Synopsis: Nigel and Debs visit Phil. Phil and Grant each see through Nige's subterfuges to get them talking. Peggy breezes in, clueless about the real story. It's hard--in a number of ways--for everyone to keep her clueless. Grant reveals to Nigel some dark aspects of his and Phil's childhood and relationship. Phil and Kath barely broach the difficult stuff. Cindy visits the pool alone and Matt's there. Racists put graffiti near the Kapoors' stall.

Directed by Garth Tucker.

In Cockney English, "cheers" and "ta" both mean thank you. "Ta ta" means good-bye and "cheers" is sometimes a good-bye. A "punter" is a customer. "The loo" is the rest room/bathroom, but when I put "loo--" it is "look" without the "k"--"look" cut short. A "chippie" is a fish and chips place. To "skive off" is to be absent from responsibilities--similar to "cut" in the U.S. ("skiving off school" is like "cutting classes"). A "prat" is an idiot and a "mug" is a fool. (Note: "eh" is usually pronounced "Ay," like the name of the letter A, especially when at end of a sentence/question. Eh?)

Braces {} enclose unclear speech.

MICHELLE = CHELLE = MICHELLE
KATH = KATHY = KATH

23 scenes.

15 characters: GRANT, NIGEL, STEVE, CHELLE, SHARON, PHIL, KATHY, CINDY, IAN, PEGGY, PAT, DEBS, MATT, GITA, SANJAY. (PEGGY is played by a new actress [Barbara Windsor]--no wonder Michelle doesn't recognize her!) Cast list (cast.htm 3K)

Notes: Phil has kept a number of secrets from Kathy. Some involved dodgy deals--she'd asked him to not tell her about any such things. He didn't tell her about Sharon's coming over, either. Timeline: the engagement party was a few days before this episode. When Sharon stopped by Phil's was two weeks before this episode.

When I printed this, it took 34 pages.

Transcribed via microcassette and copious notes.

[Nigel's kitchen. GRANT is sitting at the table, staring in his angry gloom, spinning a knife on the table. NIGEL comes in.]

NIGEL
Up already?

GRANT
Haven't been to bed.

NIGEL
Are you um--are you worried about dreaming again?

GRANT
No.

NIGEL
Good. Good. Breakfast? [puts open box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes on table]

GRANT
I'm not hungry. [still gloomy, still spinning the knife]

NIGEL
[breathes out] Loo--this is--this is gettin' stupid; you're not sleeping, you're not eating. [breathes in]

GRANT
I'm all right. [spins knife]

NIGEL
You're not all right. [puts hand on knife, stopping it] Sorry.

GRANT
Go ahead.

NIGEL
[takes knife away non-threateningly and puts it in the drying drain] Look. You should eat something.

GRANT
What's the point.

NIGEL
You'll make yourself ill.

GRANT
[reaches for cereal but the box falls over and spills onto the floor] Ohh. I'm sorry mate. I'm sorry. [obviously very tired]

NIGEL
It's all right; sit down; I'll do it. It's all right, sit--

GRANT
Loo--I spilt it.

NIGEL
Yeah, but--don't worry. Loo--I'll do it ; I know where everything is.

GRANT
Sorry. Sorry.

NIGEL
[on floor picking up, stops, lightens up--not serious] Ah, we can get some more.. Yeah, I suppose we can.. No problem replacing corn flakes.. Look, um.. want a nice piece of toast?

CHELLE
[from downstairs] Steve!?

STEVE
Yeah, I'm up here. Want a coffee?

CHELLE
Oh yeah--brilliant. [she comes upstairs]

STEVE
Here.

CHELLE
Cheers. How is she?

STEVE
She's up an' about--I heard her.

CHELLE
That's something.

STEVE
What's--ah--what was all that about last night--someone said she went to the hospital.

CHELLE
Oh, did they?

STEVE
Yeah. Kathy caught her in with Phil.

CHELLE
Really?

STEVE
I don't suppose there's no chance your tellin' me the true story, eh?

CHELLE
No chance. Sorry to--

SHARON
[comes in] Goo--morning--

STEVE
Morning boss.

SHARON
Morning.

STEVE
Well, I better go an' earn my living.

SHARON
Say, Steve?

