Liberty in the DG The Dumping Ground

CARIBBEAN MUSIC

"Having a wonderful time. Bet you wish you were here."

-Huh! Not really.

-CHUCKLES

BOY: I'm higher than you!

Everything's fine.

There's nothing to report really.

How are you getting on with the relief care worker?

Great. Everyone loves her.

Right. Tell me the truth.

-Is the house still standing?

-Course it is.

What's for lunch?

I've got to go, Gina. Get well soon.

-Look in the fridge.

-We have!

Right. OK.

What's the problem?

We need a big shop.

"IOU £50." "Tyler, 80," "Frank, 70."

-Go on! Just one go!

-Get your own!

Fine. I've got better things to do with my cash.

Gorgeous.

-Isn't she so cute?

-It's a panda.

Her name is Shi Shi. I'm sponsoring her.

-To do what? A parachute jump?

-Ha ha.

50 quid? You spent 50 quid for this thing to sit on its bum

-and eat bamboo all day?

-They're endangered!

You said you spent your own money on this lot!

The petty cash is our money.

With Mike and Gina gone, it belongs to us.

Who told you that?

-We'll pay it back.

-We left notes.

Oh, I know. Frank - £70. Tyler - £80.

So that's where you got the money for those stupid cars!

Hold on, Carmen, because you managed to spend 50 quid

on false nails and make-up.

We've three days until Gina gets back and we need to eat.

Properly.

House meeting. Five minutes.

Bring all the money you have.

-£10.

-1.40.

-1.84.

£1.18.

-We've got to do better than this, guys!

-£1.74.

£2.

Actually, OK, this is my emergency fiver,

which I was saving to get phone credit with, but fine.

This is an emergency.

£6.

20p.

-20p?

-Sorry.

-Tyler?

-Nothing.

You two took 150 quid from petty cash

and you've got nothing?

I've got a tenner.

Is that all you've got?

-It's more than you put in.

-Everyone knows you're minted.

Yeah, what about your savings?

I spent them on that metal detector.

OK, Gus, what's the total?

Its £37.53.

That's nearly £3.13 each.

Great, so we're going to starve...

No, we're not. We just have to be sensible.

OK.

We need rice, pasta, cheap veg...

Chocolate biscuits.

No luxuries! We can only manage if we buy the cheapest stuff.

Why don't you check the bins outside the shops?

They chuck out stuff that's gone off.

-That's disgusting.

-Are you serious?

-Good idea, Jody.

-What?

Not the bin thing!

We could get good deals on things that are on their sell-by date.

Faith's right.

Thanks to you lot, we now have to economise in every way we can.

-Yeah, but who's going?

-You and Frank should,

since you spent the most and put the least cash in.

-One bag of crisps, who's going to know?

-I'll know.

-You're supposed to be a scammer.

-You don't scam your mates.

-We'll scam someone else then.

-I don't really do that any more.

Come on. We're starving here!

There must be some way of getting cash. Frank?

Bowling?

Frank. The 10p falls machine. That's enough for a bag of crisps.

Forget your stomach, Tyler.

We can be heroes.

What do you mean?

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Elm Tree House?

I'm sorry, what?

No, I didn't get the email.

What trip to Australia?.

-Look, I'm sorry, I think...

-Hello.

Sorry, one of the young people picked up the phone.

Well, that's wonderful news. I'm delighted for Mandy.

Leave it!

You've applied for a trip to Australia!

I'm sorry, I'll have to go... I'll let Mandy know. Thanks, bye!

That is my private e-mail!

No, it's Mike's private e-mail!

"I am delighted to recommend Mandy Perkins

"for the 'Are You a Young Leader of Tomorrow?' programme."

-What is this?

-Mike wanted me out, remember?

So, maybe he'll be happy when I'm on the other side of the world.

"We are looking for a truly inspirational young person

"with unlimited potential."

-You really think this sounds like you?

-Check out my application.

Straight As?

Duke of Edinburgh Award? Charity runs?

-Have you done all this?

-Yeah.

CAMERA CLICKS

CAMERA CLICKS

Now I just have to pass the interview tomorrow.

Where?

No! No, they are not coming here.

Come on, I can get this in the bag before Gina's back.

They'll want to speak to a care worker.

And it's not like you haven't done it before?

No! I'll not put the rest of the house at risk just for you.

-Oh, come on. I helped you with the money and stuff.

-This isn't about me.

OK.

Whatever.

Elektra!

I'm not trying to... Elektra!

Come on. Come on.

Nudge. Nudge. Nudge!

-Argh!

-Mate!

-I've got a system.

-That doesn't work.

More cash.

Ugh.

Come on.

-That's the lot.

-I feel this one.

Oh, I can't watch this!

My system never fails.

No!

How could this happen?

We are dead when we get back.

Final go!

No! No!

-Move your hand.

-No!

-Yes.

-Oh...

Come on! Come on!

This is going to work. I bet you. I bet you!

Oh, I hope so!

Come on! Come on!

Come on!

Yes! Jackpot! We won! We won! We won!

I told you!

Where's the money?

Hey! We've just won the jackpot and no money came out.

-We did win fair and square.

-Congratulations!

But winnings over £500 are given in the office.

So I just need to see some ID.

-ID?

-Something with proof of your age.

You have seen the signs, haven't you?

And you are over 18, aren't you?

Yes. But I've just not got any ID on me.

Well, you'd better go home and get some then.

That's not fair! He saw us play. He never stopped us.

Yeah! Just give us our money!

I will. I will. As soon as you can prove you're 18.

Hang on!

See you.

-What are you doing?

-Why have you changed Mike's password?

Because it's MY computer now.

There's the Elektra I know. Always out for yourself.

So why are you sucking up to Faith?

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

-You're planning something!

Do you really want to get on the wrong side of me?

I'm not scared of you.

What? With no Mike and Gina about to protect you?

All I'm saying is, whatever you're planning,

it better not hurt the rest of us. I'm watching you.

Get...out!

We should've stuck with the 10p falls.

You have to think big to win big.

Big! You've just lost everyone's money!

Can't we get some ID? We'll forge one.

He knew I wasn't 18.

What are we going to tell the others?

The truth?

You were mugged?!

THE THIEVES CACKLE

Ah! How did it happen?

They just came out of nowhere.

How many of them were there?

-Five.

-Three.

It just happened really fast.

And what did they look like?

Er, can't remember.

You can't remember but they took all our money?

Yeah. They said we had to give them everything

or they'd really do us in!

But you didn't give them anything else, like your phones or watches?

-No...

-No.

-What are we going to do about food?

-Yeah! I'm starving.

Come on! I'm sure there's something in the kitchen cupboards.

Poor guys.

You actually believe them?

-Why wouldn't I?

-Er, cos they stole all our money?

-And done what with it?

-Hid it, bought pizzas? I don't know.

You always see the worst in people, don't you? They're our friends!

Well, you've only been here five minutes.

ELEKTRA SIGHS

You have a lot to learn.

Yes, go on. Oh! Just missed...

Oi!

Give it up, Tyler.

Frank has just confessed. We know what you really did with the money.

It wasn't our fault. We won fair and square!

How were we supposed to know we had to have ID?

Wait - you "won fair and square"? So you GAMBLED the money?

Oh, no!

You pathetic little worm. Come with me!

Come on!

-Sorry.

-It's all right. I couldn't stand the guilt anyway.

They're going to kill us, aren't they?

Not if you boys help me out.

Do as I say, then the others needn't know your guilty secret.

Oh, blackmail! Might have guessed.

Well, thanks to you,

we've got three days of starvation to look forward to!

So what would you rather - me or them?

We'll do what you want, won't we?

-I'm starving!

-We know!

-Give us a taste?

-Not unless you like pebbles.

These lentils are still rock hard.

Stock cube? There's always these.

Mr Hamster's mealworms.

-Ugh!

-Disgusting.

-I ate pet food once.

-Hey, guys, guess what?

-What?

Found another chip! And it's a big one.

That's great, Lily, that's nearly half a chip each.

Ha ha, so funny(!)

-How long's it going to take?

-I feel bad for the others.

They wasted their own cash, why should I bail them out?

-I knew you had more money.

-I put in ten quid.

That's more than most of them!

Look! You finish the pack. I've got more in my room.

Can't I have some to share with the girls?

-No. If they found out we've got food, we'll lose everything.

-I want some!

-I want the packet.

-That's all I've got.

Liar! You said you had some in your room.

-Get back here, Jody.

-No!

Oi!

Get back here, you greedy little rat!

Johnny!

Open this...!

No! Go away!

-Stop it, Jody!

-We'll starve to death!

-He hasn't got anything more!

He's got food!

Go away!

-Johnny, have you got food in there?

-No!

-Well, let us in then!

-I'm getting changed.

Yeah, right! Open the door!

I'll handle this.

Let us in, Johnny Taylor!

I'm not letting you in. Go away.

We're all starving!

DRILL WHIRRS

You are so dead when Mike and Gina get back.

Why didn't you open the door?

Why so desperate to see me in my undies?

Stop playing games. Where's the food?

-Dunno what you're on about.

-He's lying!

-Prove it!

-If you were getting changed,

why are you still wearing the same clothes as before?

Search his room.

You can't touch my stuff. Tell them!

Get off the bed.

Make me.

Argh! Ow!

Oh, told you.

Johnny, are you all right?

HE VOMITS

Ugh.

Tee, why didn't you say anything?

Leave Tee out of this. She told me to share and I ignored her.

Fine, we'll leave Tee out of it.

But who agrees Johnny should be punished?

He's sick and there's puke on his mattress.

-I think that's punishment enough.

-I agree.

He doesn't get a say - he's on trial.

-This isn't a trial!

-Maybe it should be.

-Are you the prosecutor?

-Why not?

Well, someone's going to have to defend for him then.

-I will.

-Oh, bring it on. Gus, take notes.

-I was anyway.

-Johnny Taylor is charged with theft and fraud.

-What?

-He spent his own money!

Spending your own money isn't theft.

But we agreed to pool our resources,

which meant that the money belonged to all of us.

And he stuffed his greedy pig face and let the rest of us starve!

Yeah, we was all really 'ungry.

I say we fine him.

With what? the crumbs on his bedroom floor?

No. The rest of the money he's got hidden up in his room.

What money? I spent it on that metal detector.

And he lies again.

We all know you're loaded.

-Search his room.

-Wait, now hold on! This is meant to be a trial.

We're collecting evidence.

Who agrees we should take Johnny's money

and spend it on food for all of us?

Come on, guys. We don't tolerate liars and cheats around here!

Oh, Harry. Are you hungry?

Do you want some food? Well, put your hand up then.

SHE COUNTS SILENTLY

Seven votes. Majority rules. Come on!

Oi! That's not fair.

Johnny's never took from petty cash.

He's always saved his own money.

That makes YOU the ones stealing, not him!

Are you happy now? Johnny's locked in his room,

Tee's in pieces and everyone has fallen out.

Don't blame me. It's democracy in action.

It's not democracy, it's you.

Well, they're so easy to manipulate, it's almost criminal.

I thought you wanted to make this work?

No. I just want to go to Australia.

-I thought you cancelled that interview?

-Nope.

-I'm not being a fake care worker for you.

-Oh, but you are.

You're going to do exactly as I say,

or I'll call Children's Services and let them know what's going on.

You can't do that. This place will be shut down!

Yeah, and Mike and Gina will be sacked.

-You won't go through with it.

-Oh, I don't do empty threats.

Ask Johnny.

THEY CHATTER

Tee, why don't you eat some proper food? We bought this for everyone.

-Yeah. Share and share alike.

-Yeah, well, I'd rather eat Johnny's sick.

Come on, Rick. There's pizza here.

Give Johnny the rest of his money back and I might have some.

Look, we need it for a big shop tomorrow.

Frank and Tyler can't help if they got mugged.

-Right.

-Johnny broke the rules. It was his fault.

That money was meant for all of us.

Then, so is your false nails?

-What do you mean?

-You spent our money on make-up and false nails.

-Why can you keep it?

-You bought the guitar.

And now I'm eating lentils.

Hey, listen up, guys!

So Children's Services have just called

and they're planning an inspection tomorrow.

THEY ALL GROAN Yes, I know. But it's OK.

Me and Faith are going to pretend to be care workers.

-You think you could fool Children's Services?

-Yes. We can.

All of us. If we all work together.

-Whatever!

-Yeah, whatever!

CLATTERING

Who's there?

Tee! Leave me alone, or they'll punish you too.

Johnny, just let me in.

No. I'm not risking you getting in trouble.

Fine then, I'll sleep out here.

All right, wait a minute.

Here. You paid for this.

You can't stay. I'm supposed to be in solitary confinement.

If they want to punish me they can. But, Johnny, I'm staying with you.

SHE SOBS

Don't cry. It'll be fine.

It's just... I don't know what's happened to us.

Johnny, this was supposed to be fun.

OK, so take down the bouncy castle,

fill the grenade pit, tidy up the garden and stay out of their way.

-OK?

-I don't get it. Even if they buy you as care workers,

they'll still want to speak to the rest of us?

No, they specifically said just care workers only.

So why can't they see us acting like everything's normal?

Because the fewer of us they talk to,

the less risk there is of us being found out.

THE OTHERS GIGGLE

What have you done?

Hey - this is how serious the situation is.

And if they ask, then the young people are outside

in the nice, tidy garden, playing football. Got it?

Yes, Mandy!

What about you, Johnny?

What about me?

Are you with us on this or not?

I'm not with you on anything.

-OK. Then, lock him in the coal bunker.

-You can't do that!

He's going to ruin everything! So do it.

Lock me with him then!

Come on, Tee. I know he's your brother but this is for everyone.

Not from where I'm standing, it isn't.

Fine.

You heard her. Do it! Come on.

Get off me!

-I'm sorry.

-Yeah? Well, if that were true,

then you wouldn't listen to everything she says.

-We've got no choice.

-She's using you. She's up to something.

-We know.

Tee, you should have played along.

If I'd have done that, then someone would have seen me using this.

Hi, I'm Sarah from the "Are You a Young Leader of Tomorrow?" programme.

Hi, I'm Sophie, and this is Mandy.

Hi. There are actually a couple more people I'd like you to meet.

Frank, Tyler, come on out!

Come on, don't be shy.

Tyler here is the star of my anti-gang workshop.

And Frank will tell you all about my work for the physically challenged.

If you just want to step through to the office...

-Faith's hiding something.

-How do you know?

When I questioned her, she started playing with her hair.

That doesn't prove anything.

-And I didn't believe a word Elektra said.

-Why not?

Cos her mouth was open.

So, do you think Mandy's succeeded in spreading the anti-gang message?

Well, I'm here, aren't I?

And Frank is so much better

since I started helping him with his physical therapy.

Is that right, Frank?

Has Mandy really helped you to overcome your challenges?

Oh, yes. I'm a totally different person.

Well, this really is most impressive.

Thanks, guys.

Sophie, how would you sum up Mandy's achievements here?

Well, I can honestly say that Mandy is single-minded,

and doesn't let anything stand in her way.

Super.

And, Mandy. In your own words...

why do you think we should pick YOU to go to Australia?

Well, I think I should go to Australia because I am a huge fan

of the "Are You A Young Leader of Tomorrow?" programme.

I was really inspired by...

Australia?!

What? So, you're saying there was never an inspection?

-No. Elektra's just trying to blag a freebie to Australia.

-That's evil.

Why would Frank and Tyler go along with it?

She blackmailed us.

We were scared she'd tell you.

Tell us what?

I want to reach out and change people's lives for the better.

Thanks, Mandy.

That really is food for thought.

Sophie, if you wouldn't mind leaving us alone for a moment?

Yes, of course. All right.

I just want to have a word with Mandy in private.

Of course.

I had to go along with her, OK?

Or she would have grassed us all up to Children's Services.

Seriously?

She'd do it, as well.

She's a snake.

You're quite an extraordinary girl, Mandy.

It's remarkable how you've turned your life around

and how you've used your experience to benefit others.

You certainly have those qualities of leadership we're looking for.

However, this bursary is designed

to help those teenagers who need

to make a positive change in their life.

You've already made those changes. On your own.

So, I know this is going to come as a disappointment, but...

Whoa!

"Disappointment"?

I'm so sorry, but we're not going to be able to offer you the bursary.

You have got to be kidding me!

So you're just going to walk away?

So I can't go to Australia

and I can't get the bursary?

After EVERYTHING that I have been through!

Please, calm down! I know you're disappointed.

You know nothing! You think that my life is turned around?

I'm getting chucked out of here, my parents hate me

and, oh, get this, Sophie here isn't a real care worker.

In fact, there are no care workers here at all! We are all alone.

I thought you looked too young to be a care worker!

Yeah, you get that a lot, don't you, Sophie?

I'm Gina Conway.

Senior Care Worker. Is there a problem?

You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Pretending to be a care worker!

Gambling!

Stealing Johnny's money,

and then locking him and Tee in the coal bunker!

Well, I'm going to be docking your allowances

until you've paid Johnny back AND the petty cash!

You put yourselves at risk!

It was a stupid and irresponsible thing to do.

You could have got hurt - or worse!

Thank goodness Tee phoned me when she did.

In all the years that I have known Mike,

this is the first holiday he's taken.

If he knew how you'd let him down,

he'd never take another one.

And, so, for that reason and that reason alone,

this stays between us!

Have I made myself clear?

ALL: Yes, Gina.

Elektra!

I have nothing to say to you. Just tell me when I'm leaving and go.

What's wrong with you, huh?

Why do you always hurt the people who care the most about you?

Care about me?! Nobody cares about me!

You just pretend to because it's your job!

That's a lie and you know it.

Then why are you and Mike trying to get rid of me?

What are you talking about?

Don't lie! I saw Mike's e-mail.

I heard you before he left - you lot are chucking me out!

What?!

No! Your sister got in contact with Social Services

to see if you could move closer to her.

-Melissa?

-Mm. We said we'd have to discuss it with you, that's all.

The choice was always going to be yours.

But, after your behaviour these last few days,

I wouldn't let you go even if you wanted to.

You don't get away with it that easy.

Now, I want you to go in the garden,

and apologise to those people you hurt

and help clean up, yeah?

# And you know that it's right

# We have got to get it together

# We have got to get it together now... #

I said we needed someone to look after us.

# One love

# One heart

# Let's get... #

Where is everyone? Hello!

Surprise!

Oh, come here! Hi, kids, how are you?

Did you have a good holiday?

It was fantastic. So did you miss me?

-ALL:

-No!

You horrors! And did anything exciting happen

while I was away, lounging in the sunshine?

-Well, actually...

-No, not a thing.

It was SO boring.

Yeah, terrible.

In the kitchen, everyone. In the kitchen. Hey!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd