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A resident of a retirement home who dresses in costumes to bring joy into the daily life of all residents must come to terms with the degrading health of his sidekick and best friend.
SYNOPSIS:
Alfred (72, cheerful and proud) lives in a retirement home. Alongside his best friend Javid (76, self-contained, a born fighter), they spread joy to the daily lives of their fellow residents through costumed entertainment. They are a walking variety act often cracking jokes and playing their costumed roles perfectly.
A 90th birthday party is being held in the common room. Alfred and Javid enter and put on a show dressed as Batman and Robin from the TV show 'Only Fools and Horses'. They pretend to lose the present and the crowd loves the humour. All but Margaret (77, caring but naturally rude) who is unafraid to be their biggest critic, letting them know that they are past their sell-by date and should retire their attire. During their act, Javid breaks into a coughing fit. Believing it is nothing serious, Alfred leaves Javid to return to a waiting audience.
The next day, Alfred enters the common room to be greeted by Margaret who asks for peace and tranquility. Alfred (dressed as a pirate) claims that he knows of only adventure and violence. Margaret says that these costumed acts are not good for their health, they're too stressful, and that he should stop if not for his own sake then for Javid's sake who is uncharacteristically late this morning. Alfred cannot accept that his friend may be terminally ill. Javid enters and the pair force a smile from Margaret by claiming that she is a sea monster and the only way to defeat a monster is through love. Javid presents her with a toy ring before play-fighting with Alfred over the sea monster's hand in marriage.
Live continues as Alfred and Javid dress up for exercise classes, Christmas, Halloween, and Georgian tea parties. However, Javid's health is degrading slowly as he begins to use a walking stick for aid.
Alfred dresses as an alien and Javid as a Government Agent as they act out a scene where Alfred sprays him with an alien weapon (silly string), causing Javid to have a large coughing fit. A nurse is called to his aid. As the pair remove their costumes in Alfred's bedroom Alfred begins to show concern for his friend's critical health and possible death. Javid writes a message on his mirror saying, "Those who smile are those who live".
Alfred enters the common room dressed as a clown and ready for another day filled with fun when Margaret tries to get his attention. He ignores her, but she pushes on and tells him that Javid is ill in bed. He slowly enters Javid's room unsure what to do as he approaches his friend on his deathbed. The pair exchange final words about their relationship and the meaning of wearing costumes. Javid removes Alfred's clown nose and puts it on before life fades from his body.
Alfred wallows in grief as he goes through the motions of daily life in everyday clothes. He sits on his bed staring into space when Margaret enters the room. The pair argue and talk about normality and dealing with grief. Margaret wants Alfred to return to his costumes. It turns out that she enjoys listening to his terrible jokes more than the complaints of fellow residents saying how boring it is in the house. She throws his costumes over the room, emphasizing her point, but Alfred is closed off and will not submit to wearing another costume. As she fiddles with the toy ring around her finger, she notices a pirate hat and puts it on. She makes a terrible impression of a pirate. Alfred laughs. He sees Javid's message on the mirror, causing him to realize that what he does spreads joy and Javid would want there to be more joy in the world.
The next day, Alfred wears a silly schoolboy uniform topped with springy-eyed glasses. He enters the common room putting on an act to a laughing crowd.