Scene 1:

(Scullery Movement Piece)

Scullery: Wid’ your night yous chose to come and see us. Wid’ our night as usual we’s
all gettin’ ready and turning out for a drink. THIS IS OUR ROAD! But tonight it’s your
road an’ all! Don’t feel awkward wi’ us, make yourselves at home. You’ll meet “all-sorts”
down here, I’m telling you love. An’ owt can happen tonight. He might get a bird. She
might ha’ a fight, she might. Let’s shove off down t’Road and find out. We’ll go down
house by house. Hold tight! Here we go! Come on. (He beckons the audience around)
Watch the kerb, missis! Road’s coming round us! (He starts laughing, laughing
uproariously)

Scene 2 (A):

Molly: Here’s me in me likkle house, havin’ some tea in between, in between dolling up
for a drink, a drink, a drink. I’m standing by me sink. Here’s likkle me. (The kettle boils.
She puts her hand in her coat cuff and pulls the kettle off. She pours into the cup. She
looks round) No milk, you silly dilk, no sugar, you daft likkle bugger. (She goes back to
the table with the teacup. She looks back, sees something below the sink. She sings)
There’s milk you silly dilk, you looks round, some is found, do a likkle twinkle dance.
(She does a little shuffling dance step as she goes over to it. She picks up the cat’s
saucer and pours a drop in her cup. She puts the saucer down and sits. She starts
again on her make-up. She takes an eyebrow pencil out of the box, and looks in the
mirror) Old eyebrows. (She starts drawing over her eyebrows) Good thing you’re a good
drawer. You can get round the curves wid’ your fancy hands. (She stops, looks up) He
could, that bust-squeezer. He pushed them from the top down this-away. He see’d me
through half the war that man. Stroking, silent, never-speaking. Did he die? (She
reaches out) I can’t see his face. (She hits her temple) I need a new aerial. (She takes a
sip of her tea) Dreamy one, likkle me, doll dream. (She puts powder on) Put’s me in
mind of Kenny, Kenny Howcroft the homo. With his big, white handbag. A sweet ‘un. We
used to drink gin off each other’s fingers down the bar. Naughty nincompoops. (She sips
her tea, crinkles her nose. She starts on her hair, gets a brush and combs a strand up)
Go up hair, up up. Come on now. Go as I say. Curly, curly wurly crackle. My mother
used to do it hundred times before bed. Long, white it was. (Looking out, she goes down
with her hand as though touching it. She puts her hand lightly at her throat, looking out
of a long time. Pause. Still looking, Silence. Still looking, She takes her teacup, sips)
Tea’s coldish.

Scene 2 (B):

Jerry: The name is Jerry, born in 37, that makes me 49 years old, bloody hell how time
flies hey. Speaking about time, I have to say it’s changed a hell of a lot for me, back in
the day I used to have plenty of money and lots of mates, but now I’m skint and alone.
I’ve been alone for quite some time now, every now and then I would say hello, good
morning or afternoon to people who walk by, but they just carry on walking, they treat
me like I’m not even there, like they can’t see ought, some people tell me to do one or
stick the middle finger up at me and there’s been some occasions where people would
pick on me. I bloody love it. You know I do miss me old mates though, there was Pete,
Mickey, Andy, Steve, Cal, Tommy, Ruby, Jean and Angela, we used to have so much
fun together, when I met up with the lads, we used to have a bit of a kickabout down at
the local park, afterwards we would go for a drink and grab a bit of grub, when we met
with the girls, we used to go to pubs and clubs and do a lot of drinking and dancing. I
used to like dancing with Ruby, I had a bit of a thing for her back in the day, I wanted to
ask her you know, but I never did. I was too flaming shy. Shame really, she was a lovely
girl. Me and my mates we all treated each other like family, we stuck by each other
through thick and thin, I just miss em so much. I do wonder how they're all getting on,
they're probably all married, kids, living in lovely homes with plenty of money and that,
they probably have a much better life than me heh. I just can’t get over the past, I just
can’t, one minute I’m happy, I’ve got mates, plenty of money in the pot and now I’m
living in a flaming pig sty, and no one wants to know me and that, I just don’t
understand. You know what I would do though, you know what I would love to do, I
would build a time machine, like the one in back to the future, get myself a DeLorean or
something and go along the road and hit 88 miles per hour and go back in time, when I
was most happy in life.

