Bad Apples (2025) Movie Script

1
(DOGS BARKING INDISTINCTLY)
-(LEAVES RUSTLING)
-(APPLES FALLING)
(APPLES FALLING)
-(DOGS BARKING INDISTINCTLY)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING, CALLING)
-(TWIG SNAPPING)
-(APPLES FALLING)
(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC TURNS GENTLE)
(MACHINE WHIRRING)
(FRANK SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Here you can see
all the machines
that help turn fresh apples
into delicious cider.
Now, first, we start
with the apples themselves...
Then they get pumped
through the water channels
until they reach the tables
and sorting conveyor belts.
That's the long moving belts
you see down there.
Right, once they reach
the end of the tables,
the apples are sucked up
back to...
(LOUD RUMBLING)
And then comes
underneath here,
and goes all the way into there,
and then it goes
into another room over there.
-There's another big room, where the juice...
-(CHILDREN SPEAK INDISTINCTLY)
...the good bit, is in there.
And then there's a process
of fermentation and evaporation.
-Danny?
-He threw his shoe in, Miss.
-It's in the machine.
-Danny?
(MACHINE ALARM BLARING)
What have you done?
-Danny! Danny! Come here!
-(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
FRANK: Excuse me? Come back!
Turn off the machine.
(SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY)
(MACHINES RUMBLING, WHIRRING)
Danny!
(PANTS) Danny!
(BIRDS CALLING)
JAYE: Miss Spencer,
I just heard from Khaliya
that they stood around
in a factory
for half the afternoon doing
nothing because you lost Danny.
CHARLIE'S DAD: Charlie said that
Danny threw a shoe
in some machine.
-Were you not supervising?
-No, there was just an incident.
You look like
you don't even care!
-I do... I do care.
-Er, Miss Spencer? A word?
Sorry, I...
-CHARLIE'S DAD: Er, Miss Spencer?
-I'll be right with you.
(JAYE WHISPERING)
I don't like her.
She's not cutting
the mustard. Not one bit.
SYLVIA: So, what happened?
-DANNY: Fucking... (GRUNTS)
-(INDISTINCT THUDDING)
-(DANNY GRUNTING)
-STUDENT: (SHOUTING) No!
DANNY: Wanker!
Do you not think he'd be
better off in a different class,
or a different school
or something, Sylvia--
We can't keep
discussing this, Maria.
I'm sorry, but... er,
handling the behaviour
of difficult children
is part of your job.
I just think if I had someone
to help with him--
And how will I pay
for that? How?
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SIREN BLARING INDISTINCTLY)
-I don't know.
-SYLVIA: This is your last chance.
You got a twig in your hair,
or something.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
-(LIGHTS SWITCHING ON)
-(GRUNTS)
-(LIGHTS CLATTERING)
-CHILD: Mum!
-(COOS)
-(INFANT GIGGLING)
I love this place.
It's like a little Mediterranean
oasis in the middle of town.
-KATIE: It is, isn't it?
-SAM: Yeah.
I love the pizza here. I know
it sounds a bit unconventional.
-Greek.
-KATIE: You recommend it then?
SAM: Yeah.
REPORTER OVER TV:
Somerset Council raises concerns
about students graduating with
insufficient qualifications.
This is limiting
the potential of these graduates
to contribute effectively
to high-growth industries
where innovation
and productivity are key.
The council report highlights
that in an increasingly
competitive...
(ENGINE REVS ON VIDEO GAME)
(DOGS BARKING)
(STUDENTS CHATTER)
("ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS
IN 1963" PLAYING)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
The most as you'll ever go
(SONG PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
Is back where
You used to know
(VOICES APPROACH)
-(PERIOD BELL RINGING)
-(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
-Morning, Miss!
-Hey, Pauline!
What's that on the board, Miss?
Oh, you're going
to find out in a minute.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SIGHS) Right.
Okay.
Okay, everyone... quiet down.
Quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet!
So, today,
we were supposed to be talking
about our cider mill visit
that we went on yesterday,
and maybe write a recount of it.
-(STUDENTS GROANING)
-MARIA: But instead, I've decided
that we're going to switch
things up a little bit.
So today, we're going to dive
into the world
of poetry and music.
So, I'm curious.
Have any of you ever come
across a piece of poetry
or a piece of writing
that really spoke to you guys?
Hmm?
Anyone?
Danny, why are you late?
Dunno.
Erm, I was just telling
everyone that...
-(CHAIR THUDS)
-...we're gonna talk about poetry and music today.
(SIGHS) Right, okay...
So, this particular piece
of writing on the board
is one that's always
really resonated with me.
And it's by a musician
called Rickie Lee Jones,
and it's called, "On Saturday
Afternoons in 1963".
So, I hope that you can get
something from it, as well.
-(INDISTINCT WHISPERS)
-MARIA: Everyone, look at me.
So, let's look
at the first paragraph.
(CLEARS THROAT)
-"The most as you'll ever go"...
-(SCRAPING ON DESK)
..."is back where
you used to know",
"If grown-ups
could laugh this slow"...
-(STUDENT MURMURING)
-..."where as you watch the hour snow".
"Years may go by".
-So...
-(SCRAPES)
...what does that first
paragraph mean to you guys?
-(SCRAPING CONTINUES)
-CHARLIE: Oi, Miss?
MARIA: Charlie,
look at the board.
Look at the board.
-Yeah, Gus.
-Grown-ups, like, laugh faster?
Yeah. Maybe, yeah.
But what do you think
she means by that?
Miss, Danny's writing
bad stuff on his desk.
-Shut up!
-MARIA: All right, Danny, Danny. Erm...
What about you? Have you ever
spent a Saturday afternoon
just feeling like
time is stretching on?
You ever felt that way?
No, okay.
-Well, Rickie says that you watch the hour snow--
-(DESK THUDDING)
This is such a lame song!
I hate it!
-Danny, can you just pay attention, please?
-(STUDENTS BOOING)
(HUFFS)
Miss, are you gonna
just let him do that?
We're just gonna move on, okay?
Let's just move on.
-CHARLIE: Miss, you see that?
-(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
-Yeah.
-Miss, Is this coming up on our SATs?
No, it's not! No, it's not.
I'm sorry.
It's not coming up on our SATs.
This is just something
that I wanted to show you
that I think is really nice.
-Piss off!
-Danny, language!
I'm gonna have to put you
in Orange, okay?
We're just gonna listen
to the song instead, all right?
(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
CHARLIE: Why did you chuck
your shoes in the machine?
-OLIVIA: Miss, my mum says you're incompetent.
-Right.
-(SONG CONTINUES OVER SPEAKERS)
-I said fuck off!
-Everyone, just silent, okay?
-DANNY: Just fuck off!
GUS: He's gonna break
something, Miss.
Fucking give that back!
Danny. Danny, stop!
-Stop it! Stop!
-Don't fucking touch me!
-MARIA: I'm not touching you. Get back to your seat.
-DANNY: I fucking hate you, okay?
-And nobody gives a shit about this fucking lesson!
-Sit down!
-All right? Fuck off!
-(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
Okay? Fuck off!
-Just please go back to your seat, okay?
-DANNY: No!
Please. Just... Just... Okay.
-DANNY: I fucking hate you!
-All right. Okay, stop, please.
You're a fat bitch!
Everyone, get back
to your seats.
-Get back to your seats!
-(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
Though any day
Your secrets end
But then again
Years may go by
(MARIA BREATHING DEEPLY)
(PERIOD BELL RINGING)
PAULINE: Er, Miss?
Did you always
want to become a teacher?
-(THUDDING)
-Yeah, yeah. For as long as I can remember, really.
-And... do you like...
-(THUDDING CONTINUES)
...think that's why
you were born?
Erm... could we talk
about this after school?
Could you do me a favour
and just walk with Danny?
-STUDENT: Hey, Danny.
