Born Equal (2006) - full transcript
London banker Mark has just made a fortune in a financial deal. Feeling stifled by his pregnant wife's material expectations and guilty after facing some abused homeless, he becomes a shelter benefactor. Trying his hand as volunteer, he takes a personal interest in runaway teenager Zoe, whose expectations prove even worse. Also in the shelter is recently released violent repeat-offender Robert. He takes a romantic interest in runway pregnant Michelle and her preteen daughter Danielle, while looking for his mother Margaret, who forbade him to see his beloved late dad. Mark's noble intentions lead to unexpected dramas.
What's your date of birth,
Robert?
14, 4, 61.
HOSTEL MANAGER:
Here is the lounge.
You can, uh,
you can smoke in it.
All right, so.
-Hi.
-Hi, Lucy.
Did you get that
tub fixed?
LUCY: Oh, yeah,
I did, thanks.
Thought it was all guys
that was living here?
No, we got, uh,
young single girls
been out in the streets.
We got, uh, women with kids
from broke homes.
We got
all kinds of stuff.
This is your kingdom, man.
Pretty simple. Pretty Spartan.
-All right, man.
-All right, Josh.
-I'll leave you to it.
-Thanks, cheers.
(DOOR CLOSES)
So what's the, um,
what is it per shot then?
What's the...
The cost per shot.
It's 4, 4, 425.
425 pounds a shot?
-It's about 100 pounds...
-Got any beer?
No, we're...
We're celebrating.
-We'll hold our nerve.
-Yeah, yeah.
Let's have a couple
of those, please.
Thank you very much.
100, 200, 300.
450.
Well, here's
to the bonus.
We fucked 'em.
We did, we...
We fucked 'em.
Oh, should fuck 'em
more often.
Yeah, that's good.
So what are you gonna
spend your mil on?
(CLEARING THROAT) Well...
Baby, I should imagine,
the, uh...
-Ahh.
-The baby fund.
-When's she due?
-A couple of weeks.
-It's a bit alarming.
-Yeah, I'll say.
Life as I know it,
you know, apparently.
Hello, mate,
can we get to Belsize Park?
Yeah, of course,
you can.
You know what, I'm,
um, I'll see you tomorrow.
-What?
-I'm just gonna... I'm gonna
walk for a minute,
then I'll get the tube.
-You're doing what?
-Don't worry about it.
-Getting the tube?
-Yeah, don't worry about it.
I'm just get...
I'll see you tomorrow.
-All right.
-Yeah.
Spare some change, please?
-Uh, sorry.
-Thank you, have a lovely day.
Wanker.
What was that?
Have a nice day,
wanker.
Thanks, mate.
I'm on my way home here.
What's that... No,
don't fuck...
Where you going?
Home? Where do you live?
I'm going to have
a nice day, all right?
-Maybe you got
a bit of spare...
-Fuck off.
...change in the fucking
side board parcel, then.
Twat.
Hi, Charlie,
it's Michelle again, um...
It's been...
It's been about
an hour now.
I don't know...
I don't know where you are.
I'm sure I told you
the train time, so...
If you can't come and meet me,
could you please...
Come on, please,
I'm just standing here
waiting with Dani,
and...
And I don't
know what to do.
Please, please,
for God's sake.
Okay.
What brings you to this
house of happiness then, mate?
I'm looking
for somebody.
Looking for someone,
yeah?
-Who?
-Just an old pal, yeah?
Right.
You just out
the nick?
Something like that.
You are though,
ain't you?
Aye.
We bought you a present,
the baby and I.
Oh.
Fucking hell.
Supposed to go
for walks together.
You don't look
very pleased.
No, it's... (CLEARING THROAT)
What I've always wanted.
This came to the door,
what do you think?
Looks very nice.
LAURA: I thought we could go
and look at it together.
(CLEARING THROAT)
You've seen
where this is?
Yes, why?
This is Holland Park,
five bedrooms.
What, we can afford it.
You've just been given
a massive bonus.
You haven't asked
the price, have you?
I'm gonna talk to them
tomorrow.
LAURA: It's only an idea.
Do you feel cramped
in here, do you?
LAURA: No.
See you out there.
Can you have a shower?
You stink of smoke.
(KEYS JANGLING)
Sweetie,
hop in there.
-Good morning.
-Good morning.
-How are you?
-I'm good, how are you doing?
Really well, you guys, say
good morning to Itshe, please?
-Good morning.
-KIDS: Good morning, Itshe.
Ahh...
(CHUCKLING)
-We're running late, as usual.
-Oh, gosh.
Um, there's a guy
coming at about 11:00
with a marble polisher just
to do the entryway.
Would you just
let him in for me?
-Of course, of course.
-I'll see you later.
-Have a good day.
-All right, you too.
Bye-bye.
I just need to know about
your housing history.
How'd you come
to be here and...
-(ROBERT CLEARS THROAT)
-Where'd you stay
before and...
Uh, I've been in jail for
the past, uh, six years.
What you get done for?
What are you asking me
this for anyway?
What's this got
to do with housing?
Was there any violence
involved?
I... But no, no.
I didn't know
what I was doing, you know.
Why are you asking me
all this?
You know, I mean, what's this
going to prove to anybody?
Whether I'm... I've got
a history of drugs
or whatever.
What does that mean,
my home,
looking for,
who's here, who goes?
I had to... I had
to leave my husband
because he was,
uh, he's...
He was... He was
very violent so, um...
What made you decide
to leave now?
'Cause it's a good thing.
-Yeah.
-It's a really good thing.
Well, he, um...
He threatened to hurt
Danielle.
So I couldn't... Obviously,
I couldn't let that happen.
And your husband doesn't
know you're here.
No, he doesn't
know where we are.
Great, that's... That's...
That's the number one thing.
That's the most
important thing.
'Cause,
while you're here
and he doesn't know
that you're here,
you're safe.
Okay, thank you.
It's not the best...
I wish I would say,
it's the best accommodation
and stuff like that,
but it's what we have.
And it's better than
the streets.
And it's a roof
over your heads.
-Yeah.
-One question
I do wanna ask
is that, um,
when you go in
to have your baby,
um, do you know who's gonna be
looking after your daughter?
Because, um, if you was
to stay overnight...
I never thought about it,
to be honest, I never thought.
Mmm-hmm.
I don't know anyone.
Mmm-hmm.
What's your name?
-My name is Adanna.
-Mine is Danielle.
Where do you live?
Well, I live
downstairs.
I live upstairs.
Why did you come here?
Um... 'Cause
my dad was angry,
and we didn't like when
he was angry.
That's enough,
darling.
You have
some breakfast now.
MAN: Spare some change,
please?
MAN: Oh, fucking hell.
Not the face.
Just...
Go on.
There's
a hundred quid here.
Yeah.
I'm not
gonna fuck you.
(CHUCKLES)
No.
MARK: No, I just had
had a bad day, you know...
Actually, no,
I hadn't had a...
I'd had a good day,
actually.
Guilty conscience.
Yeah.
You gonna
sleep here tonight?
Yeah, do you want
a smoke?
Uh, no, I can't,
I've got to, uh...
Trying to give up?
Well, I...
I don't smoke.
-Oh, right.
-But thanks.
And, uh,
you take care anyway.
I'll see you,
good luck.
Best 100 quid you ever spent,
now, wasn't it?
See ya!
LAURA: What about Edie?
MARK: Sorry?
Edie Armitage.
Yeah.
Ow, feel this.
Feel it.
He just kicked me.
I went to see
another house today.
I thought you were
right, the, um,
the one I showed
you yesterday in the
estate agent's magazine.
Well, we don't need
a swimming pool, do we?
Anyway, it's probably stupid
with the baby.
It's not very safe.
So, um, I rang up
the estate agent
and asked if
they've got a house with
a big garden,
four bedrooms.
And they had one in Richmond
that I went to see today.
Do you want to know
about it?
Yeah, yeah,
what was it like?
Well, it's on this
really pretty street,
and, um, it's got gates
so there's
off-street parking.
You walk straight into
this big hallway
which goes
into a sitting room
which overlooks
this huge garden
with roses and wisteria
and it was...
What are you
thinking?
I wasn't...
I wasn't thinking really.
Kiss me then.
We're in the middle
of Old Bond Street.
It's not that bad,
kissing your wife.
No, properly.
CHARLIE: Hello, 'Chelle,
it's me.
When you get this message,
phone me back, okay?
I don't wanna be
waiting for you to phone me.
Just phone me
straight back.
Let me speak to Danielle
'cause you ain't gonna like it
if I have
to come looking for you.
If I find you
and I ain't spoke
to you, darling,
you're in big,
fucking trouble, all right?
So just pick up
the phone
and phone me
straight back
the second you get
this message.
You can't just
walk away, right?
So pick up the fucking...
(MOBILE BEEPS OFF)
Are you okay?
DANIELLE: Just a little
bit tired.
Yeah.
DANIELLE: Are we going to be
all right?
Yeah.
What were
the phone messages about?
-It was just Daddy.
-What did Daddy say?
He just said
he hopes we're all right.
And that...
We're looking after
each other.
Does he know where we are?
No, he doesn't know
where we are.
Heya.
Lovely day.
Thanks.
Adanna, listen,
you just stay out there.
I'm talking to your
grandfather.
Please.
Daddy,
sorry, no.
YEMI: Daddy, please, I think
we have to bring you
to London,
even if it's just
for a little...
Just for a little while
till everything dies down.
We can get money
for visa.
We can... We can... We can
find where Itshe is working.
I am...
I am working, we can...
We can try and find the money
because...
(VOICE REPLYING)
Daddy, I'm running
out of credit.
The phone is telling me
I've only got 30 seconds.
I'm going to phone you
tomorrow, okay?
Daddy?
(HORN HONKING)
-ADANNA: Daddy?
-Adanna, listen.
Adanna, I said,
be quiet.
I had to talk
to your grandfather.
When I say, "Be quiet",
you have to be quiet.
ADANNA: So what was
the bad news?
YEMI: Uh, there's...
There's no bad news.
ADANNA: Of course
there is.
YEMI: What is this?
ADANNA: One pound.
YEMI: How many ice cream
can that buy?
ADANNA: One.
YEMI: I'll race you
to the ice cream stand.
ADANNA: Hey, Daddy!
(YEMI LAUGHING)
(DISTANT SIREN WAILING)
Excuse me?
MARK: Excuse me?
-What?
-Do you know the...
The guy that was here
a couple of days ago?
He used to... He was here
quite regularly, I think.
Oh, yeah.
Why? What'd you want?
Well, I was just looking
for him, I just, um...
I just have
to speak to him.
No chance of that, mate,
he's gone.
Where's he gone?
He got battered to fuck
the other night.
A big gang of lads.
MAN: Why, did you
know him, right?
No, not really.
MAN: Did he owe you money?
No.
MARK: How old are you?
23.
Why do you
have to sleep here?
Where are your family?
I ain't
got no family.
MARK: You've got no brothers
and sisters, no parents, no?
Oh, yeah, I've got a bloke
who, like, shagged my mom
and gave her
a baby, like, but...
MAN: Don't make him parents,
does it?
Look, um...
MARK: Go and find somewhere
to stay, please.
Cheers, mate.
I'd like to make
a donation, please.
MAN: No problem at all.
And how much
would you like to donate?
Um, uh,
I'll make it 20.
20 pounds, sir?
-20, 20,000 pounds.
-20,000 pounds?
