Transcript: EastEnders 27 June 1995 The Television Transcript Project */EastEnders /* *Written by:* Jeff Povey 27 June 1995 British Air Date: Tuesday, 27 June 1995. This is very probably episode #200 (in the second numbering series--after the first 952 episodes). Transcript of the *previous* episode (Monday) *Synopsis:* Nigel ventures outside to a concerned neighborhood; Ricky and Bianca share an evening together; Peggy is now officially in charge of the Vic and is determined to make it cheery; Sharon tells Michelle about Grant's proposal; Grant and Nigel muse about love; David is bummed about Bianca and has a rare, late-night chat with Sharon about life in Walford, being adopted, and about Grant and her. CHELLE = MICHELLE = CHELLE NIGE = NIGEL = NIGE TIFF = TIFFANY = TIFF In Cockney English slang, the "loo" is the bathroom; "ta" means thank you; "Cheers" also means thank you, is sometimes a good-bye (and is sometimes a toast). the "telly" is the TV; giving someone a "wind-up" is like "pulling someone's leg"--a practical joke; a "punter" is a customer; "bleeding" is a swear word; and "on me tod" means alone. Approx. 25 scenes. 17 (plus) characters: NIGEL, BIG RON, WINSTON, TRACEY, SHARON, GRANT, MAXINE, MICHELLE, BLOSSOM, RICKY, BIANCA, PEGGY, CINDY, DAVID, TIFFANY, VICKY, STEVE, and several GUYS and YOUNG WOMEN with very few lines each (credits name YORKY, ASH, and STEPH). Cast list (cast.htm 3K) Notes: * The ring Grant offered her wasn't tacky, in my humble opinion. Big, yes, but not tacky. * This is the day after the previous episode. * Pat and Janine are away on holiday with Roy. When I printed this, it took 37 pages. Transcribed via VCR tape and microcassette tape. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [*/EastEnders/ Intro* with theme music (time: 00:27). Intro theme: Save music (417kb mp3).] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The market in the morning. NIGEL is walking through, clearly the first time he's been out since Debbie died. People keep coming up to him.] RON [comes up, putting hand on N's shoulder] Did you get the flowers.. NIGEL Yeah, I did. Thanks a lot, Ron. Cheers. WINSTON [goes up to him] {How d'ya make ??} If there's anything, yeah? NIGEL Yeah, thanks. O' course. Ta. [goes to TRACEY's flower stall] Hi, Tracey.. TRACEY Nigel. How are you today? NIGEL Oh, well, I, here, needed a bit of fresh air, I was, feelin' a bit cooped up.. [serious, urgent, nearly teary] Um.. A wreath.. Uh, I wanted a wreath made up.. TRACEY [it's upsetting] Oh.. um-- NIGEL I think, I'd understand if you didn't want to do it, but.. TRACEY Course I'll do it. What would you like? NIGEL Uh, I don't know, really, uh.. I haven't had uh.. Something nice.. you know, something really nice.. TRACEY Leave it to me.. [nodding] NIGEL All right, how much {do} I pay you-- TRACEY [difficult for her, too] Nige. No. NIGEL [with difficulty] It's because of you that, that me an' Debs met. And I'll /al/ways be grateful for that. All right? Thanks. [pays her as he quickly leaves] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [At Michelle's, the phone's ringing and SHARON gets it. She's still in her robe and keeps it quiet.] SHARON Only /you/ could phone this early. GRANT Well, I've been /up/ since five waitin' to call you. Huh. Couldn't stand it any longer. I /need,/ an answer. Huh. Well, you've had all night. SHARON I /told/ you, I need a few more days. Let me get everything clear in me head. It's gotta /work/ this time.. Look.. I'll meet you Thursday night. I'll give you my answer then, okay? It's only a couple o' /days./ 'Kay. [hangs up] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [At the Bates', MAXINE's cooking and NIGEL comes in. She still seems anxious. He mostly keeps himself distracted with the mail.] MAXINE I thought you might be hungry. NIGEL Uhhhh, just a bit o' toast'll do me. MAXINE You were gone quite a while.. NIGEL Yeah, I popped into the video shop. Just sat in there for a bit. Watchin' Debbie's favourite film. Well, half of it.. Where's Clare? MAXINE I said I'll bring her breakfast in bed. NIGEL Oh is she hungry, then? MAXINE Mmm, a little. Hmm. I'm beginning to wish I hadn't given up smoking, I could do with one right now. I uh, I forgot to /ask./ Did you get a hold o' Liam. NIGEL [sitting] No, I haven't, I haven't tried yet.. MAXINE You'll have to tell him. He has a right to know. What is it. {Is it} Clare? Oo, we'll have to find out what he wants to /dooo./ He is her /fa/ther.. NIGEL Look, could--could we maybe, talk about this another time? MAXINE [nicely] I know it's /hard../ but putting it off won't make it go away, Nigel. NIGEL You don't think he'd try an' take her, do you? MAXINE [breathes in] Liam's odd.. You never /know/ with him.. NIGEL I mean, we haven't /heard/ from him in /a/ges, he.. He never, tries to /see/ her, he, doesn't /phone/ or write to her.. MAXINE Personally, I think he'll stay away.. NIGEL Do you? MAXINE [anxious] Probably got his life /just/ the way he wants it. Who knows.. there might not be any room for Clare.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [At Michelle's, SHARON is sitting in the living room and CHELLE comes by.] CHELLE Uh, have you seen Vicky's school bag? SHARON Uh, the last time I saw, it was in the loo. CHELLE [leaving] Loo? What's it doin' there? [loudly calling] Sweetheart! It's in the /toi/let! [bitterly, from the kitchen] I bet she hid it there just so we could be late. [about tea] Oh. It's cold. SHARON [calling] It's been there a while. CHELLE Well, what time were you up. SHARON About six. CHELLE [surprised, coming to living room] /Six?/ SHARON Yeah, I couldn't sleep. CHELLE Oh. Right, I really gotta be goin'. [calling] Come on, sweetheart! [remarking] God, every morning it's the same. [friendly, while gathering papers for work] You all right. SHARON [quiet] Yeah. CHELLE Sure? SHARON Yeah, I'm just feelin' a bit sluggish. CHELLE Nothing's happened? SHARON No. CHELLE You, would tell me if there was anything wrong, wouldn't ya. SHARON Course I would. CHELLE [smiling] All right then. See ya later. [leaving, nice to VICKY] Come on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [At the cafe, RICKY's ordering, BLOSSOM is behind the counter.] RICKY {I'll have} five {ham} rolls to take out, please. BLOSSOM /Five?/ RICKY Yeah, David's /use/less when it comes to doin' the shopping. BLOSSOM Seems like you /both/ need lookin' after. RICKY Oh--well, he does, that's for sure. BIANCA [coming in, smiling] Oh. RICKY Oh, hey. BIANCA Hi. RICKY Um, still on for tonight? BIANCA Yeah, uh, we'll meet around your house, yeah? RICKY Mine. BIANCA Yeah, you don't mind, do ya? RICKY /No, no,/ not at all, uh. It's a bit messy, though. [They can't keep their eyes off of each other. (She's a little distracted about BLOSSOM, though.)] BIANCA Well, I don't mind. RICKY {Like,} we'll, say about six? BIANCA [smiling] Yeah, that sounds good to me. RICKY All right, then--try an'--better get back to work. BIANCA All right. RICKY [starts leaving, to BLOSSOM] Cheers. BIANCA Lost a bit o' weight, did ya? RICKY [friendly] Starvation does that to ya. [leaves] [BIANCA looks at BLOSSOM, who's been watching.] BLOSSOM [nonchalant, pointing to nose] Don't worry. Secret's safe with me. BIANCA Hm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Outside the Vic, PEGGY and SHARON run across each other.] PEGGY [unfriendly] Oh, Sharon. SHARON Peggy? PEGGY I was just comin' around to see you. SHARON You were? PEGGY I just got back from the licensing session. SHARON [pause, remembering] Oh, right. PEGGY Since you couldn't be bothered to turn up, I thought you /might just/ like to know: the transfer's complete. SHARON [pause] It went okay, then? PEGGY Why shouldn't it? SHARON I was just asking. PEGGY Well, if you'd /been/ there, you'd /know,/ wouldn't you? [gets smug] But then I don't suppose it's your business, now. Come to think of it, /noth/ing around here is your business anymore. It's in /my/ name, now, Sharon. The /days/ of the Watts are over. And don't you ever forget that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [GRANT is downstairs in the Vic (closed at this hour), looking at the ring. PEGGY comes in and he hides the ring away. She goes behind the bar. He has a tea with him.] GRANT Morning mum. PEGGY Ahhh. Morning. /How's/ my little lad, then. GRANT Eh? PEGGY [victoriously getting a drink] We have the result, Grant. The transfer's been finalized. The license is ours. Cheers. [lifts her glass to him] GRANT So, there were no hitches, then? PEGGY [just had some of her drink] Mmm. Went as /smooth/ as anything. Not joinin' me? GRANT Uh--it's a bit early for me. PEGGY Oh, suit yourself. I saw Sharon a minute ago. GRANT Yeah? PEGGY I /told/ her there was nothing left for her now. GRANT [pause] What you.. didn't have a go at her or anything, did you.. PEGGY Does it matter? GRANT No. I just don't want you wasting your breath, that's all. PEGGY Oh! Don't worry about it, she's history. It's just me an' you, Grant, from now on. The Real Mrs. Mitchell an' Son, Limited. [finishes rest of