FADE IN:
EXT. BIRMINGHAM - DAY
Rows of council houses, tower blocks, graffiti covered walls,
urban decay.
EXT. PRISON - DAY
Establishing shot.
INT. PRISON KITCHEN - DAY
DAN DARC (35), the centre of organised chaos, tastes the
Navarin of Lamb bubbling away on the stove. Its guardian,
TWEEDY, mid-thirties with limited intelligence and 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
(under his breath)
It's alright for you, you don't
have to share a cell with him.
INT. PRISON, C BLOCK - DAY
Dan walks towards his cell and enters.
INT. PRISON, DAN'S CELL - CONTINUOUS
GUY, late fifties, occupies the top bunk reading the latest
issue of Catering Magazine.
Dan enters and throws himself on the bottom bunk.
GUY
(mild French accent)
The lamb did not have enough
garlic.
DAN
Tweedy was worried about losing his
nasal hairs again.
Beat.
GUY
For a man due to be released
tomorrow you do not seem too
enthusiastic.
(no answer)
Are you sure you would not prefer
Rosamond to meet you at the gates?
DAN
No, it's OK.
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 Rosamond
and she will drive to collect you.
Dan isn't listening. His attention is focused on a small
selection of photos pinned to the wall, most of which were
taken sixteen years ago.
There are people in these photos we will recognise later;
CATHERINE, MICK CHARLES, LIZ, GARY KNIGHT with a BABY EMMA, a
TEENAGE EMMA in a school photo, and RICHARD and ROSE DARC
EXT. PRISON, FRONT GATE - DAY
The GATE opens and Dan exits carrying his worldly possessions
in a black bin-liner. The door locks behind him.
He stands alone and uncertain.
EXT. LARDER STREET - DAY
Dan loiters at the end of the road, clutching the bin-liner
to his chest. This is a big moment for him. He takes a
hesitant step into the street before continuing to NUMBER 21.
He pauses. It's now or never.
RINGS the DOOR BELL.
ROSE DARC, mid-sixties, answers. It takes her a second to
register Dan before she launches herself at him, a ferocious
attack.
ROSE
(screaming)
Murderer! Murderer!
Defending himself Dan's bin-liner is ripped from his grasp
and his possessions scatter over the pavement.
ROSE (CONT'D)
You murderer! Murderer!
Rose's screams attract the attention of NEIGHBOURS, who lean
out of doors and windows to get a better view.
ROSE (CONT'D)
You took my baby boy! My BABY!!
RICHARD DARC (66) rushes out of the house and drags an
hysterical Rose off of Dan, drawing her into his arms and the
shelter of the doorway.
RICHARD
(to Rose)
Go inside, I'll be along in a
minute, love.
ROSE
(sobbing)
My baby.
RICHARD
Please.
Rose obeys. Richard turns and 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 look on.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
On the sofa is CATHERINE CHARLES (34), a home pregnancy test
on her lap. She checks the time and then the test. It's
blue. She smiles. The smile fades as she looks over at a
photo of her husband, MICK, sat atop the TV.
EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY
Dan, sat against a tree, stares intently at a grave in front
of him.
POV: GRAVE. IT READS, "ROBERT DARC, BELOVED SON, FOREVER
REMEMBERED 1973-1989."
LIZ KNIGHT (31) approaches and drops down beside Dan.
LIZ
You should've let me meet you.
DAN
I wanted... needed to do something
first.
LIZ
You've been home?
DAN
It doesn't exist any more, Liz.
LIZ
No, I suppose it doesn't, not for
you at least.
(off Dan's look)
Sorry. You still haven't told me
where you're going to stay?
(no answer)
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.
DAN (CONT'D)
How did you know where to find me?
Ruffles his hair and laughs.
LIZ
I know you better than you know
yourself. So that's a yes then?
Dan, a smile.
LIZ (CONT'D)
Good. Come on, I don't like being
here.
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 two TEENAGE BOYS in school uniform.
Mick shows them a bag of fifteen pills.
MICK
Good stuff. Tried them myself.
