12/12/2016 EastEnders

Why show me this?

Why show me this, if I am beyond all hope?

-Salvation.

-Eh?

It's, "Why show me this, if I am beyond salvation?"

"All hope" might be better, actually.

Yeah. That's great, actually. Change it. Change it to "All hope".

OK.

Ooh! Ah!

-You all right?

-Yeah, just a kick.

I'm really glad you asked me to be birth partner.

-I'm glad you said yes.

-Yeah.

-It's a special thing, you know.

-OK, let's...

We'll get back to the lines, yeah?

Why show me this, if I am beyond all hope?

Even if they are, I haven't changed.

I have never said I wanted us to end.

What a soppy git.

Come and dine with us tomorrow, Uncle,

because the missus has cooked up a terrific feast.

Get hold of that!

Wh-wh-whither do you...

Whither?

Whither - that's what it says. Just say it anyway.

Whither do you beckon me?

Hang on, boy.

With all due respect, I haven't beckoned yet, have I?

Whither do you beckon me?

Right, next bit.

Here you are, Don.

No Roxy again this morning?

You should have seen the state of her over the weekend.

-She had yesterday to sleep it off.

-Yeah, I'm talking about yesterday.

-You're up bright and early.

-Just going to see Denise.

Got some script changes to settle.

I was going to say how nice it was to see Derek again,

but I'm not so sure now.

When does he expect us to learn these lines?

I didn't think a play would bring so much stress.

Yeah, you and me both.

PHONE VIBRATES

I don't believe you, Roxy.

Oi, are you awake?

Do I look awake?

SHE CLANKS BOTTLE AND GLASS

I'll bin it before Phil sees.

-I was, er, hoping for some advice, actually.

-Mmm-mm?

So, you know, the first time you had...you know, with a boy...

Are you serious?

I just wanted to know what happened afterwards.

Did the boy still talk to you?

-Did he boast about it to his mates?

-It's too early for this.

Arthur's having a nice lie-in.

Oh, do you want me to make you some scrambled eggs?

-Nope, you're all right.

-Well, it won't take me a couple of minutes.

Hang on.

I know that you didn't see Shaki over the weekend.

He was busy and so was I.

-Well, will you see him today?

-If you ever let me get to school, yes.

Excuse me, it's him you've got the hump with, not us.

We were going to put the Christmas decorations up today.

-You'd like that, right?

-Brill.

OK, so come home straight from school

and we can get the rooms decorated.

DOOR SLAMS

Morning. Where's Sharon?

She's upstairs, getting ready to take Dennis to school.

She's going Christmas shopping.

-Do you want to go over these lines before rehearsals later?

-Yeah.

You still doing that play thing then, yeah?

Yeah, it's a right laugh, ain't it?

Oh, here she is, the Ghost of Christmas Past, look.

Come on, mate, let's get yourself together, come on.

I'm sorry about before. Still half asleep.

Don't worry about it.

-Mornin'.

-Mornin'. What did you want to talk to me about then?

Oh, nothing, nothing.

Come on, let's get out of here.

Sorry, I forgot my phone.

I thought we had an understanding.

-Did we?

-Dennis and Louise have seen enough bad behaviour

without going through it all again with you.

Are you comparing my situation to yours?

Yeah. Yeah, I am.

Stop looking for the answers at the bottom of a bottle,

because it ain't there.

If anyone knows that, it's me.

So, buck up your ideas or ship out.

You wouldn't kick me out.

If it was the best thing for the kids, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

-There you are.

-Oh, thanks.

What's that? Jujitsu?

-Who's doing Jujitsu?

-Your mum. She's looking at classes.

-Why?

-I have to do something.

What you need to do is take your mind off what happened

and not let it stew.

Well, I'm working on the Christmas show.

-I'm helping Derek out with the costumes and that.

-Oh, yeah.

Kathy called. She's going to come round later

and help you get stuff ready for rehearsals.

Well, I'm on holiday now.

Why don't I give Derek a call and see if I can get involved?

-That'd be great, sausage.

-Team Carter. Unbeatable.

Linda, it's your first wedding anniversary coming up soon,

-ain't it?

-Yeah. Yeah, New Year's Day.

-What's that one? Is it paper, ain't it?

-Yeah.

What are you supposed to get someone for a paper anniversary?

Well, look at that. "Gifts for every occasion."

They take a photo from your wedding day, and they mock up a front page

so it looks like a newspaper and you frame it.