-Fuck off!
(STUDENTS LAUGH)
MARIA: Is that all right?
It's just you'd be doing me
a really big favour.
-Okay.
-Yeah.
-PAULINE: Sure.
-MARIA: Okay.
-PAULINE: Danny? Danny?
-(MARIA SIGHING)
I, erm, have written a poem.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(STUDENTS SCREAMING)
-(LOUD THUD)
LILY: She's dead!
(CHILDREN SCREAMING, CLAMOURING)
Get out of the way!
Get out of the way!
Don't touch her!
Don't touch her! Get back!
-STUDENT 1: Danny pushed her.
-STUDENT 2: Danny pushed her.
MARIA: Yes, stand back.
Stand back.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Pauline. I'm sorry!
It's all right, it's okay.
It's okay. You'll be all right.
-Go get help. Go get help, quick!
-(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
MARIA: It's okay. It's okay.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
MARIA: It's okay, Pauline.
I'm sorry.
FRANK: Mum's gonna go with you.
You go with her
and I'll follow along.
I'm just gonna talk
to the headmistress.
How are you gonna deal
with this then?
-What are you gonna do?
-SYLVIA: It will be fine.
FRANK: But she's not
going to be fine, is she?
She's got a broken bloody arm!
FRANK: Where's his teacher?
That's what I want to know!
Where is she?
She should have been supervising
the whole thing!
What is the teacher's name?
She's bloody useless!
(PANTS)
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
-(DOOR OPENS)
-(WHISPERS) No.
-SAM: Maria?
-(DOOR CLOSES)
Hello?
Hi, erm... Miss Morgan sent me.
We need an incident report.
And if you could document--
So, we're talking now, then?
SAM: Yeah.
Well, you need to come
and get your stuff, so...
SAM: Yes, I was going to.
It's just...
Katie, you know, she doesn't
have a lot of space right now.
So, if it's all right to keep it
at the house for a bit,
that... That would be great.
Er...
are you all right, by the way?
What do you think?
-(MOBILE PHONE RINGING)
-Sorry.
Hello?
Okay.
Yeah.
Bye.
(INHALES DEEPLY, EXHALES)
-What was that?
-SAM: Er...
Ofsted inspection.
-No.
-SAM: Tomorrow.
-No.
-They just called Miss Morgan.
-(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
-MARIA: Get out of my way. Oh, fuck!
-Who are you calling?
-Josh Carter.
-SAM: Danny's dad?
-Yeah.
-(JOSH OVER VOICEMAIL)
-'Cause we need to keep Danny far away from here tomorrow.
-Oh, Sylvia's suspended him.
-Yeah, I know.
But we haven't been able to get
in touch with Josh, have we?
(EXTRAVAGANT MUSIC PLAYING)
JOSH OVER VOICEMAIL:
This is Josh Carter's phone.
Please leave a message.
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
-(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
-(THUNDER CRASHING)
-(ENGINE REVS)
JOSH OVER VOICEMAIL:
This is Josh Carter's phone.
Please leave a message.
-(RAIN POURING)
-(THUNDER RUMBLING)
Josh?
-JOSH: Yeah?
-MARIA: Yeah?
It's, er, Miss Spencer.
Danny's teacher.
I tried calling you earlier
about an incident
that happened at school today.
JOSH: Yeah, my phone was off.
Sorry.
Right, okay. Well, I just wanted
to let you know...
-JOSH: I'm working, so...
-MARIA: Okay.
He... He pushed a girl
down the stairs.
-Oh, bloody hell.
-MARIA: Yeah.
Well, he gets these rages,
you know?
(SIGHS) I just don't know
what to do with him.
It's just the way he is.
Only now he's gotten bigger,
I... can't cope with him, Miss.
-I can't cope.
-I know. That's why I thought it was important
that you and I actually connect
about this, so I...
Yeah, really need
to get back to work, Miss.
I'm sorry.
I've got a notification...
-Right--
-...I need to sign in again.
Okay, well... about tomorrow?
-We've had no other option...
-JOSH: Yeah, he'll be there.
-...but to sus--
-(VAN IGNITION STARTS)
(ENGINE REVS)
(SIGHS)
(RAIN POURING HEAVILY)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
-(CAR ALARM BLARING)
-(METAL CLANKING)
Danny?
-(CAR ALARM BLARING)
-MARIA: What are you doing? You can't do that! Stop!
Danny!
What the hell is wrong with you?
-(YELLS)
-MARIA: Danny! Stop!
-(CAR ALARM BLARING)
-DANNY: Fuck off!
-MARIA: Stop it!
-DANNY: Fuck off!
-MARIA: Stop!
-DANNY: Fuck off!
(BOTH GRUNT)
-MARIA: Stop this! Stop!
-DANNY: Get off!
-Stop!
-DANNY: Get off!
(MARIA GRUNTING)
Get off!
(BOTH GRUNT)
-Stop!
-DANNY: Get off!
-MARIA: Stop!
-DANNY: Get off!
-Stop! Stop it!
-(DANNY GRUNTING)
-MARIA: Danny!
-DANNY: Get off!
-DANNY: Get off!
-MARIA: Stop! Stop!
(DANNY GRUNTS)
MARIA: (GRUNTING) Stop! Stop!
-Stop. Stop. Please, stop.
-(DANNY WHEEZING)
-(PANTS) Stop.
-(DANNY GASPING)
(PANTS)
Danny?
Danny?
(GASPS) Oh, Danny!
Danny!
Oh.
(GASPS, PANTS)
Danny? Hey, help! Help!
Help! Help!
-(GASPS) Danny!
-(DANNY COUGHING)
Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck,
fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Okay, you're okay.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTS)
-(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
-(ENGINE REVVING)
MARIA: It's okay. It's okay.
You're okay. You're okay.
-You're okay. (GASPS)
-(CAR HORN BLARING)
(TYRES SCREECHING)
-(EXHALES)
-DANNY: (GROANING) Fuck you.
(GRUNTS)
Oh, there. (SIGHS)
My chest.
-What?
-DANNY: My chest. (COUGHING)
(GROANS)
We're nearly there, okay?
-DANNY: You attacked me.
-(SHUSHES)
DANNY: You attacked me, Miss.
MARIA: No, I didn't.
It was an accident, okay?
-I'm sorry.
-No, it wasn't. It wasn't an accident.
You full on attacked me.
MARIA: Everything's
gonna be fine. We're here now.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
No, you fucking attacked me.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
It was an accident, okay?
I'm sorry.
You fucking strangled me, Miss!
You got on top of me.
You suffocated me.
You could've killed me.
I'm gonna tell the police.
I'm gonna tell everyone
that you attacked me.
I'm gonna tell everyone.
-(TYRES SCREECHING)
-(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
What are you doing?
What are you...
-MARIA: Let me just get you inside...
-DANNY: Get your hands off me!
-...and I'll check you over.
-DANNY: Get off!
-MARIA: We'll call your dad.
-DANNY: Get off me!
-MARIA: Just sit you down for a minute, okay?
-DANNY: Let me go!
-Fuck off!
-I just wanna check you, okay?
-You attacked me, Miss! You're mental!
-No, no, I--
Get off!
MARIA: Danny, no!
No, no, no, no, no!
-DANNY: Let me out!
-Calm down. Just calm down.
-(SHUSHES)
-(DANNY GRUNTING)
-Let me go!
-Danny, Danny...
-(GRUNTS)
-(GLASS SHATTERING)
MARIA: Fuck!
(CHUCKLES MENACINGLY)
-(DOOR THUDS, LOCK CLICKS)
-DANNY: Let me out!
-Just calm down, okay? Please, please just calm down!
-(DANNY SCREAMING)
-DANNY: Let me out!
-MARIA: I just need you to calm down, okay?
-I'm sorry, but you need to be quiet, okay?
-DANNY: Miss, no! Open the door!
