Free Lunch Doctors

BOTH: Om mani padme hum.

Om mani padme hum.

Om mani padme hum.

Breakfast?

No.

Once that is full...

..then we eat.

Oh, you're down.

I was going to bring this up to you.

We had eggs Benedict yesterday.

Huh! We did, and we're not going to again

until you're up and moving around properly.

You mean working it off?

Exactly. Big and strong.

What do big, strong boys do?

They beat the bullies at their own game.

PHONE RINGS

Would you go and get my phone for me, please, darling?

He asked for my advice.

-And?

-I told him to walk away.

What?!

Well, why make things worse than they already are?

-Here's Daddy.

-Thank you.

-Hello?

-Daniel. Hi, it's Jimmi.

-Hi, Jim.

-Why don't you brush your hair

and then come back and finish your breakfast?

-How are you?

-Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

-Just bearing up, you know.

-Ah, good.

Listen, I'm on my way to work, I'm picking up some lunch.

I could bring you something around later, if you fancy it?

Listen, thank you, but I'm not really up to, um...

..having visitors just yet.

-Thank you, though.

-Yeah, no problem.

-OK. See you soon.

-Bye.

I think we should enrol him in martial arts classes.

What for? It'll take him years to learn to fight.

-What, and just let them win?

-You walk away.

Mummy and Daddy have just been discussing what you should do

if someone is being nasty to you.

-And we thought...

-And we think...

..that you should walk away.

Walk away with your head held high.

Feeling confident and not showing anyone you're scared.

And tell the teacher. Don't ever be afraid to tell the teacher.

Don't let them get away with it!

It's nice to be important.

-What are you collecting for?

-It's the Buddhist Centre.

I didn't know there was one.

Well, it's new. It's in Shorefields. It's nearly finished,

and built completely from donations. We've just got to finish the roof.

-Maybe I could sign you up?

-Yeah, maybe.

Where are you from, are you from around here?

-Er...yeah.

-You don't get many Buddhist monks in Letherbridge.

Oh, I just liked the outfit.

And the hairstyle.

This all happened when I went travelling.

-Thailand?

-Oh, you've been?

Yeah. Yeah, I stayed in a monastery myself.

Where I was, the monks weren't allowed to handle cash, though.

Some orders can, some orders can't, but we can.

You look cold. Couldn't you have worn something else, as well?

Oh, I'll get warm when I'm finished.

Right. Well, um...

Look, when I was in Thailand, I used to give the monks my food, so...

Oh, I can't. Not until this is full.

I tell you what, why don't you take this? Take it for later. Go on.

And, er...at the same time...

-There you go.

-Thank you.

Thank you ever so much. That's amazing, that.

Um...listen, eat more and you'll feel less cold.

And wear more clothes. Don't suffer for the sake of it.

If you ever feel unwell, come and see me.

I'm at the Mill Health Centre.

-Oh, you're a doctor?

-Yeah.

You should visit us at the centre. We've got a great cafe.

-Ah.

-You know, it's nice to be important,

but it's more important to be nice.

He was there, the little swine.

-Zak?

-And his mother.

What did you do?

I smiled sweetly

and told her anything further Zak did to Joe, I would be doing to her.

You threatened Zak's mother?

I established a quid pro quo.

Where was Joe while this was going on?

He'd already run off and started playing.

Right. So, why are you making this about you?

How's it going?

Yeah, not so great. Sorry.

What about the guy in the suit I saw?

What did he give you?

Oh.

100 quid. 100 quid!

Drops to 50 if you pay within two weeks.

-So pay it in two weeks, then.

-I was only there so long because I was helping someone out.

-I might as well not have bothered.

-I kind of know how you feel, mate.

I was meant to be doing this podcast interview later.

-And?

-I was ready for it, don't get me wrong, it's just...

..I can't say I'm not relieved it's not happening now.

It probably would have been a disaster.

-Things can only get better for me, too, mate.

-Hm.

Ah! Good news.

Careers Without Limits have agreed to pay for a locum,

so you are free to do the podcast.

So, you want me to do it now?

-Well, I think it will be good practice for your interview next week.

-Oh.

-Keep doing the exercises.

-I will. Thank you.

-No worries. See you.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Er...you will be fine.

-Do you think?

I do not think, I know.

Visualisation.

Excuse me?

You just have to visualise a successful outcome.

It is a very good technique.

One that I am familiar with

from the last practice managers' course I attended.

-Hm. OK.

-You need to visualise that you are going to get the last word.

Just think about what you are going to say and say it!

It is important that you do. That YOU do.

No-one else can say it like you.

Right. OK.