Have you given this some
significant thought,
Mr Armitage?
It's quite a sum of money.
-Yeah, no, I...
-We'll send you
a letter in the post,
Mr Armitage,
thanking you
for your donation.
Okay.
And the card number,
please?
It's 5-4-5-1...
Mom, why...
What is this called?
It's called
a launderette.
Why does it wash
clothes only?
This is where people
come to do their washing.
What are we going to do
when we get
a new house?
We're gonna live there,
what do you think
we're gonna do?
(DANIELLE SIGHING)
I'm getting bored.
I'm getting bored
of your questions.
Silly questions you keep
asking me.
What is this called?
I told you what it's called,
it's called a launderette.
It's where people
come to do their washing.
Why do they wash clothes?
Why are you pretending
to be silly?
You're not a silly,
little girl, are you?
Stop pretending to be.
I'm sorry,
I didn't mean to snap.
ROBERT: Excuse me.
Do you need a hand?
-Oh, no, thanks...
-Oh, sure.
-Let me take it, please.
-No, really, it's all right.
No, look,
that's not right.
Come on, let, I...
We're going the same way.
-Oh, all right.
-Cheers.
Robert,
by the way.
Oh, I'm Michelle.
Nice to meet you,
Michelle.
Danielle,
and this is Henry.
Danielle, and this is
Henry?
(ROBERT CHUCKLING)
That's a nice name,
isn't it, for a dog.
ROBERT: At least there,
you're rested.
Aye.
ROBERT: What floor are you?
MICHELLE: Oh, uh,
we're on the second floor.
Say, same as me.
You don't have to take
those bags all the way.
Oh, no, I'm going up there
anyway now.
After you.
MICHELLE: Thanks very much,
it's... Very kind of you.
It's a pleasure.
You helped me out there,
thanks very much.
Fancy a wee
cup of coffee?
Oh, no, thanks, I've got
my tea now.
-So I'm fine.
-Forgot the milk.
I don't mean to be funny,
it's just, we're not gonna be
around so... I've just got
to sorting myself out.
I didn't mean offence,
I didn't mean to offend you,
-I'm just...
-That's all right.
But thanks very much.
Thanks for this.
That was really
helpful, thank you.
-Bye-bye.
-Bye.
DANIELLE: Who was that man?
Ahh, he's somebody else
who's staying here.
I don't
really know who he is.
DANIELLE: Why did he help us?
I don't know,
just being nice, I suppose.
Tryin' to be nice.
Yemi?
What are you doing
out here?
Babinos, I spoke
to Babinos.
-Oh, God.
-No, it's fine.
-Be good for your mommy.
-What did he say?
-It's okay, I will see...
-Just tell me what he said.
-I will see you later.
-Two minutes, Yemi.
Let us talk about it later.
I have to go to work.
Okay, so...
ADANNA: Mommy.
-You went to the park?
-Yeah.
Uh, in my next work, I need,
uh, to speak very well English
because I gonna do
a lot MC.
A lot of what?
MC, the micro...
Because I gonna speak
in front of public.
I am DJ,
I am Latin DJ.
And you, why you come
to London?
That is a long story.
Um, I'm a...
I'm a journalist.
Oh, yes?
In Nigeria, yes.
I write for
a paper, and, uh...
I wrote... I wrote
an article
about...
About a government,
a government in the north
of Nigeria.
And a militia group...
They did not like
my article,
and so they decided
to threaten my family.
But, uh...
They are now...
Threatening to hurt
my... My father.
They threw a petrol bomb
at his car today.
(MUTTERING)
(MUTTERING)
No.
I'm sorry, can...
Can I have a wee talk
with you?
Now?
If you don't mind,
just...
Couple minutes.
All right,
just one minute.
Okay.
I think
you've got me wrong.
I wasn't trying to
chat you up.
You're pregnant and all that,
and your bags and stuff
and I just thought...
She needs a bit of help.
And that was all it was.
I'm no... Just 'cause
I'm in here, right,
it doesn't really say
I'm a scumbag,
you know what I mean?
I would never think
you were... I don't know you.
I know that,
but I'm just...
I just didn't want you
to get the wrong impression,
you know what I mean?
I was just looking out
for my little girl.
I know that,
I know that.
If you need anything at all,
I'm just here.
-Thank you.
-It's a pleasure.
It's just, I mean,
you don't know who you can
trust, you know?
Totally, totally, absolutely.
You want
coffee sometime then?
Yeah, maybe.
-All right.
-Thank you, good night.
All the best.
(DISTANT SIREN BLARING)
Hi, are you Mark?
-Yes, hello, Sally.
-Sally, from Accommodate.
-Hi, nice to meet you.
-How do you do?
Good, thanks. You?
Yeah, good, do you want
to get a coffee?
Yes.
It's basically, uh, finding
new people sleeping rough.
Or others
that are already there.
And just helping them to,
you know,
get them into accommodation.
What's kind of drawn
you to do that?
What did you...
Um...
(CHUCKLING)
Actually, I really
don't know, um...
You know, I've...
I've got what I need
and life is pretty good
for me.
You know, and, um...
People who...
I will pass people who've got
less than nothing, and, uh,
there's something wrong
with that.
And, uh, for a while you...
You can behave as if that's
not important and they're...
I don't know, I don't know
why it's now, I don't know.
-Pink ones?
-ROBERT: Roses?
MAN: Roses, good
for your girlfriend.
ROBERT: Love it.
-12 pounds, mate.
-What?
12 pounds. 10 roses.
MAN: It's a good offer.
ROBERT: Is it because roses
are so expensive?
MAN: No, they're not really,
no.
MAN: Both are going about
15 quid a time, yeah?
-I'll do... Try me best.
-Thanks, mate.
-Take that one.
-Great, it's not bad.
That'll do.
-Thanks very much.
-Cheers.