-You need to be quiet, please!
-DANNY: Miss, I'm gonna fucking kill you!
-Please, stop talking.
-DANNY: Miss!
-Please, stop. Please, please stop!
-DANNY: Miss, open the door now!
-Please stop shouting. Please stop shouting.
-DANNY: I can tear your face apart,
-you fucking bitch!
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
-DANNY: I'll rip your fucking head off!
-(GASPS, PANTS)
-Danny, please calm down!
-DANNY: Open the door!
-I'm gonna go away now, okay? I--
-(DANNY SCREAMING)
-I'm going to go away just till you calm down, okay?
-DANNY: Open the fucking door!
-Okay?
-DANNY: Miss!
-Open the fucking door!
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
-Miss, open this door!
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
DANNY: I'm gonna
fucking kill you, Miss!
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
-DANNY: Miss!
I'll break every fucking bone
in your body!
-Open the fucking door!
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
-DANNY: Miss! You'll fucking pay!
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
DANNY: Fuck you!
-Miss! Miss, I'll kick your fucking...
-(DOOR SLIDE CLICKS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(DOGS BARKING DISTANTLY)
(INHALES DEEPLY, EXHALES)
DANNY:
I'm gonna fucking kill you!
I'll rip your fucking head off!
I'll kick your fuck...
(DOGS BARKING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
-(DANNY YELLING)
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
DANNY: Fuck!
You'll pay for this, you bitch!
-I hate you!
-(VIDEO GAME STARTS)
-(TRACTOR REVVING ON VIDEO GAME)
-DANNY: (YELLING) Fuck off!
-(DANNY GRUNTING)
-(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(YELLING FADES)
-(GENTLE VIDEO GAME MUSIC SWELLS)
-(HUMS SOFTLY)
(TENSE MUSIC BUILDS)
(METAL CLANKING)
(CLANKING CONTINUES)
(MARIA BREATHING NERVOUSLY)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(INHALES SHARPLY, EXHALES)
(WHISPERS) Sam.
(DOOR OPENS)
-Hi. What are you doing?
-MARIA: I need to talk to you.
No, no, we're busy.
(WHISPERS) They're here.
Get back to your class.
(DOOR SLAMS)
(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)
PAULINE:
I don't blame you, Miss.
-(EXHALES)
-PAULINE: You saved me.
Oh. Will you be the first
to sign my cast?
Hmm.
PAULINE: You can put
a message if you want.
Like, "Get better, Pauline",
or "Friends for life"
or something.
PAULINE: Guys, be quiet.
STUDENT 1: (WHISPERING)
Her hair's so greasy.
She needs to get new clothes.
-Well, say something, Miss.
-(STUDENTS LAUGH)
Yeah, erm... (CLEARS THROAT)
Open up your books.
(CLEARS THROAT)
And, erm... turn to page...
Erm...
(INHALES SHARPLY)
(EXHALES SHAKILY)
(STUDENT 1 WHISPERING)
Who's that?
(STUDENT 2 WHISPERING)
I think it's the inspector.
(CARYS WHISPERING)
Is that the inspector?
Erm...
(SIGHING)
Er... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Oh, my God, it's page 48, Miss.
Ah! Yes. Thank you, Carys.
Page... Page 48.
What is repetition?
Say it again, Miss.
-What is repet-- Oh.
-(STUDENTS LAUGH)
(CHUCKLES)
That's very good.
Erm, that's very funny.
(SMACK LIPS) Right. So, we spoke
about different ways
that we can, erm...
that we can make our writing
more interesting.
Miss, where's Danny?
He got suspended.
(STUDENTS MURMUR, LAUGH)
Yeah. Yeah, he...
Yeah, that's right. Erm...
Get your exercise books
out and...
And I want you
to take this down, okay?
Relative clause. Any ideas?
Miss, I know the answer!
You do?
In this sentence,
the relative clause...
-(VOICE FADES)
-(TENSE MUSIC BUILDS)
It's a dove, Miss.
It means peace.
You drew this?
I had no idea
you were so good at drawing.
STUDENT: "They returned home
as heroes,
with smiles on their faces
and bags full of treasure".
-Good.
-(STUDENTS APPLAUD)
Well done!
Oh, look at that,
we've got ten minutes
to spare before lunch.
So, what are we going
to do? Hmm?
(CLICKS TONGUE) Let's see,
let's see, let's see.
Should we...
sing the school song, maybe?
(STUDENTS GROAN)
You're so good at it.
I think we should
give it a go, no? You ready?
We are the children
Of Ashton Brook School
Come on.
We take a pride
In the things we do
Learning together
And having fun
Who's for a good day?
Everyone!
Excellent!
(CAR BEEPS, LOCKS)
-(DOGS BARKING INDISTINCTLY)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MUFFLED THUDDING)
(CUTLERY RATTLING)
(THUDDING CONTINUES)
Danny, I made you some dinner,
erm, 'cause I thought
you might be hungry.
It's pesto pasta.
Erm, but...
I'll only bring you some
if you promise
no more fighting, okay?
Just... Can you just shout,
so I know
you're not near the door?
-(THUDDING CONTINUES)
-(SIGHS) Okay.
(DOOR CREAKS)
(DANNY GRUNTING, PANTING)
Oh, my God.
Danny...
what have you done?
(DANNY GRUNTING, PANTING)
MARIA: I... I brought you
some food.
There's er... There's...
more if you want seconds.
(MUMBLES) I want to go home.
Yeah. No, of course. Soon, okay?
Why can't you just call my dad?
-MARIA: Sorry?
-My dad.
He's got a van.
He can just come and pick me up.
Oh, yeah.
Of course. I will.
(SIGHS)
(WHISPERS) "I've got your son".
"Josh, I've got"...
(INHALES, EXHALES) "I have
your son in my basement".
"Will you come get your son?
He's in my basement".
-(MOBILE PHONE THUDS)
-(SIGHS)
(MONITOR WHIRRING)
-Okay.
-(TV CLICKS ON)
MARIA: I think
this will cheer you up.
So, I've got Call of Duty,
I've got a Farming Simulator,
-and this is the football one.
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER TV)
MARIA: Here you go.
Okay.
-DANNY: Did you call my dad?
-I did, yeah.
But he didn't answer,
so I think it's best
if you just stay here tonight.
(VIDEO GAME CHIMING)
-DANNY: What's the Wi-Fi?
-PLAYER: (OVER VIDEO GAME) Kick off!
-MARIA: What, sorry?
-For this. What's the Wi-Fi?
Oh, I haven't had
the internet set up yet. Sorry.
Erm...
that's for your ones
and twos, over there.
I hope you don't mind. It's...
I'll get you something
better than that, but...
Right. Okay, you're fine, yeah?
DANNY: Mm-hmm.
Yeah, okay. Yeah.
(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING)
-(YELPS)
-Let me out!
-Get off!
-DANNY: I fucking hate you!
-DANNY: Hey! Open the fucking door!
-(DOOR POUNDING)
(DANNY SCREAMING, WAILING)
DANNY: Let me out right now
I'll fucking kill you
Let me out right now
Open the door
What's wrong with you
You demented bitch?
Glory, glory Man United!
Glory, glory Man United
Glory, glory Man United
As the Reds go marching
On, on, on
CHILD: Mummy, Mummy!
CHILD: Hello!
Hi.
Come along. Let's go.
Shall we go to the car?
Come on. Come on.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
PC WILLIAMS:
So, if you could help us,
would you characterise Danny
as a troublemaker?
Someone likely to run away?
(SCOFFS) I couldn't say, really.
PC CHADWICK: Er... Sorry.
Four noise complaints,
three police warnings,
er... and a fine.
Yeah, I mean,
I guess you could say
he's a little out of hand...
I suppose.
And what about his dad, Josh?
You know,
Josh was trying his best.
-Yeah.
-PC WILLIAMS: As you may already know,
Josh waited almost 24 hours
before reporting Danny missing.
Hmm.
Maria, I appreciate
you're trying
not to upset anyone,
but we will keep asking
questions until we find him.
So, please be honest.
(DOOR OPENS)
ZAYN: It's the cops!
STUDENT 1: Wow! Do you think
they'll arrest Miss Spencer?
-STUDENT 2: I don't know.
-ZAYN: Are you gonna arrest Miss Spencer?
-SAM: Guys, no. Stop.
-(STUDENTS CHATTER)
-SAM: Everyone, out, please.
-ZAYN: Yeah, but... Wait, what's going on?
SAM: Speedy feet.
Speedy feet. Come on.
-STUDENT 3: What's going on?
-SAM: Come on. That's enough.
Sorry.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Yeah.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Josh was usually quite late...
picking up Danny from school.
Right.
MARIA: And Danny was pretty
uncared for most of the time.
There's no easy way to say this.
Danny has been reported missing.
-(STUDENTS CHATTER)
-We don't know where he is.
Is he gone forever?
'Course not.
He's just run off. He's mental.
-MARIA: Carys.
-What? He is, though, Miss.
He's probably just in the woods
eating rats or something.
-Right, okay.
-(STUDENTS LAUGH)
Does anyone have anything
that they'd like to share?
Is anyone feeling... sad or...?
anxious?
It's okay if you are.
No?
All right, get your books out.
-Miss?
-Yeah.
I was just wondering
if tomorrow,
in our history lesson,
if I could bring
a keyboard from home
and sing a song
that I'd written.
It's about D-Day.
Oh, wow. Erm... I don't...
think that's a great idea
for right now.
But maybe another time, okay?
Is there anything else
you wanted or...
-No.
-No?
Okay.
(DANNY SNORING)
JOSH: Delivery.
Oh, it's you.
God, I didn't, erm...
I didn't think you'd be working.
Well, I have to.
-Yeah.
-JOSH: You know...
(BREATHES SHAKILY) I, er...
God, I should have been
there for him.
(SNIFFLES) It's all my fault.
No, no, no. It's not your fault.
-(SOBS) This is all my fault.
-MARIA: It's not.
I'm sure he's okay.
And I'm sure
he'll come back, yeah?
JOSH: Yeah.
Just give me...
-I just need to scan it.
-Oh, yeah.
(SNIFFLES)
(SOBS)
I'm sorry.
(CRIES UNCONTROLLABLY)
(SCANNER BEEPS)
JOSH: I just need
to get a photo.
(SOBS, SNIFFLES)
(CAMERA SHUTTER BEEPS)
(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING)
So...
do you wanna walk towards me?
Come on. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
-(DANNY GRUNTS)
-MARIA: Great, okay.
I... I know that this isn't,
like, normal.
(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY) Erm...
but this way,
I don't have to worry about you.
So, I did think
that we could use the time to...
catch up on some
of your school work.
DANNY: Are you serious?
Yeah! Come on.
So, we wrote stories today,
and you're going
to write one as well, okay?
So, write,
"Story Exercise" there.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
Do you want me to get you
a different pencil? Yeah.
Okay, write,
"Once upon a time", okay?
What's wrong?
Can't.
MARIA: Hmm?
I can't do it.
What do you mean? You can write.
I've seen you hand your work in.
You can write.
I get other people
to do it for me.
Oh. I didn't... I didn't notice.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
Erm... okay... That's okay.
We'll work on it together.
And I'll come up with a plan.
And it'll be fine, okay?
-So... let's start with this.
-(PENCIL SCRIBBLING)
See how we go, okay?
(CLEARS THROAT) So...
"A"... is... for... "Apple".
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
-MARIA: "B" is for "Boy".
-(APPLES THUDDING)
Okay? So, we've gone over
the vowels a little bit.
They are "A"...
-I don't want to do any more of it!
-MARIA: Okay!
This is shit!
I don't want to do it! Okay?
-MARIA: Danny, stop.
-I don't want to fucking do it!
MARIA: "C" is for "Clothes".
"D" is for "Democracy".
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MARIA: "E" for "Extraordinary".
-You've really improved.
-(CHUCKLES)
I can't believe it! (LAUGHS)
MARIA: And "F"...
MARIA: "G", "G" is for "Gifts".
Danny, come help me with this.
"H" is for "Home".
There we go.
"Leyla smiled".
"'I will tell you what
my father, Bansuri, told me'".
"'But first, little prince,
snuggle down by the fire,
and when you are ready,
I will begin'".
"Adir settled down,
pushing a soft tree trunk
and a pile of leaves closer,
so his head was raised
just enough to see Layla,
the fire and the starry,
starry sky".
And next comes "I".
Investigations continue
into the disappearance
of Danny Carter,
last seen nearly six weeks ago.
We'll go again, just for safety.
The investigations continue
into the disappearance...
JOSH: We'll have a little chat
before we go
over the route we've planned,
just to make sure
we're all doing the same thing.
I think, you know, looking for
any kind of clues on the floor,
or, you know,
anything he might have dropped.
-And now, I think as many people are shouting...
-(METAL CLINKING)
CROWD: Danny!
ALL: Danny! Danny!
JOSH: What are you doing?
Stop posing! Why are you posing?
You're supposed
to be looking for Danny,
not making photographs
for Instagram.
What the fuck? You're joking!
-Don't look at me like that!
-We're trying to help you.
You've come here with everyone
else to look for Danny.
Why are you doing that?
JAYE: If you're going
to swear at me, I'm going.
-JOSH: Come on!
-JAYE: I don't need this. I'm just trying to help you out.
Ah, come on. Come... come back.
Come on.
-Go on, fuck off, then!
-CROWD: Danny!
(PRINTER WHIRRING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
-(TEACHERS APPLAUDING, CHEERING)
-SYLVIA: Surprise!
(CHUCKLES) Ah!
The Ofsted inspection came in.
"Good
with outstanding features".
-No! (GASPS)
-SYLVIA: And you were singled out for praise.
Really?
So, thank you.
Maria, I was...
I was wrong about you.
-(CHUCKLES)
-(SIGHS)
(STUTTERS)
-(TEACHERS APPLAUDING)
-(CHUCKLES)
Drinks all round.
-Biscuits for everybody!
-Thank you.
Congratulations,
you've done a brilliant job.
-Thank you. Thanks so much.
-It's made such a difference.
-Are you all right?
-SYLVIA: Hmm.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
SAM: Er...
I saved this for you.
-That's very nice. Thank you.
-(SAM CHUCKLING)
(CLICKS TONGUE) Thank you.
And I will halve it with you.
But I'll give you
the smaller piece.
SAM: (CHUCKLES)
Thank you. Cheers.
Mm!
I like this new Maria Spencer.
-What's that supposed to mean?
-SAM: (LAUGHING) I don't know. It just...
You just seem to be coming
out of your shell a bit.
(STUTTERS) It's... I'm...
It's nice.
It's nice.
And... And you look... well.
You look good.
-Thank you. (CLEARS THROAT)
-SAM: Yeah.
Thanks.
-That's nice.
-SAM: "Good...
with... outstanding
features". (CHUCKLES)
(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
-What are you doing?
-Playing the game.
ANNOUNCER OVER VIDEO GAME:
First stage!
-DANNY: But it's my game.
-MARIA: Not anymore, it's not.
-ANNOUNCER: (OVER GAME) Kick off!
-(WHISTLE BLOWS)
-DANNY: What? Go away.
-MARIA: No, I wanna play.
Piss off.
MARIA: I will not.
DANNY: I thought
you didn't like football.
Who says?
DANNY: Fucking shit!
Look at you.
You're just running around
doing nothing.
MARIA: I'm shit?
Is that your defence?
It's not very good, is it?
-Yeah, up your arse, mate.
-(SCOFFS)
-It's better than yours.
-Er, I don't think so.
I'm still better than you
and I'm not playing this
all day every day.
(MUNCHING)
You're not better than me.
-Ooh! Ey up!
-MARIA: No!
-DANNY: Go on.
-MARIA: That is enough of that.
DANNY: Lovely. Shoot!
-Come on!
-MARIA: Oh, my God!
-What a goal!
-MARIA: That was pure luck.
-That's one-nil already! It's one-nil already.
-MARIA: That was pure luck.
-DANNY: Come on.
-(CHUCKLES)
-DANNY: Oh! I'm lining it up.
-MARIA: Go on, then.
-No. No.
-DANNY: Oh, I've done you! I've done you!
-I've done you!
-MARIA: No, no!
-Goal! Two-nil!
-Come on!
That was pure luck!
-That was pure luck.
-DANNY: What do you mean?
-It was-- Look at that goal. Look at that build-up.
-Right, skip that.
-We don't need to watch that again.
-DANNY: It was amazing!
Oh, my God.
Do you even know the controls
at all? Never mind the rules!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
-MARIA: Oh, my God.
-DANNY: Oh. Pull it back.
Oh! Fuck! Finish! (GROANS)
(BOTH LAUGH)
DANNY: (GROANS)
Absolute rubbish, that.
Come on, lads. (MUNCHES)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
DANNY: Whack it straight
after kick-off, come on.
Make it three. Go on.
MARIA: No, no, no, no, no!
-DANNY: Yes!
-MARIA: No!
DANNY: Goal!
(LETTERBOX CREAKS)
DANNY: A hat trick.
Number three. Come on.
MARIA: Okay, that's enough!
-DANNY: Your defence is shit!
-MARIA: Well, clearly not, clearly not.
-Not giving it away. No, no, no! No!
-MARIA: Yes! Yes!
-(LAUGHS)
-DANNY: That was horrible!
-What a miss.
-Oh, that is really--
-MARIA: (LAUGHS)
-Okay, that was luck.
(LETTERBOX CREAKS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-MARIA: No!
-DANNY: Yes! Come on!
(DOORBELL RINGS)
What was that?
(MUNCHES)
Miss?
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
Hi, Miss.
(TRAFFIC WHIZZING IN DISTANCE)
Hi, Pauline.
Er, what are you doing
at my house?
Why do you have Danny?
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
What... What do you mean?
PAULINE: I... I heard you
and him talking.
Mm. No. (CHUCKLES)
Danny's gone missing, remember?
But I heard him.
What, like in your head, or...
No, I heard him
shouting, "Goal".
It's okay.
You can tell me.
There's no one here, Pauline.
You look scared.
-Pauline, Danny's gone missing.
-PAULINE: No, he's not. He's here.
-He's not here.
-PAULINE: Yes, he is.
-He's here. I'll prove it to you.
-MARIA: No. I think-- Pauline!
Danny?
Pauline?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-DANNY: Pauline, I'm down here!
-Danny! Danny!
-DANNY: Pauline!
-Stop.
-Danny!
-Pauline! Pauline, no, no.
Pauline, I'm down here!
Pauline. Pauline. (GRUNTS)
Pauli... Pauline. Help me.
Help me, please.
Please. Help!
Please. Help. Help me.
(GRUNTS) Help me. Please.
Fucking let me out. Please.
Where are you going?
Pauline, don't leave me here!
-Pauline! Pauline!
-(DOOR LOCK CLICKS)
DANNY: Please! Pauline!
-Pauline? (BREATHES SHAKILY)
-DANNY: Come back!
-Come back!
-It really isn't what it looks like, okay?
DANNY: What's going on?
Pauline, please!
-Okay.
-Please, look at me. Pauline.
I'm just teaching him
for a little bit, okay?
-DANNY: Please, come on, I need you!
-Okay.
DANNY: Fucking help me!
Help me!
-DANNY: Pauline! Fucking help me!
-Okay?
(DANNY CONTINUES YELLING)
Right, so we'll just...
We'll make it our secret, yeah?
PAULINE: Mm-hmm.
DANNY: Please, Pauline. Please.
-PAULINE: Is this where you live?
-MARIA: Yeah.
It's magnificent.
(MARIA CHUCKLES)
DANNY: Pauline, call the police!
-DANNY: Call the police and tell them you know...
-(GLASS CHIMES)
...where this fucking,
crazy lady lives! Pauline!
-I like your books.
-MARIA: Oh, do you? Thank you.
Do you have a lot of books
at home, then?
Hmm, no.
My dad doesn't like them.
-DANNY: Tell them she's a fucking got me here.
-Oh.
He says mice
make houses in them.
-(SIGHS)
-DANNY: Pauline!
-Er, actually...
-DANNY: Pauline!
-...I think I have a book that you'd love.
-DANNY: Let me out!
-Oh. Pauline?
-(BOOKS CLATTER)
DANNY: Let me out! Pauline!
MARIA: Pauline, come here.
DANNY: (MUFFLED)
Let me out of here!
(YELLS INDISTINCTLY)
PAULINE:
You have so many nice things.
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Hmm.
You like that dress?
(WIND WHISTLES)
(PAULINE CHUCKLES)
Yeah, cos if you want it,
you can have it.
-PAULINE: (CHUCKLES)
-Really. It's... It's yours. Just take it.
-PAULINE: Really?
-Yeah. Yep.
Mm-hmm.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MARIA CHUCKLES)
(MOUTHS) What the fuck?
You look really nice, Pauline.
(CHUCKLES)
Thank you.
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
-(LOUD MUSIC PLAYING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(GUEST LAUGHS)
(KEYS JANGLING)
(DOOR LOCK RATTLES, OPENS)
(MUSIC BLARES)
Thank you, Miss.
FRANK: Ah, Miss Spencer!
What are you doing here?
MARIA: Oh. Hiya, Frank.
Er, yeah,
Pauline was out walking.
-I was just dropping her back.
-Oh, out walking, was she?
She does that.
-Yeah.
-Here, excuse me.
If you don't mind me asking,
what's she like in class?
Cos she's fucking weird at home.
She's great. Yeah.
Yeah, but you know
what I mean, don't you?
No.
FRANK: I mean,
Carrying on down this road,
where's she gonna end up?
All this whimsy, talking
the way she does, malarkey.
I mean, she's a... a kid,
so she'll probably
just grow out of it.
Will she?
By the time I was her age,
I was out at 04:00 a.m.
in the morning,
mucking out the barns.
-Feeding the pigs.
-Really?
Them pigs, they could be
fucking vicious! (LAUGHS)
(SNORT)
-I'm gonna head off, okay?
-Yeah. Yep, all right.
-(DOOR CLOSES)
-(DANNY YELLING)
(LOUD THUDDING)
(THUDDING CONTINUES)
(DANNY CONTINUES YELLING)
(SIGHS)
DANNY: Fuck!
-(OBJECTS CLATTER)
-(DANNY GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
-Danny.
-Where's Pauline?
-What the fuck did you do?
-Look, I got you fish and chips.
I don't want any fish and chips,
you stupid cunt! Okay?
I don't want fish and chips!
(SOBBING) I don't want
fish and chips!
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
I'm sorry.
(DANNY CONTINUES SOBBING)
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
DANNY: (SOBBING)
Nobody cares about me.
That's not true.
That isn't true.
(DANNY SOBS)
Lots of people care about you.
Come here. Come here.
-Come here. It's okay.
-Nobody cares about me.
No, that's not true.
-That's not true. (SNIFFLES)
-DANNY: Yes, it is.
-(SOBS) I care about you.
-(DANNY CONTINUES SOBBING)
It's okay.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-(DANNY SNIFFLES)
-Shh. Shh.
(SOBS)
MARIA: (WHISPERS) It's okay.
Oh. Sorry.
(REFLECTIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
DANNY: Honestly...
(HESITATES, EXHALES)
Were you lying to me when...
you said my dad
was looking for me?
(MUNCHING) No, I wasn't lying.
He is.
He's looking for you every day.
-I promise.
-(SNIFFLES)
(SIGHS)
DANNY: Why's it just you
in this dodgy house?
(SCOFFS)
Like, I heard... (MUNCHES)
...that you used to shag
Mr Rushington.
Danny!
Don't say "shagging".
It's inappropriate.
No, I moved here
to be with him.
And we bought this house.
And we were gonna
do it up and...
make it really... lovely.
I was very excited about it.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
But then he left me
for someone else. So, that's...
why I'm here alone.
What a wet wipe. Honestly.
Yeah.
You'll be okay, Miss.
Thanks, Danny.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Morning, Miss.
-STUDENT 1: Morning, Miss.
-STUDENT 2: Morning, Miss.
STUDENTS: Morning, Miss.
STUDENT 1: What is she wearing?
STUDENT 2: Looks like
she could be her dead grandma.
(STUDENTS WHISPER INDISTINCTLY)
STUDENT 3: Oh, my God.
STUDENT 4: Pauline,
why are you wearing that?
PAULINE: Miss gave it to me.
-STUDENT 4: Why?
-PAULINE: I don't know.
I can't help it
if I'm her favourite.
-Okay, everyone, let's get started, yeah?
-(STUDENTS CHUCKLE)
-PAULINE: Miss?
-MARIA: Yes, Pauline.
I've done a drawing.
-Okay, we'll look at it later, yeah? Erm...
-CARYS: Is it Halloween?
(STUDENTS WHISPER INDISTINCTLY)
STUDENT 1:
And have you seen that picture?
-MARIA: That's lovely.
-STUDENT 1: Even a baby could do something better.
-STUDENT 2: It's horrible.
-Go... Go sit down.
Go sit down. Go.
STUDENT 4: What is she wearing?
CARYS: That could be
her dead grandma's.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
PAULINE: Miss,
where are you going?
-Home, Pauline.
-PAULINE: Can I come?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
No. I don't think
that's appropriate.
I'll see you tomorrow, okay?
But Danny must get lonely.
I can help you teach him.
(EXHALES)
Okay, so we've been working
on job words,
Pauline,
just to fill you in, okay?
PAULINE: Righto.
Okay, erm, so, what do you
wanna be when you grow up?
I'm gonna be
someone famous, Miss.
Okay. I was...
I was asking Danny.
Erm, what do you wanna be
when you grow up?
(SIGHS)
Come on, there must be something
that you're into.
Running, sport, stuff like that.
So, I would say "athlete",
then. Would you?
-DANNY: Mm-hmm.
-Okay. So, let's write that down.
So, "A".
What's the next letter?
-DANNY: "F".
-(LAUGHS) It's "T-H".
DANNY: (SIGHS) Piss off.
MARIA: Danny.
Danny, come back.
Danny, you were doing so well.
Anyway, it's "A-T-H-L-E-T-E".
"Athlete".
MARIA: Yep.
PAULINE: Walking two by two
And talking one-on-one
And laughing
At the jokes you tell
That's what a special friend
Would do
If you're crying
Or you're blue
They would comfort
And help you
Make you feel
Like you're brand new
SYLVIA: It's about thinking
of others and making sure...
Pauline, no. Stop. Go sit down.
SAM: Sorry, Miss Spencer,
can Pauline sit down, please?
And why is she
not in uniform again?
SYLVIA: It could be as simple
as helping a friend
who's fallen over...
She's... She's doing a project.
She's doing a drama project,
and she wants
to remain in character,
-if you don't mind.
-(SIGHS) Yeah, I... I do, actually.
Cos, we do have rules
about uniform, don't we?
MARIA: I just think that,
like, you know,
we need to be...
encouraging imagination.
Like, she could be
the next Meryl Streep
and we wouldn't know.
Or the next Angelina Jolie.
-And we wouldn't know.
-SYLVIA: By listening carefully,
when someone is speaking,
following the rules...
Why is it one step forward,
two steps back with you,
every time?
-She had brought this project to me.
-No, the project stops.
It stops now.
-Okay, but I just think that--
-No. Stop it. It stops.
-It's over.
-Sorry, if I just might interject,
-I actually think it's an interesting project.
-(CELL PHONE CHIMES)
It's-- My issue with it
was that Pauline
was wearing your clothes.
-Oh, my-- I'm so sorry.
-(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-GREG: (OVER CELL PHONE) Hi, Maria.
-Maria!
-So sorry.
-GREG: It's Greg, from number 18.
I think one of your students
has got a bit lost.
I'm with them now
outside your house.
-Are you in the area?
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
GREG: Maybe we should wait.
-Nice to see you, neighbour!
-(MARIA YELPS)
-GREG: Ooh!
-(MARIA GRUNTS)
-GREG: You, okay?
-Yeah. (GRUNTS)
MARIA: Hi.
GREG: She came knocking
at my door
and she's been telling me
all about your basement.
Oh, yeah... yeah. Erm,
we do catch-up lessons. Yeah.
It's actually time for one
right now, isn't it, Pauline?
Ow.
Pauline, I didn't invite you
to my house tonight.
-So?
-MARIA: So, you can't just be here.
You need to start hanging out
with people your own age, okay?
I have to get back to the school
for the parents' meeting.
-Okay, I need to go.
-Fine, Danny's my age.
Pauline.
No. Not tonight, please.
-Anything but her.
-PAULINE: How about one game?
-Pauline.
-Oh, my God. Truth or dare!
-MARIA: Pauline.
-Me first.
-DANNY: Move out of my fucking way!
-Truth.
-Fucking move!
-PAULINE: So once, Miss Spencer,
my parents took my brothers
to judo camp,
-so I had the whole farm to myself for four whole days.
-Yeah. Pauline,
-you need to go home.
-And I fell into a hole.
But it was more
of a cesspit, really.
-And after I passed the point of hunger, I saw something.
-Pauline!
-You need to go.
-I want to stay over.
-DANNY: No, you're not!
-No, you can't. We never discussed that.
And your parents
are gonna be worried about you.
(TYRES SCREECH OVER TV)
-I want that.
-No way. No way!
I want it.
Or I'm telling everybody
what you did.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER TV)
-Fine.
-DANNY: No.
What are you doing?
Miss! Stop. Put it down.
-MARIA: Just let her have it. Calm down.
-Put-- Why should I?
-Piss off!
-PAULINE: Me and you'll play online, Miss.
Then, even when I'm not here,
we can speak all the time.
You fucking idiot.
She's not your friend.
MARIA: Danny, stop.
Come on.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
You know what?
No one cares you're missing.
No one's even asking
about you anymore.
Everyone thinks you're dead.
And actually...
everyone's much happier now.
Even your dad.
It's true, innit, Miss?
Miss?
-(DANNY YELLS)
-(PAULINE SCREAMS)
-PAULINE: Miss! Miss!
-DANNY: It's not true! It's not true!
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING)
-(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
DANNY: Shut up,
you're a fucking liar!
I hate you!
-Get away from me!
-I'm sorry.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
MARIA: Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Pack a bag.
Pack everything you need
into a bag.
I'll have to get you
out of here tonight
-before Pauline--
-What?
We need to come up with a story,
like you've been, I don't know,
hiding in the woods
or something like that.
And promise me
that you'll stick to it, okay?
'Cause otherwise,
I can't let you go.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Hiya. Yeah, I'm on my way.
Yeah, I'll do that. Okay.
You're really letting me go?
Pack your bag.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
SYLVIA: We'll just wait
a few more minutes.
(DOOR CLOSES)
-Ah! Miss Spencer, thank you for joining us.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Right. Er-- We're all aware
of the tragic circumstances
under which our school community
is operating right now,
so I think I should start
by telling you
that in the last hour, I've had
a phone call from the police,
and Josh Carter
has been arrested...
