Synopsis: Nigel's finding it hard to cope with Debs' death; others are sorry about it and try to help; Mark and Ruth talk with his HIV counselor about the possibility of having a baby; David wants he and Carol to throw a birthday party for Bianca; Ricky and Bianca plan a night out; and Grant has a proposal for Sharon.

In Cockney English: a "lorry" is a truck; to be "cut up" about something is to be upset about it; "ta" means thanks; "cheers" also means thanks but sometimes is a good-bye (and it can also be a toast); "telly" is TV; "to get shirty" means to take offense; a "cow" is like the american term, "bitch"; "crisps" are snack chips; a "mate" is a friend; and a "row" is an argument (rhymes with "wow").

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.

NIGE = NIGEL = NIGE
TIFF = TIFFANY = TIFF
CHELLE = MICHELLE = CHELLE

Approx. 25 scenes.

21 characters: MARK, SANJAY, NIGEL, CLARE, GRANT, SHARON, MICHELLE, PEGGY, BLOSSOM, CAROL, DAVID, IAN, CINDY, PHIL, MAXINE, BIANCA, TIFFANY, STEVE, RICKY, COUNSELLOR (TIM), and RUTH. Cast list (cast.htm 3K)

Notes:

• Sharon and Grant had been meeting secretly. Sharon wants to muck him about but she's finding herself pulled in by her own lingering attraction to him.
• Clare is about ten years old.
• Maxine was Debbie's mother.
• The only people who know that David is Bianca's natural father at this point are he, all of the Jacksons, and Ricky.

When I printed this, it took 29 pages.

Transcribed via VCR tape and microcassette tape.

MARK
[hands DRIVER coins] Lovely.

DRIVER
Ta.

MARK
Cheers, mate!

SANJAY
[as they help themselves from the back of the lorry] I usually save the cream for Gita. Not that she'll be all that interested today.

MARK
She a bit cut up, then.

SANJAY
Oh, more than a bit. Afraid I don't seem to have much helped her either.
[shaking his milk bottle] She really liked her--Debbie.

MARK
Oh I think everyone did. They were a great couple.

SANJAY
Yeah. There'll be a lot of people there at the funeral..

MARK
Nigel's gonna need us.

SANJAY
Yeah..

[The milk lorry is rolling past the Bates' place.]

GRANT
Hello, can you talk.
[sigh] I been thinking.. I need to see you tonight..

MICHELLE
[calling] Come on Vicki!

SHARON
[to phone, quiet, business-like] Only if you like. Where.
Okay, but make it eight o'clock.
I'll be there.

MICHELLE
[going upstairs] Who was that.

SHARON
Just some crank.

MICHELLE
Is that what you call the men these days.

SHARON
[amused] Mmm.

GRANT
Morning Mum.

PEGGY
Oh! What're you doing up?

GRANT
I just went out for a run.

PEGGY
Don't know how you do it.

GRANT
Just put one foot in front of the other.

PEGGY
Mm, very amusing. Listen: when do you think we should go around to Nigel's? You know him best.

GRANT
Ohhh, I was going to go around there soon. You know--see how he is today. You an' Phil could call in later.

PEGGY
[pause] Oh I really feel for him. I don't know how he's gonna cope.

GRANT
Well, he's got us: we'll get him through..

PEGGY
Hope so..

NIGE
[handing her glass of milk] Here ya're. [she takes it]
[sits, has a sip]
[quiet, equal in grief] You sure you don't wanna go to school..

CLARE
No, not today..

NIGE
Okay..

CLARE
Are you gonna go, an' open the Video shop..

NIGE
No. Not today..

CLARE
Okay..

NIGE
[sigh] Maybe, you--you better get yourself dressed, all right--okay..

[CLARE gets up and goes, passing MAXINE, who's just coming in the room. (She's in a robe, clearly spent the night.)]