MAN: Hey, now come on,
don't take the piss, mate.
Just give me some for few.
-What you doing that for?
-I just, I need...
MAN: I gave you a nice bunch
for a fiver, eh?
Go and try someone else, man.
Give me some of
these white ones buy
for somebody, you know?
No, don't take the piss.
MAN: Want your fiver back?
Hi, Danielle.
Shh.
(WHISPERING)
Mommy's asleep.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Um...
I bought these flowers as
a present for your mommy.
And I was wondering if
you could do me a big favour.
Could you give these
to mommy when she wakens up?
There you are.
I think you deserve
a special flower, as well.
Look at that one.
Thank you. Bye.
Bye now.
Who was that?
DANIELLE: These are for you.
Flowers.
Who are they from?
Robert.
-Robert gave us these?
-Yeah.
DANIELLE: We haven't
got a vase.
We'll have to put them
in something.
There is water in the sink.
Yeah, put them
in the sink.
DANIELLE: I go run the tap
so we can put them in the tap.
Yeah, go on.
MICHELLE: Go on.
MICHELLE: He gave you one too.
-Big bunch of flowers.
-Why did he give them to us?
I don't know.
Maybe he thought
it was our birthday.
Maybe he did.
We never got
flowers before, did we?
MICHELLE: Just for us?
Never had any flowers.
If not initially, they do want
the help, you know, I mean...
Right.
If you wake them up,
they might be pissed off...
Yeah, sure, yeah.
Tread carefully, but...
-You know these two?
-No.
Spare a bit of change, please?
Can't spare any change,
I'm afraid.
But, um... My name is Sally
and I'm from Accommodate.
-This is Mark.
-Hi.
He's helping me out tonight.
We're looking to help people
like you two.
Trying to help get you some
accommodation, if...
If you can get us
somewhere together.
Where we can be together,
then,
yeah, we'd be interested,
I don't wanna be separated.
It took me long enough
to find him.
I've lost a lot
through the drinking.
I mean, I've got...
I've got four children.
I've lost them through
the drinking.
I'm not gonna move into
a hostel and end up
losing him.
-SALLY: No.
-How old are your kids?
The youngest one is 16,
and the oldest one is 26.
And they're not in a position
to help you at all?
-No.
-No.
WOMAN: I was supposed
to look after them,
not them supposed
to look after me, basically.
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
Be back.
(ALL SHOUTING)
(CRYING)
SALLY: Are you hurt?
No, don't...
No, it's all right,
it's all right.
(SOBBING)
SALLY: We need
a space tonight.
We've got a young girl here,
I don't know, 16, 17.
A couple... Couple of guys
attacked her.
I'm not going that way.
SALLY: No, it's all right,
it's all right.
SALLY: You'll be all right,
okay?
MARK: You're sure
I should take her?
SALLY: Yeah.
MARK: Shall, I'll give you
a call?
SALLY: Once everything's...
What did you say?
MARK: I'll give you a call.
-All right.
-All right.
JOSH: Can I have your
second name, Zoe, please?
Taylor.
-JOSH: Zoe Taylor.
-MARK: Zoe Taylor.
Can you tell me where
you spent the last couple
of nights?
She was...
She was sleeping rough.
She was in the underpass,
you know.
Okay. Well, I've got a room
for you, Zoe, okay?
We'll do all this paperwork
later, I'll get you settled.
JOSH: That's you, 4B.
Here's your key.
Now that's your key
for your room.
Now you've been issued it.
It's your room
and it stays your room
until you wanna leave, okay?
How old are you?
17.
No family?
Where are your family?
Leeds.
They knew you're here?
I can't tell my mom.
Why's that?
That's why I'm here,
her boyfriend hits us.
Her boyfriend?
He needs someone to take out,
doesn't he?
I don't believe
you have to be here.
I've got nothing better,
how would you know?
Well, you're 17, come on.
You know, I mean,
I haven't got any
answers for you.
I don't... I don't...
I don't know what to say
to you.
But I just know nobody has
to be in a place like this.
Nobody has to sleep
in a tunnel.
It's better
than some things.
Yeah.
(SNIFFLING)
Look, I can't, I've gotta...
I know this isn't gonna...
I don't want your money.
I know you don't want it,
just take it.
Here, come on, you don't
have to give it back.
No, please don't,
come on, please.
That's all anybody does,
is go!
I'll come back tomorrow,
all right?
I'll come and find you.
You promise
you'll come back?
I promise.
(DOOR OPENING)
It's, um...
Just lock this, okay?
-Excuse me?
-Can I help you?
I hope so, um...
I'm looking
for somebody, actually,
I'm looking for a woman.
Uh, Gellen,
Margaret Gellen?
Do you know her?
Sorry, you are?
I'm looking for her.
(CHUCKLING)
Okay, well, I'll tell
you what you need to do.
You need to contact reception
and get them to enter it into
the personnel department.
And they might be able
to help you?
Oh, no, I'm not looking
for any details.
I just want to know
if she works here or not.
You know her,
don't you?
I can tell you know her.
My name's Robert.
Mean anything?
Aye.
She doesn't
work here any more.
-She don't?
-No.
-Sure?
-I'm sure.
Listen, you may have heard
a lot of bad stuff about me,
but I'm not here to cause
any trouble.
I just want
to know where she is.
I don't know that
I know where she is.
It's been a long time
since I saw her.
She left here quite
a while ago.
How long?
(SCOFFS)
Six years, more?
Look, the last time I heard
she was gonna go work
in a hotel
is what I heard.
But whether she's still there,
I don't know.
Do you know which one?
Yeah, it was
the Grosvenor House Hotel.
-Grosvenor?
-Grosvenor House.
She might not be
there any more.
She may be, though.
(TRAIN WHEELS SCREECHING)
CHARLIE: Hello, 'Chelle,
it's me.
