Hard Cell (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - Episode #1.6 - full transcript

Last night was my TED Talk, and
it couldn't have gone any better.

Women who feel productive and
creative during their stay in prison

are four times less
likely to reoffend.

Four.

If desistance is where we want them
to be, how do we get them there?

We sing.

We sing and we desist.

But it is business, and
there's a legal issue.

- When isn't there?
- When nothing illegal has happened.

Nothing illegal has happened.

- What was the title of your TED Talk?
- "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."



That does sound familiar.

It is a pun based on the title
of a book by Maya Angelou.

It's the exact title of
a book by Maya Angelou,

which means it's not a pun, it's,
um... Oh, what do they call it?

Plagiarism.

It is a pun, and the matter
will be sorted by lunchtime.

I'm waiting for their
legal team to call me.

Oh, Laura, Laura, Laura.

This is why you need me, your
wing man, your trusted number two.

- Don't start this again.
- I would've spotted these silly mistakes.

When will you ever learn there's
no shame in needing a number two?

When will you ever learn
I don't need a number two?

I bet you did last night.

Think how more confident you would've
felt having a number two by the stage.



Believe me, having a number two by
the side of the stage last night

would have done very
little for my confidence.

This would be them.

Hello.

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

Good to know.

Thank you.

I'm being sued by
Maya Angelou's estate.

Bloody hell.

That sounds serious.

It is.

Are you okay?

I need a shit.

I know that, you know, people laugh
at the governor Laura and that,

but she's doing it
great and I'm loving it.

I'm loving it. I really love
it, and all the other girls are.

They're really putting in the
time and I love it. I love it!

I love it!

I. Love. It.

Some good news just in.

Ange's trial has collapsed,
as we hoped it would.

All charges have been dropped
and she is free to go.

And as if that wasn't enough excitement
for one women's correctional facility,

it is the first night of
Songs From The Inside.

The joint is positively jumpin'.

Look at his face.

- Are you all packed up, Flange?
- Yeah, yeah.

Just gotta settle up my room service
bill, then I'll be on me way.

- Look, girls, I just want to say...
- Hold on.

Let's just watch that
lady fall off that log.

I-I don't... I don't
know what to say, really,

other than thank you,

all of you, for all of it.

The friendship and the
support and the laughs

- and for believing that I'm innocent.
- We're all innocent, love.

Some more than others.

Um, but what I just really want to say
is, um, just thank you for listening...

Uh, sorry, Ange.

It's all right. Look,
you lot have your fun.

Bye.

Good luck for the show tonight.

I know we've had our differences,
but, um, I wish you well.

Thanks. You too.

Okay.

Oh, you're not supposed to
say "good luck," are you?

Because that brings bad luck or something.
It's, um, "break a leg," isn't it?

Oh, well.

For goodness' sake, Doug.

Every time.

I always know when she's
coming, but she falls for it…

For goodness' sake, Doug.

…every time.

Here she is.

'Ey up. What's good today, then?

Any recommendations?

I keep having this recurring
dream about Cheryl.

Steady, Gal, there's a
permanent record of this.

Oh, no, it's not mucky.

I'm in the Queen Vic,
yeah, waiting to be served.

Cheryl's behind the bar.

Now, it's not very busy
'cause it's a hot day,

and there's a pop-up farmers
market in the square.

Anyway, I'm really thirsty and
I'm trying to get her attention,

but she keeps ignoring me.

Then Dr. Legg walks in carrying
this big hoop that I jump through,

but still, nothing from Cheryl.

So, I say jokingly,

"What's a bloke got to do
to get a drink around here?"

And she leans
over, and she says,

"For God's sake, Gary,
why don't you fuck off?"

I mean, what does that mean?

Who could ever say, boo.

Impenetrable.

Funny old thing, ain't ya?

Dreams?

US southern state
known for its mud pie.

It's, um…

Mississippi.
Mississippi mud pie.

- M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I.
- M-I-double-S-I-double-S-I-double-P-I.

- What?
- What's your one?

M-I-double-S-I-double-S-I-double-P-I.
What are you doing?

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I. Obvs.

- Why do you do it that way?
- Why don't you?

Do you know how
weird you both are?

Mm-hmm.

I shall write that in.

But I shall say
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I.

M-I-double-S-I-double-S-I-double-P-I.

Ah, your one doesn't fit.

All right.

I mean, how do they not see it?

I don't object to the
idea of a juice bar

- in principle.
- Yes, you do.

I just think along with the adult
soft-play area and the auditorium,

there's not much room
left for an actual prison.

That's ridiculous, isn't it? You
know I didn't ask for the auditorium.

Any chance of a private word?

Sure, yeah. I'll just
leave you to it, shall I?

Hmm, I'm joking. Of
course you mean with me.

Goodbye.

Be gone.

- Come on in, Ros. What can I do for you?
- I... I-I got this from... from me mammy.

I recognize the handwriting,
but I can't read.

And she can read, but she don't
speak. And I don't trust anyone else.

Why... Why is she
writing to me, Laura?

Um, did something bad happen? Is
she not coming to see the show?

'Cause she said she would, and
I know she really wants to.

So, did... did something
bad happen to her?

Okay, Ros. Just... Why don't you
take a seat. Let me have a look.

Is it bad?

Um…

Is she coming to see the show?

No.

Wh...

Why?

Why don't I, uh…

Why don't I read it to you?

"Dear Ros,

I received the money. Thank you.

"But I haven't used it
to buy the camper van."

What?

"I'm sorry. I know
this will be a shock."

I can't go into details, but I
need to go away for both our sakes.

I'm devastated I won't
be able to see your show,

but I know you'll be
really feckin good.

So, sing your heart out for
me, my precious daughter.

I love you.

"God bless. Mammy."

Shit.

She said that?

Sh...

She loves me.

She loves me.

I mean, I always
knew that she did,

but, you know, to hear
her say it, that's just...

That's the best thing
I've ever heard.

This is everything.

I'm gonna keep that forever.

I can't wait to tell
the other girls.

Let 'em see it. Let 'em read it.

My mammy loves me.

Yeah, actually, Ros,

I'm gonna have to just hang on
to it for a little while longer.

Um, it's boring protocol stuff.

Run it through the
system, blah, blah, blah.

- And then you can have it back.
- Please.

I will take special
care of it, I promise.

Thank you, Laura.

You are most welcome.

My mammy loves me.

"To Ros,"

by the time you read
this, I'll be long gone,

and not in some poxy camper
van, but thanks for the money.

I'm cutting off the deadwood.
You are the deadwood.

And I'm not coming to see
your poofy show either,

"you feckin embarrassment."

Now speed it up. Speed it up.

We're going so fast. We're going
so fast! We're going so fast!

"You were never the
daughter I wanted, anyways.

God bless. Mammy."

Most of my inmates have
had dreadful lives.

They've come from
unimaginable circumstances

and I can't change that.

But while they are here, with me,
that is where change can happen.

No good would come from Ros
hearing her mother's vile words.

It's about resetting the
narrative, sometimes literally.

I had to fight really hard

to make this musical happen.

To convince people it isn't just
about prisoners singing songs.

It's about so much
more than that.

It's about giving them purpose
and confidence and self-worth.

Having something good in their
lives, perhaps for the first time.

I want these women to fly.

And I like to think Maya
Angelou would approve.

Woo-hoo! Opening night's tonight!
Heather's done an amazing job with us.

I know but I can't believe we gotta
perform it in front of people.

Oh, shut up, you're
making me nervous.

I've puked twice already.
I'm fucking shit scared.

My life, this is the best
thing I've ever done!

It's the best thing any of us have
done. Let's hear it for our governor!

- We love you!
- Love you, Laura!

They let us invite people.
All our people are coming.

It's great. All our
families are gonna see it.

What she said!

What's that? Your resignation letter
in case it all goes tits up tonight?

Which it probably will, so makes
sense to get a jump start on it.

Fuck off!

Sometimes you've just
got to give it to her.

All right, everyone!

- Big circle. Hold hands.
- Holding Heather's hand.

Before you do, Heather, we got
you three a little something

just to say thank you.

Oh.

You give us your time and
we really appreciate you.

It means a lot and
we'll never forget you.

Ah.

That's a clay penis
with the top cut off.

Oh.

Never again.

Not till the next time.

One, two, three!

I just farted.

I won't lie.

There's a time when I'd have
relished this going wrong for her.

Watch her humiliate herself again with
the same poor ideas, badly executed.

But this time feels different.

What is it she says?

"Rehabilitation through
creativity," or something.

I'm just joking. That's
exactly what she says.

And I think she's right.

Don't get me wrong,

I still think she's a bit of
a dick, but you know what?

Today's all about the win.

I do feel quite nervous, but,
um, you know, it's not like...

- I do know all the words and I know...
- What the fuck?

Oh, my God. Have
I pissed myself?

Darling, it's all right.
Your waters have broken.

- What's happened?
- What? But I'm not due yet.

- She can't come today.
- Can we get some help, please?

She's gone into labor. Come on,
darling. Let's get you out of here.

Just checking, is there any chance
you have just pissed yourself?

- Can you still sing?
- What's going on?

It's a contraction.

If you're certain, but only... You know,
it's an hour and a half till curtain up.