NIGE
[noticing her] Maxine.. Didn't realize you were awake. [gets up]

MAXINE
I've been awake nearly all the night. I just couldn't settle..

NIGE
I'll make you a cup of tea--

MAXINE
Nigel. Clare called for Debbie in her sleep.

I didn't know what to do..

MARK
Oh, Grant.

GRANT
Yeah?

MARK
Have you seen Nigel today?

GRANT
I'm on my way around there now.

MARK
[awkward] Do you know if it's okay to go around to see him--I mean, I could come around with you if you want.

GRANT
Don't know if he's up to it just yet. Let's give him, a bit of time..

MARK
Okay.
I'll pop up when it's all calmed down a bit.

SANJAY
[comes up] Yeah, tell him we're thinkin' about him, that we're here if he needs us. Uh--Gita's devastated.

GRANT
Yeah. I'll let him know. [leaves]

MARK
[quiet] All right..

SANJAY
{What to say to someone when that happens, eh?}

MARK
It's not what you say, really.. it's just the fact that you're there to say it. That's all people want, really.

SANJAY
Yeah.. I still can't believe it. I'm not goin' to be able to go to the bettin' shop again, {what} without Debbie bein' there..

MARK
That could be {do have again, then.}

NIGE
Yeah..
Yeah, I, I'm sorry too.. Well, perhaps I'll--I'll see you at the--uh, the funeral, then. Thursday, yeah..
Thank you.. Bye.. [hangs up]

[He crosses that name off the phone list he's made. He has a whole list of people to call, and Liam Tyler is next. His pen points at it, then skips to the next name (Beryl Derfy). He dials. Someone's knocking at the door, so he stops.]

NIGE
I'll get it, Clare. [hangs up]

[He goes to get the door. It's GRANT and he has flowers.]

NIGE
Oh, Grant. Come in.
[trying to be light] Those for me.

GRANT
Ah, for you an' Clare, ah--me gran asked me to drop 'em off.
Ah, Mum an' Phil might be around later..

NIGE
Right.. Maxine's here, she's just havin' a bath. Come in.
Here. I'll take them. [takes flowers, they go in the kitchen]

GRANT
So how is she?

NIGE
She's not so good.

GRANT
Wha'bout you?

NIGE
Uh, so-so. Uhhh, Debbie keeps a vase somewhere.. [it's upsetting, he drops the looking]

GRANT
Look, if there's anything I can do, anything you need.

NIGE
Yeah, I'll, put them in here. [puts flowers in the sink] Ya want a cup o' tea?

GRANT
[pause] I'll do it.

NIGE
All right, then. Cheers mate.
[sitting, worn down] Uh! I didn't realize there was so much to do.

GRANT
[filling the teapot with water] How'd you mean?

NIGE
[distracted, worried, worn] {I've got} a whole--whole list of people to phone an'.. I've gotta put the notice in the paper today, get in touch with the Coroner, check if, Debbie had a will, an'.. find out what happens at a Cremation..

GRANT
Well I can do some o' that for you..

NIGE
Nah, no, it.. it's not that bad, not really..

GRANT
Sanjay an' Mark said they wanna call around later.. Well Gita's pretty cut up..

NIGE
Yeah. Yeah, she rang earlier.. So what's it like out there?

GRANT
Just a lot of sad faces. [sits, sad]
People are gonna miss Debbie..

NIGE
She was a great girl.

GRANT
Yeah, yeah the best.
So is Clare all right?

NIGE
[appreciates him, struggles, concerned about Clare] Yeah. Yeah, she's tryin' hard. She's not sleepin'.. all that well so.. I think I'll, try an' get her, after that, to have a lie down later. She's just watching telly now. [sigh]
[frustrated] I can't--I can't quite get it.

GRANT
Yeah. It's gonna take a bit of time, mate..

NIGE
Yeah.
[breathes out, struggling] I, fffound myself, wonderin' who was.. goin'o make the tea tonight: me or Debs--stupid, eh?

