Esme The Dumping Ground

The Winter Collection.

Yeah.

Look, it's amazing!

It's a shoe. Can we go?

Yes! Look!

What?

Four! That is a sign.

It's a shoe size.

It's destiny! Right, I'm going to try them on.

OK, as long as you hurry up.

They totally match your outfit.

Thanks.

Seriously, you have to buy a pair.

Oh, I already have a pair.

I was just trying to convince my friend here to get some.

I think I'll pass.

Do you mind if I...?

No, not at all.

Let's go.

Enjoy.

Ciao.

What are you like?

What do you mean?

"I've just got to try and convince my friend to get some".

I don't know what you're talking about.

Sure.

I mean, it's not like we'll ever see her again.

Help!

Get off me!

Just give us your bag!

-Oi!

-Get away from her!

Let's go!

Are you all right?

Sure?

You're sure you don't want us to call the police?

-It's only money.

-We should call someone.

My dad's abroad and my mum's at work.

I'm fine. Really.

You shouldn't be alone. Come back to ours.

-I wouldn't want to impose.

-You're not.

I'm sorry, could you excuse us for just one second?

-What are you doing?

-What?

We can't take her back home!

-Ah, because you're ashamed.

-No, I just think...

That if you put on a posh accent, she won't find out we're in care!

I hope I'm not causing a problem.

You're not. There's no problem. Is there?

Erm, no.

I'm Lily. This is Carmen.

I'm Esme.

I'm telling you, that girl is getting worse by the minute!

I said to her, "Listen to your records all you want,

"but when I ask you to do something, you do it!"

But does she listen? Does she obey? No! She turns it up louder.

-Sorry? What?

-Elektra.

-What about her?

-With her ear-thingys!

-Her headphones?

-Yes. She's using them to drown me out!

-She shouldn't do that, it's bad for her ears.

-What?

And it's rude. I'll have a word.

Thank you.

Mike. Are you all right?

I'm fine. Why'd you ask?

It's just, you seem a bit...

Aaaargh!

What's wrong with you? What's wrong with your stomach?

Nothing.

Well, why are you shrieking?

I am not shrieking, it was a manly groan.

You need to see a doctor.

-I don't need to see a doctor.

-Mike...

-I'm fine!

-Oh...

Oh!

Are you two sisters?

BOTH: No.

But you said you live together.

Yeah, we do. We live in a care home.

Oh.

-You're not freaked out, are you?

-Why would I be?

-Cos it's not a dump, or anything.

-I'm sure it isn't.

If you don't want to come back, it's fine, I totally understand.

No, I'd like to.

So, how many of you live there?

Erm, 13.

-When I'm staying.

-And the rest of the time she lives with her dad.

-It sounds amazing.

-Why?

You serious? 13 of you, doing anything you want!

No limits, no rules!

Oh, we have rules.

Yeah, Mike and Gina rules.

-Are they in charge?

-Yep.

What are they like?

Gina's kind of bossy.

-Agreed.

-But Mike, well, he's just really kind.

I mean, he's strict, but soft, too.

Sounds like my dad.

I wish Mike was my dad.

So, this is the living room.

Birthday parties and stuff are usually held in here.

-Cos it's the biggest room in the house.

-Who is that?

So, what do you think?

It's pretty basic.

It's awesome.

-Hi!

-Hey.

-Are you moving in?

-No, I'm just...

Aren't you going to introduce me?

Yes. This is Esme. Esme, this is...

-I'm Johnny.

-Hi.

Erm...

You have beautiful...feet.

Thanks, I just got a pedicure.

-Me too.

-What are you doing?

- Just being friendly. - No, you're just being weird.

Erm... well, anyway, I was wondering if you...erm...

-If I..?

-Mobile. Have one.

-Oh, yes.

-Me too! It's like we're totally connected.

OK...er, excuse me, Johnny? We need to have a conversation with...

anyone who isn't you.

I love mobiles. The way they bring people together.

-Yeah.

-He basically wants your mobile number.

Oh, OK.

"Esme Vasquez-Jones".

-I know.

-That'd get you a lot in Scrabble.

It would. Course, you're not allowed to use..

BOTH: Proper nouns.

-Right, come on, we're going!

-Looks like I'm going.

-Looks like.

-Ciao!

-Ciao.

-Look, I'm sorry about him.

-Don't be.

-You don't like him, do you?

-No!

We haven't met before, have we?

I'm sorry. This is Gina, Esme. Esme, Gina.

Esme. Well, you must be a very special guest,

because we have a very specific policy about strangers

being in the house, don't we, Carmen?

Yes, and I'm very sorry and it won't happen again.

-Esme, it's been lovely meeting you.

-You too.

Ciao, Gina.

See, I told you she was bossy.

Let me get this straight. You want me to ask

whether she's looking for investment opportunities.

And you want me to ask what's her favourite band,

what's her favourite food,

and whether she prefers vowels or consonants.

I like to do my research.

What's the big deal? She's just some rich girl who got mugged, OK?

-She's no-one special.

-Ask her, Lily. Please?

That's where Lily sleeps when she stays here.

Least you've got someone you can talk to.

Least it's alive.

-Like in Rio...

-You're from Rio?

-My dad is.

-That's so cool. I love Rio. It's so...Rio-ey.

-You've been?

-No. But I love Brazil nuts.

I'm supposed to be there now.

My parents divorced a couple of years ago.

Every summer I go over there,

and it's just colour and music and light...

That's amazing.

Whereas here, there's muggers and rain and a mum who's never home.

Sounds familiar.

-My mum... She and I, we...

-You don't get on?

It's not that we don't get on. I don't see her anymore.

She lives in Spain now. She used to leave me, alone.

My mum leaves me with Juanita all the time.

When I say alone, I mean alone.

-How old were you?

-Nine.

-You've got friends here, though?

-Yeah.

-So you're lucky.

Lily, if I ask her out by text, would she think I'm a wimp?

-Don't know.

-Could you find out?

-Fine, I'll find out!

-I'll be in my room.

Lily's the greatest. But all she ever talks about is family.

I keep telling her there's places to go, things to see.

But she has no ambition, no imagination.

All her dreams, they are just so...

Average.

What's wrong?

If my mum wasn't a psycho, my dad wouldn't have gone back to Rio

and they'd still be together.

I'd give anything for that.

You know, you're not what I thought you'd be.

-What did you think I'd be?

-Different. More snobby.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Can I have a word, please?

Yes?

I've been talking to Gina.

Sounds riveting(!)

We were talking about you.

-What have I done now?

-Oh!

-Are you OK?

-Yeah.

You haven't done anything.

Haven't I?

No. I'm here because...

Life is short. Yeah? Which is why I want to tell you some things.

Look, you've both got the most amazing futures ahead of you.

I really mean that.

You could be anything, do anything.

You, Elektra, you're not just smart, you perceive things.

The big picture. And Faith,

you are one of the most self-reliant people I have ever, ever met.

The possibilities are endless for both of you.

Lawyer, doctor, you name it.

Heck, you could both be Prime Minister.

I'd vote for you in a second. In a heartbeat.

You know...

I just wanted to tell you that.

Can we listen to our music now please?

Yeah, sure.

I talked to her. She listened.

-She said that?

-That is so two-faced.

-Let's not jump to conclusions.

-Look, I know what I heard.

But not why she said it. Could have been that Esme's fault.

-Now, hang on a minute...

-Here we go.

-Just saying...

-That you love her.

-That Carmen said it, not Esme!

-What's going on?

-Johnny's in love.

-I'm not!

-With a posh princess.

-What posh princess?

-Shut up!

-Esme.

-Is she really a princess?

-No!

-Stupid name.

-She's got Carmen saying "ciao" instead of "bye".

-I hate her already.

-Never mind that. You guys seen Mike lately?

I should go. Juanita will be cooking by now.

OK.

She makes these awful tortillas.

Seriously, who has tortilla for supper?

Well, you could phone her and tell her you're staying with a friend.

He said I could be Prime Minister.

Entrepreneur.

Professional comedian.

A big success in New Zealand.

He told me to follow my heart.

To always remember that he loved me.

He didn't tell me anything.

It's like he's saying goodbye.

The last time I saw my granddad,

he gave me the big speech.

Like he knew what was coming.

That was the same with me and my parents before they went to prison.

Maybe he's just leaving.

No. He's in pain.

Physical pain.

You don't think...?

No. No way. Not Mike.

-What is it?

-It's Mike.

-It's not like you'd care anyway, is it?

-What?

-He's probably too average for you.

-What are you talking about?

-You said Lily was average.

-No, I didn't.

Yes, you did. I heard you.

And apparently I don't have an imagination either.

No, you see, I just meant...

Here we go, another Oscar-winning performance.

Just let her explain herself.

What, so she can lie her way out of it, like she always does?

Look, I'm sorry to interrupt...

Sorry! Are we talking to you?

I just think you misunderstood...

We don't care what you think.

Do you live in a castle?

No, I live in a house.

-Stay out of it, Moneybags.

-What did you call me?

-Elektra!

-Pipe down, lover boy.

-Lily, please. I didn't say that!

-Why are you lying?

-Do you live near a castle?

Why does he keep asking if I live in a castle?

Because I heard them call you a posh princess.

-Hey, what's going on?

-Ask Carmen.

-Huh?

"Ciao!"

Will somebody tell me what on Earth is going on around here?

We were going to ask you the same thing.

-I'm so sorry.

-It's not your fault.

It's not so wonderful around here after all, is it?

What do you mean weird? I'm not acting weird.

-All the advice you've been giving.

-Encouragement.

-I'm an encouraging kind of guy.

-Mike...

-Look, I'm fine, all right?

-Whatever it is, you can tell us.

All right. I didn't want you guys... Aaaargh!

Mike!

I'm catching a plane tomorrow. To Rio.

You serious?

I've decided to go. By myself.

You're so lucky.

-Come with me.

-What?

Come with me. You keep saying you'd love to see Rio, so come.

Guys, please. Would you stop fussing? I'm fine!

-You're not fine!

-Shall we call an ambulance?

What for? Is one of you guys in pain? Aaaargh!

Right, you. Doctor's. Now!

-Why does everyone keep going on about doctors?

-Mike...

Look. Last time I checked, this was a care home, not a medical school.

You ought to go to the hospital.

What I ought to do is ask you all

what the row with Carmen and her friend was about?

Will you stop changing the subject?

They were rude, Gina. To a guest, no less.

-She was a snob.

-She was a guest!

And I'm ashamed at all of you for the way that you treated her.

Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to find Carmen

and let her friend know she is actually welcome here.

Carmen?

Carmen!

GRUNTS IN PAIN

Mike.

-I can't find her.

-She'll turn up.

To be honest, I'm more worried about you.

Did I ever tell you about my Uncle Declan?

I don't think so.

Well, Declan, my cousin Brian, my grandfather and his brother...

..they all died of the same thing.

And this thing... has it been diagnosed?

Well, not by a doctor, no...

Right. Tomorrow, you go straight to the hospital.

-I don't need a doctor...

-No arguments!

You are being ridiculous, man!

My dad always says, "Fate is what you make it."

Not for me.

My address. In case you change your mind.

And thank you. For the view.

Ciao.

There's no other explanation.

-He practically admitted it.

-I just can't believe it.

I have such good friends, don't I? They're all so loyal(!)

Carmen... Just don't.

No, you were really horrible back then and cruel.

-And that's not cool, funny or clever.

-Carmen...

And just because she's rich doesn't mean she's not a human being.

Mike's dying.

Mike's what?

He's dying.

Where've you been?

Thinking.

About?

Everything.

Mike.

Yeah.

Look, I'm sorry they were mean about your friend.

Lily, YOU'RE my friend.

She's, erm...

She's asked me to go away with her.

To Rio?

Do you think I should go?

I think you should do whatever makes you happy.

I'm sorry I said you were average.

All that stuff. It wasn't about you, it was about me.

Oh, this is how you apologise? You make this all about you?

No, I just meant that you're lucky you have a family to care about.

-I don't have that, do I?

-Carmen, Mike's dying,

and all you care about is yourself and going on holiday.

You're pathetic.

# I head away, head away

# To not let my heart get in the way

# And now I've lost that train of thought

# And all the lessons I've been told

# I'd run away, I'd run away with you

# If you told me that you felt it, too... #

'Dear Lily. By the time you get this, I'll be far away.'

'I've been thinking a lot about things lately. About you. Me.'

'And most of all, about friendship.'

'We keep telling each other that people change.'

'That, over time, they want different things.'

'I hope you know that I'll always be your friend.'

'That I'll always love you and care about you.'

So stupid!

'But there's only so many times I can explain who I am.'

'And it hurts when I speak, and you don't listen.'

Johnny! Johnny, wake up!

What?

Where's your phone? I need to find Esme!

'Which is why it's time for me to go away.'

'To have an adventure.'

'To face my destiny.'

'Tell Mike I'm sorry.'

'That I'll miss him every day.'

'Just like I'll miss you.'

'With all my love, Carmen.'

What's going on?

-Good morning to you, too.

-Why aren't you dressed?

Esme, darling, who's at the door?

-Just a friend.

-At this hour?

Well, don't just stand out there in the cold, come on in.

Sorry, do I know you?

This is Carmen. The girl I was telling you about?

Oh, of course. Well, come on into the kitchen.

I can't stay long, I've got a car coming to pick me up in a minute.

Sorry if I seemed a bit surprised.

It's just we don't often get friend of Esme's

calling at this hour in the morning.

Tennis.

Carmen said it was the only time to get a court at the club.

Ah. Well, that would explain it, then.

Wait, you're Carmen?

Yes.

THE Carmen?

I guess.

The pride of St Hilda's!

Esme's told me all about you. You're in the same stream.

I don't know what to say.

You see, darling, I do pay attention to what you say.

CAR HORN BEEPS

That's your car, mother.

And it was awfully good of you to help her with her coursework.

I would do so myself but, well, I'm up to my eyes in work.

Well, I'm going to leave you two girls to it.

Erm, there's some smoked salmon in the fridge. Help yourself.

Some croissants in the pantry.

If you're going to be late tonight, will you leave a note for Juanita?

You know I do worry.

-Bye, Mum.

-Bye, darling.

Carmen, it was a pleasure.

Bye.

I called my dad about coming to Rio.

And?

Turns out my mum wasn't lying.

He actually is too busy to see his own daughter.

So what? That's it?

Give me a break, OK?

I just found out I'm basically unwanted.

You don't understand, do you? I ran away from home for you.

-You can always go back, can't you?

-To St Hilda's?

I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to tell her.

No, you just didn't want to tell her

that I was some random girl from a care home.

-It was only a white lie. No-one got hurt.

-You hurt me.

You hurt me.

Look. Next year, maybe, we can fit in a trip.

I can't believe I even listened to you!

I got your note.

How did you find me?

There's not many Vasquez-Jones's in the phone book.

-She's pretty unique.

-So are you.

Are you really running away?

-Why do you care?

-Do you even have to ask?

I don't know any more.

Carmen, you and Esme might want the same things,

but when something goes wrong, who's going to be there for you?

I will, stupid.

Because we're best friends.

We always will be.

Come here.

So, as your best friend,

what do I have to do to stop you from going?

Nothing. Trip's off anyway.

Good.

Come on. Let's go home.

CHILDREN CHATTER

Where have you two been?

Erm... I was going to...

We went for a walk.

And we talked.

I was wrong about what I heard yesterday.

And we were all wrong for being so mean to Carmen.

And to Esme.

I've apologised already, so I think you lot should do it, too.

ALL: Sorry, Carmen.

It's fine. No, look, honestly, it's fine. What's the news on Mike?

We're just waiting. He's on his way.

When's Esme coming back?

Erm...she's not.

Well?

What did the doctor say?

Erm...

Mike?

Turns out I've got a kidney stone.

-What's a kidney stone?

-Is it serious?

-No.

-EVERYONE SIGHS

But it is very painful.

Thank goodness for that!

-Hey!

-I told you he'd be OK.

I said it first.

What did I tell you, hmm? What did I tell you?!

You told me to go and see a doctor.

So, you're going to be OK, yeah?

I'm going to be just fine.

CHEERING

Oh, be careful!

Oh, careful! It hurts!

-Right, come on, leave off him.

-It hurts!

Go and sit down and eat your breakfast. Leave me alone.

Fate is what you make it.

What?

CHEERING

Subtitles by Red Bee Media