But if you don't believe it, no-one else will.

Well, you are a young, inspirational man

-with a wonderful dress sense.

-Huh!

But you have to make sure that you...

Get the last word in. I will. Thank you, Mrs Tembe.

Now you can eat.

-You came!

-Mm. You got me thinking.

-About?

-Whether bad things happen to good people, and vice versa.

Oh, I'm just a novice. You should really speak to my master.

Is that who you came in with?

Yeah, Jinba. I mean, he knows everything.

Everything?

Yeah. Um... Well, you know what I mean. Like, he's knowledgeable.

I only hope that one day, I can be the same.

I'd have thought you'd have eaten that already.

-I wasn't really hungry.

-You looked hungry.

-So, how did the collecting go?

-Yeah, good.

-Where's the tin?

-Well, Jinba took it.

You know, I'm so glad that you were drawn here.

Is that how you feel, that you were missing something?

Yeah. Why, is that how you feel, too?

-Me?

-Yeah. Is that what led you to the monastery in Thailand

and to give me £20?

What is it that's troubling you?

He will do what's right for him!

He doesn't know what's right for him.

Of course he does. We've discussed it with him.

After all that he's been through, everything he saw happen to you?

Things will get back to normal soon enough.

He'll forget it and he'll move on.

Oh, will he? We don't even know if he's had a proper lunch.

We don't know if this Zak sits with him.

-Zara!

-We don't know anything!

For all we know, this child is making his life a misery!

It won't just go away by itself!

-Yes, it will.

-PHONE RINGS

Is that the school?

No.

-Hello? STANTON:

-Hi, Zara.

-Is it Joe? Has something happened?

-No, no, no, nothing like that.

I just...I just wanted to talk to you.

About what?

And why have I still not had official notification

that I'm no longer a witness?

I was wondering if we could meet up.

You're not going to change my mind.

I understand that, but just to talk things through.

No. There is nothing for us to talk about.

A friend of mine nearly just died,

but the idea of rebirth didn't reassure me.

Why not?

He's done some bad things.

And as far as I can make out,

karma dictates that he will be reborn in misery.

No. He can make amends, no matter what he's done.

I've forgiven him, but what if the other people haven't?

Well, they have to. Lord Buddha teaches it.

But they're not Buddhists, are they?

But if he's trying to make up for what he's done...

But what if he can't?

What did he do that was so bad, this friend of yours?

No, it really was a friend, it's not me.

Is it, though? Really?

Thank you very much.

And, er...if I need anything...

Right.

Mm-hm!

HE EXHALES

So, you let your colleague do something you wouldn't have,

but you can't be any more specific?

-No.

-Patient confidentiality?

No, this is my other job as an FME.

-What's that?

-A police doctor.

Oh, so, you're in the police?

-No, I just work with them sometimes.

-Right.

So, what got you interested in Buddhism?

I needed something.

Buddhism seemed the closest, I guess.

So, you went to Thailand?

Yeah. Looking for answers.

You find them?

Partly.

Partly I'm still looking.

Yeah, me, too.

So I'll introduce you all,

explain you're each from diverse backgrounds

and great successes in your chosen fields

of law, accountancy and banking.

I represent the media and, er...

Oh, yes, we've got a GP from Letherbridge

being patched through, as well. Hello, Dr Vere, can you hear me?

Hello. Yeah, I can hear you.

This is Natalie Zafira in London

and with me, I've got Nicholas Henderton

of Henderton International Accountants,

Barbara Maschero of the law firm Maschero and Maschero UK

and Hazel Everdell of Everdell Investments.

Er...right. Well, er...yeah, I'm Sid Vere.

I'm a GP at the Mill Health Centre in Letherbridge.

-Hello?

-Yes, we heard you.

Right. Sorry. Um...

-Hello?

-If you could stop saying hello?

It makes it sound like a phone call.

You won't always get a response. Best just to keep talking.

Yeah, sure. No problem. Um...why's everyone down there in London?

-I thought this was supposed to be all about the Midlands?

-It is.

All our icons are from the Midlands, but all have offices in London, too.

Right. So, it's just me up here, then.

Hello? Sorry. Erm...

Ready when you are.

I wasn't always called Genyen. Jinba gave me that name.

It means approaching virtue.

-So, what were you called before?

-Sean.

That's what your mum called you?

My mum died when I was ten.

Sorry.

Then it was just me and me dad until Mary, who became my stepmum,

came along. Then when I was 18 and about to go to university...

..my dad had a stroke. He died.

Mary contested the will. She got the house, most of the cash,

and kicked me out.

I mean, I got enough money to see me through uni but...

..that had always been Dad's dream. You know, his son getting a degree.

I couldn't see the point in it after that.

So what did you do?

I went travelling.

-And you worked things out on the way?

-Yeah, a little.

You know, life was clearer going from place to place,

but coming home...

Have you been back to see your stepmum?

No. She hates me. I remind her of her greed.

-What about other family?

-I've got this place.

-No friends?

-No.

So this place is all you've got?

Go on, then, what else do I need?

-We all need friends.

-Yeah, well, I don't.

-No?

-Friends can drag you down.

Is that what yours did?

Yeah. Before Jinba found me.

Found?

Yeah, he saw me begging. Took me in.

But you can't see any of your old friends?

I wouldn't want to, anyway.

Anyway, I was thinking, because you're a doctor

and you're interested in Buddhism, and I know you've given already...

So the only reason that you can stay in this place

-is because you collect money for them?

-Jinba lets me stay.

-Yeah, to collect money.

-It could be worse.

-With no family, no friends?

-Where else would I go?

-What if there was somewhere?

-What with? I've got no money...

What if you did have some...?

Jinba, this is Dr Clay from this morning.

I was hoping he'd make another contribution.

-I think you'd better leave.

-Excuse me?

-And if you've finished lunch,

-why are you still here?

-Sorry, Jinba.

-In the shrine room. Now.

-Yes, Jinba.

-Hang on...

-No, just leave it. It's all right.

-Just go.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-Are you going to be OK?

-Yeah, of course.

OK, then.

So the consensus seems to be that the opportunities are there for

black and minority ethnic candidates but that they need role models.

Definitely.

And that's what you all are. You've fought your way to the top.

-Oh, I don't know about that.

-So tell us a little bit about yourselves.

-Well, I grew up in Birmingham.

-Yeah, er, me too.

-And, Hazel, were you always aware that you were different?

-I was.

My parents had huge expectations of me and I of myself,

but my teachers expected nothing.

-And you think that's because you're black?

-I'm sure it was.

Until I proved them wrong, they assumed I'd fail.

-Yeah, I'd agree with that.

-But you proved otherwise?

I was the best in maths.

The best in school, the best in the county,

the best in the Midlands.

Yeah, but, what if you weren't?

There were scholarships, bursaries, prizes.

It's imperative we nurture talent,

-as everybody in this room proves.

-That's all well and good, but...

Which is exactly what Careers Without Limits is providing -

an opportunity for real opportunity in the region as long as the drive

and desire are there in the first place.

Yeah, but what I'm trying to say is what if they're not?

What about the kids who don't have your confidence, Hazel?

Or they're not brilliant at maths?

Surely diversity is not just about mentoring the talent,

it's about making kids from minority ethnic backgrounds believe.

Look, OK, we were lucky. We had supportive parents.

But even so, no-one expected me to become a doctor,

until one day, someone did, and that changed everything.

Look, it's not just the alpha kids that we need to be focusing on,

it's the ones who don't believe.

The ones who need people like us as role models, to give them

the confidence to be what they can be.

Hello?

Hello?

HE SIGHS

-Hey, champ.

-Ah, ah, ah.

-No cuddles. Just some skin.

-All right. How was your day?

-Fine.

-Yeah?

Tell Daddy what happened.

I told Zak not to push me.

Yes, you did.

I did what Mummy said.

And what was that?

Even when you're scared, never let it show.

-And you didn't, did you?

-No.

-And what else?

I went and told the teacher.

Good for you. I'm proud of you.

And so am I. So, now you know how to be tough,

how to stand your ground and how not be pushed around,

so well done, you.

Well done.

So that's the end of today's podcast.

It only remains for me to say goodbye on behalf of

Nicholas Henderton of Henderton International Accountants,

Barbara Maschero of the law firm Maschero and Maschero UK

and Hazel Everdell of Everdell Investments.

Thank you so much for having me.

And myself, Natalie Zafira. Proof if it were needed...

And me, Dr Vere.

Dr Vere, forgive me.

And apologies again for the technical problems which meant

we lost your contribution earlier,

but we very much look forward to hearing from you again.

Hello?

Oh, Genyen?

You were right. I can't do this any more. I'm leaving.

-I thought you said you had nowhere to go?

-I don't.

No money. I'll go to a shelter or something. I'll be fine.

Well, you're not going to find one for tonight.

-Oh, I cant...

-No, no, no. Take this.

Just get on a bus, get out of town and find a hostel,

then tomorrow call the social services.

-Oh, thank you. Thank you so much. That's amazing.

-Where's Jinba?

Oh, he's meditating. He didn't see me go.

And what's he going to do when he finds out you're gone?

Oh, he won't do anything. Not if he knows

-you're with the police.

-I'm not with the police, am I?

-But you work with them, you said.

-Yeah, sometimes.

Jinba won't want to get them involved.

Thank you.

You've been a star.

Excuse me?

Oh!

When did you last eat?

Only between sunrise and noon.

One of the precepts?

If you're strict.

-And you are?

-Very.

Genyen said you'd told him not to eat

-until after he'd been out collecting.

-That's right.

-Well, he ate when he came back but you didn't.

-No.

So, when was your last meal?

I can't remember. Yesterday.

No wonder you collapsed.

Where's Genyen?

-He's gone.

-Gone where?

He said you were keeping him here. Making it impossible for him

-to leave, so...

-You didn't give him money?

Yeah, but he was already leaving when I had.

What have you done?

"That is the last time anyone pushes me around."

That's what he just said.

-And that's a good thing?

-Of course it is!

Doesn't that just turn him into a bully himself?

No! And even if it does, isn't that better than the alternative?

No, of course not.

-Because it doesn't just have to be one or the other.

-Oh, come on!

What kind of a man do you want him to be?

A winner. Haven't we had to fight for everything we've got?

-Have we?

-People telling me I can't, I'm weak, expecting me to buckle.

Joe has not been put through all this just to let those lowlifes win.

What? What does that mean?

No, Zara...

Mummy?

No. Zara.

Come here! HE GROANS

How much is gone?

Erm, the week's takings. About £450.

-And I thought I could trust him now.

-He's done this before?

I tried not to put temptation in his way. No big notes.

I take them from him.

The office. He must have seen where I left the key.

But if he'd waited till tomorrow, he'd have got even more.

I think I panicked him when I told him I work with the police.

I don't want the police involved.

I... I don't want him locked up.

We want to get our money back, though, don't we?

-Did he take anything else?

-Just my bank card.

-Can you cancel it?

-Well, if we're in time.

-Does he know the pin?

-I don't know.

It was my birthday last week.

So?

So...it depends if he remembers.

-PODCAST:

-..and Hazel Everdell of Everdell Investments.

Thank you so much for having me.

And myself, Natalie Zafira. Proof if it were needed...

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

So?

How did it go?

It was a disaster. It was humiliating.

I am sure it was not that bad.

-PODCAST:

-Dr Vere, forgive me.

And apologies again for the technical problems which meant

we lost your contribution earlier.

My contribution? I made this massive speech,

totally got the last word in, the only problem was

no-one got to hear it. I'm never doing anything like that again.

Well, you do have the online interview next week.

Lucky number eight, then five for the five precepts,

four stages of enlightenment and the seven ages of Buddha.

Oh...Buddha's birthday.

8th of the 4th, 623 BC.

Urgh.

Come on. Think.

Not Buddha's birthday.

# Happy birthday, dear Jinba

# Happy birthday to you. #

HE LAUGHS

Oh, bingo! That's priceless.

Oi!

Come here!

You had to use the bank card, didn't you? You had to be greedy?

-You say your stepmum's the greedy one?

-I haven't even got a stepmum.

Why am I not surprised?

-Jinba won't make a complaint.

-No, maybe not, but I will.

-Oh, ah, to ease your guilty conscience?

-No.

Just to give you time so you can get one of your own.

Hello. Which service? Police, please.

You're going to testify, aren't you?

You may be able to forget about it, but I can't.

Forget? I'm lucky to be alive.

And what? We're supposed to reward them for trying to stab you?

No, we're doing what we have to do to stop them doing it again.

-Or worse.

-No, we're not.

They took Joe.

They attacked you.

-And we're just holding up our hands.

-No.

They are intimidating us into backing down.

Because they don't care if they go to jail.

If I don't testify, they don't go to jail.

That is not our problem. We've done our bit. I've been stabbed.

What's it going take for you, Joe getting hurt as well?

So, how do we stop anyone else getting hurt if the person doing it

is still out there because everyone is too scared to make them stop?

Joe didn't back down and I'm not going to, either.

Course you're not. Because you're a winner.

-We all are.

-Are we?

Cos from where I'm standing, all we want to be is safe.

You have to make a decision,

what's more important - winning, or your family?

Ooh!

Little red heart shapes.

It stings a bit, but they are cute.

Gross.

My name's Zara Carmichael, Dr Carmichael,

I want to see DI Stanton.

There's just one thing, you might have to model the gear.

What?!

There are things he's not facing up to.

Things perhaps... he's keeping from us.