Will You Be My Friend? Doctors

# You've been taking your time

# And you've been living on solid air... #

Oh, are they still here? Ay, ay, ay...

# You've been walking the line

# You've been living on solid air

# Don't know what's going round inside

# And I can tell you that it's hard to hide

# When you're living on solid air

# And you've been painting the blues

# You've been looking through solid air

# You've been seeing it through

# And you've been looking through solid air

# Don't know what's going on in your mind

# And I can tell you don't like what you find

When you're moving through solid air... #

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Yep?

-OK, I'm done.

What time are you home?

Oh... Last appointment at half five. Should be home about six?

OK. If I'm not there, you can eat without me.

-Why? Where are you going?

-I'm going to the police station

-to talk to Rob and Jimmi.

-About what?

About the Viper situation.

So, it's a situation now, is it?

Is this to do with Joel?

Partly, but I want to get to grips with the problem.

What?

I don't know why you need to get to grips with anything.

OK, Joel, he's smart, he's educated.

He's got money.

If he plays with fire, he's going to get burnt.

Heston, it's not your responsibility.

Oh, I see. Because Joel comes from a privileged background,

he's not entitled to the same level of sympathy as a Besa or Tamanna?

I'm saying it's a lot of effort

for someone who should have known better.

OK, he had choices.

Besa didn't have choices.

I'm going. I'll see you at home.

Right.

Yes, yes, you will.

"Hello, Number 92. This is number 87.

"My name is Jessie. You don't know me,

"but I know you a little.

"You're married to a policeman, and you work.

"I don't know what you do, but I'd love to find out, though.

"I'm in my seventies and suddenly find myself

"short of friends as they have all moved on in one way or another.

"Will you be my friend?"

"I know this is an unusual request,

"but be reassured - I'm not a crazy.

"I'm just a neighbour who'd like to make friends before time

"sneaks up and has its way.

"It can be pesky like that.

"Do you fancy coming for cake today?

"It's short notice, but now is always better than tomorrow.

"I'm a very good baker! How does 4:30pm sound?

"Please RSVP on 0121 496 0875.

"Jessie."

Last week, the police dealt with nine Viper-related incidents

-on Saturday alone.

-When did it get so out of hand?

It's no worse than any other drug. It's the public I feel sorry for.

Last week, someone defecated outside a hairdresser's.

Oh, that's disgusting.

I hope you're not upsetting Heston?

No, I was just telling him about the defecator.

Ah, the defecator. On OAP day, as well.

I'll tell you what, that spoilt plenty of purple rinses,

-I can tell you.

-Did you arrest him?

No. Gave him a £40 fixed penalty and told him to move on.

Is that it?

Nothing more we could have done.

Legally, we could have done more if it was his dog

leaving piles of joy on the pavement.

Oh, come on, Heston, we do our best, don't we?

We're always picking up society's problems.

Only in this case, it's literal.

It comes down to the same old, same old, doesn't it? Economics.

Yeah, but you can't just blame lack of funding.

Of course you can! Same as your profession, the NHS -

it's cutbacks. We don't have enough police.

We have to prioritise. Plus the fact that the Manchester Viper market

is saturated, so it's all come down to Birmingham,

and then onto Letherbridge. The price has come down, so now

every Tom, Dick or Harry can get it whenever they want.

And we're left to deal with it.

Yeah, but you can't ignore it. You have to do something.

Tell you what,

if you can come up with an answer, you let me know.

But drugs are like rats.

You can't get rid of them, you need to learn to live with them.

I'm gasping for a cuppa. Anybody else?

SHE SPEAKS SPANISH

There you go.

Thank you so much, Mrs Reid. You're most kind.

You're welcome. It's just a bit heavier than I thought!

That's Carlos. He always overpacks.

Since his heart operation, he is not allowed to carry a thing.

And now I have hurt my back.

I am beginning to think our tour is cursed.

Oh, no, no, no. Well, look,

I'm just glad that you're both here safe and sound.

So, what do you think of the room?

Yeah, it's beautiful. Isn't it, Carlos?

Si.

And the flowers - most kind.

Oh, you're welcome.

You want to make a good impression, don't you? I mean, you never know.

We have stayed in some home B&Bs you wouldn't let your dog stay in.

No, this is exquisite by comparison.

Thanks...I think. Right, well, I'll leave you both to unpack.

And do help yourself to anything you need.

Mi casa es su casa.

Mi casa es tu casa! Most kind.

OK, no problem. OK.

HE SPEAKS SPANISH

My husband wants me to ask you something.

Yes, of course. Fire away.

Are you happy to accommodate small idiosyncrasies?

Idiosyncrasies...?

Quirks.

Little ones?

Yes, I suppose. Yes, no problem.

Great, well, as I said, mi casa es su casa.

See you later.

The letter was in the pile of junk mail?

How do we not know her?

She only lives across the way.

It's a sign of the times.

Who knows their neighbours any more? Life's too busy.

Yeah, but it's shocking.

I mean, how long have we lived here and we know two people?

It doesn't matter how long we've lived there.

It's the way we live our lives, isn't it?

Everyone gets home, shuts the door, wants to stay safe.

I don't know what to do.

It's 4.15, I'm in my comfies,

and I was going to make the most of my afternoon off,

-curl up and watch some TV.

-Sounds like a plan.

Don't eat all my chocolates.

You said they were for me!

I lied.

Blimey. Charming!

So, what am I going to do?

I don't know.

Give her a bell in the morning and pop round with a pastry

or a pot plant or something. That'll make her day.

No. I'm going to go.

Now's better than never, isn't it?

If you say so. Listen love, I've got to go.

-OK, bye.

-Bye.

Jimmi, we've had a shout. Possible Viper overdose.

Can Heston come?

Why not?

Idiosyncrasies?! What did she mean by that?

I've no idea.

To be honest with you, I'm a bit scared.

I mean, he was wearing his sunglasses the whole time.

SHE LAUGHS

Maybe he's Spanish mafia and there's a body in the case.

-That's why it was so heavy.

-You are not helping.

There's probably nothing in that case but sex toys and handcuffs.

THEY LAUGH

Stop it!

Oh, dear God. I have to go.

Hi, Jessie.

This is number 92.

My name is Karen and I would love to come round for cake.

Thank you so much for inviting me. I'm running a little late,

but I'll be with you soon. I hope that's all OK.

Erm... Bye.

Oh, that looks delicious.

Oh, do you have ice?

Yes. By the peas.

Oh...

Ah, here it is.

White port is a speciality

-of La Mancha, and is one of our favourites.

-Oh.

It is best served with ice,

as it releases the flavours of the dried fruit.

And the nuts.

And the nuts. Let's not forget the nuts.

No, let's not.

So, a toast.

To strong, open-minded women.

Mmmm. Oh, that's lovely.

I'm glad you like it. Another?

Oh, yes.

So, how long have you two been into the whole...

..naked thing?

Ten or twelve years? Is that right, Carlos?

-Si.

-Oh, that long?

Mmm. Yeah, we worked in Madrid

and we wanted to shake off some of the stuffiness of the city...

..and embrace our more natural selves.

Well, you've certainly achieved that.

Well, there's nothing more pleasing than a warm breeze on your...

It's January, though. I mean, it's cold. Freezing!

Surely that presents some challenges?

Well, that is the beauty of visiting your country.

-Central heating, double glazing.

-Oh.

We can indulge all year.

-Have you ever tried it?

-Hmm?

-Taking your clothes off?

No. No, no, no. Not for me.

But, you know, I'm all for live and let live.

Your outlook is refreshing.

No so many hosts have been this accommodating.

We have had to leave some very bad reviews.

The world is full of such stuffy so-and-sos, isn't it?

You're big.

I beg your pardon?

You...English. Big drinks.

He means drinkers.

Oh, right, I see.

Yes, well I suppose that is what we're known for.

Maybe we rely on it a little too much.

No, I do not think so.

-No?

-No.

I think you like to have a good time.

-To party.

-Party? Yes, perhaps.

Well, sometimes.

HE SPEAKS SPANISH

He says you are a very interesting woman.

Oh, thank you. Well, I try to be.

We should get to know each other better.

OK. Great.

My life has been blessed.

The dreams I had as a child were my waking days,

and I've not lacked for love.

15 years ago, my husband died and a hole opened up.

I have taken singing lessons

and tried to fill that hole with hope and joy.

But even so, more often than not I find myself alone,

surrounded by silence.

# You've been living on solid air

# And you've been painting the blues... #

I realise that telling this story is an indulgence,

an old lady's whimsy.

But, please, I ask you to indulge me

and listen to what I have to say,

because it is important.

# Don't know what's going round in your mind

# And I can tell you don't like what you find... #

DOORBELL RINGS

Hello? Hello?

-Can I help?

-Oh, hello.

It's Karen, isn't it, from across the road?

Maureen, from 89.

We met at that council meeting about the traffic.

Oh, right, yes.

Are you trying to get in?

Erm... No, not exactly. I'm here to see Jessie,

but it doesn't look like she's here.

Oh. No, she's not.

Well, I've been stood up, then, because she invited me for cake.

No, you haven't been stood up.

Jessie's not here because...she's dead.

A slight purplish tinge to the lips.

We've seen that before, haven't we, with Viper?

Yeah, I'm just confirming death. You got a name?

Yeah, Rory Lamb. And guess what? That's his wife.

Alice Lamb.

-Does she even know he's dead?

-I wouldn't have thought so.

I don't thinks she knows what planet she's on.

We'll take her to the station and tell her later.

I need to check her over first. I'll just finish up.

-I can examine her.

-Heston, you're only here to observe.

-Well, I'm here. I may as well.

-Yeah, go on. You might as well let him.

-You get two doctors for the price of one.

-Yeah, yeah, go on, then.

Mrs Lamb? Alice? I'm Dr Carter.

Can you hear me?

I'd like to examine you, if that's all right?

I'm just going to take your pulse.

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

SHE SCREAMS

No, no, no!

SHE SCREAMS

When did she die?

On Friday, in her sleep. She was very ill.

I mean, I just found the invitation today.

She wanted to be friends. I feel awful cos she reached out...

It's all right. She reached out to a few of us on the street.

-Look...

-Did you know her?

Not before last week.

I nodded a hello a few times, but that was all.

What was she like?

What was she like? Special, I think.

I mean, she was lonely and dying, but she was full of life.

You'd never have known how ill she was.

What was wrong with her?

Cancer.

She'd had her tongue removed a year or so ago to treat it.

I know, I know, it's awful.

And then the cancer came back.

Poor woman.

I won't say it wasn't odd, sitting around that table of cakes.

Awkward, even.

But then she started writing questions

on this chalk board she'd got. "How long have you lived on the street?"

"How old are your children now?"

Would we prefer chocolate or carrot cake?

THEY LAUGH AND CHATTER

And the mood changed.

People started talking and laughing.

-Does anybody want some more tea topped up?

-Oh, yes.

I'll have a little.

It was... It was a lovely afternoon.

Well, I should have liked to have been there.

I would have liked to have known her.

Maybe you still can.

So, you are a widow,

and your son lives on the other side of the world?

My heart goes out to you.

It is what it is. I don't need sympathy, really.

Oh, no. I'm not giving you any.

I see before me a woman who is embracing life

and inviting the world into her home.

Well, perhaps.

To be honest, being a host is new to me.

It's more of a business, really.

Oh, so you have no other income?

No, I do.

-What do you do?

-I'm a doctor.

A doctor!

THEY SPEAK SPANISH

So, money is not an issue for you?

I think you are excited about the prospect

of having new experiences, am I right?

Maybe.

You are like me.

When Carlos collapsed on the golf course,

I thought my life was over.

But the doctors, they fixed his heart...

..and in a way I also think they fixed mine, too.

You know what I am saying?

Yes. Yes, I think I do.

So, we are on this crazy trip of Europe,

staying in small hotels and people's houses.

We're just having a massive adventure.

And I think in a way you are also having your own adventure, too.

We are part of each other's adventure, are we not?

Yes. But in your adventure, you have nothing on!

Except Carlos' sunglasses!

-He never takes them off.

-Why is that?

HE SPEAKS SPANISH

-I am a vampire!

-THEY LAUGH

No. No, no, no. His eyes...

..the light hurts.

Oh, he has photophobia?

-Exactly!

-I see.

HE SPEAKS SPANISH

-You know what he says?

-Not a clue.

It's a toast.

Up, down, centre and down the hatch, yeah?

THEY TOAST IN SPANISH

And now, a British toast, please.

Oh, OK, let me think. Erm...

Well...bottoms up!

-Bottoms up?

-Bottoms up.

-Bottoms up!

-Yeah.

-Bottoms up.

THEY CHEER

HE SPEAKS SPANISH

Ah, yes.

He asked me...

-He wants to take advantage of your medical knowledge.

-Oh, right.

Because all this travelling, he has developed a little sore on his...

Oh, you see, this is where our adventures part.

Natalie, Carlos, it has been lovely,

but this landlady has to go out.

So, please, make yourself at home.

I shall say - adios!

Ah, adios!

Here you are, Jessie played it for us last week.

It's a recording she made 18 months ago.

At the end of the night, she asked me to look after it for her.

I think she knew she didn't have long.

I realise that telling you this story is an indulgence,

an old lady's whimsy.

But I ask you to indulge me

and listen to what I have to say

because it is important.

Tomorrow, I go into hospital.

Hopefully, I'll return safe and sound...

..but I have to be honest, I'm scared.

These may be my last words.

Imagine that?!

And I don't even know who I'm recording them for...

But I know this...

Even on the darkest days, there is a light that shines.

Oh, I'm not talking about gods, fairies,

or other-world mumbo jumbo.

I'm talking about being human.

About being alive in this moment.

Enjoy it.

Please, don't hold back.

Don't waste time.

Open your arms to the people around you.

Where is...the people?

-Alice, would you like to sit down?

-Rory? Where's Rory?

-Rory's not here, Alice.

-Rory!

Who are the people?

Just come with me? You go. Go on. I'll watch her, she'll be fine.

Cheers, Jimmi.

Sit yourself down there for me.

So, what now?

What do you mean?

Well, somebody's dead because of this stuff, so what do we do now?

What we do now, Heston, is we fill in the forms.

The coroner picks up the body. We wait for Alice to come down.

We inform her of what's happened and then we move on. That's it.

You, however, can go home.

So, why don't you go home?

Oh, thank you. And thank you for playing the tape.

And thank you for this evening. It's been...

I don't know what it's been,

but it's been lovely to meet you.

It's been good to meet you, too.

A few of us are heading to the pub tomorrow.

A low-key wake for Jessie. Do you fancy it?

I would like that, thank you.

Oh, here - don't forget these.

-You keep them.

-Thanks.

I'll see you tomorrow.

This is my last song.

It's by my favourite artist, John Martyn.

I hope you like it, whoever you may be.

# You've been living on solid air

# You've been walking the line

# And you've been living on solid air

# Don't know what's going round inside

# And I can tell you that it's hard to hide

# When you're living on solid air

# And you've been painting the blues

# You've been looking through solid air

# You've been seeing it through

# And you've been looking through solid air

# Don't know what's going on in your mind

# But I can tell you don't like what you find

# When you're moving through solid air... #

-This is not good enough.

-What's not good enough?

This! Filling in bits of paper!

Shuffling forms! Not good enough!

-Why aren't you helping people?

-I am helping people.

Oh, like that man the other night in the pub? Smidge.

People need to know how potent this stuff is.

Why aren't you telling them?

It's not my job to tell people how dangerous the drugs are.

Well, do your job!

Find the dealers, disrupt the distribution chain,

but, Rob, please do something!

Heston, you need to be very careful, because you haven't got a clue

-what you're talking about.

-OK. Well, tell me.

All right, I will tell you, if you don't understand.

That couple this afternoon?

They only had enough Viper on them for personal use,

which means they are users and not dealers.

The drugs we found on them were probably manufactured in China

and bought via the internet.

So, as tragic as this case may be, it is not going to trigger a bust.

It is not going to trigger a clamp-down.

It's going to trigger nothing.

Unfortunately, it is now just a stat!

So, I do my job, I fill in the forms,

and hopefully I do my job quite well.

Viper is killing people and you are just shrugging it off.

Heston, you should leave before you say something you regret.

Look at you!

Obsessed with admin.

I used to be proud to call you my friend...

-..I'm now ashamed.

-Get out!

-I should probably skedaddle.

-Don't be daft.

Why don't you chill with Jimmi? He's not going anywhere.

You're not going anywhere, are you?

Into cougars, are you?

Sorry?

My mum. She's a bit old for you, isn't she?

I'm not really sure how well you know me.

Not as well as I'd like to know you.