Scene 2 (C):

Valerie: Oh come on! (fighting with the lighter to get it to spark) bloody thing. AH! 'ere
we are. (she take a long drag of the cigarette and relaxes against the wall) bloody long
days these, day after day we're just stuck in this hell, teaching us how to be a wife, it
don’t matter though two months an' twelve days I turn 16, and the moment I do I'm
leaving, everyone thinks I don’t have plans, but what they don’t know is I'm starting my
new life with my new mans, I suppose wife lessons might come in handy.(Pause) He's
so dreamy you know, he's a tad older than me, but does that really matter? (stares out)
Okay, okay so he's 19 and he's been working for ages now so he's got money. He
actually works quite a bit, he's in construction ya know? Building up all those slums that
were left all gross after the war and stuff, that’s why he's so strong, I mean you’ve got to
be ain't ya. He took me out the other day, I have genuinely never met a man like him.
You'd think right? Cause he's one of those builder types, he'd be all slimy and creepy
but he's such a gentleman, he even gave me his work jacket when I got cold, smelt a bit
funny but it's the thought that counts. He's even started talking about family ya know?
Kids and that. He's not like these other men (Pause) he's different. (Pause. She looks
around suspiciously) Can you ere dat? (she stops to look around the wall) Shit! (She
drops the cigarette on the ground and puts it out with her foot) It's the head, I've already
had three warnings about smoking behind here, I'm dead if she gets her bony hands on
me, I have to go. (she picks up her school bag and runs off stage)

Scene 3

Marion: (pushing him away) No, I want a bitty first.

Brian: (indicating the kitchen) Well there’s some bloody luncheon meat in there.
Marion: Bloody hell. Bloody hell eh, can’t even mak’ us summat eat now. (She
screams) I cut me bleeding thumb. (Brian inspects it and hurts her)

Brian: How my likkle love.

Marion: Thumb.

Brian: Naughty thumb.

Marion: It’s sore.

Brian: Awwwwww. Cum here (He holds her, kisses her, catches her thumb.)

Marion: Owwww. Get off! (She pushes him off. He lies back on the couch. She does
also Give us a swig) Eh eh, I’m not finished yet.

Brian: You don’t think you’re having all me drink and not giving us a shag do you?

Marion: (snatches the bottle) I don’t tease a man me. No way. I wouldn’t give you a jack
on and then leave you. Come on Brian you know me better than that. (She swigs it) Get
us a glass anyroad. Where’s your manners?

Brian: Ha ha. Ay.

Marion: Where’s your daughter? Put a record on (Brian puts a country and western
record on very loud) Hey hey.

(Linda enters)

Linda: I can’t sleep for all t’noise, Dad.

Marion: Is this her Brian? Well, she’s bloody gorgeous, bloody gorgeous, her.

Brian: Ay, she’s a good ‘un.

Marion: Come here, love. Lovely. What’s up cock? Oh that’s mine, off here. (Shows
thumb) The pig did it, him. (Slaps him playfully) Not making me nowt to eat. Come and
sit down here love. Me neck’s going. Hold on. (Grabs a tissue from her bag, pulls out a
tissue, spits on it and wipes her face) There you are cock. Eh don’t be scared. Eh. (Puts
arm around her) Brian turn that bleeding music down or off or sommat for me an’ her.
We don’t like it loud do we. Eh not.

Brian: Come on upstairs.

Marion: Hold your horses. We’re talking here. What do you want to be when you grow
up love? Well whatever it is love, stick at it and you’ll get there.

Brian: Come on now.

Marion: Who’s your favourite pin-up star, love? Do you like them Agadoo? (He pokes
her) Eh! Men.

Brian: Come on. Marion – Hang on. No. Aw love, Aw. Cheer up cock. Here you. Put
fucking Agadoo on for her.

Brian: I’m going.

Marion: Hey hang on. Miserable swine he is. Hey come back.

Linda: POOR LITTLE ME!

(Linda exits)

Marion: Come here you!

Brian: Aw piss off!

Marion: Whats the fucking big idea?!

Brian: Aw fuck off woman!

Marion: I’ll fuck nowhere. You stand still!

Brian: Go off with your little friend.

Marion: Oh you nasty minded bugger! You’re a selfish bastard you, Brian. Me myself
and I! Me myself and I.

Brian: Aw fuck off.

Marion: You know what your pissing problem is don’t you eh?

Brian: What?

Marion: You don’t know how to treat a woman.

Brian: You know what your pissing problem is don’t you?

Marion: What!

Brian: You’re not woman, you’re tart.

Marion: FART!

Brian: TART!

Marion: Arrrrrgh! (Brian tries to exit) Eh come back you! I’m not finished with you!

Brian: Away woman!

Marion: No way!

Brian: Piss off out of it!

