A LONG WAY DOWN

Written by Jack Thorne

Based on the novel by Nick Hornby

Draft Date: 24.08.10

(corrected draft)

Developed in association with Film4

Channel 4 Television Corporation, 2010

Amanda Posey & Finola Dwyer

Finola Dwyer Productions / Wildgaze Films
53 Greek Street
London W1D 3DR
T: +44 (0)20 7734 7065
F: +44 (0)20 7734 4250
E: [email protected]
1 C/U. CLOSED EYELIDS. DAY 1

MARTIN (V.O.)
Can I explain why I want to kill
myself? ....Of course I can. Im
not an idiot.

There is the gushing of water.

The eyelid opens.

2 C/U. EYE. DAY 2

The pupil rises sharply into focus, as if taking a huge

gulp of air.

3 INT. SMALL ROOM. DAY 3

MARTIN well-dressed, early 40s, practised grin, is rubbing

his face with a towel having just washed it in the sink.

MARTIN (V.O.)
I can explain it because its not
inexplicable; its a logical
decision, the product of proper
thought.

4 INT. CORRIDOR. DAY 4

He walks briskly.

MARTIN (V.O.)
Simply put, the reason why I want
to die is because I dont want to
live. And you cant get more
logical than that.

5 INT. STUDIO. DAY 5

There are about three people assembling a shitty lighting

rig and aligning camera tracks. This is not a high-end
operation.

MARTIN looks up at the lights. They dazzle him.

6 INT. WHITE LIGHT. DAY 6

7 INT. CHEAP TELEVISION STUDIO. DAY 7

MARTIN sits on a comfortable chair opposite a C-LIST

CELEBRITY.
 2.

MARTIN (V.O.)
Im taking all the mystery out of
it, arent I?

8 INT. CLOSED EYELIDS. DAY 8

The sound of canned laughter.

9 INT. CHEAP TELEVISION STUDIO. DAY 9

The C-LIST CELEBRITY laughs. MARTIN doesnt. He sits there

slightly pale.

MARTIN (V.O.)
No. Id go so far as to say
committing suicide is one of the
most logical things Ill ever
accomplish.

10 INT. SHOWER. DAY 10

MARTIN takes a long luxurious gulp of the water as it

cascades around him.

11 INT. BATHROOM. DAY 11

MARTIN is using his electric toothbrush.

MARTIN (V.O.)
Imagine youre an assistant bank
manager in Guildford and youve
been offered the job of managing
a bank in Sydney. Well, even
though its a pretty
straightforward decision youd
still have to think for a bit....
Maybe write a pros and cons list.

12 INT. BATHROOM. LATER 12

MARTIN is clipping his toenails.

MARTIN (V.O.)
On the cons, aged parents who
might die when youre on the
other side of the world, friends
youll miss, and a golf club
where you know your handicap is
not laughed at.
 3.

13 INT. BATHROOM. LATER 13

MARTIN is using a nasal hair trimmer and trying to look

suave and debonair as he does. This is almost impossible.

MARTIN (V.O.)
...on the pros, more money,
better quality of life, sea,
sunshine, women with suntans, a
chance to invent yourself as
being someone other than an
assistant bank manager from
Guildford.

He takes the nasal hair trimmer out and cleans the top of it.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

No contest. Youre on the next
plane.

14 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT 14

MARTIN walks into the room wearing a dressing gown and

carrying a brandy. He walks past pictures of children well
later recognise as his own and pictures of him and a woman
well later recognise as CINDY, then there are pictures of
him beside a woman carrying numerous daytime TV trophies,
this woman well later recognise as PENNY.

MARTIN (V.O.)
You see, I had everything, or at
least something approaching
everything, and what do you get for
a man who has everything? You get
him nothing.

He picks up the letter hes left on the mantelpiece. He

puts it on top of the answer machine.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

In my case nothing came in the form
of Danielle Turnby, five feet nine
inches. thirty-six DD. Fifteen
years, two-hundred and fifty days
old. And let me tell you those
hundred and fifteen days make quite
a difference. I didnt even enjoy
it. But she was a perk. And perks
felt right....then.

He checks his watch. He picks up the letter and puts it

back on the mantelpiece.

He exits.

The camera stays in the room.

 4.

15 EXT. DRIVEWAY. NIGHT 15

MARTIN is now dressed as he lashes a ladder onto the roof

of his car.

16 INT. CAR. NIGHT 16

He starts the car. He takes a toffee from his glove

compartment and shoves it into his mouth. He backs it out
of the drive. He drives down the street.

MARTIN (V.O.)
So. No. I havent got aged
parents, theyre dead, I dont
play golf, I hate the sport...

He passes a woman he knows who is wearing devil horns and

an embarrassed grin. She smiles. He waves.

17 EXT. TOPPERS CAR PARK. NIGHT 17

MARTIN parks up the car and unlashes the ladder.

MARTIN (V.O.)
...but my wife hates me, I cant
see my kids, Ive a criminal
record, a listing on the national
sex offenders register and have
so spectacularly pissed away my
career that Im less successful
than an assistant bank manager in
Guildford.

He puts the ladder beside the car.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

Yup. Suicide is my Sydney.

18 INT. TOPPERS TOWER. NIGHT 18

MARTIN is waiting for the lift, it arrives. He attempts to

put his ladder inside. It doesnt fit.

He tries it another way. It doesnt fit. He tries it a

third way. Yup. Really doesnt fit.

19 INT. TOPPERS TOWER. STAIRCASE. NIGHT 19

MARTIN takes the stairs, carrying the ladder carefully as he

does. He looks up the staircase.

Only fourteen more flights to go. Only - fourteen -

fourteen - exhaustion awaits.
 5.

20 EXT. TOPPERS TOWER ROOF. NIGHT 20

The roof has three feet of barbed wire netting around the
outside of it, with a metal strut at the edge of the wire.
MARTIN lays his ladder horizontally so that it traverses
the barbed wire. He takes out a cigar. He tucks it behind
his ear.

He begins to crawl out on his ladder. Over the wire. Its

an horrific and vertigo-inducing watch.

MARTIN (V.O.)
Life is what you say goodbye to.
And Im saying goodbye to a semi-
functioning digestive system and a
dim form of consciousness - to a
life mislaid.

He sits as if on the edge of the world, lights the cigar.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

No. Not mislaid. That implies
accidental damage.

He looks down.

21 EXT. TOPPERS TOWER. NIGHT 21

Its a long drop. Its a really long drop.

MARTIN (V.O.)
I havent mislaid my life,
Ive...spent it.

22 EXT. TOPPERS TOWER ROOF. NIGHT 22

He looks out.

MARTIN (V.O.)
Ive spent my kids and my job and
my wife and..

MAUREEN (O.S.)
Um. Excuse me.

Well, theres a shock, its as if someone scratches the

record off.

MARTIN turns and looks at MAUREEN, astonished there is

someone else up there with him. MAUREEN is 40-something,
dressed badly, and has a brave, anxious, smile on her face.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Im not entirely sure how to
phrase this. But... Are you going
to be long?
 6.

MARTIN
What?

MAUREEN
I wasnt sure whether to wait my
turn or....I hadnt considered
the wire. Id really like to
borrow your ladder. If thats....

There is a moments pause.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Maybe I should just wait. Ill
wait.

MARTINs lip curls.

MARTIN
Right.

MAUREEN
Sorry.

MARTIN
No. No.

MARTIN turns back to facing the night sky, frowns and turns
back to MAUREEN, his lip curled, his concentration gone.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Youre just going to stand there
and watch are you?

MAUREEN
No. No. Of course. Youll be
wanting to do it on your own Id
imagine.

MARTIN
Youd imagine right.

MAUREEN
Ill go over there.

She indicates the other side of the roof. She begins to walk
over to it. He half laughs.

MARTIN
Ill give you a shout on the way
down.

MAUREEN attempts half a smile.

MAUREEN
Right.
 7.

MAUREEN stands quietly - looking towards MARTIN and then

turns around. He checks whats she doing and then looks
down.

23 EXT. TOPPERS TOWER. NIGHT 23

Its still a long way down.

24 EXT. TOPPERS TOWER ROOF. NIGHT 24

MARTIN composes himself. He feels the mood take him. He

takes a puff of his cigar. He looks out forward, maybe he
even lifts himself up ready to propel himself out.

He wobbles, he stops.

MARTIN
I cant. Not with you watching.

MAUREEN
Oh.

He looks at her, she looks at him.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
I could leave, come back in
twenty minutes...

MARTIN thinks and then frowns.

MARTIN
Maybe you should go first?

MAUREEN registers this.

MAUREEN
Id want to be on my own.
Completely.

MARTIN
Understood. Twenty minutes. Then I
want my spot back.

MAUREEN
Right. OK.

He thinks and then starts crawling back along the ladder.

The ladder wobbles. For one moment, MARTIN stares into the
abyss. He almost throws himself onto the edge of the tower
to stop himself from falling.

He lies still a moment. He looks at MAUREEN. She puts out a

hand.
 8.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Maureen.

MARTIN stands. They shake hands.

MARTIN
Martin.

MAUREEN
Are you from... I recognise your
face...?

MARTIN
I used to be on television.

MAUREEN
Oh. Right.

They realise theyre still shaking hands. They stop.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Well. Ill....um...

MARTIN
Yes. You....

Which is when they hear a sound like a rebel yell.

JESS (O.S.)
Out my way fuckers.

JESS, 18, feisty, take no prisoners, smashes through them

and starts running across the ladder.

MARTIN
What the...? Where did she come
from?

MARTIN, hugely surprised, grabs her by her belt, she kicks

him in the face, but he hangs on and pulls her backwards
onto the roof.

JESS
No. No!

He is really having trouble keeping hold of her.

MARTIN
Calm down. Calm down.

She wriggles away. She makes for the ladder again, this
time he full on rugby tackles her. They fall to the ground
with an oooof.

JESS
Who the fuck are you?
 9.

JESS tries to stick her fingers into MARTINs eyes. She is

wild on something.

MARTIN
Ow! Maureen. Bit of help...

JESS
Rape. Rape. Perverted rape.

The struggle continues, MAUREEN is anxious not to

intervene.

MAUREEN
What do you want me...to do?

JESS looks up at MARTIN. She recognises him.

JESS
Oh my God. Youre Martin Sharp. You
are a pervert. Officially.

MARTIN
Sit on her.

MAUREEN
Thats it! Rise and Shine with
Martin and Penny.

MARTIN
Maureen! Concentrate.

MAUREEN hesitates, and then sits on Jesss arse, and MARTIN

kneels on her arms.

JESS
Just let me go. Let me go.

MARTIN turns and looks at her, amazed at her balls.

MAUREEN
Just a question....Shouldnt we -
let her go? I mean were all here
for the same...

JESS
Yes! We are! And bagsie Im first!

There is the noise of someone clearing their throat. They

all turn towards it.

It is...JJ. A cool, tall, good-looking man (Evan Dando

meets James Franco) in his mid-20s, he has a crash helmet
in one hand and a big insulated pizza bag in the other.

JJ
Hi.
 10.

He talks with an American accent. They all stare at him. He

thinks and then looks even more confused.

JJ (CONTD)
Any of you guys order a pizza?

JESS starts to laugh.

JESS
If youre here for the death ride
....theres a queue.

25 INT. TITLES. DAY 25

And the camera does what theyre all incapable of and

ascends the ladder and jumps over the edge and as we
accelerate through the air we run titles that reveal the
title of this film to be..

LONG

WAY

...DOWN.

26 EXT. TOPPERS TOWER ROOF. NIGHT 26

All four are standing in exactly the same positions.

JESS
So do we do introductions...? Im
Jess. People call me Jess.

MAUREEN
Im Maureen.

JJ
Im JJ.

MARTIN
Im -
 11.

JESS
Martin Sharp.

MARTIN
Yes.

JESS
Quite exciting to have a celebrity
in our suicidal midst.

The word suicidal seems to make everyone wince. There is an

anxious pause.

JESS thinks and then takes the pizza from JJ and opens the
box. She grins at the contents. She seems to be enjoying
herself. None of the others are.

JESS (CONTD)
Ham and Pineapple? Really? No-one
fancies jumping down and getting
some pepperoni do they?

No-one laughs. No-one says anything. JESS looks at them all

and begins to eat.

JESS (CONTD)
Theres enough to share...

MAUREEN looks at MARTIN and then JJ.

MAUREEN
This....this feels wrong.

JJ
Does it?

JESS
Maybe we could jump
together....One. Two. Three.

She makes for the ladder. But MARTIN is too quick kicks it
out of the way. It falls through the wire and descends
heavily to the ground far below. MARTIN watches
it...anxiously. JESS laughs.

JESS (CONTD)
Well, were not dead. But someone
down there might be.

There is another pause. This is deadly.

MAUREEN
So, I suppose we should - leave...

They hesitate. No-one wants to leave. But equally no-one

wants to acknowledge they dont want to leave.
 12.

JJ
Yeah.

JESS smiles, sarcastically - but sort of hopefully.

JESS
Or we could just stay up here.
Start a new civilisation.

Then suddenly it begins to rain.

MARTIN looks up at the skies. He thinks.

MARTIN
Nice to meet you - all.

He exits the rooftop. He leaves everyone else behind.

The remaining three exchange a look - unsure what to do

themselves - and the rain continues to pour.

27 INT. MARTINS CAR. NIGHT 27

MARTIN sits looking numb. Hes numb with shock. His skin has
a greyish pallor to it.

The rain drums incessantly on the windscreen.

He turns on the radio. He turns it off again.

He turns on the windscreen wipers - but theyre slightly

broken - theres a weird pause in the middle of their
rotation - oh, and they squeak.

MARTIN (V.O.)
I suppose I should have guessed.
The most popular suicide spot in
London...

MARTIN just looks at the world. And then - suddenly - he

hammers the steering wheel with his hand. And then he regrets
hammering the steering wheel. This is both raw pain and, you
know, slightly pathetic.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

...on the most popular night in the
year for suicide attempts...

MARTIN starts the car. He begins to drive.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

...there was bound to be...

He drives past MAUREEN standing in the rain at a bus stop.

She disrupts the thought.
 13.

He thinks. He stops the car. He looks back at her. He

reverses it back.

28 EXT. STREET. NIGHT 28

MAUREEN is standing fastening a carrier bag onto her head as

a make-shift hood.

MARTIN (O.S.)
Do you want a lift?

MAUREEN
No. No. The bus will be along in -
fifteen minutes.

MARTIN looks at her gruffly.

MARTIN
Get in the car Maureen.

MAUREEN thinks and then does.

29 INT. MARTINS CAR. NIGHT 29

MAUREEN looks around and smiles at MARTIN, theyre still

nervous of each other.

MAUREEN
I did like your television show.

MARTIN doesnt answer, they lapse back into silence.

MARTIN (V.O.)
Yes. I should have guessed thered
be more than one...

They drive past JJ - trying to get a Pizza moped started in

the rain.

MAUREEN looks at JJ. MARTIN looks at MAUREEN.

He stops the car.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Tonight is really not going how I
expected.

30 EXT. STREET. NIGHT 30

MARTINs car now has a moped lashed to its roof.

MARTIN (V.O.)
...Thered be more than one of us
out there. But it didnt - occur to
me to think that...
 14.

As it drives past JESS. Who is hitching for a ride with

something, anything.

MARTIN (O.S.) (CONTD)

Oh no.

MARTINs car stops.

JESS runs to the car and then looks inside.

JESS
Bit early for a reunion isnt it?

31 INT. MARTINS CAR. NIGHT 31

MARTIN is dry, everyone else looks like drowned rats.

JESS
Maybe we should have some sort of
group therapy. Right here. Right
now. Maybe thats what destiny
wants. Take a right here.

MARTIN does take a right.

JESS (CONTD)
OK. One word answers. You can all
have one word answers which address
exactly why you were up on the roof
in the first place.

No-one says anything.

JESS (CONTD)
To give an example, Martin might
say notoriety.

MARTIN
I wouldnt say notoriety.

JESS
To give another example, Maureen
might say loneliness.

MAUREEN looks at JESS, hurt.

MAUREEN
Is that what you think?

MARTIN
And what would be your reason?

JESS
Love. The oldest most rottenest
chestnut of them all. Chas. He
spurned me.
(MORE)
 15.

JESS (CONT'D)
Im a spurned woman.(she smiles
broadly) Take a left.

