Too Late to Talk to Billy Play For Today

This programme contains some strong language.

CHILDREN SING

Hey, John. All right?

It's "Sergeant" on duty.

-Sorry, Sergeant.

-Remember what that stripe means.

You're an example to show.

-Rank means responsibilities. Do you read me?

-Yes, Sergeant.

-Right.

Let's go.

Hey, get a move on!

'That was Carol Henderson reporting

'on today's European hockey action at Blares.

'The time, 4:51pm. This is Seamus McKee with Sportsound

'and I will tell you today's Ulster Cup soccer news

'is that Coleraine have beaten Crusaders at Seaview

'to go to the top of the table on goal difference from Linfield.

'The goals that counted for them were a long time in coming, though.

'But after 40 minutes they got it right in front of goal at last.

'Terry Mullen, the scorer.

'15 minutes into the second half, Peter Tweed got their second

'to make it 2-0 for Coleraine - a win which preser...'

Oh.

Are you there, Sarah?

Sarah?

Yes.

You always come.

When are you coming home, Mummy?

Norman's girl.

Daddy doesn't allow me out.

GIRL SOBS

I loved Stevie.

Norman couldn't understand that. GIRL SOBS

I loved Stevie.

I did. I loved Stevie.

Norman couldn't understand that. I loved Stevie.

Stevie.

There, Mrs Martin.

NEWS BULLETIN ON RADIO

-Is that shirt near ready?

-It'll be ready when you are.

UDA seemed to be at it all over the day.

You need to watch where you're going.

To hell with the UDA.

So, you worry about me now, do you?

Just iron the bloody shirt.

Are you going up to the hospital the night?

-I told you, I've a message to do.

-Dad...

-Never mind all that!

There's too many people in this house trying to tell me what to do.

-She doesn't even know me half the time anyway.

-That's not the point!

Point, my arse. You know what the point is. Just smooth the shirt.

-Are my shoes polished?

-Yeah, they're sitting beside your bed.

-Are you going up the night?

-No.

-No.

-No!? And everything's understood and forgiven

-just because you cry about it?

-It's not just that!

I don't like leaving them by themselves at night.

Especially when there's trouble.

I'll go up the 'morrow afternoon.

Billy'll maybe go up the night.

Aye... Well...

Maybe he can get her a few grapes or something.

-She can't eat.

-What?

Oh, aye.

Well, lemonade or something.

-Dad...

-Look, I have to go out.

-What's it like on the road?

-Normal. Roadblocks.

Able-bodied men in hiding, the rest in uniform.

Will you be all right to go up the hospital the night?

-Is he not going up!?

-He's a message to do.

Ah, message. What about the rest of us?

I'm supposed to be meeting June at 7:30pm.

I'm sorry, Billy. I'd go up, but...

I'm not asking you to go up. He should be going, him.

-Could you not wait until 7:30pm and take June up with you?

-No!

Jeez, it's bad enough without having spectators.

I'll go. Somebody has to be with her.

I'll think of something about June.

-That lying old frigger!

-Say nothing.

He left a pound to get her grapes or lemonade something.

Why don't you tell him to stuff his conscience money?

Billy, just drop it!

-What's it like out?

-Don't know. I haven't had it out for days.

It's quieter, Dad.

-Is the road still blocked?

-Why aren't you going up the night?

-I ask you a question!

-Yeah, and I asked you one.

Dad might be going up with me the 'morrow.

-Don't make excuses for me, girl!

-Ah, there's no excuse for you, Dad.

Am I accountable to you? Am I!?

Don't you question me, boy.

Don't you question what I do or where I go.

-You're a waste...

-Billy!

Maureen, what kept you?

I'm going.

-Where's Ann?

-She's down at the corner gossiping.

What kept you?

We were watching soldiers taking back the bus.

How often have I told you two not to stand watching?

When there's trouble, you just get straight home.

-That's how children get hurt.

-I didn't get hurt.

Well, don't hang about again. You didn't get hurt this time,

you mightn't be so lucky in future, you hear?

There's no point in getting at the child. It's that Ann one.

CHILDREN LAUGH

< Attention!

< Slow march!

Away you home, girl.

And again.

Attention!

Slow...

-Get off of that!

-Shut up!

But then another big soldier come up and he was a cheeky big git

and he knocked the wee man's money all over the road.

But I lifted 10p, eh?

-Are you listening to what I'm saying?

-Nobody saw me.

Well, I'm telling you not to hang about when there's trouble.

All right. I heard you. There's no need to write a song about it.

If that drunk man had been my dad,

he'd have wrapped the soldier's rifles round their necks.

Next time, somebody might wrap something round your neck.

And if they don't, I bloody well will.

Billy!

Ann.

-I want you to go to the chippy.

-What do you want?

Two fish suppers and a chip and we'll divide them up.

-I don't want any.

-Why not?

Sure, you've had no tea. You'll have to eat something.

-No.

-Billy!

My mummy kept on calling me Sarah.