Marion: No way! No way! You lousy dick! Stop still! STOP STILL! STOP!

Brian: Are you fucking mental altogether?

Marion: You will be if I fucking clouts ya!

Brian: Silly cow!

Marion: What was that? What was fucking that! HOLD STILL YOU, YOU BASTARD! I’ll
kill you, Brian. I’ll kill! I’m not joking. (Swings her bag at him) Prick!

Brian: What a state to be in.

Marion: You what! This is your counting fault all this! Get here now!

Brian: Get home cow!

Marion: Never, you cunt!

Brian: Get home!

Marion: BRIAN! BRIAN! THE BASTARD BLEEDING FUCK!

Scene 4

(Louise Movement Piece)

(Louise sits at the edge of a bed with a guy asleep behind her. She is half naked &
covered on a blanket. She sits in silence for a moment, totally out of it, looking at
nothing in thought. She recoils from a headache also seeming to remember what
happened last night)

Louise: (In pain) Ugghhh...Ha, totally passed out after a few drinks; God, he’s pathetic.
No, I don’t mean that. He’s just- not for me- more Carol's type. (She laughs slightly) The
thought of us doing anything makes me sick. (She looks back at the boy & sits back up
on the bed with her head in her hands and realises what happened last night. She
gathers herself and starts frantically dressing herself) It was only meant to be one last
drink. One last drink and that’s would be the end of us. Of me and him. But we had
another. Then another. And another. I don’t remember starting anything. I wouldn’t have
started anything. I wouldn’t have. (Quieter) I wouldn’t have. This feeling- I hate it. It’s like
dread wrapped in a little brown bow of regret. I wanna chuck up all I’ve got but I’ve got
nothing. (Pause. She sinks down to sit with her back learning on the side of the bed)
Here comes that sinking in my stomach, clammy hands, shaky fingers and I can’t
breathe and I’m drowning and I can’t do this again. I can’t. It hurts. Everything hurts. My
heart is beating so fast it feels like it might explode. The sound cuts off. I can scream for
all I’ve got but nothing will carry- all I can hear is this sharp ringing- cutting- piercing
through this broken brain full of useless thoughts of her future, her family, her stupid
fucking life. Last night seems like nothing more than a page in the book of Louise; a
turbulent tale of fear and failure. “Worthless” - The Guardian.
Scene 5

Carol: It’s funny, no it's really funny, because I don’t ever remember you being there for
me, well not as much as you should've been anyway. Me and Louise have had to fight
for everything we got and what do we have to show for it. NOTHING. You think it's so
easy being us. I actually think that the long line of men that you brought home each
night were more of a family to me than you ever were. I mean think about that, a
complete stranger taking you to school because your mums too hungover to even care
about where her own daughter is. I can't remember the last time you... spoke to me in a
way that made me feel loved. I can't Remember the last time you spoke to me like you
gave a shit about me. Well, all that’s in the past now, isn't it? Suddenly it's all rainbows
and unicorns. Because you want MY money. Do you know what, that first time, when
you beat me half senseless, because you thought I didn’t deserve to have a better life
than ya, I hoped that that would be the last time, but it wasn’t, was it? No, no. No, you
don’t get to sit there... you don’t have the right. I knew this was gonna happen, cuss
look at ya, you’re pathetic. So, no. Sit back in your chair and drink yourself into an early
grave. And actually, do me a favour, light a match and take this whole place down with
you, because I'm never coming back. I’m done.

Scene 6

(The Professor, twenty-five years younger, enters onstage carrying a tape recorder and
bag)

Professor: (To different members of the audience throughout) Excuse me, could you
tell me how this thing works? I just bought it along with these tapes, cost me 10
sovereigns, which is a lot. I mean I used to be good at mechanics and engineering in
me young years, but I’m quite rusty. Me name’s Joseph by the way, live with me family
down Rawstorne Street. We’ve lived here in Blackburn for around 10 years now. It was
me parents’ idea to come up here from home in Sheffield, an’ all because they wanted
more jobs. Only to end up working in the only industry that most people did in this place:
textiles. Me parents’ struggled since their mill closed in 1959. I was never interested in
cloth and don’t think they were either. What I’m interested in like... Well, thing is I’ve this
bloody interest in being nosy and trying things me. More interesting than finding a job
cause there aren’t any. Said that I bought this recorder didn’t I? (Lowers voice) Can you
keep a secret? Well, I nicked it actually. (Holds tape recorder close, suddenly alarmed)
Please don’t tell anyone! It's just money’s so blimmin’ hard to grasp these days and like
I said, I could try a few things with this thing. I could ask some people about stuff like
those reporters do. Like how people enjoy living here and children playing, learn more
about this “road”. (He looks inside his bag to find only one cassette tape) And I might
need to get more tapes somehow, but I’d better get home, that shopkeeper may notice
somethings not right and me wife will be wondering where I’ve been. Ta ta! (He runs
offstage)

Scene 7

(Skinlad Movement Piece)

Scene 8

Claire: Oh, Joe I want to understand. Are we protesting?

Joey: No, we’re Just...

Claire: Eh?

Joey: Seeing what will take place in our heads.

Claire: But we might die.

Joey: We might not. We might have some secret revealed to us.

Claire: Oh Joe.

Mother’s Voice: (From outside) Your mums on the phone. She’s worried, when are you
going home? (No reply) Clare.

Claire: Tell her I'm on an adventure and to not worry!

Joey: (Pleased) Oh Yes

Mother’s Voice: (offstage) Oh Clare. Oh. (Sound of her going downstairs)

Claire: I’ve never been so happy as the day we met you know.

Joey: Go on. It was good though wun’t it. I remember you pulled your t-shirt down a bit
to show me your tan.

Claire: Oh yeah I did.

Joey: You were a right flirt then wun’t you?

Claire: No! That was the first time I'd ever down owt so brave. Joe, I’m getting hungry.
(Pause) Joe.

Joey: Go!

Claire: No, Joe. No.

Joey: Get out!

Claire: No.

Joey: Well don’t start, then. (Pause)

Claire: Why are we doing this, Joe?

Joey: I’m after something.

Claire: What?

Joey: How should I know? If I knew I wun’t be piggin’ after it, would I?

Claire: I don’t understand you?

Joey: Look there’s summat missing. Life can’t be just this, can it? What everybody is
doing.

Claire: That way madness lies.

Joey: Eh?

Claire: That’s what my mum says. Anytime there’s any of that. Any clever talk on the
telly she says to us. She says just to get on with it. Live your life and that’s all there is to
it.

Joey: Oh?

Claire: Well, what does that mean?

Joey: You're not serious. You’re not even a joke you’re just like all the rest of them.
Frightened to sniff the wind for fear it’ll blow your brain upside down and then you’ll
“have to do something different”. Wasting your whole lives. Work, Work, Work, Work,
Work, Work. Small wages, small wages, small wages. Getting' by with a smile. Getting'
by without a smile. Work, work, work, work. Small wages. Then death with the big “D”.
Not even a smell left over from it all. If you're lucky, a see-through memory, slowly
dissolving like “steradent”.

Claire: Don’t insult me mum you!

Joey: OH FOR FUCK SAKE, IS THAT ALL YOU CAN SAY?

Claire: Oh joe. Come on. Bloody hell. I didn’t mean nowt.

Joey: EH!!

Claire: I’m sorry, Joey. OK. Bloody hell. I mean bloody hell. Come on Joe. I didn’t mean
nowt when I said it. I mean this is not like you.

Joey: UH!

Claire: Now don’t start, Joe. What I mean is you must admit you’ve not shown me this
face before. I have no idea.

Joey: Ay well, try having an idea now and again, ay. It doesn’t hurt you know. Try, try it.

Claire: (Fake Laugh) Eh, come on now. (Silence) When did you start thinking like this
Joey?
Joey: (Quietly) When did I start? When did I stop’s more like it! What the fuck’s it all
about Clare?! That’s the one, that’s the boy, that’s putting the headbutt on my heart. You
don’t get the chance to find out. They rush you from the cradle to the grave. But now
we’ve come to standstill, no job, no hope, you’ve still got ask the question. You’ve got to
ask. And it does you fucking, to.

Claire: It don’t look like it’s done you much good. Lying there, half dead.

Joey: Come on love. What the fuck else is worth doing, Eh?!!`

Scene 7

(Helen Movement Piece)

(Molly Movement Piece)

Scene 8

(Professor enters, he knocks at a door. Valerie peers around)

Professor: Evenin’. I’m knockin’ on doors just to ask a few questions to people and I
was wondering if…

Valerie: No! No, thank you. Not tonight…

Professor: Oh, I promise you, it’ll only take a few minutes.

Valerie: I said no! Goodbye…

Professor: Please wait! I’d be really grateful. I need these facts for me files, y’see…

Valerie: Have you got kids?

Professor: Well…

Valerie: I have and they need looking after so please just bugger off.

Professor: Fair enough. I know what that’s like. I used to have kids but me wife took
them when she left. This is all I got now. Sorry for wasting your time…

Valerie: Look, I guess I could answer a few…

Professor: Really!?

