Seat 25 (2018) Movie Script
Five years ago,
we were all very
excited about Mars.
Scientists had
proved the existence
of liquid water on its surface.
A year later,
we were all even more
excited by the news
that the Martian
atmosphere was warming.
Everybody was
talking about Mars.
And then, nothing.
The rapidly strengthening
magnetic fields
created a dead zone.
There were no signals
from our satellites,
no transmissions
from our rovers.
Nothing.
So...
in twelve month's time,
Macmillan Enterprises
will be launching
'Initiative One'.
Twenty-five, incredible pioneers
will journey to
humanity's new frontier.
Twelve women.
Twelve men.
And here's the interesting bit.
'Seat 25',
the one-way ticket to a
new life, on a new world.
One of you wonderful people
will be the winner of 'Seat 25'.
If you think you
deserve this chance,
then contact me,
let me know why.
And to all of you who
choose to apply,
I say...
the very best of luck.
This is Faye,
or, Faye Banks.
This is her life,
or at least, her life so far.
Faye remembers, she didn't
always feel like this,
but what 'this' is and
how she used to feel,
she isn't quite sure anymore.
This is Jim, Faye's husband.
Jim tries very hard,
carefully planning the route
his life is going to take,
comfortable with the truth that
hard work will be rewarded.
Jim wasn't always like this,
he used to be very different.
Faye and Jim moved into
this house three years ago,
but until quite recently,
she didn't notice
how the magnolia walls,
meet their cream curtains,
against their pale rug,
in what is now thier beige life.
And every morning, while waiting
for her coffee to brew,
dreaming of Terracotta Red,
Azure Blue and Emerald Green,
Faye finds herself drawn into the colourful
world created by next door neighbour, Peter,
and his little
daughter, Flossie.
The small child seemed to Faye,
a supernova of blazing colours
and Peter was the star at
the centre of her universe.
Peter and Flossie spend their mornings
exploring the Amazon Rainforest,
lunchtimes picnicking on
the Galapagos Islands,
and afteroons deep sea diving
on the Great Barrier Reef.
Having given up smoking
some time ago,
Peter is finding it increasingly difficult
to hide his habit from his wife.
I cannot believe you!
Peter, you absolute scumbag!
June is the manager of the
local leisure centre
and since employing
Adrian six months ago,
has found an increasing
number of problems,
for which she needs Adrian's
personal assistance.
As her eyes trace the
shape of his body,
she experiences the feelings
of lust and desire,
that have been missing
from her life for so long.
Every morning, at eleven
minutes past eight,
Faye passes her work
colleague, Teodor Popescu.
Having politely refused
a lift to work,
Faye and Teodor are now left with, what
seems like, their only remaining option,
a slightly awkward wave hello.
As he stands, willing
his bus never to arrive
and his day never to begin,
his thoughts inevitably fall to the
utter pointlessness of it all.
Faye's journey to work
affords her an average of seventeen
minutes, twice a day, which she fills
wondering at the life
of total strangers.
[Car horn]
At around the same
time, every day,
Faye's father Terry, and
his new wife Maggie,
take coffee and the
newspapers on their patio.
Having spent years, striving to
bring a taste of the Mediterranean
to the South East of England,
Terry and Maggie have
taken early retirement,
to start a new life
on the Costa del Sol.
Faye's sister, Pandora,
recently returned from Kenya,
where she might have been found
feeding starving children,
or building and orphanage.
Adventurer, explorer and
eternal backpacker,
Pandora is back home and
enjoying a well earned rest.
Faye works in the Human Resources
Department at the local council.
She was recently promoted,
and is now in charge of
Performance Assessment
and Efficiency Layoffs.
So, I'm taking a big
punt on you here.
It's more money,
more responibility.
Are you in?
Yes, OK. Fine.
As I'm sure you're aware, we're
under increasing pressure
to find savings
within the council.
By streamlining the department, we
plan to build on your hard work.
[Loud sobbing]
We want you to see
this as an opportunity
rather than a setback.
[Inaudible expletive]
Although Faye has come
to terms with the fact
she has little in common
with her colleagues,
she still finds herself waiting
that extra five minutes,
in order to avoid the
morning coffee rush.
As Faye took in the solitary
figure of her colleague, Teodor,
it occurred to her, she might
not be entirely alone.
It is well known amongst
the office clique,
that Teodor Popescu
is a pervert.
Since daring to try and dance with Sonia
at the Christmas party last year,
his fate within this tight-knit
pack of employees has been decided.
What isn't well known,
is that for the past year, Riley has taken
secret shots of his female colleagues
and posted them anonymously
online, under the pseudonym,
Stalker Steve.
Having never been invited to
eat lunch with her colleagues,
Faye eats on the same
park bench every day.
Looking down at her application,
a familiar feeling came
bubbling up through her chest.
A feeling she'd tried to
ignore for some time now.
A feeling that, really,
there ought to be
more than this.
This is the life Faye
has weaved for herself.
One tiny web, lost amongst
billions of other tiny webs,
all covering a vast planet.
And most of the time it's the
biggest spider who catches the fly.
But every now and then,
fate gives a chance
to one, lucky soul.
[Phone rings]
- Faye Banks?
- Yes?
It's Mike Macmillan here.
I'm just calling to
say congratulations.
How are you feeling?
- Erm.
- Pretty overwhelmed, I'm sure.
Well listen, don't worry about anything.
Just let it all sink in
and someone will be over to
see you in the next few days.
You did it Faye.
I'll see you soon.
[Disconnect tone]
Faye, you're going to be late.
Right, I'll see you later, OK?
Photocopier's broken so we have
to use the one in Block B.
Just so you know, Sonia's putting
in a formal complaint about
old Teodor Popescu and the
Christmas party incident.
Lucy and Pauline have both had
enough of his attitude as well
so we're putting our foot down.
Got a meeting with Anderson this
afternoon if you want to pop in?
What are you doing
standing there?
You're not ready yet.
You know we're going round to
your parent's to help them pack.
Jim.
I've got something to tell you.
Oh bloody hell Faye.
[Radio] That was 'De I.
Rose' with Lay me Down.
Now, with the winner of Seat 25
due to be announced any day now,
today's phone in is.
'Oceans on Mars: Science
Fiction or Science Fact'.
Well the scientists have been
divided... [Radio switched off]
You OK Faye?
Yeah, just work stuff.
Had some layoffs today.
It's not just that
though, is it?
I know what you're thinking
and I don't want you
to worry about it.
I think we should start
trying for a baby.
I wish you'd talk to
me about these things.
I've been thinking
about it for a while.
It's the next logical step.
It's what we've been missing.
You feeling better now?
Mmm.
- You OK?
- Yeah.
- Are you sure?
- Yes -OK.
So, I'd say I've probably
seen half the world by now,
but I think it's my
emotional centre
that's really grown
on this last trip.
I mean, actually being
able to reach out
and touch a starving person.
You can't get that kind of perspective
unless you've really lived.
Well, we'd love to see the
pictures, wouldn't we Jim?
I've got, like, hundreds on
my Mac. I'll show you later.
[Terry] Maggie! Tell them to
be careful with those boxes!
I mean, I wasn't actually
going to take a camera.
I hate the idea of living
life through a lens, but...
Would you mind being a bit
more careful with these boxes?
They are full of very
expensive things.
Sorry.
Has Pandora been telling you
all about her trip to Africa?
Isn't she wonderful.
I did worry about her
catching 'Embola' though.
