July 30, 2023 • 22 mins
They say opposites attract, but could this couple be too different to last? Extroverted actor, model and TV host Tom Gay from the USA has brought his quiet engineer partner Darren to Judge Gina. Party-animal Tom claims that Darren never pays for the drinks when they go clubbing, but Darren claims he doesn’t want to be there in the first place and shouldn’t have to pay.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You are now entering the court of Judge Gina Leano.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Even the most loving relationships can hit rough patches. But
what happens when the fights can't be resolved? You come
to my courtroom. I am Judge Gina, and my decision
is final. You better be ready to hear my ruling.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Tom has brought his partner Darren to Judge Gina. Tom
claims he is the only one who buys drinks when
the couple go out on the town. Tom is seeking
six hundred dollars in financial compensation for rounds of drinks
brought over a period of several years.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Hi, guys, my name is Tom Gay from the USA,
and you may have known me from TV commercials. Could
be running the world's largest inflatable theme park, actor, model,
TV presenter. But yes, you might know me from like
the club on Oxford Street.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
So my name is Darren bought in Sydney, live in Sydney.
I work in construction and you would know me from
being Tom Gay from the USA's partner.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
So I've come to Judge Dina today because I love
going to these fancy nightclubs in Sydney and the only
way to get my partner to come out is that
I'll have to buy him drinks. And I think enough
is enough, especially when I see him having way too
much fun today.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I want Tom to keep paying for my drinks because
I think it's a fair arrangement.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Court is now in session. Please rise for Judge Chaina.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Okay, So Tom and Darren.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello, Well excited today, a little bit
hungover from last night. But we're going to speak the
truth today.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Let's start right from the beginning. So how did you too? Mate?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
So we met. We met at Goodbar on August the
eleventh of twenty eighteen. I remember Darren coming up to
me and he was like, hey, mate, like nice outfit,
Like are you gay? And I'm like, I don't know,
twenty percent, eighty percent, whatever you want. And that was
the start. That was the first conversation we had. And
(02:33):
as we as we went downstairs in the nightclub, I
saw Darren in the back of the distance he was
giving me I, I was given him I And then
I just decided to get up there and just kind
of go and do a little cheeky little dance with
him and then trying to keep this as peg as
possible right now, and A few things happened, took him
to the back corner, some other things happened, and then
(02:55):
at one point, I, after this series of events happened,
which once again we're keeping a PG, I turned around
and asked him. I was like, wait, mate, are you straight?
And then it was yeah, I've kind of really never
done these things before. Blah blah blah, and the rest
is history. So now we're here, So there you go.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
You had someone turned for you.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Every day, That's the story. He tells too much.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
I was pretty drunk, saw some guy out of dance floor,
and then that's it.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Moved in that weekend practically.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
And what sort of things do you do when you
go out? What would you describe as a fun time?
Keep it g rated please.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Yes, my fun time is a bit different than Darren's. However,
I enjoy the night life. I enjoy clubbing, I enjoy dancing,
and Darren is a an outdoors, fun, excitable character.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Thank you for speaking for me. He's not too far
from the truth. So I do love the outdoors that
sort of stuff. I'd probably go see a band more
than i'd go to a night club dancing.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
So do you like going out, Darren?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Yeah? I enjoy it, like in moderation, you know.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
H So have you always known that Darren doesn't really
like going out?
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Well, it's a struggle because Darren does like going out.
I think he underplays this little bit more than I
think people are assuming, Like I've seen Darren dancing around
till morning time till sunrise. So no comment.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Okay, So how often do you go clubbing? Is this weekly?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Probably? Yeah? Yeah, it can be yeah, probably like four
nights out of a week. Oh, he starts on a Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Tom, do you work?
Speaker 3 (04:45):
No? I don't know what he does that for. Honestly, Tom,
what do you do? I'm an actor, model, TV presenter,
and I also run the world's largest inflatable theme park.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Okay, And so does that require you to be up
in the morning and have a sleep routine?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Not really. I mean I work from home. You can
work remotely these days. Besides, there's twenty four hours in
a day. You can do anything.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Tom. You say that you loved going out and you
love to party, and you do that four nights a week?
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Is that right?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
From Wednesday to start?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Is correct? That's correct? If I could do it every
single night, I probably would.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Okay, And you're based in Sydney, are you, yes, bas
okay and Darren you're an engineer correct, yes? And so
do you work every day the week like five days
full time?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Sure? Yep?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
All right, and so but you're going out on a
Wednesday to a Sunday night?
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Is that right?
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Are you going out the four nights a week?
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Well, he is, yeah, what about you? Well, not that
often previously. Yeah, maybe two to three nights a week.
And yeah, it's tough too, because it's not just an
eight hour day. Sometimes they're like ten hour days even longer.
So yeah, yeah, like busy working schedule and then also
on top of it, yeah, getting dragged out to nightclubs midweek.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
So why are you here today? What's your beef?
Speaker 3 (05:57):
So I'm here today judged you know, is because we've
had a pre arrangement of to get Darren to come
out and to stay out with me, I have to
buy him drinks. I've decided no more. I am no
longer paying for his drinks.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
How did this arrangement come about?
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Well, to me, it was all fun. It was all
fun and games until one day. To me, it looks
like Darren just had enough. We had enough of going
out and coming out and staying out to the early mornings.
And then I had to whip a trick out of
the old book of the Oh look.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
I just I started to realize nothing really good happens
after twelve twelve am anymore so.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
And so Tom, you've come up with this old trick,
as you've called it, to pay for his drinks to
entice him to come out, and you've been doing that
for two and a half.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Years and it's worked.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
So when did you get the idea that you would
buy Darren his drinks?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
We kind of came up with it together. But it's
turned into a point where I really love going to
these these fancy nightclubs, these you know, launch events, and
Darren's not so much into the whole Instagram taking photos,
doing videos, and we've gotten to a point to get
him to come out, he needs to be a little
bit tipsy. And if that's the way, that was the way.
(07:16):
So we've come to that conclusion of will I will
pay for Darren's drink to get him to stay out,
and that's the arrangement.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
And how long have you been buying his drinks? Oh
my god, like two and a half years now, two
and a half years.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Yeah, it's been a while.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
And is he a big drinker? Is that a costly
thing for you to be buying him drinks?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
He's ausy? Of course, of course it's costly.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
And so how much do you spend on drinks when
you go out together clubbing?
Speaker 3 (07:45):
I would say a good one hundred and fifty to
two hundred in a night just for Darren.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Darren, did you know that? Did you know he was
spending one hundred and fifty to two hundred Yeah?
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Yeah, you guys are like the nicest nightclubs in Sydney
and it's like twenty five dollars for a drink.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Right, So you're not holding back there obviously you're having
one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars worth of drinks.
So why do you insist that Darren comes out with you? Tom?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
I want him there, Like as a loving partner, it's
always good to have kind of your partner in crime
next to you getting up to all crazy shenanikins and
I feel I love going out, but there are moments
in my life when I just want my partner next
to me.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
So, Darren, are you not willing to go out with
him unless he pays for your drinks? Is that what
it's come to like?
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Sometimes?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Yeah, but it tends to be the same same thing
every time.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
So well, what do you like to do for fun?
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:38):
So I like to go down to the pub with
a couple of mates, you know, familiar, familiar territory, just relaxed,
sit down and have a few drinks with friends. You know,
maybe sometimes get a little bit crazy, but yeah, just
away from the dark, dirty nightclubs, you know.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
So you like a dark, dirty pub? And does Darren
pay for your drinks or food when you go to
the pub?
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Norely comes that's the issue here, Okay, No, I mean
to be honest with you, I don't.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I mean, look, no offensing to clubs at orly pubs
at all. But I just can't sit there. I can't
watch footy, I can't even drink a beer. This is
not my vibe.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
What are you two doing together? What's going on?
Speaker 4 (09:18):
You should see what I have to You should see
what I have to put up with it when every
single time we go to club Sultan Pepper. Obviously obviously
you've heard high. It's not just Tom, It's I'm Tom
and gay from the USA. Yes, I dare you judge
Gina to ask Tom where he's from?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So mind you, I have to hear this.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
I've heard this over a thousand times and I could
almost run the spiel off myself.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
But ask Tom where he's from?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
IM a bit worried about that. Tom, am I allowed
to ask you where you're from?
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Tom Gay from the USA? Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Griven Washington,
d C. Lived in La Miami, New York. We've been
Spain for a year and now I live here.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
I mean, he's he is born in Cleveland. His parents
are from Cleveland. He's from Cleveland, all right?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
And so how often do you go to the pub
with Darren and how often does Aaron go at clubbing
with you?
Speaker 3 (10:02):
Oh? Man, I would say that that's definitely not a
fifty fifty split. I mean, when Darren goes to the pub,
he'll ask me, as a courtesy, do you want to
come with me? And I'll say yes or no. You know,
but if I go, I'm there for one drink to
say hello, show my face, and then I'm out.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
He barely puts a foot in the door before he's
almost outside of public.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
It's fifty to fifty but very short. Short stays.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Yeah, short stays. When I go out with him, I'm
out till four am in the morning.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Oh yeah, well that sounds like you're having fun then.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Hmm, this is why we're here.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
So okay it I mean after two or three drink,
doesn't everyone?
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I mean I would suggest that what you do for
fun is you go out clubbing. Have you worked that out? Darren?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
We help me?
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Well that's a question for Darren.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Well I do I do? It's not It's not my
number one choice. So for him to persuade me, yeah,
I get him to pay for the drinks. I shouldn't
be spending one hundred and fifty dollars a night for
somewhere like I can really, I don't want to be.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
All right, but you're not spending one hundred and fifty
at night. Clearly Tom is spending one hundred and fifty
at night?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Correct two hundred.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
How old are you Tom?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
I am thirty one years old?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
And how old are you Darren?
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Thirty five?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Okay, he's lying, are you forty or thirty five?
Speaker 3 (11:28):
I'm forty years old.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Oh see, there you go. Okay, so you're getting a
bit tired are you Darling.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Well, you know what, like I think, you know, age
is just a number, and I think days a new
day until you get maybe I'll see you in the
next eight years and then we can we can get.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Back know about it. It's a very interesting dynamic. Why
are you together?
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Maybe you know it's a little bit of yin and
yang in Sulton Papa babyes. So I mean, I don't
think I could be happy with someone exactly like me.
I feel like the energy levels would just keep raising
each other up. I feel Darren has been so helpful.
I think in the past four and a half years
it's because he has kind of settled me down. He's
(12:13):
kind of pulled me back, you know, and kind of
really brought me, you know, into this country, you know,
living in Australia. It's it's been amazing. But you know,
you don't always need to be the American that I
once knew it myself has you know, So yeah, kudos
to Darren for putting up for it.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
What was the American that you once were?
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Let's not stereotype but loud, slightly obnoxious, steric, excitable center
of the universe.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Okay, so the stage isn't quite big enough for two Toms. No,
So what do you want me to do today?
Speaker 3 (12:46):
I want you. I want you to at least find
a solution to this problem. Potentially, hopefully we can come
to an arrangement where I'm no longer having to spend
two hundred dollars, especially if I see Darren having fun.
You know. So the whole the reason behind it is
to get Darren to come out is because it's assumed
that he's not gonna have fun, he doesn't want to
be there, Okay, But the moment I start to see
(13:07):
him enjoying that his life, enjoying those moments, and he
coming up to me, let's get another round, Well that's
a point. That's a line that I'm gonna draw, because
now it sounds like he wants to be.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
There, all right, Darren, Why don't you just say no
if you don't want to go out?
Speaker 3 (13:24):
I do, and I do it many people.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Do you say no, Well you do want to go out?
I do say no, Okay, no, I'm gonna go down
the pub. I'm gonna hang out with my friends, hang
up my brother, do some things just around the area.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
So I do say no.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
And do you insist that Tom comes out with you.
Two things he doesn't want to do.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
I do? I do? I say, come?
Speaker 4 (13:43):
You know obviously my brother lives down the road for me,
and you're like, got family there, And I was like,
come come, everyone wants to see you. Come hang out
for a little bit. Very rarely does because he's doing
his own thing. So yeah, I'd be happy if he
came out with me a little bit more so, Mike,
if I ever had a counterclaim, it would actually be,
you know, come with me.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Okay, So what do you do to spend time together
rather than nightclubs? Do you go to travel?
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Do you? Yeah? We do. We do.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
We travel a lot together and obviously even last weekend
we'll Downagenolan Caves, so we had a there's a couple
of big weekends and then so so.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
It's not the end of the relationship.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
No, not at all.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Tom, What do you say about Darren not going out
with you?
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Can I just have the cake and eat it please?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Well, the problem is you can't force someone to do
something they don't want to do. You see, even in law,
you can't force someone to do something. You can force
them to pay if they don't want to pay, but
you can't actually make someone do something they don't want
to do.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
So can we come up with like a kind of claim.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
You're putting in the claim? What are you talking about?
You want to claim? And a counterclaim? Tell me, enlighten me?
What is the strategy with love?
Speaker 3 (14:53):
If I start to add up drinks per night that
we go out in terms of dullar amount, I either
want I want someone of that back. I want someone
I want some of that money.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
About going forward or in the past moving?
Speaker 4 (15:04):
I want the past and going forward because who goes
here his money, here's free drinks.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Actually give it all back.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
Now, I'm gonna start going around the house and collecting
all the presents that I bought you.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
That's scooter to use every single day. Take it right back.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So you've been living in the same house for four years,
four and a half years, and so what's the set
up there? Who pays for wash? And I don't need
the breakdown? How do you? How do you do that?
Is it shared expenses?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Yeah? So we have a joint bank account, which is great.
Everything is split down the middle from rent to took him
a while. I was very reluctant at paying rent when
I first.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
With the friendly word on the radio. Very frugal, surprisingly surprisingly.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Yeah, but he's very generous.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
It's very surprising arrangements. That's how Yeah, because that's how
you get.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
What you want in life's throw money at it.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Okay, all right, I think I've got things in life
without throwing money up. It's a very interesting idea. So
you split everything halfway? Yes, yeah, right, except for buying drinks.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Which comes out of my personal expense account.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Uh huh.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Okay, we do have.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Two, like we have one joint account and two separate ones,
and we kind of just use that joint account for
all joint expenses.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
And then yeah, all right, And when you go to
dinner at a restaurant, who pays?
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Do you split that? Yes, short answer, yes, but it
depends on the occasion. If it's my birth there, Darren's
birth there.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
So it's only these nightclubs. It's only nightclubs that Tom
takes you too, Darren, and that he pays.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
It's correct.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Yes, that's it, all right, And you've done that for
two and a half years. Do you get along with
each other's friends, like, do you have the same social group?
Speaker 4 (16:48):
A good question, very good question. His friends are lovely, lovely, lovely,
lovely people. Just my crowd's a little different. I'm not there,
and no disrespect, well whatsoever. I understand that Instagram is
a very fun way to promote things, and yeah, get
free drinks as well, sometimes a complement drinks. So yeah,
so not my crowd, you know, like I love them
(17:10):
the death actually, but it's yeah, my my crowd's more
hang out the part of this new band, have a beer,
have a laugh, talk about some sports.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Answer the question we get along, don't get along?
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Yes, all friends get along. Yes, my friends are very
models influencers.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Tiktoker's okay, So can I ask you? How much do
you think you've spent on drinks for Darren in the
past two.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
And a half years. Give let me do some quick math.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
And while while you're doing that, Tom, Darren, how much
have you spent on Tom?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yep, not too much, not too much, says he's never
at the pub. So yeah, because I've come up with
this figure. This this is just a rough draft over
the past just one year.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
And how much is that then?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Five two hundred bucks in drinks and that it's based
on half of a year going out for at least
twenty six of those.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
Na, I mean, I'll give you fifty bucks. I mean
you said it before, are your honor? You said it before.
He's given that to me.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
He has given that to you. So this is the
next question. Can I ask you Tom, have you raised
this with Darren in the past, that you don't want
to pay for his drinks?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
How long ago was that?
Speaker 3 (18:21):
This is probably three and a half weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
And how much have you spent in drinks in the
three and a half weeks since you've said this?
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Oh my god? Since then? Probably close to We've went
out at least three three three times. So yeah, but
six hundred bucks, six hundred, do not recall the conversation.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Okay, but you're willing to pay for the first round
of drinks?
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Well okay, so what's six hundred less the first round
of drinks?
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Four hundred?
Speaker 2 (18:50):
About four hundred it is, it's about four hundred dollars. Okay.
I'm going to deliberate and I'll be back with you shortly.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Your honor, Before you go, can you please taken consideration
for any future things that are going to happen and
occur a mine in Darren's life of going out.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
We'll do.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Judge Gina, and he is deliberating and will soon hand
down her verdict. Please do not leave the courtroom.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
So Tom and Darren, you're a couple from Sydney and
you live together and you have done so for about
four and a half years. And Tom you very act.
Going from what I see and from what I hear,
you're a model, an actor, presenter, and your own you
own your own or what you say to be the
world's largest inflatable theme park. And Darren you're an engineer
and you're from Paramatta. Is that right?
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Ah?
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Yes, okay. You have this arrangement where you live together
and you split your expenses except for on the occasion
when or on the occasions it sounds like when Tom
takes you out to nightclubs you are ten those nightclubs
is contingent on him paying for your drinks. This is correct,
(20:05):
all right, But about three and a half weeks ago
Tom has approached you and said, well, he's no longer
happy with that arrangement, and since then he's spent probably
about six hundred dollars worth of drinks. But he does
say today that he'd be willing to pay for your
first round of drinks. But despite the fact that he
said to you that he's not willing to pay for
(20:26):
your drinks, you've continued to allow him to do that,
and you've continued to go out partying with him where
he's incurred that additional cost. So I've calculated that in
the last three and a half weeks, if they're six
hundred dollars worth of drinks, that if Tom was willing
to pay the first round of drinks, that that probably
(20:46):
would have only cost him a couple of hundred dollars.
So he's out of pocket and additional four hundred dollars
on the basis that he was not really willing or
happy to pay for those drinks. And in my opinion
and under the circumstance answers, I would say, Darren, that
you've actually exploited your partner there, and that you've taken
advantage of him. So I'm going to award Tom four
(21:08):
hundred dollars.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
I will take that.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
In terms of going forward, I would say that you
to are at liberty to come to any agreement that
you like, obviously subject to one or the other exploiting
each other. And I would suggest and I would decide
on your behalf because obviously this is a sticking point
in your relationship. So I will decide on your behalf
(21:32):
that going forward, Tom continue to pay for the first
round of drinks, and that Darren, you're on your own
after that. Thank you. My decision is final.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
So today's experience, I walked away a winner in this sense.
I get to have my partner come up with me
every time I want to go clubbing and the only
thing I have to do is buying one drink. And
on top of that, I got four hundred bucks.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
About today's outcome, I feel like it's a little unfair.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
I think she called Darren out and exactly what he
needed to be called out on, and yeah, I will
happily pay one drink for every time he comes out
clubbing with me. I think Gena's treatment of me was
pretty fair.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
She did call me out and say that I was
maybe a little bit too old and too tired for clubbing,
which is a little distressing. So I feel like Gina
has resolved this disagreement. As long as I still get
at least one free drink when we go out, I'm
gonna stick with that and be happy.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
At the end of the day. I will always love
Darren and this will not affect Mine in his relationship whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
This has been an iHeart production.
You are now entering the court of Judge Gina Leano.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Even the most loving relationships can hit rough patches. But
what happens when the fights can't be resolved? You come
to my courtroom. I am Judge Gina, and my decision
is final. You better be ready to hear my ruling.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Tom has brought his partner Darren to Judge Gina. Tom
claims he is the only one who buys drinks when
the couple go out on the town. Tom is seeking
six hundred dollars in financial compensation for rounds of drinks
brought over a period of several years.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Hi, guys, my name is Tom Gay from the USA,
and you may have known me from TV commercials. Could
be running the world's largest inflatable theme park, actor, model,
TV presenter. But yes, you might know me from like
the club on Oxford Street.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
So my name is Darren bought in Sydney, live in Sydney.
I work in construction and you would know me from
being Tom Gay from the USA's partner.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
So I've come to Judge Dina today because I love
going to these fancy nightclubs in Sydney and the only
way to get my partner to come out is that
I'll have to buy him drinks. And I think enough
is enough, especially when I see him having way too
much fun today.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I want Tom to keep paying for my drinks because
I think it's a fair arrangement.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Court is now in session. Please rise for Judge Chaina.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Okay, So Tom and Darren.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello, Well excited today, a little bit
hungover from last night. But we're going to speak the
truth today.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Let's start right from the beginning. So how did you too? Mate?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
So we met. We met at Goodbar on August the
eleventh of twenty eighteen. I remember Darren coming up to
me and he was like, hey, mate, like nice outfit,
Like are you gay? And I'm like, I don't know,
twenty percent, eighty percent, whatever you want. And that was
the start. That was the first conversation we had. And
(02:33):
as we as we went downstairs in the nightclub, I
saw Darren in the back of the distance he was
giving me I, I was given him I And then
I just decided to get up there and just kind
of go and do a little cheeky little dance with
him and then trying to keep this as peg as
possible right now, and A few things happened, took him
to the back corner, some other things happened, and then
(02:55):
at one point, I, after this series of events happened,
which once again we're keeping a PG, I turned around
and asked him. I was like, wait, mate, are you straight?
And then it was yeah, I've kind of really never
done these things before. Blah blah blah, and the rest
is history. So now we're here, So there you go.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
You had someone turned for you.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Every day, That's the story. He tells too much.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
I was pretty drunk, saw some guy out of dance floor,
and then that's it.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Moved in that weekend practically.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
And what sort of things do you do when you
go out? What would you describe as a fun time?
Keep it g rated please.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Yes, my fun time is a bit different than Darren's. However,
I enjoy the night life. I enjoy clubbing, I enjoy dancing,
and Darren is a an outdoors, fun, excitable character.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Thank you for speaking for me. He's not too far
from the truth. So I do love the outdoors that
sort of stuff. I'd probably go see a band more
than i'd go to a night club dancing.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
So do you like going out, Darren?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Yeah? I enjoy it, like in moderation, you know.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
H So have you always known that Darren doesn't really
like going out?
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Well, it's a struggle because Darren does like going out.
I think he underplays this little bit more than I
think people are assuming, Like I've seen Darren dancing around
till morning time till sunrise. So no comment.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Okay, So how often do you go clubbing? Is this weekly?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Probably? Yeah? Yeah, it can be yeah, probably like four
nights out of a week. Oh, he starts on a Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Tom, do you work?
Speaker 3 (04:45):
No? I don't know what he does that for. Honestly, Tom,
what do you do? I'm an actor, model, TV presenter,
and I also run the world's largest inflatable theme park.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Okay, And so does that require you to be up
in the morning and have a sleep routine?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Not really. I mean I work from home. You can
work remotely these days. Besides, there's twenty four hours in
a day. You can do anything.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Tom. You say that you loved going out and you
love to party, and you do that four nights a week?
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Is that right?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
From Wednesday to start?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Is correct? That's correct? If I could do it every
single night, I probably would.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Okay, And you're based in Sydney, are you, yes, bas
okay and Darren you're an engineer correct, yes? And so
do you work every day the week like five days
full time?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Sure? Yep?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
All right, and so but you're going out on a
Wednesday to a Sunday night?
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Is that right?
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Are you going out the four nights a week?
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Well, he is, yeah, what about you? Well, not that
often previously. Yeah, maybe two to three nights a week.
And yeah, it's tough too, because it's not just an
eight hour day. Sometimes they're like ten hour days even longer.
So yeah, yeah, like busy working schedule and then also
on top of it, yeah, getting dragged out to nightclubs midweek.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
So why are you here today? What's your beef?
Speaker 3 (05:57):
So I'm here today judged you know, is because we've
had a pre arrangement of to get Darren to come
out and to stay out with me, I have to
buy him drinks. I've decided no more. I am no
longer paying for his drinks.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
How did this arrangement come about?
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Well, to me, it was all fun. It was all
fun and games until one day. To me, it looks
like Darren just had enough. We had enough of going
out and coming out and staying out to the early mornings.
And then I had to whip a trick out of
the old book of the Oh look.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
I just I started to realize nothing really good happens
after twelve twelve am anymore so.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
And so Tom, you've come up with this old trick,
as you've called it, to pay for his drinks to
entice him to come out, and you've been doing that
for two and a half.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Years and it's worked.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
So when did you get the idea that you would
buy Darren his drinks?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
We kind of came up with it together. But it's
turned into a point where I really love going to
these these fancy nightclubs, these you know, launch events, and
Darren's not so much into the whole Instagram taking photos,
doing videos, and we've gotten to a point to get
him to come out, he needs to be a little
bit tipsy. And if that's the way, that was the way.
(07:16):
So we've come to that conclusion of will I will
pay for Darren's drink to get him to stay out,
and that's the arrangement.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
And how long have you been buying his drinks? Oh
my god, like two and a half years now, two
and a half years.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Yeah, it's been a while.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
And is he a big drinker? Is that a costly
thing for you to be buying him drinks?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
He's ausy? Of course, of course it's costly.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
And so how much do you spend on drinks when
you go out together clubbing?
Speaker 3 (07:45):
I would say a good one hundred and fifty to
two hundred in a night just for Darren.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Darren, did you know that? Did you know he was
spending one hundred and fifty to two hundred Yeah?
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Yeah, you guys are like the nicest nightclubs in Sydney
and it's like twenty five dollars for a drink.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Right, So you're not holding back there obviously you're having
one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars worth of drinks.
So why do you insist that Darren comes out with you? Tom?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
I want him there, Like as a loving partner, it's
always good to have kind of your partner in crime
next to you getting up to all crazy shenanikins and
I feel I love going out, but there are moments
in my life when I just want my partner next
to me.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
So, Darren, are you not willing to go out with
him unless he pays for your drinks? Is that what
it's come to like?
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Sometimes?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Yeah, but it tends to be the same same thing
every time.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
So well, what do you like to do for fun?
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:38):
So I like to go down to the pub with
a couple of mates, you know, familiar, familiar territory, just relaxed,
sit down and have a few drinks with friends. You know,
maybe sometimes get a little bit crazy, but yeah, just
away from the dark, dirty nightclubs, you know.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
So you like a dark, dirty pub? And does Darren
pay for your drinks or food when you go to
the pub?
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Norely comes that's the issue here, Okay, No, I mean
to be honest with you, I don't.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I mean, look, no offensing to clubs at orly pubs
at all. But I just can't sit there. I can't
watch footy, I can't even drink a beer. This is
not my vibe.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
What are you two doing together? What's going on?
Speaker 4 (09:18):
You should see what I have to You should see
what I have to put up with it when every
single time we go to club Sultan Pepper. Obviously obviously
you've heard high. It's not just Tom, It's I'm Tom
and gay from the USA. Yes, I dare you judge
Gina to ask Tom where he's from?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So mind you, I have to hear this.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
I've heard this over a thousand times and I could
almost run the spiel off myself.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
But ask Tom where he's from?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
IM a bit worried about that. Tom, am I allowed
to ask you where you're from?
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Tom Gay from the USA? Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Griven Washington,
d C. Lived in La Miami, New York. We've been
Spain for a year and now I live here.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
I mean, he's he is born in Cleveland. His parents
are from Cleveland. He's from Cleveland, all right?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
And so how often do you go to the pub
with Darren and how often does Aaron go at clubbing
with you?
Speaker 3 (10:02):
Oh? Man, I would say that that's definitely not a
fifty fifty split. I mean, when Darren goes to the pub,
he'll ask me, as a courtesy, do you want to
come with me? And I'll say yes or no. You know,
but if I go, I'm there for one drink to
say hello, show my face, and then I'm out.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
He barely puts a foot in the door before he's
almost outside of public.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
It's fifty to fifty but very short. Short stays.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Yeah, short stays. When I go out with him, I'm
out till four am in the morning.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Oh yeah, well that sounds like you're having fun then.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Hmm, this is why we're here.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
So okay it I mean after two or three drink,
doesn't everyone?
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I mean I would suggest that what you do for
fun is you go out clubbing. Have you worked that out? Darren?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
We help me?
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Well that's a question for Darren.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Well I do I do? It's not It's not my
number one choice. So for him to persuade me, yeah,
I get him to pay for the drinks. I shouldn't
be spending one hundred and fifty dollars a night for
somewhere like I can really, I don't want to be.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
All right, but you're not spending one hundred and fifty
at night. Clearly Tom is spending one hundred and fifty
at night?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Correct two hundred.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
How old are you Tom?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
I am thirty one years old?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
And how old are you Darren?
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Thirty five?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Okay, he's lying, are you forty or thirty five?
Speaker 3 (11:28):
I'm forty years old.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Oh see, there you go. Okay, so you're getting a
bit tired are you Darling.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Well, you know what, like I think, you know, age
is just a number, and I think days a new
day until you get maybe I'll see you in the
next eight years and then we can we can get.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Back know about it. It's a very interesting dynamic. Why
are you together?
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Maybe you know it's a little bit of yin and
yang in Sulton Papa babyes. So I mean, I don't
think I could be happy with someone exactly like me.
I feel like the energy levels would just keep raising
each other up. I feel Darren has been so helpful.
I think in the past four and a half years
it's because he has kind of settled me down. He's
(12:13):
kind of pulled me back, you know, and kind of
really brought me, you know, into this country, you know,
living in Australia. It's it's been amazing. But you know,
you don't always need to be the American that I
once knew it myself has you know, So yeah, kudos
to Darren for putting up for it.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
What was the American that you once were?
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Let's not stereotype but loud, slightly obnoxious, steric, excitable center
of the universe.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Okay, so the stage isn't quite big enough for two Toms. No,
So what do you want me to do today?
Speaker 3 (12:46):
I want you. I want you to at least find
a solution to this problem. Potentially, hopefully we can come
to an arrangement where I'm no longer having to spend
two hundred dollars, especially if I see Darren having fun.
You know. So the whole the reason behind it is
to get Darren to come out is because it's assumed
that he's not gonna have fun, he doesn't want to
be there, Okay, But the moment I start to see
(13:07):
him enjoying that his life, enjoying those moments, and he
coming up to me, let's get another round, Well that's
a point. That's a line that I'm gonna draw, because
now it sounds like he wants to be.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
There, all right, Darren, Why don't you just say no
if you don't want to go out?
Speaker 3 (13:24):
I do, and I do it many people.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Do you say no, Well you do want to go out?
I do say no, Okay, no, I'm gonna go down
the pub. I'm gonna hang out with my friends, hang
up my brother, do some things just around the area.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
So I do say no.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
And do you insist that Tom comes out with you.
Two things he doesn't want to do.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
I do? I do? I say, come?
Speaker 4 (13:43):
You know obviously my brother lives down the road for me,
and you're like, got family there, And I was like,
come come, everyone wants to see you. Come hang out
for a little bit. Very rarely does because he's doing
his own thing. So yeah, I'd be happy if he
came out with me a little bit more so, Mike,
if I ever had a counterclaim, it would actually be,
you know, come with me.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Okay, So what do you do to spend time together
rather than nightclubs? Do you go to travel?
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Do you? Yeah? We do. We do.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
We travel a lot together and obviously even last weekend
we'll Downagenolan Caves, so we had a there's a couple
of big weekends and then so so.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
It's not the end of the relationship.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
No, not at all.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Tom, What do you say about Darren not going out
with you?
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Can I just have the cake and eat it please?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Well, the problem is you can't force someone to do
something they don't want to do. You see, even in law,
you can't force someone to do something. You can force
them to pay if they don't want to pay, but
you can't actually make someone do something they don't want
to do.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
So can we come up with like a kind of claim.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
You're putting in the claim? What are you talking about?
You want to claim? And a counterclaim? Tell me, enlighten me?
What is the strategy with love?
Speaker 3 (14:53):
If I start to add up drinks per night that
we go out in terms of dullar amount, I either
want I want someone of that back. I want someone
I want some of that money.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
About going forward or in the past moving?
Speaker 4 (15:04):
I want the past and going forward because who goes
here his money, here's free drinks.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Actually give it all back.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
Now, I'm gonna start going around the house and collecting
all the presents that I bought you.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
That's scooter to use every single day. Take it right back.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So you've been living in the same house for four years,
four and a half years, and so what's the set
up there? Who pays for wash? And I don't need
the breakdown? How do you? How do you do that?
Is it shared expenses?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Yeah? So we have a joint bank account, which is great.
Everything is split down the middle from rent to took him
a while. I was very reluctant at paying rent when
I first.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
With the friendly word on the radio. Very frugal, surprisingly surprisingly.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Yeah, but he's very generous.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
It's very surprising arrangements. That's how Yeah, because that's how
you get.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
What you want in life's throw money at it.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Okay, all right, I think I've got things in life
without throwing money up. It's a very interesting idea. So
you split everything halfway? Yes, yeah, right, except for buying drinks.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Which comes out of my personal expense account.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Uh huh.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Okay, we do have.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Two, like we have one joint account and two separate ones,
and we kind of just use that joint account for
all joint expenses.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
And then yeah, all right, And when you go to
dinner at a restaurant, who pays?
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Do you split that? Yes, short answer, yes, but it
depends on the occasion. If it's my birth there, Darren's
birth there.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
So it's only these nightclubs. It's only nightclubs that Tom
takes you too, Darren, and that he pays.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
It's correct.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Yes, that's it, all right, And you've done that for
two and a half years. Do you get along with
each other's friends, like, do you have the same social group?
Speaker 4 (16:48):
A good question, very good question. His friends are lovely, lovely, lovely,
lovely people. Just my crowd's a little different. I'm not there,
and no disrespect, well whatsoever. I understand that Instagram is
a very fun way to promote things, and yeah, get
free drinks as well, sometimes a complement drinks. So yeah,
so not my crowd, you know, like I love them
(17:10):
the death actually, but it's yeah, my my crowd's more
hang out the part of this new band, have a beer,
have a laugh, talk about some sports.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Answer the question we get along, don't get along?
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Yes, all friends get along. Yes, my friends are very
models influencers.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Tiktoker's okay, So can I ask you? How much do
you think you've spent on drinks for Darren in the
past two.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
And a half years. Give let me do some quick math.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
And while while you're doing that, Tom, Darren, how much
have you spent on Tom?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yep, not too much, not too much, says he's never
at the pub. So yeah, because I've come up with
this figure. This this is just a rough draft over
the past just one year.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
And how much is that then?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Five two hundred bucks in drinks and that it's based
on half of a year going out for at least
twenty six of those.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
Na, I mean, I'll give you fifty bucks. I mean
you said it before, are your honor? You said it before.
He's given that to me.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
He has given that to you. So this is the
next question. Can I ask you Tom, have you raised
this with Darren in the past, that you don't want
to pay for his drinks?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
How long ago was that?
Speaker 3 (18:21):
This is probably three and a half weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
And how much have you spent in drinks in the
three and a half weeks since you've said this?
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Oh my god? Since then? Probably close to We've went
out at least three three three times. So yeah, but
six hundred bucks, six hundred, do not recall the conversation.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Okay, but you're willing to pay for the first round
of drinks?
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Well okay, so what's six hundred less the first round
of drinks?
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Four hundred?
Speaker 2 (18:50):
About four hundred it is, it's about four hundred dollars. Okay.
I'm going to deliberate and I'll be back with you shortly.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Your honor, Before you go, can you please taken consideration
for any future things that are going to happen and
occur a mine in Darren's life of going out.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
We'll do.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Judge Gina, and he is deliberating and will soon hand
down her verdict. Please do not leave the courtroom.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
So Tom and Darren, you're a couple from Sydney and
you live together and you have done so for about
four and a half years. And Tom you very act.
Going from what I see and from what I hear,
you're a model, an actor, presenter, and your own you
own your own or what you say to be the
world's largest inflatable theme park. And Darren you're an engineer
and you're from Paramatta. Is that right?
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Ah?
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Yes, okay. You have this arrangement where you live together
and you split your expenses except for on the occasion
when or on the occasions it sounds like when Tom
takes you out to nightclubs you are ten those nightclubs
is contingent on him paying for your drinks. This is correct,
(20:05):
all right, But about three and a half weeks ago
Tom has approached you and said, well, he's no longer
happy with that arrangement, and since then he's spent probably
about six hundred dollars worth of drinks. But he does
say today that he'd be willing to pay for your
first round of drinks. But despite the fact that he
said to you that he's not willing to pay for
(20:26):
your drinks, you've continued to allow him to do that,
and you've continued to go out partying with him where
he's incurred that additional cost. So I've calculated that in
the last three and a half weeks, if they're six
hundred dollars worth of drinks, that if Tom was willing
to pay the first round of drinks, that that probably
(20:46):
would have only cost him a couple of hundred dollars.
So he's out of pocket and additional four hundred dollars
on the basis that he was not really willing or
happy to pay for those drinks. And in my opinion
and under the circumstance answers, I would say, Darren, that
you've actually exploited your partner there, and that you've taken
advantage of him. So I'm going to award Tom four
(21:08):
hundred dollars.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
I will take that.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
In terms of going forward, I would say that you
to are at liberty to come to any agreement that
you like, obviously subject to one or the other exploiting
each other. And I would suggest and I would decide
on your behalf because obviously this is a sticking point
in your relationship. So I will decide on your behalf
(21:32):
that going forward, Tom continue to pay for the first
round of drinks, and that Darren, you're on your own
after that. Thank you. My decision is final.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
So today's experience, I walked away a winner in this sense.
I get to have my partner come up with me
every time I want to go clubbing and the only
thing I have to do is buying one drink. And
on top of that, I got four hundred bucks.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
About today's outcome, I feel like it's a little unfair.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
I think she called Darren out and exactly what he
needed to be called out on, and yeah, I will
happily pay one drink for every time he comes out
clubbing with me. I think Gena's treatment of me was
pretty fair.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
She did call me out and say that I was
maybe a little bit too old and too tired for clubbing,
which is a little distressing. So I feel like Gina
has resolved this disagreement. As long as I still get
at least one free drink when we go out, I'm
gonna stick with that and be happy.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
At the end of the day. I will always love
Darren and this will not affect Mine in his relationship whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
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