Ben Percy Doctors

THUDDING ON THE DOOR

PHONE RINGS

Yeah?

Right, I'll be there right away. What's the address?

Why'd we have to come out so early? Thank you.

It was your idea. It's cos you wanted to go see that film.

We're supposed to be enjoying ourselves.

It used to be a meal or the pictures, it was never both.

Your mum would only babysit for a couple of hours.

It wasn't her fault. She was working full-time.

I know, Karen, I didn't mean anything.

I don't remember that shirt. It looks nice.

So do you.

Glowing...like when you had Immie.

I had eczema when I was having Immie.

Right, OK, when you were having Jack, then.

Oh...

there's got to be more to us than the kids.

We've got to find something else to talk about.

It shouldn't be this difficult.

Thanks.

Thank you. Right, then. OK...

Let's talk puddings.

Do you fancy, "Spotted Dick"?

PHONE BEEPS

-Ah.

-What?

It's work. I'm sorry, love, I've got to make a call.

-Oh, just make it here.

-I can't.

I'll have whatever you're having - only bigger, and with ice-cream.

Sorry, I'm late, I know. I had trouble locating these.

Beaujolais 2012, a day ahead of release.

Thought you'd chickened out.

Hardly.

There's nothing to be scared of here.

Bottles down there and we've ordered for you.

Pork balls and chop suey.

Delightful. Erm...

I think I'll hang on to one.

Decoration's looking very professional(!)

We try our best.

Let's hope the questions are as well prepared?

Oh! Do you know, just ignore him.

He's only jealous cos you're quiz master.

-I feel sick.

-Give over!

Look, just stick to the plan, you'll blow them all away.

-It's perfect.

-So, who wants me?

We'll have you!

You're welcome to him.

Are you still doing this? Tonight is supposed to be fun.

Indeed it is. So, I'll sit with the winning team.

THEY APPLAUD Oh...like that, is it?

-Better believe it.

-"Bring it on," as they say.

Right you are. Mandy, you're with us.

Let's kick some ass.

What spooked him?

-'Nothing, I don't think.'

-Tonight's tricky.

I'm on a date with Karen. We're having dinner.

'I don't care. You need to be here.

'Where's your commitment?'

I am committed! I'll be there as soon as I can.

-A work thing's come up.

-Has it?

I've got to go. I've got no choice, love. I'm sorry.

It's one of those things.

HE SIGHS

-Karen, I'll make it up to you, I promise.

-Kingsvale, please.

Oh, don't leave like this.

-Like what?

-You know what.

-What time are you going to be back?

-I don't know. Late, I guess.

-Great.

-Cinema tickets - you could still use them?

STOP!

Ben Percy - 70s, pensioner...no family.

Not a lot of friends either, from what the neighbours say.

-Who discovered him?

-Us.

Gas man requested entry. Came to cut him off.

Last paid 15 months ago. He's racked up quite a bill.

Electricity went off a year ago.

How long's he been sitting there? Well, someone must have known him?

They did, apparently. You.

Found that by the front door.

You referred him to the hospital for a knee operation

a year and a half a go.

I...don't remember.

Obviously, I must have referred him.

I don't remember, I don't know who he is.

Don't worry about it. Happens all the time.

Some of the oldies drop off the radar.

I take it you're happy to pronounce him, "Life extinct"?

He's not going anywhere, is he?

Yeah, died in his sleep, would be my guess.

Lovely. Early doors. The boys will be pleased.

You can put your feet up. We'll do all the relevant checks.

Erm, who's that?

-A memory of a memory. Forget about it.

-Yeah, but...

If anyone cared, they'd have been knocking on the door a year ago.

Would you mind following that car, please?

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Mill Mayhem -

the quiz show with a difference.

Prizes for winners, forfeits for losers.

Are you ready?

ALL: Yes.

I can't hear you? I said, are we ready?!

-SHOUTS: You betcha', baby!

-Best keep it calm, eh?

Hands on buzzers for the first question, please.

Who was the last British Prime Minister not to have a wife?

-BUZZER SOUNDS

-Ted Heath!

