15/01/2018 EastEnders

You been up all night?

You're going to make yourself sick, Max.

Max!

What do you want me to do? Check in to a spa?

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Yeah, is that Dr Morozov?

Yeah, speaking.

Er, sorry, it's a really bad line. Can you hear me?

Can you hear me? Cos I can hear you.

Hello?

Hello, can you hear me?

FRONT DOOR CLOSES

Where's she gone?

-What?

-Whit - where's she gone?

"Morning, Bex, how are you?"

I'm good, thanks. How are you?

-I don't know.

-She didn't say nothing?

Well, she's probably gone to get some milk or something.

-I don't know, call her.

-Ugh, you're so annoying.

SHE SIGHS

Where's Hunter?

We had a deal.

Yes, we did, didn't we?

And he didn't have the money.

What, Ben? Yes, he did.

-The money was in the bag.

-Don't play dumb with me.

No, it's not possible.

If you're lying...

No, I'm not. The money was there. The money was in his bag.

And I'm telling you it wasn't.

How do I know you're not playing games with me?

I'm not going back there.

Where the hell do I even start?

If I were you, family, friends. Start there.

You want to see him?

Well, then, don't waste my time.

-DOORBELL RINGS

-I'm coming!

Hiya!

Oh! Er, everything all right?

Yeah, I'm good. You?

I was.

-I was asleep.

-Oh.

I'm on nights.

-Is Bex all right?

-Yeah, she's fine.

Well, do you want a cup of tea or something?

-Oh, yeah, thanks, that would be great.

-All right.

Stem cells.

I mean, no-one over here's even thinking about it,

let alone doing it.

Dad, the hospital said that there's nothing they can do.

Lauren, medical breakthroughs happen all the time.

These doctors in America - you've actually spoken to them, yeah?

Yeah, course I have.

Here, come here.

They sent me home because I can manage.

I can still help you, can't I?

Do you remember you used to have those slippers with the Velcro?

You had ponies on yours, didn't you?

What did Abi have? Mermaids?

She used to love mermaids.

I had the mermaids.

Abi loved ponies.

PHONE CHIMES

We've got to get to the hospital.

HE SINGS INDISTINCTLY

Ah! Fresh melon for you, Mariam.

My love?

What is it?

Page 14.

Sorry about this mess. Night shifts are killing me.

And I tell you what - it don't help living with Robbie, either. Look!

Dot's back tomorrow. She'll have my guts for garters.

Don't worry about it. You want to see the state of Martin's place.

Tiff's like a whirlwind.

Bex was showing me her Instagram the other day. It's quite provocative.

-Yeah, I know. I unfollowed her.

-Mm.

Well, I was thinking I might have to have a word with Bianca about it.

You spoken to her recently?

Er...

A few weeks ago, I think. Yeah.

She all right? She seem well?

Hm! You know what she's like -

running around like a blue-arsed fly after them kids.

-Right, milk?

-Yeah, please, yeah.

Ugh!

I put it down for two seconds,

and I find myself wrestling them off bin men.

What are you doing?

Lucky I found the right ones.

Otherwise, I'd be down the tip, looking for my pants.

Moving in, are you?

Yeah, well, it is... sort of my house.

Page 14.

Huh?

Oh! "The ultimate life hacks for your dog."

Not that one!

This one.

"The as yet unnamed local was believed to have been

"living in the ice cream van illegally.

"The hunt for the missing child was concluded swiftly.

"Social services was unavailable for comment at the time of publication."

Right.

That's you.

Yeah, I know, I got that. But...

-..unnamed.

-The "as yet unnamed".

Ah, still.

Not a problem, is it?

Well, we have Daisy. You'll need a DBS check.

Yeah, OK, I'll do that.

You know, I'll keep out of your way. You won't even know I'm here.

You can't just waltz in here and expect us to look after you.

I don't need looking after.

Look at you, all your belongings in bin bags. Destitute. Penniless.

Single. Well, that I could sort out.

And you have no work.

That nice Mr Beale keeps offering you jobs,

and you keep turning them down.