I just really wanna
speak to you.
I'm sorry, I know
I made a mess of things.
But I can't handle this.
I love you too much, babe.
Please phone me back.
So I can talk
to you for one minute.
That's all I wanna do,
is just talk to you
for one minute.
I can't handle this.
I need you.
Love you forever, babe.
I love you and Danielle
forever.
Whatever happens.
Please, just phone me back.
ROBERT: Who is it?
It's Michelle.
There you are.
Hello.
Come on in.
-Come on.
-Thank you.
He always says
he's sorry, you know,
it's really
difficult 'cause...
Says he's sorry for what?
For beating you up?
You probably think I'm really
stupid, don't you?
No, I don't think
you're stupid at all.
It's difficult 'cause
it's her dad, you know?
Don't know if she should
see him again, or...
Does she wanna see him again,
does she mention him?
She don't really talk
about him much.
He really wasn't a good dad.
Did you like your dad?
That's a long story.
Oh, no.
(CHUCKLING)
No, I loved my dad, I did.
And my mother threw him...
Threw him out
when I was about 12.
And um...
(CLEARING THROAT)
I hated her for it, you know?
'Cause my dad was, um...
Took me to football
you know, sports and the like.
And, he was a hero, you know?
And, uh...
Anyway, he died when
I was 16, and, um...
I went nuts.
Eventually, my ma told me
that he was a drunk.
He was a womaniser.
He was... Knocking about.
Michelle,
I've been in jail, right.
Twice.
You haven't killed anybody,
have you?
No.
Phew.
(LAUGHING)
No, it's all...
Everything was taking money.
And it was really
the second time
that I was in that, um...
I began, you know,
to see it all.
And you recognise guys
in there just like my da.
They were just like me.
You know what I mean?
And I've seen it all.
How sorry I was, you know,
I treated my ma.
Anyway, I used to write
to her and, uh...
And, uh, and...
She never wrote back.
You got
any pictures of her?
I lost all the pictures
of mine.
I'm never getting
them back now, so...
MICHELLE: Oh, wow, I love
black and white pictures.
MICHELLE: She looks
so glamorous, didn't she?
We all just need someone
to look out for us, don't we?
Aye.
Oh, see, you're all right.
You don't know me.
So do you fancy
fish and chips?
All right.
I think you're mom's gonna be
sick with worry, you know?
She probably is.
You say you have brothers
and sisters?
I've got a little sister.
How old is she?
Seven.
And this guy,
boyfriend of your mom,
does he hit her, as well?
He does?
Me and my mom were talking.
And he came in,
he was just mad.
He started like
flipping things over and...
He started to hit my mom and
because I told him to get off,
he started hitting me.
And the more she tries
to help, the more he hits her.
He's sick.
He said as well
that they're gonna take
me and my sister off my mom.
She can't help it.
She can't stop him doing
what he does.
I can't ever,
ever remember a time
when we were all being able
to just like...
Sit down and watch TV
without...
Without arguments
or an uproar happening.
Sorry.
Why are you interested
in knowing all this?
Well, I know you now.
I've never been able to tell
anybody about anything.
Don't even talk to my
mom about it.
Am I gonna get
to see you again?
Yes, of course.
-Sure?
-Yes.
SALLY: You have
to be very careful.
MARK: Don't get too involved.
No, I understand that,
I just, you know...
It was very difficult to get
any trust, to build any trust.
I know and you feel
very sort of special,
but it's just...
You gotta have a boundary.
Right.
I don't think it's got
to that point, you know?
I think she's, um...
You know, I just,
as I said, I wouldn't...
I wouldn't wanna...
I wouldn't wanna feel I was
letting her down
at this point.
MARK: But, uh, no, it's done.
YEMI: We're going to try
and get some money together
for a visa, huh?
FATHER: Well, you know,
they are 5,000 pounds.
For what, 5,000...
5,000 pounds for what?
Depends on who that they say
coming in,
to get the visa
is 5,000 pounds.
5... 5,000 pounds.
And I don't have that money.
Yes, I don't have that money,
you don't have
that money, too.
How do we go about it?
"'I like this game,
it's fun,' he said."
All right, come on, then.
Night, night.
Sleep tight.
Don't let the bed bugs...
Don't...
-Bite.
-Bite.
-ROBERT: Who is it?
-Oh, it's me, Michelle.
Listen, do you wanna go
and annoy somebody else?
Oh, yeah, you love it.
-How are you?
-All right.
She's fast asleep,
you know, so...
-Come on in.
-Thank you.
You looking forward to it?
Yeah.
Yeah, can't wait now.
A miracle, yeah.
It's an absolute miracle.
Do you mind if...
If I touch you?
MICHELLE: No.
ROBERT: Wow.
Can you believe there's
a life in there.
You should have kids,
you'd be a good dad.
MICHELLE: You're great
with Danielle.
Think so?
MICHELLE: She loves you.
I like you.
I like you, too.
I'm about scared.
Me too.
I haven't kissed anybody
in a long time.
(INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE)
ROBERT: All the money in here,
unbelievable.
MICHELLE: I know.
MICHELLE: Do you imagine
the size of the gardens?
MICHELLE: Be like having
your own park.
I bet half of them don't even
know what they've got,
you know?
Yeah,
probably got country houses
and don't live here
all the time.
I've had enough of
all these people...
Credit card and, you know...
I mean, look at this,
look at that.
Look at that, do you see gate,
do you know what that is?
That's a big X,
break in here.
-Oh, no.
-I'm telling you.
I wouldn't mess with them
anyway, most of them.
I don't want
any of their stuff.
Don't want what they've got.
I know, I don't want this
to sound like...
(MUTTERING)
I want better stuff,
you know?
Wee better stuff.
Yeah.
I just don't like people
when they display it,
you know what I mean,
when it's like pushed down
your throat?
