Party Games The Dumping Ground

POLICE RADIO CHATTER

Oh, it's about time!

This place is a madhouse, and they should all be locked up!

We didn't do anything!

ALL TALK OVER EACH OTHER

Can everybody just calm down, please?

Now...

what happened here?

ALL TALK OVER EACH OTHER

We're going to ice these first.

-Can you go and get the food colouring, Harry?

-Food colouring.

Are you OK?

Everyone's getting ready for the party downstairs.

It's not a party, it's an "information day".

Well, like May-Li says, just enjoy the day.

Even if you don't want to get fostered.

I never said that.

So you do want to get fostered?

I don't know.

Look, just go downstairs

and I'll see you in a bit, all right?

OK.

Oh, and don't let Tyler eat all the cake.

GLASS SHATTERS

Well, what do you think?

It's like reading an auction catalogue.

-That's a bit harsh.

-We're not selling anything.

Just...trying a different approach to fostering.

I know.

It just feels a bit wrong, this...

This beauty pageant.

It's not a beauty pageant!

It's a chance for the kids to meet with foster families,

-you know, see if they click?

-And what if they don't?

And what if they do?

Face it, you can't be a dad

-to everyone that's ever been through this place.

-Oh...

No-no-no-no, Mo! Not too much. That's strong stuff yeah?

Hey! Save some for the guests.

Why? I don't want them here.

-Well, everyone else does. So hands off.

-Whatever.

But I'm never getting fostered. I promised my mum.

You can't force me.

Hey, we'd never do that.

But it's not up to us, is it? It'll go to the panel.

-So you're saying I don't have a choice?

-No, that's not I meant.

What I meant is... VOICES OUTSIDE

What do you call this?

ALL TALK OVER EACH OTHER

..and you haven't told them about my dancing classes.

Yes, that's not supposed to be for you to read.

I look a total minger!

And I told you not to use the school photo.

I don't want my photo in a book for all to see!

And I'm joining the Army anyway, so I can't be fostered.

Tee, Jody, you both look lovely.

-Gorgeous.

-Kazima, the brochure's just for invited guests, yeah?

And Johnny, just try and enjoy the day.

DOORBELL RINGS

They're here! No, no! Guys, guys! Don't squash...

Give me a second, everyone get ready... Everyone ready?

-Hi!

-Hello! Come on in.

Lovely to meet you, come in.

MURMURING

Come on in.

Hi, I'm Bailey. Can I take your coat?

Yeah, sure. Thanks, mate.

'Please leave a message after the tone.'

Mum, it's me.

Where are you?

-CASHIER TILL DINGS

-Ouch!

Mum, help!

You've got to call me back.

They're going to force me to get fostered..

What?

Look, don't worry. Maybe no-one will want you?

You're joking, right?

Who wouldn't want to take this face home? I'm doomed.

-Doomed?

-Yeah.

-Unless...

-Unless what?

Oh, guys, there you are. Hey...

Mo, Tyler...

Ha-ha! Sorry, got to go! Things to do!

Wow.

Do I look OK?

Not sure. Maybe you should try on some more clothes.

It's called making an effort. Maybe you should try it, sometime.

See you down there.

I am telling you, girls,

this diet has changed my life.

How does it work?

Oh, that's the best part. You can just eat whatever you want.

Except carbs, dairy,

sugar, fat...

Oh, and meat.

I've always been a vegetarian...

..for political reasons, you know?

Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, me too, yeah.

Stephanie. But you can call me "Steph".

I'm Carmen.

Hey, Carmen?

What?

Can you please stay here, though?

Because I really want to come back and ask you about your hair.

Aw.

Do you want to see some dancing?

Go on, then, doll.

There's loads of foster families here.

Just stay away from Matt and Stephanie.

Why? What's so special about them?

You don't know?

That's Matt Brantson.

Footballer? Played for Liverpool and Spurs?

Topped the league and scored 26 goals in the 2002 season?

When you were a baby.

How do you even know all this stuff?

I know everything about him. He's a legend.

He's even scored for England.

Wait, he's a famous footballer?

So Stephanie's a WAG?

Whatever. The point is...

Hey, Carmen!

Hey, Matt, do you want a game?

-Yes.

-I'll be on your team, but who's going to take us on?

Oh, I'll play with you.

Actually, Mo, I was going to see if Stephanie wanted to play.

Oh, yeah! All right, then, babes.

I'll tell you what, why don't you play with Bradley?

Bailey.

Bailey. Sorry, sorry.

Right.

Go!

Please, please, please...

Jody?

Are you wishing for a foster family?

Aren't you?

No point. Nobody ever wants me.

Not with that attitude! You've got to think positive.

How?

I don't know. Don't drag me down.

I've got my own problems.

What have you done to yourself?

Got into a fight, didn't I?

You should've seen the other guy!

Ignore him. He's sort of like...

the house clown.

Well, he's not very funny.

I'm Jody, by the way.

-You are?

-Maude.

You're making friends already? Good girl!

Who's this?

Jody.

Nice make-up job.

Where'd you learn to do that?

Oh, my mum taught me.

She a professional make-up artist?

Nah, she does like Halloween and stuff.

We used to dress up as zombies and go trick-or-treating.

I love Halloween. One year, I did this fake broken leg,

bits of bone sticking out everywhere

and the man next door called 999.

How did you do that?

So, you take some Plaster of Paris,

er, some drinking straws...

All the usual stuff, you know -

swimming, films, bowling, music...

So who's the wrestling fan around here?

Do you guys like wrestling?

-Ho-ho!

-Yes.

-Just a bit!

A bit? They've dragged me to contests all over the world.

ALL SHOUT OVER EACH OTHER

-I said, "concentrate"!

-I am concentrating.

-Yeah!

-Oh, yes!

-CHEERING

Come on, man, you're supposed to be defending.

That's 5-0 now, so we win.

-This is pathetic.

-That is girl power! Whoo!

You've got some good skills there, Carmen.

Yeah, but it's not like proper football, is it?

No, but you still need good co-ordination and fast reactions.

Yeah, I had fast reactions, but I had that loser on my team.

Er, leave Mo out of this.

Yeah, I wish I could. The guy never caught the ball once.

You're just a waste of space.

Come on, Matt, let's have a proper man's game. Me and you.

Tell you what, maybe later.

Steph, shall we go and get some food?

-Oh, yeah, that's a good idea. Are you coming, Carmen?

-Yeah.

Thanks for nothing, idiot.

He's desperate to impress these people, just like Carmen.

Yeah, what is with that?

I need to show you something.

Want to see some dancing?

OK.

(Lucky you. She's in the bag.)

Oh... Sorry, just got to go... got to do something.

-Ready?

-Yeah.

Who's your favourite?

My all-time favourite...

Well, my favourite wrestler...

would have to be...

Um...

Give me a minute.

Come on.

Did you like it?

It was very good.

How good?

-Why did she do that?

-I don't know.

Right. Come on.

What happened to your mum's photo?

Oh, I... I knocked it over.

It was an accident, honestly.

No, it wasn't, Carms. What has she done now?

Nothing! Look, can we do this later? I'm busy...

Here, Matt!

Hey, watch it.

-Bailey, what are you doing?

-Out the way, babe.

Bailey... Stop it now. What have I said?

Bailey, this is so embarrassing...

No balls indoors!

What are you doing? Pack it in.

GLASS SHATTERS

I'm sorry. My mistake.

It's OK.

-No, it wasn't. Bailey broke the window.

-It was an accident!

-Yeah, tell that to the police.

-Johnny!

The police?

Yeah, it's the rules. When you're in care and you break the window,

-you've got to follow procedures...

-Shut up, Johnny.

There's no need for that, I'll pay for the damages.

Yeah, it's all right. I'll handle this. Bailey, with me. Now.

Oh, look at that.

That's all right, I can fix that.

Come on, I'm good at fixing nails.

'Please leave a message after the tone.'

Mum. It's me. Please can you come and get me out of this?

KNOCK AT DOOR

Tyler? Are you OK?

Yeah, I'm fine.

TYLER CRIES OUT

You did that quick!

I've had a lot of practice. So, what do you think?

You're good.

Very good.

But you can't foster me. No-one can.

I promised my mum.

-Sorry.

-It's OK, Tyler.

You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do.

You swear?

Cross my cold, undead heart.

No, Faces are the good guys, Heels are the bad guys.

What?

Harry, just tell me who's the best at wrestling.

Well, it depends on the storyline...

Storyline? It's like, scripted?

Doesn't that make it boring?

No, makes it better.

I really don't get this.

That's OK. Most people don't.

The Gordons do.

-They're obsessed.

-Really?

SHE SIGHS You should go and talk to them.

I can't.

Harry, this is a chance to get together with

the weird, freakish foster family of your dreams.

What would...

What would Death Head Dave do?

Fight?

That's right. Come on.

OK, So first she's not sure about being fostered.

And now she's desperate.

I don't understand. What's changed her mind?

Maybe it's because they're famous?

Well, I've never heard of them. So how famous can they be, really?

Don't know.

But we can find out.

What?

What?

Look.

Poor Carmen.

No wonder she thinks she'll be better off with the Brantsons...

Let's see if she will.

Oh...

That is a good match.

Oh, thanks, babes, you're a star.

Er, Carmen?

Is Carmen OK?

Are the Brantsons in there?

Er, yeah, but don't...

Get out of my way.

Trust me. You don't want to be fostered by them.

That's beautiful. Look, Matty.

You can hardly tell which one's the fake one.

-You did those for free?

-Yeah.

Why am I paying all these salon bills?

Keep me gorgeous for you!

Oh, they do this amazing rejuvenating wrap, you've got to try it.

I'd love to.

Mr and Mrs Brantson? Can I have a word, please?

Um, it's about what happened in the Ruby Room.

In the club in London.

We know.

MATT SIGHS

We'll be back in a minute, all right?

-Hi, guys.

-Hi.

I know I said I was into wrestling,

but Harry's really into it.

Aren't you?

His favourite's Death Head Dave.

Ooh, you used to like him, didn't you?

I grew out of it.

The whole wrestling thing is so fake.

But that's what makes it better.

Isn't it?

Sorry.

Lies. It was all lies.

Yeah, I know.

It's just so unfair,

the way they print this rubbish and some stupid people believe it.

What can you do?

Well, foster me.

I'm a footballer...

a good one. Ask my coach.

I'm the best he's ever trained -

and I know I can make it, if I get the chance.

It's a good story...

And it'll prove you're not racist.

Whatever that barmaid said.

It never went to court,

but that could be because the Brantsons paid the witnesses to lie.

They were desperate for good publicity.

That's why they're here.

-Oh. Suits me.

-What?

If they decide to foster me,

then I want it in every magazine on every gossip site.

To show your mum you don't need her?

You know about the wedding.

We saw the website.

I'm so sorry, Carms.

She had bridesmaids...

Her new stepdaughters.

I can't believe she did that to you.

I can.

But she won't get to reject me again -

cos I'll reject her.

You do realise that

I'd look so much better on a front page than Bailey, right?

STEPH CACKLES

Oh, that's sweet, babes.

But I've promised, bless his little heart.

You promised him?

Yeah, give it up, Carmen. It's over.

You picked wrong.

Bailey's only going to be of use to you

if he makes it as a footballer, OK?

-Which he won't.

-I will.

You haven't got the temper to become a pro.

You just keep losing it, just like you did in the foosball game.

-That was one time.

-It's all the time.

You can ask anyone. You can ask Mike,

-you can ask his football coach...

-Shut up!

Whoa, whoa, look... Calm down.

Look, Carmen's right.

If you want to make it in this game,

you've got to learn to keep your head, stay in control.

What, like you did against Bayern Munich in 2004?

GLASS SHATTERS

What did you have to go and say that for?

That's two windows I've got to pay for, now!

I don't understand. What was that all about?

His red card in the semifinal.

They were burning effigies of him in the streets of Liverpool, you know?

I'm sorry.

Me, too.

But I don't think you're going to be a very good fit for us.

Congrats, babe.

You just got yourself a new foster family!

-DING DING

-Raar!

Harry, what are you...? Harry!

Ahh! What are you doing?

-Take back what you said about wrestling!

-I take it back!

Come on... Sorry about this.

Come on, little one, up you get.

I'm really sorry, guys.

He's a little character, isn't he?

Good lad!

Grow up, Bailey. It's one foster family.

You're only young.

If I don't get a break in the next couple of years, it's all over.

And it's never going to happen while I'm stuck in this place.

You don't know that.

Yes, I do.

I'm up against boys that's got everything.

And I can't even afford a good pair of boots.

I can buy you some...

I don't want boots from you.

Have a good life.

That's not why I did it!

-Oh, yeah, yeah.

-It's not!

I did it because of my mum, OK?

She got married...again.

She didn't even tell me.

I had to read it for myself, on the internet.

Well, she sounds like a stone-cold witch.

I'm sure you'll make her proud.

I don't get why you want to be fostered by them.

They don't seem very nice.

They're fine, Mo.

Go back to the party, OK?

Look, I really, really think you shouldn't go with them.

I really, really think that a lot.

Well, I really, really think you should mind your own business.

I wanted to go to the Grapplethon last year, but I couldn't afford it.

Well, I'm sure we can get one more ticket -

if you'd like to come with us?

Yes, please! Yes!

That would be great, last year we couldn't go...

Now, that's a match made in heaven.

Which means?

I was...wrong about today.

Well, get me a cupcake and I won't say "I told you so".

-Yes, princess.

-Ha! Nice.

MIKE CRIES OUT

BOTH: Brains!

Oh! You got me.

You really got me.

-Best zombies ever!

-Ever!

Pathetic. What do you look like?

Unfosterable. Right, Tyler?

-Right.

-DOORBELL RINGS

Hey, look, it's not like adoption, you know?

You still get as much contact with your mum.

How often do you see her now? What, once, twice a week?

I haven't seen her for ages. And she doesn't call me back.

I've been keeping my promise, but I don't even know if she cares.

Oh, my God. It's OK...

Tyler?

Mum?

What's going on? Who's this?

Excuse me, um...

I think maybe you two need to talk in private.

Sorry.

Let's go upstairs.

My phone was stolen.

I was working, I couldn't sort out a new one until today.

Then I picked up your messages and I panicked.

I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

I know I promised I wouldn't get fostered...

So you are getting fostered?

I'm not saying that.

It's just, if I did...

it wouldn't change anything between us.

I just can't bear the thought of you having another mum.

I don't want another mum.

But...

we can't live together right now, can we?

So if a foster family does want me,

do I always have to say "no"?

No, you don't.

I'm sorry. I've been selfish.

Of course, you need to be in the place that's best for you.

-I would live with you if I could.

-I know. But you can't...

so, um...

I think you should go back to that party

and talk to those foster parents.

Are you OK?

I will be.

I just need a moment to think about things, that's all.

CREAK

CREAK

How about over here? Nice bit of natural lighting, eh?

-There's...

-Ah-ah! Off you go, please. Thank you.

Ready? And...

-Up a bit...

-Yeah, there?

Hang on, wait, let's swap sides.

Do you think it's blood?

CREAK

Er, maybe...

Cool.

Hold it right up for me, please.

Is that OK? Yeah? OK, ready?

Three, two, one...

Smile!

MUSIC: Intermezzo by Pietro Mascagni

This dress cost two grand!

Come out, come out from under it, it might come down.

Come out.

It's coming from the bathroom...

Right, go!

RUNNING WATER

No, no, no, no, no, no!

Numpties!

Right...

Whoever did this had better come forward now.

Trust me, you do not want me even angrier than I am now!

-Hands.

-What?

All right, guys, let's see your hands.

Mo? Mo? Come here...

Mike, look!

Mo!

Look, I had to stop it somehow.

Stop what?

This fostering day thing.

I mean, everyone's being horrible

and Carmen's going to live with those nasty people.

-What?

-Excuse me?

But of all the things that you could do...

This is criminal damage.

You need to call the cops on that little freak.

ALL TALK OVER EACH OTHER

Have you seen the state of me?

That little boy is not right in the head.

He needs to be locked up.

I told you we should have got a proper African orphan,

just like Madonna.

I mean, look at this bunch of rejects...

Oh, we're the rejects?!

It's no wonder your mummies and your daddies didn't want you.

That's enough of that!

Oh, I didn't mean you, babes.

Yeah, you did.

Look, if my friends are rejects,

so am I.

You want to go and get fostered by them? Yeah, you go ahead.

I'm out.

Nah.

Get your coat, babes.

We're leaving.

Bye-bye.

I'm sorry.

Nice one.

I wanted to show you that I'm better than my mum.

Well, we're both better than them.

Yup.

Of all the things that...

-Mike?

-Yes?

-Upstairs is a mess. Johnny's room's the worst.

Mike, can we...

I'm so, so sorry... I mean...

No, kids will be kids.

Anyway, we'll be in touch to talk about taking Harry for a home visit.

Oh, that's wonderful news!

Yes!

Well, at least the day isn't a total disaster.

-We've been robbed!

-What?

-Someone's had my purse

and my Matty's wallet.

Yeah, someone's gone through all the bags and coats.

I'm going to need details of all the items which were taken.

Um, I've, er... I've made a list.

Thanks.

So who had access to the room where all the bags and coats were stored?

Everyone here.

Could someone have come in from outside?

No, the front door was locked.

What about the back door?

There were people in the kitchen all day.

-So it's got to have been someone in this room.

-We don't know that.

Did anyone else here leave early?

His mum!

What's her name?

Sally Lewis.

I'll need an address.

Why? She didn't do it.

I'm telling you, it wasn't her!

Well, if it wasn't her,

then it's got to have been one of these kids, right?

ALL SHOUT OVER EACH OTHER