Valerie: Yes but be quick about it!

Professor: Oh thank you! So, when did you first come t’road?

Valerie: Was ‘bout 19, I think…

Professor: Anything else?

Valerie: We got married, had our kids and then rented this place…

Professor: Right...How has it been living here? Do you like it?

Valerie: It’s been tricky. Money’s been tight. ‘Ere, are you going to give me a bob or two
for this?

Professor: Well, I’m not sure about that. Why has money…
Valerie: Well, I think I deserve it after this.

Professor: Why has money been tight?

Valerie: I left me job after I had me kids and the old man started bring home the bacon.
Look, I need to go…

Professor: Just a couple more. How’s your husband found working?

Valerie: He’s not anymore. He...um...got the sack after he went on strike. Now just
stays here, drinking…

Professor: Oh, can I ask him some questions as well?

Valerie: No! He don’t want t’be disturbed.

Professor: Oh, I’m sure he won’t mind.

Valerie: I said no! Look, let’s have a couple bob and you can then go.

Professor: I don’t have any money. I told you me wife left and after that, I’ve been
struggling. But doing this might help. Y’never know…

Valerie: Fine! Just go…

Professor: But I’ve still got some questions…

Valerie: Oh, just fuck off, won’t ya!

(Valerie closes the door)

Professor: Right, on t’next house…

Scene 9

Curt: Alcohol filling my brian until I can’t feel anything. Until I can’t remember that I’m
alone. Until I can’t remember that I’m trapped in my mouldy house with the mouldy
floors and the mouldy ceilings and the mouldy windows. I drink until I remember that I'm
not trapped. I’m like a bird in a cage, but the cage door is wide open. The bird looks out
the cage but doesn’t move. Maybe it’s wings are broken. Maybe it’s scared. But it
doesn’t leave. It stays there till it dies and then rots in the cage. No one cares about the
bird because they freed it long ago and it’s all the stupid bird’s fucking fault that it won’t
fucking move.

Scene 10

(Jerry enters, carrying a fresh portion of chips. Helen is sat on the curb, sobbing away,
Jerry notices her)

Jerry: Her, you alright there luv’?

Helen: It’s nothing…

Jerry: Are you sure?

Helen: Yeah, I just want to be on me own…

Jerry: C’mon, I only want to help…

Helen: No! Just leave me alone.

Jerry: Would yer’ at least like a chip?

Helen: No…

(Jerry sits next to Helen)

Jerry: D’you know, I never want to be on me own. I just don’t ever have anything to do.

Helen: Look, just go away! I don’t want to talk…

Jerry: Well, I can’t leave you in this state, can I?

Helen: You might as well, I bloody deserve it…

Jerry: I doubt that.

Helen: Look, just go away! I don’t want to talk to any more men!

Jerry: What do you mean “more men”?

Helen: Nothing! Just go!

Jerry: Wait! Please talk to me, I only want to listen.

Helen: Really?

Jerry: Yeah…

Helen: Why would you want to talk to me anyway?

Jerry: Well, I guess I’m just lonely myself. I don’t have anyone else to talk to either. I
lost my mates after I joined the National Service and then when I retired, I never saw
the ones I made there.

Helen: Can’t be easy…

Jerry: Nope, thought moving here would be better but no talks to me.

Helen: You get that here…

Jerry: If I can ask, what’s your story?

Helen: I don’t really want to talk about it.

Jerry: Are you sure? It helps to talk…

Helen: Well…

Jerry: If you don’t want to, that’s alright.

Helen: I think I’m like you, luv’, just a bit lonely. I can’t find a bloke to just talk to.

Jerry: There’s plenty of men who would want to have a chat.

Helen: Nope...all they want is a shag.

Jerry: Oh...right then. I can tell that’s not what you want.

Helen: Well, I don’t mind getting me leg over. But it’s just become me life. You want
more after a while…
Jerry: Yep...same old thing and you just get bored.

Helen: Yep.

Jerry: Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’ve enjoyed our chat!

Helen: It’s perked me up. Cheers, luv’...

Jerry: Anytime. Only down the road…

Helen: I’ll keep that in mind.