[Jim] You wouldn't catch
me sleeping in a mud hut.
That's why you're
perfect for Faye.
[Phone] Fenton!
Jesus Christ! Fenton!
[Phone] Fenton!
So, er, who was Fenton?
Oh Dad, you're such an idiot.
[Maggie] Oooh! Oh, Jim!
Terry, listen to this! Oh!
Oh! You're going to have a baby?
- Yep.
- Terry, they're finally going to try for a baby.
Well done my son.
- About time.
- Thank you, thank you.
Thanks Faye.
Wait for your Dad to emigrate,
then you finally decide
to give him a grandchild.
We're going to be grandparents!
She's not even pregnant.
[Maggie] Let's have a drink.
Faye, put on a pot.
A pot? I want to celebrate.
Look in that box Pan.
Give us your mugs,
glasses are packed.
Bloody hell Pan, not that one.
And none for Faye,
she's trying for a baby.
[TV] The search for the
winner of Seat 25 is over.
Macmillan Enterprises confirmed
today that the applicant,
chosen from over 700,000
hopefuls, has been informed,
although their identity is being
kept private for the time being.
With limited information on the
state of the developing atmosphere,
nobody knows if the explorers will
be faced with lakes and seas,
or barren desert.
As I'm sure you are aware,
we are under increasing pressure
to find savings
within the council.
This department has been under
review for the last few months
looking to increase our
efficiency within...
I'm so sorry Teodor.
There have been complaints
made by certain people here.
There was a meeting.
I know.
You could dispute this.
I could help you.
Why would I do that?
I know what people
here think of me.
I've had a stable
job for ten years.
I'm lucky.
I'm sorry Teodor, but you've
got till the end of the day.
Are you going to be OK?
Of course.
Are you worried about anything?
No.
Thank you for the lift.
- Bye.
- Bye.
[Jim] Faye, Chinese is here.
Coming.
[TV] Previously on
'In Cold Blood'...
Good timing Mr Chinaman.
How was your Dad?
Hey, what's wrong?
I just can't stand it, I'm
not going home anymore.
What's happened? Is
it your Dad again?
Ever since Mum died, it's like
he can't look at me anymore.
It's like I don't have
a family anymore.
But I'm your family.
We're two halves of
the same person.
You cheesy...
[Laughter]
[Anderson] Hands off my ladies.
[Workman] I would ruin that.
[Crash of bottles]
Hello?
Hello.
Are you OK?
Yeah.
I'm Peter.
Hi. I - I'm Faye.
What are you doing?
I'm looking at Mars.
You can see it from here?
I've got a telescope.
Oh! How does it look?
Mars?
Yeah. Don't say it's red.
It's... It's beautiful.
It's small.
But it's the only planet
in our solar system
who's surface features you can
really see through a telescope.
It's pretty blurry
most of the time but
if you wait long enough,
the thermal currents in our
Earth's atmosphere clear
for just a few seconds
and it's breathtaking.
You can see shadows
and the black canals.
You used to be able to
see the polar caps
but they've gone of course.
Wow.
I've never heard anyone
describe it like that before.
Sometimes I like to
think I can make out
clouds and weather systems.
But no one's sure of that yet.
It's amazing.
A hundred years ago, astronomers
were looking up at the canals,
convinced that intelligent
life was living there.
And here we are now,
looking up at that same planet,
convinced that at any time now,
it will be us living there.
[Alarm]
By the way, I've invited June and
Peter round for dinner tonight.
June and Peter?
Yeah, from next door.
Is that alright?
Erm. OK. Why?
Well I though it
might be nice Faye.
They've been living there nearly three
months and we hardly know them, OK?
OK.
You doing your chicken thing?
Of course.
Hey, you know that
it's nearly 7.45?
I'll see you this evening.
[Phone] So please leave
your message after the tone.
Hello Mr. Anderson, it's
Faye Banks here. Erm...
I'm really sorry but I'm not
really feeling myself today,
and I'm not going to be
able to make it in to work.
Sorry. Bye.
[Child laughing]
Oh! Hello.
I found this.
Thought your daughter
might like it.
Look Flossie.
This is for you.
Thanks Faye. This
is a nice surprise.
Thanks for inviting
us over tonight.
That's OK. It'll be nice.
Are you not working today?
I should be really.
Maybe keep it hush hush tonight.
Yeah sure.
So what are you up to for
the rest of the day?
Nothing at all actually.
Well it looks like me and
Flossie are going into space.
Sounds great.
If you're not doing anything you're
more than welcome to join us.
Flossie would love that.
Yeah, OK.
I'll come round.
Roar!
Are you a space dinosaur?
Are you on the moon?
- Is that better?
- Yes.
Atishoo, atishoo,
we all fall down!
What would you do if you had
the chance to go to Mars?
You mean if I won Seat 25?
Yeah.
Well, there'd be a lot to lose.
So you wouldn't go?
I'm glad I'm not in the position
to have to make that choice.
[Classical music plays]
Teodor?
Faye.
I'm sorry, you're
front door was open.
I hope you don't
mind me being here?
I'll shut the door.
I'm pleased to see you Faye.
Please, sit down, sit down.
Let me turn the music down.
Would you like a drink?
Thank you.
I hope you don't mind
me coming to see you?
I've been thinking about you.
Passed your flat a few times,
wondering how you are.
That's very kind of you.
I didn't know you
played the cello.
Oh, I don't really.
I try. It was left to me.
Who's the woman in
the photographs?
That's er, that's Marion,
my wife.
She died some time ago.
I'm so sorry.
In our home country
she was a professional cellist.
I persuaded her to come to
England, to follow her dream.
In the end that was a mistake,
she never found success here.
Did you ever think
about returning home?
Life has a way of trapping you.
Before we knew it
ten years had passed.
After so much time
it's difficult to change.
You must miss her.
In some ways I'm pleased
she's not here to see me now.
To see what's become of me.
Oh Teodor, I felt so terrible
about letting you go.
Not at all,
it was probably what I needed.
Are you going somewhere, Teodor?
Yes, I thought I would.
Will you be seeing your family?
I think so.
How long will you be gone?
I have no idea.
I may never come back.
What about all your possessions?
I have no interest in any
of this stuff anymore.
But, your wife's cello,
your photographs.
That instrument is not my wife.
I don't see her
when I look at it.
And when I try to play it,
I'm not holding her.
But when I hear music,
I can hear her.
I'm thinking of going away too.
I thought you would eventually.
Somewhere nice I hope?
I hope so.
I used to be just like you.
I thought I had all the
time in the world.
Then one day, I caught
myself in the mirror
and I actually heard my
biological clock ticking,
it was awful.
But no one wants to be
an old Mum, do they?
So I made a swift decision
and got pregnant.
You told them then?
No. Oh, what's this?
- It's nothing.
- We're trying for a baby.
Really?
- Yep.
- I'd never have guessed.
Are you Faye?
Oh goody, we can start
sharing horror stories then.
Did I ever tell you about my
agonising 72 hour
birthing nightmare?
- Posted it all on Facebook.
- You didn't?
People loved it. And the film.
You should do the same Faye.
Faye doesn't do Facebook.
Peter's the same. I
think it's so weird.
Still, most women are only
on Facebook so they can
- spy on their husbands.
- Well, I'll take that as a compliment then.
Why are you on there then?
Why indeed! I certainly
don't need to spy on Peter.
He does jack all but
sit in the garden all day.