STEVE
Yeah.

SHARON
Thanks for all your help.

STEVE
For what--doing my job?

SHARON
Well, you know.

STEVE
Yeah--be downstairs. [leaves]

SHARON
And thanks, Michelle.

CHELLE
What for?

SHARON
Well, I couldn't o' managed without ya.

CHELLE
Wu--I don't know about that.

SHARON
It's just I'm not ready to face the punters yet.

CHELLE
You don't have to..

SHARON
I can't hide forever, can I?

CHELLE
Who said anything about "forever"?
Loo--I'll go an' give Steve a hand.

SHARON
Yeah, I'll a, I'll help you set up; I'll be down in a minute.

CHELLE
Oh; all right--take your time..

NIGEL
Yyou should get out today. For a while, anyways.

GRANT
I'm sorry I'm in the way.

NIGEL
No--I don't mean that.

GRANT
I know I should go.

NIGEL
Grant, listen to what I'm saying--

GRANT
I know.

NIGEL
Look.
I know what you're goin' through, but--

GRANT
[dead] Do you.

NIGEL
[pause] You can't sit around here broodin' all the time.

GRANT
[pause, still brooding] What d'you suggest I do. Go out for a walk. Say hi to the neighbours.

Wonder how many of 'em knew.

NIGEL
Nobody knew. [breathes in and sighs] Most people are on your side. They're sorry for you.

GRANT
Sorry for me.

NIGEL
[pause] No, I mean, you know, that, they know what you're going--

GRANT
D'you know what really gets me.

NIGEL
[quiet] Wha?

GRANT
[pause] She was bein' so lovey-dovey.
Talkin' about startin' a family.
A family.
{Of which she's just done} already had.

Go to work, Nige.

NIGEL
Yeah, right, I suppose I--

GRANT
Nige.

NIGEL
[gets up, unable to handle this situation anyway, pause] Look. Are you sure you're gonna be all ri--

GRANT
Work.

NIGEL
[pause. quietly] Right.

PEGGY
Phil? Phil.

PHIL
Hello Mum. Uh. What you doin' here.

PEGGY
What do you think I'm doin' here? Waitin' for the number thirteen bus?

PHIL
Uhhh. Thought you was on holiday.

PEGGY
Well, Kathy got a message to your Auntie Sal. I got the first plane back.

PHIL
Uhhh. Didn't have to do that.

PEGGY
Didn't I?

PHIL
[pause] Th'you was allergic to these places anyway.

PEGGY
[nice, not mean] Shut up; have some grapes.
Huh--they starve you in these places; why d'you think so many people die here?

PHIL
I'm not dying; I'm all right.

PEGGY
Haha--course not. You just felt like havin' a new spleen, didn't you?

PHIL
They don't give you a new one, they, they just take the old one out--

PEGGY
Oh. What? Walking around with a gaping hole in your gut?

PHIL
It's like an appendix; it don't do anything. It's just this sort of squishy thing.

PEGGY
Oooo. No talkin' about it. You're givin' me the willies.

PHIL
All I'm sayin' is it's nothing serious.

PEGGY
Uh?! An' what's this about you head? Doctor said you fell on it.

PHIL
Puh. Yeah, nice {???}?

PEGGY
Yeah--you wanna be careful, though. Got a head like a baby's, you have. Eh. Gonna tell me what happened?

PHIL
Didn't Sal tell ya?

PEGGY
Hnn--She said you had an accident.

PHIL
Yeah, that's right, uh; I fell down the bin.

PEGGY
[surprised] What do you mean, "you fell!"

PHIL
Well, I was working late; I was.. tired, got careless, I suppose.

PEGGY
Careless? What did you do, forget it was there--You know you could o' been killed.

PHIL
Yeah, w'I weren't was I.

PEGGY
[big sigh, relaxed/okay] Can't take my eyes off ya, can I? Not for two minutes. Like a kid you are.

PHIL
[relaxed] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

PEGGY
You tellin' me the truth, Phil?

PHIL
Why would I lie 'bout a thing like that?

PEGGY
Well. Weren't fightin' or anything.

PHIL
No.

PEGGY
All right: I worry about you, that's all. Workin' on your own in that place. This never would o' happened if Grant had been there.

PHIL
No, no. [puts his head back, gets more in a recline]

PEGGY
You're weak, aren't ya..

PHIL
Yeah, I'm all right, ta. Nothin' you worry about. It's just a bit tired, that's all.

PEGGY
Well. You sleep then, darling--get some rest. [kiss]

PHIL
Yeah.

PEGGY
I'll leave to a bed. I can catch up on news from Kathy 'n' Grant. Rest now. I'll be back later. [walks out]

CHELLE
Everything all right?

SHARON
Yeah. Why?

CHELLE
Thought you were coming down..

SHARON
[irritated] Nah. {???} run this place.

CHELLE
That meant for me?

SHARON
[testy] Well, it's not all right.

CHELLE
[firm and final] All right, I'll leave you to it.

SHARON
'Course, if you hadn't started that interview business in the first place, none of this would of happened.

CHELLE
Sharon, we've been through this..

SHARON
If we hadn't made that stuupid tape, if you am't come to me in the first place--

CHELLE
Loo--I know, but you thought it was a good idear at the time--

SHARON
We shouldn't a done it.

CHELLE
Yeah--I know we shouldn't a done it--how do you think I feel?

SHARON
Then we got drunk--how could we get drunk?

CHELLE
Yeah--We did, all right?--

SHARON
None of this would o' happened, none of it. Everything'd be fine--Grant would still be here. We'd still be together.

CHELLE
I know how you feel, Sharon--

SHARON
How could you possibly know!?!

CHELLE
All right, all right, take it easy--

SHARON
I wish I hadn't {arranged it}--your stupid book, an' your stupid tape. An' to leave it lying around here in the first place, how stupid could you g--

CHELLE
Oh, come on! This doesn't help!

SHARON
How can you know if it helps or not!? [realizes she wants a hug]

CHELLE
All right fine. [they hug gently]

SHARON
I'm not blaming you.

CHELLE
It's all right; I know how you feel.
I just wish there was something I could do.

CINDY
[nice] Mmm. Lovely. You smell like a florist.

IAN
HaHmm. The only trouble with running a chippie isn't it: every pore stinks.

CINDY
[agreeing] Mmm. Tell me about it.

IAN
Oh, it's all right for you--you're hardly there now we got Jason.

CINDY
Yeah, well I can't say I'm sorry.

IAN
What you up to today.

CINDY
Don't know, really.

IAN
Why don't you go for a swim?

CINDY
Oh, I'd love to but I can't, got the twins don't I?

IAN
No, that's all right--I'll look after 'em a bit.

CINDY
Would ya? What time ya goin' in?

IAN
Um. Not 'til about eleven. That'll make it about a couple hours, wouldn't it?

CINDY
Yeah, thanks.

IAN
Yeah, I could do with puttin' my feet up for a bit.

CINDY
[amused] What, with the twins?

IAN
Yeah, they're no problem. Hey, listen, I've been thinking about me Mum. Perhaps we should invite her around for a supper. I mean, you could knock us something up, couldn't ya?

CINDY
Ah! So that's what this is all about..

IAN
Well, it's just, like, show her support, let her know we're thinkin' of her.

CINDY
Ian, I don't think she'd be interested. Not after the things you've been sayin' 'bout Phil.

IAN
[wryly] Yeah, well, Grant didn't do a good enough job did he.

CINDY
Uh! Well, that's exactly what I mean! Your saying things like that aren't gonna help, are they? Nor just--uh--puttin' on a big show of being the supportive fiancé an' visitin' every five minutes.

IAN
[realizes she was talking about Kath] You think it is just a show? I mean, she's just bein' loyal?

CINDY
[pause] Maybe. Or maybe she loves him.

IAN
Umm. Perhaps, yeah.
Yeah, perhaps we won't get into it until she's seein' sense.

CINDY
Yeah, I think so.

IAN
Oh.

CINDY
[pause] So, uh, do I still get to go swimmin'?

IAN
Yeah, if you want to. Just make sure you're back by a quarter to eleven--Eleven at the latest. All right?

CINDY
All right; I'll get me stuff ready.

IAN
Go on, then.

KATHY
I just can't get it out of my head.
I keep thinking; Phil and Sharon: sneaking around to see each other. Eyeing each other up, still wantin' each other.

PAT
It's all over, i'n't it? Or don't you believe him?

KATHY
I want to.

PAT
You're too soft, you.

KATHY
Well what can I do--

PAT
Don't ask! I might tell ya!
It doesn't help that Natalie not turning up, neither.

KATHY
Oh, Nat should be in tomorrow anyway.

PAT
Come on, I'll give you a hand. [gets up and goes behind counter]

PEGGY
[comes in] Pat!

NIGEL
Ohh--mopes around the flat all day. Spinning knives, knocking over corn flakes. I said to him this morning, "Why don't you get out, get a bit of fresh air," but he won't budge.

DEBS
How long's he gonna be like that for?

NIGEL
Oh, I don't know. I'm getting really worried about him, Debs.

DEBS
Oh, come on; I've gotta be back by twelve.

NIGEL
All right.
I wouldn't dare tell him I've been down to visit Phil..

DEBS
Why not?

NIGEL
I don't want him thinking I'm taking Phil's side.

DEBS
Well, I hope you're not; I think it's horrible what he did to Grant..

NIGEL
I know, but what can I do? Phil's my mate, too.

DEBS
An' ya gotta stick by your mates, no matter what they've done.

NIGEL
Look--you know--these--these things happen--we can't always control them. Anyway, we don't really know what went on, do we.

DEBS
Oh, so that's all right, then, is it? We can mess people about because we can't control our feelings?

NIGEL
Just depends on the circumstances.

DEBS
Oh, I see! I didn't know you felt that way about infidelity.

NIGEL
I don't! I--I'm not talkin' about me; I've never been unfaithful--

DEBS
Oh glad to hear it!

NIGEL
I don't mean that that's the way I'd behave, but--I--I--don't mean that we shouldn't try to understand how oth--

DEBS
[amused] It's all right, Nigel, I'm only winding you up.

NIGEL
[sigh] Ah, right. [relieved]

DEBS
[amused] HaHmm.

NIGEL
Right--A--aa--as long as you don't think that I'd ever--

DEBS
I don't. [kiss]

PEGGY
I'm sorry I missed your engagement party. I'd heard it was going to be the "do" of the century.

KATH
Have you seen Grant since you been back?

PEGGY
No, not yet. I should pop in the Vic a bit later. I thought I'd get shot of this first. I'm not carrying this around with me a minute longer; it makes me look a bag lady. [gives her what's in this big bag she has]

It's you engagement present! Sorry about the paper but I didn't have anything for engagements.

[PAT brings over some tea or something]

KATH
Ahh.. Uh, thanks Pat.

PEGGY
[nice] Yeah, thanks! Oh, here, how's your Ricky these days?

PAT
He's fine. [gets snotty] In fact, he's doing rather well since your daughter left him. Come to {???} now, you know--got his own place. She should of hung about--she'd a liked all that.

PEGGY
[right on top of this!] I was sorry to hear about his dad disappearing--wasn't any trouble, was there?

PAT
Have to ask your son that, won't cha?

PEGGY
What's she talking about? She windin' me up or something?

KATH
[has opened the big soft package] Oh.
Oh, they're--they're lovely.

PEGGY
There--His, and Hers. Look.
Oh, I know, you think you won't want to wear them, that you want to look at each other in the "all together" but let me tell you, a bit of cold weather an' all that goes out the window. There's nothing very sexy about goose pimples.

KATH
Thank you, the--you're very kind.

PEGGY
[quite light and nice] Oh, well, they're only bathrobes, out of a catalogue..

Oh, he's gonna be all right, darling--I spoke to one of the doctors, young fella, ever so nice, he was. He said Phil was doing fine.

KATH
Yeah. Thanks Peggy.

PEGGY
Right. I'm off. You've got things to do, I've got things to do. A bit of shoppin', then I better {?} to Grant over road to {?} as well.

KATH
[laughs a little, PEGGY's so cheery]

PEGGY
Ta ta, sweetheart.

KATH
Bye. [kiss]
Thank you.

PEGGY
Ta ta, Pat!

PAT
Peggy. [to KATH, whispering--now PEGGY's gone] [inaudible] I think she's gone over t'the Vic.

KATH
[doesn't care] I know.