That's when it gets annoying,
I think.
Yeah, but we're
all under the same sky.
Aye.
That's, uh, really...
That's quite romantic
now actually.
Well, I'm very romantic.
(LAUGHING)
We're all under
the same sky, you know,
it's the same for everybody.
Yeah.
MICHELLE: Poor old Henry.
I think he's ready for bed.
(DANIELLE GIGGLES)
So why you doing
all this, then?
What?
Looking after me
and bringing me here and...
I don't do things
like this.
This isn't like something.
It's just the way of getting
out of a kind of loop
that I got myself into.
And I think it's entirely
my fault, you know?
What with?
You know, I've got everything
I want, really.
My wife is just lovely.
I just looked around
at everything I had
and it just seemed
emptier and emptier, really.
And that's not the sort of
thoughts you can share
with your friends,
at least not
where I come from.
So what about your big house
and your wife?
You know, when I met you
and you said
you didn't have anybody.
You know, you might as well
not have a mom, you know...
There was nobody.
You know, in so many ways,
we couldn't be more different
you and me, but in that way,
I think we're not
that different.
I know there's
so many people at work.
I go to work,
I go to parties,
I go to the club.
I don't know, I feel like
I don't know anyone.
Yeah, but isn't that what
everybody wants?
A house, a partner.
Yeah,
but I come through the door,
and everything's right.
And, um...
I'm lonelier than ever,
really.
Now, that's not, you know,
that's not a sob story.
I'm not complaining
about my life.
It's just
that's how it is, you know?
And maybe that's why
I'm doing this, I...
Well, I might not be a wife,
and I might not have
a big house,
but I'll be there
if you need me.
I know it's not a lot but...
Hmm.
You all right?
Yeah.
You're a wonderful girl.
Thank you.
Aren't you gonna stay here?
No, I can't.
-You sure?
-Yeah.
I can't, I can't do...
LAURA: Where have you been?
I've just been working.
But, Mark, it's 12:00.
You can't still be working.
LAURA: Are you having
an affair?
I was just
waiting for that.
MARK: I was really
hoping you wouldn't
ask that question.
I'm asking it,
are you having an affair?
No, I'm not.
MARK: I've got involved
in other strands of work.
I can't talk to you
about at the moment.
What do you mean?
I just got involved...
It's nothing bad, please.
What happens
if I go into labour?
I can't get you on the phone.
You never leave it on.
LAURA: How do I tell you
that your child is on the way?
What's the right answer,
Laura?
There isn't a right answer?
I just wish you wanted
to be here.
Pray with me, pray with me,
pray with me.
Heavenly Father.
I thank you for Itshe,
I thank you for Adanna.
I pray that you will protect
them as I go back to Nigeria.
Father, don't...
That you will
look after them for me.
Father God, I have to go back,
Itshe,
you know I have to to back.
Father God,
look after my family.
-Listen to me.
-Shh!
They'll kill you,
do you understand?
-They won't kill me, Itshe.
-If you go back to Nigeria...
Why don't you just
pray with me, Itshe?
You will not go back, because
I won't pray to God
to kill you.
Are you crazy?
What are you talking about?
Please.
-Hello.
-Hello.
How are you?
Oh, fine, thank you,
how are you?
Oh, very well.
Whoo, my goodness,
it is so hot out there today.
(ITSHE CHUCKLING)
(SIGHING)
-You doing all right?
-Fine, thank you.
Oh, Itshe, what is it?
I'm so sorry,
I shouldn't be
bothering you with this.
Oh, no, that's all right.
(SIGHS)
We just had some
bad news from home.
We're just trying to get
my father-in-law over
and it's not going
to be possible.
Why not, what's happened?
We need to raise
5,000 pounds for a visa.
5,000 pounds is ridiculous.
Have you talked to
the embassy about that?
Oh, we've done
all that we can,
it's just, we have to keep
working hard
and hoping and praying.
Oh, my goodness,
you poor baby.
It will be fine.
If you wanna come
and talk to me this week,
I'm around all the rest
of the week, okay?
Thank you.
I just gotta go and get ready
for this silly dinner.
Of course,
of course, you must go.
Sorry.
All right.
Mom, do you really
like Robert?
Yeah, he's a nice man.
Do you like him?
You like him more than Daddy?
That's a silly question.
I like them
in different ways.
How'd you like them
in different ways?
Well...
Robert makes us laugh,
doesn't he?
And Daddy doesn't.
Not really.
He's not really very funny,
is he?
-Does Henry like Robert?
-Well, I better ask.
Henry? Can you tell me
your opinion on Robert?
Oh, yeah.
He thinks
he's quite nice.
Can I hold him?
Henry.
What was that, Henry?
Henry said do you want
to marry Robert?
What do you mean,
do I want to marry him?
Don't know.
Henry just said that.
Henry's a nosey parker,
isn't he?
(GIGGLING)
Sticking his nose in.
He'd like to... Tumble dryers.
That one up there has
literally go around
to the top.
The have eyes
nearly up to the top.
(STAMMERING)
She kissed me.
I know.
Well... You're
gonna have to go...
You're gonna have
to not see her any more.
What, just not go back?
No, you're gonna have to go
and see her,
explain the situation,
and then cut off
all contact from her.
You are dealing with a girl.
Listen, I know,
I don't wanna make excuses,
but I didn't see it coming.
I know you warned me.
But she is a child,
you know?
So it's gonna be hard for me,
as well, to, I mean,
not hard to...
It's gonna be hard for me
to walk away from her,
and I'm very fond of her.
I wish I hadn't known.
Mommy!
Mommy, Mommy, Mommy.
-Hello, baby.
-I'll see you later.
Yemi, Yemi, Yemi,
I have to talk to you.
Two minutes,
I have to talk to you,
it's very, very urgent,
please, please,
please, please.
Come inside with me.
Baby, I need you
to wait for me here
for two minutes,
that's okay.
-Okay.
-Come in.
Itshe, I'm going
to be late for work.
I have some good news.
Your father
is going to be okay.
We can get the visa,
he's going to be fine.
What... What... What are
you talking about?
Oh, I'm shaking,
you don't have
to go to Nigeria.
It's going to be fine.
-But why?
-I have the money.
-Praise God.
-Take the money.
Praise God.
You have
to take the money now.
You have to get your father
over now.
He's going to be okay.
Itshe, who gave you the money?
Yemi, just take the money,
just take it to your father.
Itshe, where did you
get the money?
Yemi...
Itshe, where did
you get the money?
Yemi, didn't you hear me,
listen.
When I was working today,
I kept asking God
for an answer.
This is the answer, Yemi.
I took the money, Yemi.
They will not know.
-Itshe.
-They will not know.
-It's just lying there.
-Itshe, you have killed us.
-You do not hear me.
-Itshe, you have...
-Yemi, if you don't take...
-Itshe, you have killed us!
-If you don't...
-Itshe, what have you done?
Keep your voice down.
If you don't take
this money now,
-what is going to happen
to us?
-Itshe, Itshe...
If you don't take
this money now.
You are going to take
that money back right now!
You think I had a choice?
You think I had a choice?
ZOE: Hello.
-How are you?
-I'm all right.
-Okay?
-Mm-hmm.
Finally getting
some chips down you.
About time, isn't it?
ZOE: Want some?
My life is extremely
complicated, Zoe.
I can't...
I can't mislead you.
But you're not.
You're not understanding me,
are you?
Yeah, you've told me
about your family.
You've told me
everything you do.
I don't think
I can see you any more.
I think it's...
I think it's the...
I think it's the only way
I can help you.
But, you know
I love you, Mark,
so why can you do that to me?
What?
Well, you knew that?
-Zoe...
-But you do.
Zoe, you don't even know
if you like me.
How can you tell me
I don't know if I like you?
We've known each other
for about three or four days.
I'm a 45-year-old man who's
about to have a child.
Yeah, but that doesn't matter.
Hang on, 45, 17,
married man, baby.
Isn't there some part of that
that sort of strikes
you as difficult?
No.
-Have you been speaking
to her?
-No.
She's fucking jealous
that you're with me,
that's what it is,
stupid bitch.
No, she doesn't know
it's got this far.
Don't know how
what's got what far?
Look, I wanna help you.
No, don't give me...
If that's money,
you better take it away.
I'm not even fucking joking.
I'm not happy to be
giving you money, Zoe.
Move the fucking money!
You'll not try
and walk out on me, Mark!
You know what?
Not a fucking person
that will stand there
and look after you.
(ZOE SHOUTING)
MARK: Settle down!
Jesus Christ!
What are you,
fucking psycho, woman?
I tried to help you!
What the fuck
am I supposed to do?
Now just fucking back off!
Fuck off.
ZOE: You don't fuck off!
MARK: Get away.
Get away.
(ZOE CRYING)
(CRYING CONTINUES)
I'm not having an affair.
I swear, I'm not.
What have you done?
I just got lost,
I got scared.
I just got a bit
scared about...
I got this idea
in my head about...
I don't know, I just didn't...
I lost contact
with everything.
I lost you.
I just got completely
adrift and I just...
I just thought God's got this
mission to help people
and I...
I just, I have to,
I've gotta do it, you know?
All I saw was...
What I saw going to work
and coming home from work,
and I just saw it
and I just...
-What are you talking about?
-I couldn't deal with it.
What are you talking about?
I don't know, you know,
I'll tell you about it.
-I don't understand.
-I know.
I should've spoken to you
and I haven't, have I?
I'm so sorry,
I've been so cruel to you.
Itshe, what are you doing?
The drawer was open,
I was...
Checking that
everything was safe.
Did you take
some money from there?
No, I was...
I just... I was so scared
for my family,
I just...
I didn't want anything
to happen to them.
So I took the money
and I brought it right back.
And all of it is right here.
Please, all of the money
is here.
I didn't take one note,
nothing.
-It's all here.
-You put it back?
I'm so sorry.
Please.
I wish that you just
asked me to help you.
I didn't know what to do, I...
I tried to...
I liked having
you here so much.
I understand.
You have to do
what you think is right.
Hi, excuse me.
I was wondering
if you could help me.
How did you get in?
The boy at the desk.
-Oh.
-Sent me down.
-Did he?
-Aye.
All right.
I'm trying to find somebody
that maybe worked here.
Her name's Gellen
Margaret Gellen?
And...
Why do you wanna know?
-Do you know her?
-I'm her son.
We fell,
you know what I mean?
Something stupid,
you know, stupid.
Margaret doesn't
work here any more.
She's... I've not seen her
for about three years.
-So you knew her?
-Oh, yes, uh-huh.
Did she mention me?
My name's Robert,
did she mention me?
Robert, Robert, uh-huh,
she did, yeah.
Right, so all that's in
the past, you understand me?
Right.
Well, I mean,
that don't have...
Nothing to do with me.
No, but you might know
why she won't see me
-and I'm getting that vibe.
-No, no.
Look, maybe she doesn't
even want to see me,
-but I wanna fucking see her.
-Uh-huh.
Right, it's that
fucking important.
Because my whole life
is on this.
If you know where she is,
fucking tell me.
And we're gonna have
a little chat in here.
Yeah.
And...
Um...
She doesn't wanna see me,
does she?
Uh, no, no, no, no,
it's not that,
it's not that, um...
What, what is it?
Oh, I don't know
how to say, I mean...
Well, she, she died,
um, about two years ago.
Um...
What are you telling me?
Well, that's...
That's what I'm telling you.
She died of cancer,
lung cancer.
You all right?
Thanks.
(KNOCKING)
(KNOCKING)
Did I wake you up?
-No.
-You all right?
You look like
you've been asleep?
Are you not feeling well?
(WHISPERS)
I've got nothing.
I've got nothing.
If I can't have anything,
I'm not really here.
I'll never have...
A house.
And I'll never have...
A family.
I want a family.
I want respect.
I'm fed up being treated
like a fucking scumbag
every time I fucking
go outside.
Every shop against you.
I'm dodgy.
Every fucking office
I got into, I'm fucking dodgy.
MICHELLE: What do they know?
They don't know you.
I know you
and I respect you.
You should go.
Why are you here?
MICHELLE: Just pop around,
maybe go get a coffee.
No, why are you here?
ROBERT: You don't need
to be here.
Because I haven't got
anywhere else to go.
-Go back.
-I can't go back.
Go back.
-I can't go back.
-Just get out of here,
take your wee child
and just go back.
I can't go back,
if I take her back there,
I don't know what
he'll do to her.
My darling.
(CRYING)
-I'm not going anywhere.
-I don't like this.
Please!
Just go!
I don't wanna go,
I can't go, where will I...
Fucking go!
You can't fucking help me!
Help your fucking self!
Help your wee girl!
Go fucking back,
I don't want you!
-You don't mean that.
-You understand that?
I don't fucking want you,
don't fucking mean it!
I don't fucking want you here!
(CRYING)
All right, all right, okay.
I'm gonna go.
(SOBBING)
(CRYING)
(YEMI CRYING)
YEMI: Why did you take
him away from me?
Why?
I begged you.
I prayed to you.
I pleaded.
I pleaded with you.
He spent his... He spent
his whole life loving you.
Working for you.
Teaching others about you.
I hate you, I hate you,
I hate you.
I hate you, I hate you.
I hate you.
I hate you.
I dreamt about
the baby last night.
LAURA: Did you?
Well, he wasn't a baby,
he was about five.
We were playing in the garden.
We had two little girls,
as well.
Do you know where it was?
It was that Richmond house.
You know, the one with
the wisteria?
A beautiful garden.
There's an ivory wall
at the end.
Apple tree.
It was so...
This is all I want, really.
I thought this is the...
This is the place I was
quibbling about the price.
(CHUCKLING)
I can't put a price on it.
I really love you.
It's gonna be good.
I got back
in the nick of time.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Who is it?
I thank God for you,
I thank God for you.
Adanna.
But, Daddy, where's Babinos?
Babinos is in heaven.
(CRIES OUT)
(GROANS)
(GROANING CONTINUES)
I think the baby's coming.
Oh...
(GROANS)
(KNOCKING)
Robert, it's Michelle.
Robert, it's Michelle,
it's started.
Hello, hi.
-NURSE: Hi.
-Hi.
We're not expecting you,
are we?
I think it's starting.
Okay, all right, all right,
let's let this one pass then.
-Nice and slow.
-Oh.
(EXHALES SLOWLY)
-(GROANS)
-Slowly does it.
How often are they coming?
About three...
Every three minutes.
All right.
We need to have a look at you
and get you sorted,
then, don't we?
-What's your name, my lovely?
-This is Danielle.
Danielle, do you want to sit
in the big girl's chair
for me?
Take Mommy's bag, Dani.
All right, my lovely,
let's have a look at this bump
and see what's going on, okay?
Just going to listen
to the baby, okay?
Okay.
Hello.
My name's Rachel.
Hi, how are you?
What's this called?
-Henry.
-Henry.
Hi, hi, what's your name?
-Michelle, Michelle Ford.
-Hi, Michelle.
There's nothing to worry
about, nothing to worry about.
We've just got paged,
I'm a duty social worker
from the hospital
social work team.
I know that you might have
to stay in here for
a few days.
So I'm really
sorry to ask you this.
I've got one question for you.
-Yes.
-Nothing to worry about.
Can you think
of anywhere tonight
that Danielle might
be able to stay?
No.
There's no friends or family
who live around here?
No... Her uncle Steven...
Okay, don't... Listen,
don't worry, don't worry.
What we're going to do is
we've got some lovely
foster parents
who live really near here,
okay?
And they're
on emergency call.
So I've already made
a few phone calls.
But we'll do is,
we'll make sure,
we'll bring Danielle tomorrow,
she can come and see you,
but I think it's best
'cause it's really late now.
Danielle, do you want to stay
with me?
We'll come back to my office,
you can bring doggie.
-What was doggie called again?
-Henry.
And you'll come and see Mommy
tomorrow, is that okay?
Yeah? And you'll come
and see Mommy
and maybe a new brother
or sister, okay?
-All right, Michelle?
-I'll see you tomorrow,
I promise.
I love you, I love you.
It's okay.
Ready for this now.
That's okay.
Don't you worry,
don't worry.
Don't worry,
don't worry.
Mommy! Mommy! (SOBBING)
Mommy!
Mommy! Mommy!
(HORN CHIRPS)
-(TIRES SCREECHING)
-Whoa!
(HORN HONKS)
Fucking wanker.
What's a matter with you,
you cunt?
ROBERT: You just fucking
see me now.
Huh?
Do you see me now?
You fuck, aren't you?
Just the three of us...
You wanna die?
You think your big, fucking
fancy car...
Big, fucking fancy house...
Think you fucking own me?
You fucking own me?
Any reason a cunt like you
ends up with all this,
and cunt like me
ends up with fuck all?
Who's that?
No way, man.
No fucking way.
The last time you've barked
at the right fucking guy.
(CHUCKLING)
By the wrong fucking guy.
OFFICER: Robert!
Robert!
Robert!
Robert.
(SOBBING)
(BABY CRYING)
(BABY CRYING)