FADE IN:
EXT. BIRMINGHAM - DAY
Rows of council houses, tower blocks, graffiti covered walls,
urban decay. A place you're born, not a place you move to out
of choice.
EXT. PRISON - DAY
A grey, bleak building, as foreboding as its surroundings.
INT. PRISON KITCHEN - DAY
DAN DARC (35), the lord of organised chaos, tastes the Navarin
of Lamb bubbling away on the stove. Its guardian, TWEEDY, mid
thirties with limited intelligence, covered in tattoos, looks on
expectantly.
DAN
You left the garlic out, Tweedy.
TWEEDY
Don't like it.
DAN
It adds to the taste.
TWEEDY
And makes Corky's farts stink.
DAN
All farts stink. Add a couple of
cloves.
Dan continues his tour of the kitchen. Tweedy mumbles under his
breath.
TWEEDY
It's alright for you, you don't have
to share a cell with him.
INT. PRISON, C BLOCK - DAY
Dan, busy with his thoughts, ambles to his cell.
INT. PRISON, DAN'S CELL - CONTINUOUS
GUY (58) reclines on the top bunk engrossed in the latest issue
of Catering Magazine.
Dan enters, throws himself on the bottom bunk. Guy's eyes never
leave his magazine.
GUY
(mild French accent)
The lamb did not have enough garlic.
DAN
Tweedy was worried about losing his
nasal hairs again.
Dan props himself up on one elbow, stares at the photos on the
wall next to him.
GUY
For a man due to be released tomorrow
you do not seem too enthusiastic.
Dan scans the photos, apprehensive about his imminent release.
GUY (CONT'D)
Are you sure you would not prefer
Rosamond to meet you at the gates?
DAN
No.
GUY
It is no trouble?
DAN
Thank you, Guy, but there's something
I need to do first.
GUY
Oui, oui, je comprend. When you are
ready just telephone and Rosamond will
drive to collect you.
Dan doesn't answer, his attention fixed on the photos, most of
which are sixteen years old.
There are people in these photos we will recognise later; a
young CATHERINE hugging a younger Dan, a young MICK CHARLES, a
photo of LIZ, GARY KNIGHT with BABY EMMA a week after she was
born, TEENAGE EMMA in a school uniform, and an old, creased
photo of RICHARD and ROSE DARC.
The end of the last picture has been torn off. A disembodied
arm resting on Rose's shoulder, evidence there was originally a
third person in this picture.
EXT. PRISON, FRONT GATE - DAY
The gate opens. Dan exits, his worldly possessions in a black
bin-liner by his side. The door slams shut behind him, making
him jump.
Dan stands alone, looks both ways, uncertain. Where to now?
EXT. LARDER STREET - DAY
Dan loiters at the end of the road, hugs the bin-liner to his
chest in a feeble attempt at comfort. A big moment for him. He
takes a hesitant step into the street and continues to number
21.
He pauses, steels himself. Now or never.
He rings the door bell.
ROSE DARC (63) answers. She should recognise him, struggles to
make the connection. Then it clicks. Rose launches herself at
Dan in a ferocious attack, fists swinging wildly, spittle
flying.
ROSE
(screaming)
Murderer! Murderer!
Dan blocks her blows. The bin-liner, ripped from his grasp,
scatters his possessions over the pavement.
ROSE (CONT'D)
You murderer! Murderer!
Rose's screams attract the unwanted attention of NEIGHBOURS, who
lean out of doors and windows to get a better view, goggled eyed
amusement at the commotion.
ROSE (CONT'D)
You took my baby boy. My BABY!
RICHARD DARC (66) rushes out of the house and drags an
hysterical Rose off Dan. He draws her into his arms and the
shelter of the doorway, calms and soothes her.
RICHARD
(to Rose)
Go inside, I'll be along in a minute,
love.
Rose whimpers, calmer now, withdrawn into herself.
ROSE
My baby.
RICHARD
Please?
Rose, tears streaming down her face, shaking uncontrollably,
obeys. Richard turns, confronts Dan.
DAN
I'm sorry.
RICHARD
We don't want your apologies.
DAN
I --
RICHARD
What?
DAN
I thought --
RICHARD
That's your trouble, you didn't think.
This family and this door are closed
to you forever.
Richard slowly, but firmly, closes the door.
Dan gathers his belongings. The Neighbours withdraw, their
entertainment over.
INT. TOWER BLOCK, TENTH FLOOR FLAT, LIVING ROOM - DAY
CATHERINE CHARLES (34) sits on the sofa a home pregnancy test on
her lap. She checks the time, then the test. Two red lines.