PAT
Well, perhaps we should warn Sharon!

KATH
No. Why should we?

MATT
Hi.

CINDY
Oh, hello.

MATT
I thought you'd got lost.

CINDY
What'd you mean?

MATT
I 'unno; I haven't seen you for two weeks.

CINDY
Ah.. Been counting, have you?
Anyway, I been busy. Helpin' my husband open his business, haven't I?

MATT
Sorry.

CINDY
Yeah, so am I. I miss this.. Might as well get back in?

MATT
Mm.

[CINDY goes back in and swims more]

NIGEL
Brought you some grapes.

PHIL
Why's everyone bring grapes, ha ha.

NIGEL
Well, they're like a passport, aren't they? Most hospitals won't let you in without 'em.

DEBS
How you feelin'?

PHIL
Yeah, not too bad.

NIGEL
You're lookin' a lot better than when I saw you last.

PHIL
When was that?

NIGEL
I was in on Saturday..

PHIL
Oh, yeah.

NIGEL
Ah, don't worry; you were asleep most of the time.

PHIL
Yeah; I've been doin' a lot of that lately.

DEBS
Ah, best thing for you.

PHIL
Yeah, so they say.

NIGEL
Anyway, ah, good to see you sittin' up an' takin' a bit o' notice.

PHIL
..Yeah.

CINDY
Ah--oh!

MATT
You're lookin' good.

CINDY
Thanks!

MATT
You gettin' out?

CINDY
Oh, well, not just yet. Just about--a few more lengths--once I get me breath back. Ooo, I'm out o' practice.

MATT
Should come more often..

CINDY
Mm. {Chance--a bit fine thing.}

MATT
I thought you were gonna bring the kids--you know, to the duck pen.

CINDY
Oh, I dunno. Quite like being on my own..

MATT
It's nice for me, too.
Well--gets a bit boring sometimes. Good when there's someone to chat to.

CINDY
I told you you won't want to spend the rest o' your life here.

MATT
Hmn, you did. Only good sometimes.

CINDY
Yeah, I know.

CHELLE
Sorry; we're not open..

PEGGY
Grant about, love?

CHELLE
Aye?

PEGGY
It's Peggy, darling, Grant's Mum, remember?

CHELLE
Oh, right, right, uh, Michelle.

PEGGY
Hello..
Grant about, is he?

CHELLE
Hmm--no, no; he had to go out.

PEGGY
Oh, but you'll be open any minute, won't you?

STEVE
Uh, y--he--had to go to the--brewery--about something.

CHELLE
That's right, yeah.

PEGGY
Oh. Well, he won't be long, will he?

CHELLE
Well, he could be a while. I think he had this big meeting.

PEGGY
Oh well. Not to worry--oh, is Sharon upstairs?

CHELLE
No, no; she had to go with 'im--

STEVE
That's up--to the brewery.

PEGGY
You don't fool me, you know.

CHELLE
[quiet] Eh?

PEGGY
They're skiving off somewhere, aren't they?
It's all right; you don't have to lie to me; I know what my two boys are like.

CHELLE
Sorry--

PEGGY
Oh, it's not your fault is it. Anyway, tell him to phone me, will you--let him know I'm back.

CHELLE
Of course I will.

PEGGY
[sighing] Shame, though, I was just looking forward to a nice sit-down after that hospital.

CHELLE
Oh well.. can I get you a drink?

PEGGY
[goes to a small table] Oh, go on, then; I'll have a Gin an' Tonic. It's a bit early, but I been on the go for nearly twenty-four hours--'n' still feels like night-time to me.

CHELLE
Yeah--oops, sorry; I was just about to get that, loo--

PEGGY
[quiet] It's all right, darling--go on 'n' sit down. Put your feet up. [STEVE comes over and helps.]

CHELLE
Thanks Steve.

[PEGGY and CHELLE are at the table, PEGGY continues to talk conspiratorially low.]

PEGGY
Ta, now.. Ah.. Tell us all the gossip.

CHELLE
[priceless awkward look which PEGGY's oblivious to]

PHIL
How's Grant?

NIGEL
Oh, he's all right.

PHIL
[pause] Come off it, Nige.

NIGEL
[pause] No, he is.
Considering.