TEENAGE BOY#1
How much?
MICK
Fiver each.
The Boy looks at his mate who nods.
TEENAGE BOY#1
Two.
MICK
Don't waste my time, boys. The bag
or no deal.
TEENAGE BOY#1
The whole bag? What am I going to
do with that many?
MICK
(sarcastic)
Well here's a thought, how about
you sell them on to your mates at a
profit?
Mick stares unmoved. The Boy's friend nudges him.
TEENAGE BOY#1
Forty?
MICK
I knew I shouldn't deal with kids,
no money in it.
Mick turns, walking away.
TEENAGE BOY#1
Fifty's all I've got.
MICK
You lads drive a hard bargain. I
suppose that'll have to do.
Mick takes the money and hands over the pills. The Boys
hurriedly leave. Mick smiles to himself, as he pockets the
cash.
EXT. PLAYGROUND - MOMENTS LATER
The two Teenagers on the swings, bag of pills in hand.
Teenage Boy#1 pops one, spitting it out moments later.
TEENAGE BOY#1
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.
GARY
...you didn't even consult me.
LIZ
I didn't think I needed to.
GARY
Well you did. You planned it like
this, didn't you?
LIZ
I didn't plan anything.
GARY
Don't try that one with me, I know
you too well. You knew, probably
for months, that he was being
released but you never said a
thing.
LIZ
We've talked about it, Gary.
GARY
Over a year ago and I made my
feelings plain then. What was the
plan, wait until he arrived then I
would have no other choice than to
let him stay?
LIZ
Don't be like this, he's my
brother. He's got no one else to
turn to.
GARY
What about Emma?
LIZ
What about her?
GARY
Have you at least thought how
having a murderer under our roof is
going to effect her?
LIZ
He's not a murderer.
GARY
The courts decided otherwise... but
you know different, don't you?
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - SAME TIME
Dan sits at the kitchen table listening to the conversation.
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.
EMMA
Hello.
DAN
Hi.
EMMA
(sitting at the table)
Who are you?
DAN
Dan.
GARY (O.S.)
Absolutely not.
LIZ (O.S.)
Please, Gary? Give him a chance.
EMMA
That about you?
A nod.
EMMA (CONT'D)
Are you... Uncle Dan?
DAN
Yes.
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 OOV.
Liz enters.
LIZ
(to Emma, as if nothing's
happened)
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
Liz, I can't stay here.
LIZ
(sitting next to him)
Nonsense.
DAN
Liz, don't.
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.
DAN
It's not enough of a reason to
stay. I need to move on and make a
fresh start. Today's already
proved that.
LIZ
I want you here.
DAN
But Gary doesn't.
LIZ
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 stay. I need
to find my own way.
LIZ
I can help you do that.
DAN
I have --
LIZ
(interrupting)
A week? Now, how about that tea?
Liz flips the kettle on.
LIZ (CONT'D)
How many sugars do you take?
DAN
Two.
CUT TO:
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, STAIRS - SAME TIME
Emma listens on the stairs.
She smiles to herself and climbs to her room.
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, BOX ROOM - NIGHT
Dan sits on the bed looking around the room. It's smaller
than his cell with barely enough room for the bed let alone
any of Dan's stuff.
INT. LIZ'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - MORNING
Dan eats. Liz cooks.
Emma enters.
EMMA
Still here then? Mmm, bacon.
Grabs a piece off of Dan's plate.
LIZ
What happened to being a veggie?
EMMA
It's vegetarian and the bacon was
only a taster. Where's Dad?
LIZ
In the shower.
Emma positions herself opposite Dan, staring at him. Dan's
getting uncomfortable under this close scrutiny.
EMMA
(to Dan)
What's prison like?
LIZ
Leave Dan to eat his breakfast in
peace. Homework done?
EMMA
Yeah.
DAN
You didn't need any help then?
LIZ
She never needed any help. She's a
maths genius, is Emma.
EMMA
That's Mum's way of saying I'm a
swat. Is it true they shut you in
your cell for twenty hours a day?