She gets confused, Maureen.

She needs injections and they get her all confused.

-She needs it for the pain.

-Who's Norman, Lorna?

She kept on going on about somebody called Norman.

You know bloody well Norman's my da.

I never heard Mummy call him that before.

Was she asking why he wasn't up?

I don't know what she was mumbling about. He sent her flowers.

-Well, he must be practising for sending the wreath.

-Billy!

-What wreath?

-Never you mind, Maureen.

She kept on going on about Stevie, Lorna. Who's Stevie?

Hi. How are you?

I'll put the kettle on for the dishes, Ann.

That fish was rotten. It was all batter.

Aye, well, you can have them up for too much assault and battery.

Billy...you just can't talk.

Lorna, can I go round to Sandra's house to see the film?

-What time's it over at?

-About 10, I think.

Ann can leave you round and then I'll collect you.

-Am I allowed out?

-No.

Stuck in here all the time, I'm sick of it.

Why are the rest allowed out?

You're not and that's final, all right?

-If my mum was here...

-Ann!

Mum's not here and you're not going out.

KNOCKING

-Hi, girls.

-Hi, Ian.

In the name of Jesus, what are you supposed to be.

Jealousy'll get you nowhere, mate.

Here. Look at that. Huh?

-Has somebody been chalking on you?

-Chalk!

What do you mean, "chalk"?

That's a stripe, son. That's sewn on.

-No auld rubbish here.

-You a general now, then?

It's close enough, love. Close enough.

Is the alert over or are the Martians still expected?

"Eternal vigilantes." That's what Churchill said

and that's what we are.

The army catch you in that outfit, they'll bounce you to Castlereagh on your head.

-Would you like a cup of tea, Ian?

-No thanks, love. Not when I'm on duty.

-What's wrong? Not watching Doctor Who, Maureen?

-Telly's broke.

-The man won't come and fix it just cos Da owes him money.

-Maureen!

-You don't tell your business to everyone.

-I didn't. I just told Ian.

Look at this stripe, Lorna. An officer and a gentleman, now.

-My lips are sealed.

-Better be, or I'll take that stripe off and sew it across them.

-How is Shirley, Ian?

-She's all right.

Still can't believe her luck at getting me.

-You two'll be getting married any day.

-Married? Your head cut?

You wouldn't catch me getting married.

If you start now you could have your own wee army before long.

Aye, I'd rather fight the next war on my own

than get an army that way, mate.

What was it you wanted me for?

I'm supposed to be meeting June at 7:30pm.

But my da can make it,

so now I've got to go to hospital and see the auld woman.

You want me to stand in for you, do you?

Let her have a real man for one night?

Like that. You go and meet her and explain. Tell her I'm sorry.

It's just my da had this important message to do, otherwise he...

Well, you tell her I'll call up to her house later. You'll do that?

-Aye. Where?

-Corner of Tates Avenue.

Well, I'll just have to go and see Sergeant first.

It'll be all right, like, no problems,

but I just have to let him know.

He's a bit of a mouth, you know? I'll have to change, too.

You're joking. You don't want her to see you looking lovely in your new uniform(?)

-The name's Ian, not Insane.

-Are you not seeing Shirley tonight?

I'm supposed to see her at 7:30pm. That's the time I'm off duty.

I'll just tell her I'll see her later.

I don't believe in giving woman long explanations.

I'll see you if you're hanging about the corner when I get home.

Aye, all right.

So... You're going out after all?

I can't just stand Billy up.

You realise that there's been trouble all over the town today?

-I'll be careful.

-Careful is not enough in a place like this.

You have to be lucky as well.

And you can't be lucky ALL the time.

I thought we could have had a nice quiet evening here, the two of us.

I'm sorry, Mum. But we'll have lots of nights together.

Will we?

In just over a month, you'll be away all together.

I skimp and save and struggle to get you to university.

But you can't go to the one just down the road. Oh, no, not you!

It has to be half way across the world to suit you.

Half way across the world!? York!

What is wrong with Queen's, I'd like to know.

There is nothing wrong with Queen's! I just want to get away.

And now you're off out tonight. In all this trouble.

Anything could happen.

You could be killed. And then what would I do?

-I'm sure Mrs Cooper will come and sit with you.

-And then I'd have to

sit and listen to the history of all her aches and pains.

Oh, no, thank you.

If you were never ill, that woman would make you think you were dying.

-Billy this and Billy that.

-SHE TUTS

You go and see Billy.

I'll watch television or I'll read.

It'll be good practice for when you're not here at all.

What do you think of this lipstick?

It's all right.

Let's hope it's still on your lips when you get back.

Hey! I thought you didn't come off till 7:30pm?

I had to get off a wee bit early. I've...got a message to do.

What sort of message?

It's...just a message.

-For a mate.

-What about me? You're supposed to see me at 7:30pm.

Well, I'll be a wee bit late. Not much, mind.

-See you at 8:30pm.

-8:30pm!? That's a bloody hour!