Scene 11

Marion: I can’t do this no more Brian. I can’t keep pretending that everything's okay
when it’s not. I need to tell you the truth before I bottle it all up and can’t breath. You
see, the truth is, I’m the reason my little boy is dead. And I can’t take the guilt no more.
I’ve tried so hard to hide it, (Pause) hide him with booze and I lie awake at night
torturing myself thinking, why? Why couldn’t I of just done something different? If I had
just held on to him a little longer, been a little bit strong, not let my grip loosen, then
maybe he would still be here. (Marion takes a deep breath) When he was little, he used
to have this dream that a monster had taken me away, and he was left all alone in a
dark room with no way to get out. It would terrify him and the only way I could make the
fear go away, was to wrap him in my arms, wipe away his tears and sing, ‘somewhere
over the rainbow way up high, there's a land that I’ve heard of, once in a lullaby’. Life on
earth is so scary but there, in Oz, you can be the brainiest brainless scarecrow, or the
heartiest heartless tin-man and the most fearless fearful lion there is. He felt safe in oz,
and so did I. He was five whenThe driver was so “intoxicated” when it happened, he
couldn’t even say his own bloody name. “10 years in prison maybe 5 if he’s good” the
judge said. At first, I hated him so much for what he did. I wanted to hunt him down. But
the truth is, he was just a little boy who made a big mistake. Who had to spend five
years in a dark room with no way to escape. I can’t hate that. I could wish for eternity
that I could change god's cruel fate. But for some sick twisted reason, I get a second
chance. And I don’t want to waste it no more.

Scene 12

(Carol Movement Piece)

Scene 13

Joey: I remember that corridor. I remember doing that awkward foot thing when you try
and walk past someone (Pause) and I remember her. To be honest I figured she was
just another girl, another girl that was into me. But Clare, I guess she was different. She
had this awkward laugh, but it was a laugh (Beat) I loved. And now I don’t want to say I
fell in love with her right way because that’s not true, it’s not true I’ve never loved
anyone. Though there was just something about her.

Clare: I can’t live without him, so I can’t go. I know it’s not right, I know he’s bringing me
down with him but I just can’t do it. He’s my only friend, the only thing I have now that
my jobs gone and it sounds daft but he’s the only person I want to be with at the
moment.

Joey: I can’t tell you exactly what it is because even I don’t know. I don’t know what to
feel about her, about my parents or (Pause) myself. It’s weird right? she treated me so
well and I guess I brought her down with me – I told her to go, and I told her to leave
and I told her to fuck off - she never gave in. She never lost hope either.
Clare: Deep down I know he doesn't really want me anymore, not the way he used to. I
need him, I need him by me and if that means I lose myself, that’s just what's going to
happen. I don’t want him to think I’m weak or that I know he doesn't care about me. If I
didn’t care and just let it go, it would all be fine but it’s not that easy – to let go of
someone you love.

Joey: I don’t remember being in love with her. Why? Why don’t I? Why can’t I feel?
Why can’t I feel fucking summat. I want to fucking feel fucking summat. But this shithole
of a world took that from me. It took my childhood, my future, my fucking emotions and
(Pause) my (Pause) hope.

Clare: I just keep thinking about, the things we were going to do, The places we were
going to go, The life we were going to lead, the life we still could lead. I feel like if I got
out of this place, out of road and find a little office job again, maybe it would be okay. I
can start eating breakfast in the mornings and feeling the fresh air when I walk from the
bus to work. But I can’t leave him behind. I love him too much.

Scene 14

Carol: How long you lived here? (Brink shrugs) Well it's certainly a ... certainly a ...
what's the word I'm looking for?

Eddie : Tip?

Carol: No, slag heap. (Louise laughs) That's it …

Eddie: Eh, well feel free, girls, to put it in order.

Carol: You must be a joke.

Louise: You must be joking. You want to see the state of her room at me.

Carol: Louise shut up givin' away my personals. You'll be tellin' 'em what colour knickers
I've got on next. (She looks at them) Go on, say it. "If you had any on" or "See-through".

Brink: I'm saying nothing.

Carol: Oh what gentlemen, or are you just pouffs?

Louise: Carol, you're terrible.

Carol: Eh, eh Louise don't desert the ranks now. Especially when they're just coming on
so strong, eh lads? They just smile. So now we're round to it. When are you going to
move in then, lads. When should we expect the first move? (Brink leans right over and
starts kissing her) Get off. (He stops and stands) Get off. (Brink goes back to the chair,
unaffected)

Brink: (Hands up) I'm off. (She’s a bit stunned)

Carol: (To compose herself) I thought I could smell summat. (No-one laughs. Brink sits
away in the chair. Eddie drinks)

Louise: It's nice this place really.

Eddie: Really?

Louise: (laughing) I mean underneath it all. If it was tidied up.

Eddie: I s'pose it's not bad it's-

Carol: (to Brink) So are you not speaking now? (Not giving him time to answer; to
Eddie) Is he sulking now?