Some people spend
all day working.
Some people, who have a boring job,
- need a bit of Facebook to break the day up.
- Bet he loves it!
Bet you sit at home all day watching
tennis, don't you Peter? I bloody would!
Oh yeah?
So you're going to send Faye off to work
after the baby's born are you?
No of course not. Sorry,
no offence Peter.
God, you are so lucky Faye.
You're going to be able
to relax, away from work,
meet up with the other
Mums and do baby talk,
then wander round Mothercare, picking
out really cute little outfits.
Faye was just born for
motherhood, weren't you?
My beautiful wife and my great
kid just sitting at home,
waiting for me to come back from work.
I mean, it's the dream, isn't it?
I don't know.
What do you mean?
I don't think that's
what Faye wants.
Of course that's what she wants.
That's what normal people want.
Not everone's oulook on life
- is as skewed as yours Peter.
- Well I mean, it's hoses for courses, isn't it?
- I'm sure whatever works for Peter and June...
- It doesn't work for me
and Peter, it works for Peter.
I think you've had
enough to drink, June.
Oh, well.
Thank you for keeping an
eye on it Peter. You know
for someone so liberal, you do a bloody
good job to telling me what to do.
- Let's go to bed.
- And do what Peter?
I'm thrilled you're
trying for a baby.
At least we know
you're having sex.
Thought she was going to throw
a plate at him at one point.
- Poor Peter.
- What do you mean 'poor Peter'? The man's an idiot.
June's a complete cow.
Peter's a wet fish.
How they ever got together in the
first place, I've got no idea.
They make the worst couple.
They must have started closer
together but grown apart.
Sort of like the opposite
to us then, really.
Jim, I don't ever want
to end up like them.
[Terry] About bloody time!
[Jim] Sorry Terry, sorry.
[Jim] No let me do that.
[Jim] That everything?
For God's sake, pull
yourself together Maggie.
What's wrong Maggie?
Your Dad's what's wrong.
My mother died in that bed.
I wanted to die in it too.
I've told you Maggie, I'm not
spending two thousand pounds
to ship a mouldy old
bed over to Spain.
We're going to get
a nice new one
and then maybe I'll have a decent night's
sleep for the first time in ten years,
and mind that car Jim.
What terminal was
it again Terry?
'One' Jim. Christ,
how many times boy.
You got a blind bend
coming up here too.
Do you think you'll ever come
back to England again Terry?
Tell me what I'd
come back for Jim.
The business runs itself.
I can get the football
on Sky Sports.
Food's better over there,
weather's better over there,
and at least I can speak English
and be understood over there.
Do you know how working
class you sound Terry?
Christ, where we're moving we're
going to have English neighbours.
There's a bloody luxury.
It's certainly going to take
a bit of getting used to.
I mean, I haven't found a single
English hairdresser over there yet.
And I will miss 'Marks'.
At this rate I'll have to come back to
get my hair done and do my shopping.
[Announcement] Your attention please.
This is a security announcement.
Passengers are reminded not to leave
luggage or belongings unattended
as they may be removed or
destroyed without warning
by the security services.
- You'll need this.
- Oh.
I'm going to miss you Dad.
Come on Maggs, let's not
miss the bloddy thing.
[Radio] coming up to 17.35.
And we're talking
again about Seat 25.
And I'm thrilled to announce
we will have Michael Macmillan
himself, joining us here...
[Pandora] I've got to be honest, I
can't believe how selfish Dad's being.
He didn't even ask me how I'd feel
about him taking early retirement.
What am I supposed to do now? He doesn't seem
to care that I don't have anywhere to live.
You both have jobs, you
can afford a mortgage.
I don't work and he hasn't
done anything to help.
How long are you planning
on staying with us Pandora?
We can help you get a job Pan
and then we can look for
somewhere you can rent.
I don't want a job Faye.
I'm not like you,
I can't be tied down.
Well you've got your Yoga retreat
in a few weeks, haven't you?
[Pandora] As if I can
afford to go on that now.
[Radio] If Macmillan wants
to race NASA to Mars,
why doesn't he go himself?
Good question.
And Helen from East
Grinstead tweets:
As long as my taxes don't
end up being spent
retrieving twenty-five
rotting bodies from Mars,
it's all right with me.
[Pandora] I reckon
dying in space
must be like, the
worst way to die.
Even though it only
lasts a minute or so,
can you imagine the agony? You know
your tongue and your eyes freeze
and your blood boils in your veins
and then you turn like, blue?
I don't think that's
very likely Pandora.
[Pandora]It is, isn't it Faye?
I suppose that can happen.
[Pandora] And you swell
up to twice your size
and your lungs burst
like balloons.
Jesus Christ. Sounds like you'd
have to be pretty bloody brave.
[Pandora] No, you have
to be really selfish.
You know most of them are leaving wives and
children behind to go on this ego trip?
- Would you pull over please Jim?
- [Jim] What?
I don't feel well.
Look, there'll be a service
station on the motorway.
Would you pull over, please Jim!
[Macmillan's voice on the radio] Advances
in science, medicine, technology.
These are the thing that will
be firing these brave people.
These explorers may have felt
deep isolation here on Earth.
They may be disillusioned with
the path their lives have taken.
But these are people who
care deeply about humanity.
These people won't be thinking
about what they'll be losing,
but about what
they'll be gaining.
This mission isn't
about running away.
It'll be an opportunity for them
to fall in love with life again.
Faye. Where are you going?
Please Jim, stop following me.
Er, why? What's the matter?
Go away.
Fine.
Jim...
You're pathetic.
I'm leaving you.
No you're not.
I don't know what the hell is wrong with
you at the moment, but I'm sick of it.
- It's not about you.
- You're damn right it's not about me.
I've always been there for you.
I mean, where are your friends?
Where are your family?
I'm all you've got left and
this is how you treat me.
- I'm sorry.
- But that's not good enough.
Things have got to change.
I don't know how to change?
[Door knock]
Hello Faye, my name is Jeanie.
I'm from Macmillan Enterprises.
Can I come in?
Please, sit down Faye.
Well first of all, I'd like
to say congratulations.
You must be thrilled.
I'm a personal representative
of Mike Macmillan.
I'm sorry he couldn't
be here today but
I'm afraid he doesn't like to
leave the Hub much anymore.
Unfortunately the press have managed to get
information about our competition winner and
will at this moment be finding out
that it is you who have won Seat 25.
[Phone rings]
Now, I'm sure you are aware
that the ticket you have recently
won is extremely valuable
and must be treated accordingly.
Do you realise how many people would
want to take that ticket from you Faye?
How much that ticket
could be worth?
Well, if you're happy with that,
I'd like to briefly talk about
the contract, if I may?
At the moment, you have only shown
an interest in our mission to Mars
and are under no obligation
to take things further.
Of course, we are extremely
hopeful that you will join us
and so we are inviting you to a
primary meeting with Mr. Macmillan,
this Friday at the Hub.
All OK?
You may feel alone
at the moment Faye
but you're certainly not.
Do you inderstand?
Goodbye then Faye.
We are all so looking forward
to getting to know you better.
Yes, as we expected.
Not to worry.
If you have any problems
just let us know.
You know where we are.
Godbye then Faye.
[Shouts from reporters]
Morning.
I had the worst night's sleep.
And that room gives
me the creeps.
I'm surprised Jim lets you
put up all that space crap.
Put the kettle on, would you?
Coffee, yes.
