Episode 1 Blackout

This programme contains some strong language and some violent scenes.

KEYS RATTLE

KEYS RATTLE

Tough day.

-Meg was amazing. Really beautiful.

-Which is a sweet way

of telling me I'm a terrible father.

Or maybe I'm just trying to tell you

-what you're missing.

-Alex. Late is late. Late is not "don't care."

You just watch out for those tough days,

Daniel, because they have a sneaky way of destroying your liver.

-I thought we'd treat the kids to an Indian on the way home.

-I've got to go. Business to do.

SHE SIGHS

Well, you can tell Meg yourself.

Well I came, didn't I? I turned up.

Yeah. Yeah, I think you really believe that.

You got it all from me, didn't you? Fantastic.

Hey mate, was that a pas de deux or a pas de don't?

-Hello, mate.

-Hi, Dad.

-All right, son?

-All right, Dad.

OK, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to go again - work.

Why can't it wait till the morning?

Because people who matter won't wait till the morning. Listen, I'm going to give it up, my job.

Who wants to be a local councillor all their life?

We'll open a shop. Dancing shoes.

-How does that sound?

-Dad, it sounds like bullshit.

Daniel, look, you look really tired, why don't you just come home

and get some real sleep?

You have no idea how good that sounds.

I'll go and do this and I'll be head-on-the-pillow by eleven.

Twelve at the latest.

PHONE RINGS

Nice shoes.

You noticed my shoes?

How could I miss them?

You never came to say hello.

I just did.

PHONE RINGS

(PHONE MESSAGE) 'This is Daniel Demoys. Leave a message.'

Why do you always have to be late?

What's that stink?

Oh, it's us. How did that happen, Henry?

-How did what happen?

-You and me. How did we end up the blokes who meet down a dark alley

late at night? That wasn't the plan. How did we end up the bastards?

Danny! You cut this crap. You're beginning to sound like a drunk.

You get your act together.

-How can they do it at this price?

-How do you think?

They'll hire your staff and pay them less.

You're not the only one who can sell a bag of bullshit

to the council and call it "new, improved services".

They can't pull it off at this price, it's not possible.

No-one gives a shit if they can pull it off. "Are they cheap?"

-"Yeah, they are." "Do we like it?" "Yeah, we do."

-I can't beat this, Danny.

Ah, well, then they get the deal!

They get the deal? Is that what you're saying to me?

So we shake hands - nice doing business with you down a dark alley.

Is that it?

You think I'm here with you because I like you,

because we're mates, because you matter one bit to me?

You take my money, son. Do you know what that means?

That means I own you, Danny boy.

I know everything there is to know about you, son.

I know where the money goes, and I will use that.

You want your kids to know what a whore-loving scumbag you are?

Eh? You get me what I need, or I'll destroy you.

You understand? You are mine.

Charlie! Are you dressed, sweetheart?

Do you want a bacon sandwich?

CHILDREN CHATTER

It's all right, Charlie. Just cut me hand.

It's OK. Have your breakfast.

Come on, come on.

KNOCK ON THE DOOR

Dad, come on!

Luke, Luke, come on, sweetheart, are you up?

-You leave the window open and the seat down?

-I need to know you're up.

I'm going in ten minutes, now come on!

-What've you done to your hand?

-Luke!

Eddie Dayton was smashed last night - took me down with him.

-How's your hangover?

-Beautiful!

-So, how did you get home?

-I got a cab.

-I didn't hear it.

I got a quiet cab.

Do you even know how you got back?

Automatic pilot.

You know, Daniel, there are times, when you've had a drink,

and you have such a look - it's like you're not here.

It's called having fun. You used to join in.

No, it's called alcoholic blackout.

Whole conversations, you don't remember them.

Well, maybe there's a reason for that.

It's the bids and tenders today I've got to get moving.

Daniel, while you were out, I started looking on the internet.

Now, people think that blackout's just memory loss...

Alex, I like getting lashed sometimes.

That makes me normal. Step outside everybody's doing it.

"When I drink, it's like I die. Another person takes over my body,

"talks for me, thinks for me."

Big word, alcoholic. Do you see a man with a string tied around his coat, or a man going to work?

"It's like I am not present in my own life..."

Who is chairing the bids and tenders meeting, if he can only get out of the house.

"..getting to the airport, or getting on the plane.

"It's that I wasn't conscious in my own mind when I did it!

"I am here, but I'm gone."

Yeah. Some people just can't get enough melodrama.

I'm gone, too. To work.

Charlie, get your coat on, sweetheart.

PHONE RINGS

You all right, Chaz?

HE CANCELS THE CALL

PHONE RINGS AND HE CANCELS AGAIN

Sometimes I wish you didn't make it home.

Well, let me know when them times are and I'll sleep on Eddie's sofa!

You think we can just carry on like this, do you?

Just having the same battles, over and over?

I don't want to live like this any more.

Will you drop Charlie off on your way in?

DOOR SLAMS

PHONE RINGS

PHONE RINGS

-Will you pick me up tonight, Dad?

-Yeah. Course I will.

-I need some money for a drink.

-All right, buy juice.

Not the fizzy stuff.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

Here you are. Tonight.

Go on.

Sorry I'm late, my son was sick.

So, we're down to two bidders

and we've got them both in this morning

to give their pitch.

I'll start with...

-Daniel, you haven't heard?

-Heard what?

I've been trying to call you all morning.

Henry Pulis is in a coma.

He was attacked last night.

It sounds like he was mugged or worse.

Danny! You cut this crap. You're beginning to sound like a drunk.

You get your act together.

We can't renew the contract

until we find out how Henry's doing.

I had no idea.

My boy was sick so I just dived in the car and drove straight here.

We'll reschedule the meeting.

We've had some flowers sent over to the hospital.

What's going on out there, eh?

If you don't mind, Eddie, since we're rescheduling,

I'll go and see how my boy is.

I'll call the hospital on the way and see how Henry's doing.

Just turn on the radio, it's all over the news.

-NEWSREADER:

-Prominent local businessman Henry Pulis

is in a critical condition in hospital today.

Police are describing it as a brutal attack in the city last night.

Pulis is a key player in the fulfilment of council...

Shocked at the incident...

How can they do it at this price?

How do you think? Hire your staff and pay them less.

DOOR CLOSES

Hello?

Luke, what are you doing? Why aren't you at school?

I don't know.

I want to go in, I get up, I get dressed,

I think about it and then I can't do it.

You've been warned, haven't you?

You start taking days off again, you'll be excluded.

You've been excluded. What a mess!

We'll get your mum to speak to the headmistress,

tell them you've got a phobia or something, they'll have you back.

No...

What?

You scare me when you have that look.

What look?

Hey.

I don't want to scare you any more.

Charlie! Come on!

Sorry.

Come on, son! Come on, Charlie.

You think I'm here because I like you, because we're mates,

because you matter one bit to me.

You take my money, son, do you know what that means?

That means I own you, Danny boy.

You want your kids to know what a whore-loving scumbag you are?

Charlie, I've got to go. I'll come back, I promise.

ANSWERPHONE: Hi, this is Alex, please leave a message.

Alex, I'm sorry.

This is all my doing, you've no idea how sorry I am.

You don't deserve this.

Just take care of the kids, please.

Whatever you want, Daniel, will get laughed away.

Just give me five minutes, it's serious.

You turn up here, not once do you ever come and see your sister,

you come and see a lawyer.

Let me just tell you...

Whether it's a mistake, you're blameless,

but it could get awkward because some woman is making up stories.

-Is that about it?

-I wish it was, this is nobody's fault but mine.

I know that.

Can I ask you, because I have been wondering for some years now,

don't you ever get sick of yourself?

Nearly every day.

That's why I'm here.

You want a lawyer, Google one.

Don't feel you have to say anything, even if they try to press you,

leave all the questions to me, OK?

Nelson Fenner had the courage to speak out in the witness box today.

He knew what we were asking him to do would put him at risk

but he wanted to do the right thing.

Nelson named names because he wants the dealers at our school gates to be stopped.

He believes that something has to be done about the rule of fear

that exists on his own estate, a no-go area for the police.

He knew that someone had to do something

for young people like his brother.

He knew that he would be the one.

Alison?

Is that it, have I paid?

Help us!

Help me, please!

Do you know what you did?

Do you know why you did it?

It happened so fast.

It wasn't like I thought.

Daniel...

Daniel, if I ask you something,

will you tell me the truth?

Don't I always?

That message - you sounded gone.

Was it because of what I said, "I've had enough"?

I wasn't thinking that clear.

It wasn't because of you.

And you were right.

Why should you put up with me?

What were you doing there anyway?

Why did you go and see Lucy?

Daniel?

Why do you think?

My wife tells me she's had enough of me,

no one kicks me into shape like Lucy.

Police said... Patrick, they have CCTV footage of a woman running away.

In the red light area of town.

They found Dad in an alleyway near there.

Why was he there?

Who's a lucky cowboy?

Your hand's pretty much gone.

Well, you'll need a lot of physio.

The doctor is supposed to tell you all this

but most of them look about 12 so how can you take them seriously?

Your neck will be scarred pretty badly but look at it this way,

it's a miracle he didn't hit an artery.

He was inches away from the head.

-You should be in heaven.

-Or hell.

Look for life's blessings every day.

Do you believe that?

My mother used to say it, she was quite religious.

Donna.

Do you want drugs? The pain?

The pain is bearable.

That already makes you a rarity.

Everybody wants as many drugs as they can get.

I don't want to big you up

but I've never seen anything like what you did.

People don't use these words any more

but it was like you sacrificed yourself.

It just happened.

No, things like that don't just happen.

You did a different thing.

That makes you a rarity.

Have you any idea how famous you are?

Hi, girls.

-Dad.

-Daddy!

OK, pick a hand, pick a hand.

That one. Thank you.

OK, girls, why don't you get ready for bed?

Now give me another kiss.

-Night, night.

-Night, darling.

Brush your teeth.

What you doing?

I just saw those little things, thought the girls might like them.

It could wait till the weekend.

I can act on impulse, can't I? Let them know I'm thinking about them.

It just helps me to know when you're coming.

-Yeah...

-Not to just turn up.

I know that, but if they know that I'm thinking about them, then they know that...

I love them. What's wrong with that?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong.

I just need you to understand.

You look different.

It's my make-up.

Please call when you want to come round.

My phone was dead. Have you done something to your hair?

Yeah, I er...

I had it cut. You know me, I'm always messing with my hair.

Are you...are you seeing someone?

I'm not seeing anyone. It's none of your business if I am, but I'm not.

What, you think I can't read it in your face?

What is my business is if you lie to me. Don't lie to me, Sylvie, don't...

I deserve the truth. I promised you. I married you.

Do you think I'm stupid? I know what the hair's about. So who is it?

It's no one. There's no one.

I'll find out.

Please accept this is not about another person. It's about us.

We're finished.

Please try to see that.

I'm going to get proof.

Then you'll admit it.

PULIS LAUGHS

You took my money, son, do you know what that means?

That means I own you, Danny boy.

What are you doing in here?

(Is he going to live?)

Come on.

What did you want in there?

Absolution.

You know him?

Yeah.

Survivor guilt?

-What?

-Why me?

Why should I live and him die?

Why do I deserve it?

Donna...

I'm a drunk.

I'm a hopeless drunk.

I never gave a thought to my wife, my kids, my job.

Nothing mattered to me more than getting wasted.

I've never admitted that to anyone before.

I don't know why I'm telling you.

I had to admit it to someone, I suppose.

Were you drunk when you did the heroics?

I've never been so sober in my life.

When I stood there...

and I heard what that boy had done, a boy...

Morals and courage, that made me see what a toxic shit I am.

I felt such shame.

And I realised I was sick of being sick.

I think they call it a moment of clarity.

Who do?

People who have moments of clarity.

I've never said a prayer in my life before.

Well, maybe as a kid, but I never meant it anyway.

I don't know who I was talking to, I just said...

.."I'm sick of myself.

"Please show me a way out of this hell."

And then I looked up and I saw the kid with the gun.

Maybe there is a purpose you don't know yet. For you. To live.

Just wait and see what comes, and maybe you'll know.

WOMAN ON TV: ..attempted drive-by shooting on the steps of the Crown Court.

It's thought that Mr Demoys threw himself

in front of the intended victim Nelson Venner,

who'd been testifying against drug gangs in the city.

Tributes to Mr Demoys have been pouring in,

praising his bravery and hailing him a national hero.

As videos of the shooting have circulated on social media,

Demoys has gained something of a cult status,

leading to speculation that he should be given greater prominence

in the city council whilst he recovers from his injuries.

In the past few moments, Nelson Venner was asked to comment

on speculations that Mr Demoys may now have a higher political calling.

People keep saying to me, "Why can't we have a man like him

"to run the city? All the other guys are just same old, same old,

"but Daniel Demoys, he's got guts.

"The whole world has seen that."

Political communications director Jerry Durrans refused to be drawn

on the impact the shooting might have on the forthcoming mayoral election.

CACOPHONY OF QUESTIONS

-Sorry to disturb you.

-It's all right, I was awake.

I wanted to say...what you did...

I have so much admiration.

It's given me something to hang onto.

I'm sorry. Do you know who I am?

Henry Pulis' daughter.

Ruth.

I've seen you with him sometimes.

What I just told you, it's not the truth.

I didn't come here to say those things.

I came in here because I saw you walking with the nurse

and I thought...

you can help me.

I don't know how I can do that.

You know my father.

A little.

The police are saying things about him because of where he was found.

It's in the papers now.

Everybody believes that's what he was doing.

How can they say that? They don't know him like I do.

I know the kind of man your father was.

Is.

He's still alive.

Of course. I'm sorry.

I want him to wake up.

-I can't bear it.

-Ruth, listen to me, what happened to your father...

The police are saying they have more information. The woman.

There was another sighting.

A description of her.

She's young.

Like, in her twenties.

She was running and crying. Blonde hair.

She was carrying her shoes. They had silver buckles.

-SHE LAUGHS WEAKLY

-Silver buckles.

Can you believe that?

That's what they're telling me. That's all they have...

-I'm sure...

-Will you help me?

(What can I do?)

You talk to the press.

Tell them the kind of man your father was.

They have to find this woman.

WOMAN ON TV: 'Police investigating the brutal attack'

on local businessman Henry Pulis are pursuing a new line of inquiry.

CCTV footage released today shows a woman running from the scene

of the assault.

Detectives have urgently called for her to come forward.

Someone must know who this woman is. The woman who ran away.

The police believe this woman is a prostitute.

We have to find her.

Please.

REPORTER: It's thought this brutal attack on a businessman

so closely tied to the city council,

where he served to strengthen the argument of politicians,

who are urgently calling for more police on our streets.

Senior investigating officer DCI Griffin urged people

to remain on their guard as concerns grow.

NEARBY SIRENS WAIL

You parked me in.

Go easy, Bevan. We're busy. We're in a hurry.

There's no conspiracy to park you in.

No wonder you can't find a prostitute.

You can't even find a parking space.

Bevan, you want to know why you never get in

on any of the big cases?

You need to look at your attitude.

Maybe you should be a little bit more...

..conducive.

-Conducive?

-Yeah. You know?

The spirit of cooperation

and the teamwork thing.

Come on, Griffin.

Leave the grudge at home.

Leave that with me.

I'm working on it.

SIREN BLARES

'Hello, ICT, how can I help?'

Can I speak to Daniel Demoys, please?

'Are you from the press?'

No, it's... It's a personal call.

'I can't just put you through to the ward.'

Well, can I leave a message?

'Can you leave a name?'

No, I don't really want to leave my name.

'I'm sorry. Without a name...'

Do you remember what you said to me?

I thought you were dying.

Do you remember what it was you said?

"Beam me up, Scotty"?

You didn't used to make a joke about everything.

