Prior to the doctor's appointment, check out the scene where Bart is getting out of the shower while getting ready to go out to the bar. He looks in the medicine chest mirror, and notices the bump. That's why he decides to go to the doctor.
ML was filmed before AIDS emerged into the mainstream. However, there were still a myriad of other STDs around then. Bart, being so sexually promiscuous, was probably (overly) tuned in to being concerned about anything unusual healthwise.
He probably had a rather candid relationship with Dr Bloom, and would've discussed his purpose for the visit & fear of an STD immediately. When he encountered Dr Elliott instead, he was much more evasive (i.e. "disappointed" & "embarassed") about why he had actually come in--so he only mentions the facial growth incidentally instead.
Of course, when Bart realizes how hot Doc Elliott is (and that he only has an ingrown hair), the flirting begins, and you know what happens after that.
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WarpedRecord
18 years ago
Thanks for the explanation, glennh69! I had forgotten about that earlier scene. That would also explain why Bart was so reticent when he found out he wasn't seeing his regular doctor -- that he would have to come out all over again about his sexual history with a new doctor.
Regarding AIDS, this film came out at a very awkward time, when a strange virus was just beginning to hit the gay community but no one knew just how devastating it would be. It's unfortunate that this film is judged in those terms -- but of course, this is a piece of fiction and AIDS is a tragic reality, so there were bigger casualties.
Again, thanks for your answer! It makes the initial meeting believable rather than just a Hollywood construct.
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