Play for Today (1970–1984): Season 8, Episode 14 - The Spongers - full transcript
Todays theme are the Spongers.
(DRUM ROLL)
WOMEN:
♪ The quiet of the day ♪
♪ Begins to melt away ♪
♪ Amanda ♪
♪ The world becomes awake
as I look on the face of you ♪
♪ I wonder if I'll ever know ♪
♪ What loving you really means ♪
- (KNOCK ON DOOR)
WOMAN 1:
Is that the door?
♪ I only know I want to be with you ♪
♪ Even through my dreams ♪
♪ And as the time goes by ♪
♪ You'll stay by my side ♪
♪ Amanda ♪
- From the council.
- WOMAN 2: Oh, blimey. Trouble.
- Mrs Crosby?
- Yeah.
Actually I'm a certificated bailiff
and I've come to...
(WOMAN 2 MUTTERS)
- You are Mrs Crosby?
- Yes.
I'm dealing with you.
There's 262 pounds owing.
I must advise you
that I've got to collect this now.
- £262.
- I haven't got it.
(METAL BANGS)
- MAN: Hello Jack.
- JACK: Hello Councillor Conway.
How are you? Alright?
- CONWAY: I'm a bit nipped.
- Yeah.
- CONWAY: How's it going?
- Oh, fine.
These bloody kids are a nuisance
I'm not kidding you.
I don't think they believe
in family planning on that estate.
- Are you having trouble with them?
- Oh, what? Trouble?
All morning. I don't know how the hell
we got it up to tell you the truth.
- CONWAY: The Queen looks...
- JACK: Hey! Hey!
Oh, oh. The Queen, the Queen.
Turn the Queen the other way
you bloody communists.
Turn her upside...
The right way up, the Queen!
Put the Queen up...
The right way up, the Queen!
Use your bloody head!
The other way!
(CONWAY LAUGHS)
JACK:
You've got her upside down!
Very undignified.
Oh, look at that.
God blast it.
I don't know where they get them from.
I don't.
If I can't get the 262...
Can you tell my social worker
what you've told me?
- Are you the social worker?
- Mrs Johnson, yes. Hello.
Pleased to meet you.
I'm very sorry. I'm a certificated bailiff.
As I've tried to explain to Mrs Crosby,
I've come for 262 pounds rent
which is owing and is well overdue...
But I saw the housing manager
last week about it.
- He said no action was going to be taken.
- Well, I'm sorry.
The final warrant has come to us
and we have come here
and it's got to be paid absolutely today.
There's no question of ifs or buts,
you know the law as well as I do.
Mr Williams here.
The only one thing we can do
and that's get a valuation of the furniture.
MR WILLIAMS:
That'll give you 15 days.
WOMAN 2:
Taking the poor bugger all the time
- to get enough food...
- Just a minute.
- Can you just...
- Can we talk to you one at a time?
Explain that again
to Mrs Crosby and to me.
BAILIFF: I will explain it fully,
as I am compelled to do by law.
I am a certificated bailiff,
I have gained entry by invitation.
There's 262 pounds rent owing.
WOMAN 3:
Did he tell you who he was?
- He said he was from the council.
- Well, I am.
I am a certificated bailiff
working on their behalf.
MR WILLIAMS:
We were invited in.
WOMAN 3:
Did you say what you were?
- Let him explain, let him explain.
- He's doing a bleedin' great...
You wish me to explain
to your social worker
- to make things easier?
- I do.
- The law...
- Explain it to us both, please.
I will indeed, yes,
I'm doing my very best here.
Now, look, there's 262 pounds
I've asked and Mrs Crosby
has not got the 262 pounds.
Yes, we know that.
What are you doing here?
My job now is to evaluate this furniture
and, if necessary, to take it away now.
However, we can,
if Mrs Crosby so wishes to sign this form
- which I will then read to you..
- I'm not signing it.
We can evaluate the furniture
then we could label it
and come back at a later date
and I suggest 15 days.
WOMAN 2: How can you put a value
on this woman's bits and pieces?
I'm awfully sorry, I'm trying to do my job.
(THEY ALL SHOUT AT ONCE)
Jackie, ssh.
The baby, Jackie.
JACKIE: They're going round
picking everything up.
BAILIFF: You could come round here.
Mr Williams, will you carry on?
MR WILLIAMS:
Yes, I will.
MRS CROSBY: Don't touch that please!
Don't touch that, sorry.
- Look, we're doing a job for the council.
- You're not touching this, sorry.
You alright, Paula?
(THEY ARGUE)
MRS JOHNSON:
Just ignore it.
Just ignore it and tell me,
is there anything else that can be done?
Are you going
to take the furniture today?
You call yourself bloody men?
I've shit 'em.
MRS CROSBY:
Can I sort out me family first?
(THEY ARGUE)
- JACKIE: Look what you've done.
- BAILIFF: I'm sorry.
JACKIE:
Get your hands off!
MRS CROSBY: Jackie. Jackie!
Keep your voice down Jackie, please.
(THEY ARGUE)
MRS CROSBY:
Are you alright, Paula?
He won't be alright
if he keeps it up five more minutes.
You stand there, love,
I'll sort him out.
BAILIFF: It's not a question
of sorting it out, we're doing our job.
Well, I wouldn't have a job like yours
if I had it thrown at me.
BAILIFF:
I'm merely abiding by the law.
Listen, I'll tell you what, Gertie,
I'll tell you what.
- Ay, listen, Paula.
- These poor little kids.
(THEY ARGUE)
MRS CROSBY:
Jackie! Come here Grace, darling.
- Come on, darling.
- MRS CROSBY: Listen to Gertie.
Mrs Johnson,
will you please tell them to shut up?
Now listen, Paula, stop crying,
I want to talk to you.
Now listen, why don't you
go down to the market
with your Auntie Gertie and Grace.
choose a nice dress, love.
Take Dawn will you, Jackie.
- Choose a nice dress...
- My God.
...and I'll come and pay for it
but don't choose one before I get there.
No, we'll just be looking round.
MRS CROSBY:
Alright.
Alright, Gertie,
go with your Auntie Gertie.
You remind me
when my bleeding pools come up
to send you some money so your mother
and father can get married.
BAILIFF:
Mr Williams...
- Gertie!
- Gertie, Paula wants you.
MRS CROSBY:
Gertie!
- Come on, darling.
- Take her out, please.
Please take her.
JACKIE:
Fucking bastards! That's all you are.
You're bloody things, you are.
Yes. They are, love.
Bloody things.
BAILIFF:
It's very distressing...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BAILIFF:
Even we, although you may not think so
get just as upset, especially...
- Alright, just a minute.
- It's horrible, isn't it?
How can you do it?
BAILIFF:
It's a job that has to be done.
MRS JOHNSON: Sit down, sit down.
Let me explain what we'll do.
Listen, you're not touching that,
I've told you before.
That's me wedding present, you know?
Just will you hold on while I explain
to her a minute what you told me.
- Yes, if you would, please.
- I will.
But you're just upsetting her
at the moment.
Just stay where you are.
The pram's out there!
Dawn! Take her to the market.
BAILIFF: You'd better read this,
it's most important.
MRS JOHNSON: It seems
that they can give you 15 days' grace
in which time we've got time then
to go and sort it out
and then find out
what the housing manager's playing at.
They won't take the furniture then.
They're going to label it now.
- I know that's upsetting.
- Can they do it then and go?
Yes, they can do it and go, so...
BAILIFF: You must sign this form,
it's most important, and read it.
You must explain this to her,
Mrs Johnson.
- I can't just...
- Just give it me!
- Yes, but you must read it...
- I don't want to read it.
I can't see, although you may be
surprised to know that.
I can't really read at the moment.
Well Mrs Johnson
would be advised to read it to you.
- I've read it for her.
- You have?
- I know, I know.
- Alright, Mrs Johnson.
If you're happy with it,
then you sign it.
MRS JOHNSON: That's the only thing
we can do at the moment
and then we've got 15 days then.
BOY 1:
What's all that for up there?
Jubilee celebrations.
Are you looking forward to it?
ALL:
Yeah.
We're going to have
a big celebration round here
with that all lit up in lights.
BOY 2:
Any booze? Any booze?
- BOY 3: Is there any booze?
- At your age!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BOY 1:
Who's the booze for?
You'll be getting a special present
from the Labour council.
Are you all Labour?
- No, Liberal!
- Yes!
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
CONWAY:
I'll tell you what you're going to get.
You're going to get a special coin,
a 25 pence piece.
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
- BOY 1: We have to pay ten bob...
- BOY 2: It's already ten bob
to give you the money
so that you can pay for it.
(CONWAY LAUGHS)
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
CONWAY:
Well, you can keep this coin
and put it away
and when you're an old man,
you can look back on this occasion
and remember all your mates.
What a waste of time!
JACK: It's the Queen's 25th anniversary
on the throne.
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
Just have a little bit of respect
for the Queen.
BOY 1:
Ay, she's a Tory.
BOY 2:
She's bone idle.
She hasn't done a day's work
in her whole life.
- You know what my grandad said?
- JACK: What? What?
He said he'd give 20 quid a week
to Prince Philip
if he could grow a cabbage.
JACK:
He said what?
He'd give 20 quid a week to Prince Philip
if he could grow a cabbage.
(THEY CHEER)
On your way. Go on.
Go and play, go on.
Go on. Get out of here. Go on.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- BOY 1: Goodbye.
- CONWAY: By God...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MRS JOHNSON:
You might have to face it
that you might lose your furniture.
Oh, it's gone. I know.
MRS JOHNSON:
No, it hasn't yet.
We've got something we can do
and we'll do it.
If that fails,
I know it's a lot to lose what's yours,
but it isn't the end of the world.
It feels like it
and for a long time you won't believe that
but you won't be left
without anything to sit on.
Just practically,
we can get you some stuff together.
We've got a store down at the office
just until you get back
on your feet again.
I know that doesn't help
with the pain of losing what's yours
It's worth nothing.
They've got to take it.
But anyway, we'll see about that.
That hasn't happened yet.
We've still got a card up our sleeve.
If we go down to the D.H.S.S.
for this Exceptional Needs Payment
and see if they'll give you a lump sum
towards paying off...
MRS JOHNSON:
You will survive this, you know.
You've coped so well so far.
Don't let's give in now.
When's Paula going back?
Tonight, that's why I'm buying her
a dress, you see, at the market
and a bit of ribbon.
I went to Arkwright the other week.
- Lovely in't it?
- Yeah.
They seemed to be very pleased
with her too.
They say she's improving a lot
which is good.
MRS CROSBY: She's only had three fits
since she's been there
- which is marvellous.
- Yeah, it's very good.
MRS CROSBY:
'Ey!
In! With that ball on the main road.
What do you think you're doing? In!
Sorry.
MAN: That's over
a ten pound dress in the catalogue, that.
Oh, ay, no, she can't have that.
MAN: Don't worry, I'll treat you,
Just see if it fits.
- See if she fancies it.
- C'mere Paula. Let's see if it fits you.
Don't worry about the money.
- Well how much is it, luv?
- Don't worry about the money, honey.
She's enjoying herself isn't she? Eh?
How much is it, love?
I'll tell you what we'll do.
Does it fit her?
- Do you fancy it?
- Yeah.
- How much is it then?
- I'll tell you what.
These come out
at over a tenner in the catalogue.
I've been doing all on that rail
for two pound.
If you fancy this...
I've got no bags.
And If you take it like that
I'll take a pound for the lot.
- Here you are,
- MAN: What're you going to have, eh?
- Say thank you to your Auntie Gertie.
- Thank you, Gertie.
MAN:
Is your Auntie Gertie buying you that?
- Yes, I am. She's lovely.
- Going to look pretty in it, in't she?
She looks pretty in anything
- Don't you darling?
- Yes.
Right, thank you.
- Very nice that.
- MAN: Anything else?
- It's lovely, that.
- MAN: I've got some bargains here.
Thanks a lot, love.
If you look at your notes
you will see 15,000 pounds
for the celebration and events
30,000 pounds for the canal project
which is grant-aided
so it doesn't come off the rates
and the money raising
will contribute further to the 15,000.
But also included in that
there's 11,000 I do know
on providing all the school children
with jubilee crowns.
That's a splendid idea, isn't it?
Absolutely splendid.
- Well now, I have to report...
- Excuse me, Madam Chairman.
Sorry I'm late.
I had another meeting.
CHAIRMAN:
Oh, certainly Councillor.
- Do sit down,
- CONWAY: Thank you.
We were just discussing...
Well, we were just in the middle
of the Chairman's Report.
WOMAN: I was just going to mention,
Madam Chairman,
- about the Amateur Dramatic Society...
- CHAIRWOMAN: Yes.
...for the production of Half a Sixpence
to be held at St Patrick's Church Hall.
And plus, of course, the street parties.
- Yes.
- We won't forget the street parties.
- No, no.
- WOMAN: I remember in 1945...
at the end of the war...
May I just call the meeting to order
because I do know
that Councillor Conway is going
to give us his report.
With pleasure, Madam Chairman.
I'll keep it short
cos I know a lot of business
to transact.
CHAIRMAN:
Thank you.
I think you ought to know you've no need
to worry at all about the estate,
I'm sure they'll be very pleased
with what goes on in the day.
We've got nine street parties
already organized
a promise of a number more
and there'll be more after that
when people get into the swing of things.
We've also got the hoarding going up.
MRS CROSBY: Are you going
to say ta-ra to your Auntie Gertie?
PAULA:
Ta-ra, Auntie Gertie.
MRS CROSBY:
Ta-ra, Gertie, ta-ra, Jackie.
MAN:
Bye bye, Gertie.
- This is Mr...
- Sullivan.
- Sullivan. He's going to take us back.
- Hello, Sullivan.
He's going to take us
back to the seaside, isn't that nice?
- Thank very much.
- SULLIVAN: ...get in the van, shall we?
MRS CROSBY:
You alright Dad with 'em?
Now listen, you be careful you two
and don't get into any mischief
and behave yourselves.
Hey, keep off the main road
with that bike, love
cos it frightens me to death.
DAD:
Give your grandad a big hug.
MRS CROSBY:
Hey, Paula, your grandad wants you.
Bye Gertie! Bye Jackie!
DAD:
Oooh, the size of her!
MRS CROSBY: Behave yourselves
and don't go on the main road
cos I'll batter hell out of you
if I find you have done.
- Oh, are we both in the front, can we?
- SULLIVAN: Yeah... Can you not...
MRS CROSBY: Where're you going?
You go in the back Paula, eh?
Will you be alright, Dad?
DAD: Yeah, yeah.
Can I get yer owt from the shops?
MRS CROSBY: No, don't mither
about the baby because Jackie's got her.
- DAD: OK.
