02/09/2014 River City

Mr Adams? Think we spoke on the phone.

I'm Ailsa. I've just come from the hospital.

How's your da? Is he going to be all right?

He's still unconscious.

-Who the hell are you?

-I told you. I'm her brother, her real one.

-What's he talking about?

-I don't know! Harry, call the police.

He found his sister, but it didn't go so well.

'There was an altercation and the police were called.

'I think he'd built up a picture of what it'd be like when he found her.

'But she didn't want to know him.'

He's taken it badly.

Finn!

Get out!

'He needs help. Our help.

'Not turning your back on him. Giving him a home, security,'

someone they can trust. Isn't that what we signed up for?

-Do we just take a seat?

-Yeah.

ROBBIE SIGHS

Hey, how yous doing? Hey, Finn.

I'm going to take you in one at a time, so who wants to go first?

-I'll go first.

-OK.

-So, how you doing?

-Hmm.

How's it going?

-It's going...

-Right...

It's hard, it's really hard.

I don't know, I mean, you face this all the time,

but this is brand-new for me.

Erm... Finn obviously has been through a lot,

and, erm, we've just been dealing with it.

But nothing that we've not been able to deal with.

Right, so how do you think you're coping, Will?

I think we're coping well, under the circumstances.

I like him. I do. I mean...

The thing is, obviously, he has got a lot of issues. And...

we're willing to work through them

and he's only 15 and he's been through so much, but...

It is really difficult to get to know him.

I don't know him.

Do you get on with him?

Who does he get on with out of the two of you?

Erm...

If I'm honest, he gets on with me better. But...

..that's probably just down to the fact that we like playing sport,

-and similar interests.

-Like basketball.

-Basketball. Pool.

So, how's you and Will and Finn,

I mean, how's that affecting your relationship?

-Erm...

-You don't mind me asking that?

-No, no, no, no, no.

No, it's a massive thing. Erm...

We are strained at times, definitely,

I mean, it's never, it's never really got to the stage

where I think this is going to split us up or whatever,

but obviously, you know, we had a lot of issues before this

and I think my fears are that

we've not really dealt with that, and had enough time, just us two,

and now our lives are really turned upside-down.

We had Will's dad there for a wee while,

-but that didn't work out, the three of us couldn't live there.

-Right.

And that is a concern, it definitely is a concern.

Is it causing any problems between you and Will, with Finn?

-Definitely.

-I know a 15-year-old's hard work for anybody.

-Yeah. He...

I don't know if it's a tactical thing?

I don't know if it's a divide and conquer,

but I definitely feel as though they're closer.

Right.

Finn put a lot of hope into his sister, and, erm...

Obviously because of his history,

and the amount of foster homes he's been through,

I think that he felt like his sister was his salvation, in a way.

And as you know, it didn't go down too well,

and, uh, it broke his heart, didn't it?

So what do you want to do from here?

I mean, we're coming to the end of the trial period.

Well, we'd like to keep him on.

-Really?

-Yeah, if that's possible.

Right. Great.

Does Robbie feel the same?

Erm...

I don't know.

Like I was saying to you, on the good days, yep, definitely,

absolutely, it's great fun,

and you get such a sense of pride knowing that you've got a wee family

and you're looking after them, and everybody's happy

and everybody's contributing, but...it's hard,

it's really tough, and obviously, the issues that he has, I don't...

I don't know if I'm capable, I really don't know if I'm capable,

I mean, Will, obviously with his work,

he faces these things all the time.

I know, you keep going on about Will being this perfect foster carer,

you know, it takes time, Robbie.

You can't just overnight go, "Right, I'm brilliant at all of this."

I do feel as though he forgives a lot more than me.

You know, we didn't get into becoming foster carers

and just expect it to be smooth, and we're certainly not

-going to jump ship at the first sign of problems.

-Right.

What did you say?

Well, you can imagine.

Not really.

I just told her how difficult it had been.

And that it wasn't anything like I thought it would be.

What? She asked. She wanted to know the truth.

I thought we agreed it would be a good idea to meet with Sandra.

Only because you were so keen about it.

Excuse me? We had to do something.

Why? We were dealing with him.

No, we weren't. Not since he broke into Catriona's. You know that.

There's nothing wrong with asking for a bit of help.

It's for Finn's sake.

Please tell me we're on the same side with this, Will?

How is it at Will and Robbie's?

It's all right. When I ain't under surveillance.

What?

Well, he's on my case.

Are you not happy there, Finn?

Sometimes I am.

Right.

And how are they? How do you get on, how do you get on with Robbie?

Uh...

It's like he wants me to be some...

It's like they just don't know me.

I heard that you trashed your room. What was that about?

I got arrested, just got rejected by my sister,

-and it's like they don't even realise...

-OK...

..can't even begin to imagine what it's like to be me

and they don't even care.

I know, but you've got to open up,

you know what I mean? How can they, if you won't talk to them?

-I was...

-The thing about your sister,

and I've told you this, Finn,

and I know it's hard, I know you want to get to know your sister,

but the adoptive parents won't let you near her,

so you need to just wait until she is 18 and then she might come round.

You've got to give her a chance.

Breaking into her house and turning up at her door,

it's just causing a lot of problems. I understand what you're saying.

She didn't even... She didn't know what I looked like.

-How's that fair?

-It isn't, son.

She didn't even know me.

I just wanted to speak to her so she could see my face.

How can she make a decision to see someone when she don't even

know what they look like or can't even speak to them or hear them?

-How can you make a decision...

-Calm down.

-..on seeing someone you don't even know?

-Calm down.

Do you want to be placed somewhere else?

-Is that what you want, Finn?

-I'm probably going to be, ain't I?

-No.

-That's why we're here right?

-Look...

-Robbie wants me out, doesn't he?

What? They're here already?

-Who?

-The wedding party.

I'll see you later.

We can have a chat, just the three of us, eh?

He's doing his best, Finn.

That's the trouble.

Finn?

Finn!

HE KNOCKS

WILL KNOCKS AGAIN

Why do you always have to make things so difficult?

OK. I get it.

I think it's rough that Catriona's parents are against you meeting her.

But it doesn't mean you should take it out on us.

-What's that supposed to mean?

-You can't kick off at us

just because you're mad at Catriona's folks!

But you can go running to Sandra complaining about me, can't you?

We're all on your side, Finn.

She's a social worker!

Don't you get it?

I don't want a whole committee discussing my every move.

It's like I can't even talk to you

without you just running off to them!

Can't you see we're in a difficult position here?

We can't keep secrets like this.

Come on. I'll take you to school.

What? I have to go to school? Are you crazy?

Yeah.

You don't have a choice here, Finn.

CHILDREN PLAYING

What makes a guy like you want to foster someone like me?

Come on. I want to know.

I let someone down once. A kid.

I don't want that to happen again.

There's just one problem.

I'm not them, am I?

Betty... Can I talk to you?

I've got nothing to say to you.

Did you not hear me?

I just need ten minutes of your time.

Please.

Then will you leave me alone?

I promise.

I didn't mean to frighten you.

Why are you after my husband?

I'm worried Eric's in trouble.

And I mean more than covering up that chromium report.

I want to be honest with you.

Someone that I'm very close to...

..she's under threat.

It's my ex-wife, actually.

She's being blackmailed, just like your husband.

-What's that got to do with me?

-I don't know how,

but something keeps telling me that Eric's the key in all this.

-Maybe if you were to go to the police...

-No!

Why not?

It's too dangerous.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Yes?

No, my husband's not available at the moment.

I've been saying this for about three days in a row,

he's not around at the moment.

Yes, I'm doing what I can. The house is on the market.

I'd really appreciate it if you could stop hounding me.

Thank you very much. Bye-bye.

When you sell this house, what will you do?

This place is mortgaged to the hilt.

Even if I do manage to sell it,

it's not going to make a dent in what we owe.

Betty, why did you say going to the police would be dangerous?

You're frightened, aren't you? Why?

There were other reports.

I don't know the details. I didn't want to.

Other reports? What, more than just this one?

So he's falsified reports before?

All I know is that sometimes there was a lot of extra cash.

Who did he get this cash from?

Did he mention a name?

-He must have mentioned a name, where they met. Something.

-No!

And I don't want to know! I should never have let you in.

Why are you so frightened?

Right, I need you to just go!

But he could be in real trouble.

I need to know who he did these reports for!

Please leave.

CHILDREN PLAYING

You all right?

So, where were you this morning? You weren't in Registration.

Forget it. I was just asking.

Do you fancy skiving?

What, now?

So, are you going to tell me where you were this morning?

Had a meeting with my social worker.

Is everything OK?

Well, I was in the doghouse cos of what happened with Catriona.

And cos Robbie thinks I'm...

-MIMICS ROBBIE:

-.."shutting him out".

That doesn't seem fair.

You'd think Will and Robbie would understand how you were feeling.

That night? After I saw Catriona?

Robbie was going on to Will, like he's had enough.

Hmm.

Maybe he's jealous.

Well, it was just him and Will before.

Maybe he thinks you've come between them.

Right, bridesmaid number two, you're next! You look ravishing.

Oh, can you excuse me for a sec?

-Hi.

-How's Finn?

-I took him to school.

He'll not be too happy about that.

He's not happy about very much at the moment.

We're doing the right thing. Following the procedure...

Procedure! That's all he's known. Procedure and red tape.

No wonder he doesn't know how to make a connection.

He needs people to give him a chance and listen to him,

-not keep writing everything up in his file!

-I don't want to do that.

That was the whole point of this morning,

to try and get him to communicate, not add to his file.

But he needs to deal with his crap,

and he can't do that if we keep running to Sandra all the time.

We needed her help.

And we didn't "run" to Sandra, we agreed to talk to her.

What if we've let him down? What if all we're doing is sending him

back into a system that's just going to eat him up and spit him out?

I don't want to ruin another kid's life because we're stuck on doing things by the book.

Are you sure this is Finn we're talking about here?

I've got to get back.

There's the man you're looking for.

-Hi.

-All right?

I thought I'd come and check on something about the car.

They've said it's a complete write-off, but I was wondering

if you could take a look at it. Give me a second opinion?

Aye.

How's your da?

He came out of the coma two days ago.

That's great news.

So, is he going to be all right?

Does he remember much?

I'm so sorry.

SHE SOBS

I keep doing this! I'm sorry. I'll go.

Ailsa, hang on!

You all right?

Look, you want to go for a cup of coffee or something?

Just that way.

He doesn't even recognise me. Or Mum.

So he doesn't remember anything?

The doctors say it's not unusual for someone coming out of a coma.

The brain still has to recover.

So...he will remember?

They don't know how much.

Just as long as he remembers his family, eh?

It was just so horrible.

We were looking forward to him waking up, and then

to have him look at us just blankly, like we were strangers...

How much do they think will come back?

They can't say. But it'll take time.

So he might never remember the accident?

Might be a good thing.

But it might be the only thing he remembers.

The doctors can't predict.

You understand, don't you?

You've been so kind.

I didn't really need to come and see about the car today.

I just wanted something to do.

I'm glad you did.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

So when are you going to see your dad again?

This afternoon.

Will you give me a phone? Let me know how he is?

Of course.

The chances are he won't remember anything.

And if he does?

Ailsa's going to phone me, let me know how he is.

Is it a good idea, you getting pally with this daughter?

-We need to know what he remembers.

-As long as that's all it is.

Robbie looks like the jealous type.

-SLURS:

-It's easy to sit and take money when you've got

some stupid soft kid who'll just do whatever they're told.

Wait, they get paid for fostering you?

Course. You think anyone's going to do it for free?

Just for the love? There's no love.

Ah, so you think Will and Robbie are just doing it

because they're getting paid for it?

Yeah.

We're out of drink.

OK, well, let's go back to yours.

I'm sure Will and Robbie have some booze somewhere.

Come on, then.

DOOR CLOSES

Is that a peace offering?

It's a gift, a thank-you from the wedding party.

How did it go?

HE SIGHS

Hellish. Bride, two crazy bridesmaids,

mad mother-in-laws, and flower girl.

A success, then.

Me and Kelly-Marie were thinking we could offer it as a bespoke service.

You know, shut the salon for half a day

-and give them our undivided attention.

-Great.

I was thinking, maybe we could book a holiday?

Just the three of us. Maybe a festival.

We don't have to hang about with Finn the whole time,

but I think he might like it.

We both want what's best for him.

Are you going to open that or what?

Are you sure they're not going to be in?

Yeah, Robbie kept going on about how busy his salon is

and Will should have gone back to work by now.

So we'll grab a few bottles.

CORK POPS

Cheers.

Celebrating getting rid of me, are you?

Finn. Didn't see you come in.

Yeah, too busy making eyes at each other as usual, eh?

We were celebrating the salon doing amazing business today.

Here, we're planning a holiday.

Really?

Finn, have you been drinking?

Why shouldn't I? I've got something to celebrate too as well, eh?

What are you talking about?

We all know that's what this meeting was about this morning. I'm out!

That's not true, Finn!

You've had enough of me. Go on. Admit it.

Right, you need to sober up.

That's it. Trying to shut me up.

So much for you wanting me to talk to you.

Come on! If you've got something to say, Finn, you say it.

You ain't interested in me.

The only thing you're interested in is your poncy salon and money.

The only reason you fostered me is cos of Will,

cos Will's on a mad guilt trip about some other kid.

Taking on me, trying to make himself feel better, eh?

I'm damaged goods, ain't I?

Cramping your style...

-I promise you you're not...

-Get off me, you poof!

Apologise, now!

FINN LAUGHS

Come on, let's go.

Just let him sober up.

Finn!

Finn!

Celebrating getting rid of me?!

Finn! Finn, stop it!

Finn!

You lying scum!

Finn!

Have that!

Your poncy beauty salon, there ain't nothing beautiful about it!

Or you!

That's beautiful!

Money's all you care about, you don't care about love, just money!

Just money!

You'll never forget me! I'll make sure of that!

You don't even know me!

They don't care!

Whoa!

What?!

-Eh? What?!

-No, mate, you're fine. You're all right.

-Leave me alone!

-You OK?

-Mm-hmm.

Go on, get out! Get out!

Come on.

DOORBELL RINGS

It's Finn. He's gone off his heid.

I didn't think he was capable of being so vindictive.

Why would he do this?

Finn!

Come here!

Come here!

I'm not your bloody rent boy!

Come on, then. Hit me!

Eh? Let's see the real man.

That's what you want, ain't it?

Come on! Eh? I deserved it, right?

We've done our best, Finn. I've tried to be on your side.

But what you did back there...

That's it. I'm finished.

WOOD THUMPS

Stop it! Finn!

You don't care about me!

Of course I care.

Will?

I didn't... I didn't touch him. I swear.

He's lying.

I thought he was going to kill me.

I didn't. I swear.

You going to take his word over mine?

Forget it.

Of course you are.

You make me sick.

Finn!

Finn!

MUSIC: "Signal to Noise" by Peter Gabriel

# You know the way that things go

# When what you fight for starts to fall

# And in that fuzzy picture

# The writing stands out on the wall

# So clearly on the wall

# Send out the signals

# Deep and loud

# And in this place

# Can you reassure me?

# With a touch, a smile

# While the cradle's burning

# All the while the world is turning to noise

# All the more that it's surrounding us

# The more that it destroys

# Turn up the signal

# Wipe out the noise. #

Did Will do this?

So, Finn...

..you admit that you wilfully caused damage to Number 18 hair salon.

What?

Your foster carer, Will Cooper, chased you into the basketball court

across from Shieldinch subway station.

Is that correct?

Yeah.

Why don't you take me through exactly what happened?

He was off his head.

Mad at me for smashing up Robbie's salon.

I tried to get away from him.

Go on.

He was hitting my head off the wall like a lunatic.

I did try and get away.

But...

..he was strong.

So, you chased Finn to the basketball court...

I wanted to talk to him.

Talk to him?

Yeah. He was drunk. I wanted to...

Knock some sense into him?

WILL SIGHS

-Reason with him.

-But you were angry.

I was annoyed, yeah. Hurt for Robbie's sake.

-So, what did you do?

-Nothing.

He pulled away.

I told him that I'd had enough of him.

How I was finished with him.

I didn't mean it.

Mean what?

To hit him?

I didn't hit him.

Will, there's blood on your hands.

I was trying to stop him.

He was flinging himself against the wall.

So you grabbed him?

WILL SIGHS

What's going to happen now?

Well, they've taken your statement

but we need to find you somewhere to stay tonight.

Where?

Don't worry. We'll find something.

Respite care.

What's going to happen to Will?

Well, he'll never foster again, that's for sure.

I should never have let you stay there. I should have known...

Should've known what?

Nothing.

I'm really sorry, Finn.

I've had to contact the Family Protection Unit.

They'll come and take your statement in the next few days.

Charge you.

I'm talking to you as a colleague now, not a cop.

It's your word against his.

Yeah.

You know he wrecked Robbie's salon, right?

And there's your motivation.

It's a mess, Will.

I know.

Did you do it?

I was your referee for fostering the kid, for God's sake.

What's wrong? Worried you'll be tainted by association?

HE SIGHS

He didn't do this. I know it.

Trust me, I don't want to believe it either.

But, well, it wouldn't be the first time Will's lost it, has it?

He didn't do this. I know he didn't.

OK, what happened after you arrived at the salon?

I was shocked. Will was furious.

For me.

He was upset for me.

He saw Finn, then went after him.

To do what?

To ask him why he'd trashed the salon.

He would have been worried about him.

Will understands that Finn's a bit...complicated.

-And you followed.

-Yes.

What did you see?

Will and Finn and...

Finn's head was cut and bleeding.

Was there any physical contact between them?

Will had a hold of him.

But just to stop him doing any more damage.

Will told you that, did he?

So, when you came round the corner,

what you saw was Finn being held by Will.

So he could have done it?

I trusted you. I put my job on the line for you!

You know, I spent years of my life telling kids like Finn

that it's OK to trust.

Not everyone's quick with a fist or taking advantage.

-I got you wrong.

-He didn't do it.

Oh, right, you would say that, wouldn't you?

Do you think that I'd defend him if he'd done it?

You're his partner.

You know, I feel ashamed of myself.

I put a vulnerable boy in the care of someone

who's got violence issues.

I didn't touch him.

-What was I thinking?

-You weren't wrong.

The boy was in a state. You saw that earlier.

I took him to school, but he dobbed off and he'd been drinking.

I'm not going to lie.

When I was chasing him, I was fuming, I was furious.

I was so angry that I did something unforgivable.

I told him that I'd had enough, that I was giving up on him.

That I was walking away.

The one thing I said I wouldn't do.

I was walking away.

So, in a way, I did do it.

What?

He flung himself against the wall because...

..because he thought I was giving up on him.

DOOR OPENS

-Here, there you go.

-Cheers.

Has...

Has he been charged?

Nope, not yet.

The Family Protection Unit have to investigate the case first.

Have you got something to tell me?

Look, I know you were angry this morning.

You'd been drinking.

-What? Are you trying to say I lied?

-No.

But if Will has done this to you,

he deserves everything that's coming to him.

I hope he goes down for it.

Loses everything.

Do you think that could happen?

Well, if I've got anything to do with it, yeah.

He abused your trust and mine.

Look. I've got to sort a few things out, OK?

You'll be all right?

OK.

INAUDIBLE

Right. I've managed to get you somewhere for you to stay tonight.

It's only temporary, but we'll sort something out later.

I don't want to go.

What?

Look, you've got to stay somewhere, Finn.

You can't go back to Shieldinch.

I wanted Will to hit me, all right?

I wanted him to batter me cos of what I'd done.

What are you saying?

He didn't do it.

He never even touched me.

I'm sorry.

Right. You want to tell me what really happened?

I wish he'd killed me.

I just wished he'd killed me there and then.

Will, can I have a word?

Finn's just told me that he lied.

What? You mean he lied about Will hitting him?

Yeah.

-So Will's in the clear?

-Yep.

I'm really sorry, Will.

-It's OK.

-No, it's not.

Right, well, the question is what do we do now?

Are you saying you'd take him back after what he's done?

He needs us.

Right, I'll give you a minute.

ROBBIE SIGHS

He was about to wreck your career.

-But he didn't.

-I told you.

I cannae tolerate violence from anyone.

And I told him, promised, I wouldn't give up on him.

I appreciate what you're saying, I do.

But you saw what happened today.

Are we equipped to deal with somebody like that?

-Who is?

-And what about us, Will?

If we take Finn back, can we survive it?

He's already had us at each other's throats.

He's had me doubting you.

Are you asking me to choose?

I don't know.

If we take Finn back, it has to be something we both want.

Together.

Right, you've got a choice to make.

You either come with me

or maybe go back with Will and Robbie.

You having a laugh?

What do you think?

They don't want me.

Well, if they did, would you go back?

HE SIGHS

I don't know.

What is it you want, Finn?

I don't know.

Why don't you give yourself a chance?

Before it's too late.

Right, we're just about to head off.

We could take you.

Do you want to come back to ours, just for tonight?

Really?

OK.

Good.

Right, well, I'll give you a call tomorrow.

-See you later.

-Yeah.

I'll put the kettle on.

FINN SIGHS

Why did you take me back?

I screw things up. That's what I do.

You don't want someone like me.

Yeah, we do.

Doesn't the fact you're back here tonight prove that?

Yeah, but is it me you actually want?

Or that kid you told me about?

It's not about him.

It's about you.

We want to make this work, Finn.

What if I can't?

What if I can't?

Right, that's me away.

Can't you leave it till tomorrow?

I've got customers in the morning.

-I'll come with.

-No. I know where everything goes.

I'm OK to go on my own.

You'd just mix up my tints with my shampoos.

You need to stay here for him.

He's not going to do anything.

Yeah. Course.

You feeling OK?

Where's Robbie gone?

To the salon to sort it out for tomorrow.

On his own?

Yep.

It'll work out all right though...

with the insurance and everything, won't it?

He's not insured, then?

He's insured, but in order to make a claim,

he needs a crime reference number.

And to get that, he'd need to report you.

Which means you'd be charged.

Which means you'd get a record.

And he doesn't want to do that.

What're you doing here?

Thought I could help.

I knew you were upset about the meeting this morning.

But this?

What you did to your face today,

I think that shows you hate yourself more than you even hate us.

And I'm sorry for that.

I'm glad you came back.

There's a mop in there.

You and Stuart mean everything to me, you're my family.

You should've thought about that earlier.

My house has been broken into.

I think it was a man named Raymond Henderson.

He took Eric's hard drive. It's got everything on it.

All his...business.

I need to speak to one of your journalists, a Mr Iain Millar.

You knew that ground was poisoned, that that could cause cancer.

And yet still you were going to go ahead and build flats on it!

We just need to keep the head here.

It's no' your head on the block.

I should've said no to you right from the start.

All we have to do is deny that we know anything about that report.

It's Alan in the frame.

So, it's in all our best interests

that he gets his hands on that hard drive.