She smiles.
She looks at a photo of her husband, MICK, sat atop the TV. Her
smile fades to be replaced by worry.
EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY
Dan, sat against a tree, stares intently at the grave in front
of him.
POV: GRAVE. IT READS, "ROBERT DARC, BELOVED SON, FOREVER
REMEMBERED 1973-1989."
LIZ KNIGHT (31) approaches. She stops a few feet from the grave
and stares at it with contempt. Dan notices her approach, but
stays silent.
LIZ
You should've let me meet you.
DAN
I had things I wanted to do.
LIZ
You've been home?
DAN
It doesn't exist any more, Liz.
LIZ
No, I suppose it doesn't.
Liz watches her brother, concerned.
LIZ (CONT'D)
Why did you come here?
Dan shrugs, doesn't know.
LIZ (CONT'D)
You did the right thing, you know
that, don't you?
He looks back at the grave, unsure. Liz sees his uncertainty,
doesn't push it.
LIZ (CONT'D)
You still haven't told me where you're
going to stay? I have a spare room,
until you get on your feet.
DAN
I don't think Gary would be too happy
about that.
LIZ
Let me worry about him. It would be
good for Emma to have you around. And
me too.
DAN
Liz, I only came...
Dan looks into her expectant face, he can't do it to her.
LIZ
So that's a yes then?
Dan forces a smile. Liz shivers, looks away from the grave.
LIZ (CONT'D)
Let's get out of here.
Dan stands, joins Liz. Liz throws her arms around Dan and
kisses him on the cheek.
LIZ (CONT'D)
Welcome home, Dan.
EXT. PARK - DAY
MICK CHARLES (35), from the photo on Catherine's TV, sells pills
to a TEENAGE BOY and his FRIEND.
Mick shows them a bag of fifteen pills.
MICK
Good stuff. Tried them myself.
TEENAGER
How much?
MICK
Fiver each.
The Teenager looks at his mate who nods.
TEENAGER
Two.
MICK
Don't waste my time, boys. The bag or
no deal.
TEENAGER
The whole bag?
Mick unmoved. The Teenager's friend nudges him, eggs him on.
TEENAGER (CONT'D)
Forty?
MICK
I knew I shouldn't deal with kids, no
money in it.
Mick turns, walks away.
TEENAGER
Fifty's all I've got.
Mick stops, smiles to himself unseen.
MICK
You lads drive a hard bargain.
Mick takes the money and hands over the pills. The Teenagers
hurriedly leave. Mick beams as he pockets the cash.
EXT. PLAYGROUND - MOMENTS LATER
The Teenager on a swing, bag of pills in hand. His friend
watches on eagerly.
The Teenager pops one, spits it out moments later.
TEENAGER
Mints! The bastard sold us mints.
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - DAY
Liz sits calmly on the sofa while GARY, her husband, stomps
around the room, all fury.
GARY
You knew, probably for months, that he
was being released and you never said
a thing.
LIZ
We've talked about it, Gary.
GARY
Over a year ago and I made my feelings
clear then.
LIZ
Don't be like this, he's my brother.
He's got no one else to turn to.
GARY
What about Emma? Have you at least
thought what effect having a murderer
under our roof will have on her?
LIZ
He's not a murderer.
GARY
(accusing)
The courts decided otherwise, but you
know different, don't you?
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - SAME TIME
Dan sits at the kitchen table, listens to the conversation, a
guilty invader of their family home.
GARY (O.S.)
You asked me never to press the issue
and I never have, but what you're
asking, having him here...
LIZ (O.S.)
He doesn't have anywhere else to go.
EMMA KNIGHT (15) enters the back door, sees Dan.
EMMA
Hello.
Dan recognises her, his discomfort increasing.
DAN
Hi.
Emma sits at the table, curiosity eating her up.
EMMA
Who are you?
DAN
Dan.
GARY (O.S.)
Absolutely not.
LIZ (O.S.)
Please, Gary? Give him a chance.
EMMA
Are you Uncle Dan?
DAN
I suppose.
EMMA
You either are or you aren't?
Dan smiles, he likes her.
DAN
I am.
EMMA
Bonus. I wouldn't worry about it,
they're always like this. Dad likes
to shout now and again, usually when
Mum's about to get her own way and
he's just found out about it. Give
them a couple of hours and things will
be back to normal.
GARY (O.S.)
There's not a chance in Hell so forget
it.
A door SLAMS O.S.
Liz enters, acts like nothing has happened.
LIZ
(to Emma)
Have a good day, baby?
EMMA
(sarcastic)
Double maths is always a good day.
LIZ
You must have some homework to do
then.
EMMA
(to herself)
Exit the child.
(to Dan)
I don't suppose you're any good at
maths.
DAN
Not my strongest subject.
EMMA
Looks like I'll have to cope on my own
then.
Emma exits.
LIZ
Tea?
DAN
I can't stay, Liz.
LIZ
I won't have you staying in a grotty
little bedsit, not while there's a
spare bed here.
DAN
I'm only going to get in the way.
LIZ
This is your home.
DAN
I haven't had a home in sixteen years.
LIZ
All the more reason to stay. Give it
a week, that's all I ask. You'll see.
DAN
I appreciate what you're trying to do,
Liz, but I can't.
LIZ
A week? How about that tea?
Liz flips the kettle on. A sudden thought.
LIZ (CONT'D)
How many sugars do you take?
DAN
Two.
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, BOX ROOM - NIGHT
Dan sits on the bed, sizes up the room. Smaller than his cell
he barely has enough room for the bed let alone his stuff.
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - MORNING
Dan eats. Liz cooks.
Gary enters, grinds his teeth, ignores Dan.
GARY
(to Liz)
I'm off.
LIZ
Don't you want any breakfast?
GARY
No time. Emma gone?
LIZ
Ten minutes ago.
Gary turns to exit.
LIZ (CONT'D)
Gary?
Gary glares at his wife, hates her for making him do this.
GARY
Dan, I've got a job you could...
assist me with, put a few quid in your
pocket. Temporary thing of course.
Gary ignores the look from Liz. Dan embarrassed.
GARY (CONT'D)
Come to the office around midday.
Liz kisses Gary, grateful.
Gary shrugs her off and exits.
EXT. LIZ'S HOUSE, BACK GARDEN - DAY
Dan, eyes closed, breathes in deeply. Laughs at himself.
LIZ (O.S.)
What's so funny?
Liz wanders up, stands beside him.
DAN
Free air smells different.
LIZ
That'll be the carbon monoxide.
DAN
You shouldn't have done that.
LIZ
Done what?
DAN
Gary.
LIZ
Gary needs help locating someone and
you need a job. That's all there is
to it.
DAN
I had a lot of time to think inside,
about what I've done, what I did.
LIZ
(shocked)
You don't regret it, do you?
DAN
No! I just --
LIZ
You've got a new start, a new job, you
should be happy.
DAN
Should I?
LIZ
Dan, I love you. You can't expect me
to just sit by and not help you get
settled? Don't you trust me?
DAN
You're the only one I can trust.
LIZ
Good, then that's settled.
INT. GARY'S CAR - DAY
Dan and Gary, uncomfortable in each others presence.
DAN
Mick Charles?
GARY
Liz said you two were close friends
once.
DAN
I haven't heard from him in years.
GARY
I've been retained to find him.
Gary locks eyes with Dan, a challenge. Dan doesn't back down.
DAN
I don't intend to stay long, just so
you know.
GARY
Liz trusts you, I don't. You do
anything to harm my family, anything
at all, and you'll have me to answer
to.
DAN
As I said, I won't be here long.
GARY
So how do we find your friend?
EXT. BINGO HALL - DAY
Dan stands and stares at the unfamiliar building, Gary beside
him.
DAN
We used to hang out here, drinking,
playing snooker.
(beat)
How long has it been like this?
GARY
No idea. So your friend likes
snooker? Narrows things down a
little. I'll have another chat with
his wife, see if she might know where
he plays now.
DAN
His wife?
GARY
Catherine.
Dan reacts. Could it be?
DAN
Would you mind if I talked to her?
GARY
Another old friend?
INT. CAFE - DAY
Catherine trudges over to a table to take an order. She doesn't
look up from her pad at the customer.
CATHERINE
What can I get you?
DAN
Hello, Cath.
Catherine looks up, takes a second to recognise Dan, shocked
when she does.
EXT. TOWER BLOCK - DAY
Dan and Catherine sit on a bench, awkward with the close
proximity. In the distance KIDS play football.
CATHERINE
I love him, Dan.
DAN
You loved me too, once.
Dan watches the Kids. A goal.
DAN (CONT'D)
When?
CATHERINE
About a year after you asked me to
stop coming to see you. We married
two years after that.
DAN
How long has he been gone?
CATHERINE
About a month. Mick does this now and
again, but never this long. You were
always there to stop him going too
far. Are you back for good?
DAN
Do you want me to be?
Placing her hand on her belly.
CATHERINE
Mick has responsibilities now.
Dan glances at her belly. Could that be regret? If it is, he
hides it quickly.
DAN
Does he know?
CATHERINE
No.
DAN
I'm sorry.
Catherine struggles to hold her composure.
CATHERINE
Don't.
(beat)
I never believed them you know, the
things they wrote about you in the
papers. Those that matter know what
Bobby was like.
Dan lets it pass.
EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - DAY
Emma sits on a grass verge and talks to her best friend, CLAIRE.
CLAIRE
Does he have any tattoos?
EMMA
I don't know.
CLAIRE
You must have bumped into him coming
out of the bathroom.
EMMA
Claire!
CLAIRE
Oh come on, you must have looked.
EMMA
He's my uncle.
CLAIRE
So?
JADE, all attitude and self importance, accompanied by a couple
of her posse, BECKY and LINDSEY, strut towards them.
CLAIRE (CONT'D)
Shit, Jade.
Jade halts in front of Emma, demands attention. Emma defiant,
Claire submissive.
JADE
What's this about a murderer living
with you?
EMMA
He's not a murderer.
JADE
What was he in prison for then?
EMMA
What's it got to do with you?
Jade laughs, turns to her friends.
JADE
Told you she was making it up.
CLAIRE
No she's not.
EMMA
Claire!
JADE
Whatever. You'll do anything to get
yourself noticed. No wonder you've
only got virgin knickers here as your
only friend. You're so pathetic.
Jade turns to her friends.
JADE (CONT'D)
Come on, I'm bored.
They leave.
EMMA
What did you do that for?
CLAIRE
You should of told her.
EMMA
Why?
CLAIRE
Maybe she would leave you alone.
EMMA
Since when did you care about what
Jade thinks?
CLAIRE
I just --
EMMA
What?
CLAIRE
Nothing.
INT. SNOOKER HALL - DAY
Gary and Dan enter.
GARY
You wait at the bar, I'll have a nose
around.
Gary leaves Dan on his own without a backward glance. Dan heads
for the bar, claims a seat.
BARMAN
What can I get you?
DAN
A lager.
The Barman obeys.
MATTHEW KING (O.S.)
Dan Darc? Now there's a face I
thought I'd never bump into again.
Dan turns. MATTHEW KING, scruffy, shifty, worse for drink, his
leg in plaster, rests on his crutches before him.
The Barman returns with Dan's drink. Matthew thrusts a tenner
at him.
MATTHEW KING (CONT'D)
I'll have the same.
(to Dan)
Matthew King?
Dan struggles to register the name or face.
MATTHEW KING (CONT'D)
I was in your class at school.
DAN
I didn't go to school that often.
MATTHEW KING
No, I guess you didn't.
Matthew collects his beer and change.
Dan looks for Gary, bored with Matthew's company. Gary chats to
two heavily TATTOOED LOCALS at a distant table.
MATTHEW KING (CONT'D)
Not that you have any reason to
remember me, except I thought maybe
you would since you helped me out once
when I was having trouble with your
brother. He always was a nasty
bastard, was Bobby. If you hadn't
have done him someone else would have.
You been out long then?
DAN
Yesterday.
MATTHEW KING
The first days of freedom. It must be
kind of strange seeing how much has
changed and all? Do you remember that
time you and Mick wheeled the
blackboard out of physics class and
into that pond while the teacher was
still writing on it? What was his
name?
DAN
Mr. Southcroft.
MATTHEW KING
That's the one. Mr. Southcroft. What
a twat.
Dan watches Gary move on to another table, then turns his
attention back to Matthew.
DAN
I don't suppose you've seen Mick, have
you?
MATTHEW KING
(reluctant)
What do you want to know for? You're
not mad about Catherine are you?
DAN
No, I've already spoken to her.
MATTHEW KING
OK, so you do know then. I wasn't
sure if you did or not.
DAN
Do you know where I could find him?
MATTHEW KING
I'm not sure it's a good idea, blue.
Dan stares at Matthew waiting for him to continue. Seeing this
Matthew drags him away from the bar into a corner.
He scans the room to check they have privacy before he
continues.
MATTHEW KING (CONT'D)
I don't know exactly where he is at
the moment, just who he's hanging
around with. Big people. Dangerous.
Have you ever heard of Malcolm Price?
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