Geraldine
FADE IN: SC1. INT/EXT. FRONT OF HOSPITAL. NIGHT. [AN AGITATED MALE [LATE THIRTIES/EARLY FORTIES.] IS EXITING THE AUTOMATIC GLASS SLIDING DOORS.] FEMALE VOICE. O.O.V.: Tom! Tommy Walker! [THE MAN TURNS TO LOOK IN THE DIRECTION OF THE VOICE. A SLIM, BLONDE FEMALE, ABOUT HIS AGE, COMES INTO VIEW. SHE WEARS HER HAIR SCRAPED BACK INTO A PLEAT, BLUE DENIM JEANS AND A STYLISH LEATHER JACKET. HE ADVANCES, HESITANTLY, TOWARDS HER.] FEMALE (CONT.): Do you remember me? [The male responds with a bewildered expression. She jogs his memory.] It�s me, Geraldine, Don�t you remember - HNR? [WE CLOSE IN ON TOM�S FACE. IT INDICATES THE PENNY HAS DROPPED.] TOM: (BROAD SMILE) Geraldine - Geraldine Riley � Handsworth New Road School. God, I don�t believe it. GERALDINE: Geraldine Browne! TOM: (WITH ALARM) Oh no! Don�t tell me you actually married him? Why? GERALDINE: I had to. I was pregnant. TOM: Oh God, it doesn�t bear thinking about! And you�re still married to him? GERALDINE: Yep � well, just about. I�ve just brought him in. Passed out, you know, diabetic� But what brings you here? [TOM HOLDS UP HIS BANDAGED LEFT WRIST.] TOM: I�ve been enjoying the company of drunks, drug addicts, self-mutilators and psychopaths, while I waited two hours to have a sprained wrist diagnosed. That A&E is like a cross between a scene from Clockwork Orange and Quatermas. [HE INDICATES AROUND HIM.] TOM: (CONT�D) And this is what we pay our National Insurance for � a bloody playground for misfits and criminals? Does anyone work in this country anymore? [HE REALISES HIS IS RANTING AND CHECKS HIMSELF.] TOM:(CONT�D) Now, let me see, the last time we met was� GERALDINE: When you called into Peacocks for writing paper. Do you remember, after I served you, you waited for me to finish and walked me home? TOM: Yeah, and then you knocked me back for a proper date �cos you were involved with that bloody animal, Gary Browne. I couldn�t believe it. And you�ve put up with him for all these years? For God�s sake, he was born an evil thug and a bully. By the time he left school he was aspiring to even greater misdeeds. Bloody hell that must be well over twenty years ago! [HE HAS A SUDDEN THOUGHT.] TOM:(CONT�D) Tell you what, if you�re not in too much of a hurry, how d�you fancy a drink while we catch up on old times? We could drop into the Windmill across the road [indicating to the hospital�s clientele] got to be better than risking life and limb here. CUT TO: SC2. INT. THE COSY LOUNGE OF A PUBLIC HOUSE. NIGHT. [TOM AND GERALDINE FACE EACH OTHER ACROSS A SMALL POLISHED WOODEN TABLE. THERE ARE TWO DRINKS ON THE TABLE; HERS, A G&T; HIS, A SOFT DRINK.] TOM: D�you know I did meet you once after that day you gave me the knock back. I was determined to chance my arm again, so I made sure I was passing Peacocks when you�d be knocking off. CUT TO: SC3. EXT. SMALL DEPT. STORE. EVENING FLASHBACK: [WE SEE TOM AS A TEENAGER WAITING OUTSIDE THE STORE, NONCHALANTLY LEANING AGAINST A WALL SMOKING A CIGARETTE. WE SEE FROM TOM�S P.O.V. GERALDINE, ALSO A TEENAGER, LEAVING THE STORE. HER LONG SHAPELY LEGS ARE EXPOSED BY THE SHORTNESS OF HER SKIRT/COAT. WE DO NOT SEE HER FACE. TOM PUSHES AWAY FROM THE WALL, THROWS HIS CIGARETTE TO THE FLOOR, STAMPS ON IT AND HAILS GERALDINE.] TOM: (CHEERFULLY) Geraldine! Oi, over here. [SHE TURNS TO HIM [MAYBE SLO-MO]. WE SEE HER FACE CLOSE UP FROM TOM�S P.O.V. THERE IS TERRIBLE BRUISING TO HER LEFT EYE. WE CLOSE IN ON TOM�S FACE. WE SEE HIS EXPRESSION OF HORROR AND HIS LIPS FORMING THE SILENT WORDS: OH MY GOD!] CUT TO: SC4. INT. PUB LOUNGE NIGHT.