Challengers

“Do you realize how embarrassing it is that YOU are here right now.”I think He’s not angry about Patrick’s presence — he’s angry about how much it still affects him. “Not quite as embarrassing as you being here.” He taps his fingers, it seems as though he’s irritated or anxious that Art may be misreading him. He doesn’t want to be ignored. “I’m just stopping by, man. This is where YOU live.” It’s so bold dude atp hug it out. But he probably means it cause he hurts to. (But like you also chose a girl over him so like bro…) Art playing the dominant game and I guess he wants him to understand that Patrick isn’t a threat to him and won’t not allow him to be a top of him even if he could, in both contexts. The game. And Tashi. As art continues to speak on wondering about what happened to Patrick or that he claimed it’s what DIDNT happened — Patrick also continued to taps his fingers against the wood boards of the sauna. He keeps lookin (to me) so blue/sad about the cold from Arts tone. Like he’s now being pushed, but he also looked annoyed almost like he’s fighting that he feels this way, that he’s allowing his ex best friend talk so low of him, one friend he’d truly go back to—be lovers again with. Which is another thing! I do not see them as brother type of friends but coulda been or it was definitely there but we gon ignore it lovers—Patrick in this scene in particular comes in joking, but also trying to rowdy up Art to get him mad but he’s STILL joking but Art is unclear of that. If Art wanted to stop the back and forth (like the tennis game itself) pat would probably go back to being how they were before. From Patrick’s side. He still wants what they had. Maybe more. But he can’t say it. So he taunts instead. Art seems to be on a high horse now or honestly he’s been like that but he’s not being humble about it BOOOO. But this is where their positions switch once again. Using how they use to be Fire and Ice—Patrick bottom or back. Art front and top. Now in a regular game context both on either side and now Tashi. But she isn’t the ball—she’s the match. The entire game itself. The relationship with her determines the score. But these men aren’t really playing for her—they’re playing for the space between each other, where their unresolved tension lives. Challengers isn’t just about tennis but the relationship within/between the players. Neither man can admit the depth of feeling they have for each other or for Tashi.