[TV plays in the background]
The BBC reckon they know
who's won the Seat 25 thing.
They're about to
announce it apparently.
Oi! I was watching that.
[News anchor] The identity of
the Seat 25 competition winner
has finally been revealed.
We've had our information confirmed
by Macmillan Enterprises
and have just had a
personal announcement...
Er, Faye?
Did you know there's a load of
people standing in the driveway?
What the hell are they doing?
Erm, hello?
What are you doing?
Go away.
They must have the wrong
house or something.
What the...
That woman just took a
photo of me, cheeky cow!
[Shouts from reporters]
What's happening?
What have I done?
You haven't really
won Seat 25 Faye.
I mean, they've oviously
made a mistake.
No. I won it.
What?
Everyone's going to know now.
Jim! Jim's going to find out!
You haven't told Jim?
I meant to.
Bloody hell Faye!
You decide to go to Mars forever
and you forget to
tell your husband?
[Shouting outside]
Oh crap. Jim's back Faye
and he doesn't look very happy.
It looks like he's
arguing with someone.
Oh, Jim's having a fight
with one of them.
OMG! He's just punched
a man in the face!
- Come look Faye! Faye?
- Tell Jim I'm not here.
[Inaudible shouts]
Where is she?
Upstairs.
What the hell is going on Faye?
- Please Jim, let me explain.
- Is it true?
Just tell me, is it true?
- Yes.
- Christ!
- But listen...
- No, you listen.
Do you know how humiliating
this is for me?
Were you trying to
make me look stupid?
No, I was trying to tell you,
- I've been trying to tell you.
- Tell me what?
What, that you fancy flying off to
the other side of the Solar System?
For what? A holiday?
What is going on
- in that stupid little head of yours?
- Stop it.
This is a marriage Faye.
- But I'm not happy.
- Neither am I.
You don't make me happy Faye.
You make no attempt
to make me happy.
- I've tried. It's not that I don't care about you.
- Oh, don't you dare.
Don't you dare try and make out
like this is somehow my fault.
No! No, this is no one's fault,
- this just isn't working anymore.
- Faye!
Faye, come back!
[Jim] I'm sorry!
Can't go in there.
What's happened?
Killed himself, hasn't he?
Teodor?
I don't know his name.
One of my kids saw him through the
window, hanging from a light fitting.
Nasty shock for him.
Mind you, I suppose he sees
worse on his computer games.
How d'you know him?
We work together.
Oh, so he did work then?
Better than most of
them round here.
Wonder what made him do it.
Nasty way to go.
Excuse me.
DC Poole.
Can I have a quick word please?
I saw you up at the door there.
Are you a family member?
Erm, no, we work together.
- He's a friend.
- And you are?
Er, Faye. Faye Banks.
When was the last time
you saw Mr. Popescu?
I saw him two nights ago
but he was meant to
be leaving today.
- Leaving?
- He was going to see his family.
- Family?
- Yes.
Look, I'm sorry to
have to tell you this,
but Mr. Popescu died in the early
hours of yesterday morning.
It doesn't make any sense.
Do you get the impression he
was unhappy about anything?
I don't know.
He said he was going home.
You mentioned you were work
colleagues, is that right?
Yes, we worked together
for the council
but he, he left quite recently.
I see. And Mr. Popescu told you
- he was going to visit his family, is that right?
- Yes.
Right. Only,
Mr. Popescu didn't
have any family.
[Sound of a twig snapping]
[Teacher] So what was so
remarkable about Helen Sharman?
Not only was she the
first Briton in space,
she was also a woman.
How many of you girls will
leave such an impression?
[Party music]
He's completely
wrong for you Faye.
I don't know what
you want me to say.
I know it's not in
science, but it's a job.
We need the money.
Faye, where have you been?
Are you leaving?
Yes.
I never for a moment
thought they'd choose me,
but now they have, I have to go.
I'm so sorry.
Remember when we first met?
Yes.
It was at that traffic light party when
David and Susie started going out.
No it wasn't.
No, it was Diane's party when she
had the giant chocolate horse.
I went with my mate Phil, because
he was trying to pull Diane.
I'd totally forgotten
about that.
You were so quiet
and shy back then.
She must have said something
that really pissed you off,
because you snapped
the horses head off.
Phil always blamed you for
never getting with Diane.
Don't go.
I do love you Jim.
[Sound of a door opening]
- Hi Peter.
- Faye.
Is it true? Are you
going to Mars?
Yeah.
Bugger me.
So when are you going?
Pretty soon. For the training.
We'll miss you.
I'll miss you too. And Flossie.
Are you sure you've
thought this through?
Barely.
I just know I have to go.
How did Jim take it?
It's difficult. But he's...
You don't have to go all the way
to Mars to run away from him.
What?
You're giving up on everything.
Life could still be
good for you here.
I've made up my mind Peter.
Right, OK.
Well I guess this is goodbye.
Oh. Yeah.
Keep in touch.
Yeah. Of course.
Do you know, since
yesterday I've had, like,
900 new followers on twitter?
Oh, Maggie called last night.
She said Dad's really
disappointed in you.
Don't worry, I'll call them.
[Narrator] Faye's
journey to work,
affords her an average of
seventeen minutes, twice a day,
which she fills wondering at
the life of total strangers.
What are their hopes?
What are their fears?
Are they happy?
With Faye's life now stretching
so far ahead of her,
the empty faces
staring back at her
made her feel as though she was looking
at our world from a great distance.
Her former colleagues now
serving only to remind her,
of the total insignificance
of everything.
That, no matter what,
the Earth will keep turning.
This is the story of
an ordinary woman.
But like all ordinary people,
she is capable of doing
something extraordinary.
This is Faye.
Or, Faye Banks.
This is her life.
Or at least,
her life so far.
Hello brave girl.
Thank you. It's nice to
meet you Mr. Macmillan.
No, the pleasure's all mine.
[Capcom] T minus 2
minutes to launch.
[Commander] Initiative One is on internal
power. Setting SCE to auxilliary.
[Flight control]
Roger that flight.
Faye, you are extraordinary.
Your application
moved me incredibly.
You remind me of me,
when I was a boy,
looking out at Mars,
totally convinced that one day
we would be standing
on it's surface.
I am so proud
to meet you Faye.
You are prepared to face the
adventure, despite the risks,
and I'm more than a little touched that
you're putting your trust in me.
But how are you feeling?
I don't know.
Nauseous?
Guilty.
I can't pretend to understand how
difficult this must be for you.
If I'm honest,
I can't see why you chose me.
I'm not sure what
I have to offer.
You say that I'm brave
and extraordinary.
- But I don't feel any of that.
- And yet, here you are.
In spite of every obstacle.
Can you imagine how many people
would have buckled by now?
I can.
The journey is nothing, Faye.
It is always the first
step which is the hardest.
[Flight] Fourteen,
thirteen, twelve,
eleven, ten, nine,
eight, seven, six,
main engine start,
three, two, one,
lift off, we have lift off.
[Commander] Approaching 2 Gs.
2.5.
Roger, throttling up.
3 Gs.
Three and a half.
4 Gs.
[Commander] This is the
final transmission
from the interplanetary craft,
Initiative One,
approaching the horizon
of the Martian
electormagnetic anomaly.
We leave the Earth behind
with hope for it's future.
As we pass into silence,
we take with us
the voice of humanity.
To our families and loved ones,
we send our eternal... [Static]
[Commander]
This is Initiative One.