MARTIN takes a left.

MAUREEN
I am not lonely.

JESS
Tell that to your cats.

MAUREEN
I dont have cats.

JESS is shocked.

JESS
Really?

MARTIN
And Im not notorious.

JESS
You are quite notorious.

JESS turns and looks at JJ.

MAUREEN
I was up there because I
felt...helpless.

JESS is ignoring MAUREEN now.

JESS
And then theres this guy...

JJ
JJ.

JESS
Do you mind if I call you pizza
boy...

JJ
Yeah.

JESS
Pizza boy. Why might pizza boy want
to die? Im guessing -

JJ looks at her - he doesnt like this game.

JJ
Cancer. I have inoperable cancer.

JESS smiles broadly and punches his arm.

 16.

JESS
We have a winner. Brilliant. Very
impressed. Embarrassing cancer?

JJ hesitates.

JJ
Brain. CCR.

JESS
Colon would have been better.
Right. Pull up here.

MARTIN pulls the car to a stop.

They look up at the squalid house theyre outside of, they

listen to the pumping music its emitting. There is a party
going on.

MAUREEN
Here? You live here?

JESS
No. But Chas the cunt is likely to
be here. And Ive got things to say
to him. Im going on a cunt hunt.

She looks around the car.

JESS (CONTD)
Well. Good luck with your next
attempts. See you in the afterlife.

She points at JJ.

JESS (CONTD)
Very impressed with you. Cheers for
the lift Martin.

She exits the car.

32 EXT. PARTY HOUSE. NIGHT 32

She stands looking up at the party. And for a moment her face
is that of a little girl.

JESS
Right then.

33 INT. MARTINS CAR. NIGHT 33

MARTIN drives with steady intensity. The broken windscreen

wipers grow ever more annoying.

MAUREEN looks at MARTIN. He tries to ignore the implication.

 17.

MARTIN
Where am I dropping you JJ?

JJ looks up. Hes in his own world.

JJ
Sorry? What did you say man?

MAUREEN looks at MARTIN again. He cant hold it in no longer.

MARTIN
What? What?

MAUREEN
Im not saying anything. She thinks
I have cats.

MARTIN stops the car. Again.

No-one says anything.

MARTIN
We cant leave her can we?

34 EXT. PARTY HOUSE. NIGHT 34

The car reverses back to JESS. Who is still in the same

position. They get out and stand beside her.

JESS
Was wondering when you were going
to turn up.

35 INT. PARTY HOUSE. HALLWAY. NIGHT 35

Its loud. Its proud. Its happy to know you. Its full of
people who look like they dont belong anywhere but here.

JESS
OK. So - Martin take the stairs,
Maureen take the bathrooms, JJ
the kitchen, Ill take the dance
floor. Hes tall, pierced, slick-
haired, slightly wimpy looking
and answers to the name of Chas.

No-one moves.

JESS (CONTD)
Go on. Off you go.

MAUREEN
No. Were here to - you should
come with us.
 18.

MARTIN
We think we should talk with you
about the big decision you almost
just made -

JJ
To die.

MAUREEN
Were going to go to Martins
place for tea and a...chat.

JESS smiles at them all.

JESS
Yeah. We can have a tea party and
talk about dying. Im game. We just
need to find Chas first. So when
you find him, give a whistle and
Ill be there on the double.

JESS disappears into a crowd of people.

The others look at each other.

JJ
What else are we going to do...

JJ shrugs and heads off into the crowds. MARTIN and MAUREEN
think and then copy JJs bravery.

36 INT. PARTY SQUAT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT 36

MARTIN walks slightly disorientated through the crowds.

This party really is a rampaging beast.

DREADED MAN
I know you. Breakfast TV.

A guy with dreads has approached MARTIN.

MARTIN
Hi. Um. Yeah, Im looking for
Chas?

DREADED MAN
Shit. Yee-ha! Breakfast TV. This is
not for a special is it? Cos Ive
got shit to say to the breakfast
masses. About...

MARTIN
This isnt being filmed. I dont
do breakfast TV anymore.

BONG laughs at a joke that MARTIN hasnt told.

 19.

DREADED MAN
Im thinking always eat
breakfast. And clean socks feel
nice, discuss. And go fuck
yourself, Dad, Im happy. That
sort of thing.. Cultural.

MARTIN
Yeah, nice to... Im looking for
somebody.

MARTIN walks away. The DREADED MAN watches him and then
moves on.

He sits on a sofa.

A girl sits beside him. She looks at him and then strokes
his face.

SHANAY
Hi.

She strokes his face again.

SHANAY (CONTD)
Hi.

MARTIN
Um...

She looks at him for three seconds, and then instantly

falls asleep. On his shoulder.

MARTIN looks at her a moment.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

There are few less lonely places to
be. Than someone elses party. On
the most sociable night of the
year. After youve just failed to
kill yourself.

He extricates himself from the girl and lies her down against
the arm of her sofa.

Then people start chanting.

CROWD
Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven.

He aims for the exit. But he literally cant get through.

MARTIN looks for somewhere to hide. He spots a staircase.
He aims up it.
 20.

37 INT. PARTY HOUSE. STAIRCASE. NIGHT 37

CROWD
Six. Five. Four.

MARTIN takes the stairs two at a time.

He opens the exit at the top.

38 EXT. PARTY HOUSE ROOF. NIGHT 38

MARTIN takes several deep breaths. And maybe - for the

first time we see his pain. The pain of his life.

Then two people come out after him.

And he looks for somewhere to hide.

He wedges himself beside a sort of grill in the corner.

PEOPLE
Three. Two. One. Happy New Year.

Theres an audible cheer from the house and the streets

outside. Theres an audible cheer throughout London. The
two people snog. MARTIN winces.

CHAS (O.S.)
Hey.

MARTIN turns, surprised. He didnt realise he had company.

CHAS is sort of sitting underneath the grill.

MARTIN
Oh. Um. Hi. Hiding too are you?

CHAS
Yeah. I mean, sort of - I cant
come into the light.

MARTIN
Is that - comfortable?

CHAS
You get used to it. Ive taken
some pills. All good.

MARTIN laughs, he likes this guy.

CHAS (CONTD)
What you hiding from?

MARTIN
Oh, you know - reality. You?

CHASs eyes are as round as saucers.

 21.

CHAS
Snap. Hoping the psycho bitch I
just spotted is not really here.
That Im just having a pill spasm.
But it probably is her and Im not
spasming. Though Im pretty sure
Ive seen you on breakfast TV, so
maybe...you know, spasm oclock.

MARTIN looks at CHAS and then smiles softly.

MARTIN
Youre Chas arent you?

CHAS looks back and frowns.

CHAS
How dyou know that?

MARTIN
Im here with the psycho bitch.

CHAS looks at MARTIN like hes dangerous, then tries

rapidly to escape.

This is easier said than done. He bangs his head on the

underside of the grill and then almost falls off the roof
as he runs to get away.

The two snoggers shriek and run inside. CHAS makes to

follow them. MARTIN bars his way.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Chas. Chas. Listen to me. Lets
go find her together. Whats the
worst that can happen?

CHAS turns to him with incredulity.

CHAS
Shes tried to kill me twice, got
me arrested once. Im banned from
three pubs, two clubs, a cinema,
and a hairdressers...

MARTIN
Ok. So the worst that can happen
is...bad but...

CHAS stops and sways and looks at MARTIN more carefully.

CHAS
Look. Just let me leave quietly.
I did nothing wrong.

MAUREEN (O.S.)
Nothing wrong? Taking her to bed.
Nothing wrong?
 22.

MAUREEN is sitting on top of the roof by the chimney

stacks.

CHAS
No more drugs for this man.

MAUREEN looks at MARTIN and shrugs.

MAUREEN
All those people - and you should
have seen the toilets...

MARTIN smiles acknowledgement.

CHAS
Im off -to a monkery - monastery
- Im becoming, you know, a monk.

MAUREEN
You owe her the courtesy of talking
to her.

CHAS
She wont talk! Shell chase me
with a bread knife -

MAUREEN
And tonight she was prepared to
end her life because of what you
did to her.

CHAS wobbles. Suddenly sober. MARTIN looks concerned. But

MAUREEN is determined to let her bitterness hang on.

CHAS
What?

MARTIN
Maureen. I think thats a bit
(much).

MAUREEN
Thats where we met her. On top
of a tower block. Preparing to -
you know...

MAUREEN is clearly very upset. CHAS wobbles slightly again.

CHAS
What?

Then JJ bursts through the doors.

He looks at MARTIN, and then at MAUREEN.

JJ
Its Jess. I think shes taken an
overdose.
 23.

39 INT. MARTINS CAR. NIGHT 39

MARTIN drives fast through the streets.

Hes following an ambulance.

MAUREEN is beside him. CHAS in the back. JJ is obviously

with JESS.

40 INT. HOSPITAL. NIGHT 40

JESS is pushed hard through the hospital.

Shes trying to speak. Shes bucking hard. Shes deathly

white.

MARTIN follows the trolley. MAUREEN, CHAS and JJ two steps

behind.

MARTIN
Jess. Jess.

NURSE
Are you her father?

MARTIN frowns at the question.

MARTIN
No.

JESS manages to get some words out.

NURSE
Next of kin? Are you next of kin?

MARTIN
No. No.

The trolley is moving quickly, MARTIN has to half run to

keep up.

NURSE
Sir. I need her full name.

MARTIN
I only - shes called Jess - I
didnt - none of us knew her
before tonight.

Another nurse is going through JESSs pockets.

NURSE 2
Shes got no identification on
her. No nothing.

MARTIN half-smiles, but not in a good way.

 24.

MARTIN
She probably didnt want to make
identification easy....I think
she likes things - difficult.

The NURSE looks at him coldly.

NURSE
You need to wait here....

The hospital double doors close on him.

41 INT. HOSPITAL BATHROOM. NIGHT 41

MARTIN stands washing his face at the sink.

MARTIN (V.O.)
Its hard not to consider the
notion that I didnt mean it. The
suicide. That none of us meant it.
But I did - I know I - I scored
very highly on Aaron T. Becks
Suicide Intent Scale. Twenty-one
out of thirty points. Yes, suicide
had been contemplated more than
three hours prior to death, yes, I -

He looks up and into the mirror. He looks tired.

He makes to reach out and touch his face.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

- was certain of death even if I
received medical attention. Its
fifteen storeys high, Toppers. Yes,
there was preparation for the
attempt: ladder, cigar... Its just
these - people - showed up. And I -
well, I...

Then decides better of it. He speaks aloud.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Sometimes -

He decides better of finishing that sentence too.

42 INT. HOSPITAL. WAITING ROOM. NIGHT 42

MAUREEN, MARTIN and JJ sit in a line in a green-soaked

waiting room. CHAS is lying on one of the other benches.
Curled up. Asleep. With a thumb in his mouth.

There is a small television in the corner. Blaring out

images of Hogmanay.
 25.

JJ
I need some air.

JJ stands and walks out.

MAUREEN thinks, looks at MARTIN and then follows JJ.

MARTIN thinks and then follows MAUREEN.

CHAS is left alone. Curled up. Foetally.

43 EXT. HOSPITAL CAR PARK. NIGHT 43

MARTINs car is parked in an empty car park looking up at

the hospital. JJ, MAUREEN and MARTIN stand against it.

MARTIN gets out a cigar and lights it. He hands it

wordlessly to JJ. Who takes a puff and hands it to MAUREEN,
who smiles, doesnt puff and hands it to MARTIN.

JJ
The rains stopped.

MAUREEN checks her watch. MARTIN rubs his eyes and smiles.

MARTIN
Late for something?

MAUREEN looks at him guiltily.

MAUREEN
My sons home in three hours. And
- Mattys breakfast is quite
complicated.

MARTIN is surprised.

MARTIN
You have a son?

MAUREEN reads his surprise.

MAUREEN
I dont.... If Im not going to
die tonight its important he
doesnt know anything - happened.

MARTIN thinks, and then nods.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
We dont even know her.

MARTIN
We dont know each other.
 26.

JJ
Arguably we dont know
ourselves...

MAUREEN and MARTIN look at JJ.

JJ (CONTD)
We wanted to kill ourselves. If
thats not self-alienation I
dont know what is.

They still look at him.

JJ (CONTD)
I read a lot of self-help books.

MAUREEN nudges MARTIN, he sees what she sees.

44 EXT. HOSPITAL ENTRANCE. NIGHT 44

JESS is coming out of the fluorescently tinged hospital

dressed in a gown wearing nothing on her feet.

She sees them looking at her. She pulls a dance move.

Saturday Night Fever style. Then she coughs. Then she
starts to walk towards them.

She walks a little like John Wayne. They watch her

approach.

45 EXT. HOSPITAL CAR PARK. NIGHT 45

She stands and looks at them a beat. Looked at closely she

has charcoal smears at the corners of her mouth. She smiles
at them all.

JESS
OK. So a few things to clarify.
One, my gown is open backed
because theyve stolen my
clothes, so Im going to twirl so
you can look at my arse once.

She twirls. We get a look at her arse.

JESS (CONTD)
But please dont look again. Its
not my best feature. My tits are.
But Im not showing you those til
I know you better. Two. It wasnt
an overdose. It was an accident.

MARTIN
Jess...
 27.

JESS
I just took some pills - for fun -
and then took some more..Id
never kill myself with pills -
jumping off a tower block is way -
way - cooler.

And then she laughs, but no-one else laughs.

JJ
We were worried Jess.

Her face grows more serious. She looks at JJ.

JESS
Thats three. Thanks. For, you
know, caring ....appreciate it.

MARTIN
He was worried. I was trying to
work out why we are still here.

JESS
And thats four. Ive been
thinking. Weve gone too far. We
need to make a pact.

MAUREEN
What?

MARTIN
What kind of pact?

JESS
Whens the next date? After New
Years Eve? When every one kills
themselves?

MARTIN
Why - ?

MAUREEN
Valentines Day.

JESS looks at MAUREEN and smiles, that is a good answer.

JESS
Thats six weeks. Heres the
pact: No-one kills themselves
until then.

Theres a brief silence.

MARTIN
Why? Why would we do that? Why
would we not kill ourselves if
and when and how we want?
 28.

JESS
Because weve met each other now -
because - you stopped me - twice -
you Martin. But mostly because -

JESS thinks, shes trying here.

JESS (CONTD)
You know that bit in films where
people fight up the top of the
Empire State building - and theres
the bit when the baddie slips off
and the hero tries to save him, but
the baddies sleeve rips off and you
hear him all the way down. Aaargh.

MARTIN
You want to watch me plunge to my
doom?

JESS
Id like to know Ive made the
effort. I want to show people Ive
made the effort.

Theres a silence. A soft tissue silence.

JESS (CONTD)
Besides, whats the alternative? A
race to finish. Me checking the
obituaries every week to see Martin
Sharp is dead...

She looks at JJ and MAUREEN.

JESS (CONTD)
No offence, your deaths wont make
the papers....Think about it. Its
only six weeks.

MAUREEN is thinking hard.

MAUREEN
It does seem to make sense. Just
til Valentines Day.

JESS turns and smiles at MAUREEN, surprised at her ally.

JESS
Thank you Maureen! Whos got a
pen?

JJ gets out a pen.

JESS (CONTD)
Paper?

MAUREEN thinks and pulls out a piece of paper.

 29.

MAUREEN
Paper.

JESS speaks as she writes in a faux posh accent.

JESS
The undersigned do hereby promise
not to kill themselves until
Valentines Day. Maureen sign...

MAUREEN nods and signs.

JESS (CONTD)
Pizza boy sign...

JJ
But...

JESS
Just do it. Youre dying anyway.
Makes no odds to you.

JJ thinks, hesitates, and then signs.

JESS signs after him.

JESS (CONTD)
And then theres you
Martin...life saver. Superman.

The two hold eye contact for a moment.

MARTIN
Im pretty sure were going to live
to regret this.

MARTIN signs.

JJ
Guys. Look. The suns coming up.

And the sun is coming up. Breaking low over the assorted
houses.

They all turn and stare at it.

MAUREEN
(soft, so soft)
So it is a new year then?

JESS
Yeah.

And the four stand together looking up at the beautiful dawn

sky.
 30.

MARTIN (V.O.)
And there we were. The Topper House
four. Like superheroes. Only not.
Four people who thought theyd
never see a new year. Four people
joined only by a shared desire to -

His voice-over is interrupted by JESS.

JESS
Hang on. Maureen.....Just a
fucking question here...

JESS has unfolded the piece of paper which theyve written

their pact upon.

MAUREEN turns.

JESS (CONTD)
Have we written our pact on your
suicide note?

MAUREEN smiles.

MAUREEN
Oh. Yes. There is that.

JESS laughs first. Then MARTIN. And then everyone laughs.

And properly. And then they stop. Because it sort of isnt
that funny. But the smiles remain.

46 C/U. FINGERS. DAY 46

A hard and heavy pumping beat. This world is visually and

rhythmically different to the world weve been in. If
Martins soundtrack was Bruce Springsteen then were now in
the land of Tinchy Stryder.

JESS (V.O.)
It surprised me to hear that
invisibility is a technical
possibility. It was in this book
that Chas owned.

47 C/U. FINGERNAILS. DAY 47

Theyre chipped to shit and covered in three chipped layers

of different coloured nail polish - gold, silver and red.

JESS (V.O.)
The only book Chas owned.
 31.

48 EXT. BUSY STREET. DAY 48

JESS walks down a street. Like she owns it. She has the
purpose of an SAS soldier on a secret mission.

Her phone begins to ring. She looks to see who is calling.

She walks into the middle of the road. She disconnects the
call.

A car slams on its breaks to stop from hitting her. It beeps

loudly. JESS turns, looks at it aggressively and then raises
her top and flashes her bra at the aggrieved driver.

JESS (V.O.)
I cant remember the theory
exactly. It was something about
diffracting light. Good word.
Diffracting. Chas didnt really
understand it. I didnt either.
But, you know, good to know, I
think, invisibility being a
technical possibility.

Her phone rings again. This time, it has The Minister on

it. She looks at it, frowns, then disconnects.

She looks up, breaks into a small run and then slows down.
She IS on a mission.

JESS (V.O.) (CONTD)

Not that Ive ever wanted to be
invisible. But sometimes I dont
like to be seen.

We follow her POV - shes watching a man walk down the street
holding a guitar case.

He turns and looks towards her. JESS dodges behind a bin.

He turns onto a small square.

JESS follows him.

JESS (V.O.) (CONTD)

I follow them all...Not just him...

49 EXT. SQUARE. DAY 49

She sits on a bench, obscured by a pillar, watching JJ.

JESS (V.O.)
Its important to me - everyone
sticks to the pact. You see the
thing about me is Im very
contractual, by my very nature.

JJ gets out his guitar and begins to play. Hes a busker.

 32.

JESS (V.O.) (CONTD)

Its a trust thing, and, according
to my fifth therapist - who I tried
to stab with a letter opener - I
have slight trust issues.

Someone sits on the bench opposite her. They open their

newspaper.

JESS (CONTD)
So I follow them all. Just to -
check.

The front cover reads TVS MARTIN SHARP IN SUICIDE BID

WITH MINISTERS DAUGHTER.

JESS looks at it. Frowns.

Then her phone starts ringing again.

She looks at it. She answers it.

JESS (CONTD)
OK. To clarify. Now I know why
youre ringing...

50 INT. JESSS HOUSE. HALLWAY. DAY 50

JESS is standing in a plush hallway talking in hushed angry

tones to a middle-aged man in a suit. CHRIS.

JESS
Dont even start...

CHRIS
Look, what we have here is a
situation...so Ive invited...

JESSs eyes go dead.

JESS
A situation? Thats the word
youre choosing is it?

CHRIS
How else would you refer to...it?

JESS
I dont know Dad.

CHRIS looks at his daughter for a beat, then dismisses the

thought.

CHRIS
You did what you did.
 33.

JESS
...Tried to kill myself.

CHRIS
Tried to....Are you going to
twist my words all day? Because
this is hard enough.

JESSS face grows cold.

JESS
Is it? Sorry Dad.

JESS exits to the living room.

CHRIS
No. Jess. Jess.

51 INT. JESSS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM. DAY 51

MARTIN is standing staring at the room. JESS enters. She

looks at him. Shocked. He looks back. Less shocked.

JESS
What are you doing here?

MARTIN
Uh...Hi.

CHRIS enters the room behind her. JESS turns to look at him.

CHRIS
I called his agent...

JESS
You called his agent?

CHRIS
So we could all talk -

JESS turns back to MARTIN.

MARTIN
A Junior Ministers daughter - I
was surprised...

JESS
Class is as class does, and I
aint got no class.

MARTIN
Was it you - who...went to the
press?

JESS scowls.
 34.

JESS
No. You think I want...?

Theres a brief moment of silence.

MARTIN
Cindy rang this morning - asking
what Id done - asking me what she
should tell my children.

JESS has a despairing thought.

JESS
Chas. Fucking Chas. It was Chas. He
sold us. Another one I cant trust.

MARTIN
She told me I seem to be the only
person in the world that the press
gets bang on. If they say Ive
slept with a fiteen year old, I
have. If they say Ive contemplated
suicide - I have.

CHRIS is looking at him, the words ringing in the room.

CHRIS
Yes, I read about that with the -
girl...You didnt....you two
arent...

JESS
Dad. Youre asking whether weve
slept together arent you?

MARTIN looks at CHRIS furiously. Who is this guy?

MARTIN
Jesus! Absolutely not.

JESS
Oi! I am at least legal.

MARTIN
Yeah and I value our friendship too
much to complicate it.

JESS raises her finger at MARTINs irony. CHRIS smiles

relieved.

CHRIS
Good to know. And, um, will you
maintain a relationship with Jess?

MARTIN
Define your terms...
 35.

CHRIS
Define your terms..

MARTIN looks at CHRIS coldly.

MARTIN
Look. I came here because I knew
youd be worried, but if youre
going to talk to me like this, Ill
fuck off home.

JESS
Actually, we are in a gang.

MARTIN frowns at JESS.

MARTIN
Were not in a gang.

JESS
We did sign a pact -

MARTIN is getting increasingly angry.

MARTIN
So now were blood brothers?

JESS looks at MARTIN, disappointed.

CHRIS
Look. This is a hard situation
for all of us....

JESS looks at her Dad, equally disappointed.

JESS
Is it Dad?

CHRIS
Perhaps some calm...

CHRIS sits. He looks at his daughter, hoping shell sit, she

doesnt.

CHRIS (CONTD)
Martin...Im sure I dont need to
tell a man with your media training
that this is a firestorm...

JESS looks at them both coldly. She puts on a faux posh

voice.

JESS
Yeah. This is a media firestorm.
Gentlemen. Ill leave you to it.
 36.

52 INT. STAIRCASE. JESSS HOUSE. DAY 52

JESS charges up the stairs. CHRIS follows her.

CHRIS
Jess. Jess. Jess! Come back here!

MARTIN follows him out. JESS turns around violently.

JESS
Go on give him money. Throw money
at the problem, Dad. He can come
to my therapy sessions or maybe
our family therapy sessions. Or
maybe you can pay him to be you.

CHRIS
Martin doesnt want my money.

He looks at MARTIN.

CHRIS (CONTD)
Do you? I mean...

JESS looks at her Dad - furious - and then continues up the

stairs - Chris doesnt chase.

CHRIS (CONTD)
Jess. Come back here. Come
back...

But shes long gone.

MARTIN and CHRIS stand uncomfortably on the stairs, looking

up at the empty space JESS has left.

CHRIS (CONTD)
Did that go as badly as I think it
did?

MARTIN
Has anyone ever told you, youre a
bit of an idiot?

CHRIS smiles sadly.

CHRIS
Im a politician. No-one ever tells
me anything but.

MARTIN thinks and then makes to exit.

MARTIN
Sort your own mess out.
 37.

53 INT. JESSS BEDROOM. JESSS HOUSE. DAY 53

Her bedroom is decorated how JESSs bedroom should perhaps

be decorated. Its heavily angry. But angry with a hint of
Selfridges. Shes spent money on accessorizing her anger.

JESS (V.O.)
A few words about my Dad.
Actually fuck him. And no words
needed about Mum either.

JESS sits on her bed. She turns on the TV. She flicks to a
pop show, and then to a cheaply made drama on repeat, and
then flicks again before stopping as a news report spews
out.

REPORTER
This is the second tragedy for
the Crichton family of course -

JESS, transfixed, gently sings the words to Tragedy by the

Bee Gees (but she knows the Steps version).

JESS
Tragedy. When the feelings wrong -

REPORTER
- after the high-profile
disappearance of oldest daughter
Jennifer four years ago.

A picture of a girl appears on screen. She looks slightly

like JESS. JESS flinches. And stops singing.

REPORTER (CONTD)
Jennifer was never found. And you
have got to wonder how shadow
Education Secretary Chris
Crichton will cope with this new
strain upon him.

There is a knock at the door. JESS turns off the TV.

Then regrets turning off the TV and thinks about turning it

on again. But thinks better of it.

The knock is repeated.

CHRIS (O.S.)
Can I come in?

JESS says nothing.

CHRIS (O.S.) (CONTD)

Jess...

Then opens a window and climbs out.

 38.

54 EXT. JESSS HOUSE. ROOF. SUNSET 54

JESS climbs and sits on the ledge of the roof. The sun is
beginning to set, she looks beautiful up there.

She smiles. She sings. Again. Under her breath.

JESS
Tragedy. When the feelings wrong
and you cant...la la la.

She stops singing.

55 INT. JESSS BEDROOM. SUNSET 55

CHRIS knocks again on the door.

CHRIS (O.S.)
Jess. Jess? Shall I come in?
Shall I come in?

56 EXT. JESSS HOUSE. ROOF. SUNSET 56

JESS sits on the roof.

57 INT. JESSS BEDROOM. SUNSET 57

CHRIS enters JESSs room, with hesitancy. His face sinks.

He looks around the room. He talks almost under his breath.

CHRIS
Where have you gone now? Jess...

58 EXT. JESSS HOUSE. ROOF. SUNSET 58

CHRIS (O.S.)
Jess...

JESS listens intently to all the noises her Dad is making.

59 EXT. JESSS HOUSE. DAY 59

CHRIS, now besuited, leaves for work. There are a small

throng of reporters on the front step.

JESS (V.O.)
It turns out being a suicide
celebrity isnt that great. Not
because of the few reporters who -
you know - salt and pepper my Dad
on the way to work.
 39.

CHRIS pushes through the reporters.

60 INT. JESSS HOUSE. KITCHEN. DAY 60

JESS sits eating rice crispies, as her Mum, HOPE, watches

her birdlike from a perch by the fridge. Shes talking on
the phone.

There is a big picture of JENNIFER behind JESSs head.

JESS (V.O.)
Or because of grannies Mum has to
talk to - and - persuade Im not
spending my gap year trying out
different ways to kill myself -

61 EXT. STREET. DAY 61

JESS is following JJ. He has a guitar on his back and is

moving quickly. She is moving quickly. He stops at traffic
lights. She stops a few paces behind. In the shop window
behind her is a bank of televisions, every one of which are
showing her face.

JESS (V.O.)
No, the thing being a suicide
celebrity really interfered with
is - well, theres nothing that
slows stalking down like being
mildly famous...

Everyone is looking at JESS. Everyone that is apart from

JJ. She looks right back.

62 EXT. STREET. DAY 62

JESS follows JJ down a street.

He notices something. He notices hes being followed. He

stops. She stops.

He turns. She dodges behind a bin.

He carries on walking.

He stops. He turns. JESS throws herself into a doorway.

JJ
Is someone...?

JESS has to stuff her fist in her mouth to stop from

laughing.
 40.

JJ (CONTD)
Im not interested in talking to
the press - I dont know who your
sources are...

JESS steps out from the doorway, suddenly quite serious.

JESS
They know about you?

JJ is more than surprised to see JESS.

JJ
Jess?

JESS
They know you were....that night?

JJ
I guess so. They keep knocking.

JESS smiles in reflection.

JESS
Chas is cleverer than I
thought....youre very
forgettable so for him to
remember you...

JJ
Shocked me too.

JESS looks at JJ and smiles.

JESS
We need to sort this out dont
we? I smell a reunion.

JJ
No. Jess...

JESS
Come-on. Thisll be fun.

63 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM. DAY 63

MARTIN, JESS, and JJ all have fairly surprised looks on

their faces. JESS is hiding her astonishment least well.
MAUREEN looks shyly tentative.

JESS
Wow.

MAUREEN
Yes, this is Matty...My son.
 41.

JESS
No. Really. Wow. Youve wowed me.

JJ
Jess...

Cut wide and MATTY is sitting in a special chair in the

centre of the room. He is 22 and has severe cerebral palsy
and severe (related) learning difficults. He is almost
entirely incapable of speech or movement.

MAUREEN
He doesnt - I dont - what does
that mean? Wow?

JESS
Thats what you were hiding in
here! This is close encounters of
the third kind! Not that Im
accusing your kid of being an
alien. Obviously.

JJ
Jess. Enough.

JESS turns and looks at JJ. Surprised at him telling her off.
Then she looks back at MAUREEN, who is visibly upset.

MAUREEN
I wasnt - leaving him - that -
night - there was care -

JJ
Maureen. No-ones accusing you of-

MAUREEN
- social services would have been
forced to pay for proper care for
him. But as it is Im a sole
carer which is..

She looks at MATTY she doesnt like discussing this in

front of him.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
The standard of care they can
provide. Its better - you cant -
understand..

MARTIN
Yes. We can. And Im sure - certain
- youre a great Mum Maureen.

MAUREEN looks up at MARTIN - does no-one understand?

MARTIN (CONTD)
Now. Shall we get back to the
matter in hand?
 42.

MAUREEN turns to JESS fiercely. One thought left.

MAUREEN
And I dont hide him. Ive never
hid him. Never.

JESS pulls her neck back slightly.

MARTIN touches MAUREEN on the shoulder. She flinches. And

then she looks back at JESS.

MARTIN
Weve convened this meeting...

JJ
To get them to leave us alone. Id
three people ring my cell
today...How did they get my cell?

MARTIN
They wont. Leave us alone.

Everyone realises MARTIN knows what hes talking about.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Theyll find out where you live -
where Maureen lives..

MAUREEN
Theyll be here?

MARTIN looks at MAUREEN. He licks his lips, thinking hard.

MARTIN
So...Ive been thinking... What
if we shift the goalposts - make
some money out of this...

MAUREEN
Money?

MARTIN
Dont you need money for - Matty.
Couldnt JJ use exposure for his
music....And...

This is difficult for MARTIN.

MARTIN (CONTD)
And - I was fired today - so I
could do with - something.

MAUREEN
Fired?

MARTIN
Turns out suicide is the brick that
breaks the cable TV skull.
(MORE)
 43.

MARTIN (CONT'D)
They wouldnt be tuning in to
watch the interview, theyd be
tuning in to watch a crack-up.

MAUREEN
That what we are is it? Crack-ups?

JJ suddenly pipes up with.

JJ
Im in. I dont care about
exposure. Ill just take the
dollar. Beats Bobs Burgers.

MARTIN turns to MAUREEN.

MAUREEN
I dont want Matty in the papers.

MARTIN
We cant stop that. But this way at
least we dont lose out entirely.
And maybe we can - slightly -
control the agenda. Trust me,
Maureen. I know this world.

MAUREEN looks at MARTIN, she does trust him.

MAUREEN
Well...I...yes. OK.

Then as one our team turn to JESS - who looks at them.

Shes being quiet for once.

JESS
We do like these pacts dont we?

She grins.

JESS (CONTD)
Im fine financially. Ive got my
Dad to nick from. Whatll you do
to convince me?

MARTIN smiles.

MARTIN
Make the story a fun one.

Close on JESSs face. A small smile forms.

64 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 64

Stay close on JESSs face. The shots merge. Bouncy bouncy

pop starts playing underneath.
 44.

JESS
He looked like Matt Damon.

65 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 65

Close on MAUREENs face.

MAUREEN
Sort of like my old neighbour
Peter Hopworth.

66 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 66

Close on JJ. He looks desperately uncomfortable.

JJ
He looked kind of like....me.

67 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 67

Close on MARTIN.

MARTIN
I didnt make out any kind of
face at all.

68 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 68

JESS
Not Matt Damon now... Matt Damon
when he was attractive and a bit
girly. Before he started doing
action movies.

69 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 69

MAUREEN
Not that.... not that youd know
what Peter looked like. But he
always had a quality to his face.

70 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 70

JJ
And he was naked - he was - I was -
naked...
 45.

71 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 71

MARTIN
Of course he didnt say anything.
He had no mouth.

72 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 72

The confidence is starting to leave JESS.

JESS
What are you writing down? She
chewed her pencil romantically as
she explained her angelic rescue.

73 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 73

JJ
And then his - my - eyes started to
bleed - eyes started to melt down
his face... I didnt know - I dont
know what that meant.

74 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 74

JESS
She chewed her pencil coquettishly
as she... Seriously, what are you
writing down?

75 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 75

Its starting to leave MAUREEN too.

MAUREEN
I do believe in God. This wont
come across as -

76 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 76

MARTIN
Are we done?

77 INT. BLANK ROOM. DAY 77

JESS
And you will be...you wont just
write about my sister will you? I
mean, the angel is the important
part of the story...I mean, you
know what I mean, right?
 46.

78 EXT. WOODLAND AREA. DAY 78

The four sit casually on a tree trunk. A photographer snaps

them. And then JJ falls off the back of it and they all
laugh.

JESS (V.O.)
We made 20,000 for the newspaper.
Split four ways. Martins agent
repped us, but Martin insisted on
equal split. And then we did a
photoshoot for a celebrity
magazine. Another 7000.

79 INT. JESSS HOUSE. KITCHEN. DAY 79

JESS sits eating dinner with her Mum and Dad. Shes picking
at her food. The difference between the tree and table is
pronounced and the silence is deadly.

JESS (V.O.)
And every one either laughed at us
or - thought we were scam artists -
but we didnt care. Theyd laugh
anyway. And we got 27,000 of
pleasure for our pain.

CHRIS
These potatoes are very nice.

HOPE
Olive oil. I normally use butter.

CHRIS
Olive oil is better for us too.

HOPE
Yes.

The family turn back to eating. Both parents try not to

look at JESS.

CHRIS
I had an interesting thing happen
today...

HOPE
Did you?

JESS
Let me guess. Your second
daughter humiliated you on the
pages of the national press.

CHRIS
Actually no, I was in chambers
and...
 47.

JESS
Someone said Chris, was that
your daughter on the pages of the
national press.

CHRIS snaps back.

CHRIS
If you want to make this about
something Jess, we can. Do you?

JESS
Yes. I want this to be about
something. I want you to admit
youre angry with me. I want you
to admit youre mad.

CHRIS thinks and then makes to say something and then doesnt
and puts a potato in his mouth instead. He chews it,
thoughtfully.

CHRIS
People have laughed at me for a
long time. But I did prefer it when
they didnt laugh at you.

OK. This stings. JESS sits on her chair a little bit longer.
CHRIS looks at her with grey eyes. Hes furious. But
containing it.

CHRIS (CONTD)
Angel? You told them you saw an
angel?

HOPE
Chris...

CHRIS
And did it look like Jennifer, were
you going to say that too?

There is a silence. That bites.

JESS
No Dad. No Daddy. I didnt say it
looked like Jennifer.

JESS is almost in tears. But not quite. She smiles, bravely.

JESS (CONTD)
I said it looked like Matt Damon.

80 INT. PLUSH TELEVISION STUDIO. DAY 80

JESS is having her face dusted with powder.

 48.

JESS (V.O.)
My first television appearance
was when I was three years old. I
had to hug my Dad. A photographer
told me to. I missed. And hugged
my dog instead.

PENNY comes onto stage with her make-up napkin still around
her chin.

PENNY
Martin.

MARTIN
Penny.

PENNY
Youre thinner.

MARTIN
Youre more or less the same -
though maybe youve put on a
little around the thighs?

PENNY laughs fakely.

PENNY
Still the dangerous sense of
humour I see....

MARTIN
Still the vaguely supercilious grin
I see...

PENNY
Oh. And youre still using words
you dont understand. How...sweet.

JESS (V.O.)
Cant say I fell in love with the
cameras then. Cant say Im in
love with the cameras now.

She turns to everyone with a practised smile.

PENNY
Hi. Everyone. Im Penny. Now just
relax and remember that our
audience just want to see the
real you. This should be...this
can be...real fun...

PENNY thinks, smiles at MARTIN again, and then exits.

The four lapse back into nervous silence.

MAUREEN
This will be OK wont it?
 49.

JJ
Just think about the money.

MAUREEN turns quietly to MARTIN.

MAUREEN
Youre as nervous as the rest of
us arent you?

MARTIN blinks slowly, takes MAUREENs hand and squeezes it.

MARTIN
Yeah. I think I probably am.

JESS, saying nothing, frowns at them all.

81 INT. TELEVISION TITLES. DAY 81

Rise and Shine with Penny theme music and titles.

JESS (V.O.)
Jen was already better at that
stuff. And Dad saw that, so
basically generally used her, not
me. And dont give me that shit
about parents loving their kids
the same. Do you really think
George Bush senior loves Junior
the same as the other one?

82 INT. TELEVISION STUDIO. DAY 82

PENNY smiles down the camera lens. We swap between that and
JESSs pov. JESS obviously has the camera crew in hers as
well as PENNY and the gang.

PENNY
Now many of us have been
transfixed by the story of The
Topper House Four and the
angel that visited them. And we
are so lucky here on Rise and
Shine with Penny to have them
with us today.

Slow span over all the faces of our four. They look
petrified. Theyre trying not to be.

PENNY (CONTD)
One of them certainly needs no
introduction. Martin, Martin
Sharp, my old co-host...

MARTIN
Penny. Its an honour to be back
on this old sofa again.
 50.

PENNY smiles.

PENNY
Now Martin, itd be remiss of me -
- not to start this interview by
giving the audience a bit of a
backstory on whats happened to
you in the last twelve months.

MARTIN nods, hed been expecting this.

MARTIN
Yes Penny, well, Ive been
working on internet cable channel
Kapow - and before that I was
in prison.

We close on JESS, her eyes are flicking from left to right.

Shes extremely nervous.

PENNY
For sex with an underage girl.

MARTIN
With a fifteen year old girl yes.

Off camera shes passed a bunch of tabloid newspapers, she

begins to flick through them. Laying them out on the coffee
table in front of her.

PENNY
And here are some of the
headlines that Martin suffered,
and they were cruel werent they
Martin?

MARTIN squints pure pain at PENNY. Shes twisting the knife

and both know it.

MARTIN
Yes. Some.

JESS wipes some sweat from her forehead, it makes her make-
up smudge.

PENNY
But many would say also deserved.
And this incident led you to
losing your job, your family,
your home, and, finally, drove
you to suicidal feelings.

MARTIN
Thats right Penny.

PENNY turns and beams at the other three.

 51.

PENNY
Which is where he met you lovely
people.

JJ joins in, desperate to help.

JJ
Yes. We all met up there.

PENNY
And where you saw your angel.

JJ
Yes. We saw our angel.

PENNY turns to JESS.

PENNY
Now Jess -

JESS stiffens.

JESS
Me next? No. Do the others first.

PENNY smiles a kind TV smile.

PENNY
- our viewers of course will know
you mostly through your father,
Chris Chricton, shadow Education
minister

JESS is actually genuinely very uncomfortable.

JESS
Talk to JJ, hes much more
interesting-

Shes panicking. She seems to be somehow holding her

breath.

PENNY
...and of course from the sad
disappearance of your sister
Jennifer.

JESS
Or Maureen... Talk to Maureen.
Her son lives in a cage.

PENNY laughs a TV laugh. JESS stiffens more. Shes being

backed into a corner here.

PENNY
I will talk to Maureen, but lets
just talk to you first. Was that
what led you up there?
(MORE)
 52.

PENNY (CONT'D)
Your struggle with your sisters
disappearance...

JESSs eyes harden.

JESS
I said - talk to Maureen - bitch.

PENNY turns to camera. Trying not to look shocked.

PENNY
Viewers, Id like to apologise
now for -

JESS is in tears.

JESS
Why didnt you listen to me you
fucking - why didnt you listen?

She rips off her microphone. She starts to try and move
away, move through the floor of cameras.

MARTIN
Jess. Jess.

JESS
How do I get out of here? This is
a fucking - maze.

JESS charges off set as everyone else stands trying to put

out the fire she started.

PENNY
Are we off air? Can someone tell
me whether were off-air?

83 EXT. STREET. DAY 83

JESS walks quickly down the street. She wipes away a stray
tear.

She realises shes being followed. And turns down a darker

street. The follower continues.

JESS
Who is that? Because - fuck off -

JJ comes into the light.

JESS (CONTD)
Oh. Its you.

JJ
Just wanted to check youre OK.
 53.

JESS
Never better champ.

JESS turns and starts to walk again. JJ follows.

JJ
Why do you always pretend like
you know everything? If youd
given us warning we could have
protected you, but no, you had to
pretend you were OK, until you
werent.

JESS laughs derision at JJs attempted insight and then

blinks back tears - hating the fact that they are there.

JESS
You going to keep following me?

JJ
Do you know where youre going?

She turns to face him. She deflates slightly. Yeah. She knows
where shes going.

JESS
Walk beside me not behind me, OK?
My arse is not my best feature.

JJ
Yeah. You mentioned that.

84 EXT. SNOOKER CLUB. DAY 84

JESS sits down on a wall.

JJ thinks about sitting beside her, but changes his mind

and leans against the wall.

JESS thinks and then says something difficult.

JESS
This is where she parked it...

JJ
Parked what?

JESS
Mums car. My car. The car that was
going to be my car when Jen went to
university.

JJ thinks, declares and pulls himself onto the wall alongside

her.
 54.

JESS (CONTD)
They found the car. Didnt find
her. Shed vamoosed. Vanished.
Presumed dead. Abducted. Savaged.
Murdered. Hung up on a meat hook
and cannibalized one internal organ
at a time. Or, you know, just gone.
Maybe she just learnt how to be -
invisible.

JJ
Must be - tough.

JESS looks at JJ and then looks away.

JESS
I know - I dont know everything. I
dont know anything.

She looks at JJ.

JESS (CONTD)
But I do know you dont have
cancer.

JJ turns suddenly.

JJ
What?

JESS
I followed you. You didnt go to
one appointment. Not one doctor.
Terminally ill? No chance.

JJ
You followed me?

JESS
Oh dont get an erection, I
followed everyone.

JJ thinks and then nods.

JJ
It was an accident. I didnt mean
to... Dont tell the others.

JESS laughs.

JESS
Wow. You did..? You lied about
cancer. Wow. Thats like denying
the holocaust. Or saying slavery
was actually a good idea. Youre a
racist. Youre a cancerist.

JJ says nothing, just nods. JESS looks at him queerly.

 55.

JESS (CONTD)
You really wanted to jump, right?
You werent just trying to
deliver pizza and then got too
polite to correct us...

JJ
I wanted to jump.

JESS
Why?

JJ considers this. Biting his lip. He hesitates.

JESS (CONTD)
Its an easy enough question JJ.

JJ turns to her - his face unsure. He says nothing.

JESS (CONTD)
Wow. Must be one dark reason.
Youre an embezzler. A murderer. A
paedophile. What are the chances of
that? Four suicidalists. One roof.
Two of them paedophiles. Thats
practically a convention.

JJ looks at her - hes not going to tell her anything. JESS

smiles softly.

JESS (CONTD)
Youre not going to tell me are
you?

JJ
I know I shouldnt have - lied.
Just....cancer seemed - easier.

JESS
(laughs)
Said the Leukaemia sufferer to the
Aids victim.

JJ laughs and JESS looks at him, pleased. JJ looks back and

their eyes meet for a second and then he looks away.

JESS (CONTD)
My sister is not the reason I
wanted to...shes not the reason I
was up on that roof. Shes not
even...I dont know what she is.

JJ
No.

They sit in silence a moment. She looks at JJ.

 56.

JESS
I just, I come here - sometimes,
when....well, sometimes.

Theres a moment more silence. And then JJ sees something.

JJ
Look....

JESS
What?

JJ
Swifts.

He points up to the sky. She looks up. She thinks about

making a joke. But changes her mind.

JJ (CONTD)
You know, my favourite thing about
swifts? They nest on the wing.
Theyre born, theyre fed, but from
the moment they leave the birth
place they dont come down for two
years until ready to create other
baby Swifts.

JESS looks at him - softly understanding - and then laughs.

JESS
Oh my God. You wanted to kill
yourself because youre a bird
watcher. That I understand.

JJ puts his hand on hers - still watching the swifts. And she
looks at his hand. And it feels weird...and nice.

JESS (CONTD)
Youre strange.

JJ
Youre stranger.

JESS smiles. He makes to move his hand, but she keeps hold of
it and softly smiles. He turns away from the birds to look at
her. So she looks up at the birds.

JESS
They dont come down?

JJ
Yeah. Cool isnt it?

And the camera pulls back. On a young confused couple,

sitting outside a Snooker Club.
 57.

85 C/U. EAR. DAY 85

Close on the ear.

JJ (V.O.)
One elephant. Two elephants. Three
elephants. Four.

An alarm and some loudly monstrous music bangs in. The ear
canal contracts.

86 INT. JJS BEDROOM. DAY 86

JJ wakes with a start. An alarm going beside his head - a

track plays. Something annoying. A flailing hand twiddles
with the dial until it finds something more acceptable. And
something acceptable is - well - something quite JJ-ish.
Animal Collective/The xx/Mouldy Peaches/Grizzly Bear you know
the sort of thing...

JJ climbs out of bed in his boxer shorts. He has a body most

would want.

JJ (V.O.)
There was only seven years between
the release of The Beatles first
album and their last. Seven years
in which they changed the world,
made a shitload of cash and
desecrated Christ. Thats quite
something I think.

On his floor are on the detritus of a musicians existence.

Guitars - music - CDs - rizla papers - few empty bottles -
dirty clothes - a dirty life.

87 INT. JJS FLAT. BATHROOM. DAY 87

JJ stands underneath the water.

JJ (V.O.)
But nothing on us.

88 INT. JJS FLAT. DAY 88

JJ, now dressed, his hair still wet and hauling a large
canvas style army bag, leaves his flat.

JJ (V.O.)
In a mere five weeks wed not only
not died
 58.

89 INT. JJS FLATS. DAY 89

JJ descends the stairs, walking past an old woman, GLADYS,

making her slow way up the stairs with her wheely basket.

JJ (V.O.)
Wed been on the front pages of
every major newspaper, led many
people to believe again in the
existence of angels.

On the ground floor, he walks down the hallway to the main

door to the block of flats.

JJ (V.O.) (CONTD)
And caused more television
complaints to be logged than anyone
since that time the guy did that
thing to the girls dog on that TV
talent show...

He looks through his doors peephole.

JJ (V.O.) (CONTD)
Yeah. You remember that thing.

He sighs.

90 POV. EXT. JJS FLATS. DAY 90

There are quite a few reporters outside JJs front door. In

fact, more than a few, there is a gaggle.

91 INT. JJS FLATS. DAY 91

JJ stands a moment and then retreats up the stairs, carefully

side-stepping GLADYS as he does.

JJ (V.O.)
Wed even had questions asked in
parliament, though that might have
been just to embarrass Jesss Dad.

JJ opens a hallway window. And looks out.

GLADYS passes him as she continues her way inexorably up. She
stands and frowns and catches her breath.

GLADYS
Suicide again is it?

JJ smiles charmingly.

JJ
Hello Gladys. Do you - need a hand?
 59.

GLADYS
You concentrate on what you need to
do - I can help myself -

92 EXT. JJS BLOCK OF FLATS. DAY 92

JJ climbs out onto the buildings fire-escape, he ascends it

slightly, and then climbs into someones balcony. This is not
easy but neither is it Spiderman.

JJ (V.O.)
But the thing about avoiding press
intrusion...

He then reaches the end of the balcony and - and this bit is
a bit more tricky - in fact, its more or less impossible,
the gap to the next balcony over is a bit too wide.

JJ (V.O.) (CONTD)
Well.

JJ looks...

Steadies himself.

And then stops.

No. The gap is too big.

93 INT. BLOCK OF FLATS. DAY 93

JJ climbs back through the window.

GLADYS leans down over the banisters.

GLADYS
Change of heart?

JJ
Not the weather for it.

GLADYS smiles. She indicates down the stairs. She knows the
truth.

GLADYS
Them press sure make buying a pint
of milk tricky, eh?

JJ nods.

94 EXT. BLOCK OF FLATS. DAY 94

JJ bravely walks through the crowd of reporters.