Ah, nice one, Whit.

Morning, Dot!

Hello.

Any chance of getting this washed for later?

Just for you, I'll shove it in with someone else's.

HE LAUGHS

Dot, when are you...

-When are you getting your decorations up?

-Soon.

How's Denise?

Between you and me, she asked me to be birth partner.

Oh, dear. Yeah.

It's not like in the olden days.

Still, I suppose I can vouch for you being helpful in a crisis.

Then I hope you didn't think I was sticking my nose in last week.

I made an appointment at the hospital with that Miss Goldberg,

you know, to have the injections.

Dot, that's great.

-When are you going in then?

-This afternoon.

I can do that, all right?

Yes, well, actually, I've already asked Jack if he'd take me

and he's happy to take me there and back.

Well, I didn't want to impose on you again.

It's all right, Dot. It's OK.

Well, your shirt, that'll be ready about one o'clock.

Yeah, thanks, thanks.

-Thank you.

-It'll look great, trust me.

Ah, afternoon.

-I'm not that late.

-Just in time to pack up.

Shut up. Right, what can I do?

There's a box of tops there you can put out

and when you're finished doing that, you can sort your head out.

I know, OK, I know. I'm sorry.

-I'm only having a go because I'm worried about you, Rox.

-I know.

Seriously, if there's anything I can do...

I had Phil having a go at me this morning.

You know, it really made me think.

If I've got Phil telling me I'm out of order,

then maybe it's time to get my act together.

-All right, Donna?

-You all right?

-How you doing?

-Never better.

I need a hand with some wedding stuff later. You up for it?

-Great.

-OK.

I need to pop into town for some place settings at around three.

I just wondered if you could pick up Amy and Ricky for me

just so I don't have to break my neck getting back?

Well, you better ask the boss, cos I'm already in her bad books.

-Course she can.

-Great.

-OK. 3.30, school.

-Yeah.

You were looking for a chance to start sorting your act out.

Assistant Director? Yeah, yeah. Reckon I can handle that.

OK, I'll chase Denise now.

All right, cheers, Derek. I'll see you later. Bye.

Dot...

Yes, well, your shirt's ready. It's hanging on the door.

Oh, thanks.

-What's that?

-What?

The letter?

Nothing.

Why are you so coy about it then?

-Dot?

-Well, it's my notice, ain't it?

Mr Oppa-poppa, he is closing the launderette on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas.

Oh, Dot, I'm so sorry, I...

I didn't quite believe it but there it is in black and white.

Well, you know, retirement is not such a bad thing, you know.

I've retired once before.

-Yes and you came back?

-It weren't for me.

I couldn't do nothing all day.

This place used to be the centre of activity.

There was people in and out all the time and chatter, chatter, chatter.

I suppose it's outlived its usefulness, huh?

Like most things, I suppose.

What are my regular customers going to do?

Well, they accept it and move on,

most of the time with hardly a backward glance.

It's just that the older you get, the clearer you see things

and the harder it is not to look back.

I ain't living in the past. Neither should you.

-You've got the new baby to look forward to.

-Yeah.

-When are you expecting Jack here?

-Soon.

OK, I'll pop in later, just to make sure you're OK, all right?

-Yeah, ta.

-Thanks.

Do you know what's completely gone out of fashion?

-The mullet?

-Shoulder pads?

Christmas parties. Who can afford them these days?

But, I fancy doing one for the market traders this year.

What do you reckon?

Yeah, well, they used to have a contest back in the day about

how many pubs they could get round before falling over.

Oh, no, this won't be a pub crawl.

This will be a well-organised, well-behaved night out with food.

Give us a sec. Oi, Louise!

Hey. Look, I'm sorry about earlier.

Three coffees and I'm feeling half human again.

Now, what did you want advice about earlier?

-Oh, it don't matter, Roxy.

-No, no, wait!

Did you say something about a first time?

Are you talking about what I think you're talking about?

-You don't have to be embarrassed.

-I'm not.

If you want advice on blokes, I've been there, I've done it.

I've got the T-shirt. I've got a whole wardrobe full.

It's not me who needs advice.

It's me.

Should we get a cup of tea? Come on.

Shaks is being such a mug.

I WhatsApped him like five times and he hasn't replied.

Was it the first time for him as well?

-You can't tell anyone about this.

-Of course I won't.

Shakil blanked her at school too.