I think I deserve a medal, under the circumstances.

My brother's shot.

It gets to me, it's like...

-TEARFULLY:

-Isn't it time we said that's enough now?

You look like you're 17 again.

That's how you sounded when you were a teenager.

What you said was...

.."Is that it now? Did I pay?"

It keeps going round and round my head. "Did I pay?"

Like Meg's always telling me, I'm a drama queen.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Daniel - you know Jerry Durrans?

I know of Jerry Durrans.

I just wanted to shake your hand, Daniel,

tell you personally how grateful I am.

You have single-handedly given this city

a politician they can believe in.

-That's all I wanted to say.

-But that's not all.

No. But you've got to start with the niceties.

Otherwise we're no better than beasts in the jungle.

For the first time,

this city is going to have a political mayor with real power.

Look who the main parties have put forward.

Two featherweights - it's like a pillow fight.

It'll just be more and more of the same.

You've seen the voting figures for the last 20-30 years,

they just keep falling. Why do you think that is?

Is it apathy?

Contentment? We've all had enough of the well-honed speeches,

cos when you walk into a hospital today,

there's a good chance you're going to pick up something that's going to kill you.

We want you to stand for mayor, Daniel.

You think I don't know?

I've been in this game long enough

to know what Mr Demoys has been getting up to.

The booze, the pills, the women, the gambling...

-The coke habit.

-The coke habit. There you go.

Well, a candidate in treatment.

It's pretty sexy.

HE CHUCKLES

I'm just joking. Don't think I don't take this seriously, Daniel.

I work long, long hours.

I could've very easily gone into business, made some proper money.

I certainly had the offers. But I stuck with politics,

because there is a stubborn bit of me that still believes.

I can see what is right in front of us. A golden opportunity.

If we don't grab it,

we're just as plastic as those bastards on the ballot paper.

If I let this go, I would not like myself.

If you are mayor of this city, Daniel, in the centre of things,

affecting people's lives, huh?

You know what you did.

Have you any idea of the scale of the impact?

-You're a national hero.

-You're the king dog.

If we put your name forward for this election, you will win it.

-That's not possible.

-I say it is.

I'll be your campaign manager.

I've won elections and I've lost elections,

but I know what a winner feels like.

See, you probably don't remember this. But I do.

You were, like, ten or something.

And you told Dad that you were going to be President.

And he explained to you that we don't have a President in this country.

And you thought about it and you said, "I don't care. I'm going to do it anyway."

Daniel, if you're Mayor,

housing, poverty,

education, hospitals - just imagine it.

Yeah, I'll even call you Mr President, if that helps.

Listen to me, both of you.

I'm a sorry excuse for a local politician.

There's a reason for that.

I'm weak. I'm selfish. I'm a coward.

You know what? I believe you.

I could win this election.

This country is probably stupid enough to let that happen.

They'd vote for the bloke on the TV.

Today's blue-eyed boy.

Like someone off some talent show,

all fireworks and flashing lights.

Yeah, I could be Mayor.

But it would be just another marketing trick.

Let's con the public into buying something empty and useless.

And I won't do that.

'Local councilman Daniel Demoys was released from hospital today

'among growing speculation from political insiders

'that the recent outpouring of public support

'might make him a shock candidate

'in the forthcoming mayoral elections.

'Some commentators have dismissed the idea as fanciful... '

Come on.

Do you want a drink?

Yeah.

Do we have any lemonade?

We have lemonade.

Hey.

Are you going to be Mayor, Dad?

No. That's all nonsense.

I think you should.

Will you lot all concentrate - I'm going to fleece you,

like I always do!

Yeah, right(!)

Last time we stood here, I'd had enough.

I wish I could just have five minutes

when my mind was still enough to know how I feel.

Why did you do it?

Everybody thinks it was a brave thing that I did, but it wasn't.

I couldn't face another day, another minute of me.

Yeah, I watched you.

And I couldn't stop you -

turning into someone who didn't want to live.

And I hated you for it.

I mean, you have so much right here,

so much, and it's just not enough.

I look at the kids

and I don't understand it myself.

But I'm not there now, and I don't want to go back there.

I want to stop hurting you

and I want to stop hurting the kids,

but I don't know how.

'9 out of 10 for being a stand-up kind of bloke.

'OK, ask me anything - if I lie, that's it.'

What's in the envelope?

I've got to do a little bit of work

and then why don't you and me run away?

'You didn't answer my question.

'What's in the envelope?'

What are you doing?

-I think I've lost my wallet.

-I'll help you look.

Some of the states you've seen me in with drink...

I'm never going to drink.

Bad news - idiot juice.

The way I've been...

Things that have happened...

Nothing you did, or your mum,

or Luke or Charlie.

All right? None of it was because of you.

I need you to remember that.

Dad, go easy on the drama.

You fell down sometimes. I'll survive.

No wallet.

Gone.

Maybe I left it somewhere else.

It'll turn up.

Everything always turns up somewhere.

-VOICE ECHOES:

-'They get the deal?

'Is that what you're saying to me?'

Where's the fucking envelope?!

Daniel?

I thought this whole idea of you standing for Mayor was madness.

But maybe they're right.

You can use what has happened to you to help people.

Do something that matters.

Hey, Mr Demoys. Good to see you back.

You were on TV, Mr Demoys.

Everybody says you're going to be Mayor.

Have the police been in here to talk to you?

Now, why would they come in here?

The last time I was here there was a woman,

in that booth over there.

Do you know her?

What I hear is, you're going to be Mayor, Mr D.

BEEPING

CONTINUOUS TONE

'..as news of his death has sent shockwaves through City Hall.

'Pulis is survived by his only daughter Ruth...'

What is it?

Henry Pulis died last night.

I can't find my sports bag. Why am I always losing my sports bag?

-Well, if you put it where I told you to put it...

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Have you finished your bacon, sweetheart?

Luke, I'm going to go without you now!

-I'm up!

-Well, come on then. Charlie, come on.

'She describes him as her guiding light.'

'He was such a kind father.

'Such a lovely man.

He can't tell us what happened to him that night.

I'm pleading.

'If you know anything, if you saw anything...

'please.'

Your sister gave me your address.

-Did she tell you to come?

-No.

I decided to come myself.

I mean, I wanted to say thanks.

Yeah, well, there's no need.

Your sister told me how you used to be,

when you were younger, like.

Your beliefs, your ideals and everything.

Yeah, well, I'm not that man anymore.

I can't even remember the day I let it go.

My brother got killed.

I mean - he killed himself.

He was using, and it took his life.

He was 16.

I believe that he was killed by where we live.

That can't be right, can it?

You're wasted by where you are born.

Look, none of them other guys are going to do anything about it.

All right? We all know that - nothing.

So more kids are going to die.

How can that be right? Hmm?

What, are you just going to ignore that,

when you could do something about it?

I'm a drunk.

For my entire adult life, I've been selfish and cynical.

What kind of city would want me as a mayor?

One as sick as I am.

Now, the truth is,

I didn't want to be a candidate in this election.

But I'm starting to think that it might be my chance

to pay for the things I've done wrong.

I don't know if I can do it.

But what I do know, is that if I pick up a drink,

things are going to get worse.

So if you want me as your mayor, here's what I offer you...

No more bullshit.

If you want me, I'll do it,

but I am going to rip things up,

because I've lived inside of politics and it nearly killed me.

And what's worse is that it hurt my family.

I'm not going to do that anymore.

So, my question to you is -

who wants to dump the bullshit?

REPORTERS FIRE QUESTIONS

I hear the ticking of the clock.

Everything that's happened is telling me

that I can pay for what I've done.

How come they've got evidence, after weeks of nothing?

This is good news, isn't it?

My father might have corrupted the contract process.

If there was someone working with him, how do we find that person?

Huh! Argh!

There's blood on your shirt. She's gone. She ran.

-You saw?

-I can't get it out of my head.

-This is all going to stop now, Sylvie.

-I just want my family back.

-Get out!

When everything is SO good...

..it has to be bad.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd