"Yeah, you too," Chris said. His voice trailed off.

"You good?" Javier asked.

"Look, dude. This is really weird for me. I wasn't expecting to find someone like you. You're an amazing guy. I'm falling for you."

Javier's eyes widened. He laughed. "I'm not laughing at you bro, I promise! I was just about to say the same thing is all."

They leaned in together for an awkward, hungry embrace. The camera couldn't catch what Javier whispered in Chris's ear.

"It's alright, man," Chris whispered. "We'll go slow. We'll take our time."

"See?!" Dave practically wailed.

"I'm not worried," Mr. Goldberg said. "They'll just be less likely to be pegged as the straight."

"But it takes the gimmick away!" Dave grabbed the tablet.

"It brings drama!"

"Advertisers are gonna pull out! Conservative markets are gonna hate us!"

"Our entire show is about lying and playing to stereotypes." Mr. Goldberg was calm. "We're on Bravo, we can get away with some stuff. And there's no such thing as bad publicity."

"I still think this is a mistake. Can't we get one of them off the show? Find a reason to send 'em home like Kyle?"

"Kyle was on meth. These two are in love. Let it play out, Dave. I promise you, the sky's not gonna fall just because two guys pair off on our show."

Dave rolled his eyes.

"Send me that footage. I wanna make sure editing gets it."