GRANT
[quiet] No..

NIGE
[pause] I can't, quite get used to it. Thinkin' that way. But, uh, that's me, eh? Slow learner.

BLOSSOM
I got to be very fond of Debbie.

CAROL
Yeah, me too.. What's it all about, eh, Blossom? Here we are, strivin' an' strugglin', gettin' nowhere fast. An' suddenly, that's it. -Poof- You're gone. What's it all for, eh?

BLOSSOM
Ooohh, I like to think that nothin' is Final. "Life is just one half of what's still to come!" Ha, huh.

CAROL
[amused dread] Uh--do you mean there's more o' this.
You know I sometimes sit in that Laundrette watchin' the clothes spinnin' 'round, I think to myself, "Is this really happenin', am I really just sittin' here watchin' laundry?" You know, I--I try really hard to think o' something else I can do with my hands apart from loading washing--

[DAVID comes in, rush, pretty good mood.]

BLOSSOM
Yes?

DAVID
Tea please, Blossom. And um, pffff [(that is blowing through teeth)], four round rolls, please.

BLOSSOM
Four?

DAVID
Yes, it's just that Ricky's a bit of a failure when it comes to doing the shopping. [notices] Oh, Carol. Listen, I need to see you.. What's the matter, what have I said? [turns to BLOSSOM]

BLOSSOM
Debbie.

DAVID
[remembers] Oh, yeah. Yeah, terrible i'n't it, jus--ohh, [breathes in] ooo, poor Debbie. She had her whole life ahead of her, didn't she. Mind you, it's the little girl I feel sorry for. Pfff--I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[The order isn't ready yet. DAVID grabs a chair and sits by CAROL.]

DAVID
[quiet] I'm not bein' funny, I know this is not a very good time, but, uh, I was wonderin'--

BLOSSOM
[putting the bag on table] Here.

DAVID
Oh. Cheers, Blossom. [B: "Here"] Here you go, ta. [B: "Ta."]

CAROL
[quiet] Wondering what.

[DAVID pauses as BLOSSOM walks away. This is an intimate matter, a big deal for them.]

DAVID
I saw Bianca earlier.
What are we gonna do for her eighteenth?

CAROL
We?

DAVID
Yeah, we're her parents.

CAROL
I don't know it's any of your business.

DAVID
Well we can't let it pass without a.. a little bit of a "do," can we. I feel I owe it to her. To do it properly, I mean.

CAROL
Oh you do, do you?

DAVID
Well, it's a big day, comin' of age, i'n't it.

CAROL
[pause] No, twenty-one's when you come of age.

DAVID
Yeah, I know but, wh-h-well, you know, eighteen's when you, stop bein' a kid, i'n't it.. Come on, I think we should do something..

CAROL
Look, I'm not gonna start competin' wi' ya. It's no contest, so what's the point.

DAVID
Carol, I'm not tryin' 'o compete. You always take it the wrong way, all I'm tryin' to--

CAROL
[leaving] --All right, look, I got things to do with my time, David.
See you later, Blossom.

CINDY
Well, I just think it's wrong, that's all. Well it's not natural! When I was Bianca's age, I might o' looked at old men, but I didn't do anything about it.

IAN
[dismayed] I don't know--I don't blame him.

CINDY
Ian!?

IAN
Well, I don't! I mean--if he reckons he can {deport} young girls, fair play to him.

CINDY
Yeah, it's Bianca I feel sorry for--she's the one that's gonna get hurt.

IAN
Good.

CINDY
Ian!?

IAN
{I think} she deserves it!

CINDY
She's, just got a lot to learn, that's all.

IAN
Look. Bianca's the type o' girl who'll learn exactly what she wants to. Anyway, it's him I'd worry about.

CINDY
[pause] For what?

IAN
Well, he's got a bit o' cash floatin' around, don't he. She's probably after that.

