A family enjoys a typical Australian Sunday lunch in the backyard. The family all douse their food in BBQ sauce, this family is 100% BBQ sauce. But their 30 year old son has to make an announcement. His friend, the only non-family member at the table, shakes his head... "don't do this". But the son stands, and nervously states, he needs to admit something to the family: he's a tomato sauce guy and always has been. The news shocks the family and sends the father into an emotional state. What happens next is a testament to the families resilience, love and willingness to be open minded about sauce preference.

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In Australia, it's common for family to get together and have a BBQ lunch in the backyard. This tradition is often accompanied by eating sausages, steak, and a lot of tomato or BBQ sauce.

EXT. BACKYARD. DAY

It’s an outdoor Sunday family lunch – bangers and mash (sausages and mash potatoes). Their no frills plastic table setting sits against a backdrop of un-mowed lawn and washed knickers drying on the hills hoist. This is a typical, working class Aussie family.

The family consists of: Shirl (Mum) and Jon (Dad) in their late 50s, their son Bryce (30), their daughter Ellie (26), Nana (79), and Bryce’s mate Devlin (31). They celebrate Dad’s birthday. An undersized party cone sits on Dad’s balding head. A few naff party decorations dress a nearby tree.

They sing Happy Birthday for Dad. Now he’s a bit of a joker, so he chimes in with his own variation.

DAD: Ha-ppy-birth-day-to-ME…

The family then rush through a hip-hip-hooray so they get to the best part of the day; eating!

And so lunch begins. Scattered thanks goes out to Mum for preparing the food. The BBQ sauce gets passed around. They load BBQ sauce on their food. It’s the only condiment on the table as this family is a 100% BBQ sauce loving family. Mum pours BBQ sauce on her meal and then drowns Dad’s food in it. Dad loves it.

Dad: Don’t be shy luv!

The BBQ sauce is then passed to Bryce.

Dad: Get into it son!

But Bryce doesn’t take the sauce. He’s got to make an important announcement. Devlin subtly shakes his head not now…

Bryce stands nervously.

Bryce: Actually. Mum, Dad...

Massive pause. This is the biggest moment of Bryce’s life. He swallows. He can’t believe he’s about to admit his biggest secret, to his parents.

Devlin looks down, almost can’t bear what’s going to happen next…

Bryce strikes up the courage to announce:

Bryce: I like tomato sauce.

Stunned silence. Could this be true? Surely not….

Dad starts laughing… the kid’s joking…nervous laughs ripple through the family.

But Bryce isn’t joking.

Bryce: Dad. I’m a tomato sauce guy. Always have been.

Stunned silence. This is real!

Mum holds back her shock. She grips Dad’s hand.

Dad holds back his tears, then leaves in a huff.

Bryce stands there awkwardly. Vulnerable.

So awkward for Devlin, this isn’t his family….but he’s stuck there.

CUT TO BATHROOM:

Dad cries in front of the mirror. Studies his reflection

CUT BACK TO LUNCH:

Mum’s about to go see if Dad is OK, when Dad rushes back. Seeing this big man lumbering towards his son gets the family nervous, is Dad about to launch at his son? They want to stop anything happening before this family lunch spirals out of control.

But Dad walks straight up to Bryce and simply….embraces him.

Dad and Bryce burst into tears. Acceptance.

It’s a big effort for Dad to come around to this news and the family know it.

Mum and Devlin tear up. So happy. The sister on the other hand, watches like it’s no big deal.

Dad takes a big sobbing breath, calms down and wipes his tears with a laugh. Time to get back to jovial, Aussie Sunday lunch.

DAD: I think we got a party to get started.

The family sit back down to their meal and life returns to normal. Devlin takes Bryce’s hand and kisses him warmly, so happy for him. Devlin and Bryce hold hands, they both wear a wedding band.

This whole thing has been no big deal for Nana. She can’t see what the fuss has been about. She turns to Bryce:

Nana: You know, in 1964, I tried tomato sauce with -

Mum cuts her off not now Ma….

Mum: Mum, Mum…

The family continue with their meal.

TAGLINE: A simple preference shouldn’t be a big deal.

END FRAME: #Equallove.