drink] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The fish and chips shop. CINDY's working when DAVID comes in. There are no other customers.] CINDY [tense] Yes. DAVID [warm, smiling, masterfully nice] Chips. CINDY Open or wrapped. DAVID Surprise me. [CINDY is putting together his order, uptight.] DAVID Where's the boy {blunder,} then. CINDY Out the back. Counting fish. DAVID [quiet] Mmm! Well I'll have to make sure I'm on my best behaviour, then, won't I? CINDY I doubt you'd know what that was. DAVID [keeps it quiet] Well, that makes two of us, d'n't it? CINDY Salt an' vinegar? DAVID Well, since you put it so nicely.. how can I resist. CINDY I doubt you ever can. DAVID You're in form, i'n't ya. [CINDY is clearly uptight, refusing to engage in this.] DAVID I could watch you wrap chips all day, do you know that. CINDY Yeah, well you should play games with someone younger. [done with his order] DAVID [puzzled] Younger? CINDY Yeah. Little girls. They're easier to impress. DAVID [pause] Can't say I know any.. CINDY [disdainful] That's not what I've heard. DAVID People been sayin' something? CINDY Who knows? DAVID [doubtful pause] How much do I owe you. CINDY Well wait an' see. Oh, an' don't forget. We do children's portions. /Just/ in case you want to take her out for dinner. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The Vic is open now. TIFFANY is behind the bar, PEGGY's getting glasses. GRANT is there, too, like he just came down there.] GRANT Mum. PEGGY What is it? GRANT I, uh fancy takin' the night off. I think I should go around an' check on Nige. PEGGY Ohhh, that'll leave me a bit short-handed. Tiffany's off tonight. GRANT Yeah, well it is quite important. PEGGY Oh. Well. I'm /sure/ I'll manage. GRANT Sometimes you have to, runnin' a boozer couldn't /al/ways be a bed o' roses. PEGGY [amused] Lucky I've got /you,/ then. [serious, grateful] You know, I'd never taken this on if /you/ weren't gonna be involved--not at /my/ age. [quiet] Tsk. Imagine. Me an' my son in business together.. Your dad would o' been /sooo/ proud to see you lookin' after me.. GRANT Yeah, an', I--I think I might nip out for a bit. PEGGY By the way: we're holding our /first/ quiz night next week. GRANT [dread, it's tiring] You what. PEGGY Yeah, I've sent away for one of those /packs/ they give out. I don't suppose you want to be Question Master. GRANT Uhhh--I'd rather not, if it's all the same. PEGGY Suit yourself. But I need a bit of help from you--you know--settin' it all up. GRANT Yeah. O'course. I'll see you later. PEGGY Ta da, love. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [At Michelle's. SHARON's at the kitchen table when MICHELLE and VICKY come in. It's 5:10 PM.] VICKY Sharon. {Hello.} [goes to her] SHARON Hello, Vicky. How are you, mmm. [kisses hello] MICHELLE [routine] Straight upstairs an' change for me, sweetheart. Will you hang it up. [VICKY heads upstairs.] MICHELLE What a /day/ I have had. Nothing but com/plaints./ What about you, anything, ex/cit/ing happen. [sitting] SHARON Well, I bumped into Peggy this morning. MICHELLE {Oh, that must o' been a} thrill for you. SHARON [wry] Hm. [stoic] The Vic's all theirs now.. MICHELLE [sits] Oh.. I'm sorry.. SHARON No. I guess it's the price you pay.. MICHELLE You all right.. SHARON [partly brave front] Yeah. Like I said before, I can live with it. Just about. Only a pub. MICHELLE {I wouldn't} say that.. SHARON Well it is, when all's said an' done, it's just another lousy east end pub. MICHELLE [arms crossed] I don't believe for a minute that's how you really feel.. SHARON Well it is.. Didn't think it would be, but it is.. Ooo, it's just been one old /bat/tle-ground there, Chelle. World Wars Three, Four, an' Five took place there. MICHELLE Yeah, but, there were some good times, too.. SHARON Do you fancy a coffee? MICHELLE Love one, yeah.. You must be feelin' a bit {bored} at times, yeah? SHARON [filling kettle with water] Ohhh. I'll survive. As usual.. MICHELLE Have you seen /Nig/el today? SHARON No.. MICHELLE Oh. Poor Nigel.. I hate to think what Clare must be goin' through.. I know it's little comfort, but.. I mean, Vicky's doin' all right with one parent.. Maybe they'll get through this.. SHARON Hey--you've done better than all right--a lot better than /I/ could o' done. MICHELLE Rubbish! SHARON I mean it! I hate to think what would of happened if me an' Grant had had kids. MICHELLE [distaste] Mm. And how /is/ Grant. SHARON Same as ever.. MICHELLE [absently] Mm. That bad, eh? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [At the Vic, PEGGY's with a PUNTER, and GRANT has just sat down by the bar.] PEGGY [giving change] Thank you, love. PUNTER Thanks a lot. PEGGY [spotting GRANT] /Where/ did you disappear to? GRANT [calm] I just went out. PEGGY Anywhere nice? GRANT [amused] Does it matter? PEGGY [amused] Well, I hope she cheered you up. [DAVID's just come in. He's pretty sober--hard day.] PEGGY What can I get you, love? DAVID Oh, give us the usual, please, Peggy. PEGGY Hard day? DAVID Yeah, {I could crash now.} PEGGY /Well,/ ya come to the right place then. DAVID Have I? PEGGY Ho-ho! Yes indeed! Let me tell you: things are gonna change around here. This is gonna be the /cheer/iest pub in the east end. [has his drink] DAVID [mumbling, paying] Ohh, congratulations. {Here ??} PEGGY Oh, I thought at least /some/one would be happy about it. GRANT It's just come at a Bad Time, that's all, mum. PEGGY Here. What do you think o' Quiz Nights? DAVID Not a lot.. PEGGY Oh. Why do I bother? GRANT [getting up] Right. I'm off--over at Nige's. DAVID Listen: give him my best, will ya? GRANT Yeah, I will do.. PEGGY Do you think I'll be able to /cope/ in here on me own.. GRANT Uh, like I said, mum, sometimes.. you have to. [leaves] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [SHARON and MICHELLE are still in the kitchen, having coffee. (It's 5:25.)] MICHELLE To the Vic. SHARON If you don't mind, I'm not really in the mood right now.. MICHELLE Sorry, it should be alcohol, really, shouldn't it. SHARON [absently gets up] No, it's not that so much.. MICHELLE Something else? SHARON [slowly pacing] No, I just feel a bit restless, I.. can't seem to relax.. MICHELLE What's happened.. SHARON Nothing.. MICHELLE Uh, it's Grant, i'n't it.. SHARON No. MICHELLE Well, you're seein' him again, something must have happened. SHARON [pause] Maybe.. MICHELLE Come on, Sharon, you can tell me.. SHARON [sits, holds CHELLE's hand] Well.. He's asked me to marry him.. MICHELLE [taking this in] What.. SHARON [proud] {That's it--} he begged me.. MICHELLE [relishing] Oh my god! You've /done/ it! You've pulled it off, I don't believe it--Sharon--why didn't you tell me?! SHARON Well, it's only just sinkin' in-- MICHELLE So what did you say--I mean--how could you keep a straight /face?/ SHARON [awkward] Well, I--I didn't give him an answer straight away.. MICHELLE What.. SHARON I--I said I needed time to think it over, you know-- MICHELLE Why? SHARON Well, he caught me off guard.. MICHELLE So you--so--I mean--you been /plan/nin' for this. SHARON Yeah, well I didn't think it'd happen this quickly-- MICHELLE Well, what's the problem, Sharon? Why make him wait? You're--You're not falling--/Tell/ me you're not falling for him again, Sharon-- SHARON No, no, of /course/ I'm not-- MICHELLE Look, Sharon, loo--this is what you've been /wait/in' for, this is why you came back in the /first/ place, /don't/ lose sight o' that.. Did he get you a ring.. SHARON [subdued] Yeah.. MICHELLE I hope he spent his life /sa/vings on it. SHARON [concerned, firm] Look, Grant'll get what he's due.. You just leave that to me.. [firm but smiles nicely] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The Butchers'. RICKY's taking trash out back and BIANCA's at the back gate.] BIANCA All right? RICKY [good mood, friendly] All right? Just gettin' changed. BIANCA All right. [They come inside the kitchen. The ironing board's out. (Wall clock says 6:10)] BIANCA Oh, it's not as bad as you said. RICKY {Okay.} No thanks to David. Gonna be with you in a sec. Oh. Tsk. Didn't bring the iron around, did ya. BIANCA Oh--sorry, I thought you were joking. RICKY [aplomb] That's all right. Just go as I am. BIANCA David not in, then? RICKY No, he's gone {out} to the pub. Probably be out all night. BIANCA [pause, nonchalant] Well, we don't have to go out, we can stay in, if you want. RICKY Yeah! If you like. BIANCA {A bit of curry tonight, yeah?} RICKY /Yeah./ BIANCA Perhaps we'll go an' see the film another night, eh? RICKY All right, then--yeah--if that's what you /fan/cy. I've got a menu somewhere. [looking for it] They deliver to your home now. An' they bring wine 'round. Fizzy stuff. [has found the menu] BIANCA [nice, a little nervous] Oh, sounds good to me. RICKY [at phone] {Does it?} What'd'you fancy: a, red or white? BIANCA {I'd like,} white. Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Michelle's living room. CHELLE comes in with wine bottle and glasses and sits with SHARON. CHELLE doesn't seem to notice SHARON's hidden doubts.] CHELLE {I think} /I/ need this more than you. SHARON Fine, really. CHELLE {Oh.