(CONT�D) TOM (CONT�D) : My blood boiled when I saw the state of you, with that big ball of bruised fat, where your eye should�ve been. The result of Gary getting overexcited about something, I assumed. God! If I could�ve laid my hands on him� GERALDINE: It was your fault. You were to blame! Somebody told him they�d seen us together. TOM: So you might as well have gone out with me, seen as you got punished for it anyway. GERALDINE: It isn�t all his fault. He�s never intentionally been violent. It�s just this problem he has with self-control when he can�t express himself properly. He has difficulties with articulation. If you had taken the trouble to get to know him better you�d see he has got a good side. TOM: With disdain: Well if the learning process involves that kind of sacrifice, I�m glad I remained ignorant. GERALDINE: Tom! I thought it was nice meeting you but I�m having second thoughts. [TOM SMILES NERVOUSLY.] TOM: I�m sorry for the lecture. [In a more serious tone.] So how severe is Gary�s diabetes? And how bad is this latest turn? GERALDINE: It�s pretty serious. He�s on regular insulin injections and, though I�ve tried my best, he just won�t listen. He eats all the wrong things and of course there�s his drinking. I swear, one of these days, he�s going to go too far and do himself in. TOM: And what do you do when you�re not pandering to his whims and fancies? You can�t be working at Peacock�s �cos that closed years ago. [GERALDINE GIVES A WISTFUL SIGH.] GERALDINE: Yeah, when I got laid off from there, I worked at Woolworth�s �til I decided there must be more to life. So, I did an access course at night school, and then trained as a nurse. I�ve been working at The Woodland R.O.H. since I qualified. TOM: And what about your kids? GERALDINE: Kid! - Claire. We only had the one daughter. She�s doing OK, working as a holiday rep. in Cyprus. To tell the truth, I think she couldn�t wait to get away from her father... And you? [HE IS CAUGHT, UNAWARE, STARING INTO HER FACE. WE SEE FROM HIS P.O.V. THE SUGGESTION OF SCAR TISSUE AROUND HER EYEBROW AND THE SLIGHT KINK IN THE LINE OF HER NOSE. SHE REACTS AND, SELF-CONSCIOUSLY, RAISES A HAND TO HER FOREHEAD.] TOM: Sorry, I was miles away. GERALDINE: I was asking what you�ve been doing with yourself. Are you married � any kids? What are you doing to make a crust? TOM: Was married for twelve years. No kids, which is probably a blessing as Julie ran off with one of her work colleagues a couple of years ago. [With a twitchy shake of his head.] D�you know, it seems incredible but, if someone had suggested she was having an affair, I wouldn�t have believed it. I didn�t suspect a thing �til it was too late. GERALDINE: Reaching across the table to give his hand a comforting pat: Oh, I�m sorry. They say the injured party is the last to know. (BEAT) You don�t think it had anything to do with not having children, do you? [TOM RELISHES HER TOUCH.] TOM: No. That was Julie�s decision. GERALDINE: Tongue in cheek: Well at least my Gary stayed with me. [TOM SMILES MISCHIEVOUSLY] TOM: I�m not surprised - nobody else would have him. [GERALDINE INDICATES SHE WOULD PREFER TO MOVE THE TOPIC ON.] GERALDINE: So, what are you doing for a living? TOM: Oh, I�m in with a mate; we run a small transport business. Got a couple of trucks and vans. Take anything anywhere. It�s not