PHIL
Oh, considering. Well, that makes all the difference, doesn't it.

NIGEL
Well, what did you expect me to say, Phil?

PHIL
Just tell me the truth..

NIGEL
[pause] Actually. He's in a bit of a bad way.

PHIL
Ah, that's more like it, huh.

NIGEL
You know he's staying 'round our place at the moment.

PHIL
[pause] Yeah, I know; Kathy told me, uh.. It can't be that easy, now.

NIGEL
[pause] How 'bout 'im comin' 'round to see you?

PHIL
[pause] No.

NIGEL
Why not?

PHIL
[pause] Look, if he'd really wanted to see me, he would o' been in by now.

NIGEL
No, not necessarily. Maybe he thought you wouldn't want to see him.

DEBS
Due to him that put you in here in the first place.

PHIL
[not wanting to listen to this stuff] So what. 'Been the other way around, I'd o' done the same thing.

NIGEL
Then see him.

PHIL
No.

NIGEL
[pause] I'll ask him if you like.

PHIL
No.

Has, ah, has Mum been to see 'im?

NIGEL
Your Mum?

PHIL
Yeah, she--came in to see me this morning, she flew in from Spain.

DEBS
Nice.

PHIL
Yeah, an' she wanted to see him too and uh.
Well I just came to tell her that--there was an accident an' I fell in the bin.

NIGEL
[gravely and fast] Grant will know what to say.

PHIL
[urgent, flat] Just get him to tell her that I fell in the bin.

MATT
[jogs over] Hey, wait!

CINDY
Why, what's the matter?

MATT
Nothing! You going?

CINDY
Yeah, I have to be back by eleven.

MATT
You got time for a coffee?

CINDY
Well, aren't you on duty?

MATT
I can get someone to cover..

CINDY
Nnnoo, I can't--I really have to go--

MATT
All business?

CINDY
Mm--something like that.

MATT
When'll I see you again?

CINDY
What do you mean?

MATT
Are you coming back?

CINDY
[amused but rushed] Yeah, of course--

MATT
When.

CINDY
Uh--a couple days--Thursday, maybe.

MATT
Good. See you then.

CINDY
Okay.

MATT
Maybe you'll have a bit more time then.

CINDY
[entering the shower or loo area, semi-flirty] Yeah. Maybe.

LOUD-SPEAKER
Don't forget polling day. Monday the twelfth. This is your chance to vote for democracy. Don't waste the opportunity. Vote Independent. Keep the racists down. We need a high turnout on polling day if we're to defeat the fascists. So make sure you don't waste your vote.

SHARON
Is she gone?

CHELLE
You heard, then.

SHARON
Sort of. What's she want?

CHELLE
To see Grant--and you--it's all right; she doesn't know anything. Loo--I'll get a message to Grant to call her, an' Nigel'll take it, that way she won't come back here. [breathes in deep]

SHARON
[pause, quiet] Good.

CHELLE
[breathes out big]

SHARON
[peeking out window, pause] Chelle?

CHELLE
What is it, she still there.

SHARON
No.
Grant.

CHELLE
[looks]

[GRANT's sitting in the garden staring up at their window.]

CHELLE
[now quiet, too] What's he doing?

SHARON
Don't know--he's just sittin' there.

CHELLE
[pause, considers] He's standing guard or something.

SHARON
What for?

CHELLE
'N't ask me.
Do you want to talk to him?

SHARON
Oh, I don't know--do you think it'd do any good?..

CHELLE
No, I doubt it.

SHARON
Well, maybe it's what he wants, eh?

CHELLE
Look--why don't you let him see ya. Then at least you'll know.

SHARON
Yeah. [pulls curtain aside, stands by window]

[View through window, GRANT gets up, continued gloom/ominousness, and walks away--some slight look of disgust. Then we see SHARON upstairs and she puts the curtain back. This has disturbed her.]

SHARON
Uh.
Uh.

CHELLE
Is he gone then?
You got your answer now.

GITA
Heyyy, you seem cheerful!

CINDY
Oh, do I? [stops to chat]

GITA
Yeahhh! You're positively glowing!

CINDY
Ohhh, it must have been exersise, that's all. I been swimming; I feel great.

GITA
Ohh! I didn't know you were still going in to that.