LIZ
Emma!
EMMA
I'm just curious.
LIZ
Time for school.
EMMA
But I haven't had my breakfast.
LIZ
(handing her £5)
You can get something on your way.
EMMA
I'm a little hungrier than that.
LIZ
Well that's all you're getting.
Off you go.
EMMA
(to Dan)
Guess I'll see you later.
Emma exits.
DAN
I didn't mind answering her
questions.
LIZ
If you'd answered one, you'd have
been there all day. She's too nosy
by half that one.
Gary enters.
GARY
(to Liz, still angry)
I'm off.
LIZ
Don't you want any breakfast?
GARY
No time.
Makes to exit.
LIZ
(pleading)
Gary?
He stops.
GARY
Do you have any work sorted, Dan?
A job?
(no answer)
I might have something I could put
your way. Put a few quid in your
pocket.
(as an after thought)
A temporary thing of course.
Ignores the look from Liz.
DAN
Thank you.
GARY
Come to the office about noon.
LIZ
(kissing Gary)
Thank you.
Gary exits.
DAN
I wish you wouldn't keep doing...
LIZ
Doing what?
DAN
Trying to arrange me into your neat
little life.
LIZ
I thought we settled this last
night?
DAN
I've had a lot of time to think
inside, to think about what I'd
done.
LIZ
(shocked)
You don't regret it... do you?
DAN
No! Never! It's just... Every
day I mixed with murders, habitual
criminals, finally locked away
after a long life of crime. Most
had been inside before, been
released and found themselves back
on the street and back into their
old habits. Those who did try and
change eventually gave in and went
back to a life of crime. It
couldn't be avoided you see. Then
there's the younger ones. Barely
shaving and into their second or
third stretch, resigned to a life
of petty crime and time behind
bars. I figured it out you know.
It took me a while but I finally
understood, something all those
others were unable, or unwilling,
to do. You can't go back to the
area, town, city you came from and
escape that life. A place
remembers who you are and the
crimes you've done, you go back and
it'll remind you who you are with
every street, every house, every
person. You might be able to avoid
it for a while but one day you'll
walk around a corner and there
it'll be ready to bring you down
again. I'm not going back inside.
I can't, won't, be like them.
LIZ
You're not.
DAN
Am I, Liz? Or am I worse?
LIZ
Don't be silly, you're just a
little unsure of yourself that's
all. It's bound to be a little
disorientating until you get back
into a routine. You'll soon find
your feet.
DAN
I have to go so I don't get sucked
back in, Liz.
LIZ
You won't be. I'm here for you and
I won't let that happen. I know
you better than anyone. I know the
kind of man you are and you're
stronger than you give yourself
credit for. You're out and you'll
stay that way.
DAN
I really wish I could believe you.
LIZ
Then do so. I'm right on this you
just need to trust me. You do
trust me, don't you?
DAN
Of course.
LIZ
Good, then that's settled.
EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - DAY
Emma is sat on a grass verge talking to her best friend,
CLAIRE.
CLAIRE
Does he have any tattoos?
EMMA
I don't know.
CLAIRE
(suggestive)
You must have bumped into him
coming out of the bathroom.
EMMA
(horror)
Claire..!
CLAIRE
Oh come on, you must have looked.
EMMA
He's my uncle.
CLAIRE
So?
JADE, the school bitch, accompanied by a couple of her posse,
BECKY and LINDSEY, saunters up to Emma.
JADE
(demanding)
What's this about a murderer living
with you?
EMMA
(quietly)
He's not a murderer.
JADE
What was he in prison for then?
EMMA
What's it got to do with you?
JADE
(turning to her friends)
Told you she was making it up.
CLAIRE
No she's not.
EMMA
(indignant)
Claire!
JADE
Whatever. You'll do anything to
get yourself noticed. You're so
pathetic. You're never going to be
anything more than a lonely,
teacher's pet.
(to her friends)
Come on, I'm bored.
Jade and company 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 don't... I just...
EMMA
What?
CLAIRE
Nothing.
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