CINDY
Well, he wouldn't fall for that, would he?

IAN
Look--you're sure you haven't misread this? I mean I can't see those two gettin' togetha: he's old enough to be her old man!

[CINDY sighs with exasperation, looking out the window.]

GRANT
Hi.

SHARON
Is Nigel around?

GRANT
Yeah, he's on the phone, you'd better come in.

[GRANT's letting her in but there are voices approaching in the hall so they look. PEGGY and PHIL arrive, both with flowers.]

PEGGY
[deadpan, unfriendly] Oh. Are you arrivin' or leavin'?

SHARON
[to GRANT] Tell Nigel I'll see him later, an'.. give him my best for now.

GRANT
Yeah, sure..

[SHARON leaves and PEGGY and PHIL come in.]

PHIL
How is he, all right?

GRANT
Yeah, he's pretty shaky.

PEGGY
[subdued, reassuring] Well, we're here, now, we'll look after him. I'll put them flowers out. [takes PHIL's bouquet, too]

PHIL
{Yeah, don't be squee--sh--you'll be crushin'em.}--

PEGGY
I know what to do. [leaves]

PHIL
[long sigh] What's Sharon doin' here..

GRANT
She's come to pay her respects..

PHIL
That's the last thing Nigel needs, i'n't it, you two sittin' in the same room as him.

GRANT
Well she didn't know I was goin' 'o be here, did she..

[NIGEL comes over from living room.]

PHIL
You all right?

NIGEL
Yeah--hangin' in there--you know.

[They all head toward the kitchen.]

PEGGY
[to MAXINE] I'm Peggy. Phil an' Grant's mum.

MAXINE
[polite] I'm sorry we're meeting in such awful circumstances.

[NIGEL's coming in, PHIL and GRANT behind him.]

PEGGY
[sympathetic, esp. to NIGEL] Ohh, I know, an' I'm so sorry. I really am. [kisses NIGEL's cheek, turns, more perky, to CLARE] I got something special for you, a little treat. I'll give it to you just as soon as I've made us all a nice cup o' tea.

BIANCA
[nonchalant] Vodker an' orange when you're ready, please, Tiff?

TIFF
[business, not unfriendly] Are you eighteen or over?

BIANCA
What?

TIFF
Are you old enough to drink in a pub.

BIANCA
Of course I am, daft cow.

TIFF
All right, I think I'm gonna need some identification. Have you got a full driver's license?

BIANCA
[shirty] You know I ain't! Come on, Tiff, what is this.

TIFF
[quiet] It's about my job, that's what it is.

BIANCA
Stop bein' a prat an' just serve me a drink!

STEVE
[comes over] She can't do that. New rules for the Vic, you see. Peggy'd have {her guts for grass.}

RICKY
[just came in] Hi-ya?

TIFF
Hi, Ricky, what can I get ya?

RICKY
I'll have a pint, please. [to B] Want a drink?

BIANCA
I can't.

RICKY
Why not?

TIFF
{Here} she's not old enough, that's why.

RICKY
Eh?

STEVE
New Regime.

RICKY
What they on about?

BIANCA
I don't know--Peggy's new rules.

RICKY
Well, what if I were {to order, then,} it's not strictly serving Bianca, is it?

TIFF
Not strictly speaking, but--

RICKY
[nice] It's all right--I'll take the rap for it.

TIFF
All right--you better--what'd you want.

RICKY
All right, I'll have a pint and uh, wha'd'ya want--a vodka orange?
A vodka orange. And uh, two bags of crisps, please.

TIFF
[agreeable] Okay.

NIGEL
I'm off me food.

MAXINE
Uh. Me too..

GRANT
Yeah, me mum made enough food for eight people, the amount of grub she's chucked at us. [sigh]

PHIL
[nice] Shame none of it's edible, i'n't it..

[They quietly chuckle.]

NIGEL
You sure your mum will be all right with Clare..