CINDY
Yyyeah, only a couple o' times--when Ian's in a good mood.

GITA
Ha ha! And how often's that?

CINDY
Not very often, ha!

GITA
Hey listen, when are you thinking of going again?

CINDY
[wryly] Well, I was hoping to come Thursday. Suppose I could start bein' nice to him..

GITA
Hey listen, why don't I come with you, eh?

CINDY
[pause] What--swimming.

GITA
Yeah! On Thursday.

CINDY
Um, well, I'm not sure if it's gonna be happening. Ah, I don't know if he'll want to sit with the twins.

GITA
With you bein' nice to 'im? Come on--

CINDY
[sighs] Well, he certainly won't if I'm not back in five minutes. Loo--I--I've gotta hurry-- [rushing off, wants Thursday to be just her and cute-buns]

GITA
All right. What time on Thursday?

CINDY
[stops and turns around] Um--I'll let you know.

GITA
Okay.

PHIL
Oh, hello.

KATH
Hi. Thought you were asleep..

PHIL
No, no, I've had enough of that..

KATH
Well, you needed it. You feeling any better.

PHIL
Yeah, much better--ta. Well, I'm waitin' for a start, i'n't I?

KATH
Loo--I brought you some stuff. [sits]
It's fruit drink. That should do you good, and, uh, there's some, magazines in 'ere, an' some sandwiches.

PHIL
Ta, ha--no grapes?

KATH
[smiles a bit, pointing to the tray] Oh, you got plenty of grapes.

PHIL
Yeah, I know.. Anyway, thanks.

KATH
[puts stuff down and sighs] Your Mum came to see me..

PHIL
[pause, breathes in] Yeah, I thought she would--

KATH
Well, thanks for the warning.

PHIL
Look, I'm hardly in the position to tell you what to say, am I?

KATH
No, you're not. But it would have helped if I'd known, that's all.

PHIL
[pause, hard situation] So what did you tell her?

KATH
Well, what did you think I told her? I went along with your party line, uh, "Yes, it was an accident," "No, I wasn't there," an' "Everything in the family's lovely."

PHIL
[pause] Sorry, I--

KATH
What for?

PHIL
Well, that you had to lie.

KATH
Lying. That's a way o' life for you, i'n't it?

PHIL
Come off it. You think I'd lie to hurt me own mother?

KATH
I just think you do whatever's easiest.

PHIL
[pause] For God's sake, Kathy. It's almost worse than tellin' her the truth--yeah? Tell her I slept with me brother's wife, me brother found out an' he half killed me. I can't have her knowin' that, can I? It'd destroy her!

KATH
Oh, I know, don't I? What d'you think it's doin' to me?

PHIL
You've always known. I've never hid it from you. I told you everything, right? Since we got together. I told you everything.

KATH
Oh, did you now?

CINDY
Well, how are they?

IAN
Oh, they're all right. Fast asleep.

CINDY
You are a magician..

IAN
[chuckles] Enjoy your swim?

CINDY
Yeah--lovely, thanks.

IAN
Yeah, I would love to come with you once, eh?

CINDY
[pause] Yeah.

SANJAY
[inaudible]

GITA
Oh, that's all right. You're entitled to a lunch break.

SANJAY
Any luck?

GITA
Well, not much. I mean some people'll be--

SANJAY
Well--when--when did that happen? [points to some posters behind their stall, "Vote T.P.W., " that have "O U T" written across them in red marker]

GITA
[looks] Oh, no!

SANJAY
You must o' seen them..

GITA
No, I me--sh--I was watching the stall. I can't see everything.

SANJAY
No. [starts tearing the posters down in disgust of them]

NIGEL
You okay?

GRANT
What do you think?

NIGEL
[awkward, pause] Just thought I'd pop in--see how you were..

GRANT
[pause] I'm all right.

NIGEL
[pause] All right..

GRANT
I took your advice. Went out for a walk.

NIGEL
[relieved] Oh. Good. And?

GRANT
Now I'm back.

NIGEL
[still awkward, pause] Aaa--I got a message from Michelle. Aaa--your mother's been lookin' for you.. Seems, uh, well, she went to visit Phil, you see, an, uh--

GRANT
She would.