-Between 8:30 and 8:45pm.

-Oh, aye, keep it up.

Soon it'll be between 11:30 and 11:45pm.

It's Saturday night, you know.

I'm not going to hang about all night waiting for you.

-What's this message, anyway?

-It's nothing, love!

Very hush-hush.

Look, I promise I'll be here by 8:30pm. All right?

You be here by 8:15Pm or forget it.

-Och, love...

-Never mind the "Och, love" bit. I've heard it all before.

You be here or they'll be trouble.

Here.

Take this.

-What is it?

-Maureen made her a birthday card.

Her birthday's not for over a week.

Yeah...I'd like her to have it.

-I'd like her to know, just in case.

-SHE SOBS

What is it? What's wrong?

-Have you all those dishes done?

-Yes.

Look, I'm away. Don't forget that wee girl.

You be careful, Billy.

I wish you'd give June a miss for tonight.

I'll be all right.

-I'll see you later.

-See you.

SIREN

-Well, thanks for coming up and letting me know.

-It's no trouble.

Hey, look, why don't I walk you back up home?

No, it's all right. Really, there's no need to.

With the auld Troubles and all, I think Billy'd expect me to see your home safe.

-It's not far, really.

-No, I insist.

Me and Billy's best mates.

-You're all right with me.

-I think it's better if we just walk together.

-In case you trip and pull me down with you.

-Oh, aye.

Lorna?

What'll happen if Billy marries June and then leaves us?

What'll happen to us?

We'll just have to manage without him.

Would you like him to marry her?

No.

She wants him to go to England with her. Do you hate her?

No, of course not.

Does he love her?

I don't know.

I don't think he knows.

Lorna? Why don't you go out with boys?

How dare he stand up a daughter of mine?

Mother, he did not stand me up. He sent his friend to tell me.

-Sent his friend!

-He went to a great deal of trouble to let me know.

He's coming up here later.

Coming up here? Tonight? What for?

To see me. To talk.

Really, June. You know I don't like him up here.

-You're a snob, Mother.

-I am not a snob!

It's just that...

he is a boy I find it difficult to talk to.

Your father...

Well, we only wanted the best for you.

-Is telly good tonight?

-Stand you up

and then announce as calmly

that he's going to stroll in here at all hours of the night.

-You wouldn't have done that in your father's time.

-Mother...

-I'm just saying.

Mother, I wasn't old enough for boyfriends in my father's time.

He wanted the best for you.

He wouldn't have approved of Master Billy Martin.

-There is nothing wrong with Billy!

-Nothing wrong?

-Well, he wouldn't have been allowed in over that door in your father's day.

-Please!

Lorna? Who was Stevie?

-I don't know!

-I do.

He was an insurance man who used to call every Friday night, that's all.

Why does she keep on going on about him?

I've told you. She just rambles.

She doesn't know what she's saying.

-It was her boyfriend.

-For goodness sake, Ann!

It's true, isn't it?

It was a long time ago.

Maybe they were just messing around. We don't know.

We'll have to stop meeting like this, darling.

We'll have to change our policy!

-Did you do what I told you?

-I was at the doctors the day.

Yes? Well?

Well, he says I have to go in and have few tests, you know.

Och, it's probably nothing. But, you know, best to be on the safe side.

There can't be anything wrong with you, darling,

because you grow more beautiful all the time.

I love you.

CHILDREN LAUGH

Lorna! Ann!

If you two aren't asleep in two minutes, I'll be up with the strap.

-Bitches.

-Will they tell?

-No!

I'll tell them it was only a joke or something. They're only youngsters.

But it might come out. They mightn't realise.

-Good grief!

-Och, come on! Stop worrying.

I only sell insurance, love, I don't buy any.

They wouldn't say anything that might cause trouble.

Relax.

I'll ensure we aren't discovered!

DOOR OPENS

'What did Daddy do?

'Put Stevie bloody Warner in hospital for six weeks.

'He deserved it.'

It's all her fault. She used a tart herself up and go out to dances.

That's what all the rows were about.

-What was Stevie like? Was he nice?

-I don't remember.

He wasn't when my da finished with him.

It was awful. My da kept pushing his fists against the wall.

Then he turned round and punched Ma one - right in the mouth.

Dad walked out that night. He didn't come back for two weeks.

That's why he doesn't visit her.

I was with him when she said she loved Stevie.

I thought he was going to cry.

Or kill her.

It was a long time ago.

People fall in love.

It doesn't...

It started when Dad when was in England

with his brother Uncle Herbie - the builder.

She started him drinking heavy.

She was always saying stupid things to men

and laughing when they said stupid things to her.

Every time you went out with her she stopped to talk to some man.

The whole street talked about her and then laughed at us and my da.

-Why should we care about the whole street?

-Well, I do!

They'd tell you you're just like your ma and then snigger about it.

I'm glad my da gets drunk and knocks the shit out of them.

It's all her fault. She's an auld whore!

That's enough, Ann! Just leave it.

It's over and done with.