} You look it.. SHARON Oh, it's just draining, that's all. It's like {runnin' miles} twenty-four hours a day. Sayin' one thing, thinkin' another.. CHELLE [starts pouring wine] Well, it's nearly over, you just hang in there. SHARON I'll need a year to recover after this.. CHELLE You've got the rest of your /life/ to recover. An' think how much better it's gonna be without /'im/ around.. SHARON Without bein' given a {second chance.} CHELLE Absolutely. Here you go. To the rest of your life. SHARON The rest of my life. (They clink glasses and drink.) CHELLE Nnnd--what'd the ring look like. SHARON Don't know, wasn't really looking. CHELLE I bet it was /so/ tacky. SHARON Oh--like I said, I didn't really see. CHELLE I can't believe the arrogance of the man. I mean, did he /ho/nestly believe that you'd wanna /mar/ry him again? What has he /got/ between his ears. SHARON Yeah, well, I didn't really-- CHELLE He's got a half a pound o' /shrap/nel lodged in there-- SHARON Well, look. Uh.. let's forget it for now, eh? I, I don't wanna waste my /time/ on 'im. CHELLE I can't wait to see him suffer.. I just can't wait.. [SHARON fakes a smile for her.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [RICKY and BIANCA are relaxing on the living room couch with wine and dinners. Both are musing.] BIANCA So nice havin' the place to ourselves. {Wouldn't} get any peace an' quiet over ours. RICKY Hm. David's out quite a lot, lately.. Gives me time to think.. BIANCA Wha' about. RICKY You.. [DAVID can be heard coming in the door.] BIANCA [disappointed] Ohhh, I thought you said he'd be out. RICKY [dread] Oh, I can't believe it.. DAVID [standing in doorway] What's all this? RICKY [pause] Dinner.. DAVID [stern] Yeah, I can /see/ that. What's it doin' all over the floor. BIANCA Well we're not finished yet.. DAVID I'm gonna make a coffee. Anyone want one? RICKY [same time as B] --No-- BIANCA No thanks, got wine. [DAVID leaves for the kitchen, but then stops to eavesdrop, just out of sight.] RICKY [bitterly disappointed] Uh. I can't be/lieve/ it: the /one/ night he comes home /ear/ly. BIANCA [quiet] {Don't say anything. He might hear you.} DAVID [comes back in] Sorry. There's a film on I wanna see.. [turns on telly--an action show--he sits on chair] Don't mind, do you? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The Cafe, STEVE's running his all night shift. Five attractive YOUNG WOMEN are laughing like hyenas in the corner table by the window. A YOUNG GUY is at another table. Another YOUNG GUY is ordering at the counter. (One of the girls is TIFFANY.)] GUY Two teas. STEVE Yeah. [getting it] [notices OTHER GUY has cards] Uh--what--what's all this? OTHER GUY [looks over] I just thought we'd have a few games o' cards. STEVE For money? GUY Naturally. STEVE Yeah? OTHER GUY Honestly. [STEVE drops it--can't really do much about it. The YOUNG WOMEN idly turn their hilarity on STEVE.] TIFFANY [calls over] /So./ When's the last time that you {lived it up, Steven?} TWO YOUNG WOMEN [dramatically] /Yeeess./ [laugh] STEVE [doubtful] Why..? [bringing teas to GUYS, now both at table] TIFFANY Well, I just thought we could um.. come back an' tell you what a great /time/ we'd all had. YOUNG WOMEN Yeah! Woo-ooo! STEVE Ohhh.. Thanks but no thanks.. [YOUNG WOMEN all groan in mock disappointment.] TIFFANY Oh, touching.. {Are those burgers gettin' you down.} [YOUNG WOMEN are all yelping, "Wooo!" and laugh.] STEVE Who are you kidding? I love it here. TIFFANY {Why not} come out with us! [YOUNG WOMEN variously: "Yeah, come on." "Come on!" "Come oooon." Apparently it's not /all/ a wind-up.] STEVE I /can't,/ Darren's not working tonight.. TIFFANY There's no such word as "can't." Come on. (TIFF's BUDDIES are saying stuff like, "oh, you twooo." "I told ya.") STEVE I've got a business to run.. ("Oh!" "Told ya.") TIFFANY [to YOUNG WOMEN] Shut up. Shut up. [alluring to STEVE] Do this for me.. (BUDDIES: "Yeah." "Oo.") STEVE [pause, doubtfully considering] I'm /sor/ry.. I can't. It looks like it's a girls only night to me. (A chorus of "Oh!"s.) STEVE Besides, uh, I need the money. TIFFANY What for? STEVE This an' that.. TIFFANY Oh.. [saunters up, smiling] I think I know what you need. (BUDDIES do a chorus of "Woooo!"s.) STEVE Yeah.. so do I.. startin' to forget what it's like.. [YOUNG WOMEN laugh.] TIFFANY [quiet] I meant a holiday.. (TIFF's BUDDIES resume talking amongst themselves.) STEVE Well, I don't wanna go anywhere on me tod, do I? TIFFANY Why don't you go an' see Deller an' Binnie? {They sa'they're havin' a /right/ crack.} STEVE Uh.. I think they're happy doin' their own thing.. Nice thought, though. TIFFANY Okay. Suit yourself. [turns to shout behind her] Come on, girls, {come on let's go!} [YOUNG WOMEN all get up, shouting, "Yey!" celebrating the night.] TIFFANY [to STEVE] Bye. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [DAVID, RICKY and BIANCA are absently watching telly. RICKY and BIANCA are very comfortable together. She's leaning against him, he has his arm around her. The telly's on a quiet show now.] DAVID [tense] What, you two been seein' each other.. BIANCA Does it matter.. DAVID Just like to know what's goin' on, that's all.. RICKY Listen, what we do has got nothing to do with you.. DAVID I'm her father. BIANCA Oh. When it suits you, yeah. DAVID That's not true! BIANCA We're not doin' anything wrong. DAVID Never said you /were../ RICKY Mm, you don't look too happy about it.. DAVID W--I'm tryin' to watch this--do you mind? RICKY Well, /watch/ it then, we're not stoppin' ya. [Everyone absently watches telly, then DAVID looks at how comfortable they are with each other.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Michelle's. SHARON's at the hall mirror, making herself up, evidently going out. CHELLE has wine.] MICHELLE You're off out? SHARON Yeah, I fancied a wander. MICHELLE You're not meetin' Grant, are ya? SHARON [wry] No. One proposal's enough. MICHELLE [doubting] A bit late for a stroll. SHARON Oh, I just want to have a look around. Not gonna have much chance in the future.. Don't worry.. I know what I'm doing.. [strolls out] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The Butchers'. RICKY and BIANCA are giggling on the couch with each other. She yelps in laugher.] DAVID [shouting] Oh, for /god's sake!/ I'm /tryin'/ to watch this! Do you /mind?!/ I can't hear a /word!/ [No answer, BIANCA's reluctantly toning it down a little, but also finds DAVID sort of amusing.] DAVID Ohh. I'm goin' out. [leaving] BIANCA Uhhh, I thought you had already /been./ DAVID Well, I'm goin' out again. It's obvious you two wanna be alone together. RICKY [relaxed] Well, what time will you be back. DAVID What's that to you? RICKY [good-natured smiling] Well, because I /wor/ry about ya. DAVID [testy] Be /care/ful, Ricky. [leaving] [BIANCA giggles.] RICKY [amused, calls] Do you want me to leave a /light/ on for ya? [The door slams shut after a couple tries slamming it.] RICKY [giggling] I reckon he's your dad, d'you know that? BIANCA {Well, he'd better be. Surprised if} he doesn't get a hold of another one before {??} RICKY Oh, {it's something he got out of /bed/} or something. BIANCA Yeah, I know. RICKY [sigh (they've become a little anxious alone)] It's really, really rubbish without you, you know. BIANCA [pause] Has it.. RICKY I thought about you a lot.. BIANCA Oh yeah.. RICKY Every time I've seen you, I, just.. wanted to grab you all the time. [BIANCA's amused, gentle. He's serious, sad, relaxed and a little amused at himself.] RICKY You know what I mean? BIANCA Why didn't you, then.. RICKY [wry] Just thought you might /knock/ me or something.. BIANCA [nice] Well, why don't you try it now, then.. [looks at him] RICKY W--{that means you might fight} back? BIANCA [good-natured] I'll do it {right if you're b?? the front.} [They kiss big.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [At the Bates', NIGE and GRANT are relaxing in the dark living room with beers, tired after this day.] GRANT So, did you manage to get a hold of Liam? NIGE No, I didn't. He seems to have moved on.. GRANT That's one problem solved.. NIGE Yeah, I hope so.. GRANT Well, you done your bit.. [glances at watch] Wonder how Mum's gettin' on without me.. NIGE She'll {leave around to turnin' up.} GRANT Mm.. She wasn't very happy when I left. NIGE She'll forgive you.. She always did.. GRANT Yeah.. Maybe that's been one of my problems.. I always thought I could get away with anything.. NIGE So what you gonna do.. GRANT What about.. NIGE /Shar/on.. GRANT How'd you mean.. NIGE Yesterday you looked like a couple again.. GRANT We did.. NIGE Yeah.. You looked, like you did a few years ago.. Is something happening.. GRANT [breathes in, gets up] To tell you the truth, Nige, I'm as much in the dark as anyone else. [sighs] NIGE Do you /want/ something to happen.. GRANT [has got a fresh beer from other side of room] I don't know.. I just get the feelin' we're, [pops beer tab open] fated to be together.. NIGE [subdued, struck] Wouldn't surprise me.. GRANT [ruefully sighs] Imagine havin' me as your life-long soulmate.. NIGE I doubt I'll find another Debbie.. GRANT [pause] Would you even look.. NIGE /No../ No, I can't see it, mate. [very quiet, looking at air] I don't mind, though.. I won't be alone.. See, I.. I still have Debbie.. in a way.. that's all I need.. GRANT That's all anyone needs, mate.. One woman.. The right woman.. NIGE Maybe it's true.. Maybe we /are/ fated to /be/ with someone.. whether they're here or not.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Steve's cafe. It's quiet. SHARON's sitting at the window bar, absently looking outside. DAVID comes in.] DAVID [mellow] Hi Steve. STEVE All right, Dave. DAVID How you doin'. STEVE Yeah, all right. DAVID {Why don't ya} give us a tea, please, mate. [A scruffy, young GUY comes up to SHARON, inches from her face.] GUY [blankly] On your own? SHARON Sorry? GUY You won't be if you came back with me. SHARON [absently] Life's full o' regrets. GUY [leans right near her face] Take a gamble on me? It's probably the best {off'} you'll have all night. DAVID How 'bout /I/ make you an offer, pal? GUY [sits up] Oh yeah? DAVID /Yeah./ [The GUY pauses and leaves.] DAVID [muttering] Yaww. [quiet, to SHARON] You all right. SHARON I suppose so.. STEVE Tea's up. DAVID [gets it] Cheers, mate. You want anything, Sharon? SHARON Oh.. another coffee.. DAVID [friendly] Scratch the tea, mate, make it two coffees instead. STEVE [wry] Ah, that's my profit gone down for tonight, huh.. DAVID Mind if I join you or uh, are you waitin' for someone.. SHARON /No../ Be my guest.. [SHARON's very distracted, halfway doesn't mind if he's there or not. He's mellow, nice, and tired tonight.] SHARON You don't fancy the Vic? DAVID Nah, not tonight. You? SHARON Well, it's not really my scene anymore.. DAVID Oh. Where is your scene, then.. SHARON Don't know.. Got any suggestions. DAVID Might have. Then again, it's not been my day today, so I think I better keep me ideas to meself. STEVE [passing coffees over counter] Here we go. Two of the best coffees in London. DAVID Smashing. Cheers, ta. STEVE All right. Uh, I don't suppose uh, either of you have been to uh, Spain. SHARON A few times. STEVE And? SHARON You'd like it, Steve. DAVID I went to Spain once. For a fortnight. Come back three months later. And that was under protest. STEVE [encouraged] Right, cheers. [goes back to sink area] DAVID [whisper] {Never} really, but why tell him otherwise. SHARON [amused] Oh. DAVID [wistful] Wish I was in Spain, now, though.. SHARON Why d'you say that? Albert Square not good enough for you? DAVID It's just been one o' those days, Sharon.. SHARON So what happened.. DAVID Oh, the same old stuff, really, you know.. Things gettin' out of hand all the time.. If this place hadn't o' been open, I think I'd just carried on walking.. SHARON Yeah.. DAVID I sat over on the bench for a while. But that didn't seem to do the trick, so I.. thought I'd go for a walk. SHARON [dry] Surprised I didn't bump into you.. DAVID Why, where was you going? SHARON [regretful smile] Who knows. DAVID I reckon I could o' left the square. Forever, tonight.. SHARON Really? DAVID Yeah. Just gone off. An' never come Back. SHARON Well, I thought you /liked/ it, you seemed settled enough. DAVID I don't know if I belong here, though.. I've tried so hard to put down roots, but.. ground keeps shiftin'.. It's like tryin' to farm in a, /bleed/in' earthquake sometimes. SHARON Albert Square's got a /lot/ to answer for.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [It's thundering out, and drizzling. GRANT's coming around to Michelle's, knocks on the door. CHELLE answers, just looking at him, no greeting.] GRANT [annoyed] Is Sharon still up. CHELLE What d'you wanna know for? GRANT Look, /is/ she still up. CHELLE I guess so. GRANT I wanna talk to her. CHELLE [dismissive] Sorry I can't help you. [shutting door, he blocks it] GRANT /Don't/ wanna cause any trouble. I just need to talk to Sharon. CHELLE Well, you can't. GRANT I can. CHELLE Not tonight. GRANT I think that's for me an' Sharon to decide, don't you? CHELLE She's not in. GRANT What. CHELLE She's gone out. GRANT Where? CHELLE How would /I/ know? GRANT She can't have gone out. CHELLE Well, she /has./ GRANT But it's late. CHELLE Yeah, she's a big girl now. [shuts door] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The cafe. SHARON and DAVID are still quietly talking.] SHARON You know, I've just realized that /ev/erything I've ever had here has been on hire.. Just /rent/ed.. My mum an' dad are gone.. the Vic's gone, Grant.. even Roly.. all of them've gone.. An' I /paid/ for