PHIL
Oh, yeah, no problem. She'll talk anyone to sleep.
Yeah, do you remember when she used to tell us all them stories about growin' up in the east end.
How it was when it was the reeeal east end, of course.
{You start to rah} how she did. Even I could o' fallen asleep..

MAXINE
I'm sure there's something I should be doing..

NIGEL
No, you should just--just try an take, take it easy, just try an' relax..

MAXINE
If Clare can't sleep, I'll take her out for the day.

NIGEL
No. No, she'll be all right, fine. Just--
Anyway, I quite like having Clare around. [sigh] She's as good a reason as any for.. me to keep it all together. I can't very well crack up when I need to be there for her..

PHIL
She's lucky she's got you, mate.

MAXINE
So am I. [doorbell rings] Yeah--I'll go! I'll make myself useful somehow. [leaves]

NIGEL
[pause] You know.. you don't know what you've got 'til.. 'til you lose it.
Huh! Aaall those years I spent, looking for the perfect someone.. [sigh] I never thought.. I never thought I'd get that lucky. Not me, not Nigel Bates. But I did.. When I met Debs, my lottery numbers came up..

GRANT
You were lucky, mate.
Not many people ever get close to that kind of love..

PHIL
And even if they do, {half} of 'em run away {don't they.}

GRANT
What you had was special.

MAXINE
[comes in with nice flower arrangement, upset] They're from Mattie and Sandra at the bookie's.

NIGEL
[blows out] Don't know where I'm goin' to put all this stuff..

PHIL
{No one's up to some} hayfever.

MAXINE
[tearing up] Nigel.. All these flowers: I didn't know she was so well loved! Uh..

[She starts crying and NIGEL gets up and consoles and hugs her.]

BIANCA
It's been really boring lately.

RICKY
I thought you'd be clubbing it most nights.

BIANCA
No, I just been stayin' in. Growin' out o' that.

RICKY
But you couldn't stand all that! You hated it when I did it!

BIANCA
Well I was younger then.

RICKY
Well I could do with a right good night out. Tell you, it's getting me down livin' with David. [sigh] Not got anyone to go out with really, though.

BIANCA
Who have you asked?

RICKY
Well, no one, really.

BIANCA
No girls?

RICKY
No.

BIANCA
Well, I'd go out wi' ya.

RICKY
Really.

BIANCA
Yeah.

RICKY
Well. Where?

BIANCA
Where ever you like.

RICKY
Well.. uh--come on--you choose.

BIANCA
Well, there's a good film at the pictures I wouldn't mind seein'.

RICKY
W--what one.

BIANCA
W--I don't know what it's called, but it's meant to be good, though.

RICKY
All right--yeah, w--we'll go tonight if you want.

BIANCA
Oh I can't tonight.

RICKY
Oh. It was just a thought.

BIANCA
Well maybe we'll go tomorrow, I'm not doin' nothing tomorrow.

RICKY
Yeah! Yeah, that'd be f--that'd be good.

BIANCA
I could dress up!

RICKY
[happy] Yeah, me as well. Listen, I don't suppose I could borrow your iron, could I, 'cause uh, David broke ours.

PHIL
I wonder how uh, Tiffany's getting on back at the Vic, huh?

PEGGY
Mmm-mmm.

PHIL
[regretting] Look, I better get back to work.. [gets up]
Listen, Nige, if you wanna have a chat, you just, ring me, yeah?
Day or night.
I mean it.. [shakes hands with him]

NIGEL
[quiet] Yeah, cheers.. [PHIL leaves.]

PEGGY
Afraid I'll have to make a move as well.. [getting up] Steven wasn't too happy about filling in for me.. [kisses NIGE's forehead, regretfully whispers] sweetheart.. [leaves]

[GRANT and NIGEL are left sitting alone. GRANT's still drinking tea. Flowers in vases are all over the counters.]