Signing...[Static]
we were all very
excited about Mars.
Scientists had
proved the existence
of liquid water on its surface.
A year later,
we were all even more
excited by the news
that the Martian
atmosphere was warming.
Everybody was
talking about Mars.
And then, nothing.
The rapidly strengthening
magnetic fields
created a dead zone.
There were no signals
from our satellites,
no transmissions
from our rovers.
Nothing.
So...
in twelve month's time,
Macmillan Enterprises
will be launching
'Initiative One'.
Twenty-five, incredible pioneers
will journey to
humanity's new frontier.
Twelve women.
Twelve men.
And here's the interesting bit.
'Seat 25',
the one-way ticket to a
new life, on a new world.
One of you wonderful people
will be the winner of 'Seat 25'.
If you think you
deserve this chance,
then contact me,
let me know why.
And to all of you who
choose to apply,
I say...
the very best of luck.
This is Faye,
or, Faye Banks.
This is her life,
or at least, her life so far.
Faye remembers, she didn't
always feel like this,
but what 'this' is and
how she used to feel,
she isn't quite sure anymore.
This is Jim, Faye's husband.
Jim tries very hard,
carefully planning the route
his life is going to take,
comfortable with the truth that
hard work will be rewarded.
Jim wasn't always like this,
he used to be very different.
Faye and Jim moved into
this house three years ago,
but until quite recently,
she didn't notice
how the magnolia walls,
meet their cream curtains,
against their pale rug,
in what is now thier beige life.
And every morning, while waiting
for her coffee to brew,
dreaming of Terracotta Red,
Azure Blue and Emerald Green,
Faye finds herself drawn into the colourful
world created by next door neighbour, Peter,
and his little
daughter, Flossie.
The small child seemed to Faye,
a supernova of blazing colours
and Peter was the star at
the centre of her universe.
Peter and Flossie spend their mornings
exploring the Amazon Rainforest,
lunchtimes picnicking on
the Galapagos Islands,
and afteroons deep sea diving
on the Great Barrier Reef.
Having given up smoking
some time ago,
Peter is finding it increasingly difficult
to hide his habit from his wife.
I cannot believe you!
Peter, you absolute scumbag!
June is the manager of the
local leisure centre
and since employing
Adrian six months ago,
has found an increasing
number of problems,
for which she needs Adrian's
personal assistance.
As her eyes trace the
shape of his body,
she experiences the feelings
of lust and desire,
that have been missing
from her life for so long.
Every morning, at eleven
minutes past eight,
Faye passes her work
colleague, Teodor Popescu.
Having politely refused
a lift to work,
Faye and Teodor are now left with, what
seems like, their only remaining option,
a slightly awkward wave hello.
As he stands, willing
his bus never to arrive
and his day never to begin,
his thoughts inevitably fall to the
utter pointlessness of it all.
Faye's journey to work
affords her an average of seventeen
minutes, twice a day, which she fills
wondering at the life
of total strangers.
[Car horn]
At around the same
time, every day,
Faye's father Terry, and
his new wife Maggie,
take coffee and the
newspapers on their patio.
Having spent years, striving to
bring a taste of the Mediterranean
to the South East of England,
Terry and Maggie have
taken early retirement,
to start a new life
on the Costa del Sol.
Faye's sister, Pandora,
recently returned from Kenya,
where she might have been found
feeding starving children,
or building and orphanage.
Adventurer, explorer and
eternal backpacker,
Pandora is back home and
enjoying a well earned rest.
Faye works in the Human Resources
Department at the local council.
She was recently promoted,
and is now in charge of
Performance Assessment
and Efficiency Layoffs.
So, I'm taking a big
punt on you here.
It's more money,
more responibility.
Are you in?
Yes, OK. Fine.
As I'm sure you're aware, we're
under increasing pressure
to find savings
within the council.
By streamlining the department, we
plan to build on your hard work.
[Loud sobbing]
We want you to see
this as an opportunity
rather than a setback.
[Inaudible expletive]
Although Faye has come
to terms with the fact
she has little in common
with her colleagues,
she still finds herself waiting
that extra five minutes,
in order to avoid the
morning coffee rush.
As Faye took in the solitary
figure of her colleague, Teodor,
it occurred to her, she might
not be entirely alone.
It is well known amongst
the office clique,
that Teodor Popescu
is a pervert.
Since daring to try and dance with Sonia
at the Christmas party last year,
his fate within this tight-knit
pack of employees has been decided.
What isn't well known,
is that for the past year, Riley has taken
secret shots of his female colleagues
and posted them anonymously
online, under the pseudonym,
Stalker Steve.
Having never been invited to
eat lunch with her colleagues,
Faye eats on the same
park bench every day.
Looking down at her application,
a familiar feeling came
bubbling up through her chest.
A feeling she'd tried to
ignore for some time now.
A feeling that, really,
there ought to be
more than this.
This is the life Faye
has weaved for herself.
One tiny web, lost amongst
billions of other tiny webs,
all covering a vast planet.
And most of the time it's the
biggest spider who catches the fly.
But every now and then,
fate gives a chance
to one, lucky soul.
[Phone rings]
- Faye Banks?
- Yes?
It's Mike Macmillan here.
I'm just calling to
say congratulations.
How are you feeling?
- Erm.
- Pretty overwhelmed, I'm sure.
Well listen, don't worry about anything.
Just let it all sink in
and someone will be over to
see you in the next few days.
You did it Faye.
I'll see you soon.
[Disconnect tone]
Faye, you're going to be late.
Right, I'll see you later, OK?
Photocopier's broken so we have
to use the one in Block B.
Just so you know, Sonia's putting
in a formal complaint about
old Teodor Popescu and the
Christmas party incident.
Lucy and Pauline have both had
enough of his attitude as well
so we're putting our foot down.
Got a meeting with Anderson this
afternoon if you want to pop in?
What are you doing
standing there?
You're not ready yet.
You know we're going round to
your parent's to help them pack.
Jim.
I've got something to tell you.
Oh bloody hell Faye.
[Radio] That was 'De I.
Rose' with Lay me Down.
Now, with the winner of Seat 25
due to be announced any day now,
today's phone in is.
'Oceans on Mars: Science
Fiction or Science Fact'.
Well the scientists have been
divided... [Radio switched off]
You OK Faye?
Yeah, just work stuff.
Had some layoffs today.
It's not just that
though, is it?
I know what you're thinking
and I don't want you
to worry about it.
I think we should start
trying for a baby.
I wish you'd talk to
me about these things.
I've been thinking
about it for a while.
It's the next logical step.
It's what we've been missing.
You feeling better now?
Mmm.
- You OK?
- Yeah.
- Are you sure?
- Yes -OK.
So, I'd say I've probably
seen half the world by now,
but I think it's my
emotional centre
that's really grown
on this last trip.
I mean, actually being
able to reach out
and touch a starving person.
You can't get that kind of perspective
unless you've really lived.
Well, we'd love to see the
pictures, wouldn't we Jim?
I've got, like, hundreds on
my Mac. I'll show you later.
[Terry] Maggie! Tell them to
be careful with those boxes!
I mean, I wasn't actually
going to take a camera.
I hate the idea of living
life through a lens, but...
Would you mind being a bit
more careful with these boxes?
They are full of very
expensive things.
Sorry.
Has Pandora been telling you
all about her trip to Africa?
Isn't she wonderful.
I did worry about her
catching 'Embola' though.
[Jim] You wouldn't catch
me sleeping in a mud hut.
That's why you're
perfect for Faye.
[Phone] Fenton!
Jesus Christ! Fenton!
[Phone] Fenton!
So, er, who was Fenton?
Oh Dad, you're such an idiot.
[Maggie] Oooh! Oh, Jim!
Terry, listen to this! Oh!
Oh! You're going to have a baby?
- Yep.
- Terry, they're finally going to try for a baby.
Well done my son.
- About time.
- Thank you, thank you.
Thanks Faye.
Wait for your Dad to emigrate,
then you finally decide
to give him a grandchild.
We're going to be grandparents!
She's not even pregnant.
[Maggie] Let's have a drink.
Faye, put on a pot.
A pot? I want to celebrate.
Look in that box Pan.
Give us your mugs,
glasses are packed.
Bloody hell Pan, not that one.
And none for Faye,
she's trying for a baby.
[TV] The search for the
winner of Seat 25 is over.
Macmillan Enterprises confirmed
today that the applicant,
chosen from over 700,000
hopefuls, has been informed,
although their identity is being
kept private for the time being.
With limited information on the
state of the developing atmosphere,
nobody knows if the explorers will
be faced with lakes and seas,
or barren desert.
As I'm sure you are aware,
we are under increasing pressure
to find savings
within the council.
This department has been under
review for the last few months
looking to increase our
efficiency within...
I'm so sorry Teodor.
There have been complaints
made by certain people here.
There was a meeting.
I know.
You could dispute this.
I could help you.
Why would I do that?
I know what people
here think of me.
I've had a stable
job for ten years.
I'm lucky.
I'm sorry Teodor, but you've
got till the end of the day.
Are you going to be OK?
Of course.
Are you worried about anything?
No.
Thank you for the lift.
- Bye.
- Bye.
[Jim] Faye, Chinese is here.
Coming.
[TV] Previously on
'In Cold Blood'...
Good timing Mr Chinaman.
How was your Dad?
Hey, what's wrong?
I just can't stand it, I'm
not going home anymore.
What's happened? Is
it your Dad again?
Ever since Mum died, it's like
he can't look at me anymore.
It's like I don't have
a family anymore.
But I'm your family.
We're two halves of
the same person.
You cheesy...
[Laughter]
[Anderson] Hands off my ladies.
[Workman] I would ruin that.
[Crash of bottles]
Hello?
Hello.
Are you OK?
Yeah.
I'm Peter.
Hi. I - I'm Faye.
What are you doing?
I'm looking at Mars.
You can see it from here?
I've got a telescope.
Oh! How does it look?
Mars?
Yeah. Don't say it's red.
It's... It's beautiful.
It's small.
But it's the only planet
in our solar system
who's surface features you can
really see through a telescope.
It's pretty blurry
most of the time but
if you wait long enough,
the thermal currents in our
Earth's atmosphere clear
for just a few seconds
and it's breathtaking.
You can see shadows
and the black canals.
You used to be able to
see the polar caps
but they've gone of course.
Wow.
I've never heard anyone
describe it like that before.
Sometimes I like to
think I can make out
clouds and weather systems.
But no one's sure of that yet.
It's amazing.
A hundred years ago, astronomers
were looking up at the canals,
convinced that intelligent
life was living there.
And here we are now,
looking up at that same planet,
convinced that at any time now,
it will be us living there.
[Alarm]
By the way, I've invited June and
Peter round for dinner tonight.
June and Peter?
Yeah, from next door.
Is that alright?
Erm. OK. Why?
Well I though it
might be nice Faye.
They've been living there nearly three
months and we hardly know them, OK?
OK.
You doing your chicken thing?
Of course.
Hey, you know that
it's nearly 7.45?
I'll see you this evening.
[Phone] So please leave
your message after the tone.
Hello Mr. Anderson, it's
Faye Banks here. Erm...
I'm really sorry but I'm not
really feeling myself today,
and I'm not going to be
able to make it in to work.
Sorry. Bye.
[Child laughing]
Oh! Hello.
I found this.
Thought your daughter
might like it.
Look Flossie.
This is for you.
Thanks Faye. This
is a nice surprise.
Thanks for inviting
us over tonight.
That's OK. It'll be nice.
Are you not working today?
I should be really.
Maybe keep it hush hush tonight.
Yeah sure.
So what are you up to for
the rest of the day?
Nothing at all actually.
Well it looks like me and
Flossie are going into space.
Sounds great.
If you're not doing anything you're
more than welcome to join us.
Flossie would love that.
Yeah, OK.
I'll come round.
Roar!
Are you a space dinosaur?
Are you on the moon?
- Is that better?
- Yes.
Atishoo, atishoo,
we all fall down!
What would you do if you had
the chance to go to Mars?
You mean if I won Seat 25?
Yeah.
Well, there'd be a lot to lose.
So you wouldn't go?
I'm glad I'm not in the position
to have to make that choice.
[Classical music plays]
Teodor?
Faye.
I'm sorry, you're
front door was open.
I hope you don't
mind me being here?
I'll shut the door.
I'm pleased to see you Faye.
Please, sit down, sit down.
Let me turn the music down.
Would you like a drink?
Thank you.
I hope you don't mind
me coming to see you?
I've been thinking about you.
Passed your flat a few times,
wondering how you are.
That's very kind of you.
I didn't know you
played the cello.
Oh, I don't really.
I try. It was left to me.
Who's the woman in
the photographs?
That's er, that's Marion,
my wife.
She died some time ago.
I'm so sorry.
In our home country
she was a professional cellist.
I persuaded her to come to
England, to follow her dream.
In the end that was a mistake,
she never found success here.
Did you ever think
about returning home?
Life has a way of trapping you.
Before we knew it
ten years had passed.
After so much time
it's difficult to change.
You must miss her.
In some ways I'm pleased
she's not here to see me now.
To see what's become of me.
Oh Teodor, I felt so terrible
about letting you go.
Not at all,
it was probably what I needed.
Are you going somewhere, Teodor?
Yes, I thought I would.
Will you be seeing your family?
I think so.
How long will you be gone?
I have no idea.
I may never come back.
What about all your possessions?
I have no interest in any
of this stuff anymore.
But, your wife's cello,
your photographs.
That instrument is not my wife.
I don't see her
when I look at it.
And when I try to play it,
I'm not holding her.
But when I hear music,
I can hear her.
I'm thinking of going away too.
I thought you would eventually.
Somewhere nice I hope?
I hope so.
I used to be just like you.
I thought I had all the
time in the world.
Then one day, I caught
myself in the mirror
and I actually heard my
biological clock ticking,
it was awful.
But no one wants to be
an old Mum, do they?
So I made a swift decision
and got pregnant.
You told them then?
No. Oh, what's this?
- It's nothing.
- We're trying for a baby.
Really?
- Yep.
- I'd never have guessed.
Are you Faye?
Oh goody, we can start
sharing horror stories then.
Did I ever tell you about my
agonising 72 hour
birthing nightmare?
- Posted it all on Facebook.
- You didn't?
People loved it. And the film.
You should do the same Faye.
Faye doesn't do Facebook.
Peter's the same. I
think it's so weird.
Still, most women are only
on Facebook so they can
- spy on their husbands.
- Well, I'll take that as a compliment then.
Why are you on there then?
Why indeed! I certainly
don't need to spy on Peter.
He does jack all but
sit in the garden all day.
Some people spend
all day working.