NIGEL
An' um, she wants to see you, too. Michelle said you'd phone her.

GRANT
[pause] Did she..

NIGEL
Yeah. Will you?

GRANT
How can I?

NIGEL
Huh. Hey. Just pick up the phone an' dial the number.

GRANT
[sighs]

NIGEL
Why not?

GRANT
What am I gonna say to her?
What've I possibly got to say to her that she'd possibly want to listen to?

NIGEL
Oh, uh, I mean, you could tell her you're all right.

GRANT
[pause] I can't say anything.

It's uh, Phil goes an' screws my wife.. an' he gets Mummy around to hold his hand.

Remember when we were kids.. I was out on the street, playing with this {??} plane.. Phil wanted something--w--wanted me to play with him.. So he started chucking stones at me--just little ones--to get me to stop.. Only one of 'em hit my plane.. So I picked up a stone an' I threw it back.. Only I threw my stone better than he threw his.. Cut his head open.. He started bawlin'.. Mum come runnin' out.. The way she looked at me.. I can see her now.

NIGEL
[pause] She doesn't know anything..
Phil didn't tell her, he--he said there'd been an accident.

GRANT
You've been to see him.

NIGEL
No, I--

GRANT
Nige, you been to see him.

NIGEL
Yeah, okay, I have. I'm not taking his side in this, I just thought I should go an' see how he is.

GRANT
[pause] An' how is he?..

NIGEL
He's, uh, he's doin' all right. He's gettin' stronger.
The main thing is, he's taking it very well--he's not blaming you or anything.

An' uh.. he said he's really sorry for what happened.

GRANT
Is he?

NIGEL
He said, he said he'd see you, if you wanted.
I--I think it'd be, a good idea if you tried to patch things up. What do you think?

GRANT
[knows Nige's lying] I think you're a prat.

NIGEL
Yeah. Right. Well. At least phone your mother. She won't know where to find you.

GRANT
[pause] I don't want her to find me.

NIGEL
She's your mother.

GRANT
[pause] Yeah, she's my mother.
An' I can't even face her. She's just something else he's taken away from me.

You want me to go an' see him?

NIGEL
I just think..

GRANT
I'm only sorry.. I didn't kill him.

PHIL
Well, we can't just go on like nothing's happened, can we.

KATH
Oh, like your Mum, you mean.

PHIL
Yeah--I'm sorry she upset ya.

KATH
She didn't upset me, Phil. She was just.. so normal. Chattin' away about her holiday, the--the party, you an' me gettin' married, an' how great it was all gonna be, an' I thought,.. "Peggy, you're so lucky. You just haven't got a clue!".. An' then she said she was gonna go an' see Grant. .. An' I thought, "Just one word from someone--just one little comment--that's all it's gonna take--to--to break her world wide open, take the roof right off--bang."

Uh. Because it's all lies, i'n't it? And that was me, two weeks ago..

PHIL
I wish we'd all o' gone back two weeks.. None of this would've happened.

KATH
Yeah.
An' me still bein' in the dark, I suppose..
Is that why you didn't tell me Sharon'd been around? That you'd been all over each other? Because you figured, "What she don't know won't hurt her," right?--

PHIL
We weren't--Yeah, well maybe I was right. I mean you're hurtin' now, i'n't ya.

KATH
[struck pause] An' what would you know about me hurtin', eh? You're safe i'n't ya? There's Grant hidin' out at Nigel's, Sharon hidin' at the Vic, an' you're hidin' out in here! There's only me out there trying ta cope, facin' it!

"Good Old Kath.".. Well, what a mug--eh?--

PHIL
'Course you're not.

KATH
W--it certainly looks like it, i'n't it? [sighs] Sorry. [breathes in] I 'as only trying to cheer you up, i'n't I?

PHIL
Don't be daft; we gotta talk about it, ain't we?
This small talk's been driving me mad.

KATH
Du--an' what were people supposed to be sayin' to ya, Phil? What am I supposed to say to you, come to that?

PHIL
I dunno. [sighs] Maybe we could.. talk about what we gonna do about it. Talk about the future.

KATH
[pause] That's just it, Phil.
I'm not sure we have a future.

-boom- -boom- -boom-boom-

Last Updated: 5 Feb 2000