Do you think he's got what he wanted and now he's dumped me?

-I didn't have him down as a user.

-Blokes are useless at talking.

He hasn't even tried.

Look, first of all, you need to get him away from his mates, OK?

-Then what?

-Then you need to let him know he's out of order.

Say to him, "You don't get to just walk away."

You need to know where you stand.

Are you still together or not, right? Be straight with him.

PHONE RINGS

-Oh, no.

-What?

Ron, I'm sorry!

No, wait, listen, I'm on my way to the school...

Ron!

I thought Jack'd still be here.

He had to go and pick Amy and Ricky from school

but he brought Matthew to the hospital.

Nothing like a baby for brightening things up.

Thank you for bringing the cake.

How did it go?

Oh, it's not too bad. Needle was a bit sharp.

It's as if I've got a bit of grit in my eye.

You'd better make the most of a quiet afternoon.

You won't get a bit of peace when that baby's born.

Ta.

Yeah, I suppose so.

What's the matter? You was excited about it earlier on.

Well, I am excited.

You'll be the first to see the baby.

You'll be the first to hold it, the first to look into its eyes.

When it's older, no matter how naughty it is,

you'll be able to say, "I was there when you was born, you be quiet."

That's a lifelong bond, that. Can't be broken.

You know what, Dot? You should mark finishing work.

How?

Organise a Christmas Eve party at the launderette?

I mean, this is the end of a Walford institution, you know.

Well, I don't want a fuss.

I'm surrounded by stubborn women.

-Well, suppose nobody came?

-Plenty will come, man, trust me.

You know, neither of us have the power to change what's coming,

but at least we can...

We can face things in our own way.

Ron. Ron, I'm so sorry.

-You said you were picking them up!

-Where are they now?

The school called Jack. He got them.

He's taken them to pick up dinner with Matthew.

How could you forget?

I don't know.

Do you know what, it seems like every time you need to step up

and take responsibility for Amy it all ends up going pear-shaped.

Why is that?

I really don't know what to say.

Nothing to say, is there?

Just tell Amy I'm sorry again.

You coming round later to help with the wedding?

I think I'll give it a miss today if that's OK.

I've left Bex three messages now and we're doing all of this for her.

-And me and Arthur.

-Yes, and you and Arthur.

DOOR SLAMS

Oi, you nearly missed putting the Christmas decorations up.

-I'm going straight out again.

-What about tea?

-I'm fine.

-Rehearsals?

-I'll see you there.

We thought that the decorations might cheer you up.

-I'm going to go and see Shakil.

-You've spoken to him, then?

I'm going to go over and see him now, face-to-face.

Looks nice. See you later.

Bex is being weird.

She's being a teenager. It's the same thing.

OK, everybody here?

Right, come on then, let's get in there quick as possible.

Awful lot to do. We'll have costumes there, props over there

and the actors can sort it out when they get here.

Right, here's the posters, hot off the press.

Well, straight out the photocopying machine, but there you go.

-They're great.

-Yeah, well done.

The guy in the shop did Lauren a deal.

-Yeah, Steven reckoned he fancied me.

-Blokes, eh? Total nightmares.

Oi, oi, oi!

-Could we set up the stage, please?

-Yeah. Abs?

Did Louie enjoy the pantomime on Saturday?

Cried through most of it.

Right, my Assistant Director has circulated the script changes.

Yeah, I-I-I've only had two words changed.

Yeah, the revisions are small, but they are crucial.

Denise, I shall need you to follow on the book

-so any mistakes, flag them up for us.

-Sure.

-And, Patrick, centre stage, please.

-Sure.

-Mick, if you could enter upstage left.

-What's that? What?

Come in through the door upstage left and say your first line

What door? Where's the door? There ain't no door up there.

It'll be there on the night.

What are you laughing at? It's down to you I'm in this mess.

-You wait till I get you home.

-Ooh, promises, promises!

Just to let you know I've found the perfect anniversary pressie for Mum.

-Oh, yeah?

-Yeah.

They put your wedding photo on the front page of a newspaper,

-frame it up and make it look boss.

-Oh, that's pucker, that is.

That's pucker, well done, boy, well done, well done.

Can we start to focus, please? We've only got an hour to do this.

Right, and, Mick, if you would enter, please.

KNOCK ON DOOR

I'm not here to have a go.

-Can I come in?

-Mum's going to be back in a minute.

-Do you want a drink or something?

-Yeah.

Do you want ordinary or diet?

-Er, ordinary.

-You usually drink diet.

I want ordinary.

Oh!

-You shook 'em up?

-No. This one's fine.

How did you know I'd take this bottle?

Well, you know I hate diet and seeing as you're so vexed,

you were always going to choose ordinary, so no, no, no, no!

Right...

I'm getting a towel.

It's all over you.

I'm sorry.

Hello? I'm not stopping.

Oh, hey, Bex.

I've been asking around all day about having a Christmas do

for the market and most people seemed to like the idea.

So I need to go and book a big table at Beales.

Set a proper date.

I've got rehearsals later,

so you'll have to sort yourself out for dinner.

You're skin and bone. You need to eat. All right, see you later.

DOOR SLAMS

So?

What?

You were saying?

You do NOT just get to walk away from this.

I need to know where I stand.

We are...still together, aren't we?

Shaks.

OK.

When you're ready to talk, then come find me.

Thanks.

-It's the least I could do. What a day, eh?

-Half a day for some.

-I've been thinking...

-Thought I could smell burning.

I really haven't been much of a friend recently

-and I certainly haven't been employee of the month...

-True.

..and I'm kind of sick of letting everyone down.

You deserve someone you can rely on to run the business.

Best case scenario. But I also have to get on with them.

-We get on, don't we?

-Can't stand your guts.

Look, after today, you know, Phil, you, Amy, Ronnie,

I've come to a decision.

I just think you should have someone else work for you.

You're giving yourself the sack?

-Yeah, I guess I am.

-Forget it.

-Then I'll resign.

-No, sorry, not accepting it.

I need two people to run the stall and you're not going anywhere.

-But hold on a minute...

-No. End of.

Right, I'm not letting you sit here, feeling sorry for yourself.

You're coming with me to watch a bunch of people making utter mugs

out of themselves, me included.

You decided to turn your back on the most precious person

in your life.

It's, "You made the decision

"to turn your back on the most precious person in your life."

Johnny? Johnny? Where's Johnny? Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.

Next scene, please.

Stace made a real effort with them decorations today.

The least you could have done was help put them up.

-I told her I had to see someone.

-Hold on, who's "her"?

-Martin, it doesn't matter.

-No, it DOES matter.

She's been moping around all weekend and I'm just sick of it.

Patrick, the next scene is

Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present, so...Carmel.

If we could have a line run first,

then we'll try and put it on its feet, OK?

MUSIC: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra

# Have yourself a merry little Christmas

# Let your heart be light

# From now on, our troubles

# Will be out of sight. #

Let's just see what happens. Yep.

Can we have some quiet now, please?

Find a seat and settle, yes.

Patrick, move one step to your right, would you?

Spirit, have pity on me. Don't leave me alone.

What have I done to be abandoned like this?

Good!

And could we have the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, please?

LAUGHTER

Whither do you beckon me now?

Oh, this is a fearful place.

Point at the headstone, Billy.

Before I draw close to that stone, tell me, are these the shadows of

things that must, or of things that might be?

And look at the headstone, Patrick.

Brush away some of the dirt and you see...

your name.

Why do you show me this, if I'm beyond all hope?

SHE MOUTHS

Oh, I have been selfish.

Wounded those closest to me and have lost their trust.

Say that I might be spared this wretched end.

Assure me that I have the power to change my ways.

That, wretched as I am...

..I may yet be redeemed...

..and find a meaningful place in this world.

APPLAUSE

Yeah, man.

Do you think it's too late for me to change?

Only you can answer that.

-Why am I so selfish?

-We're all selfish, Rox.

How... How could I forget to pick her up?

Stop beating yourself up about it. It could have happened to anyone.

Thank you, Donna, for being a proper mate.

That's all right.

As a mate, I need to say something.

OK.

It may not be what you want to hear.

What?

If you want a chance to really change things,

then maybe you should start in a place that matters the most.

'Amy.'

-Hey, sweetie, what's up?

-Did you have a bad dream?

I was in some woods and it was dark.

Oh, darling, come here.

It's all right, sweetie, I'm here.

'The best thing my mum ever did for me was putting me up for fostering.'

'I'm not doing that with Amy.'

'If you want to stop being selfish'

and give yourself the chance to really get your head together,

-then...

-What?

..maybe the best thing you can do for Amy right now is to let her go.

Ask Ronnie and Jack to adopt Amy.