Seat 25 (2017) - full transcript

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 La

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 of

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]