I'll find work. I have something in the pipeline.

Well, I suppose that's something.

You wouldn't throw your nephew out on the street, would you?

-Well, if you were to stay...

-Mariam!

If you were to stay temporarily, we'd expect you to pay rent.

Hang on. Let me just see if I've got this clear.

You are paying me rent, because it's my house,

and then you want me to pay YOU rent.

So, effectively, you'll be living in my house rent-free?

Well, if you haven't got any money...

No, no, I've got money.

I told you - I've got something lined up.

Ah!

Well, that's a deal, then.

Abi is a viable candidate.

It's all in there, all the studies they've done.

Mr Branning...

This Dr Morozov, he's an expert, so...

What they do is regrow the stem cells.

Is this something that you've heard of?

Well...

..there have been some tentative trials in the US with stem cells,

trying to ascertain whether it might be possible to cause

-nerve cells to regrow, but...

-Yeah, see? That's exactly what they do.

But this is quite different to reversing Abi's condition.

Listen to me, all right?

I've already been told that Abi is a viable candidate for the trial.

Mr Branning, if it was an option...

Well, it is an option.

I don't care what you say, it is an option, all right?

So read the research.

Oh! Now there's a woman who knows how to dress.

-I reckon so.

-Excuse me?

New 100% silk blouses, in every size and colour

that a classy bird like you could ever want.

I'm not looking for a new silk blouse. Thank you.

What about a pair of trousers?

I ain't leaving until you buy a pair of trousers.

70% real cotton.

Can you...

..stop talking?

All right, you stuck up cow! New Bond Street's that way.

And you've not managed to get hold of any of them?

You don't just think this is just Tiff being, you know...

-..Tiff?

-I really hope not.

And what are you going to do about going back to Wakefield?

Well, I can't do anything until all this is sorted.

Where's my toothbrush?

What?

I'm going back to work.

Whit?

Get dressed. We're going to Milton Keynes.

-All done? These dead, yeah?

-Ta.

-Shall I take these for you?

-Thank you.

-There we go.

-Same again?

-Yes, lovely, thank you.

Same again for that table.

-What are you playing at?

-We do do table service, don't we?

If we don't, I think we should, cos that could be my thing.

What are you going on about?

He came in and asked me for a job, and I said no.

Well, I'm back talking to the organ grinder.

Er, hold up, hold up. Can you just...?

I only got back this morning to find out that Whitney had been let go.

We've already got one Halfwit behind the bar, we don't need another one.

Certainly not one that we've got to pay.

You sure about that?

If we do decide to take on any more staff, then we'll let you know.

Go and get a mop!

Well, why don't you just save yourself the time and effort

and interview me now? Then job done.

As Mick would say, "You know it makes sense, darlin'."

She was just lying there on the floor.

I was so scared, Whit. She was mumbling,

and I didn't know if she was going to...

I think I'm having another panic attack.

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

It's all right. Just calm down.

Just breathe. OK, keep calm.

Why don't you go and have a little lay down in my room, eh?

You can't have got much sleep on this sofa.

We don't have to go to Milton Keynes?

No.

She made me swear not to tell anyone.

-Tiff...

-You have to promise.

I promise.

Just been telling Abs we should all go on holiday,

when she's back to her old self.

Dad, if Dr Harding...

Abi, we can go anywhere you want, all of us together.

And the baby.

We'll be happy, just like we used to be.

This is pointless.

Yeah, well, would have been good to get a heads up

that one of my staff had been giving their marching orders.

I was doing you a favour.

Masood. Pleasure to meet you.

Oh, let's get this over with.

OK, so, have you worked behind a bar before?

No, but I did run the Argee Bhajee,

Masala Masood, and Masala Queen catering companies.

Let's not forget your latest stint, for the kiddies.

Masala Whippy.

I have had some personal obstacles to overcome recently,

but nothing that affects my ability to be an exemplary employee.

And what about selling alcohol?

I thought you lot were dead against it.

By "my lot", I assume you mean Muslims, and not all brown people.

I have no personal problem serving it to others.

And why would I employ you?

Well, isn't it a case of, "Why wouldn't you employ me?"

I mean, seriously, If we're going to employ anyone,

it ain't going to be some desperate bloke that can't flog a 99.

Look...

..I know I'm not automatically what you'd think of

when looking for a barman, but - I don't want to mention any names -

but let's just say there is a history that comes with people

who have worked in this place...

-Oi, oi, that's enough.

-Oh, no, come on.

If we're going to do blunt...

I'm just saying that most people that have worked here,

at some point or another, have been...

- what shall we say? -

..slightly dubious...

..three steps over the moral line.

Getting dizzy up there, is it, on your pedestal?

I'm an honest, committed family man.

This is coming from the ice cream man that'd dip his flake

in any cone that come along.

I don't cross the line, moral or legal.

You hire me, you're hiring a safe pair of hands.

You're taking a punt on honesty.

I'm sorry, Mas. I...

I just really don't think this is for you.

Tell me what I need do to change your mind, and I'll do it.

Physical and mental transplant.

If Mick was here...

What's Mick go to do with this?

I'm just saying, from one committed family man to another...

Have you been speaking to Mariam?

I speak to Mariam every day.

We're very close.

Back again?

It's funny, isn't it?

The older we get, the more we find ourselves drawn to our roots.

I was thinking that I might even find somewhere local to stay.

Oh.

Great.

Well, now that Ben's gone off on his travels,

maybe his old place is free.

Well, it might be, but I'm not sure it would be right for you.

Just after a bed.

Well, it's Donna and Jay you need to speak to, not me.

Donna?

Yeah, the clothes stall opposite. Woman in the wheelchair.

Great. Will do.

Er, I'll have a latte, when you get a minute.

Right. I'll bring it over.

Mr Branning, this study -

it's an interesting read, but for all the wrong reasons.

What, is your professional pride being stung?

No, far from it.

Please, believe me, I wish I could be more positive.

They're doing trials. I mean, all the results are there.

It's pseudo-science.

"It's pseudo-science."

You know, I bet they said the same thing about chemo

when it first come about, or drugs for AIDS.

Things change all the time.

-Not for someone in Abi's condition.

-Any treatment that could

help my daughter has got to be worth considering.

Then let me ask you this - how much?

What do you mean, "How much?"

How much are they looking to charge you to treat your daughter?

Dad?

It's two million.

Well, so what? Two million to save my daughter.

You know, I'll get the money. I'll raise the money.

-Is that what this is all about?

-No, of course not.

Mr Branning, your daughter isn't simply in a vegetative state,

she's already dead.

I'm sorry to be so blunt,

but it is essential that we all understand this fact.

This cannot be about looking to find something to improve

the quality of Abi's life.

What you need to focus on is what's best and most dignified for Abi.

Thank you, Doctor.

Dad?

And if he still won't sleep with you wearing that,

he just ain't worth it.

See you later.

It's Donna, isn't it?

Oh, it's you again.

Those silk blouses - maybe I will take a look after all.

They're over there.

You're Ben's mate, aren't you?

Er, what's it to you?

Oh, Kathy said, that's all.

She said you might have a spare room going.

Whit!

Whit, wait!

What are you so scared I'm going to find out?

-I just don't want you to go.

-Well, I'm going.

So you either come with me now, or you don't. Your choice.

Whit, please...

HORN BEEPS

SHE SCREAMS, BREAKS SQUEAL

Tiff!

Are you OK?

Do you reckon he knows?

Well, if his aunt's got as big a gob on her as he has...

Maybe we should give him a trial.

Seriously?

Mariam saved Mick's life.

A trial, mm? Keep him happy. Keep him quiet.

Then we get rid of him.

So, have I got the job?

Are you trying to blackmail your way into getting this job?

What? I, er...

Save it.

Look...

..I came back here with nothing but lies because I just

couldn't face the idea of everyone seeing my life was a mess.

The van's a wreck. All my stuff is in bin bags.

I'm paying rent to stay in a house that I own.

If I don't find some kind of job soon,

I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. I...

Shirl, please. Nobody wants to see a middle-aged man beg,

but I'm begging you. I need this.

Linda already gave you the job.

But it was worth it seeing you beg.

-I got the job?

-No guaranteed shifts, minimum wage.

Crisps and orange juice?

Two orange juices per shift,

and four packets of crisps per week, maximum.

Unless they're out of date, then you can eat what you want.

Make it five, and you've got a deal.

SHE MOUTHS SILENTLY

You won't regret it.

So you heard what the doctor said.

Dad, are you listening?

I'm setting up a crowdfunding page.

LAUREN SIGHS

Then I'm going to e-mail all the newspapers.

Hopefully it'll go viral.

Listen to yourself!

No, you listen, Lauren, all right? It ain't over.

I'm taking Abi to America.

We need to set another place at the table,

assuming my rent covers meals.

What? You didn't think I was capable of sorting out my life?

Where is the job?

-It's not far.

-Doing what?

Working directly with customers.

-With the lovely Mr Beale?

-No.

What, you in sales?

Well, it involves sales.

Sit.

What exactly is it that you're selling?

Oh, this looks good.

You're not working with Raz in that call centre, are you?

No, no, not Raz.

We had to be cruel to be kind. Now, next stop -

a good Muslim wife for you.

Er...

So what is this job?

Estate agent.

Maybe they should print THAT in the paper.

How do you know Kathy?

I knew Ian. Long time ago.

Kathy mentioned she hadn't heard from Ben since he went away.

I only found out he'd gone on the weekend.

Talk about leaving you guys in the lurch.

Well, he left Jay some money to cover the rent for a bit.

Kathy was saying that Jay and Ben are pretty tight.

More like brothers.

Yeah. It's gross.

So it's just the two of you here now?

What is this, Twenty Questions?

-Do you want to see the room or not?

-Sure.

-All right?

-Hi.

Oh, apparently she's a mate of Kathy's.

She's come to see about renting a room.

Yeah. We've met, haven't we? Erm...

Sorry, I just need a word with Donna.

Is it OK if I take a look?

Yeah, knock yourself out. It's first on the left.

-What are you playing at?

-What?

What's she doing here?

What do you think she's doing here?

Since when are we looking for a new roommate?

In case you haven't noticed, there's two spare rooms.

Oh, you're giving away Abi's room, are you?

It's not like she's going to come back.

Yeah, well, we don't know what Ben's doing.

You know, we should have spoke about this.

Fine, you want to pay both their rents?

No, didn't think so.

Thanks for letting me take a look.

-I don't think it's for me.

-Oh, that's a shame.

I hope everything turns out OK for your friend.

It's nice to meet you. Donna and Jay.

Here you are.

-Drink this.

-Thanks.

Tiff...

..you know you can talk to me, don't you?

I told you everything. And you promised.

I know.

I'm just worried.

Mum's going to be fine.

Well, get some rest.

I can stay?

Of course you can stay.

How is she?

Fine, apparently.

If something bad happened, you'd have heard by now, wouldn't you?

Yeah.

Right, see you later.

Look, I understand your frustration, and how hard it is for you,

but Abi is not a child.

Yeah, well, she's my daughter.

Well, I'm sorry, but in the eyes of the law, you have no legal rights

over her, and you certainly can't just take her.

Listen! Listen to me, all right?

All I'm trying to do here is save her life!

Dad...

What do you want me to do? You want me to go public?

Yeah? Cos that's what I will do. I'll go pub...

It'll be all over social media, the papers.

"Charlatan doctor denies young woman life-saving treatment."

And do you know what else I'm going to do?

I'm going to find some dirt on you! Yeah!

You want me to find dirt on you?!

Cos everyone's got secrets, ain't they?

Dad! Enough!

Enough! It's over!

No, it ain't over, Lauren, all right?

-They want to kill your sister!

-No, Dad! No!

Cos you've already done it!

Ain't you?!

He didn't kill Abi. You did!