-No!

-It was.

-You went to school with him, didn't you, Heston?

I know British history and it was Ted Heath.

Actually...it wasn't.

I'm going to pass it over to Howard's team for a bonus point.

-Who was the last British Prime Minister not to have a wife?

-BUZZER SOUNDS

-Thatcher.

-Correct!

-YES!

Can we show a little buzzer restraint, please?

That wasn't a proper question.

-You're just sore because you got it wrong!

-Next question!

And, please, my decision is final.

Which two South American countries end in a girl's name?

-Oh!

-BUZZER SOUNDS

Hi, are you Jerry?

What's it to you?

He said you might be able to help?

He's an idiot.

He thought you might know Ben Percy? Played darts for the WMC?

-You a copper?

-No, I'm a doctor.

What do you want Ben for?

Erm...

I don't, really. He's... He's died.

Well, you ain't much good to him then, are you?

What you after, son?

Erm...

I just wanted to talk to someone who remembered him, that's all.

But, look, if that's not you...

I'm Jez.

Only me mum called me Jerry. She was a cow.

I'm Jimmi.

Oh, well, buy us a drink, I can be who you like.

You knew him, then?

Oh, I knew Ben, all right.

Can you pull over, please? And turn your engine off.

(What's he doing?)

So, he was a dandy?

It was the '50s, Brylcreem was compulsory.

And this is when he worked with you at Lucas'?

Filing shock absorbers.

Did he have any other mates?

HE WHEEZES AND COUGHS

You trying to kill me?!

I never said he was a mate.

Were you not listening?

He didn't have mates. Kept himself to himself.

Why?

I don't know.

One of them people, I guess.

If he thought you was getting too friendly, he'd back off...

..go somewhere else to drink.

I didn't see him till he walked in here ten years ago.

Still wearing Brylcreem, mind you!

What had he been up to?

I couldn't tell you, really.

I know he worked for some industrial company,

installing boilers, or something.

How long was he...

on his own?

Erm...

..not sure yet. It was a while.

Oh, well.

His choice. That's how he lived.

There was a photo in his house. It was a family.

Could that have been Ben?

Nah.

OK, look, I've got to go.

I really appreciate you talking to me, thank you.

Don't go, son. The night's young.

-I've got a report to write.

-No, no, no, I'll buy us a drink!

-Yeah, yeah, it's my round.

-No, you sit tight. I'm fine.

Oh, well, buy us one, then.

-It looks like you've had enough already.

-Sod off!

You know nothing.

OK. Thank you again.

Oi, sonny!

HE SHOUTS AND LAUGHS

Ladies and gents, welcome to the Mayhem round.

Lose this...

the whole team pays the price!

-THEY GROAN I am sorry, but I am not drinking that.

-Yes, I'm with you, Mrs Tembe.

We're sticking with Beaujolais

and not touching tequila under any circumstances.

Well, answer a question right and you won't need to.

Give me a question on a real subject, like cricket!

The next question is actually on cricket.

-THEY LAUGH

-Team, it's in the bag.

Which Australian cricketer has been the subject of a musical?

SHOUTS: Shane Warne. Shane Warne!

That's not fair.

SHOUTS: She didn't buzz!

-Take a point off.

-Overridden.

-Yes!

-Why?

Because I have the mic and what I say goes.

-That's nonsense!

-Howard's team, minus a point for insubordination.

What?!

Shh, shh, shh!

Sit down.

Next question...

What are the six emergency services you can call on 999 in the UK?

BUZZER SOUNDS

-There's wine, if you fancy?

-Tea's great.

-PHONE BEEPS

There's nothing wrong with the adoption?

-Lyn, please, don't worry. It's nothing like that.

-PHONE BEEPS

I know this is an unscheduled visit but...

-in fact, I've got good news.

-Really, what? PHONE BEEPS

Oh, turn that thing off! It'll be work.

I swear, he's a slave to it!

Sorry.

Please don't apologise, I know what it's like.

-Could be an emergency.

-You're right.

It's work and it can't wait, I'm afraid.

Rob, sit down.

No, sorry, love, I have to sort this.

Honestly!

(Karen?!)

(What do you think you're doing?)

You need to go, now.

I'm not going anywhere.

-I'm working.

-With Driver?! I saw you!

-(We're undercover!)

-Oh, is that what you call it?

-Stop, now, and leave.

-You're putting a very important investigation at risk.

-Am I?

How very convenient.

I haven't got time for this.

Get your hands off me!

Hello, Doc, what can I do for you?

I want to talk about Ben Percy. I found someone who knew him.

They said he kept himself to himself his whole life.

Why do that? Why spend your life not letting anyone get close to you?

In my experience, if someone isn't letting anyone in,

it means they don't want them in.

Maybe we should respect that, eh?

Yeah, maybe you're right.

-Yeah, I know I am.

-Did you find any relatives?

Can't you see I'm busy?

Ben's father wasn't known,

he was brought up by his mum, who died when he was 16,

he never married, never has any kids.

According to tax records, he lived his whole life in Birmingham,

until he retired. That's it. I know how to do my job.

Leave me alone.

Why retire where you don't know anyone?

Maybe that's where the council had a house for him?

Look, he was just a lonely old person, living on a pitiful pension,

there are millions of them. What does it matter?

Just wanted something more, that's all.

Doc.

Look, it's probably nothing, but Ben had a CRB at the age of 72.

Who put the check in?

Lakeside Nursing Home.

Address is there.

Don't say I never do anything for you.

-Everything sorted?

-Yeah, sorry. Work emergency.

I've got a big project on at the moment.

-Never stops, does it?

-Unfortunately not, no. So, what have I missed?

We've found you a child.

-So soon?

-Yeah, her name's Sofia.

She lost her parents in an accident, she's been at this orphanage

and it's not been the best fit. She desperately needs a home.

She's beautiful.

Andrei asked if he could have the first payment for Friday.

-Can we do that?

-Yeah, I think so.

You think so?

No. No, no, no, I know so. Sorry.

It's just, I'm just thinking

how much this is going to change our lives.

Look, are you ready, or do you need more time?

No, no, no, we're ready, we're ready.

Everything's in place. We can't wait.

OK. Er, this is Sofia's birth certificate

and a copy of her release form from the orphanage in Kovania.

Yes?

Hi, I'm a doctor.

Erm, I'm Doctor Jimmi Clay, from the Mill Health Centre.

I was hoping to speak to somebody about someone called Ben Percy?

I don't know if that rings a bell?

Come in.

Sofia will be here Friday

and she'll stay with you for the weekend,

as part of the settling in process.

Like we agreed, the first instalment of 20,000

would have to be in the account by then. How does that sound?

I can't wait. Thank you, so much.

No, thank you. You're doing something amazing.

You'll transform her life.

Yeah, we will.

Terry, stay with him. We'll be right behind you.

What the hell do you think you were playing at?!

He worked here as a volunteer, with the residents.

Reading, playing Scrabble, being a companion -

he was good at it, too.

You seem surprised.

I didn't know him but it sounded like he was more of a loner.

Well, he came here every other day for six years or so.

Never missed...till the day he didn't show up.

From what you say, the day he died.

Why talk to people you don't know? It seems odd.

That's what I thought.

It's why I did the CRB check but he passed and started coming.

He made a lot of friends, too.

Anyone he particularly got on with? Or anyone called Percy?

No.

There was a photo...

in his house, it was a young family, with a baby in a pram.

In the whole house, it seemed like the only bit of life.

Why are you here, Dr Clay?

Good question.

I...

I just wanted to tell somebody that Ben Percy was dead.

I wanted someone to know.

ALL: Yay!

ALL: Yay!

ALL: Yay!

-I can't.

-Snob!

Frankly, I don't care.

Why should I ruin my pallet with that

-when I have half a bottle of this?

-Don't listen to them, love.

I am with you on the bow-jo-lays.

What are the scores on the doors?

Closer than you think. You're virtually neck and neck.

-A good education will always out.

-DOOR OPENING

-Evening, all.

-Everybody, our new resident doctor, Al Haskey.

ALL: Hi!

-Where do you want me?

-Erm, you're with us.

-Is there any Chinese going?

-We've got some sweet and sour here.

That'll do.

(Do you think he is any good?)

I wouldn't worry, Mrs Tembe. We're hitting our stride.

I think he's actually more interested in the food.

Molly's been here 17 years but in care her entire life.

So, she's 61.

She was born blind

and it became apparent early on that she was deaf-mute.

She also suffered brain damage,

so communication is very difficult for her.

A tall order now but...

in the '50s, when you're an 18-year-old boy?

So, Molly's Ben's daughter?

I suspected it but wasn't 100% sure until tonight.

I found this, when I took over here.

Somebody, long ago, thought it important.

You think this is Molly's mother?

I pieced it together when Ben turned up.

This quiet man who would spend hours with this woman

who couldn't even hear him, see him, understand him.

He would just sit, holding her hand.

-Did you ask him?

-How could I?

He'd have told me if he'd wanted me to know.

It's incredible.

So Cathy and Ben were Molly's parents?

I reckon they met, fell in love, had Molly, couldn't cope.

Perhaps Ben walked away, perhaps Cathy did?

Whatever.

Molly was put into care and Cathy killed herself.

We'll never really know but...

I think Ben carried that with him his entire life.

You said you weren't 100% sure until tonight that Molly was Ben's?

Why?

Come with me.

No, he's heading away from the hotel. Coming on the 41.

OK, he's pulling over.

He's out. He's...

..he's gone for a pizza, boss.

Hold up.

He's picked somebody up.

A woman,

a big ugly bloke, both carrying babies.

I think we're on.

'Stay with him, Terry.'

Turning left into Smallbrook, Queensway.

Turning right, past Queensway.

# ..Sinnerman Where you going to run to?

# Where you going to run to?

# All on that day

# Well, I run to the rock

# Please hide me I run to the rock... #

-'Just turning left on the A34.'

-We're at the junction.

Straight on.

'And right into the A39.'

# But the rock cried out

# "I can't hide you" The rock cried out

# "I can't hide you" The rock cried out

# I ain't gonna hide you, guy

# All on that day

# I said, rock... #

Yeah, we're almost with you.

'Taking a left.'

# All on that day

# So I run to the river... #

'I can see him in my sights.'

# ..it was bleedin' I run to the sea

# It was bleedin'... #

Turning left.

# ..so I run to the river

# It was boiling

# I run to the sea... #

'He's slowing down and pulling over.'

-Is that it?

-They all went in.

Andrei was carrying one of the babies.

We've only gone and got him, haven't we?

Let's call back up.

Get the young ones out, nick the rest.

Bagsy Andrei.

They'll be a queue for that.

But not yet.

This is bigger than him.

We know where they are now.

I don't think anyone's in danger.

Andrei's certainly not going anywhere, at least till Friday,

when he wants the money off us.

We watch, sit tight...

get surveillance set up, then I'll take you boys for a beer.

Job well done.

Well, if you're putting your hands in your pocket, I won't say no!

Cheeky.

Rob?

Not for me.

I need to go home.

This turned up after one of Ben's visits.

It was just here, as if it had always been here.

Turn it over.

Oi, misery guts!

-Stop behaving like a spoilt child.

-I am not.

-Oh, you are!

Tonight wasn't about you,

it was about pulling the team together, you know?

Look, it's worked.

Everyone's having a laugh. So, job done.

I apologise. You're right.

Yes, I know I'm right.

So, lose the Beaujolais...

..and take your medicine.

I met your dad today.

I didn't know him but I think he was a good man.

He loved you.

CLOCK CHIMES

I don't think she wants to talk to you.

What are you, her guard dog?

And just when were you planning on springing THAT?!

I...!

No, put those back, please.

How many more times?! We were role playing!

Well, you looked like you were enjoying it!

I thought you were on my side!

I'm not on anybody's side. You're both as bad as each other.

She doesn't understand how difficult this is.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd