Short Changed Doctors

RADIO PLAYS MUSIC

# One day I'll grow up To be a beautiful woman

# One day I'll grow up

# To be a beautiful girl. #

PHONE RINGS

MUSIC CONTINUES

Hello?

You got my message, then?

No...

No.

No, you can't stop me.

I don't care, I'm his father.

You can't stop me seeing my son.

MUSIC CONTINUES

Oh, sorry, Fiona, I had a really busy morning at work.

It's fine. I need to be back at the office at three for a conference call.

Well, here's your chocolate fountain.

And another tub of chocolate in case you need it.

I don't know where the instructions are,

but basically you just plug it in.

So, I'm really looking forward to the party.

It's ages since we had a family get together.

Jake's upstairs. Why don't you pop up and say hi?

Is he not at school?

He hasn't been feeling very well.

I know you're only a nurse, but would you mind taking a look at him?

Dr Carter!

That is not appropriate reading material for the staff room.

I got it for the articles.

I'm going to replace my stolen technology

and haul myself into the 20th century.

-21st.

-21st. I'm fully insured, so why not?

Good for you.

But I don't understand why this magazine must use

scantily-clad women to sell stereos and their televisions.

-It's Kevin's.

-It's got some good articles, apparently.

Yes, if only I could understand...

Oh, look at the speakers on that.

Oh, God.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Yeah?

Hey, don't stop on my account.

Mandy. What are you doing here?!

I came to see my favourite cousin but he wasn't in so I came here(!)

So, are you looking forward to the party?

Well, I had my big night out on Saturday.

Told my mum I was at Danny's, but a load of us went clubbing.

Where did you go?

Where didn't we go?

Mandy, what was it like when you were my age, going out?

Oi, I'm not that old!

Um...

Pier 82 used to be good.

-And your mum and dad didn't mind?

-What they didn't know didn't hurt them.

There's something I need to talk to you about.

Anything.

You won't tell my mum?

Course not.

-What is it?

-DOORBELL RINGS

Hello, Fiona.

Get in before someone sees you.

Sounds like my dad.

Wait! What were you going to say?

Doesn't matter.

Are you sure?

Yeah, it's fine. It was nothing.

Listen, Jake, your mum said you've been having some kind of attacks,

something to do with your breathing?

So that's why you're here.

Sorry. She tricked me with a chocolate fountain.

It's fine. I've just been pushing myself a bit recently, that's all.

Does it happen when you've been exercising?

Sometimes.

< This is my house and you can't stop me coming here!

< How dare you turn up dressed like that?!

You know exactly what you're doing.

You just want to humiliate me!

I'm not the one who's overreacting!

I'm not the one who dresses like a freak show.

This was your suit!

I knew you were stealing from me!

You don't have to do this, Mum.

See what you're doing. You are ruining his birthday.

That's not true. I'm here for Jake.

-Can you both stop?!

-He knows he's the most important thing in the world.

If that was true, you would have stayed being a man...

Oh, just change the record!

..instead of turning this family into a laughing stock.

-Jake, do you need to sit down?

-I hate when they do this.

At least someone's providing some laughs around here.

Uncle Phil, stop. Look at Jake.

Jake! What's wrong?

That's it, Jake. It's OK. Deep breaths.

JAKE WHEEZES

He's reading it for the articles.

I can understand several languages, but tech speak is not one of them.

Why would I want noise reduction in something that produces a noise?

Noise reduction means you get clearer sound.

Right.

-And Bluetooth? What's that?

-Oh, you don't need all that nonsense.

Just get something basic that has big speakers.

On the other hand, if you get Bluetooth and streaming capabilities

you can synch it with other devices, and have something more minimal.

OK...

Televisions?

Just get something small, otherwise it takes up the whole room.

No, large flat screen. Great for watching sport and films.

It is better watching it in widescreen.

You also need HD. USB. What about 3D?

Please stop before I give up and live in a monastery!

They do 3D now?

If you watch one of those reality TV shows it's like it's happening in your living room.

And that's good, is it?

That's it, Jake.

In...and out. Good.

So what's wrong with him?

I'd say it was a panic attack, brought on by stress.

If anyone's causing stress here, it's you, with your midlife crisis.

Says the most stressful person I've ever met. Always talking about work.

Just stop it, OK?! There's nothing wrong with me.

Jake...

It's fine, I made it up. I was pretending.

I just wanted to shut you up because you were showing me up in front of Mandy.

Was he faking?

It looked like a panic attack.

I should have got him in to the GP.

I'm all right! I'm going out. I need some books from the library.

I'd better get back to work. If it happens again...

It won't.

Just remember what I said.

See you later.

Bye, Mand. Sorry about the shouting.

Do you want a lift, Jake?

Over my dead body.

-I don't have a problem with that.

-Look, it doesn't matter, I'll walk.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in!

So, have you decided what to do about Martin?

Elaine, I have no idea...

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in!

What have I missed?

I don't know what to do.

I like this man, I really like him, but I can't pretend it didn't happen.

I think you need to give him a chance to tell his side of the story.

Are you mad? You can't let an arsonist in your house.

What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Have you been round Julia's house? It's full of wood, very flammable.

Oh, good point, Karen(!)

It's probably all a misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding! Someone could have got killed in that fire!

-He's this far away from being a murderer.

-A murderer?!

-PHONE RINGS

Ssh, it's him.

(The murderer).

Martin, hi!

Hi, Julia, I'm not interrupting, am I?

No, no, everything's quiet here.

It's about tonight.

Oh, are you calling to cancel?

No, I wouldn't dream of it. I just wondered if I should bring anything?

No. Just yourself.

See you at 7.30.

Looking forward to it. Bye.

Me and Elaine had a chat and Elaine agrees the last thing you should do

is have him round your house.

Give him a chance to explain,

-but possibly meet him somewhere neutral.

-A public place.

Bit late for that now.

Jake.

It's all right, your mum isn't looking.

Come on. There's something I need to talk to you about.

Heston, have you seen my copy of What Gear?

Oh, it's here.

What are you doing? Step away from the keyboard!

You're about to buy a piece of junk that went out of date weeks ago.

That was made last year!

Yeah, my point entirely! Have you thought about Blu-ray?

-Blu-ray?

-Docking your iPod?

I beg your pardon?

-Wireless?

-I want a transistor radio, of course.

This is worse than I thought. OK, come on, I'm taking you shopping.

You've not gone vegetarian?

Mum made me a sandwich.

Wonders will never cease.

Do you have to keep saying things like that?

Sorry. It's just...sometimes she makes it easy.

Jake, I need to explain what happened with me and your mum.

It doesn't matter.

It's all a bit of a mess, and I didn't want it to end up like this.

You know how everyone's born a bit different?

Some people are a little tall or short...

Is this about you wearing women's clothes?

Part of it.

Jake, there's something about me that needs fixing,

something I've suffered with my whole life.

What is it?

Jake, I...

..I was born in the wrong body.

What?

I was supposed to be a woman,

and I'm going to have an operation to put things right.

Does Mum know?

That's why she's so angry?

She feels like I lied to her. I didn't mean to.

So does this mean you're gay?

No way.

I like women too much. Maybe that's why I want to be one.

I'd stay with your mum if she'd let me,

but she's just not that open-minded.

So you're going to be a lesbian? With boobs and everything?

Jake, I don't have all the answers.

I just want you to know, this doesn't have to change anything for you and me.

We're still the same people underneath.

And it would mean a lot if I knew you could accept me as I really am.

Now remember, you're in charge. Don't let anyone bully you.

What about this?

Pay no attention to that rubbish.

I know exactly what you need. Come on, follow me.

MUSIC: "Together in Electric Dreams" by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

# We'll always be together

# However far it seems

# Love never ends

# We'll always be together

# Together in electric dreams. #

We never made it to the library.

Doesn't matter.

When's your first exam?

End of May.

Plenty of time, then.

Jake...

I'm still trying to get my head round it, Dad.

I understand.

Just call me when you're ready.

Look, you'll still come to the party, though.

Try and stop me.