I'm pretty sure she's
having a baby, Heather.

- Oh, my God.
- But she's playing the lead!

Not now, Martin!

My bad.

Good luck with the baby!

- Shit.
- What are we gonna do?

- You're gonna have to do it.
- Oh, Jesus Christ.

Hey, how are we
getting on then, gang?

For God's sake, Gary,
why don't you fuck off?

Dream come true.

Literally.

Panic over, Heather.

What's got two thumbs that's
going to save the day?

This one.

No Charlee, no problem.

I'll do it.

I don't know any of her lines.
I don't know any of her songs.

It doesn't matter.

I'm gonna freestyle
the shit out of this!

And you're coming with me!

It's my time to shine!

Just follow my lead!

I'm excited!

On second thoughts,
Heather, she should do it.

Great shout, Vivian.

- Yeah!
- You saved the day!

I can't believe you!

I did that.

All right, everyone. You ready?

Showtime!

How lovely to see you.

This is a great day.

- All my favorite ladies in one room.
- Oh, yes.

Mama Dede and Auntie
Nala will see my Rosalind

- for the very first time.
- Yeah.

We have already seen a photo.
She's a gift from heaven.

- A very good match for our Sebastian.
- Hallelujah.

So, Ros... Rosalind
is in it, yes.

Thought I'd give it another go.

Maybe my luck will change tonight. Nice
to show a bit of support though, isn't it?

Very least, I'll get
another whiff of her hair.

- Thank you for coming.
- Thank you.

- Oh, hello.
- How are you? Yeah.

I've got to go.

Three weeks ago,
there was no show.

Now, we are teetering on
the brink of curtain up.

Snatched victory from
the jaws of defeat, much?

It's Laura, isn't it? Heard so
much about you, haven't we kids?

Fantastic what you're doing here.
We're so excited, aren't we?

Yeah, so excited! Can't
wait to see Mum on stage!

You're the one who got her
that pretty dress, aren't you?

All right, everyone. We're ready
to make our way through now.

What's this for?

Oh, it's all happening.

Well, this is turning
out to be quite the day.

But we have a very fine

albeit previously mute
singer to take your place.

So we are peachy!

- Don't worry, you haven't let anyone down.
- Yeah, that's not what I'm worried about.

The show will go on. This...
This hasn't ruined anything.

I'll let you get on with it. The
ambulance is 20 minutes away.

Bonne chance. Good
luck. Knock 'em dead.

- We've not got that long.
- Who's not got what now?

This baby's coming now.

This baby is coming now. Well,
I'll get out of your way then.

- Laura.
- Yes?

- Can you stay?
- Hmm?

Please will you stay with me?

You mean here? Not see the show?

Please.

Of course.

Thank you.

How do I feel about being
excluded? It's killing me.

Fucking…

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm Cheryl Fergison,
and I've had the honor

of directing these
fantastic women.

Cheryl Fergison.

It's been a journey for all
of us, but throughout it all,

I never doubted
them for a second.

So, without further ado,
let's get this party started!

Ladies and gentlemen, I give to
you HMP Woldsley's production

of Songs From The Inside.

This is from my mammy.

Sorry, Heather. Who's Cheryl?

All right. First positions,
everyone. Come on.

Can you hear that? I hope
it's going well for 'em.

Oh! That is painful,

for both of us, I imagine.

Whoo!

I can't believe I'm
getting all my stuff back.

I'll go now.

- You take care.
- Thank you.

Oh! It's coming!

There, I can see
something quite big

out of something quite small!

The thing is, you just
have to keep the fight,

know who you are and that your
true self will win out in the end.

That's what they call a ballad.

Just one more big push, okay?

Okay?

Incredible. There is a person
coming out of a person.

You clever, clever girl.

It's been a pleasure.

You see the very best and the
very worst of people in there.

But all you've really
got is each other.

And if you don't understand
that, well, you're in trouble.

Some people understand
the importance of loyalty,

solidarity, sisterhood.

Surround yourself with
those people if you can.

And for those who don't
understand the power

of standing shoulder
to shoulder,

well, I hope they learn
that lesson one day.

Well, it's never too late.

Because like I always say,

never underestimate
how good people can be.

Not good.

Stupid.

I didn't know it was a real
knife! Why was it a real knife?

Oh, my God, Rosalind!

Do you want to hold?

Oh.

All right. Yeah.

Oh. Yeah.

Well, aren't you something?

Laura, you've got
to come with me.

Dean.

She's a boy.

Now, Laura.

Oh, you're my number two.
Can't you deal with it?

Not this time.

- Why?
- I want you to have him.

- What?
- You'll be good at it.

You Vicki?

- Are we good?
- Yeah.