them all--/boy,/ did I pay.. Let me tell you, David, the longer you stay, the more the price keeps goin' up. DAVID [staring at air] Should o' carried on walking, then.. SHARON Probably never even meant to be here in the first place. Sometimes think how different it might o' been.. I could o' been adopted by someone else an' had a whole different life.. DAVID You're adopted? SHARON Told you everything was just on hire.. DAVID [nervous, interested] Do you, do you know who your, you know, your real, parents are.. SHARON Well, I know who my mum is, but.. it didn't really work out when I went to see her.. DAVID Wha'bout your dad, did you ever find out about him.. SHARON No. No, I decided not to, not with the way /my/ luck goes. [GRANT comes in. He's cold from the rain. STEVE comes over. GRANT sees SHARON and just stands there looking at her in disappointment--quiet and ominous.] GRANT {Popped to} your place. STEVE Uh, what can I get ya. GRANT [ignores him, to SHARON] Been lookin' for you all over. SHARON [apprehensive] Why? GRANT 'Cause I didn't know where you were. SHARON Sorry, but what's it to you.. GRANT [long pause] Look, I been at Nige's. {We've had a hard night..} Sorry. [breathes in] [to STEVE] Cup o' coffee to take out, please. STEVE Coming right up. [DAVID's still seated between them, has been eyeballing left and right, at a loss about the weird atmosphere.] GRANT [subdued] Forget it. [leaves] DAVID [pause, quiet, careful, to SHARON] You okay. SHARON [embarrassed] I, I think I'm gonna go. [getting her bag] DAVID Where. SHARON I don't know, somewhere. DAVID Well, look, let me walk with you, in case he's hangin' around outside.. SHARON [pauses, reconsiders] Maybe I'll stay put for a bit.. DAVID Two more coffees, please, Steve.. STEVE Sure. DAVID [whisper] Is /that/ what you've had to put up with, love.. [breathing out] /God../ What are you doin'? SHARON [slightly vulnerable] I don't know.. DAVID You can't have wanted it.. SHARON There /were/ good times.. DAVID Yeah, but nothing's worth that sort of fear, Sharon.. SHARON I loved him.. I'd suffered /any/thing for him. DAVID [half to himself] Seems like that's all love ever leads to.. Suffering.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [The Butchers'. RICKY and BIANCA are on the couch, she's in his arms, asleep.] RICKY [quiet, kisses her neck] I love you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Outside the cafe. DAVID and SHARON are both mellowly leaving. The rain's stopped. They talk as they stroll home.] DAVID Where are you goin' now? SHARON Michelle's. DAVID I'll walk with ya. Just to be on the safe side. SHARON [long pause] Do you reckon you'll stay here? DAVID Who knows. SHARON Mm. You've at least got family. DAVID Yeah, well, right now, they don't mean too much to me. SHARON You think I'm crazy for puttin' up with Grant, don't you.. Sometimes you have to. Just so as you can get to the point of no return. DAVID [long pause] You should o' jumped ship a long time before you did. SHARON I couldn't. Really I couldn't. I didn't have it /in/ me then. For a long time I thought I wasn't strong enough. (They're in the gardens by the gate toward Michelle's house. They stop.) DAVID An' are you now? SHARON [pause] What do you think.. DAVID Present or the Past: they're the only places for Grant.. Trust me. It's time you got out, Sharon. SHARON You didn't answer me.. DAVID [pause, honest] Yeah. I /do/ think you're strong enough. [A car's driving past.] SHARON If you don't mind, I'm gonna get off now. DAVID [calm, good-natured] Yeah, I better {shoot} meself. SHARON Thanks for the chat. DAVID Maybe we'll do it again sometime. SHARON [pause, with sad regard] I'd like to, but.. Somehow I don't think we will. Good night. [strolls away] DAVID [strolling away, sad regard, too] Sleep well. SHARON I reckon I will. [walks away with pride growing and pace quickening!] -boom- -boom- -boom-boom- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [show's time: 27:00] [*Credit Roll* with theme music. Long version of exit theme: Save music (1mb mp3).] [time: 00:30; total with intro and credits: 27:57] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Return to the Television Transcript Project email Last Updated: 5 Feb 2000 This fan page is *for curiosity and fun* and is not intended to infringe on any copyright nor to encourage such. 1 [x] close This Page is an outdated, user-generated website brought to you by an archive.It was mirrored from Geocities at the end of October, 2009. 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