I hope your shopping trip was not too traumatic.

-What do you think?

-It is very tasteful.

There is no need to go over the top and spend money on these modern toys that young men get so excited by.

Actually, this is the tip of the technological iceberg.

The rest is being delivered to my home tomorrow.

Well, I am certainly glad to see you looking so happy.

You must come over some time and see my new Blu-ray of My Fair Lady.

Apparently,, you can count the spots on Rex Harrison's bowtie.

Thank you. I would love to.

How dare you tell him?

We agreed you'd wait until he was older.

He's 16.

He's got his exams next month and you drop this on him!

-He's fine.

-Keep away from Jake before you do any real harm.

He's my son, too, and it doesn't matter what you think

because he wants me at the party.

We'll see about that!

Mum?

Sorry, Jake.

I shouldn't let myself get upset.

Was it Dad?

Now you know everything...

-..it's really important that we look after each other.

-OK.

I just wish he didn't have to come to the party later.

I know, but I've already invited him.

Right.

Cos I'm finding this...really hard.

I'm sorry, Mum.

It's not your fault.

I know you'd never do anything to hurt me.

I know, but it's my birthday

and...he's my dad.

I just hope your friends are all right.

I mean, what are they going to think when they see him dressed up like that?

I really hope they're good friends.

Because you know what it's like when this kind of thing gets around school.

I'm sorry, Jake.

I really wanted to shield you from this.

If you want to have your dad at the party, I'll respect your decision.

PHONE BEEPS

Oh!

Oh, no.

DOORBELL RINGS

Oh, no!

Hi.

Can I smell burning?

Jake?

Listen, I think people might notice if you miss your own party.

I didn't even want it in the first place.

It's just making everyone unhappy.

Come on.

-Happy birthday, Jake.

-Happy birthday!

-Thanks.

Well, I'm not a professional, but I think it's dead.

I'm really sorry.

It's OK, we weren't close.

Maybe we can try and cut off the burnt bits?

Julia, it's all burnt bits.

I know! It is, isn't it?! Oh, dear, what are we going to eat?

Don't worry. I've got a very good Thai place on speed dial.

-While we're waiting, I'll fix us a cocktail.

-Oh, great.

Cocktail, now... I think I've only got something green I brought back from Greece.

It's OK. I'll think of something.

What have they done now?

My mum said I can't invite my dad. Maybe she's right.

It's all right him wanting to be happy,

but isn't it selfish to come out with something like that

if you know it's going to upset everyone else?

Well, can't have been easy for him.

He must've thought about it for a long time.

Think about how long he's been with your mum.

Yeah, so why did he marry her?

Maybe he didn't know, or maybe he couldn't face the truth.

He's my uncle, I've known him for longer than you.

When I found out, I was shocked.

But then I thought about how brave he was.

Brave?

Hm-mm. He told the truth even though he knew no-one would look at him

in the same way again.

And it was tough at first, but surely it's better to be honest?

You need to tell them how you feel and stop letting them

boss you around!

My dad told me he's going to have a sex change.

Really?

You knew and you didn't tell me.

Oh, it's cos of patient confidentiality.

What about all that stuff about being honest?

You said I could talk to you.

You can!

-DOORBELL RINGS

-Oh, Jake...

-He doesn't want to see you.

-Fine. Then he can tell me himself.

You're not coming in, Phil.

My name is Claire.

You are joking. Have you looked at yourself?!

You're an embarrassment and a freak.

You are deluding yourself if you ever think you'll be a real woman.

Look who's talking.

I worked to keep this family together. You are destroying it.

-Mum, stop it!

-Jake's ashamed of you.

-That's why he didn't want you here.

-You bullied him!

-Get out!

-Listen to me!

-You don't belong here.

-Come on.

-No, I need to tell them!

You're just jealous.

Jealous! Shall we get everybody out here and see what they think?

Mum, I'm gay!

I'm gay, Mum, all right? So whatever Dad is, it's fine by me.

That was so much nicer than anything I could've cooked.

I can't believe that.

I can see you in the kitchen, bossing around the staff.

Are you saying I'm bossy?

No, I'm saying you'd look great in white.

Oh. I'll let you off, then!

Sentence reduced for good behaviour!

So, tell me about your business?

-You don't want to talk about that.

-I'm interested. How many garages did you say you had?

Are you trying to work out how much I'm worth?

I just think it must be a pain travelling between them all.

Letherbridge, Birmingham... Where were the other ones? Coventry?

Yeah, I don't do much work in Coventry any more.

-You used to, though, didn't you?

-What's this about, Julia?

Well, I saw this article on the internet,

saying you'd had a bit of trouble in the past.

What do you mean?

Well, in Coventry. You know.

I'm not sure I do.

Well, there was this news item, and...

Saying?

Saying that there'd been a fire.

Police thought it had been started deliberately.

Really?

And that they thought that you had done it.

Is that what you think?

-I want to talk to my son.

-Don't you think you've done enough?

I didn't do this, Fiona.

Hey.

-You're not helping.

-You've got him so he doesn't know what he thinks.

Oi! You are making your son ill.

He was so terrified of telling you he was gay

that it gave him panic attacks.

He has been so brave tonight.

You should be supporting him,

so grow up or...

Or else.

What right have you got to tell us...

Mum, she's right. Being stuck in the middle, it's doing my head in.

I know you're upset, but Dad isn't finding this easy either.

I'm not going to take sides, so you two need to get along, right?

I can't.

I feel...humiliated and betrayed.

Whenever I see him, I want to hurt him.

You took my life from me, and now my son as well.

-He'd be normal if it wasn't for you.

-What a load of rubbish!

What is wrong with your family?

Listen, this is your son we're talking about.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Why can't you all just be normal?

You see what I have to put up with?

-Oh!

-Dad, shut up!

You Googled me.

I was worried.

You said there were things you wanted to tell me before...

And you couldn't wait!

I'm offering you a chance to explain.

I don't have to explain!

Perhaps if you'd looked a bit closer you'd have found

that all the charges were dropped.

Oh.

Yeah. Another guy went to prison.

A bloke I'd sacked, who wanted to get his own back.

Well, that's good, then we have nothing to worry about.

I think we do.

I don't believe this! I'm sorry, I'm not going to waste my time with someone that can't trust me.

-Martin...

-You're as bad as all those hacks who accused me without knowing the truth.

Forgive me if I don't stay for dessert.

Oh! Wait.

Come here.

I feel really bad. Look, are you sure you don't want me to stay?

-I'll be fine.

-What're you going to do?

Stay here until after my exams. Then I'm moving out.

You call me any time, yeah, and if you need anywhere to hide...

Thanks, Mandy.

-Bye, Mand.

-Bye.

Thanks...for standing up for me.

It wasn't about you.

I know.

Well, maybe a little bit was.

Why didn't you tell me?

Cos you weren't there. And I was 15.

You kept talking about yourself.

Sorry.

We'll have more time for that when we're living together again.

I'm not moving in with you.

But I thought...

That place is a dump.

And you... You need to sort yourself out, big time.

I will.

I'm going to try harder, OK?

OK.

Can't we at least talk about this?

It's a bit late for that.

I'm sorry if I was over-suspicious, OK? I apologise for that.

There are things I need to tell you, too.

It's all academic, anyway.

I-I-I don't understand.

For years now, I've been wanting to build my own house.

Now I've had the plans drawn up and they're ready to start work.

It's lovely.

One of the things I've been putting off telling you

is that in a few weeks I'll be leaving Letherbridge.

-Oh.

-You're not the only one with a past, you know.

I'm sorry, Julia, I can't be with someone

who'd go behind my back at the smallest thing.

I wouldn't do that! I don't do that, usually.

I guess we'll never find out.

Bye.

Martin, can't we at...

There comes a point in every man's life

where he must face the 21st century alone.

So when you say you're on your way to a lecture?

I'll be the one giving it.

Fine! Take it all!

You need to ask yourself some serious questions.

Have you got any idea what I've had to do to get you off the hook?

Oh, I think you'll make a lovely couple.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd