Quitters The Dumping Ground

THEY CHEER

-Here, let me take this...

-I can do it.

Where do I put my stuff?

We made you a surprise.

Yeah, well done, Mo!

OK, come on, then, close your eyes.

-Gently!

-Oh, guys!

OK, you ready? Come on!

Are you ready?

Ta-dah!

OK, guys, let's give her some space, shall we?

But, Mike...

Out. Please, now. Come on, all of you. Outside.

Out you go.

Off you go.

Go on!

Does this mean she doesn't want to

see my downstairs-shower invention?

Mo, it's a watering can.

We shouldn't have made such a fuss.

We should have just kept things low-key.

You're right. She's probably just

desperate to get back to normal.

Yeah, but normal for Faith

is running a marathon before breakfast.

She won't be doing that for a while.

-Will she be in the wheelchair forever?

-No.

Only until her back gets better.

And when will that be?

We don't know yet. She has to be patient.

BANGING NOISES UPSTAIRS

Sounds like Faith is not too good at being patient.

Oh, come on...

Put yourself in her shoes, huh?

We're all going to have to make a bit of an effort now.

CAR HORN HONKS

-Are we expecting someone?

-Rude.

Is it the ice-cream man?!

Dad? Hey, that's my dad!

Dad? What?

HE HONKS THE HORN

Hey, buddy!

DAD GIGGLES

Dad, stop it. Get off.

Where've you been?

I know...

Three weeks.

I've been ringing and ringing.

You missed my Cup Final day.

I got caught up in some business...

Took longer than I thought.

Did you win?

-I didn't play.

-What?

Mr Wharton? Michael Milligan, head care worker.

Right, so if you're the guv'nor,

-how come you didn't take my boy to his match?

-Sorry?

It wasn't his job.

It was you that did a bunk and left him.

Where have you been?!

-I'm here now...

-You can't turn up acting all innocent,

-acting like you never did anything wrong.

-Jody!

-Is she a mate of yours?

-That's enough.

-Go get your things, bud.

Your son's been placed under an emergency care order.

You're not taking him anywhere.

He's my dad,

you can't stop him.

I'm afraid we can.

We're legally in charge of you now.

Who was it, then? That nosy old cow in the flat downstairs?

I never said nothing, Dad. She kept coming round.

You're lucky she did.

He nearly set the place on fire.

Just making some toast - I had it all under control.

I was only gone a couple of days.

Ten days.

He was alone all that time.

Social Services said he was hungry, distressed...

I practised my skills every day. I can do four round-the-worlds now.

I'll make it up to him, OK?

You tell Social Services...

YOU can tell Social Services

and they'll decide if and when you get him back.

And, frankly, I don't rate your chances.

All right. I wasn't seriously

expecting to take him now.

What?

-Need permission to do anything nowadays.

-You're not leaving me.

-Have to go through the proper channels...

-No way.

We can arrange for your dad to come and visit.

Tell them - you're going to look after me good now.

Sorry, son.

Right, we got disco pink or sparkly silver, which one do you want?

I can do your hair if you want...

Like a pamper party.

Talking of which...

Tee's got loads of games and Mike's downloaded us films.

So we are all good.

Or we can just hang out, have a chat, you know.

-We never really do that.

-Yeah.

So, Lily, how's your family?

Oh, yeah... I got some really cool pictures of Jonah.

Let's see...

Cute!

Have you, erm...heard from your brother recently?

Yeah, Mike said that he visited you in hospital or something.

He's working away on a training course.

-Oh.

-He is well fit!

Carmen...

You said he was too.

Do you miss him, Faith?

Can you go now?

Get out!

Sorry.

BABY CRIES

-Serjay's not answering.

-There's a surprise.

-What are you looking for?

-Popping corn.

Oh, it's in the bottom cupboard, down there. See it?

Cheek of the man.

Who are we talking about now? Serjay?

Jimmy Wharton. Thinking he can just tip up here and take Bailey.

Not one of life's deep thinkers.

When his dad left, he was chewing his lip so hard

I thought he'd chew through it.

Do you think he'd like sweet or salty?

Maybe not the salt. The lip...

Oh, yeah.

No wonder that boy's one part defiance and two parts rage.

I mean, look at the example his dad sets.

THUD ON THE WINDOW

THUD ON THE WINDOW

-Dad?

-There you are. I tried every flipping window.

Come on, then, if we're going.

-We're leaving?

-Course we are.

You didn't believe me before, you numpty?

Where would I be without my main man?

I'll go get my footie boots.

TYLER: Bye-bye! See you later, bye!

TELEPHONE RINGS

-MIKE:

-Hello?

Bailey?

Ready, partner?

Let's go!

I've made some popcorn...

See ya, dumping ground!

Guys, has anyone seen Bailey?

Bailey!

Bailey!

Bailey?

Frank, have you seen Bailey?

Oh, yeah. Car that way.

Where are you?

Great. Now you tell us.

Serjay... Did you check the flat?

The neighbour said they both arrived then left pretty sharpish.

Left? Where?

I don't know, but they had a carful of bags.

Great. So he's taken Bailey on the run.

So you haven't found him, then?

Don't look so concerned.

-Hey!

-As you were.

Um?

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Do you know that Bailey's left?

Lucky him.

Do you want to play a game?

What is it?

It's called Tidying My Bedroom.

How is that a game?

Cos...whoever does it the best wins a prize.

Are you OK?

Not really.

What you doing? Those are Bailey's.

So? Bailey's scarpered.

-Hi, guys!

-Hi, Frank.

-Hi, Frank.

Right, Tyler, what do you reckon? Clean enough?

Yeah, "excellent condition", I reckon.

These boots are worth a lot of money.

Boot five!

That's not fair, he might need them!

I doubt he's thinking about football, Jody.

Yeah! Spray...

Fold those properly and arrange them by colour.

-And those need to go in alphabetical order!

-What?

You do know your alphabet, Harry?

Yeah.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

I was wondering if you fancied a trip out,

but I can see you've got company.

They're being my special little helpers.

We're playing tidying.

We're having so much fun.

That's what I like to hear.

You're doing a grand job, you two. Good effort.

Get back to work. I want every speck of dirt off that carpet.

-Will the police find him, though?

-Probably. Stop quizzing me.

Bailey never even wanted to be here anyway.

And he's with his dad, not some randomer.

Yeah, for a few weeks, until his dad leaves him on his own again.

Yeah, well, he knows who to call this time, doesn't he?

What if he can't?

What if he's locked in his bedroom as a punishment for causing

all this trouble for his dad, like my brother did to me?

Yeah, but the difference was, Jody, your brother was really mean.

No offence.

And Bailey's dad could be worse, except no-one seems to care.

I had you lot looking out for me.

Who's Bailey got?

The police are on it, OK?

How?

Are they expecting him to walk into the cop shop and hand himself in?

We have to be done by now.

What?

Who did the best?

Um...

Ip...

No, you have to judge us, do an inspection.

Fine, whatever.

The winner is...

Floss.

Yay! I get the prize and you don't! Loser!

What is the prize?

Faith?

I lied about the prize, OK?

Well, I'm glad you got run over.

Thought you'd be out sticking posters on trees by now, Jody.

"Has anyone seen this boy?"

I don't need to. Look.

What?

It's Bailey's football team. I found the website.

Oh, you really are desperate.

They've got a do on tonight.

End of season medals presentation.

MUFFLED MUSIC

So?

So? Bailey will be there.

They've got a barbecue and prizes.

He wouldn't miss that.

Tell Mike, then.

Mike'll say he's too busy.

We could go, though!

Me? Seriously, Jody?

Do I look like the kind of person

who hangs round tatty old sports fields?

-But there might...

-No.

-But there might be...

-I'm not going.

-..football players...

-Bye!

-Fit football players!

Who Bailey could introduce you to after we've found him.

This is it.

Where are they, then?

You said there'd be loads of fit football players.

Yeah, but we have to find Bailey first.

There they are, look!

-Where?

-There.

Do you know Bailey?

If you're mates of Bailey's, you can get lost.

Excuse me?

-This is his team, then?

-Was.

He didn't show up last match.

You don't do that to your team.

He couldn't get here. We phoned the manager.

Still let us down.

You don't know what went on.

There's no excuse for missing the game.

There is if you've been placed in care, duh-brain.

Jody, come on. Don't worry.

He'll be all right. Let's go home.

We'll find him, OK?

-But what if we don't?

-Don't worry about it.

OK, I'll speak to you soon. Bye.

Well?

Razz said he'll try and make it this Sunday.

Good man.

Maybe he'll take you on a trip round the park, eh?

I'll look forward to it. Being wheeled around like a toddler.

Oh, come on. I don't expect such defeatism,

not from the girl who broke the county under-15 800m record

by 0.23 of a second...

And I'm expecting an even bigger margin next time.

If there is a next time...

DOOR CLOSES DOWNSTAIRS

CARMEN AND JODY SPEAK DOWNSTAIRS

-Where've you been? It's late.

-Have you found Bailey yet?

We've not heard from the police yet.

-So we're all going to stand around and do nothing?

-Jody!

That's where they are. We've got bids coming in.

Shut up, Tyler. Is that really all you care about?

Finders keepers. I came up with the idea first.

Yeah, and we're on eight quid now!

THEY SING: # We love you, Bailey, we do! We love you, Bailey... #

You two are pathetic!

THEY SING: # We love you, Bailey, we do! Oh, Bailey...! #

-That for me?

-It's for Faith - hands off.

She can make her own breakfast. It's only her legs that aren't working.

Yes, thank you, Frank. To what do we owe the pleasure this time?

I, erm...borrowed a pound off Rick.

Cheers, mate. It could have waited, though.

And, erm...my shower's not working.

Oh? Have you contacted the council?

Yeah. They're sending someone round.

DOORBELL RINGS

You know you can wash over the kitchen sink, yeah?

-That's gross.

-Like you did in Victorian times, yeah?

Yeah, old man.

-Cheeky.

-Jody, there's someone at the door for you.

A kid named Daryl. He's waiting in the lobby.

A boy?

Has Jody got a boyfriend?

THEY LAUGH

What do you want?

You said you needed to find him.

Is this real or is it a wind-up?

It's real. I only got it last night...

He wanted me to send him next season's fixtures.

Bailey said I wasn't meant to tell anyone.

Thanks.

Move.

Why?

Cos I want to watch a film.

-Can we watch it too?

-No.

Because it's got zombies covered in slime who come out of the toilet

-and eat little kids.

-Zombies?

You're not allowed zombies. I'm telling Mike.

I was only joking. You're such a little grass.

And you've gone really horrible.

Aw... Boo-hoo! And why do you think that is?

Whatever, just get out!

Excuse me! My friend's staying here.

Have you seen him?

He'll have gone to the match, pet.

Won't see him for hours.

You going to help me, then? Or are you just going to sit there?

Yep.

What're you even doing here, Frank?

I can visit if I want.

Well, then, put my stupid disc in.

Do it yourself.

I can't, because I'm in this lame contraption.

Doesn't mean you can treat people like slaves.

Oh, I'm sorry, I can't work the machine with my toes(!)

You don't even try.

Do you think I like being like this?

Do you think I like being useless?

You're not useless. You're in a wheelchair.

Exactly.

I should be out training with the county team,

yet I'm stuck here, watching crummy DVDs.

You can do it next year.

Next year?

I won't be fit enough next year to get into the squad.

That's my whole track career gone now.

You will get better.

I'm like this every day of my life.

I can't run or win races.

I have to talk really slowly

so people can understand.

Frank, wait...

It's different for you,

you were born like that so you don't know any different.

I don't sit around and moan, you mean?

-I'm sorry... I...

-Don't be sorry.

I'm not sorry.

I deal with it.

Busted! I can't believe you nicked them again!

Oi! Frank, aren't you forgetting something? My pound!

Bye!

-They're not yours - they're Bailey's.

-So? He's gone.

And I know where he is.

Told you I'd make it up you, didn't I? Front row seats.

Pizza after.

-Large Hawaiian?

-The boys are back in town.

Come on, come on. We need to get a move on.

The game has already started.

-Can we do this every week, Dad?

-Course we can.

Footie with your old man, what else is there in life?

See, that's what your Mike fella doesn't understand.

You won't have to go away, then?

Your business trips...

cos they always get you into trouble, Dad.

Don't worry about it, OK? You're my top priority, you know that.

Nothing else comes close.

Yeah. Same.

Right. C'mon, then. Need to sneak these past the gate.

Do you have to?

I don't want you getting caught.

Will you relax, grandad?

We're having a laugh.

You distract matey, yeah?

They could do a bunk again.

And he is going to be at the football match.

So we need to go and get him now.

All right, we'll talk to Serjay. See what he suggests.

-They're not even trying.

-Give over, Jodes.

He'll be stuffing his face with hot dogs and popcorn.

I don't know why you're so fussed!

Then you're dumb too. You're all stupid and selfish.

And you just feel bad cos you never liked him either.

What?

None of us did.

He didn't even try to fit in.

So that means we don't help him?

He's just a kid.

-All he's got is his dad - he doesn't know any different.

-So?

So how do you think he feels, being dumped here

with a load of strangers?

Well, he didn't have to be so annoying.

He was just finding his feet.

How many of you settled in straightaway?

Not me.

What time's kick-off?

Two.

Wait. You're not going, are you?

Yeah. Might be a bit...tricky.

No offence.

Come on.

-Come on then, Rick.

-Give me a piggy back.

OK, so we want the home end, right?

This way.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Can I get one disabled ticket please?

And six assistant ones.

That is genius!

Faith, is that all my change? There's hardly anything.

This way. OK!

Foot-long hot dog - I wouldn't say no.

Er, yeah.... We're here to find Bailey, remember.

GATE OPENS

Get your hands off me!

I never touched your stupid pitch.

The can fell out of my hand!

Leave quietly now or you'll make it worse for yourself.

You flipping leave. I'm supporting my team!

Rovers!

Rovers!

What's your problem?

Hey, Mr Wharton.

You?

They've been stirring it, have they?

Trying to pin stuff on me. Don't believe a word!

Pack of wind-up merchants, this lot.

All wrong'uns from a kids' home - you should chuck them out.

We're not wrong'uns.

Believe a word about what? Let's hear it, pal.

Yeah, let's hear it, Mr Wharton.

Nothing - get off me.

Nothing?

Is that why you did a runner from your flat -

so Social Services didn't find you?

Social Services? What's she on about?

Phone them - he's lying!

I never took no kid,

I haven't even got a kid.

What...?

Ask Bailey.

He kidnapped him from our kids' home.

You should be arresting him!

That right, son?

No! The kid's got her wires crossed.

I've never seen this little squirt before in my life.

Bailey.

Bailey.

Go away, you snitch.

Why'd you have to get involved for?

Fine. I guess you won't be wanting these, then?

I've lugged these miles for you,

stopped Rick and Tyler selling them, just in case you came back.

And why would I do that?

In case it didn't work out.

My dad loves me.

Course he does.

Do you want them?

THEY SING: # 4-1, 4-1!

# 4-1, 4-1, 4-1! #

-Where have you all been?

-Oh, nice quiet trip to the library.

Very educational.

It's not funny. Football grounds are scary, big places, you know.

Don't worry, Mike. We'll hold your hand next time.

Next time? What do you mean next time?

THEY SING: # 4-1, 4-1... #

Bailey? You found him?

Yeah. Easy. No point on waiting on you lot.

But...how?

Just try not to lose him again.

Come on.

It's good to have you back.

< Come on, Bailey!