The son asks his father to pose as a straight cultural diplomat, which throws his father and the diva (Nathan Lane) into a panic.

NEWYORKER: The Birdcage

For the best what? he asks, but his son is gone, if he was ever there in the first place.

NEWYORKER: Going for a Beer

Vanise, the anguished mother, asks for quiet so she can call out to her son although she's a good 30 yards away.

CNN: Where her son made music, anguished mother listens for life