They all ask him questions, he ignores all of them.

 60.

REPORTER 1
JJ, whats your reaction to Pennys
statement about -

PAP
JJ. To me. Smile son.

REPORTER 2
JJ. Off to see another angel?

He doesnt like this. At all.

95 INT. BAGGAGE CAROUSEL. DAY 95

JJ stands with MAUREEN and MARTIN, all carry airline tickets.

JJ (V.O.)
It was Martins idea. Go abroad,
stay incognito.

JESS sitting on the carousel rides gently past JJs back

amidst the bags, wearing sunglasses and a large smile. Not
very incognito.

JJ (V.O.) (CONTD)
Use some of our TV bounty. Avoid
the press. Enjoy some privacy and
make it to our six week no suicide
deadline.

MAUREEN
Were like Butch and Sunpat?

MARTIN
Sundance. Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid.

MAUREEN
They ran away?

MARTIN
They were being pursued. They
decided to make a new life in
Chile.

JJ catches the eye of a girl - KATHY - who is walking through

the airport confidently. She has something about her.

MAUREEN
And did that work out well for
them? Chile?

MARTIN realises this might be a bad metaphor.

MARTIN
Well....not so much....
 61.

JJ
Whos looking after Matty, Maureen?

JESS (O.S.)
No-one, shes just left some food
in the fridge, some oxygen in his
tank, and some baby-wipes beside
his bed.

They all turn - JESS has dismounted the carousel and is

standing directly behind them.

MAUREEN
Dr Stephens thought the experience
could work for the both of us. He
thought he could really do with a
week of observing Matty close up...

MARTIN looks at JESS.

MARTIN
Not a word.

JESS
What was I going to say?

MARTIN
Something about your aliens
observing...

JESS grins at MARTIN who cant help but smile back.

JESS
Thanks Martin. But when you do my
next joke, make a bit more effort
with the timing...

TANNOY
The BA316 flight to Mykonos is now
ready to board at Gate 13.

They all turn towards the gate. Slightly hesitant. The wind
out of their sails briefly.

JJ (V.O.)
Ya-huh. We were running away. Just
til Valentines Day and the pact
was dead, and so could we be.

MAUREEN
Are we sure we want to do this?

This is a line that makes sense.

JESS
Yeah. Were swifts. Were sure.

JJ turns and frowns at JESS and then smiles.

 62.

96 INT. PLANE. DAY 96

JJ (V.O.)
Wed booked on a Valentines break
to Mykonos and that was -well -

Cut wide JJ and JESS have kissing couples to either side of

them, they look at both uncomfortably.

JJ (V.O.)
Great.

JESS looks at JJ, maybe even with slight shyness in her

breath, JJ looks at JESS. There eyes briefly meet. Thats a
bad idea. JJ goes for his book. JESS goes for hers.

JJ pulls out Middlemarch by George Elliot, JESS pulls out

Pilot Error. The anatomy of a plane crash by Phaedra Hise.
And an apple. Which she bites into.

One of the couples breaks off kissing.

JESS
OK so fiver says one of us punches
one of the others by the end of
this holiday?

JJ
Punches?

JESS
Slaps. Kicks. Tickles. One of us
will use physical violence against
another before the week is out.
This holiday will be a disaster.

JJ
Lets hope so.

JESS grins.

JESS
You wanna play cards?

JJ
Sure.

JESS
I tend to cheat and make up the
rules as I go along.

JJ smiles at her.

JJ
Sounds perfect.

JESS makes to get out of the cards.

 63.

97 EXT. AIRPORT. DAY 97

They stand outside an airport looking very pale and palid in

the hot Greek sun. MARTIN takes his sweatshirt off to reveal
a Hawaiian shirt underneath. JESS looks at him witheringly.
He thinks. He smiles and nods at JESS. He puts the sweatshirt
back on.

98 INT. BAR HOPE. DAY 98

Four glasses clink together at once.

There is a man playing guitar flamenco style in the corner.

There is a large jug of Ouzu placed in front of them. By

YANNI, a dark-haired 40-something man with a twinkle.

YANNI
My name is Yanni. I will be your
waiter. Well, sometimes I will,
other times I will be theirs.

He indicates another table.

MARTIN
Hello Yanni.

YANNI
Ah. You are from England, how nice.

MARTIN
You knew that, Yanni. You talked
English to us.

YANNI
I did. I did. He always this
clever, your husband?

JESS
Uh. Hes not her husband.

MAUREEN looks at JESS wondering who shes insulting this

time.

YANNI
Ah, you are lovers? Maybe in pairs,
maybe all four of you.

MAUREEN looks up, surprised.

MAUREEN
What?

JESS laughs. She likes this guy.

 64.

JESS
Yeah. Thats right. I bought the
Vaseline. Maureen bought the
dildos...

MAUREEN
Someone told me a joke about
Vaseline once. Ive entirely
forgotten it.

JESS laughs and refills her glass.

JESS
Then you must keep drinking til it
comes to you.

And they raise their glasses and drink some more and music
rises.

JJ (V.O.)
In my first band. We used to have
this song, this little Motowny
thing called I Got Your Back.

99 EXT. TOWN. DAY 99

They walk past the sunlit streets of a beautiful little Greek

island town.

JJ (V.O.)
It was two minutes and thirty
seconds long and no-one really
noticed it, even people who
actually bought the album.

100 EXT. BEACH. DAY 100

They walk across the beach Beatles style making shapes in the
sand.

JJ (V.O.)
But when we played it live - it got
longer, and I worked out this sweet
solo. Not a rock guitar solo - more
something Curtis Mayfield or Ernie
Isley might have played.

And then JESS starts to strip off and run towards the sea.

101 EXT. SEA. DAY 101

And MARTIN laughs and follows and runs in after her. And JJ
thinks and follows and MAUREEN laughs and stays guarding
their clothes on the beach.
 65.

JJ (V.O.)
And it became this - the sound of
pure joy. And being on the island -
for those first few hours - feeling
like wed swindled the press -
swindled - everyone - it felt like
that.

102 INT. JJS HOTEL ROOM. DAY 102

JJ sits staring in the mirror. Not with vanity. With

something more - introspective.

JJ (V.O.)
But the thing about joy is its
sort of a false emotion - you dont
mean it - and then you start to
remember reality - and -

And just then theres a knock at the door and MARTIN enters.

MARTIN
Ready to - ?

JJ nods.

JJ
Just let me find my jacket...

JJ goes to find jacket.

MARTIN watches him carefully.

MARTIN
Doesnt feel too strange this does
it? Us? Being away together...

JJ
No. It feels nice.

MARTIN
I didnt force everyone to come...

JJ
It was a good idea.

MARTIN
I know were not friends or...I
just - ever since that night - I
kind of feel - responsible - for
everyone.

JJ looks at MARTIN.

JJ
You only need to be responsible for
you.
 66.

MARTIN
No. I know that, its just I
literally saved Jesss life, and -
I dont know.

JJ
You had a reason to be up there
too, right?

MARTIN looks at JJ and smiles, wanly. But he knows JJ is

right.

MARTIN
Think Ive drunk too much. I keep
thinking of my children. Always a
drunken sign.

JJ smiles and gets his jacket out of the wardrobe. He checks

for his room key.

MARTIN (CONTD)
The thing I keep imagining is them
in years to come googling - or
whatever it will be by then -
googling their Dad expecting to be
so proud - and the things theyll
see....Child molester. They
described me as a child... I just -
wanted - something else. Them to
read something else. I wanted to be
redeemed, you know?

JJ considers this outpouring.

JJ
Thats a big word. Redemption.

MARTIN looks at JJ, utterly wretched.

MARTIN
She was 15 years old, what the fuck
was I thinking?

JJ says nothing. MARTIN thinks and then thinks again. Hes

exposed himself here and he doesnt like it.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Sometimes I envy you your cancer.
So cut and dried.

JJ
Yeah.

MARTIN
No. Really. Ive been so impressed
with you JJ. You barely let it
affect you. If it was me - Id be
shagging half the world to death.
 67.

JJ
Would you?

MARTIN looks carefully at JJ. Slightly broken.

MARTIN
Yeah. No. I dont know.

MARTIN pulls himself together, he turns on the Sharp charm.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Christ I talk a lot of shit
sometimes - all I wanted to say was
I admire you. You keep it all
together. Really well.

JJ
Do I?

MARTIN gets set to leave.

MARTIN
Yeah, youre a really good
listener...

JJ
No, Im not a good listener.

MARTIN
Well. Theyll be waiting for us.

MARTIN exits. JJ is left alone.

JJ
I just never say much.

103 INT. TOWN SQUARE BAR. NIGHT 103

A busy bar full of busy people saying busy things. The night
feels exciting and our guys are alive within it. Sitting at a
table.

MARTIN
OK. God gives you three wishes.

MAUREEN
God is not a tombola machine. He
doesnt give wishes.

MARTIN
OK. Um. A cosmic - Martin - gives
you three wishes -

JESS
Cosmic - oh my God, youre
starting to sound like my Dad at a
family wedding.
 68.

MARTIN
Three wishes. Anything you want...

JESS
OK. Easy. A billion pounds. My own
personal hitman. And a court waiver
over anything I chose to do.

Everyone moves clockwise round to look at MAUREENs face.

MAUREEN
Really? Um. Id want a bit more -
help. A bit more of a - life.

JESS
Whats a bit more of a life?

MAUREEN
Just what other people....have.

JESS
What do other people have?

MAUREEN looks at MARTIN - cutting JESS out.

MAUREEN
And Id wish my son all better.
Which is why I dont do wishes.

Theres a pause. As everyone considers the enormity of that.

MARTIN
Id want to be famous again.

JJ looks across at KATHY, shes still sitting alone. She

smiles at him. JESS looks at JJ, and then where hes looking
and frowns.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Being famous is great. Everyone
says its difficult - but its not.
Getting seats in restaurants,
having people smile when you sit
next to them on the tube. Its
great. Certainly better than real
life anyway.

MARTIN looks at JJ - hes answering what he said in the room.

JJ knows this and doesnt like it.

JESS
Wow. Youre deep.

JJ
Martin...
 69.

MARTIN
What? Youre nothing if youre not
noticed.

JESS looks at MARTIN oddly.

JESS
Fame or your kids, which would you
choose?

MARTIN turns and looks at her as if hes considering it.

JJ
You dont mean that Martin.

MARTIN
You see the thing that you people
dont understand is that my kids
hate me. Or will do. So that
question is utterly redundant.

JESS
What does that even mean?

MAUREEN frowns at MARTIN and then turns and looks at JJ.

MAUREEN
JJ - what would you -

JJ
This is a bad game.

JJ looks again at KATHY. JESS follows his gaze again, her

eyes narrow.

JESS
A bad game is it? Maybe we should
guess what JJs reasons
are....obviously, hed cure his
cancer for a start. And then hed..

JJ looks at JESS like shes the worst thing in the world.

JJ
I need the bathroom.

JESS
And then hed probably want a load
of money so he could donate it to
cancer research...

JJ stands up from the table.

JJ
Other people are allowed to be in
pain, you know that Jess?
 70.

Its brutally delivered. JESS wobbles slightly. JJ stands

firmed jawed. Then YANNI arrives.

YANNI
My English friends!

And with that JJ walks off.

JESS makes to follow him.

MAUREEN
Leave him. Hell be fine.

JESS looks after JJ, unsure.

104 INT. TOWN SQUARE BAR. CORNER BOOTH. NIGHT 104

JJ sits at a table, it has KATHY on it.

JJ
I just need to sit here for a
minute.

Shes surprised.

KATHY
OK.

JJ
And then Ill calm down and go back
to my friends.

KATHY
OK.

JJ looks up at her and smiles.

KATHY (CONTD)
Though - while youre here - could
you solve a problem Ive been
having? I think - I recognise you
from some place...

JJs face drops.

JJ
Oh - um - yeah, um, there was this
thing, me - Ive been in the papers
a bit recently.

KATHY
No. Thats not it. Are you in a
band?

JJs face rises.

 71.

JJ
What?

KATHY
You supported The Clockers -
Manchester Towers - must be three
or four years ago?

JJ
Um. The Clockers. Yeah. We did.
First time we came to Britain. Wow.
You remember that...? Wow.

KATHY laughs.

KATHY
Still serious about it?

JJ looks over at JESS. And then back at KATHY. As if trying

to make his mind up.

JJ
I was. Now - not so much. Wow. You
really remember that...?

KATHY
Whats your name?

JJ
JJ.

KATHY
Hi JJ. Im Kathy.

105 INT. TOWN SQUARE. NIGHT 105

JJ is dancing with KATHY. So is MARTIN, rather more

flamboyantly.

MARTIN
This is brilliant.

JJ
Yeah.

He grabs JJ and pulls him close to him.

MARTIN
Shes a good looking girl...

JJ
Yeah.

MARTIN
Youre OK right?
 72.

JJ
Yeah.

MARTIN dislocates and carries on dancing.

JJ turns back to KATHY

KATHY
Whos that?

JJ
My..... uncle...

KATHY
I recognise him too.

JJ
Hes - vaguely famous.

KATHY
A failed musician with a vaguely
famous uncle. I am a lucky girl.

JJ
Well, I say vaguely famous, I mean,
used-to-be. Wants it again though -
hed literally sell his kids for a
front page.

KATHY
Would he?

He twists her around.

JJ
You know, I saw you at the airport.

KATHY bends into his ear just as JJ makes pure eye-contact

with JESS sitting watching them both.

KATHY
I saw you first.

106 EXT. BEACH FRONT. NIGHT 106

There are beautiful lights hanging between the restaurant

tops. As JJ walks along with KATHY.

JJ
So youre just here on your own?

KATHY
Best way to get to know a place.
Other people crowd it. Make it
about them. Besides, Ive always
liked my own company.
 73.

JJ
Never liked mine. I think too much.

KATHY smiles.

KATHY
So - youre here - with - family?
Your uncle and...?

JJ
Bit of family. Friends. Sort of.

KATHY
But you dont like them too much -
you ran away from in the bar?

JJ
They can be a bit - intense - you
know, people with problems, one
wants to be famous again, another
thinks shes inadequate compared to
her sister - la la - intense.

KATHY stops. She looks around.

KATHY
And you dont like intense.

JJ realises the flirtings stepped a gear.

JJ
Not - yeah - I cant talk. Im
intense.

KATHY
Good. Because if youre looking for
a neurosis free girl, youre bang
out of luck.

He breaks into a smile.

JJ
Yeah?

KATHY
I once set fire to my own hair to
see what would happen. I was 10, it
was a portent to unhappier times.

JJ
Oh. Thats nothing. When I was a
kid I jumped off our roof to see if
Id hurt myself. I broke my leg.
And, well, I quite liked it.

KATHY grins wider - she likes this game.

 74.

KATHY
Well, hows this for psycho? I
carved my ex boyfriends initials
into my left inner thigh as a way
of telling him no-one else will
ever see there. Ive still got the
scars. Beat that.

JJ laughs.

JJ
Easy. I recently told some people I
had cancer to avoid telling them
the real reason I had for
attempting suicide.

KATHY stops. She looks at JJ carefully.

KATHY
That is intense.

JJ realises hes broken the mood slightly.

KATHY (CONTD)
What was the real reason you wanted
to...?

JJ
I dont know. All I do know is, I
was part of a pact and I lied to
become a member. Which...

KATHY looks at him.

KATHY
What pact?

JJ thinks - does he want to talk about it? No.

JJ
Just a bunch of desperate people
being desperate together as a way
of feeling less - desperate.

KATHY thinks, and then looks at him.

KATHY
OK. You win the psycho game.

JJ
Good. I always wanted to win that
game.

She smiles at him.

KATHY
Go on. I dare you -
 75.

JJ
To do what?

KATHY
Claim your prize. Kiss me.

JJ laughs, leans in and kisses her.

107 INT. JJS HOTEL ROOM. NIGHT 107

Tearing. Ripping. Gurning. Yearning. Thrilling. Spilling.

Telling. Smelling. Grooving. Schmoving. Yeah. Theyre having
sex. Two beautiful people having beautiful sex.

JJ stops to get his breath.

JJ
I havent done this for a while...

KATHY
You know that stuff people say
about it being like riding a
bike...

JJ
Yeah.

KATHY
Its not. Its better.

JJ laughs. She kisses him and he kisses her back.

And boom leads to boom and la leads to la. And shield your
childrens eyes.

108 INT. JJS HOTEL ROOM. NIGHT 108

JJ looks at KATHYs hair against the pillow.

He touches it gently.

He likes touching it.

Then he stands and walks naked into the bathroom.

109 INT. JJS ENSUITE. NIGHT 109

JJ makes as if to piss.

JESS (O.S.)
OK. Now Im going to say something.

OK. That was unexpected. JESS is sitting in the bath. With a

slightly strange look on her face.
 76.

JESS (CONTD)
Because the humiliation of you -
spotting me after youve done that
is worse than the - this.

JESS looks at JJ who looks back at her stricken.

JESS (CONTD)
Only took a credit card and a bit
of spit. Hotel security is not what
it should be.

JJ
How long have you been - ?

JESS
I - wanted to apologise - dont
know why I did that earlier - and
then - I was probably going to try
and shag you.

JJ doesnt know how to respond to this.

JESS (CONTD)
Anyway. Shes pretty. Well done.

JJ tries to work out what to say.

JESS (CONTD)
Dont say anything. Take it as a
compliment. Is she asleep?

JJ
Yes.

JESS
Then I will leave quietly.

JESS makes to leave.

JJ
Jess.

She turns sharply.

JESS
Really. Id prefer it if you didnt
- say anything.

She turns away again. She starts to exit again. Then she
stops. And turns back.

JESS (CONTD)
You do know shes a journalist,
right?

JJ looks at JESS a beat.

 77.

JJ
What?

JESS
Look in her handbag, I saw her
check her tape recorder in the bar.

JESS isnt enjoying this. She knows shes humiliating him and
doesnt like doing so.

JESS (CONTD)
Still, she fucked you, right? So at
least shes thorough.

JESS thinks and then walks back and leans in and kisses JJ on
the cheek and then she exits.

And JJ stands and sways.

110 INT. JJS HOTEL ROOM. NIGHT 110

JJ sneaks carefully back into the room and opens KATHYs bag.
He searches inside it. He pulls out a tape recorder. And the
blood drains from his face. He rewinds it. He presses play.
He hears himself.

JJ (O.S.)
- a bunch of desperate people being
desperate together as a way of
feeling less - desperate.

She snuffles in bed beside him. He presses stop. He looks at

her carefully. And then edges up the sheet so as to look at
her left inner thigh. There is nothing written on there. No
scars. Just the soft skin of a woman that knows shes
beautiful.

He stands. He walks. Carrying the tape recorder with him.

He shuts the door behind him.

111 INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR. NIGHT 111

JJ sits on the floor by his hotel room.

A night porter walks by. Singing a song. JJ tries to hear

what it is, he cant make it out.

112 EXT. SEA. DAY 112

The sun is just rising as JJ stands in front of the sea.

Carrying the tape recorder with him.

He hurls it into the water as far as he can.

 78.

Then he thinks and then follows it in. Stripping off his

clothes as he walks into the water.

Then he swims.

He swims and he swims. The hard swim of someone looking for

something.

He looks beautiful in the early morning sun.

113 INT. HOTEL BREAKFAST BUFFET. DAY 113

JJ walks through the buffet bar and spots MARTIN, MAUREEN and
JESS sitting together. He takes a breath and then joins them.

JESS looks at him and smiles softly. And he smiles softly

back.

MARTIN comes back with his plate piled high with free
breakfast goodness.

MARTIN
Work off the hangover...

MARTIN starts to shovel in some food. He looks up. He looks

at JJ in particular.

MARTIN (CONTD)
May have said some stupid things
last night. Drink has never been my
friend.

JJ
Ive got a few things to say. Im
not sure youll like any of them.

All three look up at him - surprised.

MAUREEN
Are you going back to America?

JJ takes a breath.

JJ
Ill start with the biggest: Ive
not got cancer of the brain. Ive
not got CCR.

MAUREEN
Theyve cured you?

JJ turns and looks at MAUREEN bravely.

JJ
I never had it. I made it up.

Beat.
 79.

JJ (CONTD)
Theres not even any such thing as
CCR. Just - Clearance Creedwater
Revival are one of my favourite
bands.

MAUREEN
Oh.

Theyre beyond shocked. JJ looks at JESS.

JESS
I wasnt going to tell them.

MARTIN
You knew about this?

MAUREEN
I thought there was - something
strange about -

MARTIN
So why were you - up there - JJ?

JJ hesitates.

JESS
He cant answer that. Its
personal.

MARTIN
I think we deserve an answer.

MAUREEN
You did mean to be up there didnt
you?

JESS looks at JJ.

JESS
I wasnt going to tell them.

JJ notices KATHY approach across the restaurant. This is the

wrong timing.

JJ
Guys. Were going to need to
postpone this conversation for
another time.

MARTIN
Fuck that JJ. I need an answer. Im
feeling quite humiliated here.

JESS
Humiliated? Big word for a
convicted paedophile.
 80.

MARTIN turns and finally explodes at JESS.

MARTIN
Enough with the paedophile shit!
When you are going to fucking grow
up? You stupid little -

JESS
Cunt? Is cunt the word youre
looking for?

MARTIN turns to JJ.

MARTIN
We made a pact - I trusted you - I
liked you.

JJ looks at KATHY, almost at the table.

JJ
Please. Martin another time.

KATHY thinks whether to kiss JJ, but decides better not.

KATHY
Where were you? I woke up, youd
gone.

MARTIN
Oh right, so we all stop for your
girlfriend do we?

JESS
JJ. I wasnt going to tell them I
promise.

MARTIN pushes JJ hard against another table. JJ looks at

KATHY, worried in all the wrong ways.

MARTIN
Why were you up there? Dont look
at her, look at me.

JJ
Shes not my girlfriend, shes a
journalist.

MARTIN goes purple.

MARTIN
You invited a fucking journalist
here?

JJ
No...No.

MARTIN
And what did you tell her?
 81.

JJ looks at him and MARTIN knows.

MARTIN swings. And connects. And JJ connects back as if by

instinct. They crash into another diners table.

JJ
Martin. Please. This is all wrong.
This is all wrong.

MARTIN swings again. They fight. And its not good, but its
not comical. Its more reckless than that.

MARTIN
I wish Id let you all jump.

MAUREEN
What?

KATHY
JJ -

And soon theyre fighting. And something gets spilt. And

people try to leave. And JESS makes some serious play at
KATHY. Slapping her hard.

JESS
Just so you know, Im ripping off
your cheap shit hair extensions
first.

The men fight. The girls fight. Its not a riot. Its
considerably more pathetic than that. But it is something.

The camera follows everything. Swinging like punches around

the room.

Only MAUREEN remains sat in her seat. Looking like this is

hell shes seeing.

114 INT. AEROPLANE. DAY 114

A slow pan along the faces of our four in aeroplane seating.

MAUREEN has no noticeable physical damage, MARTIN has a
blackening left eye, JJ a blackening right, but its JESS
that licks the plate clean - with two eyes firmly black.

JESS is reading a newspaper. JJ is doing nothing.

JJ (V.O.)
Ive been in three bands that have
broken up. Two were violent.
Drummers impaling high hats on
peoples heads - guitar strings
being wound around each others
throats - you know the thing.

JESS hands JJ a newspaper.

 82.

Its a tabloid.

It has pictures of the disturbance, and KATHYs picture on

the by-line. With exclusive written across it.

JJ looks at it. And then pulls out his wallet and hands JESS
a fiver.

JJ (V.O.)
The one that hurt though...Was
where we....just looked at each
other and Tony, bass guitarist,
said the problem is, I dont even
like you guys anymore.

115 INT. AIRPORT. DAY 115

The four are being tailed by more reporters than ever before.

MARTIN turns.

MARTIN
This is it. The last thing any of
us will say or do of interest. You
can keep following us, wasting your
resources. But from now on - were
going to be really boring. Just so
you know.

REPORTER
Why the matching black eyes Martin?
Another pact?

MARTIN looks at the reporter and turns and continues walking.

116 INT. TAXI. NIGHT 116

They sit cramped in the back of a black cab.

Then MARTIN notices something out of the window.

MARTIN raps on the glass of the drivers window. The driver

opens it.

MARTIN
Stop. Here. Please.

JESS
What? Why?

Then she notices.

JESS (CONTD)
Oh.
 83.

117 EXT. TOPPERS HOUSE. DAY 117

The four stand at the bottom of Toppers looking up. All with
the same slightly ominous look on their faces.

JESS
Of all the places you could have
taken us Martin...

MARTIN
I didnt know wed drive past here.
I do know this is where the pact
ends.

JESS
Youre wrong. We cut short the
holiday, its not Valentines Day
for another three days.

MARTIN
We arent good for each other.

JESS turns and looks at MARTIN.

MARTIN (CONTD)
I thought wed help each other.
Why? Were destructive. Thats the
whole point of wanting to... And
destructive people together -
destroy.

Pause. Every one considers the enormity of MARTINs words.

JESS
Right. Because -

MAUREEN
This is - a - good place for the -
end.

They all stand there a moment. All feel vulnerable. All hate
it. Then JESS declares herself.

JESS
Well - bye then. Actually, I dont
do goodbyes, so...

JESS hesitates a moment and then walks off.

MARTIN
Goodbye Jess.

She raises a finger over her head. MARTIN laughs.

He looks at the two of them.

MARTIN (CONTD)
Bye Maureen.
 84.

MAUREEN
Yes. Bye.

MARTIN hesitates, looks at JJ, then walks off in the opposite

direction from JESS.

JJ
Martin, wait...

MARTIN
We all said and did things we
regret JJ, its in the past now.

MARTIN keeps walking.

MAUREEN looks at JJ, who looks right back. He wobbles and

then finds his feet again.

He touches his eye. She checks her watch. He smiles.

JJ
Matty to pick up is it?

MAUREEN
Something like that.

She leans in and kisses JJ on the cheek.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Bye JJ.

She walks off.

And JJ is alone. He thinks. And then thinks some more.

JJ (V.O.)
No. The truth is - there are good
goodbyes and bad ones.

118 INT. TOPPERS LIFT. DAY 118

JJ stands numbly in the lift. Watching the floors tick by.

JJ (V.O.)
And the bad goodbyes are the ones
where you dont mark the moment.

119 EXT. TOPPERS ROOF. DAY 119

JJ stands on the roof taking in the early evening sun.

JJ (V.O.)
Ive always been one for marking
the moment - when my Dad died I -

The voice over is disrupted. JJ has seen something.

 85.

There is a man standing at the edge of the tower.

DAVID
Dont come any closer.

JJ
No. You dont want to -

JJ edges closer.

DAVID
Dont I? You know nothing about me.

JJs face clouds with purpose.

JJ
I know that I stood where youre
standing - not too long ago -

DAVID
You were?

JJ
Yeah. Listen, why dont we - go get
a coffee or a pizza, well talk -

DAVID
Why did you want to do it?

That question. JJ hesitates.

JJ
Its not about me. Whats your
name?

DAVID looks at him - disappointed.

DAVID
Youre lying. You were never up
here.

JJ
Yeah man. Im lying. I just like to
hang out on the roof of a block of
flats for fun...

JJ steps towards DAVID.

DAVID
Dont get - dont get -

JJ
Please. Step away.

DAVID
Tell me why you wanted to jump...
 86.

This is hard for JJ. No. This is more than hard. He smiles
and then doesnt smile.

JJ
Good question.

He stands a moment.

JJ (CONTD)
My parents died young - Dad quite
nastily - Im a foreigner in a
strange country - Im massively
unsuccessful - but theyre not - I
know theyre not - I can feel
theyre not...my reasons. And I
wont lie. To you. Im a liar. But
Ive had enough of lying.

JJ stands a moment more. Thinking fast now.

JJ (CONTD)
People always think Im a good guy.
Never got why. Im not a good guy.
I never speak, because if I do
people will see the truth. And if
people knew what I was - this -

JJ looks at DAVID, hes listening.

JJ (CONTD)
Im bored of being me. Bored of
being scared all the time. Bored of
trying to change - leaving my
latest shit band, moving countries -
because however much I change Im
still left with - me. You want to
know why I was up here? Because I
hate - me. I hate - me. I hate -
me. And I know how pathetic that
sounds, so dont...

JJ has said it. And hates it.

JJ (CONT'D)
And even now I want to tear my
heart out and squeeze the black
blood from it just to stop it -
beating.

JJ checks himself - he wasnt expecting to say all that.

JJ (CONTD)
And thats - thats more than Ive
said in a long time - and - now you
- step back - because I cant watch
you - tell me your name, tell me
why you - please tell me why you...
 87.

But DAVID doesnt come back. Instead he makes a slight noise

in the side of his throat.

DAVID
But my reasons better than yours.

And DAVID steps off the edge.

And JJ stands totally shocked.

He opens his mouth to speak, but says nothing.

There is a long, long silence. And then JJ makes a painful

noise like an animal. Like an animal separated from all other
animals. He howls death.

There is another deathly silence. Then JJ starts to walk

slowly - inexorably - forward to the end of the building.

MAUREEN (O.S.)
JJ.

JJ turns, MAUREEN is standing in the doorway of the building.

JJ
How long have you...?

MAUREEN
I saw you go in. I thought you were
talking to yourself.

JJ stands and then takes a few more steps forward and we pull
up and away and in the distance we can see a body lying on
the ground beside Toppers and a crowd of people gathering
around it.

Then he turns and looks at MAUREEN like hes got nothing

left.

JJ
Were over. Remember that. Were
done.

JJ walks past MAUREEN towards the exit of the roof.

120 C/U. FEET. DAY 120

Two feet dangle and then have tights pulled over them and
then theyre placed in shoes.

121 C/U. SHOES. DAY 121

The feet - now in their sensible shoe sheaf - shift from one
side to the other. And then they flip up as the person drops
to their knees.
 88.

122 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. BEDROOM. DAY 122

MAUREEN gently prays.

123 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. KITCHEN. DAY 123

MAUREEN sits beside MATTY.

Shes feeding him. Theres a gentle persuasion to how she

does so.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
Not having Matty with me on the
holiday - it felt like I was
missing a leg. Strange. Light.
Thats probably not like missing a
leg at all. I dont imagine most
peoples first impressions of leg
loss is weightlessness.

124 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. BATHROOM. DAY 124

MAUREEN is helping MATTY on the toilet.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
I missed him most when the plane
was shaking. I thought I was going
to die and I hadnt said goodbye to
him.

125 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM. DAY 125

MAUREEN and MATTY are watching TV.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
I also missed him when I saw that
man drop off that building.

126 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. MATTYS BEDROOM. DAY 126

MAUREEN tucks MATTY in.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
Dont know why I missed him then.

127 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. BEDROOM. DAY 127

MAUREEN stands in front of the mirror. She tucks in her

tummy. Looks worried at the reflection. Checks her hair.
Despairs of her hair. Starts to put rollers in.
 89.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
Anyway, after...Everything turned
to normal pretty quickly. The press
still followed me - but I
concentrated on being boring, like
Martin said. Not difficult.

128 EXT. MAUREENS HOUSE. DAY 128

MAUREEN leaves the house carefully pushing MATTY. Shes

surrounded by press. Jabbering questions.

129 INT. SUPERMARKET. DAY 129

MAUREEN pushing a MATTYs chair with a basket attached to the

front. She fills it with essentials. She is being followed
down a parallel aisle by a still inquisitive JESS.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
I still saw them - patchily - every
now again. I saw Jess in places she
shouldnt be.

130 EXT. LINCOLNS INN. DAY 130

MAUREEN sits around a corner on the same bench JESS was

sitting on during the sequence at the beginning of her part.
MATTY and his chair beside her. She can hear JJ busking but
not see him. He can neither hear nor see her.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
And I did make a little effort to
find JJ - just to check he was OK.

131 EXT. STREET. DAY 131

MARTIN drives past MAUREEN pushing MATTY on the street. He

notices her, she doesnt notice him.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
I never saw Martin.

132 INT. DOCTORS SURGERY. DAY 132

MAUREEN sits anxiously as DR STEPHENS - over-tall, over-bald,

late-40s, reads over his notes.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
No. Mostly I got on with my life
and hoped they got on with theirs.
 90.

DR STEPHENS
Matty did great. We did some
interesting reflex work....

MAUREEN looks at MATTY and smiles.

MAUREEN
Nice to have him properly looked
after for once.

DR STEPHENS
..He reacted well to company.

MAUREEN
Im sure he loved a change from my
blathering...

MAUREEN is unpicking everything.

DR STEPHENS
...And we couldnt get him out of
the pool.

MAUREEN
Hes always liked water. No pool at
my house.

DR STEPHENS looks up at her and frowns, desperate to

contradict her, but he cant think how.

DR STEPHENS
Well...I was very pleased to have
the opportunity to spend some time
with him.

MAUREEN
I think the pleasure was all his.

DR STEPHENS has exhausted all he has to say.

They sit in silence for a beat too long.

DR STEPHENS
You look like you caught a bit of
colour...

MAUREEN blushes.

MAUREEN
Did I? Oh.

DR STEPHENS
You enjoyed yourself?

MAUREEN
Yes. Well, I wont keep you...

She stands and bustles and begins to sort MATTY out.

 91.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Thanks for your help Dr Stephens.
Were very grateful.

133 EXT. STREET. DAY 133

MAUREEN pushes MATTY along the street.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
Yes - I did think of them - as time
ticked by. If you spend all your
life in a very quiet room and
someone comes up behind you and
shouts boo! You jump. And I -

A kid stops and stares at MATTY.

The kids mother pulls him away.

MOTHER
Sorry.

MAUREEN
Oh. No. No.

MAUREEN walks on.

Then she stops and looks in a window - help wanted

displayed. She looks at it and then catches the face of a man
in the window looking out and carries on walking.

She stops and traffic lights and presses the wait button.

The green man starts flashing.

She just stands there.

We watch the green man slowly flick off.

134 INT. MATTYS BEDROOM. NIGHT 134

MAUREEN is giving MATTY a gentle bed bath, carefully dealing

with the difficulties of his limbs.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
I just... wasnt used to the very
quiet room anymore.

MATTY keeps knocking the water. Splashing her.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
What is it?

MATTY looks at her. He tries to form a word. He cant. The

doorbell rings, but MAUREEN doesnt register it, shes
focused on her sons need to communicate.
 92.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Matty....

MATTY tries to form a word again. He cant. He knocks the

water again. Shes splashed again.

Then the doorbell rings again.

And MATTY gives up. He lies back - exhausted.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Matty...

Then the doorbell rings again and MAUREEN takes another look
at her son before exiting towards the stairs.

135 INT. HALLWAY. NIGHT 135

MAUREEN answers the door. She doesnt know the person on the
other side.

CINDY
Hi.

MAUREEN
Hi.

CINDY
Youre wet.

MAUREEN looks down at herself and realises she is.

CINDY (CONTD)
Sorry to have called so late - it
was an impulsive decision to visit.

MAUREEN
Right. Who - are you?

CINDY barks a nervous laugh.

CINDY
Im Cindy. Martins wife...

MAUREEN looks at her a moment, digesting.

MAUREEN
You better come in.

136 INT. MAUREENS LIVING ROOM. NIGHT 136

CINDY tries to think where to sit, she cant decide, she

waits for MAUREEN to sit first. MAUREEN doesnt sit.
 93.

MAUREEN
Did any of them recognise you? Out
there?

CINDY
Who? The press? Theres no-one out
there.

MAUREEN goes over and twitches her curtains. She looks out.
Almost disappointed.

MAUREEN
Martin said theyd - go when bored.

CINDY
Well. Martin is the expert.

They fade back into silence. MAUREEN thinks and then sits in
a comfy chair. CINDY sits opposite her.

MAUREEN immediately stands again. CINDY stays sitting.

MAUREEN
Do you want a cup of tea?

CINDY
No. No. Im fine.

MAUREEN sits again. CINDY picks up a photo from beside her

chair.

CINDY (CONTD)
This your son Ive read about?

MAUREEN
Yes. Matty.

CINDY
Looks like a nice boy.

MAUREEN nods. CINDY looks at MAUREEN carefully.

CINDY (CONTD)
I havent heard from him in weeks.
Every time I ring he puts the phone
down. And I need to know hes OK.
When Martin falls off a cliff he
really - falls off a cliff.

MAUREEN is hugely uncomfortable.

MAUREEN
Im sorry, I havent seen him -
since we came back from holiday.

CINDY digests this.

 94.

CINDY
Whats he - told you about me?

MAUREEN
Not much. Hes a very private man.

CINDY
Hes not private. Hes secretive.
Theres a difference.

This comes out more aggressively than CINDY intends. MAUREEN

retracts her neck slightly.

CINDY (CONTD)
Has he told you I wont let him see
his kids?

MAUREEN
He did say that.

CINDY is pulled tighter than a guitar string.

CINDY
Of course he can see his kids... He
just doesnt want to.

MAUREEN turns and looks at her - shocked.

MAUREEN
What?

CINDY
You know, Ive very good reasons to
be angry with him so...I dont know
why I always have to be the one
trying to mend... Sorry. Sorry. I
promised myself I wouldnt do this.

MAUREEN looks at her. CINDY is crying slightly.

CINDY (CONTD)
My kids need their Dad. And I need
to know hes OK.

MAUREEN offers CINDY a tissue. CINDY takes one.

MAUREEN
Better take two - theyre the
supermarket value kind. They mush
when exposed to water.

CINDY laughs, despite herself, and then takes two.

CINDY
Home, Job, Kids, Indiscretion,
Suicide? It feels - too quick.
 95.

MAUREEN
Yes. I can - imagine.

CINDY looks at MAUREEN cautiously.

CINDY
Why were you up there? On the -
roof.

Its a stark question. MAUREEN thinks about asking for

clarification. But she doesnt.

MAUREEN
Without me, social services would
pay for Mattys care. The standards
they, um... He wouldnt have me
getting everything -

CINDY
You think hed be better off
without his mother?

MAUREEN
Not his mother. This mother.

CINDY tries to think how to rationalise this, she cant. she

stands up.

CINDY
This was a bad idea. Wasnt it? Me.
Coming here.

MAUREEN
Was it?

CINDY
I wanted you to tell me someone was
looking after him. I hoped you
were. But why would I expect you to
help? You were up there too.

CINDY begins to exit then stops. She turns - she looks at

MAUREEN a moment.

CINDY (CONTD)
Thanks for the tea.

She exits. MAUREEN is left alone.

MAUREEN
I didnt make you tea.

137 INT. MATTYS BEDROOM. NIGHT 137

MAUREEN is dressing MATTY in his pyjamas.

She unknots his arm to get a pyjama top on to him.

 96.

He doesnt resist. He doesnt make a noise.

She forces the top on to him. Its not an easy business.

MAUREEN
Sometimes I think youre saying
something to me. Then I realise you
cant.

She sits back.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Maybe Ill just sit here a bit.

138 INT. MATTYS BEDROOM. DAY 138

MAUREEN wakes squinting into the early morning light.

Shes sitting in exactly the same seat. She clearly fell

asleep there.

MATTY is asleep on the bed. She reaches out as if to touch

him, but changes her mind.

She stands. She is slightly unsteady on her feet.

She walks to the door.

She exits.

And then she re-enters at speed.

She checks MATTYs breathing. Then she checks it again.

MAUREEN
No....No.....

She puts an oxygen mask on him, she begins to administer CPR.

A lady who we havent seen much action from at all is
suddenly all action. She opens a phone with her mouth. She
dials 999.

139 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR. DAY 139

MATTY is pushed along a corridor. NURSES and DOCTORS

administer what they can as he moves. MAUREEN runs beside
them, totally at a loss.

140 INT. SURGERY. DAY 140

MAUREEN stands lost and limp as surgeons administer on her

son. It looks desperate. She feels desperate. Desperate is
the word. The only word.

A NURSE guides her out.

 97.

141 INT. WAITING ROOM. DAY 141

MAUREEN sits on the chairs. Around her life lives.

Maybe it speeds by. Maybe we watch people being wheeled in on

gurneys and people shouting at vending machines. And drunks
coming in and out.

And priests sit beside her and breastfeeding Mums and kids
with angry faces...

142 INT. WAITING ROOM. NIGHT 142

And then its night. And MAUREEN is almost alone. And DR

STEPHENS walks slowly towards her.

And she assumes the worst.

MAUREEN
Oh no. Oh no. No. Dont tell me.

DR STEPHENS
Hes fine. Maureen. Maureen. Hes
fine.

MAUREEN looks up at DR STEPHENS.

MAUREEN
What?

DR STEPHENS
Hes poorly. Of course. And, uh,
the road is not... hell be fine.

MAUREEN
Hell be fine?

DR STEPHENS
Hell be fine.

MAUREEN looks at him and her face feels upside down, shes
not sure how to look.

DR STEPHENS (CONTD)
You want to come see him?

143 INT. INTENSIVE CARE. NIGHT 143

MATTY is lying with lots of tubes sticking out of him.

DR STEPHENS
Tubes look worse than they are.
Well remove some tonight. The rest
will be out tomorrow I hope.
 98.

MAUREEN
I should have seen it sooner. If
hed had proper care. If hed had
proper care.

DR STEPHENS smiles.

DR STEPHENS
Maureen. You were brilliant.

He looks at her. She sits beside MATTY, he thinks about

leaving but decides to stay.

DR STEPHENS (CONTD)
It was a myocardial infarction. He
had a heart attack. Of sorts. His
symptoms were almost invisible. I
didnt notice it, I was the one
to... But you caught it. You were
great.

He stops talking. MAUREEN is gently - quietly - singing to

MATTY without even realising it.

She realises shes singing and DR STEPHENS is there. She

stops. Immediately. Embarrassed.

DR STEPHENS (CONTD)
No....dont...stop...

MAUREEN
Please dont tell me Im a good
singer. Id think less of you. And
you just saved my Matty. So I dont
want to think less of you.

She smiles at DR STEPHENS and then isnt sure which way to

look so turns back to MATTY. DR STEPHENS observes and smiles.

DR STEPHENS
I love the way you look at your
son, have I ever told you that?

MAUREEN looks up at him - what does that mean? DR STEPHENS

ploughs on.

DR STEPHENS (CONTD)
I dont know anyone who looks at
their child like you look at yours.

MAUREEN doesnt know how to take this at all.

DR STEPHENS (CONTD)
Hes calmer when youre around. You
make him - calmer. He seems to - he
always knows youre there. Hes
very lucky to have you - Matty.
 99.

DR STEPHENS stops talking. MAUREEN turns and looks at him.

MAUREEN
I only had one thought - when he -
if he dies, I die.

DR STEPHENS looks at her straight.

DR STEPHENS
Well. He lived.

DR STEPHENS makes to exit, and then stops.

DR STEPHENS (CONTD)
Maybe he feels the same way about
you as you do about him, you ever
considered that?

MAUREEN doesnt move. DR STEPHENS exits.

And then she looks at MATTY, and then she softly, softly
smiles.

MAUREEN
Are you - calmer - when Im - are
you calmer?

And then she looks at her son. And thinks a thousand

thoughts.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Do you think this was Jesss room?

144 INT. HOSPITAL. DAY 144

MAUREEN pushes MATTY through the hospital. Theres a drip on

the side of his chair and hes wearing an oxygen mask. But he
looks better.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
When Matty was born....

They walk past old ladies in hospital gowns talking to young

grandkids. They walk past a kid with a post-chemotherapy
shaved head arguing with her mother about whether she should
be allowed crisps or not.

MAUREEN (V.O.) (CONTD)

When Matty was born...

They walk past the hospital chapel of rest. MAUREEN catches

the eye of two people - mourners - inside.

She looks. She thinks. She turns MATTY around and starts
pushing him quickly.
 100.

145 INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM. DAY 145

MAUREEN dials a number into a payphone.

MAUREEN
Hello? Yes, hello, my names
Maureen - Im a friend of - oh yes,
you would have seen my name.... No.
It was you I was phoning to speak
to....

146 INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM. LATER 146

There is now a man with a huge beard waiting behind MAUREEN

for the phone.

MAUREEN
Well, I wasnt sure what to do but
you are my friend so I hoped
youd...

147 INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM. LATER 147

There are now a queue of semi-mutinous people waiting for the

phone. But MAUREEN is on a mission. She has a new intensity.

MAUREEN
No. I dont want to speak to a
secretary - I want to speak to -
pass him my name - pass him my name
-

148 EXT. MAUREENS HOUSE. DAY 148

JJ is walking along eating an apple with a louche sense of

sex appeal.

MARTIN (O.S.)
JJ?

JJ turns - surprised. But not too surprised.

JJ
Martin?

MARTIN
She invited you too then?

JJ
Yes. She invited me too.

MARTIN
Figured she might.

JJ smiles slightly ironically.

 101.

JJ
I thought we had a no contact
agreement.

MARTIN
Birthdays. You cant refuse
birthdays.

JJ
No.

The two men look uncomfortably at each other.

MARTIN
I suppose the real question is
whether she invited...

JESS (O.S.)
Oh yes. Im here.

JESS drops from the tree where shes been hiding. She looks
at JJ.

JESS (CONTD)
Its not a party unless Im
invited. Hello double J.

JJ
Hi. Jess.

149 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. CORRIDOR. DAY 149

MAUREEN opens the door to the three of them.

MAUREEN
Youre all here together...

JESS
We shared a cab. Weve been seeing
each other the entire time. It was
only you we decided to exclude.
Youre a difficult person to like.

MARTIN walks in and kisses MAUREEN on the cheek.

MARTIN
Happy birthday.

JJ
Maureen. Youre looking great.

And actually she does - shes had her hair done.

JESS
Do you still actually technically
celebrate birthdays when you get to
your age?
 102.

MAUREEN smiles at JESS.

MAUREEN
You probably should take your shoes
off...

JESS
You didnt tell us to take our
shoes off last time.

MAUREEN
I was afraid of you last time.

JESS smiles and takes off her shoes.

MARTIN walks forward to the living room.

MARTIN
Wow.

MARTIN goes inside the living room.

JJ
Wheres Matty?

MAUREEN
In hospital. Just for a day or so..

JJ frowns as if he wants to know more.

Then JESS walks past him into the living room and JJ follows
her in.

MAUREEN is left alone. She takes an apprehensive breath. This

is going to be difficult.

150 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM. LATER 150

The house is done up in balloons.

Its a proper old fashioned, magnificent birthday tea. There

are cakes and crisps and wafers and twiglets and stuff. Most
of which are now half-eaten.

And the gang are finishing singing Happy Birthday.

JESS
Speech. Speech.

MARTIN
Yes. Speech.

JESS starts banging her cup on the table.

MAUREEN
Yes. I do want to make a speech
actually. I want to tell you -
 103.

JESS
Boring. Strip. Strip.

JJ puts his hand over JESSs mouth - she bites it.

MAUREEN
What I need to say is...um....I
dont think I can do this anymore.

MARTIN
What?

MAUREEN stands up. She looks around the room. She walks over
away from the gang. JJ and MARTIN share a worried look.

MAUREEN
Im starting from the wrong place.
My mother - very pretty woman - she
told me Id never be as pretty as
her so I needed to marry well. I
had a few boyfriends. And then I
met this boy at Church - Paul. He
was...wonderful. And when he asked
me for my - virginity - I gave it
to him.

JESS
Wow. Well Ive certainly got an
erection.

MAUREEN
And then I told him I was pregnant
and he said he had to get back to
University. I didnt even know he
was at University. He wrote a lot
at first. Now we just get a card at
Christmas. He moved to Canada. New
family. Over there.

The three others are slightly bewildered by this speech.

MARTIN
Im sorry to hear that Maureen.

JESS
I think shes overdosed on her HRT.
Maureen, a normal birthday speech
is thanks for coming, Martin, are
you balding? Your arse looks great
in those jeans, Jess...

But MAUREEN isnt listening, shes in her own world now.

MAUREEN
And the baby I had inside me was
Matty.

MAUREEN looks around the room.

 104.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
There were lots of reasons why I
was up on that roof. You sort of
asked me why Jess and I said I felt
helpless. But the truth is, I
hadnt thought about it before then
- I hadnt done a list for living
and a list for.... It was a feeling
not a.... thought.

We close on all four faces.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
And then recently I realised - the
reason why was simple: I thought no-
one cared. Yes, I thought Matty
would be better off without me, but
more than that I thought he
wouldnt care if I wasnt there.
And recently - Ive found out
thats just not true.

She takes a moment.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
I brought you here today - its not
my birthday, I lied, I did a JJ...I
brought you here to tell you I
cared. About you. And I think other
people do too. And youre not going
to like this bit but - um -

She opens a door in the hallway. Then disappears through it.

Our four sit in silence. Sort of digesting. JESS drains her

paper cup.

JESS
OK. I think Im going to need
something stronger to drink than
Dandelion and Burdock.

MARTIN
What are we not going to like?

151 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. BOTTOM CORRIDOR. DAY 151

MAUREEN stands a moment listening and then walks purposefully

down the corridor.

152 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM. DAY 152

MAUREEN re-enters. With CHRIS and HOPE and CINDY.

And JESS and MARTIN both visibly blanche.

 105.

MAUREEN
I think in America - they call this
an - words gone - um - I want to
say interval.

CHRIS
Hello Jess.

JJ
You mean intervention, Maureen.

MAUREEN smiles at JJ, who doesnt smile back.

MAUREEN
Yes. Thats right. Intervention.

JESS looks around the room for the nearest exit.

CHRIS
Jess, were here to tell you -

JESS
No. No. Bad idea Maureen. Bad idea
Maureen. This is fucking hideous.

She runs out of the room, past her Dad, who lets her.

MAUREEN
Jess. Please...listen...

But shes gone.

153 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. STAIRS. DAY 153

JESS charges up the stairs.

MAUREEN
Jess. Please....

154 INT. MAUREENS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM. DAY 154

MAUREEN retreats back to the living room.

MARTIN
Well. That was pretty inevitable.

JJ
Ill go after her.

CHRIS
No. I will.

CHRIS exits. HOPE thinks and then meekly follows him.

 106.

MARTIN
Maureen. Did you think about this
properly?

CINDY
Yes. She did.

MARTIN looks up at CINDY. Suddenly extremely awkward.

CINDY (CONTD)
Hi.

MARTIN says nothing.

CINDY (CONTD)
Should we....take a walk?

MARTIN thinks.

MARTIN
OK.

MARTIN thinks and then exits.

CINDY looks at MAUREEN, smiles, and then follows him out.

JJ looks around the room.

JJ
And then there were two. Whove you
invited for me...?

MAUREEN looks at JJ hesitantly.

MAUREEN
I tried to contact your parents...

JJ
Yeah. Theyre dead.

MAUREEN
So I discovered. And then I tried
to get hold of your old bandmates..

JJ
They move around a lot.

MAUREEN hesitates and then smiles.

MAUREEN
But you may notice, with Matty -
absent, I dont have anyone here
for me either.

JJ
Yeah.
 107.

MAUREEN
So I thought - maybe - I could be
here for you.

JJ
What does that mean?

MAUREEN
And you could be here for me.

JJ frowns - still confused.

JJ
OK.

MAUREEN
And if you could start being here
for me by helping me clear up Id
much appreciate it.

JJ thinks and then laughs.

JJ
Id love to.

155 INT. MAUREENS TOP CORRIDOR. DAY 155

CHRIS
Jess....

He hears a door knock shut in front of him. He looks - its

the toilet. And its still open.

He opens it a fraction. Then hesitates. He takes a breath and

walks in.

HOPE watches him do so, thinks, then doesnt follow him.

156 INT. MAUREENS TOILET. DAY 156

The toilet is empty.

But the shower curtain is pulled across. JESS is inside the

bath.

JESS (O.S.)
I could have locked it. The toilet
door.

CHRIS
I know you could.

JESS (O.S.)
And I really need a shit. So I
should have locked it.
 108.

CHRIS
Yeah.

JESS (O.S.)
But I was worried you might think I
was slitting my wrists and break
the door down or something
similarly hideous. So Ill just
have to shit in the bath.

CHRIS is unsure what to do. He moves and sits on the toilet,

putting the seat down first.

157 INT. JESSS SHOWER CUBICLE. MAUREENS TOILET. DAY 157

JESS is listening intently to everything her father does.

JESS
OK. If youre going to sit there. A
few ground rules. You cant tell me
you love me. You cant tell me how
great or wonderful I am....And
were not talking about Jennifer.

158 INT. MAUREENS TOILET. DAY 158

CHRIS thinks and then thinks some more.

CHRIS
How about a joke then?

JESS
What?

CHRIS
A friend of mine told me it the
other day. Youll like it, its
edgy.

159 INT. JESSS SHOWER CUBICLE. MAUREENS TOILET. DAY 159

JESS is confused. But maybe in a good way.

JESS
Youre going to tell me a joke?

During this we watch her face so intently.

CHRIS (O.S.)
A blonde and a brunette live
together. The brunette comes home
from work one day to find the
blonde with a rope around her
waist. The brunette asks whys the
rope round your waist.
(MORE)
 109.

CHRIS (O.S.) (CONT'D)

The blonde replies Im trying to
commit suicide. The brunette says
"you need to put it around your
neck then silly!" The blonde looks
at her "I tried that but I couldn't
breathe!"

JESS laughs. In spite of herself.

JESS
OK. Thats a genuinely edgy joke to
tell a suicidalist. Its also
genuinely sexist and shit. But -

160 INT. MAUREENS TOILET. DAY 160

CHRIS is almost holding his breath, listening to his

daughter.

CHRIS
House of Commons tearoom.

He thinks some more. Hes emotional, but hiding it well.

CHRIS (CONTD)
I ever tell you that you reminded
me of me?

JESS
No.

CHRIS
Fate worse than death I know. But
sometimes - sometimes I see myself
so clearly in you...

JESS says nothing. And then says something.

JESS
Didnt you think - ? With my face
in the front of the paper ...That
shed see it and come home...

CHRISs face grows momentarily cold. This hurts him more than
his daughter can ever know.

CHRIS
Maybe shes dead. Maybe she just
had enough of us. Maybe she - I
dont know - Im coming in...

JESS
Where?

CHRIS pulls back the curtain and looks at his daughter, then
climbs into the bath
 110.

JESS (CONTD)
Dad dont be a nobhead.

Then he slips and almost lands on top of her.

CHRIS
Ow. Ow.

JESS starts to laugh first, CHRIS joins in with her.

CHRIS (CONTD)
I think Im bleeding...

JESS
Youre not bleeding.

CHRIS
There is blood here.

HOPE (O.S.)
Whats going on in there? Can I
come in now?

JESS laughs even louder.

161 EXT. STREET. DAY 161

CINDY and MARTIN walk carefully along the street.

MARTIN can barely even look at her for fear of showing the
vulnerability on his face.

CINDY can look and is looking at her ex-husband.

CINDY
You still shave your nose then?

MARTIN
What?

CINDY
Your nasal passage, always very
impressively clear of all hair. I
can see from here.

MARTIN
Oh. Yes.

MARTIN pinches his nose, as if embarrassed.

CINDY
Interesting. Youre having a
breakdown, youre unable to call
the mother of your children, or
seemingly anyone, yet you still
shave the inside of your nose with
one of your gadgets.
 111.

MARTIN
Its called a nasal hair trimmer.

CINDY smiles.

CINDY
Whats the worst that could happen
Martin? If you see the girls?

MARTIN
They could find out what an utter
tit I am and hate me.

CINDY
And if you dont see them? You
think they wont hate you then...

MARTIN looks at her, he knows the answer to that question.

CINDY (CONTD)
You ruined our marriage but you
still have a choice about what kind
of man you are to those kids.

MARTIN
But when they...

CINDY
And when the time comes, well sit
them down, together, and well talk
it through with them and explain
what happened, as best we can.

MARTIN looks at her.

MARTIN
I never understood why you were so
nice to me.

CINDY
I never understood why you were so
careless with me.

MARTIN
The things I did. Im so...

CINDY interrupts.

CINDY
Were not getting back together
Martin. We never will. But you do
need to answer the phone when I
call, you understand that?

MARTIN
I promise. Ill answer the phone
when you call.
 112.

CINDY stops, looks pensive for a moment, and picks a leaf

from a passing tree. MARTIN looks at her for a moment.

MARTIN (CONTD)
So - what do we do now?

CINDY
Now? Now you ask me how your
daughters are getting on...

MARTIN smiles.

MARTIN
Tell me.

CINDY thinks and then smiles.

CINDY
You hear about the nativity play?

MARTIN
No.

CINDY
Polly gets cast as Mary. Cries all
the way through the rehearsals,
cries all the way through the
performance. She thought... Mary
meant she was going to playing Mary
Poppins.

MARTIN tips his head back and laughs.

MARTIN
She does love that film.

CINDY
She hated the boy playing Joseph.
Hated the plastic Jesus. She wanted
flying umbrellas and dancing
chimney sweeps.

MARTIN
Thats my girl.

CINDY looks at him, warning.

CINDY
She could be Martin.

MARTIN looks at her, purely sincere.

MARTIN
Im going to try.

CINDY
Youre going to do better than
that.
 113.

And the two look at each other and smile.

162 INT. MAUREENS KITCHEN. DAY 162

MAUREEN is putting left over party food into plastic boxes in

the fridge.

JJ enters, holding plates.

JJ
Where do I...?

MAUREEN
Oh just put them anywhere..

JJ looks for space. MAUREEEN speaks very softly.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
I looked him up...

JJ
Who?

MAUREEN
The man who jumped. I cut out an
article on him from the local
paper.

JJ stops trying to put the plates down, he just keeps hold of

them.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
He was called David. He had four
kids and a wife. He was in debt.
Hed made some wrong decisions.

JJs face curls with unhappiness.

JJ
OK. Good to - know.

MAUREEN hesitates.

MAUREEN
Its not about anyone having a good
reason or a bad reason. Im not a
well-read woman and even I know
that.

MAUREEN reaches out to touch JJ, but doesnt.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
The things I heard you say -

JJ says nothing.
 114.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
I think youre probably quite
complicated JJ - I think, of all of
us - you may need to see someone
professional and get some
medication -

JJ thinks. A tear drips down his nose.

JJ
I know. Im - going to.

MAUREEN
But maybe theres bits - me,
them.... can help with. Put the
plates down love.

JJ finally puts his plates down beside her. He wipes the tear
away with a quick movement of his elbow.

JJ
OK.

MAUREEN looks out of her kitchen window and then starts

filling the washing up bowl with water. This makes her
nervous.

MAUREEN
Just little things...stop me being
lonely, stop you being lonely...we
could meet every now and again -
some honest conversations - maybe
the four of us, maybe just the two -
nothing dramatic - you can tell me
about your day and I can tell you
about mine. Sometimes.

JJ
Um. OK...

MAUREEN
Im not saying youre not popular -
youve far more friends than me
certainly.

She doesnt look at him - shes embarrassed.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Well, it was just an idea.

MAUREEN squeezes in the washing up liquid. JJ stares at her.

JJ
Maureen. Will you tell me about
your day?

A large smile spreads across MAUREENs face, so pleased JJ is

engaging with her.
 115.

MAUREEN
Actually, today was quite exciting,
I think Ive got a job.

JJ
A job?

MAUREEN
Pass the cutlery. I like to do the
cutlery first...

JJ does. Sorting it and handing it to her.

MAUREEN (CONTD)
Not a good job. Just in a shop, but
a job, Keith thinks itll be good
for me and Matty to spend some time
apart - make us value our time
together or...

JJ
Whos Keith?

MAUREEN blushes.

MAUREEN
Well, thats something as well.

163 INT. POST OFFICE. DAY 163

MAUREEN is standing behind the counter on a step ladder

carefully stacking cigarettes.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
I read this piece in Readers
Digest once - true story about a
man who survived the jump off the
golden gate bridge and he said that
in just that second when he let go
of the bridges side he realised
that all his problems -

DR STEPHENS comes into the back of the shot.

DR STEPHENS
Maureen...

MAUREEN drops all the cigarettes and almost falls off the
ladder.

MAUREEN
Oh - Keith -

They both laugh.

 116.

MAUREEN (V.O.)
- could be resolved - apart from
the one hed just given himself by
diving off the bridge...

164 INT. MARTINS LIVING ROOM. DAY 164

MARTIN is sitting on the floor playing monopoly with his two

daughters, POLLY and MAISIE.

MAISIE makes a move thats not within the rules of monopoly.

MARTIN starts to argue with her and gets out the rules.
MAISIE starts to cry. MARTIN starts to try to comfort her.
Then decides rationality would be better.

MARTIN
Maisie. How does crying help? Were
just trying to obey some rules
here. Rules are good.

MAISIE cries harder.

165 EXT. CANAL BANK. DAY 165

JJ is pushing MATTY along a beautiful Thames canal bank.

JESS (V.O.)
But that man isnt any kind of role
model. Nor is George Bailey from
Its A Wonderful Life either by the
way. My Dad made us watch it. He
was hoping for inspiration. But
have I saved towns from bankruptcy?
Rescued brothers from freezing
water? Na-huh. I mean, who the fuck
has that kind of life?

JESS hurries along the canal bank and catches him up. Shes
got hot dogs for them both. She puts ketchup on his nose, he
puts ketchup on hers, she grabs his hotdog and throws it in
the Thames. And hes quite shocked. And then they both laugh.

JJ
I really fancied a hot dog too...

JESS
Well, youre not sharing mine..

And she runs away from him shrieking along the canal bank.

166 EXT. PARLIAMENT HILL. HAMPSTEAD HEATH. DAY 166

JJ, MARTIN, JESS and MAUREEN sit together on Parliament Hill.

MAUREEN has a coffee cup and a thermos, MARTIN, JJ and JESS
are drinking lager from cans.
 117.

JJ (V.O.)
The point is were not George
Bailey, or any man - or woman -
like him. And our problems cant be
solved as that man on the Golden
Gate bridge thinks they should be.
Because, you know, were - more -
screwed-up than that. Right?

The sun is shining and there are many others doing the same
thing around them. Its a kite-flying, strolling, sitting,
romantically-inclined sort of day.

MARTIN
She likes to list my flaws, one
after the other and her boyfriend
hates me, and....

MAUREEN
Keith said he thought she smiled at
you - in a way that was most -

MARTIN
Keith sees wine in water.

JESS
Maureen. No offence. I still cant
get used to the idea of you being
romantically attached to a man
called Keith.

MARTIN laughs, turns to JJ.

MARTIN
Like I said, good luck with
that...

JESS
Him good luck? What about me good
luck? Have you met him? Hes
mental. Officially.

MAUREEN is counting numbers on the hill.

MAUREEN
You know, statistically, at least
one person on this hill will at
some point in his life kill
themselves...

MARTIN
Nice.

MAUREEN
It was in Keiths book, we looked
it up. Suicide statistics.
 118.

JESS
Ooooh. Can I guess who the
suicidalist is...?

MARTIN
No, you cannot.

JESS
I say that guy...

She points to a bearded guy sitting on his coat. Who looks

surprised to be pointed at.

MARTIN
Jess...

MAUREEN
I think the girl with the dog.

There is a woman standing unhappily with her dog. The other

three look at MAUREEN, outraged shes just made such a
judgement.

MARTIN
Maureen!

MAUREEN
What? Its all part of lifes rich
pattern...

JESS
Sos shitting...but no-one waxes on
about that...

MARTIN
Yeah. I am eating cake.

JESS
Go on JJ, pick a suicidalist...

JJ
No.

JESS
Go on. Youre supposed to be
falling in love with me, youve got
to do what I say.

JJ
Im not falling in love with you.

JJ raises an eyebrow at JESS, takes out his pills from his

pocket, and takes one. JESS laughs.

JESS
Hes taking a mad pill. Hes making
a statement.
 119.

MARTIN
Ill tell you now, Im never
picking a suicidalist.

JESS
Youll do what youre told Martin.
You all will. Now sit back and hold
tight.

The camera pulls back - and watches our four chatting and
laughing and being. Four people sort of together. Sort of
friends.

MARTIN (V.O.)
I used to have a question I asked -
on the TV sofa to whoever was the
sob story of the week. What did
you learn from that? What did you
learn from your cancer, your
mothers death, or your battles
with alcoholism?

167 EXT. LONDON. DAY 167

And then the camera pulls back even further and were
travelling over London...

MARTIN (V.O.)
Id offer a tissue, get a great
answer and win a daytime TV award.
Well, the truth is, Ive learnt
nothing from these past three
months.

...The whole of London. Amongst it, Toppers Tower, which the

camera stops at for a second, but then continues on.

MARTIN (V.O.) (CONTD)

Or maybe Ive learnt - everything.
Thats the thing isnt it? Simple?
None of this is simple.

CREDITS.