It's not as if she'll ever do it again.

Why did he come back at all after those two weeks?

For us, he said.

Then why does he hit us?

It's the drink.

Men think all about the past when they're drunk.

I hate that auld bitch.

You should have seen his face that day she said it.

He looked at me and I knew he hated me for hearing it.

Why couldn't we have a nice ma and da, like Sally Johnson has?

They're stupid.

They walk about holding hands and kiss at the door.

That's what you do when you're in love.

But they're old.

Her dad's never hit her and they've never shouted at her.

-He wears an apron on Sundays.

-Can you picture our dad in an apron?!

A wee feather duster.

-Brushing the front.

-Can picture them here if he did that?

-If anybody said anything...

-Or laughed.

-..he'd ram the brush up their arses!

THEY LAUGH

LAUGHTER WITHIN

Norman!

Norman!

Come on back.

Norman, please!

Norman, Norman!

Norman!

Ah, you pig!

FOOTSTEPS PASS

-Where is she?

-She's at the loo.

She'll have heard the door and not been able to get down quickly enough.

How are you?

Oh, I'm great(!) How about yourself?

Great, too.

You didn't turn up.

And I saw Ian.

How's your mother?

Marvellous, didn't I tell you, she played hockey today(?)

True cancer patients versus the rest(!)

They had their sticks removed. Thought they were malignant.

I only asked.

-There's no need to be like that.

-Oh, I'm sick of it!

Every time I walk down the street they ask the same question,

say the same stupid bloody things.

Nobody cared much before.

I told you, we're the joke family, remember?

The drunken da and the Playgirl ma.

Why do you resent sympathy?

That friend of yours tried to pick me up.

Ian? Sure, he couldn't pick up flu in an epidemic.

Oh. So you got here?

I thought I heard the door.

How are you, Mrs Boyd?

I'm the same as usual. Just the same.

I don't suppose you'll be staying long on account of the trouble.

-Well, it's pretty quiet now.

-Ha, that's just till the pubs get out.

Does it put a stop to the drinking?

June's father always said it rotted men's minds.

The root of all evil, he called it.

Thought that was what money was supposed to be.

Well, it's a mystery to me how the half of them can afford it.

June's father never let a drop pass his lips.

-I don't drink, either, Mrs Boyd.

-Oh?

-Have you stopped?

-Well, I never started.

Oh.

Oh, you're a very wise young man.

June's father always used to say

that when the drunk man staggered in through the door,

happiness left by the window.

But, of course, you'd know all about that.

-Dad was a fund of knowledge.

-He was a very clever, sober man.

Do you go to church, Billy?

Um, er, no. No, I don't.

You should. It's great in times of trouble.

Yes, it must be.

How is your mother?

Um, she's very, um, she's very weak.

It's a terrible thing. Poor woman.

I had a cousin who died of the same thing.

Yeah, you told me about him before.

Him?

Oh, no, no, no. Myrtle.

Our Myrtle had the same thing as your mother.

-Just 36 and with a young family.

-Mother.

-Billy will have to go soon and we'd like to talk.

-Yes. Yes. Of course.

Do you know she was just over four stone

when the Lord decided to call her?

-You should pray, Billy.

-I am Mrs Boyd, hard.

I pray, son. But she laughs at me.

You're not a Christian, Billy?

Mother, Billy doesn't have time for this now.

Many a time prayer is answered when all the doctors have given up.

I must use your toilet.

-Do you want a cup of tea?

-What?

-Pardon?

-Toilet!

Mother, will you please go to bed without saying another word to Billy?

-Please.

-I was only trying...

-I know, I know.

But he's just left his mother's bedside and he's very upset.

-It's the last thing he wants to talk about.

-Oh, was I tactless?

He understands, but it's upsetting.

-It's just...

-He says he prays.

-He's probably doing that right now.

What? In the bathroom?

-Surely he's not praying from there, it's hardly decent.

-Come on, Mother.

I'm going to make Billy tea while you boil your milk.

-Has she gone?

-Yes.

I've a pot of tea on for you.

I've just got to take up her chocolate

then I'll be in with the tea.

-Shall I use butter or marge on the toast?

-Marge.

And don't put too much tea in the pot.

Hurry up.

Don't want still at your supper when Da comes in.

CRASHING

You think you can turn up late to take me anywhere and just get that.

I told you I got back as quick as I could.

Gone to see his bloody girlfriend for him!

If I'd known that's where you were, I wouldn't have waited for you.

I just walked up with her. It was just a nice thing to do.

SHE SCOFFS

-When did you ever do a nice thing for me?!

-Come on.

Did I bring you a present from Bangor last week?

What present? A present you call it.

You probably got it cheap because the mirror was cracked.

-Here, look at that!

-That cost me money!

You can pay for it for the money you saved not taking me out tonight!

You smashed a wee mirror.

Hey, Shirley!

That's seven years bad luck, you know.

Oh, Jesus!

What did you do that for?!

Shirley!

Ah, away home, then.

Stop that.

HE BREATHES HEAVILY

Oh!

Never been much good with bras.

It's hardly worth the effort. Haven't got much there.

-Come on, June!

-I shouldn't.

Please, love. Please, come on.

I love you asking me.

-I love you, Billy.

-Come on, June.

I told Billy I'd see him later.

If I go home now, the auld doll will start yapping if I go out again.

Here, look where that bitch kicked me!

Don't look so glum, Ian. This time tomorrow, you'll kiss and make up.

Not this time. That's it.

Ah, come on, Ian. You two are always at it.

Nah, this is serious.

She took that wee compact thing I bought her,

smashed it against the wall!

Imagine doing a thing like that?

-It's seven years bad luck breaking a mirror.

-I told her that.

She stuck her boot in my leg

and said she'd had the seven years bad luck going with me.

THEY GIGGLE

How did you get on with June?

Oh, great. Great.

She was mad about me, of course.

But like, Billy's a mate, didn't want to take her off him.

You're so generous, Ian(!)

Was he back down after the hospital?

No, he was just going on up to see June.

I'm sorry about your auld woman.

I mean, I always liked her and that, you know.

I know her and my ma used to be always at it, like.

BOTTLE SMASHES

MAN SHOUTS DRUNKENLY

Where is he?

It's all right, now, Norman.

You're home now.

Who are you looking for?

Don't you "Norman" me!

Respect, that's what I want, respect.

What are you doing in my house?

-I'm just waiting for Billy, like, you know.

-Where is he?

-He's not here, he's not in yet.

-Not here! Not in yet.

Never here, never bloody anywhere!

Up seeing her, isn't he? And out with girls.

It doesn't matter about me, no time for me.

-I suppose you think I'm a fool, eh, son?

-Nah.

Auld, drunk Norman.

Don't you bloody "Norman" me or I'll put your head through that wall.

You and your bloody da!

Mr Martin you call me, son, Mr Martin, do you hear?

Da, Ian will have to go home. His ma will be waiting on him.

His mother! His mother!

Never mind his mother, his bloody old ma.

You know your ma can't talk about nobody.

She serviced half the American fleet in her day.

I suppose that's where you got your yellow streak from, eh?

You tell her if she ever talks about my wife again

I'll smash her brains all over the nearest wall.

You tell her my wife's a lady compared with her.

You tell her my wife's near dead and she's still better looking than her.

You tell the auld bitch that!

Come on, to bed, quickly!

That's right, the big bad wolf's here.

You chase the kiddies off to bed, you're just like your ma.

It's late, Dad.

"It's late, Dad." Damn the late!

I'm their father.

I know you might wish I wasn't, but I am,

they're mine, my kids!

Ann, Maureen! Come down here.

-Dad, please!

-Shut up.

I want my children to kiss me night-night.

All men's' children kiss them.

I know what you and him's trying to do.

Don't think I don't know.

Daddy wants a good night kiss.

Never mind her.

Never mind your big, bloody sister. Kiss me.

SOBBING

-What the hell are you crying for?

-Dad, please let them...

-It's you!

You're turning them against their own father.

This is my house, do you hear?

I've a right to be kissed by my own kids in my own house.

-Stop bloody crying!

-Leave them alone and let them go to bed!

Don't you tell me what to do. I'm sick of you telling me what to!

SOBBING

Good night, Daddy.

Sit down, Dad.

It's too late, Lorna.

She's dying. I can't...

Can't...

Can't talk to her.

She doesn't know me.

Doesn't understand what I'm saying.

It's too late, love.

It's...

Talk to Billy.

Talk to him.

It's not too late for that.

You're sorry you did it, aren't you?

It's all right.

That's it, isn't it?

June, I'm sorry...

Thanks for bugger all. What does that make me?

Pity your mother if she expects sympathy from you.

-You leave my ma out of this!

-You do what you like and say nothing.

-Why don't you hit me, Billy? Go on, hit me!

-Don't be stupid.

Isn't that the Martin answer to everything?

I'm stupid. And I proved that.

I've said I'm sorry, what else can I say?

Don't say anything, Billy.

Just show me you're human.

I don't know if I am human any more.

I can't go away with you, June.

Not now.

Not yet.

That was the payoff?

The big finale.

You could go to Queen's, give me time to sort things out.

I could.

Will you?

You better go, Billy.

Billy?

For goodness' sake be careful going home.

DOOR SLAMS

# And all the flowers are dying

# 'Tis you, 'tis you

# Must go and I... #

All, right, Joe? What about you?

Where's your great mate Martin?

Billy? I don't know, I'm waiting to see if he came up the road.

I had a row with his auld fella.

He was in bad form tonight, wasn't he?

The auld bollocks is always in bad form.

He hit me a dig in the gub.

He hit me, too.

Hit you? What for?

He was drunk, you know.

I just ran into a sucker-punch.

Otherwise I'd have give him a good go.

He's tough, isn't he?

So am I.

-Are you saying I'm not?

-No, No.

You are, John, you're one of the hardest men around here, I know that.

I did your da one night.

I said, I did your da.

I know, I remember.

Are you going to get me for it, eh?

You want to have a go?

No, John, you gave him a fair go.

Yeah, your auld fella was easy and so are you.

I didn't say anything, John.

You reckon I could take Billy?

I don't know, Billy can go some.

Could he take me?

I don't know, John. Please, John, don't hit me.

I'm going to kick your shite in.

Come on!

You're his mate!

What's going on?

It's the boy wonder himself.

Your great mate here fancies his chances.

I don't. I didn't say a word, Billy.

I was just standing here, waiting for you.

I never said a thing.

You leave him alone.

Is that an order?

It's good advice.

I had a row with your auld fella.

He must have took pity on you if you're still be able to stand.

He hit made a lucky blow before I was ready.

My da could beat you with his cap.

-You Martins all think you're hard men, don't you?

-That's right.

We don't have to dress up to prove it.

Well, some day, you'll push your luck too far.

Any time you like.

Like right now.

Look, Billy, auld son...

..I'm a bit too much, eh?

Trust me, Billy.

Trust me.

Here.

-A wee drink, eh?

-I don't.

Come on, a wee slug won't hurt you.

Look, it was your auld fella I was mad at.

He got me a good 'un, fair and square, he laid me out.

I've told you, I don't.

It's an insult to refuse a drink.

All right, just one swig.

I think that rotten bastard's broke my nose!

You don't get anything trying to reason with the likes of him.

You're better just lashing out and taking your chances.

I'm away up.

Hey, are you just going to leave him there?

What for, you don't think I'm taking him home with me, do you?

Could we not drag him up the entry, out of the way?

You do it if you like, he's your sergeant.

Bastard!

You bastard!

Billy, where on earth have you been? It's after 2:30am.

I got held up.

There's no trouble, is there?

No, not a thing. All quiet in West Belfast.

How's Mum?

I couldn't get away.

You'll have to write to your agent,

see if we can book you for the funeral.

Would you like something to eat?

I'm going to bed, I'll make myself a cup of tea.

No, I'll do it.

I'm away to bed.

Would you like some tea, Dad?

No, I don't want any of your tea.

I was going up to see her tonight.

I did...

I had to see a man.

Hurry up with that tea, Lorna?

Are you listening to me?

Give me a round of bread and jam.

I'm talking to you.

Why don't you go to the hospital and talk to your wife?

Look, I'm trying to tell you, I'm trying to explain.

Don't you tell me, I don't want your explanations.

You go up and tell her.

-Billy!

-Tell him to listen to me.

Why don't you tell me when you're sober, if I live that long.

I don't want any of your bloody lip, boy.

You might frighten those kids upstairs, you don't frighten me.

I'm not trying to frighten anybody.

For Christ's sake, tell him to listen to me.

I'm trying to talk to him.

Well, you're about 16 years too late.

-Billy, let him speak.

-I don't want to hear him.

You go to bed, auld man, go to bed and rest up for your wife's funeral.

I'll bloody kill you.

Billy, the kids have had enough for one night.

Come on, Dad, leave it for the night.

You go on up to bed and I'll bring you up some tea.

Shove your tea up your arse! You're always on his side.

He's in the wrong, but you won't admit it.

No, it's always my fault.

Tell him, why don't you tell him he's in the wrong!

Me in the wrong! What are you mouthing about, you drunken eejit!

-You haven't been to see my ma for over a week.

-Your ma?

You and her and your ma?

I wish the whole bloody lot of you had cancer.

I wish you were all bloody dying.

I go out to work every day,

your ma never knew what it was like to have a broken pay.

She knew what it was like to have a broken jaw and a broken nose.

I'm warning you, I'm bloody warning you.

Why didn't you let her run off with the insurance man?

For goodness' sake, Billy.

He was a better bloody man than you.

At least he appreciated her, but you couldn't take that.

Well, she loved him, she despised you but she loved him.

Daddy!

I'll kill you!

Bastard!

If you ever lift your hand to me again,

I'll break your bloody neck.

CHILDREN CRYING

Get up!

If you ever come in this house again, I'll bloody kill you.

-Shut up, up there, you hear me? Shut bloody up!

->

-RADIO:

-'A look at our morning papers now with Walter Love.

'The Irish News devotes its integral space this morning

'to Northern Ireland's unemployment problem.

'The paper's main story focuses on the situation

'in Belfast's Ardoyne area

'and in a call by Father Miles, rector of Holy Cross monastery...'

What day is it? Tuesday, isn't it?

Yeah.

Any word of that Billy fella?

-RADIO:

-'..a very terrifying level of unemployment.'

He called in yesterday.

Sneaked in when I was out?

He shouldn't have to sneak in. It's his home.

If he's bringing in a wage to pay his rent, it'll be his home.

-He gives all he can.

-The dole won't keep a home.

He does his best, Dad, and you know that.

I writ to my brother Herbie a while ago.

That letter yesterday?

-It was from him.

-I saw the Birmingham postmark.

-Aye.

Well, he has a job for me. As soon as I want to go.

-And are you going to?

-Why not? Damn all for me here.

I'll be away as soon as we see your ma off.

I won't be back.

We shouldn't give up hope. Mother might recover. God's good.

-God's a bollocks.

-Dad, God forgive you.

"God's good, God forgive you, God bless you, God is love."

Whoever he loves, it isn't this family.

Never done nothing for us.

-You have to have faith.

-Faith, my arse.

All your praying and churchgoing hasn't done her much good.

When I was young, I was dragged out to church three times every Sunday.

My mother was the nearest thing to a saint you'll ever see.

My da was a drunken waster.

Before she could get out to church of a Sunday,

she'd have the wash the spew up and put him to his bed.

He died in his sleep on a Tuesday night with a smile on his face.

-Do you know what happened to her?

-You've told me.

Aye, well, I'll tell you again. She lay for months, in agony.

I heard her praying. For relief. I heard her praying to die.

For the last week of her life, she screamed at God to help her.

There was no smile on her face when she died.

Her face was twisted up in agony. Don't you tell me God's good, girl.

-Maybe the reason's not for us to know.

-Oh, aye.

He's a great one for keeping secrets, is God.

Do you know what they told me?

They said God was trying to spare me.

He didn't want me to mourn my mother so he made it that awful

I'd be glad to see her going.

Did you ever hear such a load of auld bollocks in your life?

I wish you wouldn't talk like that.

You never know what might happen to you when you step outside that door.

-Would you like some more tea?

-Aye, a half a cup.

-Dad...

-I said a half a cup. That's three quarters.

What?

Can Billy come back?

I've told you. I'm going. After that, you and him's in charge.

He'll have to come back to collect some clothes, but Id like him back.

-Where's he staying anyway?

-He's with Uncle Andy.

-Huh!

I wouldn't wish that dirty auld frigger even on him.

Does he still fart and blame it on the cat?

Tell him he can come back.

-But I'll be going away soon.

-Thanks, Dad.

-What's in 'em?

-Chicken paste.

-Is there a bun for my tea break?

-There's a couple of custards.

Time you found yourself a boyfriend, you know.

You can't waste your own life on the others.

Don't tell them two young ones I'm going.

Not till nearer the time.

Take care of yourself, Dad.

I'm only going to the bloody shipyard.

Not the Western front.

Ian's gone. No-one knows where he is, just disappeared.

John Fletcher has a fractured skull, police are at his bedside.

Do they know what happened to him?

They know he was hit with a bottle, but he was kicked as well.

Apparently he could be barely recognised,

his face was kicked to a pulp.

-Will he live?

-Nobody knows.

It happened on Saturday, this is Tuesday and he's still unconscious.

It could've been you walking over to Uncle Andy's at that time of night.

I was all right. I'm not involved in anything.

What does that matter?

-What did he say?

-The usual.

About his poor sister and the bad man she married.

You could laugh at him and his poor sister a bit.

He never had much time for her.

-And my da said I could come back?

-Yeah.

It was terrible after he went to bed on Saturday night.

I could hear him arguing with himself and then he started crying.

He must have got all the draws and forgot to post the coupon.

He's like a bear with a thorn in his paw

and he doesn't know how to get it out.

We should be drilling through from the top of his head.

He really did want to talk to you the other night.

I wish you'd listened.

We can't talk, Lorna.

Maybe we should phone each other or something.

Maybe he'll add a few lines to the bottom of his letters

-when he goes away.

-Aye, maybe. When he hands over to me.

Billy? Do you believe in God?

No.

What do you think of people who do?

They're lucky.

-Hello, girls.

-Hiya, Billy.

-Hi, Billy.

-All right?

-Billy, have you moved back in?

-Yep.

-How is life with Uncle Andy?

-Great way to slim. Time he's finished

spitting up his lungs, taking his teeth out,

leaving them beside his plate, the appetite leaves you.

-Oh, Billy!

-I'm away out again.

-You watch where you're going. And be in for your tea.

-I will.

How's school, Ann?

Concorde said I had to get my da to sign all the homework.

-Who's a Concorde?

-Mr Williamson.

You should see his hooter. When he's turned sideways,

he just looks like a Concorde.

I told my da I wouldn't do it,

but he said it has to be him or my ma and nobody else.

I'll sign Dad's name. He'll never know the difference.

Snout like his. He'd smell a rat at 20,000 feet, Laura.

You should have asked them round to meet my da.

Being a teacher, he probably thinks most das are human.

I'd love to. My da would probably get him by his big snout

and swing him around his head.

Why does he want your homework signed all of a sudden?

There's only about ten of us.

He said our attitude was... Now, what was it now?

Subversive or something daft like that.

Do you not think we've enough to worry about

-without any trouble from the school?

-It's not my fault.

You keep out of trouble.

If he sends a note home to dad, you're dead.

-Is he new?

-Aye. He's a drip. Thinks he's lovely.

Keeps chatting up Miss Baker. It was a laugh.

You see the other day, Sandra Marshall said to Miss Baker,

"Excuse me, Miss, have you ever had a ride by Concorde?"

We were killing ourselves laughing, but she didn't catch on.

Here she is, "As a matter of fact,

"I was thinking of trying it next summer."

I'm warning you, Ann.

Don't be getting in any trouble.

-Are you going up again, Billy?

-Aye, I better.

Are you not seeing June?

No, not tonight.

Billy, why do you never bring her down now?

Well, she's going away soon.

-Are you going with her?

-Never mind all the questions...

-No.

No, I'm staying here.

Is she dead?

Not quite.

Billy's away up.

I saw him.

But he wouldn't say.

Where's my da?

He's not home yet.

I've sent for him.

Is he still going?

Yes.

I don't want him to go.

Who'll look after him over there?

Shush, love.

Let's get this bit over first.

-Are we going up?

-Billy says no.

I'd rather not anyway.

Do you think it would be all right?

I'll be all right.

He'll be glad of someone.

I can't.

Thank you.

You mistimed it again.

Too late to talk to her, too early for the funeral.

Suppose you had difficulty finding your way.

I'd like to talk to her.

She's dead. You're too late.

Please, son. Give me a minute with her.

HE WHIMPERS

You're all right now, love.

Oh, God!

I've never saw a corpse before.

She looks sort of surprised.

A strange sort of look on her face.

She must have been dead nearly half an hour before I realised.

She wants Lorna to have these.

I called at the house. Lorna told me.

I hope you don't mind.

He turned up late, stinking of drink.

Funny, the last thing I heard her saying was,

"His bloody dinner will be cold again."

That was nice. She was thinking about him at the end.

He's in there now.

All this time and he waits until she's dead

before he tries to talk to her.

If I were married to someone all those years,

I wouldn't want to come up here

and watch them dying for an hour every night.

What was your da like?

He was an old man.

Never knew him as anything else.

I should have been his granddaughter.

So we never really got anything going.

The loneliest places in the world, these hospitals.

Listen.

RATTLING

I've made up my mind, Billy.

I called at the house to tell you.

I am going to York.

They need me.

I could stay and never be certain.

Four years with my mother as well as the Troubles.

Maybe all for nothing.

My da's going back to England. His brother's a builder there.

He's going back to work with him.

My mother told me I wouldn't find many

young Christian men like you in England.

She'll be fine.

Make sure you come back for the holidays.

Yes, and we can write.

-I'll walk you home.

-No.

I'll send my address.

Thanks for coming.

I liked your ma.

I should have given myself up.

What for? Fletcher's getting better.

He doesn't know it was you and he said nothing.

Yeah, but he's going to think it was all you if he remembers.

That's right. He'll be afraid

to walk down the same side of the street as me.

-I'll see you later.

-Aye.

Right.

That's it then.

-All set?

-I've made you a few sandwiches.

-Will you write to me, Da?

-And me?

Name of Jesus! I'm going over there to work, not to write letters.

-I'll write to Lorna.

-Have you a clean hanky?

Aye.

You two young ones now. Be good.

I don't want any bad reports about your school and all.

-Right.

-Will you be careful, Da?

-Oh, aye, I'll be fine.

I know you're going to a building site.

There's no need to take your own bricks!

-Here, try this one, it's not so bad.

-Nah, it's all right.

Oh, wait a minute.

It'll not be worth eating by the time you've done with it.

-What's in them?

-Some chicken paste and some cheese.

There's a couple of buns there too.

Just say the boats sinks going over, Daddy.

I'll thumb a lift on a submarine.

You ready?

Scribble a wee note when you get there

-and let us know if you're safe, won't you?

-Aye.

Aye.

INDISTINCT DRUNKEN MUMBLING

No harm done.

Oh, Jesus.

-TANNOY:

-'This is the final call

'for all passengers travelling on tonight's steamer to Liverpool.'

You'd better go. That was the last call.

You know yesterday under that coffin's the first time

me and you's had our arms around each other

since you were two or three.

Stay off the drink, Da.

We made a right pig's arse of it, me and your mother.

Take care of them for me, son.

This is the best way.

That's the only way.

Good luck, Da.

TV PLAYS IN BACKGROUND

FOGHORN BLARES

-Night-night.

-Night-night, love.

FOOTSTEPS ASCEND STAIRS

Are you going to leave it there?

Well, it's where it belongs.

It's the only way we can all be together in this house.

Maureen'll wonder who they are.

He gave me some money,

and he said he'd send some.

That day in the hospital,

when she died...

..he took her hand.

I thought he was singing to her,

but he was crying,

and he was like a dog whining.

He used to sing to her.

Do you remember?

She always used to sing.

Whenever she was cooking anything, she'd always be singing.

And then she stopped.

VOICES OF CHILDREN PLAYING

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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