Some people, who have a boring job,
- need a bit of Facebook to break the day up.
- Bet he loves it!
Bet you sit at home all day watching
tennis, don't you Peter? I bloody would!
Oh yeah?
So you're going to send Faye off to work
after the baby's born are you?
No of course not. Sorry,
no offence Peter.
God, you are so lucky Faye.
You're going to be able
to relax, away from work,
meet up with the other
Mums and do baby talk,
then wander round Mothercare, picking
out really cute little outfits.
Faye was just born for
motherhood, weren't you?
My beautiful wife and my great
kid just sitting at home,
waiting for me to come back from work.
I mean, it's the dream, isn't it?
I don't know.
What do you mean?
I don't think that's
what Faye wants.
Of course that's what she wants.
That's what normal people want.
Not everone's oulook on life
- is as skewed as yours Peter.
- Well I mean, it's hoses for courses, isn't it?
- I'm sure whatever works for Peter and June...
- It doesn't work for me
and Peter, it works for Peter.
I think you've had
enough to drink, June.
Oh, well.
Thank you for keeping an
eye on it Peter. You know
for someone so liberal, you do a bloody
good job to telling me what to do.
- Let's go to bed.
- And do what Peter?
I'm thrilled you're
trying for a baby.
At least we know
you're having sex.
Thought she was going to throw
a plate at him at one point.
- Poor Peter.
- What do you mean 'poor Peter'? The man's an idiot.
June's a complete cow.
Peter's a wet fish.
How they ever got together in the
first place, I've got no idea.
They make the worst couple.
They must have started closer
together but grown apart.
Sort of like the opposite
to us then, really.
Jim, I don't ever want
to end up like them.
[Terry] About bloody time!
[Jim] Sorry Terry, sorry.
[Jim] No let me do that.
[Jim] That everything?
For God's sake, pull
yourself together Maggie.
What's wrong Maggie?
Your Dad's what's wrong.
My mother died in that bed.
I wanted to die in it too.
I've told you Maggie, I'm not
spending two thousand pounds
to ship a mouldy old
bed over to Spain.
We're going to get
a nice new one
and then maybe I'll have a decent night's
sleep for the first time in ten years,
and mind that car Jim.
What terminal was
it again Terry?
'One' Jim. Christ,
how many times boy.
You got a blind bend
coming up here too.
Do you think you'll ever come
back to England again Terry?
Tell me what I'd
come back for Jim.
The business runs itself.
I can get the football
on Sky Sports.
Food's better over there,
weather's better over there,
and at least I can speak English
and be understood over there.
Do you know how working
class you sound Terry?
Christ, where we're moving we're
going to have English neighbours.
There's a bloody luxury.
It's certainly going to take
a bit of getting used to.
I mean, I haven't found a single
English hairdresser over there yet.
And I will miss 'Marks'.
At this rate I'll have to come back to
get my hair done and do my shopping.
[Announcement] Your attention please.
This is a security announcement.
Passengers are reminded not to leave
luggage or belongings unattended
as they may be removed or
destroyed without warning
by the security services.
- You'll need this.
- Oh.
I'm going to miss you Dad.
Come on Maggs, let's not
miss the bloddy thing.
[Radio] coming up to 17.35.
And we're talking
again about Seat 25.
And I'm thrilled to announce
we will have Michael Macmillan
himself, joining us here...
[Pandora] I've got to be honest, I
can't believe how selfish Dad's being.
He didn't even ask me how I'd feel
about him taking early retirement.
What am I supposed to do now? He doesn't seem
to care that I don't have anywhere to live.
You both have jobs, you
can afford a mortgage.
I don't work and he hasn't
done anything to help.
How long are you planning
on staying with us Pandora?
We can help you get a job Pan
and then we can look for
somewhere you can rent.
I don't want a job Faye.
I'm not like you,
I can't be tied down.
Well you've got your Yoga retreat
in a few weeks, haven't you?
[Pandora] As if I can
afford to go on that now.
[Radio] If Macmillan wants
to race NASA to Mars,
why doesn't he go himself?
Good question.
And Helen from East
Grinstead tweets:
As long as my taxes don't
end up being spent
retrieving twenty-five
rotting bodies from Mars,
it's all right with me.
[Pandora] I reckon
dying in space
must be like, the
worst way to die.
Even though it only
lasts a minute or so,
can you imagine the agony? You know
your tongue and your eyes freeze
and your blood boils in your veins
and then you turn like, blue?
I don't think that's
very likely Pandora.
[Pandora]It is, isn't it Faye?
I suppose that can happen.
[Pandora] And you swell
up to twice your size
and your lungs burst
like balloons.
Jesus Christ. Sounds like you'd
have to be pretty bloody brave.
[Pandora] No, you have
to be really selfish.
You know most of them are leaving wives and
children behind to go on this ego trip?
- Would you pull over please Jim?
- [Jim] What?
I don't feel well.
Look, there'll be a service
station on the motorway.
Would you pull over, please Jim!
[Macmillan's voice on the radio] Advances
in science, medicine, technology.
These are the thing that will
be firing these brave people.
These explorers may have felt
deep isolation here on Earth.
They may be disillusioned with
the path their lives have taken.
But these are people who
care deeply about humanity.
These people won't be thinking
about what they'll be losing,
but about what
they'll be gaining.
This mission isn't
about running away.
It'll be an opportunity for them
to fall in love with life again.
Faye. Where are you going?
Please Jim, stop following me.
Er, why? What's the matter?
Go away.
Fine.
Jim...
You're pathetic.
I'm leaving you.
No you're not.
I don't know what the hell is wrong with
you at the moment, but I'm sick of it.
- It's not about you.
- You're damn right it's not about me.
I've always been there for you.
I mean, where are your friends?
Where are your family?
I'm all you've got left and
this is how you treat me.
- I'm sorry.
- But that's not good enough.
Things have got to change.
I don't know how to change?
[Door knock]
Hello Faye, my name is Jeanie.
I'm from Macmillan Enterprises.
Can I come in?
Please, sit down Faye.
Well first of all, I'd like
to say congratulations.
You must be thrilled.
I'm a personal representative
of Mike Macmillan.
I'm sorry he couldn't
be here today but
I'm afraid he doesn't like to
leave the Hub much anymore.
Unfortunately the press have managed to get
information about our competition winner and
will at this moment be finding out
that it is you who have won Seat 25.
[Phone rings]
Now, I'm sure you are aware
that the ticket you have recently
won is extremely valuable
and must be treated accordingly.
Do you realise how many people would
want to take that ticket from you Faye?
How much that ticket
could be worth?
Well, if you're happy with that,
I'd like to briefly talk about
the contract, if I may?
At the moment, you have only shown
an interest in our mission to Mars
and are under no obligation
to take things further.
Of course, we are extremely
hopeful that you will join us
and so we are inviting you to a
primary meeting with Mr. Macmillan,
this Friday at the Hub.
All OK?
You may feel alone
at the moment Faye
but you're certainly not.
Do you inderstand?
Goodbye then Faye.
We are all so looking forward
to getting to know you better.
Yes, as we expected.
Not to worry.
If you have any problems
just let us know.
You know where we are.
Godbye then Faye.
[Shouts from reporters]
Morning.
I had the worst night's sleep.
And that room gives
me the creeps.
I'm surprised Jim lets you
put up all that space crap.
Put the kettle on, would you?
Coffee, yes.
[TV plays in the background]
The BBC reckon they know
who's won the Seat 25 thing.
They're about to
announce it apparently.
Oi! I was watching that.
[News anchor] The identity of
the Seat 25 competition winner
has finally been revealed.
We've had our information confirmed
by Macmillan Enterprises
and have just had a
personal announcement...
Er, Faye?
Did you know there's a load of
people standing in the driveway?
What the hell are they doing?
Erm, hello?
What are you doing?
Go away.
They must have the wrong
house or something.
What the...
That woman just took a
photo of me, cheeky cow!
[Shouts from reporters]
What's happening?
What have I done?
You haven't really
won Seat 25 Faye.
I mean, they've oviously
made a mistake.
No. I won it.
What?
Everyone's going to know now.
Jim! Jim's going to find out!
You haven't told Jim?
I meant to.
Bloody hell Faye!
You decide to go to Mars forever
and you forget to
tell your husband?
[Shouting outside]
Oh crap. Jim's back Faye
and he doesn't look very happy.
It looks like he's
arguing with someone.
Oh, Jim's having a fight
with one of them.
OMG! He's just punched
a man in the face!
- Come look Faye! Faye?
- Tell Jim I'm not here.
[Inaudible shouts]
Where is she?
Upstairs.
What the hell is going on Faye?
- Please Jim, let me explain.
- Is it true?
Just tell me, is it true?
- Yes.
- Christ!
- But listen...
- No, you listen.
Do you know how humiliating
this is for me?
Were you trying to
make me look stupid?
No, I was trying to tell you,
- I've been trying to tell you.
- Tell me what?
What, that you fancy flying off to
the other side of the Solar System?
For what? A holiday?
What is going on
- in that stupid little head of yours?
- Stop it.
This is a marriage Faye.
- But I'm not happy.
- Neither am I.
You don't make me happy Faye.
You make no attempt
to make me happy.
- I've tried. It's not that I don't care about you.
- Oh, don't you dare.
Don't you dare try and make out
like this is somehow my fault.
No! No, this is no one's fault,
- this just isn't working anymore.
- Faye!
Faye, come back!
[Jim] I'm sorry!
Can't go in there.
What's happened?
Killed himself, hasn't he?
Teodor?
I don't know his name.
One of my kids saw him through the
window, hanging from a light fitting.
Nasty shock for him.
Mind you, I suppose he sees
worse on his computer games.
How d'you know him?
We work together.
Oh, so he did work then?
Better than most of
them round here.
Wonder what made him do it.
Nasty way to go.
Excuse me.
DC Poole.
Can I have a quick word please?
I saw you up at the door there.
Are you a family member?
Erm, no, we work together.
- He's a friend.
- And you are?
Er, Faye. Faye Banks.
When was the last time
you saw Mr. Popescu?
I saw him two nights ago
but he was meant to
be leaving today.
- Leaving?
- He was going to see his family.
- Family?
- Yes.
Look, I'm sorry to
have to tell you this,
but Mr. Popescu died in the early
hours of yesterday morning.
It doesn't make any sense.
Do you get the impression he
was unhappy about anything?
I don't know.
He said he was going home.
You mentioned you were work
colleagues, is that right?
Yes, we worked together
for the council
but he, he left quite recently.
I see. And Mr. Popescu told you
- he was going to visit his family, is that right?
- Yes.
Right. Only,
Mr. Popescu didn't
have any family.
[Sound of a twig snapping]
[Teacher] So what was so
remarkable about Helen Sharman?
Not only was she the
first Briton in space,
she was also a woman.
How many of you girls will
leave such an impression?
[Party music]
He's completely
wrong for you Faye.
I don't know what
you want me to say.
I know it's not in
science, but it's a job.
We need the money.
Faye, where have you been?
Are you leaving?
Yes.
I never for a moment
thought they'd choose me,
but now they have, I have to go.
I'm so sorry.
Remember when we first met?
Yes.
It was at that traffic light party when
David and Susie started going out.
No it wasn't.
No, it was Diane's party when she
had the giant chocolate horse.
I went with my mate Phil, because
he was trying to pull Diane.
I'd totally forgotten
about that.
You were so quiet
and shy back then.
She must have said something
that really pissed you off,
because you snapped
the horses head off.
Phil always blamed you for
never getting with Diane.
Don't go.
I do love you Jim.
[Sound of a door opening]
- Hi Peter.
- Faye.
Is it true? Are you
going to Mars?
Yeah.
Bugger me.
So when are you going?
Pretty soon. For the training.
We'll miss you.
I'll miss you too. And Flossie.
Are you sure you've
thought this through?
Barely.
I just know I have to go.
How did Jim take it?
It's difficult. But he's...
You don't have to go all the way
to Mars to run away from him.
What?
You're giving up on everything.
Life could still be
good for you here.
I've made up my mind Peter.
Right, OK.
Well I guess this is goodbye.
Oh. Yeah.
Keep in touch.
Yeah. Of course.
Do you know, since
yesterday I've had, like,
900 new followers on twitter?
Oh, Maggie called last night.
She said Dad's really
disappointed in you.
Don't worry, I'll call them.
[Narrator] Faye's
journey to work,
affords her an average of
seventeen minutes, twice a day,
which she fills wondering at
the life of total strangers.
What are their hopes?
What are their fears?
Are they happy?
With Faye's life now stretching
so far ahead of her,
the empty faces
staring back at her
made her feel as though she was looking
at our world from a great distance.
Her former colleagues now
serving only to remind her,
of the total insignificance
of everything.
That, no matter what,
the Earth will keep turning.
This is the story of
an ordinary woman.
But like all ordinary people,
she is capable of doing
something extraordinary.
This is Faye.
Or, Faye Banks.
This is her life.
Or at least,
her life so far.
Hello brave girl.
Thank you. It's nice to
meet you Mr. Macmillan.
No, the pleasure's all mine.
[Capcom] T minus 2
minutes to launch.
[Commander] Initiative One is on internal
power. Setting SCE to auxilliary.
[Flight control]
Roger that flight.
Faye, you are extraordinary.
Your application
moved me incredibly.
You remind me of me,
when I was a boy,
looking out at Mars,
totally convinced that one day
we would be standing
on it's surface.
I am so proud
to meet you Faye.
You are prepared to face the
adventure, despite the risks,
and I'm more than a little touched that
you're putting your trust in me.
But how are you feeling?
I don't know.
Nauseous?
Guilty.
I can't pretend to understand how
difficult this must be for you.
If I'm honest,
I can't see why you chose me.
I'm not sure what
I have to offer.
You say that I'm brave
and extraordinary.
- But I don't feel any of that.
- And yet, here you are.
In spite of every obstacle.
Can you imagine how many people
would have buckled by now?
I can.
The journey is nothing, Faye.
It is always the first
step which is the hardest.
[Flight] Fourteen,
thirteen, twelve,
eleven, ten, nine,
eight, seven, six,
main engine start,
three, two, one,
lift off, we have lift off.
[Commander] Approaching 2 Gs.
2.5.
Roger, throttling up.
3 Gs.
Three and a half.
4 Gs.
[Commander] This is the
final transmission
from the interplanetary craft,
Initiative One,
approaching the horizon
of the Martian
electormagnetic anomaly.
We leave the Earth behind
with hope for it's future.
As we pass into silence,
we take with us
the voice of humanity.
To our families and loved ones,
we send our eternal... [Static]
[Commander]
This is Initiative One.
Signing...[Static]