Brink: No. Not at all. Nothing like that.

Carol: (looking at them both one to another) I don't know where I am with you two.

Eddie: What do you mean?

Louise: (excited) You're right different.

Eddie: Than what?

Carol: (quick) Watch it Louise they'll get all big-headed. Well biggerheaded. (She
scrutinizes them both) What is it with you two? (Brink reaches out and takes Louise's
hand. He leads her over towards him, stands and kisses her. Carol looks. She gets up,
goes into the kitchen)

Carol: (offstage) Is it through here?

Eddie: What? (No reply. Eddie realizes she means the toilet) Oh yeah. Yeah. Straight
through. (Louise separates from Brink though still in his arms)

Brink What is it?

Louise: Carol. (Brink looks at her) She's gone off 'cause she likes you really.

Brink: (recognizing something in her) And what about you, who do you like? (She looks
down, a bit embarrassed) You like Eddie really, don't you? (She looks a bit more
embarrassed) It's all right. Eddie. (Eddie stands up and takes Louise back with him on
to his knee in one single movement. Brink goes off through to the kitchen. Eddie kisses
Louise very gently, and again. She puts her hand in his hair. From the kitchen is heard)

Carol: (offstage) What's this? Hey. You soon change your tune. (Then movement as
Brink kisses her. They enter. He turns the light off. The stage is in darkness. Black.
Sounds of kissing and movement. Shuffling. Carol says "No." Movement. Carol says
"Get off"". Shuffling. Carol turns the light on) That's enough of that. (Carol is standing at
the light switch. Louise has moved away from Eddie) What do you think we are? (Brink
shrugs) What do you think we are, slags?

Eddie: Nooo.

Brink: Why did you come back?

Carol: Just for something to do.

Brink: What about all the lead ons, lead ins?

Louise: Don't he talk funny. You were like that in the pub. Lead on, lead ins.

Eddie: (changing the subject) Anyway.

Louise: (turning on him realizing she should be mad) Anyway what?

Eddie: Eh eh. Don't be bad-tempered. Anyway, more drinks? (He lifts the bottle)

Carol: You can't get us drunk then start again you know.

Brink: Forget it.

Carol: Listen to him now. Typical. They're all the same. Can't get their end away they
don't wanna know. Do get their end away they don't wanna know.

Eddie: Oh come on.

Carol: No. I want somethin' else to happen for a change. It's the same every time.
Every time some smart-arse spends time and money on you with one thing only in
mind. Then upsets you. It's boring and upsetting. I'm sick of it. You think you're just
wanted for use. You two seemed a bit interesting, a bit unusual like. I thought I might
find something else here. But not so. You're always wrong, aren't you? Nowt's never the
way you wanted. You always have to make do. Every single thing's a disappointment.

Louise: Carol. (Carol stops)

Carol: Come on then Louise. (She gets her bag. Louise gets hers; they start leaving)

Eddie: Come on, have another. (They go for the door. Brink suddenly jumps up really
quick, the fastest thing he's done all night, and stands in front of the door)

Brink: Stay and I promise you something different. Let’s see how much difference you
can take. (Carol stops in her tracks. So does Louise) You want something different.
Stay, I mean it. (He guides them back to the settee) You know what we do for it. To
really get a change. We have a something that we always do when outside gets to you.
Eddie, shall we show them? (Eddie looks) Come on let's show them. Let's have it out of
them. (The girls sit, mystified) Do you like good music?

Carol: Yeah. Like what?

Brink: Like soul. Real down there soul.

Carol: Don't know what you mean. (While he's talking, Eddie is pouring wine in the
glasses)

Brink: What about you, Louise?

Louise: Well I like "Hot Chocolate".

(Brink shakes his head. Eddie is passing around glasses)

Eddie: Drink. (They hesitate)

Brink: Drink. Don't worry, go on.

Eddie: Go. (They do) Fast though. Fast! (They do)

Brink: Good. (Eddie is quickly filling up the glasses again)

Carol: Eh, hang on. (Brink grabs one and drinks it)

Eddie: Do. Another?

Brink: Another.

Carol: What are you doing? (The lads are laughing. Eddie fills up again)

Brink: It's all part of it, you'll see after.

Eddie: (lifting his glass) Brink old drink.

(They cheer and clink glasses, then drink. Louise laughs. Carol does a bit)
Brink: Come on Eddie, steady. (They lift the glasses and down them. Eddie lets himself
fall back. Carol suddenly laughs too) Come on in. Join us. (He touches her chin. She
knocks his hand away)

Carol: All right, set 'em up.

Louise: Carol.