-(PARENTS GASPS)
-...in connection with the disappearance.
Apparently,
he... he's cooperating,
he came willingly.
So, now, we can only hope
that Danny is found
safe and well.
But, of course, we're here
to talk about your children,
and... and later on,
Miss Spencer
will take you through
-how best to survive the upcoming SATs season.
-(DOOR SLAMS)
SYLVIA: But I can tell you that
your children's predicted grades
-are the highest we've ever had, which is very exciting.
-(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)
SYLVIA: And we will do our best
to keep them focused and--
We seem to have a visitor.
-Er, Mr Moone, do you mind, erm?
-Yeah. Come on.
-Pauline, let's go home. Come on.
-I want to sing a song, Miss.
Er, it's not that kind
of meeting.
Miss Spencer said I could.
Didn't you?
Yeah, yeah. (CLEARS THROAT)
I forgot. Erm...
It's the project
that I was telling you about.
Pauline wants to show you all.
SYLVIA: Well,
that would be lovely,
but, er,
it wouldn't be appropriate.
Oh, no, go on, babs.
Give us a tune.
-FEMALE PARENT 1: Go on, let her sing.
-Yeah, let her sing.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Fine. Of course.
Pauline?
I'll need a keyboard.
Thank you, Miss Spencer.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
This had better be good.
-(WHISPERING) Pauline.
-Take a seat.
Please.
-(QUIETLY) Okay, Pauline.
-We'll talk about this later,
because this is
fucking ridiculous.
Clear the stage, please.
(MUSIC FADES)
(PARENTS
WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING
OVER KEYBOARD)
We are the children
Of Ashton Brook School
We take a pride
In the things we do
Learning together
And having fun
Who's for a good day?
Everyone
We are the children
Of Ashton Brook School
We take a pride
In the things we do
Learning together
And having fun
Who's for a good day?
Everyone
-(APPLAUSE)
-Thank you, Pauline.
PAULINE: Everyone is special,
everybody has gifts.
-So, we're gonna work together, and we're gonna learn to give.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
We are the children
Of Ashton Brook School
We take a pride
In the things we do
Learning together
And having fun
Who's for a good day?
Everyone
-That's lovely, Pauline.
-PAULINE: Everyone is special,
-everybody has gifts.
-(APPLAUSE)
-So, we're gonna work together and we're gonna learn to give.
-SYLVIA: That's lovely. Thanks.
We are--
-I'm not finished.
-No, thank you.
I'm not finished!
(PARENTS
WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)
It's for Danny.
Please.
It's for Danny.
Everyone loves this school
FEMALE PARENT 2:
It needs to stop.
But they're wrong
That's why I wrote this song
This place is bad
The teachers make me sad
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Miss Spencer
I thought you were an angel
But now I know
You're just a demon
With chestnut hair
You kidnapped Danny
And tied him to a chair
He's in your basement
Will you just stop her?
Your evil witch's lair
-Okay, stop it. Stop! Stop!
-It's true! It's true! You have him!
-Be quiet!
-Yes, it is!
-Just shut the fuck up!
-(MIKE CLATTERS)
-(PARENTS GASPS)
-(PANTS)
SYLVIA: Excuse me?
(PARENTS
WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)
Sorry,
but that's... that's crazy.
FRANK: Wait, wait a minute.
Pauline, what are you saying?
Are you saying that Danny's
in Maria's basement?
-PAULINE: Yes.
-How do you know this?
-No, she doesn't know that!
-I saw him!
Okay, Pauline, this is...
this is really important.
(MARIA EXHALES)
-Where did you see Danny?
-PAULINE: I went to Maria's house
and he was there
in the basement.
He was a bed
with lots of drawers
and an inflatable chair.
-MALE PARENT 1: Ah, come off it!
-Sylvia.
-MALE PARENT 1: Josh did it!
-MALE PARENT 2: Exactly.
SYLVIA: What were you doing
in Miss Spencer's house?
-I followed her home.
-And when was this?
Er, a Wednesday?
-A Wednesday?
-It's true.
SYLVIA: Okay, Pauline,
maybe we should talk
about this on Monday.
Mr Moone, if you wouldn't mind
just... just taking her?
Yeah. Absolutely.
Come on, Pauline. Home now.
If you think I'm a liar,
then go to her house.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Well, I suppose it can't hurt.
No, it's a building site
right now. You can't go.
Er, you haven't had
any builders in.
We live on the same street.
SYLVIA: Maria, was that a lie?
-No.
-So, what are you hiding?
-Nothing.
-A little boy! She's hiding a little boy!
Just admit it, Miss.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
You know you have him.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(SIGHS)
(SNIFFLES)
(SOBS, SNIFFLES)
I didn't...
I didn't mean to do it.
-MALE PARENT 1: Shit!
-(PARENTS WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)
I told you, Sylvia,
that he was out of control.
-I told you that.
-Oh, my God.
-(PARENTS GASPS)
-MARIA: And he was attacking my car,
and I was trying
to stop him, right?
And then... and then I panicked,
because he passed out,
and then he threatened
to tell everyone
that I had attacked him,
and I hadn't.
And so, then,
he ran into my basement
and I locked the door,
and... and he's still
in there now.
But he's fine.
-FEMALE PARENT 1: Shut the fuck up!
-He's fine. He is fine.
-And... and he's... he's thriving.
-FEMALE PARENT 2: Oh, my God.
MARIA: And so are
all of your kids now
since he's gone,
because I couldn't be
the teacher
that they needed me to be.
Like Khaliya, for example,
she's...
she's this incredible artist.
Did you know that?
She sees the world
in the most beautiful,
unusual way, and I never
would have known before.
And Charlie, Charlie
is, like, a maths genius.
I've never seen
anything like it before.
And I never had the chance
to actually connect
with the kids.
(SOBBING) I was so tired.
I'm so... I'm so...
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm really sorry.
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
FEMALE PARENT 3: Oh, my God.
Wow.
I'm calling the police.
Wait.
-Wait! Wait.
-What are you doing?
-MALE PARENT1: Please.
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING)
-Hang on, hang on a minute.
-Look, as head of the PTA--
Shush, shush, shush.
Look, as head of the PTA,
I think that everything--
Every decision
should be voted for.
-FEMALE PARENT 1: But vote on what?
-FEMALE PARENT 2: Yeah... yeah.
MALE PARENT 1: I'm just saying,
shouldn't we
discuss things first?
FEMALE PARENT 3:
There is no discussion,
-we need to call the police.
-What he's saying is,
it's Danny's fault
in the first place, isn't it?
-FEMALE PARENT 3: Sit down! Shut up, Frank.
-He traumatised her.
Danny traumatised her.
-No--
-FRANK: Sweetheart, shush.
Cos what Miss Spencer did
is what we all should have done,
isn't it?
You know, down at the farm,
you separate the weak
from the strong,
the wheat from the chaff. You...
You take the lame calf out
and you shoot it.
-FEMALE PARENT 1: Bloody hell!
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING)
No, I'm not saying that
we shoot him, for God's sake!
I'm calling the police.
I am. I'm calling the police--
No. No, get off my phone.
Mr Moone, get off my phone.
-No!
-(PARENTS EXCLAIM)
Look, look, look,
just calm down, all right?
-I think what Frank is feeling is understandable.
-FRANK: He broke her arm!
It's not about bloody feelings,
he's fucking dangerous!
FEMALE PARENT 1: Frank,
he's a kid. He made a mistake.
FEMALE PARENT 2:
And what about our kids?
Khaliya has been flying since
she stopped being picked on.
MALE PARENT 1:
We keep a lid on this,
-I know--
-FEMALE PARENT 1: What are you saying?
-Keep him in the basement?
-MALE PARENT 1: This is what must happen.
I think what we're trying to say
is let's consider our options.
-There is no discussion.
-FEMALE PARENT 2: What options?
FEMALE PARENT 3: We have
to let him out right now.
MALE PARENT 1: Look, they've
got their SATs coming up,
and Miss Spencer
has been brilliant.
If she goes,
they will end up at the local
crap secondary schools.
-Their lives will be ruined. For what?
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING)
FEMALE PARENT 1:
So, we do the right thing.
We've gotta do the right thing.
MALE PARENT 1: We can't make everything
about the needs of one person.
Can we?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Hang on! Sylvia, she's leaving!
-Er, someone follow her.
-Follow her. Follow her.
-MALE PARENT 2: Shit!
FRANK: Go that way.
I've got her phone,
so she can't call anybody,
but stop her.
FRANK: Okay, some that way.
Nobody uses their phone.
Nobody use your phones
right now.
Let's just think about this.
Nobody leaves.
Everyone stays put, all right?
Where's Miss Spencer?
Where is Miss Spencer?
She's here.
FRANK: Somebody go that way.
-(MARIA GASPS)
-Ah, Miss Spencer. There you are.
-Come back for a minute.
-MARIA: Yes.
It's fine. It's fine. It's fine.
We're just gonna have
a little chat.
-I know, but I--
-You don't need to go anywhere.
-There's a cupboard over there.
-FRANK: Okay.
Let's put her in the cupboard
for five minutes.
MARIA: Oh.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
No.
-(DOOR LOCK CLICKS)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
FRANK: This is...
This is what needs to happen.
FEMALE PARENT 1: But what are
you gonna do with her after that?
You can't keep her
in a cupboard forever.
SYLVIA: All of you,
get away from me!
-Get away from me!
-MALE PARENT 2: No, listen to me!
SYLVIA: Get away from me!
FEMALE PARENT 1: Don't you dare
hurt my child like this!
MALE PARENT 2:
Nobody needs to be called.
FEMALE PARENT 2:
She's not listening.
MALE PARENT 2:
Are you not listening?
-Nobody needs to be calling anybody! All right?
-SYLVIA: You're all insane!
-MALE PARENT 2: Think... Think about it.
-SYLVIA: You're all insane!
I don't want anything
to do with you.
SYLVIA: Get away from me!
Just let me go.
(MUSIC FADES)
FRANK: (MUFFLED)
What we're gonna do,
on keeping Danny
in the basement.
And I know you don't... And I know
you don't want him to be in there.
FEMALE PARENT 1: Yeah... yeah.
No, that's fair enough.
FRANK: We're keeping him safe.
So, if anybody here
that can help of an evening
in getting down there
and helping out.
FEMALE PARENT 2: I can do
mornings during the week.
-I can do a Wednesday.
-(KEYS JANGLING)
FRANK: Yeah, I can do
a Tuesday night, as well.
(DOOR LOCK CLICKS)
FEMALE PARENT 2: Just what,
just drop down,
-round a casserole or something?
-FRANK: Yeah.
SAM: Hey.
You hungry?
-(CUTLERY CLINKING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO)
SAM: Mm! Love this place.
It's like a little Mediterranean
oasis in the middle of town.
Pizzas are very good for--
I'm gonna hand myself in
tomorrow.
SAM: No, no, no, no. Listen.
Miss Morgan's resigned.
Yeah.
She just... pfft!
Upped and left.
Guess she wanted
a better work-life balance.
Which makes me
the new acting head. (CHUCKLES)
If you can believe it.
And... as the head,
I feel like... I need to respect
the wishes of the parents.
And... they've all agreed
not to make it
into a whole thing.
So, I'm just saying,
maybe... you shouldn't.
(EXHALES)
-Sam--
-SAM: No, listen.
The board likes you.
Parents like you.
We can make this school
a better place.
We can give these kids a future.
And I want you to be my deputy.
It's gonna be all right.
(DINERS)
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday...
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(PENCIL SCRIBBLES)
Oh, there you are!
See, I packed my bag
and I made a drawing for my dad.
Look.
What?
(MARIA BREATHES DEEPLY)
You're never letting me go,
are you?
(SIGHS)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
-(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(LAMBS BLEAT)
(CHILDREN'S CHOIR HUMS)
-Oh, did I hear "puttanesca"?
-Yes, you did!
-Here it is for that lucky smile. (LAUGHS)
-That's my favourite!
-I brought you activities.
-Oh! You're so good.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(CHILDREN'S CHOIR
CONTINUE HUMMING)
The most as you'll ever go
Is back where
You used to know
If grown-ups
Could laugh this slow
Whereas you watch
The hour snow
Years may go by
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Years may go by
So hold on
To your special friend
Here, you'll need something
To keep her in
Now you stay inside
That foolish grin
Though any day
Your secrets end
(CHUCKLES)
Then again, years may go by
You saved
Your own special friend
Here, you'll need something
To keep her in
Now you stay inside
That foolish grin
(APPLAUSE)
Though any day
Your secrets end
SAM: Today,
we're proud to announce
the Danny Carter scholarship...
in honour of Danny,
a beloved student
whose disappearance
has deeply affected us all.
And, erm, so pleased
that Josh Carter,
Danny's father,
could be here with us today.
And so glad that the police
saw right in the end.
(APPLAUSE)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
SAM: This is a scholarship
that I think embodies
the boundless generosity
of our West Country community.
It's allowing us to recognise
and reward students
-who share Danny's remarkable kindness...
-(FRANK SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
-Oh, no, thank you.
-...and eagerness for learning,
all uplifted
by the gracious support
of Frank Moone
of Bishop Valley Cider.
(APPLAUSE)
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
(DANNY GRUNTS)
SAM: And now...
I... I'd like to extend
a special thanks, actually,
to our deputy head...
-Maria Spencer.
-(CHEERING, APPLAUSE)
-(MOUTHS) No. No. No.
-SAM: Come on, Miss Spencer.
SAM: (CHUCKLES)
Come on, Miss Spencer!
Say a few words. Come on.
This is your moment. Come on.
-(MOUTHS) Okay.
-(CHEERING, APPLAUSE CONTINUES)
(DANNY GRUNTS)
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
(DANNY GRUNTS)
SAM: Maria spearheaded
this initiative,
and we're so excited
to be fostering
our future leaders with it.
She truly is an inspiration,
and with her guidance,
our impact
will resonate forever.
(DANNY GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
-(DEBRIS CLATTERING)
-(DANNY BREATHES SHAKILY)
(GRUNTS)
(OBJECT CLATTERING)
(APPLAUSE CONTINUES)
Thank you.
(CHUCKLES)
-(MUSIC FADES)
-(APPLAUSE PETERS OUT)
This is for Danny.
(APPLAUSE, CHEERING)
("O-O-H CHILD" PLAYING)
Ooh child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Things'll get brighter
Ooh child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Things'll get brighter
Some day, yeah
We'll put it together
And we'll get it undone
Some day,
When your head is much lighter
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays
Of a beautiful sun
Someday, when the world
Is much brighter
Some day, yeah
We'll put it together
And we'll get it undone
Some day, yeah
When your head is much lighter
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays
Of a beautiful sun
Some day, yeah
When the world
Is much brighter
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
Some day, some day
Some day, some day
We'll put it together
And we'll get it undone
Some day, yeah
When your head is much lighter
Some day, some day
Some day, some day
We'll walk in the rays
Of a beautiful sun
Some day, yeah
When the world
Is much brighter
Ooh, child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh, child
Things'll get brighter
Ooh, child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh, child
Things'll get brighter
Right now
Ooh, yeah
Right now
Ooh, baby
Right now
If you just wait and see
Things are gonna be
Right now
If you just wait and see
Things are gonna be
Right now
You just wait, wait and see
Right now...
(REFLECTIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)