They already have a location, but a lot has to happen before the gentlemen can shine on stage. There is not much money to fix things up. There used to be enough savings, but that has now been reduced considerably. But they have found a solution: Because the men themselves do not have enough money for the renovation, the three have agreed with the owner of the building that he will pay everything in advance. Of course they have to recoup those 200,000 euros, only then do they share in the profit. So it will be economical and live as much as possible from their savings.
Bart, Jeremy and Jesse have therefore decided to live together with the three of them, in order to save costs. “We are just homesick for a place that is not our home”, they explain their choice to go despite the money worries. “That’s one of the main reasons we want to go now.”
Although their current living situation (three people on 30 square meters) is not really optimal, the bar – their big dream – has priority. The bar owner has already put some workmen to work, but the future owners also have to roll up their sleeves.
But just when they are having a good time, Bart is hospitalized because of a gallbladder infection. When he returns home, they face another setback when Jesse’s mother dies unexpectedly and they have to go to the Netherlands. Bart stays behind and hopes that when they return, peace will return. But that doesn’t happen…
Jesse and Jeremy decide to call it a day after twelve years of marriage. “I think we got a bit stuck and now it’s time to both work on our own thing and find our own again, so to speak,” explains Jesse – who has not only dealt with the breakup, but also the death of his mother must process. “A lot has just really happened and I don’t know where to start thinking. (…) I hope I find more peace very soon.”
The hassle with Jeremy and the loss of his mother is high on him, but Jesse wants to do everything he can to make the bar a great success with Bart. His future lies in Gran Canaria. Just before the bar opens, the unimaginable happens and Jeremy returns to the island for a reconciliation with his ex. He will no longer play a role in the company, but will help during the opening. In addition, he is one of the drag queens performing.
Bart also has to take a step back from the boss and is no longer allowed to interfere with the catering section. All the stress in combination with his new position causes quite a bit of tension and finally manifests itself in a big fight, in which manager Steven calls him ‘a lazy cunt’.
Despite all the setbacks, the opening is a resounding success. But a few days later, Bart is called to the mat by the owner, who tells him that the investment is too big for the risk he is taking and has therefore decided to do it himself. “It’s a piece of a dream that shatters in one go,” says an emotional Bart after the conversation. “But I know one thing for sure: I’m not going back to the Netherlands. I’m at home here.” Jesse and Jeremy also decide to stay and within a few weeks they all have new jobs.
The Roer Om can be seen on SBS6 on Thursday at 8.30 pm.