Carol: Oh what the hell.

(Eddie has already set them up. They get a glass each)

Brink: Down.

(He opens his mouth wide first. Eddie too. They down it in one. Carol and Louise laugh
and giggle, try it but can't get it down so fast, but manage to shift it. Eddie is opening
another two bottles)

Carol: What about some music then?

Brink: Some will be coming soon and ...

Carol: And what?

Brink: Wait for it, love.

Louise: Oooooh. (They drink again)

Carol: Come on put summat on now, what you got? Let's see. (Eddie drinking, points to
the single on the wall) Eh just that one!
Eddie: Ay that's it.

Brink: One more drink and then it's on.

Eddie: Up up. The glasses are raised.

Carol: This is mad.

Louise: (laughing) It is innit. (They drink them down)

Carol: Music!

Brink: Put it on.

Louise: Put it on. (Eddie gets up and puts the record on the deck)

Carol: Bloody hell, I hope I like it.

Scene 15

(Eddie Filmed Monologue)

Scene 16

Brink: Do you know I get up at 7 o’clock every single morning I put on me suit and tie
and go to work whilst all me other mates are still hungover doing nout. For the first time
in my blimming life I feel like I’m actually wanted, respected and appreciated at me job.
But you know it and I know it, that I’m not like em. But I wanna be like em. I wanna walk
like em, talk like em and dress like em and I get people coming up to me asking me
these questions that I don’t know that answer to but seeing as I wear this attire they
assume I’m well educated or worse a blimming fooking torie. But what I do know is that
when I wear this suit I feel invincible like none of youse can fooking touch me, cos if you
understood what life is like on this road wouldn’t you want that type of power to? Cos
without it I’m nothing, I’m just another useless pawn in this world of chess. Every time I
sell a house I feel like I should be that one step closer to escaping this hellhole but
somehow I’m always two steps backwards.

Scene 17

Helen: Is there an ending because for me, I think there could be? I’m gonna get me
own house, me own car, me own little garden to plant pretty flowers in...yeah…

Marion: For some sick, twisted reason, I get a second chance and I don’t wanna waste
it no more.

Claire: I’m so knackered out. I feel I’m just holding on by the threads. One or two wet
threads, the rest have dried an’broke.

Molly: We used to drink gin off each other’s fingers down the bar. Naughty
nincompoops.

Skinlad: But he was only smiling. He opened his eyes, like two diamonds in the night. I
said, it was night and over to you, Buddha.

Carol: I want to walk on the mild side. I want to be clean. Cleaned.

Brian: There’s something sinister to it, this road. Nobody wants to live here but it always
comes back round for ya.
Professor: Long agos, I gives up the idea of making a book, and instead, now I just
give ‘em out to people for the price of a pint or chips.

Curt: Alcohol filling my brain until I can’t feel anything. Until I can’t remember that I’m
alone. Until I can’t remember that I’m trapped in my mouldy house with the mouldy
floors and the mouldy ceilings and the mouldy windows.

Valerie: Two months an’ twelve days I turn 16, and the moment I do, I’m leaving.

Jerry: I can’t get away from the past. I just can't, no matter what they say. I can’t see
how that time could turn into this time. So horrible for me and so complicated for me.
And being poor and no good, no use.

Joey: Look at me, I am the solution. There is no solution. How ‘bout that then? There is
no solution but you’re all adding a “maybe” aren’t ya?

Louise: I want the surface up and off, and all the gold jewels and light on the
pavements. I’ve never spoke such a speech in my life and I’m glad I have. If I keep
shouting, somehow a somehow, I might escape.

Eddie: Somehow a somehow, might escape. (Pause) Somehow a somehow, might

escape.

Brink: Somehow a somehow, might escape.

Eddie/Brink: Somehow a somehow, might escape.

Louise: Somehow a somehow, might escape.

Eddie/Brink: Somehow a somehow, might escape.

Carol: Somehow.

Eddie/Brink/Carol/Louise: Somehow a somehow a somehow, might escape x3

Eddie/Brink/Carol/Louise/: Somehow a somehow a somehow, might escape x3

Joey/Claire/Skinlad/Curt

Eddie/Brink/Carol/Louise/
Joey/Claire/Skinlad/Curt: Somehow a somehow a somehow, might escape x3
Scullery/Marion/Brian/
Valerie

All: Somehow a somehow a somehow, might escape x3

All: Somehoooooooooooow…

Scullery: Well, it’s coming up to morning nar. I’ll ha’ a last fag and a last then I’ll go
whome. If you’re ever in this area, call again...call again.

(Finale Movement Piece)