NIGEL
You don't have to go, do you..

GRANT
Not if you don't want me to..

NIGEL
I don't know, prefer it if you didn't.. Don't fancy, bein' on me own, right now..

GRANT
[breathes in, nonchalantly considerate] Right. Well I'll stay, then..

DAVID
Carol, you got a minute.

CAROL
You're back, are ya..

DAVID
[sad, subdued, respectful] Oh, what a welcome.. [sits]
[pause, breathes in] I'm sorry about this mornin'.. I was forgettin' you knew her a lot better than I did.

CAROL
Yeah..

DAVID
Makes you think, a bit, though--d'n't it?

CAROL
Too true..

DAVID
If you do only get one stab at this life.. you better make sure you get it right..
I was go--you know--I was thinkin' about things and.. all those years I weren't around. I missed out on so much..

CAROL
Yeah. More than you can ever imagine..

DAVID
If I'd o' known about Bianca, though, I'm sure things could have been different between us..

CAROL
[pause] I doubt that. Anyway, the past is long gone, David.. You can't go back and get it--it just don't work like that..

DAVID
Maybe not..
But things are different.. an' I'm here now.. So.. Anyway--look--what are we gonna do about her birthday. We are her parents.. An' I think it would be nice if we, sorted it out together and got her something really special..

CAROL
I don't want to hear about this.

DAVID
Well I think on an occasion like this it would be nice if we did it together--

CAROL
[gets up] Look. I really can't think about this, I got other things on my mind. [heading for back room]

DAVID
Carol, all I want is a few minutes, love, I. Come on, please! It's a chance for me to be a real father to her.

CAROL
[turns to him] Buying your way into her life won't work, David. It's gotta come from somewhere other than your wallet.

TIM
It's good to see you both again.
Take your seats. [MARK shuts door, they all sit]
So. How are you.

MARK
Pretty good, actually.

RUTH
Yeah, um.. we've been thinkin' a few things over an', one thing in particular?

MARK
And uh.. basically we'd like to know how we might go about havin' a baby.

RUTH
I mean, we've been thinkin' about it for a while now, an' we, just wanna know if it's possible?

TIM
Ahhh, well I think we got quite a bit to talk about, then haven't we? A baby, eh?

[It's awkward and amused.]

NIGEL
Oh, Sharon--

SHARON
Nigel. I'm sorry I'm a bit late--how are ya?

NIGEL
Oh, not so bad, the--uh, not now, seein' you. I was wonderin', if you'd come around.

SHARON
Well--can I come in? [(NIGE hesitates)]
Ohhm--uh maybe you don't want visitors--I'll come back another time, yeah--

NIGEL
No, no, of course I did, no, come on in--sorry--I'm all, I'm all over the place right now. Come on in.

SHARON
Okay.
[entering kitchen] Look--I won't stop long if you want 'o be alone--

NIGEL
Actually, Sharon--

GRANT
[coming from living room] Don't worry about it, Nige.

SHARON
Oh.

NIGEL
Sorry, I don't.. didn't know how to tell you.

SHARON
It's, all right, I'll come back another time--

GRANT
Look, you don't have to go. We're all adults now, aren't we.
[to NIGEL] Clare wanted me to read her some stories. [has a "Fairy Tales" book]

SHARON
Bit old for fairy tales, i'n't she?

GRANT
[pause, quiet] I think she was lookin' for a happy ending.

TIM
You know that it's a very difficult journey that you're thinking of undertaking..

MARK
We didn't think it was goin' to be easy..

TIM
An' I'm gonna have to ask you a few questions..

RUTH
Yeah, we thought you might.. We've got a few of our own..

TIM
Good. That means you must be pretty committed to this.

MARK
We'd just like to know what our chances are, really.

RUTH
{We'll} take it from there..

TIM
Great..

RUTH
Havin' a baby is possible, isn't it?

TIM
[breathes in] Well, put it this way, there are a number of options.

MARK
Aren't there always?

TIM
[appreciative] You said it.
Anyway, let me run through the available choices. First off, you can try for a baby naturally. You can practice a form of Safer Sex whereby you work out Ruth's most fertile day, and make that the one day that you have unprotected sex.

MARK
Wouldn't that put Ruth at risk..

TIM
Well, of course, but, there's always goin' to be a small risk.

MARK
How small?

TIM
Well, statistically, it's a tiny percentage, but--nevertheless--it--it is a risk.

MARK
I wouldn't wanna take that risk. However small.

TIM
Okay. Ahh, there's adoption.. which obviously avoids some o' those problems, or.. artificial insemination with donor sperm.
[to the doubtful silence] Oh, but, before we can discuss those any further.. you need to know whether you really do want a baby..

GRANT
You missed a bit.

SHARON
Where?

GRANT
There. It's your lipstick.

SHARON
{Good to be with}
[goes to NIGE] Uh, how you gettin' on, Nige.. [drying hands absently]

NIGEL
[concentration] I want everyone to be there, or at least know about Debbie. That way I won't have to keep tellin' people--uh--there's only, so many ways you can say it..

SHARON
Never been to a cremation before..

GRANT
[how unimportant] No, me neither..

NIGEL
It's what Debbie wanted.. She told me that once.. Uh, I don't know why, it's just.. one o' those silly, conversations you have, now an' then.. never thought it'd become a reality, though..

GRANT
{Mate..}
Not so sure I could cope, not as well as you..

SHARON
You'd cope..

GRANT
No. Not so sure I would..

NIGEL
[wistful] It's nice to see you two gettin' on again..

SHARON
Is it?

NIGEL
Yeah.. I was worried you might have a row or something..

SHARON
Well, we're tryin' aren't we, Grant?

GRANT
Yeah. That's what we're doing. We're tryin'.

NIGEL
Yeah, you should try. Don't let it go. Not if you got a chance to make it work.

SHARON
We'll do our best.
[sighs, suddenly putting towel down] Look, Nigel uh, I gotta go, I.. I gotta pick Vicky up from school? An' you know where I am..

[NIGEL's still sitting and she affectionately gives his head a caring hug, and kisses his cheek. He holds onto her hand.]

SHARON
[to GRANT] I'll see ya.

GRANT
Yeah. See ya later.

SHARON
Bye. [lets herself out]

TIM
Let me try another question.
Has something happened between you. Is one of you perhaps pushing the other a little.

MARK
[looking at RUTH] No.. It was a mutual decision..

TIM
What if, Ruth wakes up tomorrow morning, and decides that, no, she doesn't want to have a baby: what would you do then, Mark?

RUTH
I do want a baby.

MARK
[struggles] I guess I'd respect Ruth's wishes.

TIM
Do you think your relationship would suffer?

MARK
Why would it?

TIM
You might feel that it's a big loss not having a child..

RUTH
Well.. we've sort of prepared ourselves for disappointment..
I mean, we're not givin' in to some blind hope, you know..

TIM
Has there been any pressure from your families.

RUTH
Well, no.. As you know, I don't talk to mine..

TIM
Ha. Families. You should see the trouble I have with my lot.

MARK
The idea of havin' a baby, was purely: Our Decision.

TIM
Do you know any other childless couples.

RUTH
What? That are H.I.V.?

TIM
Uh, not necessarily, no..

MARK
Married, couples, you mean..

TIM
Couples that can't have children, for, whatever reasons..

MARK
I don't think I do..

RUTH
An' I certainly don't..

TIM
Do you know any children who've lost a parent, or both parents..

MARK
Oh.. Yeah..

TIM
An' can you be sure that you'd be able to provide the same care that they're receiving..

MARK
Of course..

TIM
What if you couldn't.. What if, Ruth became ill or something happened to her..
[to the anxious silence] I'm afraid there's a lot to think about, isn't there..

MARK
[breathes in] So what do we do now?

TIM
[pause] I'd like you to go an' see a medical adviser. He will give you a much better idea of the actual possibilities. [gets up] I've got a number here. [gets card, breathes out] I'd like you to think some more.
[hands RUTH the card, sits, breathes out again] Maybe try an' answer these questions yourselves..

MARK
What if we can't..

TIM
Then we'll sit down an' talk about it, try an' work something out..

MARK
[pause] Is that all it's ever gonna be.. Talkin'. Do we ever get past that stage..

TIM
That'sss, up to you an' Ruth..

[RUTH looks worried and MARK holds her hand.]

NIGEL
Clare wants a sandwich.

GRANT
Is she all right..

NIGEL
At the moment.. [nodding absently]

GRANT
[pause] Right. Well, I might shove off in a minute now that she's awake.

NIGEL
Oh, sure.. Look: thanks for bein' here..

GRANT
[gets up] I don't suppose I did much good, mate.. [putting on jacket]

NIGEL
No, no, I got, I couldn't o' got through the day without you.
Look, um.. no one could give me what I really want.. Oh.. I suppose I'd better phone Liam..

GRANT
Yeah, whatever you feel you gotta do..

NIGEL
Wish I knew what that was..

GRANT
Mate.. You didn't deserve this.

NIGEL
[frustrated, lost] I'm gonna get through this, aren't I, Grant?

GRANT
Yeah.. You've got to..

NIGEL
For Clare, you mean..

GRANT
For all of us.

[NIGEL hugs GRANT, who's there for him like a big bear. After a brief moment, the embrace ends.]

GRANT
Look, ahh.. I'll see you tomorrow, all right..

NIGEL
Yeah, right.. Cheers..

[GRANT's leaving, and NIGEL's staring, distracted, at the page with Liam's number on it.]

RUTH
He's tryin' to put you off our gettin' a baby..

MARK
It made me think a bit, that's all..

RUTH
We should go an see this medical advisor.. I mean, it's pretty obvious we hardly know anything right now.

MARK
That's true..

RUTH
I mean, I could phone him. I could phone him tomorrow.

[MARK stops, holds her close, face to face.]

MARK
I love you.

[RUTH chuckles.]

MARK
Nothing ever beats you that easy, does it.

RUTH
Well, there's no harm in knowing what you Can and Can't do. I mean, you said it yourself, you plan life for life's sake. Anyway, it could, all be some sort o' test.. I mean, they're probably tryin' to put you off so that only the most determined get through.

MARK
Sounds like Gladiators.

RUTH
This has got a better prize.

[They kiss.]

SHARON
I got you a drink..

GRANT
Cheers.. [sigh]
[drinks]
Ahhh. Needed that.. It's been a long day..

SHARON
Yeah it has..

GRANT
I don't suppose I did much good..

SHARON
At least you were there for him..

GRANT
Yeah.. Bein' with Nige made me think a bit..

SHARON
Yeah, I suppose it would..

GRANT
I told him how good I thought him an' Debbie were together..

SHARON
They were..

GRANT
We were as good as that.. We were.. Maybe even better..
Just wish I'd tried to keep it goin'.. Didn't realize what we had..
I want to ask you somethin'..

SHARON
[doubtful] Ask me what..

GRANT
[sigh] I'm not sure that I can, now..

SHARON
Try me..

GRANT
[pause, serious] We can start again.. [puts ring case out to her, on the table]
Somewhere else..
Somewhere new..

SHARON
[pause, at a loss] What's this..

GRANT
You an' me.. [opens case and puts case back out on table for her to see: quite a ring..]
We can make it work this time..

SHARON
Grant..

GRANT
We can do it..
Marry me..

[SHARON doesn't know what to think.]

-boom- -boom- -boom-boom-

Last Updated: 5 Feb 2000