much of a show but it keeps the wolf from the door. GERALDINE: But no woman in your life at the moment? TOM: No. I was happy with Julie and I miss her. Of course, I�ve tested the waters a couple of times, but I�ve made up my mind [HE MAKES SERIOUS EYE-CONTACT WITH GERALDINE.] TOM: (CONT�D) I�m not bothering with anyone unless they�ve got legs at least as good as yours used to be. That�s what I always remember about you. [GERALDINE TAKES A PLAYFUL SWIPE AT HIM.] GERALDINE: �Used to be�? You cheeky sod! I�ll have you know, Tommy Walker, my legs are as good as they ever were. [TOM RESURFACES. MORE CONFIDENT AFTER DUCKING TO AVOID THE SLAP, HE PEEPS ROUND THE TABLE AT HER DENIM-CLAD LEGS.] TOM: Suppose I�ll have to take your word for that. TOM: (RATHER SHEEPISHLY) D�you know, I never forgave you for giving me the bum�s rush all that time ago. I fancied you like hell. Perhaps if you hadn�t blown me out things might have turned out a lot differently for both of us. GERALDINE: I suppose you could have something there. TOM: So what would you say if I was to put the same proposal to you now? GERALDINE: With a chortle: And what was that? I can�t remember after all this time. TOM: (HESITANTLY) Well, for a start, what would you say to coming back to my place for a nightcap? GERALDINE: Only if you promise not to throw me out onto the street after. [WE SEE TOM�S JAW DROP.] TOM: Are you sure? What about Gary? Look, I�ve been out of circulation for a while and I�m still having difficulty coming to terms with all this new liberation and promiscuity, so are you absolutely certain? GERALDINE: (CHUCKLING) Tom Walker, you�re as slow as you ever were! I can assure you, I�m not in the habit of doing this sort of thing but we�re both consenting adults and old mates. What Gary doesn�t know won�t hurt him. Then again, if you�d prefer not to, that�s OK with me too. [TOM IS HORRIFIED BY THE SUGGESTION.] TOM: �Prefer not to�! I�d never live with myself if I let this opportunity pass me by. This time you�re not going to slip away so easily. [GERALDINE DISPLAYS A CONFIDENT SMILE.] GERALDINE: So, what are we waiting for? TOM: You�re not driving, are you? GERALDINE No, Gary was a 999. I came in the ambulance with him. [TOM REACHES FOR HIS DRINK.] TOM: Good. D�you want to wait here while I get my car from the hospital car park? GERALDINE: No, I�ll come with you. She looks on astonished at the speed at which he drains his glass. CUT TO: SC5. INT. TOM�S KITCHEN/DINING AREA - DAY [TOM SITS AT THE TABLE EATING A BOWL OF CORN FLAKES WHILE GERALDINE SCURRIES ABOUT DUMPING BITS AND PIECES INTO HER HANDBAG - OBVIOUSLY IN A HURRY.] TOM: Well if you give me a minute, I�ll drop you off at work. And, if you want, I�ll pick you up when you knock off. GERALDINE: No, I�ve got to go home to get my work stuff. I�m running late already, so I�ll pick up the car while I�m over there. TOM: In that case, I�ll run you home now and call for you there this evening. GERALDINE: Under the circumstances, I don�t think either of those suggestions would be a good idea. [SHE READS HIS BEWILDERED DISAPPOINTMENT.] GERALDINE:(CONT�D) There�s no need to look at me like a scalded pup. Of course I want to see you, but I don�t think it�s a good idea for any of my neighbours or anyone at work to see me with you, especially now I�ve got a seriously ill husband in hospital. [More up beat.] Look, I promise, I�ll call round here as soon as I finish my shift. TOM: And what time will