Holding On The Dumping Ground

What are you doing?

What's it look like?

I'm tidying our room.

It's the middle of the night.

You can't go back to sleep. Not now!

Do you want to bet?

Are you going to get up

or am I going to have to make you?

What did you do that for?

Because my mum is coming in precisely

four hours, 38 minutes

and ten seconds.

Now, are you going to help me or not?

Ready?

Let's do it.

Go on then.

Mum...

Come here, you.

I've left some refreshments

in the quiet room for you.

Tyler. Do you want one of us

to stay with you?

Nah, we're all right.

Go on then.

This way.

So come on. What have you been

up to?

The usual stuff.

How about school?

Same old.

You've grown.

Have I?

And what's with the hair?

I like it big and wild.

I was just trying something

different. It was Rick's idea.

He's the one you share

a room with, right?

I remember from your emails.

So who else is here?

They're all outside.

Can I meet them?

If you want.

You spoke about them so much,

I feel like I know them already.

ALL: Ooooh!

Who was that?

Me. Sorry!

Frank, that ball comes anywhere

near me again,

I swear, I'll put a fork in it.

Oooh!

Guys. This is my mum.

Hello, Mum!

Hi.

Don't tell me.

Tyler's talked about you all

in his emails.

Pink and fluffy. You must be Carmen.

Pink and fluffy?

The wannabe rock star.

I know a brooding face

when I see one.

Wannabe? Really?

I'm Johnny.

Really?

You're nothing like Tyler described.

Why? What did he say?

That's all the introductions over!

Shall we go back inside?

How about a game of something!?

We've got a rounders bat

in the shed.

Well, what are we waiting for?

Come on!

I'll get the bat!

I think they like me.

Floss! We're playing rounders

in the garden!

Coming.

Come on!

Come on, Rick, run!

Come on! You can do it.

Hey, Tyler, your mum's all right,

you know.

You'd never think she was, you know,

not right upstairs,

or been in a special hospital.

Did you see how hard I hit that?

You practically sent it into orbit!

Hey, Tyler, your mum's ace.

Who thinks Tyler's mum should

come here every week?

ALL: Yeah!

Definitely.

Leave her alone.

You what?

Just cos your mum doesn't give

a stuff about you

doesn't mean you can go

and steal mine!

Tyler?

We're going.

But we were going to play

another game.

But she's my mum.

And this is our day!

It was nice meeting you all.

And you.

Why do you have to come with us?

It's just to ease the transition,

that's all.

And to make sure you have support

if you need it.

How many more times

do I have to tell you?

My mum's better now.

We really are fine on our own.

I'm afraid it's one of

the conditions of your visit.

Yeah, don't worry. I'll make sure

I keep a safe distance.

Shall we?

Go and have some fun!

Mike, we were playing a game.

This is more important.

Are we in trouble?

Yeah, you could say that.

It wasn't me. It was Johnny.

What was?

Whatever we're

getting told off for?

How long's this going to take though?

Cos me and Tee have a spa day booked.

It would seem that I had a little

intruder in my office earlier.

Rocky!

Yes, someone left

the lid off his cage.

And not for the first time.

Hang on. I thought his name

was Mike?

We changed it.

Cos Mike wasn't tough enough.

Yeah.

He's safe now though,

isn't he?

Yeah, but how far

could he have gone, eh?

I only agreed to let you keep him

because you all promised

you'd take turns looking after him.

And yet, who is it that has to

clean out his enclosure every month?

Muggins here.

Cos he's so boring.

No, he's not!

All he does is lie

in his cage all day.

That's cos he's thinking.

Yeah, but at least Shadow

could catch a ball.

And go swimming.

What can Rocky do?

He can do loads of things.

Yeah, like what?

I'm sorry, mate.

Right!

Hey, hey, hey, I haven't

finished yet. Sit down. Thank you.

As from tomorrow morning, there will

be a rota up above Rocky's cage.

You are all going to

have to take turns

ensuring that he's fed and watered.

Thank you.

I can't do the...

No!

Mike, I've got

to go running in the morning...

Here, Mo, face facts. Rocky's all

talk and no action. Stupid snake.

How about I sit here

and read my book?

Give you guys a bit of time

to go off and do your own thing.

How about the swings?

If you like.

I'll race you.

Well, go on then.

Last one there has to push.

Mum...

So err, do you think Tyler

will go and live with his mum?

Just think it all depends

on how it's going to go today, mate.

But she's better now, isn't she?

It's not like a broken leg, Floss.

Even though she might look

all right, she might still be sick.

Did you know a milk snake can grow

up to 175 centimetres long?

That's this big...

Boring.

Well... How about this one?

Oldest milk snake

lived for 21 years!

That's nearly as old as Mike.

You'll have to try harder

than that, Mo.

Now what?

This calls for plan B.

What's plan B?

We're going to show everyone

the most amazing

and the most mind-boggling

snake in the world.

What shall we do now?

I dunno.

How about we go to the shops?

If you like.

I could get you a computer game

or a CD.

Though it's all digital now,

isn't it? I can still remember

cassettes and LPs.

I bet you don't even know

what they are, do you?

Mum?

Why are you talking like that?

I told you. I'm just excited!

Where're you going?

To fetch May-Li.

We don't want her spoiling our day.

But she has to come. Mike said.

Well, Mike isn't here now, is he?

But we'll get in trouble.

The Tyler I remember wasn't afraid

to break the rules.

Come on! Come on!

I've been looking forward

to this day for months.

The coast is clear.

Why the secrecy?

Shh! Cos it can't be an extravaganza

if it's not a surprise, can it?

What shall I do with this?

Oh, just put it on the piano.

Hey. Not so fast.

You two, where have you been?

Helping Mo with his mind-boggling.

The show starts in an hour

if you want to watch.

Show?

What have I told you guys

about picking up after yourselves?

I'm not a servant.

Mike... The bulb's gone in our room.

Right, I'll be there in a minute.

How are we supposed to have

a spa day in the dark?

Heaven forbid.

Precious cargo coming through!

Go faster!

I've got a stitch.

Well, I'll take over then.

How about an ice cream?

I'll be sick!

Come on. My treat.

Whatever you want.

Right, I'll get an ice lolly.

There you go.

Thanks.

Two extra large chocolate peanut

butter fudge sundaes, please.

OK.

That's err...£3, please.

Thank you.

Oi!

Come on!

Where're we going?

Just run!

Mum? What have you done?!

Oi! Come back here.

Mum!

What have you done?

Do you really want to be putting

that muck on your face?

Yep, it is very high in vitamin E.

Oh, really?

Yep and not only does it exfoliate,

it also leaves you

with a very refreshing glow.

Well, in that case, ladies,

I will leave you alone.

Oh, wait, Mike, before you go. Could

you please put this on the door?

Certainly, madam.

If you require any room service,

please feel free to call the desk.

We will.

OK, so now what?

Now we kick back and relax.

It's all just a misunderstanding,

officer.

Then why did you

run off without paying?

It slipped my mind.

And yet you seemed in quite

a hurry to get away?

How about I pay now?

I've got the money in here

somewhere.

Could you help me?

I definitely had some money

when I left the house.

Because I wasn't sure

if I should get the bus or a taxi.

Cos I didn't want to be late, you

see, not on such on important day.

What's this? Why haven't you been

taking your pills?

Sally... I've been looking

everywhere for you.

Can you pay the man?

Oh, yeah. Sorry, how much is it?

Three pound. Thanks.

I can explain.

It's not like it was before.

I swear to you.

What do you want to do, Tyler?

Take me home, please.

There it is.

It's empty.

How long are we supposed

to lie like this?

Err...I dunno,

until we feel rejuvenated, I guess.

Thanks for letting me know, May-Li.

I'll try and get a hold of Tyler's

social worker. See ya, bye.

My box, it's empty.

Aye, and which box is that?

The one Floss left in the hallway!

That's why I'm always telling you

to pick your stuff up and not leave

it lying around.

Please, Mike.

You have to help me look for it.

It's really important.

Why? What's inside?

Tee! Just get rid of it!

Carmen, I'm trying.

What is it?

Erm...

What is it?

Some sort of stick

insect or something.

Get that away from me, that is rank.

Nowhere near me.

What's going on?

Mike, they're everywhere.

What're you talking about?

Aah! Horrible stick insects.

Can you please get it away from me,

Tee?

It's not a stick insect.

It's a locust.

A locust!?

What did I tell you

about going into people's rooms?

Mo. That box downstairs...

That's where I was keeping him

and his friends.

Friends!? Roughly, how many

friends does he have?

50, I think. I got them

from the pet shop.

50? Right, where are the rest?

Mo!

Johnny's found them.

All right.

How many is that now?

44.

That's close enough.

Johnny?

What are you doing?

I didn't want to get in Harry's way.

So I, err...

Tyler's home!

Where's the box, Harry?

How come you're back so early?

Johnny...

Did you have fun?

Suppose.

What did you do?

Enough of

the questions, everyone, huh?

We just want to know

if he had a good day.

And I'm sure Tyler will tell you

all about it in his own time.

For now, make yourself scarce.

Go on, scoot.

I've left a message

for your social worker.

I think it's probably best

if you two wait in the quiet room

until I hear back from him. OK?

Do you want one of us

to sit with you?

Nah, it's all right.

I stopped taking the pills

because I don't need them any more.

This is the best I've felt in years.

I'm doing this for us, don't forget.

So we can be together again.

You're doing it for yourself!

The pills were holding me back.

They were making you better!

So today was a little

bit of a hiccup...

You don't get it, do you?

Mike and May-Li are not going

to let you see me now

because you think you know better

than the doctors!

Please, Tyler...

Just stay away from me!

I take it it didn't go well, then?

What do you care?

I wouldn't be here if I didn't.

She lied to me, Rick.

She promised she was taking her

pills.

She must have had her reasons.

She comes out with these big

promises about how were going

to live together and then goes

and does this.

She can't help being sick.

Yeah, but she knew

how important today was.

And she messed up. We all do it.

Yeah, you more than most.

What were the pills for anyway?

They balance things out,

they keep things calm.

Right, so maybe she thought

she could manage without them, yeah?

You're lucky, you know.

You reckon?

Yeah, you've got a mum

who cares about you for a start.

More than most of us have got.

Come on in.

Do we really have to be here?

Yep. Mo's gone to a lot of trouble.

I've been training Rocky

all morning.

To do what?

To prove to you all that he's

the most stupendous, extra...

extra...

Extraordinary.

..snake in the entire world.

This better be good.

Floss. If you can get Rocky ready?

Oh, sweetheart!

By using my special ingredient...

Harry. If you'd be so kind.

Rocky is now going to perform

the most mind-boggling stunt

you've ever seen. After three...

Do we have to do this?

Yeah.

ALL: One...two...three.

Jump, Rocky, jump!

Maybe he has stage fright.

Do it like we practised!

Perhaps you need to try another

stunt, Mo.

Don't encourage him.

Rocky's now going to slide

through the dark twisty tunnels

before your very eyes.

Prepare to be amazed!

Look, Rocky, it's a yummy locust.

Your favourite!

This is rubbish.

No, it's not, he just needs

a bit more time.

What is he doing?

I'm trying to charm him.

Not with that racket, you're not.

Have you seen my mum?

No.

Why, what's wrong?

I can't find her.

It's OK. We'll split up and search

for her. No need to panic, mate.

My Social Worker is going to be

here any minute!

MIKE:

'Dinner's ready!'

Right, I'll distract Mike.

You find your mum.

Coming, Mike!

Mum?

What's wrong with him?

Maybe Rocky's just having

an off-day.

Is that why he's so sad?

It could be.

Why's he so sad when he's got

all of us to play with?

Sometimes that isn't enough.

Like, sometimes you wake up

and nothing feels right.

You can be surrounded by so many

people and still feel lonely.

Like no-one understands you.

So Rocky's lonely?

Could be.

Well, what can I do to make him

feel better?

Just being there. That's enough.

What about when I'm not there?

What will Rocky do then?

I'm starving.

Not everyone's here yet.

I think I could faint,

I'm so hungry.

Don't worry.

Sorry I'm late.

It's all right.

Do you think I should plate up some

food for Tyler and Sally?

No! No.

They said they are not hungry.

OK.

I'm sorry I shouted at you before.

It's just...

I've been waiting for today

for so long...

and I just wanted everything

to be perfect.

Please, Mum.

If Mike or May-Li find out,

they'll never let me see you again.

It's all right, Mum. I'm here now.

Shall I give him a call?

See what the delay is.

You do that.

I'll check in with Tyler then.

Rick?

Oh, it's nowt. I probably just ate

too fast.

All right.

Hey!

Do you want to go and lie down?

Do you want some water?

It's my fault you're ill, isn't it?

What makes you say that?

Because it's in my records.

You were ill just after you had me.

I have bipolar disorder, Tyler.

It's a chemical imbalance which

I could have had all my life,

but there's no way

of knowing for sure.

But let me tell you one thing

I do know, shall I?

You are and always will be the best

thing that's ever happened to me.

Is that understood?

Even when I got really sick,

it was always you I had

to keep me warm at night.

The days spent feeding the ducks,

playing at the seaside...

I keep them all in here.

I want to help you.

You've done more for me

than you'll ever know, believe me.

Remember when I was younger...

..and I used to ask you

what number you were?

What number are you today?

Three.

And then tomorrow, I'll be a six.

And then even maybe a seven.

Because it's going to get better,

Tyler.

I promise you.

Come in, Sid.

Cheers.

Could somebody bring me

up to speed here please?

Oh, this is Sid The Snake.

He runs the local pet shop.

Oh, is that right?

It's not fair keeping Rocky

in such a small cage.

In the wild, he's got the whole

of Ecuador to slither around in.

Are you sending him back to Ecuador?

Don't be silly. He's going

to live in Sid's house.

I don't follow.

That's why he's off-colour, isn't

it? Cos he misses his friends.

That figures.

I get to play with my

friends whenever I want.

Why shouldn't Rocky?

Fair point.

Sid's got 18 milk snakes

running wild around his house.

Really? You and me both, pal.

Don't forget me, Rocky.

Cos I'm never going to forget you.

Ta.

Bye, Sid.

Bye.

Bye, Rocky.

Do you know what, Mo?

Your mum and dad would be really

proud of you today.

Good lad.

All we need to do

is convince Mike and May-Li

that today was a bit of a glitch,

that's all.

Maybe they'll let us

try again tomorrow.

And if we play our cards right,

you'll be able to come home

and live with me in a few weeks.

Tomorrow's going to be better,

Tyler. I just know it.

Where's Rocky?

He's gone to live somewhere else.

But I thought you loved

that stupid snake?

I do.

So why did you let him go?

Because it's not what I want.

It's what's best for Rocky,

isn't it?

Are you all right in there?

Who's that?

Come and see.

It's me.

I want you to have it.

I can't.

I already told you. All the memories

I've got are stored up here.

You need to let these doctors

help you.

But I don't want to let you go.

Not again.

I'll wait for you.

For how long?

Two weeks, two years.

It doesn't matter.

Because I'll always be here.

When did my little boy grow up, eh?

Fancy a game of pool, mate?

Nah, you're all right, mate.

You made the right decision, Tyler.

Did I?

Why can't I just be normal,

like everyone else?

Cos that would be boring.

And if there's one thing

you're not, that's boring.

He just wants to be your friend.

Come back here!

What's normal anyway?

Mo!

No! No!