that be? [SHE READS TOM�S ANXIOUS EXPRESSION.] GERALDINE: I�m doing a long shift until eight, so I�ll see you about half-past. [SHE STOPS IN HER TRACKS. IN A FLUSTERED/IMPATIENT MANNER, SHE RUMMAGES IN HER HANDBAG UNTIL SHE PRODUCES A BALLPOINT PEN. SHE SNATCHES UP A CONVENIENT SCRAP OF PAPER FROM A WORKTOP AND SCRIBBLES ON IT.] GERALDINE: (CONT�D) To show good faith and stop you fretting, here�s the number of the hospital and my home phone. Now, will you let me get off while I�ve still got a job to go to? [SHE RUFFLES HIS HAIR LIKE HE�S A LITTLE SCHOOLBOY, GIVES HIM A PECK ON THE CHEEK AND LEAVES.] CUT TO: SC6. INT. SMALL CLUTTERED OFFICE. DAY. [A MALE, ABOUT TOM�S AGE TURNS FROM A COMPUTER SCREEN INTO THE DIRECTION OF THE DOOR. WE SEE TOM ENTERING FROM JIM LOVELL�S P.O.V.] JIM LOVELL: What�s up with you? Smirk on your face like a dog with two tails. Don�t tell me you�re finally on a promise. [TOM RESPONDS BY TAPPING HIS FOREFINGER ON THE SIDE OF HIS NOSE.] TOM: Better than that, mate. MIX TO: SC6.INT. TOM�S CLUTTERED OFFICE - DAY (CONT�D) [TOM SITS AT HIS DESK, TAPPING A PENCIL AND WEARILY STARING UP AT THE CLOCK. IT SHOWS 3:30. CUT TO: SC7. INT. TOM�S KITCHEN. EVENING. [THE CLOCK SHOWS 5:30. HE IS BUSYING HIMSELF SLIPPING A JOINT INTO THE OVEN AND ARRANGING VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES ON THE TABLE.] MIX TO: SC8..INT. TOM�S KITCHEN. EVENING(CONT�D) [TOM SITS AT THE TABLE DRUMMING HIS FINGERS, ANXIOUSLY LOOKING AT THE KITCHEN CLOCK THAT NOW SHOWS 8:30] MIX TO: SC8.INT. TOM�S KITCHEN. EVENING(CONT�D) [TOM IS STILL IN HIS KITCHEN WE SEE THE CLOCK FROM HIS P.O.V. IT IS NOW 9:45. HE MAKES HIS WAY OVER TO THE PHONE AND PUNCHES IN SOME NUMBERS.] TOM: (ON PHONE) Can I speak to Staff Nurse Geraldine Browne, please? [He listens and responds.] Well what�s happened? [He listens again.] Oh, well in that case I�ll try her at home. Thank you. [HE REPLACES THE RECEIVER AND STARES AT THE PHONE, HESITANTLY, AS IF IN TWO MIND WHETHER TO RING OR NOT. HE IS ABOUT TO WALK AWAY AND THE PHONE STARTS RINGING.] TOM: (ON PHONE) Hello (BEAT) Thank God it�s you. I was beginning to have all sorts of thoughts. I was worried that you might have had an accident or something. Where have you been? I rang the Woodlands. They told me you knocked off early to sort things out regarding your husband. They wouldn�t tell me anything else. Said I�d have to speak to you if I wanted more information. So, what�s happened? [GERALDINE IS CLOSE TO TEARS. HER VOICE COMES THROUGH THE PHONE STATIC AS HER WORD POUR OUT IN STACCATO.] GERALDINE: (O.O.V. ON PHONE) It�s Gary. He, he died this afternoon. They rang me at work. I�ve been at Dudley Road trying to sort things out ever since. TOM: (ON PHONE) Oh no! Bloody hell, I am sorry. How are you coping? GERALDINE. (O.O.V. ON PHONE) I don�t know. How does anyone cope when someone close to them dies? I have no idea where to turn I�m� well, numb, I suppose. TOM: (SARCASTICALLY) Yeah, but on the other hand, it couldn�t happen to a nicer bloke, could it? GERALDINE: (O.O.V. ON PHONE) Tom! Whatever you think about him. He was a human being and my husband for a hell of a long time. TOM: (ON PHONE) Well I�m sorry for you, but it would be hypocritical of me to give pretence of any feelings for him. As far as I�m concerned, it�s one complication out of the way. Perhaps the ending of his life could be the beginning of a better one for you and... [Checks himself.] So, when�s the funeral. GERALDINE: (O.O.V.ON PHONE) That�s one of the difficulties. They�re holding a post mortem to establish the cause of death. I can�t make any arrangements until all that�s out of the way. I had terrible trouble contacting Claire in Cyprus. She needs to know about the funeral to book a flight home. TOM: (ON PHONE) Post mortem? He was in a diabetic coma, for God�s sake. I should think the cause of death is blatantly obvious! GERALDINE: (O.O.V. ON PHONE) Well so would I, but apparently, under normal circumstances, he shouldn�t have died. TOM: (ON PHONE) Bloody typical of the old bastard, isn�t it � not only being a pain to everybody while he was alive but also carrying it over after his death. GERALDINE: (O.O.V. ON PHONE) Tom! As I�ve said, he wasn�t perfect but he was human and he was my husband. I think he deserves at least a little bit of respect TOM: (ON PHONE) OK! OK, but I think we�ll have to agree to disagree on all those points. Anyway, where are you now? D�you want me to come and get you? I had I nice roast ready but� GERALDINE: (O.O.V. ON PHONE) Impatiently interrupting: No. I think it best if I stay here, in case anyone wants to contact me. CUT TO: SC9. INT.TOM�S CLUTTERED OFFICE. DAY. [IT IS A WEEK AFTER GARY�S DEATH. TOM SITS ON JIM�S DESK, DANGLING HIS LEGS AND NURSING A MUG OF TEA. JIM SITS ON A SWIVEL CHAIR ANGLED TOWARDS TOM. WE BREAK IN ON THEIR CONVERSATION.] JIM: Bloody hell, Tom, you�ve only just met her. So, you had one night of passion. If it doesn�t develop any further, at least you�ve had that. I really don�t see what you�ve got to complain about. TOM: That�s just it; I haven�t �just met her�! I have renewed an acquaintance. [HE SQUIRMS A LITTLE WITH EMBARRASSMENT.] TOM: (CONT�D) The truth is, Jim, and I know you�re going to laugh at this; she�s been under my skin all these years. I�ve always fancied her, right from the time we were at school together. It seems bumping into her at the hospital was a �chance in a million�- an opportunity to bring about what should have been. But, it seems, it wasn�t meant to be. [Staring intently into his mug.] Honestly, Jim, I really thought my life was taking a turn for the better, and then the whole soddin� lot has to go pear-shaped on me. He�s messed up my life again by dying, the same as he did by marrying her. JIM: Are you sure about your feelings? TOM: What d�you mean by that? JIM: Well, from what you�ve told me, I�m not sure if you�re feelings are being driven by love for her, or hatred for him. Are you sure you don�t want her just to get at him? TOM: Don�t be daft! I thought you knew me better than that. [JIM ATTEMPTS TO SOUND POSITIVE.] JIM: Well, in the long term, isn�t Gary dying for the better? Surely you can understand Geraldine wanting to keep her distance for a while? TOM: It�s been a bloody week now! She wouldn�t even call me. Why not? He�s dead, so what should it matter? When I called her, all I got was, �I can�t talk now�, and �don�t call over until Claire�s gone�. It�s all just excuses. I know it is! She doesn�t want me. [HE PAUSES TO SIP HIS TEA AND GATHER HIS THOUGHTS.] TOM:(CONT�D) That night with me was only a spur of the moment thing � I was on trial. She decided she really wanted him. I should�ve gathered that by how cut up she was when she told me about him dying. JIM: It could be shock. It happens to everyone when somebody close snuffs it. If he�s the type of bloke you�ve described, she�ll be left with all sorts of complications. Besides the funeral there�ll be their finances to sort out and all those practical matters. And then there�s this business of a post mortem. It must be frustrating, not being able to finalise arrangements. [JIM REACHES FORWARDS TO RETRIEVE A PACKET OF CIGARETTES FROM THE DESK.] JIM: (CONT�D) Just give her some time to get herself sorted. Start hassling her at a time like this and she�ll be down the road quicker than Julie. [TOM IGNORES JIM�S EXPLANATION AND SNIPING.] TOM: She said she had to marry him because she was pregnant. Even way back then, surely that wasn�t a logical reason to condemn yourself to a life of violent purgatory? I don�t know; perhaps she�s got some sort of kink, or masochistic death wish. You read about women like that. They get a high out of being treated like a punch bag. JIM: Tom, the only thing you�re reading, is too much into this situation. For God�s sake, you�ve only just got together and this has happened. It�s tragic but it�s not the end of the world. Give the woman a chance, will you? - She�ll come round. CUT TO: SC10. EXT. AIRPORT. DAY [IT IS SOME TIME AFTER GARY�S FUNERAL. GERALDINE IS BIDDING FAREWELL TO HER DAUGHTER, CLAIRE - A YOUNG WOMAN IN HER LATE TEENS/EARLY TWENTIES]. CLAIRE: Mom, are you sure you wouldn�t rather me stay with you? I�m sure I could find a job somewhere locally. GERALDINE: No, love. You�ve got your own life to live. Take every opportunity that comes along. (sniffing back a tear.) You don�t want to wind up like me. After all these years, I�m quite capable of looking after myself. I�ll be all right. Now, you�d better get checked in. [THEY HUG TEARFULLY AND PART.] CUT TO: C11. EXT. CAR. DAY. [WE SEE GERALDINE CLIMBING INTO HER CAR. HER DISTRAUGHT EXPRESSION CHANGES TO A WRY SMILE AS SHE CRANKS OVER THE ENGINE AND GLANCES IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR.] CUT TO: SC12. INT. HOTEL ROOM (COULD BE ANYWHERE). DUSK. [THE ROOM IS SCATTERED WITH LUGGAGE AND VARIOUS ITEMS OF CLOTHING. ON A SIDE TABLE WE SEE AN ICE BUCKET. TOM AND GERALDINE LIE SIDE BY SIDE NAKED IN BED SIPPING CHAMPAGNE.] TOM: (LAUGHING) So it was as easy as that? [GERALDINE GIGGLES AS SHE REMOVES A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE FROM HER LIPS.] GERALDINE: Yep! Just an overfilled syringe injected between his toes. I knew the pathologist would never spot the mark and an overdose of insulin in hard to detect in the body, especially when a presence is expected - perfect, eh? I get the house and everything. [THEY CLINK GLASSES IN A TOAST TO ONE ANOTHER.] TOM: And I get you! (He grins and empties his glass) Well, I�ve got to hand it to you - I was fooled. You were so defensive of him; I really thought you were sorry to see him go. GERALDINE: Touching the side of her nose with her finger: Yeah, good, wasn�t I? I was tempted to let you in on it. But, if I wanted to be sure of success, I knew I couldn�t afford to trust anyone. TOM: Not even Claire? GERALDINE: Nope! She might�ve wanted a share of the proceeds to keep quiet. [SHE LIES BACK AND STARES AT THE CEILING.] GERALDINE:.(CONT�D) D�you know, the very best part of all? [TOM GIVES A BEMUSED SHAKE OF HIS HEAD. GERALDINE EMITS A LOUD IMPISH CHORTLE.] GERALDINE: (CONT�D) The thoughts of that evil bastard shovelling coal for all eternity. [LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY, THEY DROP THEIR GLASSES AND ROLL OVER UNDER THE SHEETS IN A CLINCH.] FADE OUT.
Copyright © 2002 Paul J Holmes |