- MRS CROSBY: I've got everything in...
Oh! Put the potatoes on, Dad.
Ta-ra, love.
Now be good, won't you?
Don't go on the main road with that bike.
- I'll bring you some sweets, love.
- BOY: Right.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- DAD: Ta-ra, Paula.
- PAULA: Ta-ta.
- DAD: Ta-ra.
- GRACE: Ta-ta.
DAD:
Ta-ra.
DAD:
Ta-ra.
(HORN BEEPS)
- They've gone now, thank God.
- DAD: Yes.
And go easy on that bike.
BOY:
I will. You're badder than her, you!
Could Rick not take us then today?
No, he's on holiday.
At Rhyll.
(SHE LAUGHS)
(MRS CROSBY LAUGHS)
SULLIVAN:
How long will it take do you reckon?
MRS CROSBY: Oh, about an hour it took,
didn't it last time?
Oh, look Paula, there's the hoarding
for the, uh, the Jubilee.
- Yes, the Jubilee.
- PAULA: Duke of Edinburgh.
MRS CROSBY:
Yes, and the Queen, look.
Queen, and have a party.
MRS CROSBY:
Yeah, I'll get you home for the party.
- You'll enjoy that because we'll have...
- For the Jubilee there'll be music on.
- People partying in the street.
- ..and lots of cakes and in the street...
- Lots of cakes in the street.
- Yeah. Marching.
- Marching,
- And music.
- Music.
- Won't it be good?
Do you want to go home for that?
- Come home for that.
- Right. I'll get you home for that.
- You'll enjoy that, won't you?
- Oh, yeah.
(MRS CROSBY LAUGHS)
It'll be smashing.
- I'd better not forget you, had I?
- Yeah.
(SEAGULLS SQUAWK)
Hello, Lesley.
- LESLEY: Hello.
- Hello.
- Hello, Andy.
- Hello, Andy.
- Hello.
- LESLEY: Hello.
- Hello.
- LESLEY: Did you have a good time?
- PAULA: Good.
- ANDY: Hello.
(THEY LAUGH)
- Did you have a good time?
- Yes, this is Mr Sullivan.
He's from the Community Centre.
This is Lesley.
She helps more.
Come on, Andy.
- In you get.
- Go on.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MRS CROSBY:
Mind, Paula.
PAULA:
Hello!
Alright then?
MATRON:
Hello Paula. You look well.
MRS CROSBY:
Come on, take your coat off, love.
- MATRON: How are you, Pauline?
- PAULINE: Good thanks, yeah.
- MATRON: Had a good holiday?
- PAULINE: Yeah, smashing.
Oh, this is Johnny Sullivan.
He works for... Johnny Sullivan,
a friend of ours.
- We met him today.
- Nice to meet you.
He works for the Community Trust at home
and he brought us back in the van.
Oh, lovely.
She looks well after her holiday.
Yes, she has a nice time
with her brother and sisters.
- Oh, yes.
- Got a leading part in the play haven't you?
LESLEY: Did you tell your mum
about the play you're doing?
PAULINE:
No, what play's that? What play?
- Queen Elizabeth.
- PAULINE: Queen Elizabeth?
What? For the Jubilee?
- There's a costume... cloak... red cloak.
- PAULINE: Yeah.
- Crown.
- Oh, lovely.
- Has the crown got jewels in it?
- With jewels.
Who made it?
- (PAULINE LAUGHS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- I made it.
- PAULINE: Oh, you made it.
- You going to show it me?
- LESLEY: Come and show it her.
- PAULINE: Is it gold or silver?
- LESLEY: It's silver isn't it?
- I'll take them upstairs.
- MATRON: Yes.
MATRON: Shall we go...
Well, if you'd like to come this way.
Uh, I won't be long, Carol.
A few minutes.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
LESLEY:
That's the dress.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
It's smashing, innit?
Playground, if you just glimpse it
down there.
Everything alright there?
(SHE LAUGHS)
(SHE SIGHS)
It's got plenty of equipment, yes,
- It's like a holiday camp.
- Ooh. It is like a holiday camp.
Carl, what are you doing?
Come on.
Come and show that gentleman
your camera.
He's got a camera.
Oh, let's have a look.
CARL:
Can someone... there...
Eh? Yes, we will after a bit.
(SHE GROANS)
Oh, he's heavy.
- CARL: ...over there.
- Yes.
The kids come
from all over the place?
Oh, yes.
We get them from all over England.
We're more like a family, you know.
MATRON:
We're not an institution, a family.
SULLIVAN:
Yeah, I know.
Take my photograph and take Paula's.
Come on.
We're going over there to take Paula's.
Look, she's got her crown on!
(SHE LAUGHS)
LESLEY:
Are you taking a picture, Carl?
- Yeah.
- MATRON: Guess the grown-ups.
- SULLIVAN: There's her case.
- Oh, thanks.
LESLEY:
You're supposed to take her train, Carl.
MATRON:
Just like in a family.
Everybody mucks in
and helps one another.
- BOY: Go on, Paula.
- Right.
They're all from local authorities are they?
Um, yes, they are, they're brought here
from local authorities.
- Quite a lot from our own area though.
- Yeah.
- Yes.
- What? From around this district?
- Yes, from this district mostly.
- Smashing.
- CARL: Long live the Queen!
- That's right.
CARL:
Put your hands up!
LESLEY: You've got to put your hands
up when you do it.
- CARL: Long live the Queen!
- SULLIVAN: Long live the Queen!
CARL:
Long live the Queen!
- LESLEY: You've got the hang of it at last.
- PAULINE: ...she look lovely.
(CARL SHOUTS)
PAULINE:
Beautiful. You look beautiful.
MAN:
We've sat here month after month
calmly accepting
public expenditure cuts.
We've accepted cuts in education
we're sitting here now
discussing a rent increase.
You've accepted cuts in social services.
On a point of order, Mr Chairman.
We've really heard enough.
We have not had cuts in social services,
As Chairman of that committee,
I know better than you or anyone else.
We're in a position of nil growth...
- Oh, Jesus. Come on.
- CHAIRMAN: Peter, Peter.
CONWAY:
But Mr Chairman, it's most important...
- Oh, I'm sorry, but look.
- CHAIRMAN: Peter...
CONWAY:
...or outside.
Come on. We've been living in a time
when we've had...
- Peter, Peter...
- I'm sorry.
We've been living through times
when we've had
between 15% and 20% inflation.
- Therefore nil growth is a cut, right?
- CONWAY: All I've done is redeploy...
Look, I'm not interested in a public
relations exercise for your department.
We have had cuts
in every service we administer.
You've had cuts in social services.
You've had to cut employment
in your service.
You've not reappointed appointments
that have fallen vacant,
You've had cuts in residential services
and you know it.
CONWAY:
Mr Chairman, on a point of order...
Come on, you've cut.
- Peter, please.
- On a point of order
we are not discussing social services.
We're discussing whether we make
a recommendation to the party group
to accept this rent increase
and the subsidy that goes with it.
And I'm prepared to move
without further debate
that we accept this recommendation
of the Housing Committee Chairman
and that this be our recommendation
to the party group.
WOMAN 1: You're only telling me
what you've been told to tell.
I want to know where my giro is
and I want to see the manager.
WOMAN 2:
I've told you where your giro is.
I've told you that it's in the post
and I've told you
that you cannot have another giro.
And the manager will say
exactly the same things as I've said.
WOMAN 1:
Yeah, but I can't wait 'til tomorrow.
WOMAN 2:
The only thing that you're entitled to,
if you're in hardship,
if you have absolutely no money at all,
and no way of feeding your children,
is a food voucher.
WOMAN 1:
There's no way am I having one of them.
WOMAN 2 But if you want food for
your children this will give you food for...
WOMAN 1:
Look, it's degrading enough
having to come here to start with
without being degraded even more
by being given one of them
to take into the shop
and let everybody know.
WOMAN 2: I don't see that it can be
any more degrading than coming here...
WOMAN 1:
It is because people are going to think
that I'm not spending my money
on the kids when I do.
I never go out.
TANNOY:
Mrs Pauline Crosby. Cubicle Three.
(DAWN CRIES)
(DAWN CRIES)
- MAN: Mrs Crosby?
- PAULINE: Yes.
MAN: Your making an application
for an Exceptional Needs Payment, right?
PAULINE:
Yeah, that's right..
MAN: And, er,
it's not the first time though, is it?
(DAWN CRIES)
MAN:
I see here we made you two...
Hang on, I'll just take her out
Come on, darling.
- Yeah?
- Er, we made you two payments already.
Two grants.
- And also you're owing £196 on...
- What d'you mean two grants?
- Pardon?
- Two grants.
- You've haven't given me two grants.
- Two Exceptional Needs Payments.
I got one for clothing and for a mattress
and one... and they gave me something
when she was born.
That's right, yes. Two grants.
Er, you're owing 196
on your electricity bill
and 50p has been deducted
to pay off arrears?
That's right, yes.
And five pound is being withheld
towards future bills.
- Yeah, £5.50 goes on the electric.
- I see.
- And now you're in...
- (DAWN SCREAMS)
Ssh, darling. Ssh, ssh, ssh.
MAN: Now you're in trouble
with your rent arrears.
- With my what?
- Rent arrears.
- Yes, that's right. The bailiffs...
- Yes. You're owing 262 pounds.
And if I don't pay it,
this is gonna take away me furniture?
Mm. Yes. Well...
But what has been happening
to the rent allowance
we've been paying you each week?
- I mean, we pay you money...
- It's gone on other things.
Your rent is calculated
as part of your allowance.
And you seem to be spending it
on other things, yes?
PAULINE: Well you try keeping
a home and three kids
on what I get,
and I bet you couldn't manage it.
You should have a try.
- Ssh. Come on, darling.
- (DAWN CRIES)
But that's not the point, Mrs Crosby.
We've been paying the rent and we expect
it to be spent on rent.
Well, that is the point
cos I'd rather feed them than pay the rent
and it's only two weeks...
That's probably
because you're a bad manager.
Surely, you should be able to do it.
Well, I can't. I'm sorry.
I just need more money.
Look, the only thing we can do,
the only thing we're prepared to do...
- (DAWN SQUEALS)
- PAULINE: Ssh. Ssh.
...is to treat these rent arrears
exactly like we treated
your electricity bill.
You can't do that cos that only leaves me
with about 14 pounds in me hand.
And I can't manage.
I'll agree to pay off some things
if you'll give me more.
MAN:
Look, we can't..
You're already getting everything
you're entitled to, Mrs Crosby.
(BABY CRIES)
Well, then what about this thing
I've come to you for today.
That's just... all I wanted
was some help with those arrears
cos that's what they're after me for.
We can't pay those
because your husband ran them up
in the first place.
PAULINE: But what about this...
why I've come today.
- What they sent me for...
- I'm sorry, we can't do it.
You're already getting everything
you're entitled to.
(DAWN CRIES)
Look, what we...
One thing we can do,
if you so wish,
is appeal against this decision.
Who to?
Well, eventually it goes
to the Independent Appeals Tribunal
but in the first instance,
you write in to us.
- (DAWN CRIES)
- You've got 21 days to do it in
and it must be in writing.
And just simply put down
why you think you're entitled to the grant
and, er, send it in here to us.
Ssh. What's the matter?
- Er, have you got that, Mrs Crosby.
- Yes, I've got that.
So, I'll write...
- (DAWN CRIES)
- What do you want?
- Is that it, then?
- Yes, that is all, yes.
That is what you're going to do.
You're going to appeal, are you?
- OK.
- Fair enough.
PAULINE:
You alright? Come on.
♪ In the fight for England's glory lads ♪
♪ Of its worldwide glory let us sing ♪
♪ And when we say we've always won ♪
♪ And when they ask us how it's done ♪
♪ We'll proudly point to everyone ♪
♪ Of England's soldiers of the Queen ♪
MUSIC: "Soldiers of the Queen"
by Leslie Stuart
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
What are they doing?
JACKIE:
I don't know.
- "Join the army and be a man".
- Send our Gary in.
Our Gary would look smart as a soldier,
wouldn't he?
(SHE LAUGHS)
MUSIC: "Rule, Britannia"
by Thomas Arne
Thank you very much.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
- That's a STEN gun innit?
- Bren.
Oh, Bren gun,
that's a STEN gun of course, yes.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
WOMAN:
Thank you.
CHOIR: ♪Rule, Britannia!
Britannia rules the waves ♪
♪ Britons never, never, never,
shall be slaves ♪
♪ Rule, Britannia!
Britannia rules the waves ♪
♪ Britons never, never, never,
shall be slaves ♪
MUSIC: "Land of Hope and Glory"
by Edward Elgar
PAULINE:
Come on, Dad, we're going.
JACKIE:
With his stick in his hand.
Look at him conducting.
GERTIE: I'm sorry I've got no change.
I'm very sorry.
JACKIE: Come on, Grace.
Not me, love. No thanks.
CONWAY:
Alright, that's fine. Thank you.
- You stupid sod!
- Grace, come on.
- I said you stupid sod giving...
- Why?
I wouldn't give 'em a light
would I buggery
after what they've done to you!
I don't know.
She's daft, your mam, Grace.
Bloody daft.
PAULINE:
Aaah. He's lost his mammy, I think.
- Dad! Where are yer?
- ...yer bleeding money like that.
Come on, Gary.
Go on, you go first Grace.
Go on, duck.
Mind, Pauline.
PAULINE:
in't that lovely? Listen to that music.
JACKIE:
Watch your feet. Watch your feet.
- PAULINE: Listen.
- JACKIE: You nearly fell down.
PAULINE:
Oh, it's bleeding gorgeous.
Land of Hope and Bleeding Glory!
(SHE LAUGHS)
This committee is at present
running over its budget
so we're going to, at the end of the year,
go into the red.
The council has decided
that we're going to meet the government
demands for expenditure cuts.
We've got to take our share.
It therefore means
that we have got to make savings
and this policy review indicates
where those savings may take place.
If we don't, we simply go into the red
and then the whole council will suffer.
So, we've got to face those facts.
Moreover, the review makes it clear
that the savings we make
will be able to be used
for the kind of things
that you're talking about.
To give you just one example,
a person in residential care
costs £1100 up to £3800 a year,
but a person in community care
only costs us £27 up to £105.
Well, Mr Chairman,
I agree that we have to save money
but I can't help feeling
that if these proposals are carried out
it must result in a deterioration
in our services.
MAN 1: Oh, Mr Chairman,
Could I... I'd just like to stress this point
that this is not a deterioration.
It's an alteration
in the way we use the money.
Um, we've tried
in this new policy document
to save money by a more efficient use
of the resources at our command.
Now, yes, we hope it will save money,
but our thinking all the time
has been guided
by the best interests of the client.
MAN 2: Yes, but surely, Mr Chairman,
we're talking of savings.
These bus passes for the elderly,
we must spend a tremendous amount
of money providing these,
can these not be cut in some way?
I don't think we ought to make any cuts
which are seen to be cuts
in anything to do with the old people.
We all know
what a tremendous lobby they have
and I don't think
we could touch the bus passes
or make any sensible savings there.
WOMAN:
Could I refer to Section II
in the new policy, Mr Chairman?
Where it says that we envisage growth
in relation to services
for the mentally handicapped.
But we're talking
about cutting down services.
Yes, I think you can assure us,
can't you?
That the mentally handicapped
are not going to suffer.
Oh, certainly.
CONWAY: Well, that seems to be
the point we have to consider.
Well, now you've all had the report,
you've had time to consider it.
Discussed it now.
I'm prepared to recommend it to you
and I take a motion to accept
the report and its recommendations
LESLEY: I'll open the door
when we need you to come in.
OK?
Oh, I'm in trouble here.
Leave it like that.
That's alright.
OK, so you're all dancing.
Go in a nice big circle.
Remember what you've got to do, Carl?
In a minute you've got to open the door
and say, "Here comes the King"
(BRASS FANFARE)
HE SHOUTS:
Go on! Hooray!
(THEY ALL CLAP AND CHEER)
CARL:
Long live the Queen!
Item 22. Transfer of children.
Mr Chairman, I wish to report
the transfer of four children
from the Arkwright Home to our own
Broomfield Residential Home.
Er, is this really in the interests
of the children?
Or is it simply financial
and part of the policy?
Well, Mr Chairman,
we've had comprehensive reports
and we're satisfied that it is in
the best interests of the children,
particularly in view of the fact
that Arkwright is 40 miles away.
So, it is in line with our policy as well as
being in the best interests of the children
because it moves the kids nearer home.
Good. Can we agree?
- (THEY MUTTER IN AGREEMENT)
- Thank you.
22, 23. The postponement of provision
of an educational unit...
MRS JOHNSON:
Yes, come on.
Come on then, darling.
God love us.
(SHE SIGHS)
Come on. Alright. Steady.
Mind the steps.
Paula, can you just stand there
for one minute.
Alright. Come on, love.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MRS JOHNSON: You alright Paula?
That's right. You sit there.
CHILD:
Where are we going?
Right. See you again then, OK?
MUSIC: "20th Century Pageant"
by Jean Bouchety
(PAULA BANGS THE DOOR)
Don't Kathy!
- KATHY: Come on.
- PAULA: Nooooo!
KATHY: Come on.
We don't want any silliness now.
Come to bed. Come on.
Going to come with me?
PAULA:
No.
- KATHY: Going to come to bed?
- No.
- Why not?
- ...not going to bed!
- You are.
- No!
- Yes! Come on.
- No!
Come on. Don't be silly.
Come on. You going to sit
on the end of the bed?
Mmm? And be good?
- Going to go to bed?
- No.
Why?
Eh?
No, don't! Come on, come on.
Be sensible now,
Sit down. Sit down properly.
Get your bag back now.
Are you going to go to bed
like a good girl?
- Mmm?
- No.
- Go on.
- No.
You're being naughty now, aren't yer?
- WOMAN: Hi, you alright?
- MRS JOHNSON: Fine, Thank you.
We've come to see Paula.
Can I introduce you to Mrs Crosby?
- WOMAN: How do you do Mrs Crosby?
- MRS JOHNSON: And Mr Dean.
- WOMAN: Mr Dean.
- MR DEAN: Please to meet yer.
WOMAN:
Would you like to see her now?
She's in the day room.
Come along.
- PAULINE: Have you got those lollies?
- MR DEAN: Yes, yes...
Morning, Mam.
Hello, Paula.
Hello, darling.
Give us a kiss.
- Here's your grandad.
- MR DEAN: Hello, girl. Hello, Paula.
Hi Grandad.
Look what we've got for yer.
- Got some goodies here,
- Yeah, look.
Mam's brought you a ribbon.
- Ribbon.
- Yeah, two ribbons.
- Blue!
- Don't like that, do yer?
- I like pop.
- (THEY ALL LAUGH)
- Have that after.
- And there's two ribbons, blue and red.
Red too.
Why aren't you playing
with the children, love?
- I'm here.
- I know. Where are the children?
MRS JOHNSON:
There aren't any here.
Who does she play with then?
MRS JOHNSON: If you want to talk,
perhaps we could go through...
WOMAN:
Yes, come along to my office,
we'll discuss it there.
Bring Paula.
MR DEAN:
Alright, come along.
- PAULA: Coming.
- PAULINE: Whose is that bag?
- PAULA: Mine.
- PAULINE: Oh.
(PAULA COUGHS)
- Why was she moved?
- MRS JOHNSON: I don't know why.
It was... We had a case conference
and there was a decision made,
I disagreed with it
but she's only here for a short time,
- just to be assessed.
- WOMAN: Yes.
- It's only temporary.
- She's not here...
I mean, she was lovely wasn't she.
She was lovely
and then we see her today,
to see her in that room, it's...
WOMAN:
I'm very sorry...
MRS JOHNSON:
I know it's upsetting,
but she's only here for a short time.
PAULINE:
She's not here for a short time.
If she's not going back to the Arkwright,
she's going home!
I'm going to take her home
with me right now
because she's not staying here,
it's not good for her.
MRS JOHNSON: I'm going to go back
and we'll see if we can get her moved
- as soon as possible.
- Don't bother going back.
She's not... She's coming home.
MRS JOHNSON: Now, Pauline,
you know there's too much pressure
at home if Paula's there.
Look, I've disagreed once.
I'm going to go
and try and disagree again.
Try not to let it upset you too much.
We'll see if we can get her moved.
WOMAN: These are the notes
from the case conference.
- You remember?
- Yes.
And it says she was to be moved
to, er, Parkfield.
But that's a mental hospital.
She's not a hospital case.
- PAULA: Oh, no.
- MRS JOHNSON: Paula.
Would you like to go
for your lunch now?
Take your Coca Cola with you, darling.
- MRS JOHNSON: No...
- She's entitled to something.
Now leave her alone.
Take your Coca Cola.
Leave her with her ribbon.
- Don't take them off her.
- WOMAN: There.
- PAULA: Have the ribbons.
- You leave those with me, good girl.
You see, whatever you say to her,
she'll do.
And I wanted her
to keep those bloody ribbons!
Easy, now. Take it easy.
WOMAN:
Don't worry, she's not going to Parkfield.
Mrs Cox, you've agreed,
and so have you agreed
that the place is unsuitable.
Now, it might be alright
for the old ladies...
MRS COX: Well, dear,
she'll have to stay with me until...
She won't have to stay with you.
I'm sorry, she's coming home.
- Take it easy.
- Dad, I'm not letting her stay here.
The thing is, I will care for her
while she's here.
Don't worry on that score.
I'll give her everything...
But who put her here
in the first place?
MRS COX:
Ah, well, there you see, now...
MR DEAN:
She was lovely at the other place.
MRS JOHNSON:
It's been made as a policy decision
but we're going to try
and I'll go back...
MR DEAN: We want a guarantee
that she's not going to stay here.
That's all we want.
- MRS COX: It's temporary.
- MR DEAN: What can you do then?
MRS COX: Well, I can't do anything.
I'm just the warden here.
MR DEAN:
Er, it's really not good enough.
MRS COX:
Well, why don't you write to the director?
MR DEAN:
We'd have to do...
MRS COX: He's hard
to get in touch with, believe me,
but write to him and try.
It's awful leaving her there.
You've got enough on your plate.
I know it's come as a shock,
but she's only there for a short time.
- I'll do what I can to get her out.
- And what are you going to do about it?
I'm going to go back to the office
and see my senior
and see if there's anything
I can do to get her out.
It strikes me
that all you're good for is giving advice.
As soon as there's any heat on
we won't be able
to see your bum for steam.
It's not fair. I try.
That's all I can do.
I'll do my best.
If you had a grain of conscience,
after seeing that child in there
with them old folks,
I mean, if you really cared,
you'd be down that town hall now
and if they wouldn't let you in
you'd bang the door down
to get her out of there.
That's what you should be doing.
Making excuses, excuses.
Oh, piss off!
You're neither use nor ornament.
And we'll get the bus back.
Come on.
Why is that child in that hostel
if it was made
on expert opinion and advice?
That's not the matter in hand
which we're here to discuss...
- Isn't it?
- ...as far as I'm concerned.
That decision has been taken.
It's been taken by experienced people
and with all respect to you,
you're not yet experienced
as a social worker.
You're not qualified and you're still
very much in the early stages of training.
Well, I don't understand
how experienced people
can have made such a decision.
I think what I'd like you to begin to see
in your involvement in this case
is that some of the anger and frustration
that you're bringing out
are problems that are to do with yourself
and as long as you are not able
to at least appreciate that
and deal with that yourself,
you're going to be working
to the detriment of Mrs Crosby.
- So, any anger...
- Mrs Crosby needs you at the moment
more than she needs anybody else
because it is you that has been having
a close, intimate relationship with her.
Mrs Crosby won't trust anybody anymore.
Well, I think you must ask yourself
why that is.
That decision has been...
She sees her child taken away
from a place where it was happy
and put
in totally unsuitable surroundings
and you say that.
- It's ridiculous.
- Well, I...
How can you expect me to do a job
when you won't allow me
to do it properly?
Elaine, I think you have come to a point
where you've got so involved
with this case with Mrs Crosby
and as I mentioned to you just now,
I think the extent to which you've gone,
the collusion that is involved
between you and her
and it's not new with you.
I mean,
John will have pointed this out to you
in other cases you've been involved with
in the department
but it's become so apparent
that I think you're going
to be working in the long run
against Mrs Crosby,
given that you are here
to represent the department,
you're employed by the department
and your job is not
to act as a messenger.
Your job is to be involved with her
and help her through the pain
and acceptance of that decision.
(DOOR BANGS)
- Mrs Crosby.
- Yes?
Right. Has anyone come with you?
PAULINE: Mrs Johnson,
the social worker should have been here.
Oh, she phoned. It's alright. And...
PAULINE:
What? She's coming?
No, she won't be here.
Um, has anyone else come with you?
- PAULINE: Well, my dad.
- Your father is it? Thank you.
And your name is?
- MR DEAN: Mr Dean.
- Mr Dean.
MR DEAN:
D-E-A-N.
Right. Thank you.
Now, what about expenses
this morning?
What about your bus fare?
MR DEAN:
Oh, we walked down.
- No bus fare at all?
- MR DEAN: It's all downhill there.
- No, we walked down.
- Right you are.
Alright, that's fine.
Will you follow me, please?
MR DEAN:
Can I go in with her?
- Yes.
- PAULINE: Oh, good.
Oh, that's good, innit?
WOMAN 1:
Oh, yes, one is away though, isn't she?
WOMAN 2:
Yes.
WOMAN 1:
One is in permanent residence...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
WOMAN 1:
Mrs Crosby?
Please, do sit down.
The gentleman with you is uh?
MR DEAN:
Mr Dean.
- WOMAN 1: Mr Dean?
- MR DEAN: I'm Mrs Crosby's dad.
WOMAN 1:
Oh, I see. Sit down then.
That's quite alright.
(DOOR SHUTS)
WOMAN 1:
Did you bring your papers with you?
PAULINE:
What papers?
WOMAN 1:
The papers we sent you, like this...
PAULINE:
I haven't had any papers.
WOMAN 1:
Had none at all? Not received any?
PAULINE:
Mrs Johnson might have 'em.
She's my social worker.
- WOMAN 1: Oh, I see, so she...
- She was supposed to be here today
but she told me she's not coming.
WOMAN 1:
I see, yes.
Have we got any spare papers,
Miss Stephens?
Thank you,
WOMAN 1:
Um, so you won't have read those or...
I've never even seen them.
WOMAN 1:
She never explained them to you?
- No.
- WOMAN 1: No. No.
Well, we will read through them for you.
The Presenting Officer
will read through them for you
- and then you...
- So you don't want me to read them...
- ...now?
- No, that's quite alright.
Er, you made an appeal
for an Independent Tribunal.
That's correct, isn't it?
That's when the social security told me
cos they turned me down.
WOMAN 1:
Yes, well, that's correct.
So, we are
a completely independent tribunal.
In other words,
we have nothing to do
with the
Supplementary Benefits Commission.
- You understand that?
- Yes.
Right. And we're here to decide
whether supplementary benefit
has been properly carried out
in your case,
- Alright?
- Right.
And the gentleman on your right
is Mr Webb, the Presenting Officer.
Now, he is not the officer
that made out your case for you
so don't be too hard on him, will you?
(PAULINE SMIRKS)
WOMAN 1: Mr Webb,
would you like to read the case?
MR WEBB: This appeal was lodged
on the 21 st of the fifth, '77,
by Mrs Pauline Crosby
against the decision of the Commission
issued on the 17th of the fifth, 1977,
which was the refusal
of a single payment, 262 pounds.
Towards rent arrears.
Mrs Crosby's statement reads,
"I wish to appeal for a grant
to pay the rent arrears."
"If I can't pay it
then I will lose all my furniture"
"and belongings which is all I have left."
Mrs Crosby is separated
from her husband...
MR WEBB:
...minus the electricity arrangement
I've already mentioned of £5.50,
gives a total payable
supplementary benefit of £26. 15.
WOMAN 1:
Thank you.
MR WEBB: The Commission's view,
Madam Chairman, is quite clear here.
It can't be responsible for any debt
that was incurred
before Mrs Crosby became a claimant.
Since the debt was incurred
before Mrs Crosby became a claimant
and since she made her claim
for supplementary benefit,
the Commission is in effect being asked
to backdate the claim for benefit
which can be done
in certain circumstances
but those circumstances
are not applicable in this case.
I would remind
the members of the Tribunal
that the Commission
have helped Mrs Crosby
with her electricity bill for 196 pounds.
Mrs Crosby has already received
two Exceptional Needs Payments
during ten months
on supplementary benefit
totalling 60 pounds.
There is no danger of eviction,
no danger of the children being split up.
The Commission
have offered to Mrs Crosby
to pay her rent direct to the council
plus 50 pounds to pay off her arrears.
She declined that offer.
That offer is still open.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN:
Now, did you understand all that?
Did you find that correct?
As that was your...
Yes, I didn't know the Needs Payments
were 61 pounds.
I remember one in December
for 41 pounds and that was for...
MR WEBB:
There were two payments actually.
One for £45 and one for £15,
a total of 60 pounds.
CHAIRMAN:
Total those two together,
You've got one for 45 pounds
for shoes and clothing...
Right,
...and you got one
when the baby was born.
15 pounds.
Do you remember getting that?
I must of...
I thought every women got that.
MR WEBB: No, every woman
gets the 25 pounds maternity grant
and Exceptional Needs Payments
are something which is paid
on the top of the weekly benefit.
Oh, yes,
CHAIRMAN: So, is there anything
you want to add to that?
You know, is there any other questions
you'd like to bring up
or anything you're not sure of?
Well, he said there's no threat
of the family being broke up
but somebody come to the house
and said if the arrears weren't paid
that could happen.
The social worker says not
but, um, that's what I was told.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes. I see... Um...
MR WEBB: As far as we know here,
Madam Chairman,
the situation is
that Mrs Crosby's furniture
is going to be taken and that's
the responsibility of the social services.
CHAIRMAN:
But if the rent is paid direct to them
and they're sure of that
plus this extra paying off the arrears,
they would surely not take the furniture
do you think?
MR WEBB:
I would think that may be a help.
Um, I don't know
what the Housing Department's attitude
towards that is now.
Certainly when we offered
to pay Mrs Crosby's rent
direct to the Housing Department,
they were perfectly amenable
to that suggestion.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes.
And I think this would be
rather a good idea
to accept this...
arrears agreement.
Is there anything else at all
connected with this
that you would like to bring up?
Well, um, I also agreed
to pay off three pound a week
to the arrears.
- CHAIRMAN: Yourself?
- Yes.
Yes.
When they came to me house
and said I could be evicted.
- CHAIRMAN: Yes.
- MR DEAN: You were putting it by.
- Eh?
- MR DEAN: You were putting it by.
- You were putting three pound by.
- Yeah, right. I do.
And I pay it whenever I can
cos that's what I agreed to.
CHAIRMAN: The three pound
is what you said you could find.
- You obviously can't find that.
- I can't.
CHAIRMAN:
So, the way to help you, I think,
the Supplementary Benefits
Commission decided,
was to keep the rent and pay it for you
plus 50p a week
to help pay off the arrears.
You see, so the only thing
that would be taken off you
would be 50p, plus your rent.
Well, I said "no", didn't I?
CHAIRMAN:
You said "no" to that.
I can't manage
on what I'm left with now,
so how would I manage...
And some weeks, I promise you,
I can't pay the rent.
MR WEBB:
Well, I would point out to you
that, in fact, the rent
in the supplementary benefits scale rate
is set aside to be paid as rent.
It's not set aside to be used
for any other purposes.
CHAIRMAN:
Mmm.
MR WEBB: The difference is
that Mrs Crosby seems to think
that the nine pounds is to be used,
not for paying rent,
but for whichever purpose
she deems fit.
CHAIRMAN:
Is that correct? Is that...
Not really, no.
MR WEBB:
Well, you had the choice, Mrs Crosby,
to have us pay the rent
direct to the council, plus 50p.
Well, I wouldn't mind that,
but there's £5.50 going out already.
CHAIRMAN:
And that's for your electricity
to make sure that you've always
got cooking facilities and light
- and heating for your children.
- Of course.
Not only are you stopping £5.50
for her light,
you talk about taking
another 50p off her.
- You...
- CHAIRMAN: To save her home, really.
I've got a paper in my pocket
that I had for Mrs Johnson
and Pauline's had about one rise
off the social security in 18 months.
That's... They don't lie...
That's what they use for the...
15 pounds worth of grub
15 months ago
and that now costs 20 quid.
I mean, even Mr Healey
couldn't budget his budget on that.
Er, I think it's only fair to say
that if you go back over her history,
she's been managing 16 years,
you know,
and it's only this last 12 months
that she's really been in any difficulty.
Before that she's been able to live
on the wages before he went away
and she was able to manage
and everything was alright.
It's only this past 12 months.
And I've gone in there
on Monday morning
when she's had nothing left.
And I'd like to say this too,
Mrs Chairman.
I've never asked for charity in me life
and we've always been
grafters and workers.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes.
I've come through the 1933 period
when people were visited and hounded
and the night men come round
and throw them out their beds.
I didn't think that this would come back.
After 1945 I said "Well, that's it"
with the war and everything
that I wouldn't be seeing
a daughter of mine
coming in to this place.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes, the scale of rates is laid down
by the Act of Parliament, you see.
- It's nothing to do with us.
- Yeah, but the officer...
The officer said that...
It's too clever.
There's... When people try
to get something out it's always there.
He said there is provision within the Act,
so and so, so...
if it's exceptional circ...
- CHAIRMAN: That's quite true,
- Pauline's an exceptional circumstance.
Now, what she wants
is the means to exist.
She wants another four or five quid
in her pocket.
- CHAIRMAN: Yes.
- All I want, really,
is just some of me arrears paid off so...
just so me mind...
CHAIRMAN:
...we'll take all this into consideration...
MR WEBB:
The Commission have already offered
to help Mrs Crosby out with her arrears
- but I must reiterate that...
- But the Housing won't except that 50p.
They say it's not enough.
MR DEAN: It's not my nature to beg,
Mrs Chairman,
and indeed it's not Pauline's...
if I could help then I would do but...
CHAIRMAN: Yes.
If you would leave it with us now,
we'll come to a decision today
and let you know in the course
of the next few days by post.
MR DEAN:
Yeah, well when you consider...
CHAIRMAN:
We'll take everything into consideration.
The point I want to...
Yeah, but there's no second chance.
I can't come back here
once I've gone outside.
By the way, I'm trying to stress.
You imagine yourself keeping three kids
and yourself..
- CHAIRMAN: I see this.
- And what I'm trying to stress is...
You... No matter how much
you juggle with...
How can you juggle
with what you haven't got?
MR WEBB:
This is a case for the social services.
CHAIRMAN:
We're going to discuss it anyway
and thank you very much
for coming, Mr Dean,
and for helping Pauline.
MR DEAN:
You see...
I didn't think they allowed them things
to happen these days.
The public... I mean,
if I told one of my old times...
now they say,
"No, they don't do that now, Peter".
That was years ago.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes, I see your point.
Pauline, you have an elder daughter
not living with you.
Where is she?
Where is your eldest daughter?
She's in an old peoples' home.
CHAIRMAN:
Is she being looked after there?
She's only 14.
She's a baby and they just moved her.
CHAIRMAN:
Where did they move her from?
The Arkwright Home.
- Which is a very good home, isn't it?
- Wonderful.
- CHAIRMAN: Why did they move her?
- I don't know.
First I knew
social worker come into the house
and said they'd moved her
and we went to see her two days ago
and she's sitting in a home
for old people.
CHAIRMAN: I think you ought
to go back to the social worker here...
She can't do nothing.
PETER:
She... Her hands are tied.
CHAIRMAN: I think you ought
to take this up then.
We went out, you see...
When you talk about the social worker,
we went over there the other day,
and we seen the matron
and all she done was saying
that she was there for assessment
and that's a lie.
And you say go to the social officers.
CHAIRMAN:
They can help you.
PETER:
They bring you to see somebody else.
She sent me a letter
I don't understand.
PETER:
It's a brick wall all the time.
- I don't understand.
- PETER: No one knows who sent her.
You asked them that, didn't yer?
CHAIRMAN:
Listen, Pauline, don't get too upset now.
- I know it's...
- Everybody says that to me.
"Don't get upset. It'll all be alright!"
PETER:
I'd like to ask the committee
or the Tribunal, to be charitable
in applying its judgement here.
CHAIRMAN: Yes, we'll come
to a decision today, Mr Dean
and let you know as we said.
I think she's worth a new start.
She's not anyone that's a spiv.
I mean, her record before that proves it.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes, Mr Dean.
And she... I'll tell you what she done
and I made her knock it off.
She was a machinist before.
- We've worked all our lives.
- CHAIRMAN: Yes.
Mr Dean and Pauline
we will come to a decision today
and let you know.
So, thank you very much for coming
and for all your help, Mr Dean.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Pauline.
I was hoping that, you know...
CHAIRMAN: You'll get a letter
from us in the next three days.
Ask for raise, as the officer says,
I think that would be the best course.
And...
- Just pay off what I owe.
- Don't stop the 50p.
CHAIRMAN:
We'll consider everything
and let you know our decision, Pauline.
Thank you for coming.
Thank you.
- Thank you, Mr Dean.
- PETER: Come on.
(CHAIR SQUEAKS)
I feel that if we don't help her
in some way
that she'll really be sunk.
262 pounds is a great deal of money.
I would have thought something
perhaps like 40 to 50 pounds
as a sign of good will,
confidence in her.
I do agree that the £9.50
should be deducted
because I think
that she could fall into debt again...
- Yes.
- ...if she wasn't helped with that.
I mean, I do agree about that
but I feel that she's really
at the end of her tether
and I think that if we turn her down...
Yes, I think the most important thing here
is that if we do allow this to happen
that it's going to be a very good idea
for all husbands to leave their families
and the supplementary benefit is going
to take over and pay their debts.
- You see my point?
- Yes, yes. I do.
I just feel we have to take her
as an individual.
I think she has tried very hard
and I think she's been
terribly pressured and...
Yes, but she's not going
to come to any more hardship
except the 50p a week.
Well, one wonders,
you know, er... quite...
She wants to juggle with the rent
which is, of course,
not a good thing in her case.
No, agreed.
But of course,
if you are feeding children,
naturally, the inclination is
to give your children food
and take money out of the rent.
Yes, of course.
I feel it would just lift the pressure
if she could have
a little bit taken off this 262 pounds.
Not a great deal
but just something
to give her encouragement.
Yes, she's still going
to end up paying £9.50.
Yes, yes, I think that...
So it's not really going
to be any benefit to her.
I think, mentally, it would be.
Yes, um...
- I'll be guided by the Chairman.
- Yes. Miss Stephens?
MISS STEPHENS:
Let me give you the legal situation.
The office may also pay benefit
from a date prior to the claim
so long as the claimant was eligible.
In fact, Mrs Crosby was not
because the husband was working.
So, we'll have to turn her down.
(PAULA CRIES)
MRS COX:
Just a minute. Christ.
Right.
(SHE SOBS)
MRS COX:
Now, now, Paula.
MRS COX:
She's having...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
You know, sometimes she gets
a bit upset, doesn't she?
Just a minute, Paula.
I'm coming.
Hang on a minute.
(MRS COX SIGHS)
Now then...
(SHE WHISPERS)
Tell me what the trouble is.
What's the trouble?
Why are you crying?
Come on. What is it?
SULLIVAN:
Jesus.
It's like trying
to get to see the Pope, innit?
That's his office, innit, there?
SHE SIGHS
Let's have a look at that letter again.
I haven't read it proper
cos it came through the post
first thing this morning
and I came out to meet you... 'ey!
He must be in then.
Oh, he's in alright.
Well, he'll see us, won't he?
I wouldn't bet on it.
"All parents of children received
into care now have a legal obligation"
"once the child has been in care
six months or more"
"to give 28 days' notice of intention
to apply for the discharge of the child."
28 days?
That's not what you're asking for, is it?
No, I just want her out of that hostel
and back where she come from.
(SHE SIGHS)
- Have you read all this?
- No, it only came this morning.
I came to meet you.
(SHE WHISPERS)
Is that him?
- WOMAN: Mrs Crosby?
- PAULINE: Mmm?
WOMAN: I'm sorry, I'm afraid
the director isn't available right now
but perhaps I can help you?
Would you like to come this way?
Would you like to sit down?
Right now.
I think perhaps it would be as well
if we clarified the situation
to date, shall we?
And then perhaps any queries you have
will be answered while I talk.
The situation is that,
um, after consultation,
and after a lot of heart-searching
on our behalf,
we have decided
to move Paula's location.
Why? If the place isn't right for her?
Er, she has been moved
to a different place of residence
in her own interests,
in what we feel are the best interests
of her family and you...
How?
WOMAN:
Well, my dear, she's closer to you
and surely you're able to visit her
a lot more often.
- But...
- WOMAN: You don't have the outlay
of time and money
that you used to have.
And I would think
that time is much more valuable to you
when you have other children
dependent upon you.
No. What's most valuable to me
is Paula's welfare
and she's not right where she is.
It's not got facilities for a child like her.
She needs special care.
WOMAN:
Yes, no I have had a summary
of your objections from Mrs Johnson
but, look here,
you have had our letter I take it?
- Yeah, this is it.
- WOMAN: Yes.
That's another thing
I'd like to talk to you about.
You see, I don't understand it.
WOMAN:
Ah, well what don't you understand?
Nothing.
WOMAN: Well, let me put it
a little more simply, perhaps.
That letter points out
that we have to ask you to, um,
satisfy a legal obligation
and that is that if you wish
to remove Paula from our care
and take her home,
you must give us 28 days' notice
in writing of your intention.
But no one's... She's...
Mrs Crosby's not talking about
taking the child away from the hostel.
WOMAN:
Oh, you are Mr Crosby?
No, no. My name's Sullivan.
I'm a community worker on the estate.
But anyway, the point is
that Mrs Crosby
is not interested
in taking the child into her home.
All she's concerned about
is the child having to stay in the hostel
where she actually...
it's not suitable for her, for Paula.
Now, we've come to find out why that,
er, why that decision's been made
to move her
from Arkwright Home to the hostel
and if it can be reversed.
Yes, but the decision to remove Paula
from the Arkwright Home
was a policy decision.
Now, I'm really not at liberty
to discuss that
- but I have already told you...
- But listen. I'm her mother.
You should discuss everything with me,
shouldn't you?
WOMAN:
Look, I must draw your attention
to the printed form on the back of your...
it's attached to the back of that letter
and you probably haven't had time yet
to take it in properly.
Now, if you look at the third paragraph
on the first page of the printed form,
you will see there a heading,
"Parental Rights".
Now that clearly states
that the local authority
can also take over
parental rights and duties
if a child has been in care continuously
for a period of three years or more.
- Yes.
- Now that applies, of course, to Paula.
Fine, but it also says,
a bit further down,
that if the local authority
is taking over parental rights
that they're required by law
to let the parent know in writing
that parental rights have been taken.
Now, Mrs Crosby has had no letter
informing her of that sort of action.
WOMAN:
That's quite true
because we have no intention,
in this case, of enforcing the law
because if we did so,
Mrs Crosby would lose her rights
over her own child.
Listen, Paula was taken into care
in the first place
because everybody advised me
it was the right thing to do
because no way
would I sign her into care.
I said, "I'm not doing that".
And the social worker explained to me
because the Arkwright Home
was out of the area,
she had to be signed into care
so you could pay the fees.
WOMAN: Now, Mrs Crosby,
you have a clear-cut decision.
You either leave Paula in our care
and concede us the right to do
what we feel
is in the child's best interests
or you take her home
and assume full parental control for her.
SULLIVAN: But don't you see,
you're not presenting her
with any real alternatives.
You're not...
What you're presenting her with
is a choice of two evils,
neither of which she wants to take.
Now come on.
Why is it happening like this?
WOMAN: The decision has been made
and put into effect
and from that standpoint,
it is very difficult indeed to reverse it.
The reversal, if any,
can come from the child's mother.
The child's mother has a perfect right
to take her home, out of our care.
But again, we're going home,
again she's going home.
But she doesn't want
to take the child home.
We said that when we first came in.
Who's made the decision?
And please tell us.
Did Dr Whitehead say is was right?
WOMAN:
Dr Whitehead is perfectly aware
that the move has taken place.
PAULINE:
What did he say? Did he agree?
SULLIVAN:
Was he consulted about it?
Dr Whitehead is not officially attached
to this department.
SULLIVAN: No, but he is officially
attached to the home, and to Paula,
which is, after all, what we're all on about.
Now, has he been consulted or not?
SULLIVAN: What that cow's saying
is if you kick up a fuss,
you can take Paula home,
knowing, they know full well
that you can't manage.
Now, it's not because you're inadequate,
it's because she's a difficult kiddie
with the fits and everything
which is what the Care Order
was all about in the first place.
But you see,
they've twisted that round now
to suit their own purposes
and all they've gotta do now
is give you a monthly or whatever visit
from the social worker.
Bloody social...
They want bagging, the lot of them
and Mrs Johnson.
Yeah, I mean, well,
it's not her fault, is it really?
Cos she's got to get her wages paid
like everybody else.
She's at the bottom of the pile.
Hang on here, I'll get the key.
(EMERGENCY SIRENS WAIL)
That cow.
She's never even seen our Paula...
saying she's doing it for her good.
I'll have to take her home.
Well, that's not a good idea, is it?
Well she's not staying where she is.
Look, hang on.
Just think about yourself for a minute.
I mean, you've got three to cope with
as it is
and you're not finding that very easy.
You've got two at school
and one on the floor
and if you take Paula on
that'd be four of you.
We'll manage somehow.
Well, maybe you will,
but you've got no husband
and you've got money problems.
(HE SNIFFS)
Just think...
Just think what'll happen
if you crack up.
If you take a wobble,
all four'll end up in care
and you'll end up on your back.
That'd just bloody serve them right
won't it, then?
Well, just listen.
We'll go and see Dr Whitehead
and we'll see what he's got to say
and then we'll take it from there, eh?
But just hang on a minute.
I mean, trust me, yeah?
We'll sort it out, we'll get it sorted out,
don't worry about that.
Now, just hang on. OK?
I'm sorry to be so much trouble.
No trouble.
Look, Pauline, will you stop
blaming yourself for what's going on?
The point is you're coping really well
with all the problems you've got.
All you've gotta do is stop
blaming yourself for them, right?
Well, she made me feel it was my fault.
Well, of course she did.
I mean, that's the idea.
If you're poor, you're to blame.
If you're on the welfare,
then you're fiddling.
You're inadequate or you're wicked.
But the point is you're neither.
I mean, was it your fault you had
a mentally handicapped kiddie, eh?
Was it bloody hell!
(SEAGULLS SQUAWK)
PAULINE:
But you're Paula's doctor.
Surely they can't move her
without you saying yes?
I'm afraid they can do that.
It's happened before.
It doesn't generally happen.
What they usually do,
as a matter of courtesy,
they're supposed to consult me,
but they didn't in this case.
SULLIVAN:
They're not legally bound to do it?
Not legally bound to at all.
SULLIVAN:
They can take kids away from here?
Yes, they can do that.
Officials can do that.
PAULINE: The social worker told me
it was for assessment or something.
Well, that's rubbish actually.
Because if they wanted to assess them,
they could have done that
quite easily here
without having to disturb the children.
Well, the matron at the hostel,
she said that originally they weren't
even going to go to the hostel,
they were going to go
to Parkfield Mental Hospital
but they didn't have enough beds
so she's gone to the hostel.
Yes, well, this seems to be
a sort of general trend now
with local authorities.
You see, what they try and do,
they try and unload
the burden of responsibility
onto the hospitals.
So, let me try and explain to you.
Er, what happens is when adults
or children come into a place like this,
er, then the local council
who send them here have to pay a fee.
Er, I think in the case of these children
we're talking about
it's somewhere in the region of £13,000,
I'm not sure.
SULLIVAN: You mean for Paula and...
for the four of them?
Exactly. Yes.
Whereas, if they go into a hospital,
then the money comes
from the central government, d'you see?
SULLIVAN:
But she's not in a mental hospital.
I can see how that would work
if she was
but she's not, she's in a hostel.
Are you trying to say that the hostel
is cheaper than the home... than here?
Well, it depends
on whose doing the counting, really.
The beds are there already
and they're just filling the beds
that are there, you see.
It's internal costing, in fact.
So, it's a money decision,
pure and simple.
That is the main consideration, yes.
PAULINE:
So what happens to Paula now then?
Well, in Paula's case
there will be a definite regression.
She's a very bright child,
very loveable,
but if she is removed
from this environment,
she will become disturbed,
apprehensive,
and she will probably have those fits
that she had
and return to the clinical state
she was in
when she came here first
four years ago.
JACKIE:
Hit it hard!
I'll hit me bleeding...
Ouch, shit!
JACKIE:
Pauline! Are you up there?
Yeah.
JACKIE:
Come down and help us.
Give us the bloody hammer.
Go on, put the bleedin' hammer
where your mouth is
and get up there, go on.
I don't want it where me mouth is,
I want it in that bloody post.
You better hold it while I get up
because I'm not as young as you, am I?
You daft sod.
Wait a minute.
Hang on. Hang on. Hang on.
Hang on.
Don't pull me cos that sits loose.
It's all balls this job in't it?
Give us the hammer.
Right.
Hang on.
JACKIE:
Pauline! Are you coming?
Is she still up there, her?
JACKIE:
Pauline!
GERTIE:
Hey, it's your queen an' all, you know!
Come down old droopy-drawers!
Oh, good Jesus,
this is going to be funny.
CHILD:
There's one!
Oh, bloody hell. Are you sure
it's Jubilee this week and not next year?
What you doing up there, Gertie?
GERTIE:
Trying to nail me balls to this post.
JACKIE:
...nail 'em to the lamp post.
GERTIE:
You stood up there like bloody Juliet
waiting for flippin' Romeo.
You've got no chance.
Get off me arms, you. Hang on.
- Now just watch this go in, daughter.
- "Watch this go in daughter!"
GERTIE:
Watch this go in.
(GERTIE HAMMERS)
PAULINE:
Mind your thumb, love.
GERTIE: Bloody hell,
it's like knocking sense in her, this.
- (PAULINE LAUGHS)
- GERTIE: No chance!
PAULINE:
How d'you put up with her, Jackie?
GERTIE:
Hey look, Lady Muck from Turd Hall,
how about you having a go?
- Really?
- GERTIE: Are you gonna have a go?
No, because it's a stone lamp post.
GERTIE:
It figures! It figures!
JACKIE:
Why don't you just tie 'em round?
PAULINE:
Have you go a proper thing for stone?
BAILIFF:
Morning, Mrs Crosby.
GERTIE:
Oh, the bad smell's here again.
BAILIFF: Got a lot up here, haven't you?
Lots of decorations.
GERTIE: It's not laid on for you
old bloody featherbrain!
BAILIFF: We'd be much better
going somewhere quiet.
- MR WILLIAMS: You think so?
- Yes, I think so.
Come on.
BAILIFF: ...somebody coming in now...
OK... Right in here, Mr Williams.
- You've got this list?
- MR WILLIAMS: Yes, I have, yes.
BAILIFF:
Take the settee out first.
Go easy, don't er...
The council are on our neck already.
- OK?
- MR WILLIAMS: Yeah.
Er, Mrs Crosby, this should
have been done, you know.
I'm sorry to trouble you
but they should all be off.
They shouldn't be here at all,
you know that.
It's in your own interest too.
Now we'll get the sideboard out.
Will you give us
a bit of a hand here, Mr Williams?
The drawers, how about the drawers,
anything in those?
Yes, they're full.
BAILIFF: Oh, aye.
You'll get that out will you?
I'll do it.
BAILIFF:
Just let them get through with this...
Have... Have you got a...?
Er, will you look after the settee
and will you take the cushions down?
MAN:
Yeah.
BAILIFF: Got to empty
all this stuff out of here now.
Should have been done ages ago.
I'll have to give you assistance.
I'm sorry but it has to be done.
- PAULINE: Don't touch my things.
- BAILIFF: I'm just checking.
You should've had it all out, you know.
You've got paperwork
in that top drawer there.
D'you want to get this sorted?
I think... I think we'll put
those drawers down here
and take the sideboard down as it is.
You'll have to empty these drawers.
They won't be very long.
They want this sideboard down next.
Sorry about that.
- Oh, love.
- Are you coping? Are you alright?
GERTIE:
We are sorry for you.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- GERTIE: Oh, I am sorry...
- Hey!
GERTIE:
I wish I could help. I am sorry.
BAILIFF: It should have been cleared,
you know, Mrs Crosby.
All your personal effects...
- You should be cleared an' all.
- She's got four kids, right.
- Well, I know...
- She's got four kids and lots on her mind.
I know, but the faster we do this...
Right, we've come
and we're gonna help.
- BAILIFF: Well, alright...
- GERTIE: The faster we do it
the faster we get rid of you.
(THEY ARGUE)
BAILIFF: ...gonna need that afterwards
when we check on it.
GERTIE:
I hope it happens to you some day, mate.
Mind you don't break your neck
going down steps.
It's hard enough with children
without having this...
BAILIFF:
It's alright. Won't be long now.
- No paper in your side?
- MR WILLIAMS: No.
BAILIFF:
OK, write that down there.
GERTIE:
You alright, cock?
Never mind, cock.
You can always look at it
in a funny way if you want, you know.
You always fancied a bit on the rug,
didn't you?
You'll have to have it on the rug now
because you've got no bleeding bed.
(PAULINE LAUGHS)
BAILIFF: Er, Mr Williams,
you'd better go upstairs and have a look.
Hey, hang on.
Dawn's upstairs.
BAILIFF: Only the bedrooms
to have a look around.
The baby's up there,
why don't you take that as well?
- BAILIFF: Alright...
- GERTIE: I wouldn't put it past him.
If you want any help,
give us a shout.
PAULINE:
Hello, darling. Come on.
Look, why don't you just give us
a minute, right?
Just go back downstairs
and give us a minute, right?
- Very well.
- Thank you.
- Look, Pauline...
- What?
Wh... Wh...
Why don't you give me the baby?
- No, I'll have her...
- No.
Go and have a cup of tea
with me mam.
- What, with the baby?
- I'll mind the baby, right?
No, you stay here
until the fellas have gone and I'll...
You go and have a cup of tea
with me mam.
- OK.
- I'll get the kids from school
and we'll go out tonight, alright?
- Will you send 'em to Gertie's?
- Yeah. We'll fix you a babysitter.
- Don't leave 'til they've gone.
- No, I won't.
- I'll look after it alright?
- Right. OK, love. Thanks.
Come on, darling.
Thanks a lot, love.
- JACKIE: It's alright.
- PAULINE: Gertie, come on. Gertie!
- C'mon kid, let's drown our sorrows.
- Alright.
Have a good night.
Can't do nowt, can you?
It'll do you the world of good, Pauline.
It will honestly. Getting out.
- Nowt you can do about it, is there?
- Get yourself a fella.
What d'you owe?
Two hundred and what?
- 62.
- My God.
God help you.
How much we got in there, kid?
(PAULINE LAUGHS)
That's good for a laugh.
Even the bloody purse is plastic.
How much?
- 42p.
- And before you ask me, no.
Well, I've got about 50 pence.
Enough to get pissed on.
Don't worry.
Come on both of you.
- Get some rich fella!
- I'll sort them bloody fellas out for you.
I'll tell you what,
if they take your bed, don't worry.
Come in my bedroom with my old man
cos if you can get anymore
out of him than me
you're bleeding welcome y'are, kid.
He's never been upstanding
since the bloody coronation!
- Oh, Gertie!
- He hasn't, God help us.
And I'll tell you something
about the dole now.
I don't know if they do it around here
but in Manchester they really are,
they're paying them in pesetas
in the summer
so's they can go over to Spain.
They can!
They're paying them money in pesetas.
They've even got an office over there
now so's they can draw their money
without coming back each week
to bloody sign on.
Four people on Social Security,
120 quid a week...
- Have you ever got that?
- (GERTIE LAUGHS)
GERTIE: Social security 120 quid a week,
let's get pissed on it.
- Do you work?
- Course I do, don't you?
GERTIE:
Bloody hell...
(CROWD APPLAUD)
I know, I might be.
I'm sick, I shouldn't be doing it.
MAN 2:
What he's spoken up there
is just what you read every day
in the capitalist press.
But there's no smoke without fire,
is there, John?
There's no smoke without fire, is there?
SULLIVAN: Straight outta the Daily Mail
and the Express, that.
Papers like the Daily Mail
and the Daily Express
quite readily quote figures
of two million pounds
being scrounged off social security.
It's a lot of money compared
to what you or I know about.
Let me finish.
But two million pounds a year
is a drop in the ocean,
it's a drop in the proverbial bucket
to the amount of money
that's going lying unclaimed...
- Look...
- ...from the Social Security Commission.
I accept all that.
SULLIVAN: Six hundred million pounds
a year is left unclaimed
and the reason for that
is that people are ashamed
to go and claim it.
And they're ashamed to go and claim it
because people are criticised,
directly or indirectly,
by people who accuse them
of being member of a hard core,
and by comedians like that
who go on about social security
as being some sort
of a stigma on their lives.
MAN 1: What about the guys
who are throwing...
These guys out of work,
they come and tell you
they've just done the social security
out of a new bed
cos he slung a bucket of water over it,
had a guy up, let it go a bit green...
they've got a giro for 60-odd quid,
blankets, bedding, all that...
MAN:
♪ They may build their ships, my lads ♪
♪ And think they know the game ♪
♪ But they can't beat the boys
of the bulldog breed ♪
♪ Who hold old England's name ♪
♪ We got a Navy, our fighting Navy ♪
♪ That made old England's name ♪
PETER: When there's a bit
of a crisis on within the system,
the first thing they want
is to turn worker against worker.
Worker against unemployed.
What do you mean
"worker against worker"?
(THEY SHOUT)
Half of them should be x-rayed
to see if they've got any work in 'em.
- PETER: You've had a good say.
- What do you mean?
Half of them should be x-rayed to see
if they've got any bleedin' work in 'em.
♪ No, let there be no regrets ♪
♪ Why explain ♪
♪ Why delay ♪
♪ Don't complain ♪
♪ Simply call it a day ♪
Your attitude is clouded
by the few examples of fiddling
that you've come across.
MAN 1: I don't say
everybody scrounges.
Now listen,
you're twisting my words round.
I don't say... Listen, let me finish.
Right. It's alright
the three of you sat there.
- PETER: What's your job?
- The three Just Men.
Have you got frankincense
and myrrh and gold as well?
When I wake up in the morning,
I think Pauline and myself are parasites
and we're not parasites.
MC:
She's promised me
she's gonna be
very, very clean tonight, is Gert.
(HE LAUGHS)
Here you are my darling,
and your number is?
Bleeding hell!
(SHE LAUGHS)
Oho, bloody fellas.
(BAND STARTS PLAYING)
MUSIC:
"When You're Smiling"
♪ When you're smiling ♪
♪ When you're smiling ♪
♪ The whole world smiles with you ♪
♪ And when you're laughing ♪
Hey!
♪ Keep on laughing ♪
♪ The sun comes shining through ♪
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
It's a nice evening.
(SINGING CONTINUES IN THE DISTANCE)
Er, Mr Conway,
can we have a word with you?
CONWAY:
Yes, what? Hello there.
- Hello.
- Nice to see you. Grand night.
- Yeah.
- Hello there.
- Hello.
- Hello.
My wife...
Sorry, won't be a minute, love.
This is Councillor Conway.
This is Mrs Crosby.
This fella next door,
I've never seen him sober yet.
Daft as a bloody brush, he is.
He is, he's crackers.
You know what he was doing
the other day?
Mowing the field with no trousers on.
You know how windy it was.
And the fella in the next field said,
"Hey Charlie, Charlie! What you mowing
field for without your trousers?"
"You'll get pneumonia!"
He said, "I went out yesterday
without me scarf and got a stiff neck"
"This is the wife's idea".
(SHE CACKLES)
(CROWD LAUGH)
(SHE GIGGLES)
Now, girls. Now, girls.
If you agree with me,
I want a great big "Yes".
Isn't this world in a mess?
CROWD:
Yes!
And who's at the back of every mess?
A bloody fella!
- WOMEN: Yes!
- MEN: No!
Shut it!
Shut it! You're outnumbered.
The fella next door got up
on Monday morning.
You know what they look like
on a Monday morning, don't yer?
Teeth in the jam jar.
(CROWD LAUGH)
Bald patch uncovered.
(CROWD LAUGH)
She was putting his toast under grill
with her rollers in
and he come down
with his braces dangling,
looking like
a Midsummers Night's Dream!
And he said to her,
"I'm not going this morning."
(CROWD LAUGH)
"I'm not well".
(CROWD LAUGH)
"You make me sick", she says,
"You do, you make me bloody sick".
"There's nowt wrong with you,
only bloody beeritis"
"now get to the doctors
if you're not well"
"and don't mither me,
I'm going to wash house."
And he went to doctors
and they all sat there like waxworks
and the doctor came out,
he had a look round the surgery
to see how many was in
and how soon he could get out.
He says, "There's half of you in here,
there's not a thing wrong with yer".
"You come in here
just to read the magazines."
"You, Mrs Jones, you know
what your trouble is, don't yer? Drink."
"You think that much about drink"
"you've even called
your daughter Sherry."
(CROWD LAUGH)
"And you Mrs Brown, you know
what's up with you, don't you? Money."
"You think that much about money"
"you've even called your daughter Penny."
And the little woman got up in corner
and she said,
"Come on, Fanny,
we're not sitting here to be insulted".
(CROWD LAUGH AND APPLAUD)
- (MUSIC STARTS)
- GERTIE: This is just for the ladies.
Only for the ladies, this.
♪ Are you lonesome tonight? ♪
♪ Is your brassiere too tight? ♪
♪ Are your corsets just ripping apart? ♪
♪ Have you got a big chest
poking holes in your vest? ♪
♪ Is your spare tyre
right up to your heart? ♪
♪ Are your stockings all laddered
and your shoes worn and thin? ♪
♪ Do you hold up your knickers
with a big safety pin? ♪
♪ Are your false teeth all worn? ♪
♪ Do they drop when you yawn? ♪
♪ No bloody wonder
you're lonesome tonight ♪
(CROWD CHEER)
WOMAN:
Better warn you now
that if I'm asked
about my decision again,
it would still be the same.
- Thank you, John.
- OK. Thanks, Barbara.
Seems I've ruffled her feathers a bit.
Sorry about that.
- Moving kids is always an emotional matter.
- Yes, it is.
And you can never actually
do right or wrong.
And, of course, these voluntary homes,
they have a lot of brutal muscle.
- Mmm.
- Have to be very careful about that.
- Yes.
- And a further point.
The mother is a constituent of mine.
Well, I know that you find yourself
in a very difficult position
but, er, in this one,
I'm backing Barbara's judgement.
Good, right. Thanks for your help.
Bye bye.
JOHN:
Bye bye.
CONWAY: If I go in
and start trying to tell Chief Officers
what to do with individual cases,
then my relationship
with the officers disappears.
I mean, I would suggest to you,
quite logically and calmly,
that if we let the heat go out
of the situation for a few weeks...
No. If we let the heat...
I know exactly what'll happen
if we let the heat go out of the situation,
it'll be forgotten!
That's exactly...
That happens time and time again.
Are you accusing me of lying?
- No.
- Cos I said I'd re-open the case.
- No, well, you may re-open the case...
- Well, it won't be forgotten then.
...but time is of essence.
All I can say is I'll re-open the case.
Yes, but you keep saying that.
You keep saying...
Well, that's the end of the matter
as far as I'm concerned, Sullivan.
It's the beginning of the matter.
I want you to do something now.
I don't want you to re-open the case.
The case is not closed
as far as I'm concerned.
CONWAY: I can't go up
and tell officers what to do.
That's not my power or privilege.
It's been through committee
and the Committee made the decision.
The Committee made
a wrong decision then.
That's your opinion, Mr Sullivan.
And it's only been made...
I know why it's been made.
I can have a good guess
at why it's been made.
It's been made
because of some financial restraint
- that's been handed down from...
- Rubbish.
It's been handed down
from central government.
So, tell me,
how was the decision made
for the child to be moved out of it.
Now, come on.
The decision was made quite properly
by the proper offices.
It's been through council quite properly
and that's the end of the situation.
- Why?
- In the best interests of the child.
Bullshit.
Well, that language doesn't impress me
and what's more I shan't stand for it.
- No...
- Simple as that.
Well, alright. I'm not intending
to impress you, Councillor.
I'll tell you the facts.
That child was moved.
It may well be there is some saving
by not paying money
to a private or a voluntary home.
- It may be there is some saving.
- Maybe.
It maybe, but that isn't
the reason it was done.
I talked to the doctor at the home.
I said... I said to him,
"Now, why has Paula been moved?"
"In your opinion,
why has Paula been moved?"
And he said,
"It's not for medical grounds".
"Under no situation could it ever
be justified on medical grounds."
CONWAY:
You find any two doctors,
you'll find they'll give
directly opposing views.
This is all part of the general framework
of cutting back on social services
I haven't come here, Sullivan,
to be lectured by you
about local government.
SULLIVAN:
You know what's going on!
CONWAY:
I know exactly what's going on
and I know this,
that you don't know.
And I'm not here to be lectured by you,
a sort of long-haired utopian type
who's feet aren't on the ground.
I haven't got long hair
and I don't want utopia.
What I want is action
on this particular case
and I know why it's all gone wrong!
It's all blown up in your face
because I'm stood here today,
confronting you with the book!
I'm running a department here
- with a nine million plus gross budget.
- Yes.
Serving all these people
in the social services
and you come and lecture me
about local government finance?
- Yes.
- My God.
And it's your budget
that you're most concerned with.
- Rubbish.
- Because you're getting cutbacks
all over the place
and the first area of cutback
is in the area
of the mentally handicapped
because they can't fight back.
Because you can hide the results
in a home.
Sullivan, you make me bloody ill
- and the other people like you.
- I'm glad I do!
You go around hawking
your bleeding heart round the streets
A knight in shining armour.
By God, you, you make me bloody ill.
We're the people who do the work.
We're the people
that solve the problems.
We're the people with the responsibility
and people like you come along
and, my God, you do more harm
than you do bloody well good.
Who's the social services
being run for?
- Your socialism...
- Answer that question.
...is nothing more
than a blinking emotional spasm.
- Exactly.
- It's not...
Exactly, because living out there
makes me emotional.
...ideas, it's not based on practicalities.
There's only one way to be a socialist
and that's to face
realistic facts and figures.
(CHILDREN CHATTER)
- GRACE: Ow! I got you then! Nine, eight...
GRACE:
Six, seven...
Ten I got.
- Nine!
- 11 and...
PAULINE:
Oh.
- PAULA: Hello, Mam.
- PAULINE: Hello, Paula.
Have they got you ready
and waiting for me?
Waiting you.
- No one with you, love?
- No.
- Been waiting long?
- Waiting long.
Oh well.
- Come on. We'll go home now.
- No!
- You don't want that bag.
- No!
Right, come on, love.
Come on.
- Oh, hello.
- These are Paula's tablets.
- No, I've got her tablets at home.
- Yes, but this is a stronger dose.
I want you to give her one
four times a day.
Why is she having those, then?
Well, she did have
two rather nasty ones.
- Er, but not to worry...
- Two?
Not to worry because I think
it was just the disturbance
and the excitement,
you know, seeing you.
- Uh, can you put them in there?
- I certainly will, yes. There you are.
Thank you.
Er, now then.
See you in a day or two then.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Come on, love.
DOCTOR:
You know,
I think you're just suffering
from a little bit of depression,
that's about all.
You ought to liven yourself up,
get out a bit and enjoy yourself.
Don't take life so seriously.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll give you a prescription for something
that'll perk you up for a week or two
and if this doesn't work out for you,
we'll get you an appointment
at a hospital, eh?
See how that'll work out.
There we are.
Try those for a couple of weeks
and see how you feel then, eh?
PAULINE:
Can't go into hospital.
DOCTOR:
Just a check-up that's all.
Our Paula's home
so I need some phenobarb at for her.
DOCTOR: They giving her
anything at the home?
Yeah, this is just
for while she's at home.
DOCTOR:
There we are.
Couple of weeks' supply
of phenobarbital for you.
(HE TEARS PRESCRIPTION)
To make her better, OK?
Thanks.
Right.
Thank you.
GRACE:
Gary!
(THEY SHOUT)
Hello, you two.
- Pauline.
- Hello, love.
- Hello,
- ELAINE: Hello, Paula.
She's going to the party.
Have you got a minute?
I wanted to see you
because I've had some news today
and I'd rather you heard it from me.
I don't know how to tell you.
Paula's got to stay
at the hostel indefinitely.
The reasons seem to be
all sorts of financial ones.
There's no other.
- I'm sorry.
- It's alright, love.
- ELAINE: I'm sorry.
- PAULINE: Alright, bye.
- ELAINE: Bye bye.
- PAULINE: Paula!
- There you are.
- PAULA: Hello.
PAULINE:
Where's Gary and Grace?
- PAULA: Down there.
- PAULINE: Let's go and get 'em.
Come on, Paula. Quick!
♪ Sailing every ocean ♪
♪ Laughing foes to scorn ♪
♪ They may build their ships, my lads ♪
♪ And think they know the game ♪
♪ But they can't beat the boys
of the bulldog breed ♪
♪ That made old England's name ♪
♪ We've got the Navy,
the fighting Navy ♪
(THEY ALL SING)
♪ We've got the Navy,
the fighting Navy ♪
(THEY ALL SING)
(THEY ALL SING)
♪ And England likes a navy blue ♪
(THEY ALL CHEER)
Take the strain.
Heave!
Pull!
(CHILDREN SHOUT)
BOY:
Heave!
Pull! Heave!
(CHILDREN SHOUT)
Go on, Paula!
Heave! Heave!
Come on!
GRACE:
Go on Paula! Pull it!
PAULINE:
Thank you. Come on.
Come on, let's go.
Gary, watch yourself.
Watch yourself.
GARY:
Can I have one for two pence?
PAULINE:
No, come on.
GARY:
But...
GERTIE:
♪ How few were her pleasures ♪
♪ She never cared for fashion's style ♪
♪ Her jewels and her treasures... ♪
OFFICER 1:
What's this then? Evening all.
Here they are,
here they are, here they are.
GERTIE:
♪ I know that I owe ♪
♪ What I am today... ♪
OFFICER 1:
A command performance?
This is not the Palladium.
PETER:
Let her finish, go on!
What's ado, Officer?
GERTIE: What's ado?
What are we doing wrong now?
- OFFICER 1: Bit late, innit?
- PETER: It's the end of a good time.
We 're only having a sing-song.
GERTIE:
We're only singing to the Queen.
And everyone off the estate and all.
GERTIE: You think
cos we live on this bloody estate
we're shit and rubbish, don't yer?
Well, let me tell you, flower,
our Lord was born in a stable
and you couldn't call him
a bloody horse couldn't yer?
(PEOPLE SING INDISTINCTLY)
(DOOR SLAMS)
GRACE:
Oh, stop splashing me, Gary!
(THE CHILDREN ARGUE)
GRACE:
Woohoo!
Thank you.
Put dressing gown on.
GRACE:
OK, I'll just take this.
- Yeah but...
- PAULA: Yeah?
I'm not going to put it on yet.
(PAN CRASHES)
(MUG CHINKS)
(MUG CHINKS)
(PAULA GROANS)
GRACE:
Gary! Paula! The cocoa's coming.
GARY:
So's Christmas.
- PAULA: It's Mam!
- PAULINE: What you doing in there?
(PAULINE LAUGHS)
Are we all sleeping
in here tonight, then?
- PAULA: Oh, yes.
- PAULINE: We are. Come on.
- Hang on.
- GRACE: I'll go first.
PAULINE:
Hey, Grace! Don't grab. Wait.
Go on. Gary.
- Grace.
- PAULA: Grace.
- And Paula.
- PAULINE: Here you are, darling.
- Thank you.
- I've got loads of hairs in me mouth.
- PAULINE: Let me get Dawn.
- GRACE: Don't put 'em on me.
Come on chuck. Aah. Bless her.
Come and have a nice drink. Come on.
- Here she is. Here we are.
- Drinking chocolate.
PAULINE:
Look what Mummy's got for you.
- Where's hers Paula?
- I drunk it.
- PAULINE: There you go.
- PAULA: Mmm. I drunk it.
PAULINE:
Pass me mine, darling.
Grace, pass me mine, darling.
GRACE:
I want a drink.
I'm taking this off,
I'm absolutely boiling.
PAULINE: Where you going to sleep?
You gonna sleep with Paula?
No! I'm...
This is...
Mum, I like this bed the best.
I want to sleep in this bed.
I'm sleeping in this bed.
- GARY: You can't, I am.
- GRACE: So am I.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GRACE:
I'm sleeping in this bed, Mum.
PAULINE:
Alright, darling. Come on then.
GARY:
I am and all.
PAULINE: Here y'are Paula.
I'll come with you, eh?
Me and Dawn come with you?
GRACE:
Aw, can you two come with us?
No we can't.
We're going with Paula.
- (GRACE GROANS)
- GARY: Night.
GRACE:
Amen.
- PAULINE: Amen.
- GARY: Amen.
ALL:
Amen.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
PAULINE: Ooh. Here you are, Dawn.
Come with Paula.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
PAULINE:
in't it lovely?
Come on Grace, get down,
Settle down, sweetheart.
There we go. Night, night. Amen.
- (DAWN STARTS CRYING)
- GARY: Amen.
Mam, aren't you going
in your proper bed?
PAULINE: No, darling,
I'm staying with you tonight.
GARY:
But Dawn won't go to sleep.
PAULINE:
Yes, she will. I'm holding her.
GARY:
I'm going to sleep, an' all.
- PAULINE: Night, night.
- GARY: I'm tired, me.
PAULINE:
Night, night. God bless.
All of 'em?
GERTIE:
Oh, the little baby an' all.
(SHE SOBS)
She'd no right to do it.
GERTIE:
Why? Why did she do it?
Poor little baby.
JACKIE:
She had no right to do it.
She should have stuck it out
like the rest of us
instead of letting them
get one over on her.
(GERTIE SOBS)
I'll call round later, OK?
WOMEN:
♪ The quiet of the day ♪
♪ Begins to melt away ♪
♪ Amanda ♪
♪ The world becomes awake
as I look on the face of you ♪
♪ I wonder if I'll ever know ♪
♪ What loving you really means ♪
- (KNOCK ON DOOR)
WOMAN 1:
Is that the door?
♪ I only know I want to be with you ♪
♪ Even through my dreams ♪
♪ And as the time goes by ♪
♪ You'll stay by my side ♪
♪ Amanda ♪
- From the council.
- WOMAN 2: Oh, blimey. Trouble.
- Mrs Crosby?
- Yeah.
Actually I'm a certificated bailiff
and I've come to...
(WOMAN 2 MUTTERS)
- You are Mrs Crosby?
- Yes.
I'm dealing with you.
There's 262 pounds owing.
I must advise you
that I've got to collect this now.
- £262.
- I haven't got it.
(METAL BANGS)
- MAN: Hello Jack.
- JACK: Hello Councillor Conway.
How are you? Alright?
- CONWAY: I'm a bit nipped.
- Yeah.
- CONWAY: How's it going?
- Oh, fine.
These bloody kids are a nuisance
I'm not kidding you.
I don't think they believe
in family planning on that estate.
- Are you having trouble with them?
- Oh, what? Trouble?
All morning. I don't know how the hell
we got it up to tell you the truth.
- CONWAY: The Queen looks...
- JACK: Hey! Hey!
Oh, oh. The Queen, the Queen.
Turn the Queen the other way
you bloody communists.
Turn her upside...
The right way up, the Queen!
Put the Queen up...
The right way up, the Queen!
Use your bloody head!
The other way!
(CONWAY LAUGHS)
JACK:
You've got her upside down!
Very undignified.
Oh, look at that.
God blast it.
I don't know where they get them from.
I don't.
If I can't get the 262...
Can you tell my social worker
what you've told me?
- Are you the social worker?
- Mrs Johnson, yes. Hello.
Pleased to meet you.
I'm very sorry. I'm a certificated bailiff.
As I've tried to explain to Mrs Crosby,
I've come for 262 pounds rent
which is owing and is well overdue...
But I saw the housing manager
last week about it.
- He said no action was going to be taken.
- Well, I'm sorry.
The final warrant has come to us
and we have come here
and it's got to be paid absolutely today.
There's no question of ifs or buts,
you know the law as well as I do.
Mr Williams here.
The only one thing we can do
and that's get a valuation of the furniture.
MR WILLIAMS:
That'll give you 15 days.
WOMAN 2:
Taking the poor bugger all the time
- to get enough food...
- Just a minute.
- Can you just...
- Can we talk to you one at a time?
Explain that again
to Mrs Crosby and to me.
BAILIFF: I will explain it fully,
as I am compelled to do by law.
I am a certificated bailiff,
I have gained entry by invitation.
There's 262 pounds rent owing.
WOMAN 3:
Did he tell you who he was?
- He said he was from the council.
- Well, I am.
I am a certificated bailiff
working on their behalf.
MR WILLIAMS:
We were invited in.
WOMAN 3:
Did you say what you were?
- Let him explain, let him explain.
- He's doing a bleedin' great...
You wish me to explain
to your social worker
- to make things easier?
- I do.
- The law...
- Explain it to us both, please.
I will indeed, yes,
I'm doing my very best here.
Now, look, there's 262 pounds
I've asked and Mrs Crosby
has not got the 262 pounds.
Yes, we know that.
What are you doing here?
My job now is to evaluate this furniture
and, if necessary, to take it away now.
However, we can,
if Mrs Crosby so wishes to sign this form
- which I will then read to you..
- I'm not signing it.
We can evaluate the furniture
then we could label it
and come back at a later date
and I suggest 15 days.
WOMAN 2: How can you put a value
on this woman's bits and pieces?
I'm awfully sorry, I'm trying to do my job.
(THEY ALL SHOUT AT ONCE)
Jackie, ssh.
The baby, Jackie.
JACKIE: They're going round
picking everything up.
BAILIFF: You could come round here.
Mr Williams, will you carry on?
MR WILLIAMS:
Yes, I will.
MRS CROSBY: Don't touch that please!
Don't touch that, sorry.
- Look, we're doing a job for the council.
- You're not touching this, sorry.
You alright, Paula?
(THEY ARGUE)
MRS JOHNSON:
Just ignore it.
Just ignore it and tell me,
is there anything else that can be done?
Are you going
to take the furniture today?
You call yourself bloody men?
I've shit 'em.
MRS CROSBY:
Can I sort out me family first?
(THEY ARGUE)
- JACKIE: Look what you've done.
- BAILIFF: I'm sorry.
JACKIE:
Get your hands off!
MRS CROSBY: Jackie. Jackie!
Keep your voice down Jackie, please.
(THEY ARGUE)
MRS CROSBY:
Are you alright, Paula?
He won't be alright
if he keeps it up five more minutes.
You stand there, love,
I'll sort him out.
BAILIFF: It's not a question
of sorting it out, we're doing our job.
Well, I wouldn't have a job like yours
if I had it thrown at me.
BAILIFF:
I'm merely abiding by the law.
Listen, I'll tell you what, Gertie,
I'll tell you what.
- Ay, listen, Paula.
- These poor little kids.
(THEY ARGUE)
MRS CROSBY:
Jackie! Come here Grace, darling.
- Come on, darling.
- MRS CROSBY: Listen to Gertie.
Mrs Johnson,
will you please tell them to shut up?
Now listen, Paula, stop crying,
I want to talk to you.
Now listen, why don't you
go down to the market
with your Auntie Gertie and Grace.
choose a nice dress, love.
Take Dawn will you, Jackie.
- Choose a nice dress...
- My God.
...and I'll come and pay for it
but don't choose one before I get there.
No, we'll just be looking round.
MRS CROSBY:
Alright.
Alright, Gertie,
go with your Auntie Gertie.
You remind me
when my bleeding pools come up
to send you some money so your mother
and father can get married.
BAILIFF:
Mr Williams...
- Gertie!
- Gertie, Paula wants you.
MRS CROSBY:
Gertie!
- Come on, darling.
- Take her out, please.
Please take her.
JACKIE:
Fucking bastards! That's all you are.
You're bloody things, you are.
Yes. They are, love.
Bloody things.
BAILIFF:
It's very distressing...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BAILIFF:
Even we, although you may not think so
get just as upset, especially...
- Alright, just a minute.
- It's horrible, isn't it?
How can you do it?
BAILIFF:
It's a job that has to be done.
MRS JOHNSON: Sit down, sit down.
Let me explain what we'll do.
Listen, you're not touching that,
I've told you before.
That's me wedding present, you know?
Just will you hold on while I explain
to her a minute what you told me.
- Yes, if you would, please.
- I will.
But you're just upsetting her
at the moment.
Just stay where you are.
The pram's out there!
Dawn! Take her to the market.
BAILIFF: You'd better read this,
it's most important.
MRS JOHNSON: It seems
that they can give you 15 days' grace
in which time we've got time then
to go and sort it out
and then find out
what the housing manager's playing at.
They won't take the furniture then.
They're going to label it now.
- I know that's upsetting.
- Can they do it then and go?
Yes, they can do it and go, so...
BAILIFF: You must sign this form,
it's most important, and read it.
You must explain this to her,
Mrs Johnson.
- I can't just...
- Just give it me!
- Yes, but you must read it...
- I don't want to read it.
I can't see, although you may be
surprised to know that.
I can't really read at the moment.
Well Mrs Johnson
would be advised to read it to you.
- I've read it for her.
- You have?
- I know, I know.
- Alright, Mrs Johnson.
If you're happy with it,
then you sign it.
MRS JOHNSON: That's the only thing
we can do at the moment
and then we've got 15 days then.
BOY 1:
What's all that for up there?
Jubilee celebrations.
Are you looking forward to it?
ALL:
Yeah.
We're going to have
a big celebration round here
with that all lit up in lights.
BOY 2:
Any booze? Any booze?
- BOY 3: Is there any booze?
- At your age!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BOY 1:
Who's the booze for?
You'll be getting a special present
from the Labour council.
Are you all Labour?
- No, Liberal!
- Yes!
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
CONWAY:
I'll tell you what you're going to get.
You're going to get a special coin,
a 25 pence piece.
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
- BOY 1: We have to pay ten bob...
- BOY 2: It's already ten bob
to give you the money
so that you can pay for it.
(CONWAY LAUGHS)
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
CONWAY:
Well, you can keep this coin
and put it away
and when you're an old man,
you can look back on this occasion
and remember all your mates.
What a waste of time!
JACK: It's the Queen's 25th anniversary
on the throne.
(THEY ALL SHOUT)
Just have a little bit of respect
for the Queen.
BOY 1:
Ay, she's a Tory.
BOY 2:
She's bone idle.
She hasn't done a day's work
in her whole life.
- You know what my grandad said?
- JACK: What? What?
He said he'd give 20 quid a week
to Prince Philip
if he could grow a cabbage.
JACK:
He said what?
He'd give 20 quid a week to Prince Philip
if he could grow a cabbage.
(THEY CHEER)
On your way. Go on.
Go and play, go on.
Go on. Get out of here. Go on.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- BOY 1: Goodbye.
- CONWAY: By God...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MRS JOHNSON:
You might have to face it
that you might lose your furniture.
Oh, it's gone. I know.
MRS JOHNSON:
No, it hasn't yet.
We've got something we can do
and we'll do it.
If that fails,
I know it's a lot to lose what's yours,
but it isn't the end of the world.
It feels like it
and for a long time you won't believe that
but you won't be left
without anything to sit on.
Just practically,
we can get you some stuff together.
We've got a store down at the office
just until you get back
on your feet again.
I know that doesn't help
with the pain of losing what's yours
It's worth nothing.
They've got to take it.
But anyway, we'll see about that.
That hasn't happened yet.
We've still got a card up our sleeve.
If we go down to the D.H.S.S.
for this Exceptional Needs Payment
and see if they'll give you a lump sum
towards paying off...
MRS JOHNSON:
You will survive this, you know.
You've coped so well so far.
Don't let's give in now.
When's Paula going back?
Tonight, that's why I'm buying her
a dress, you see, at the market
and a bit of ribbon.
I went to Arkwright the other week.
- Lovely in't it?
- Yeah.
They seemed to be very pleased
with her too.
They say she's improving a lot
which is good.
MRS CROSBY: She's only had three fits
since she's been there
- which is marvellous.
- Yeah, it's very good.
MRS CROSBY:
'Ey!
In! With that ball on the main road.
What do you think you're doing? In!
Sorry.
MAN: That's over
a ten pound dress in the catalogue, that.
Oh, ay, no, she can't have that.
MAN: Don't worry, I'll treat you,
Just see if it fits.
- See if she fancies it.
- C'mere Paula. Let's see if it fits you.
Don't worry about the money.
- Well how much is it, luv?
- Don't worry about the money, honey.
She's enjoying herself isn't she? Eh?
How much is it, love?
I'll tell you what we'll do.
Does it fit her?
- Do you fancy it?
- Yeah.
- How much is it then?
- I'll tell you what.
These come out
at over a tenner in the catalogue.
I've been doing all on that rail
for two pound.
If you fancy this...
I've got no bags.
And If you take it like that
I'll take a pound for the lot.
- Here you are,
- MAN: What're you going to have, eh?
- Say thank you to your Auntie Gertie.
- Thank you, Gertie.
MAN:
Is your Auntie Gertie buying you that?
- Yes, I am. She's lovely.
- Going to look pretty in it, in't she?
She looks pretty in anything
- Don't you darling?
- Yes.
Right, thank you.
- Very nice that.
- MAN: Anything else?
- It's lovely, that.
- MAN: I've got some bargains here.
Thanks a lot, love.
If you look at your notes
you will see 15,000 pounds
for the celebration and events
30,000 pounds for the canal project
which is grant-aided
so it doesn't come off the rates
and the money raising
will contribute further to the 15,000.
But also included in that
there's 11,000 I do know
on providing all the school children
with jubilee crowns.
That's a splendid idea, isn't it?
Absolutely splendid.
- Well now, I have to report...
- Excuse me, Madam Chairman.
Sorry I'm late.
I had another meeting.
CHAIRMAN:
Oh, certainly Councillor.
- Do sit down,
- CONWAY: Thank you.
We were just discussing...
Well, we were just in the middle
of the Chairman's Report.
WOMAN: I was just going to mention,
Madam Chairman,
- about the Amateur Dramatic Society...
- CHAIRWOMAN: Yes.
...for the production of Half a Sixpence
to be held at St Patrick's Church Hall.
And plus, of course, the street parties.
- Yes.
- We won't forget the street parties.
- No, no.
- WOMAN: I remember in 1945...
at the end of the war...
May I just call the meeting to order
because I do know
that Councillor Conway is going
to give us his report.
With pleasure, Madam Chairman.
I'll keep it short
cos I know a lot of business
to transact.
CHAIRMAN:
Thank you.
I think you ought to know you've no need
to worry at all about the estate,
I'm sure they'll be very pleased
with what goes on in the day.
We've got nine street parties
already organized
a promise of a number more
and there'll be more after that
when people get into the swing of things.
We've also got the hoarding going up.
MRS CROSBY: Are you going
to say ta-ra to your Auntie Gertie?
PAULA:
Ta-ra, Auntie Gertie.
MRS CROSBY:
Ta-ra, Gertie, ta-ra, Jackie.
MAN:
Bye bye, Gertie.
- This is Mr...
- Sullivan.
- Sullivan. He's going to take us back.
- Hello, Sullivan.
He's going to take us
back to the seaside, isn't that nice?
- Thank very much.
- SULLIVAN: ...get in the van, shall we?
MRS CROSBY:
You alright Dad with 'em?
Now listen, you be careful you two
and don't get into any mischief
and behave yourselves.
Hey, keep off the main road
with that bike, love
cos it frightens me to death.
DAD:
Give your grandad a big hug.
MRS CROSBY:
Hey, Paula, your grandad wants you.
Bye Gertie! Bye Jackie!
DAD:
Oooh, the size of her!
MRS CROSBY: Behave yourselves
and don't go on the main road
cos I'll batter hell out of you
if I find you have done.
- Oh, are we both in the front, can we?
- SULLIVAN: Yeah... Can you not...
MRS CROSBY: Where're you going?
You go in the back Paula, eh?
Will you be alright, Dad?
DAD: Yeah, yeah.
Can I get yer owt from the shops?
MRS CROSBY: No, don't mither
about the baby because Jackie's got her.
- DAD: OK.
- MRS CROSBY: I've got everything in...
Oh! Put the potatoes on, Dad.
Ta-ra, love.
Now be good, won't you?
Don't go on the main road with that bike.
- I'll bring you some sweets, love.
- BOY: Right.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- DAD: Ta-ra, Paula.
- PAULA: Ta-ta.
- DAD: Ta-ra.
- GRACE: Ta-ta.
DAD:
Ta-ra.
DAD:
Ta-ra.
(HORN BEEPS)
- They've gone now, thank God.
- DAD: Yes.
And go easy on that bike.
BOY:
I will. You're badder than her, you!
Could Rick not take us then today?
No, he's on holiday.
At Rhyll.
(SHE LAUGHS)
(MRS CROSBY LAUGHS)
SULLIVAN:
How long will it take do you reckon?
MRS CROSBY: Oh, about an hour it took,
didn't it last time?
Oh, look Paula, there's the hoarding
for the, uh, the Jubilee.
- Yes, the Jubilee.
- PAULA: Duke of Edinburgh.
MRS CROSBY:
Yes, and the Queen, look.
Queen, and have a party.
MRS CROSBY:
Yeah, I'll get you home for the party.
- You'll enjoy that because we'll have...
- For the Jubilee there'll be music on.
- People partying in the street.
- ..and lots of cakes and in the street...
- Lots of cakes in the street.
- Yeah. Marching.
- Marching,
- And music.
- Music.
- Won't it be good?
Do you want to go home for that?
- Come home for that.
- Right. I'll get you home for that.
- You'll enjoy that, won't you?
- Oh, yeah.
(MRS CROSBY LAUGHS)
It'll be smashing.
- I'd better not forget you, had I?
- Yeah.
(SEAGULLS SQUAWK)
Hello, Lesley.
- LESLEY: Hello.
- Hello.
- Hello, Andy.
- Hello, Andy.
- Hello.
- LESLEY: Hello.
- Hello.
- LESLEY: Did you have a good time?
- PAULA: Good.
- ANDY: Hello.
(THEY LAUGH)
- Did you have a good time?
- Yes, this is Mr Sullivan.
He's from the Community Centre.
This is Lesley.
She helps more.
Come on, Andy.
- In you get.
- Go on.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MRS CROSBY:
Mind, Paula.
PAULA:
Hello!
Alright then?
MATRON:
Hello Paula. You look well.
MRS CROSBY:
Come on, take your coat off, love.
- MATRON: How are you, Pauline?
- PAULINE: Good thanks, yeah.
- MATRON: Had a good holiday?
- PAULINE: Yeah, smashing.
Oh, this is Johnny Sullivan.
He works for... Johnny Sullivan,
a friend of ours.
- We met him today.
- Nice to meet you.
He works for the Community Trust at home
and he brought us back in the van.
Oh, lovely.
She looks well after her holiday.
Yes, she has a nice time
with her brother and sisters.
- Oh, yes.
- Got a leading part in the play haven't you?
LESLEY: Did you tell your mum
about the play you're doing?
PAULINE:
No, what play's that? What play?
- Queen Elizabeth.
- PAULINE: Queen Elizabeth?
What? For the Jubilee?
- There's a costume... cloak... red cloak.
- PAULINE: Yeah.
- Crown.
- Oh, lovely.
- Has the crown got jewels in it?
- With jewels.
Who made it?
- (PAULINE LAUGHS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- I made it.
- PAULINE: Oh, you made it.
- You going to show it me?
- LESLEY: Come and show it her.
- PAULINE: Is it gold or silver?
- LESLEY: It's silver isn't it?
- I'll take them upstairs.
- MATRON: Yes.
MATRON: Shall we go...
Well, if you'd like to come this way.
Uh, I won't be long, Carol.
A few minutes.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
LESLEY:
That's the dress.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
It's smashing, innit?
Playground, if you just glimpse it
down there.
Everything alright there?
(SHE LAUGHS)
(SHE SIGHS)
It's got plenty of equipment, yes,
- It's like a holiday camp.
- Ooh. It is like a holiday camp.
Carl, what are you doing?
Come on.
Come and show that gentleman
your camera.
He's got a camera.
Oh, let's have a look.
CARL:
Can someone... there...
Eh? Yes, we will after a bit.
(SHE GROANS)
Oh, he's heavy.
- CARL: ...over there.
- Yes.
The kids come
from all over the place?
Oh, yes.
We get them from all over England.
We're more like a family, you know.
MATRON:
We're not an institution, a family.
SULLIVAN:
Yeah, I know.
Take my photograph and take Paula's.
Come on.
We're going over there to take Paula's.
Look, she's got her crown on!
(SHE LAUGHS)
LESLEY:
Are you taking a picture, Carl?
- Yeah.
- MATRON: Guess the grown-ups.
- SULLIVAN: There's her case.
- Oh, thanks.
LESLEY:
You're supposed to take her train, Carl.
MATRON:
Just like in a family.
Everybody mucks in
and helps one another.
- BOY: Go on, Paula.
- Right.
They're all from local authorities are they?
Um, yes, they are, they're brought here
from local authorities.
- Quite a lot from our own area though.
- Yeah.
- Yes.
- What? From around this district?
- Yes, from this district mostly.
- Smashing.
- CARL: Long live the Queen!
- That's right.
CARL:
Put your hands up!
LESLEY: You've got to put your hands
up when you do it.
- CARL: Long live the Queen!
- SULLIVAN: Long live the Queen!
CARL:
Long live the Queen!
- LESLEY: You've got the hang of it at last.
- PAULINE: ...she look lovely.
(CARL SHOUTS)
PAULINE:
Beautiful. You look beautiful.
MAN:
We've sat here month after month
calmly accepting
public expenditure cuts.
We've accepted cuts in education
we're sitting here now
discussing a rent increase.
You've accepted cuts in social services.
On a point of order, Mr Chairman.
We've really heard enough.
We have not had cuts in social services,
As Chairman of that committee,
I know better than you or anyone else.
We're in a position of nil growth...
- Oh, Jesus. Come on.
- CHAIRMAN: Peter, Peter.
CONWAY:
But Mr Chairman, it's most important...
- Oh, I'm sorry, but look.
- CHAIRMAN: Peter...
CONWAY:
...or outside.
Come on. We've been living in a time
when we've had...
- Peter, Peter...
- I'm sorry.
We've been living through times
when we've had
between 15% and 20% inflation.
- Therefore nil growth is a cut, right?
- CONWAY: All I've done is redeploy...
Look, I'm not interested in a public
relations exercise for your department.
We have had cuts
in every service we administer.
You've had cuts in social services.
You've had to cut employment
in your service.
You've not reappointed appointments
that have fallen vacant,
You've had cuts in residential services
and you know it.
CONWAY:
Mr Chairman, on a point of order...
Come on, you've cut.
- Peter, please.
- On a point of order
we are not discussing social services.
We're discussing whether we make
a recommendation to the party group
to accept this rent increase
and the subsidy that goes with it.
And I'm prepared to move
without further debate
that we accept this recommendation
of the Housing Committee Chairman
and that this be our recommendation
to the party group.
WOMAN 1: You're only telling me
what you've been told to tell.
I want to know where my giro is
and I want to see the manager.
WOMAN 2:
I've told you where your giro is.
I've told you that it's in the post
and I've told you
that you cannot have another giro.
And the manager will say
exactly the same things as I've said.
WOMAN 1:
Yeah, but I can't wait 'til tomorrow.
WOMAN 2:
The only thing that you're entitled to,
if you're in hardship,
if you have absolutely no money at all,
and no way of feeding your children,
is a food voucher.
WOMAN 1:
There's no way am I having one of them.
WOMAN 2 But if you want food for
your children this will give you food for...
WOMAN 1:
Look, it's degrading enough
having to come here to start with
without being degraded even more
by being given one of them
to take into the shop
and let everybody know.
WOMAN 2: I don't see that it can be
any more degrading than coming here...
WOMAN 1:
It is because people are going to think
that I'm not spending my money
on the kids when I do.
I never go out.
TANNOY:
Mrs Pauline Crosby. Cubicle Three.
(DAWN CRIES)
(DAWN CRIES)
- MAN: Mrs Crosby?
- PAULINE: Yes.
MAN: Your making an application
for an Exceptional Needs Payment, right?
PAULINE:
Yeah, that's right..
MAN: And, er,
it's not the first time though, is it?
(DAWN CRIES)
MAN:
I see here we made you two...
Hang on, I'll just take her out
Come on, darling.
- Yeah?
- Er, we made you two payments already.
Two grants.
- And also you're owing £196 on...
- What d'you mean two grants?
- Pardon?
- Two grants.
- You've haven't given me two grants.
- Two Exceptional Needs Payments.
I got one for clothing and for a mattress
and one... and they gave me something
when she was born.
That's right, yes. Two grants.
Er, you're owing 196
on your electricity bill
and 50p has been deducted
to pay off arrears?
That's right, yes.
And five pound is being withheld
towards future bills.
- Yeah, £5.50 goes on the electric.
- I see.
- And now you're in...
- (DAWN SCREAMS)
Ssh, darling. Ssh, ssh, ssh.
MAN: Now you're in trouble
with your rent arrears.
- With my what?
- Rent arrears.
- Yes, that's right. The bailiffs...
- Yes. You're owing 262 pounds.
And if I don't pay it,
this is gonna take away me furniture?
Mm. Yes. Well...
But what has been happening
to the rent allowance
we've been paying you each week?
- I mean, we pay you money...
- It's gone on other things.
Your rent is calculated
as part of your allowance.
And you seem to be spending it
on other things, yes?
PAULINE: Well you try keeping
a home and three kids
on what I get,
and I bet you couldn't manage it.
You should have a try.
- Ssh. Come on, darling.
- (DAWN CRIES)
But that's not the point, Mrs Crosby.
We've been paying the rent and we expect
it to be spent on rent.
Well, that is the point
cos I'd rather feed them than pay the rent
and it's only two weeks...
That's probably
because you're a bad manager.
Surely, you should be able to do it.
Well, I can't. I'm sorry.
I just need more money.
Look, the only thing we can do,
the only thing we're prepared to do...
- (DAWN SQUEALS)
- PAULINE: Ssh. Ssh.
...is to treat these rent arrears
exactly like we treated
your electricity bill.
You can't do that cos that only leaves me
with about 14 pounds in me hand.
And I can't manage.
I'll agree to pay off some things
if you'll give me more.
MAN:
Look, we can't..
You're already getting everything
you're entitled to, Mrs Crosby.
(BABY CRIES)
Well, then what about this thing
I've come to you for today.
That's just... all I wanted
was some help with those arrears
cos that's what they're after me for.
We can't pay those
because your husband ran them up
in the first place.
PAULINE: But what about this...
why I've come today.
- What they sent me for...
- I'm sorry, we can't do it.
You're already getting everything
you're entitled to.
(DAWN CRIES)
Look, what we...
One thing we can do,
if you so wish,
is appeal against this decision.
Who to?
Well, eventually it goes
to the Independent Appeals Tribunal
but in the first instance,
you write in to us.
- (DAWN CRIES)
- You've got 21 days to do it in
and it must be in writing.
And just simply put down
why you think you're entitled to the grant
and, er, send it in here to us.
Ssh. What's the matter?
- Er, have you got that, Mrs Crosby.
- Yes, I've got that.
So, I'll write...
- (DAWN CRIES)
- What do you want?
- Is that it, then?
- Yes, that is all, yes.
That is what you're going to do.
You're going to appeal, are you?
- OK.
- Fair enough.
PAULINE:
You alright? Come on.
♪ In the fight for England's glory lads ♪
♪ Of its worldwide glory let us sing ♪
♪ And when we say we've always won ♪
♪ And when they ask us how it's done ♪
♪ We'll proudly point to everyone ♪
♪ Of England's soldiers of the Queen ♪
MUSIC: "Soldiers of the Queen"
by Leslie Stuart
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
What are they doing?
JACKIE:
I don't know.
- "Join the army and be a man".
- Send our Gary in.
Our Gary would look smart as a soldier,
wouldn't he?
(SHE LAUGHS)
MUSIC: "Rule, Britannia"
by Thomas Arne
Thank you very much.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
- That's a STEN gun innit?
- Bren.
Oh, Bren gun,
that's a STEN gun of course, yes.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
WOMAN:
Thank you.
CHOIR: ♪Rule, Britannia!
Britannia rules the waves ♪
♪ Britons never, never, never,
shall be slaves ♪
♪ Rule, Britannia!
Britannia rules the waves ♪
♪ Britons never, never, never,
shall be slaves ♪
MUSIC: "Land of Hope and Glory"
by Edward Elgar
PAULINE:
Come on, Dad, we're going.
JACKIE:
With his stick in his hand.
Look at him conducting.
GERTIE: I'm sorry I've got no change.
I'm very sorry.
JACKIE: Come on, Grace.
Not me, love. No thanks.
CONWAY:
Alright, that's fine. Thank you.
- You stupid sod!
- Grace, come on.
- I said you stupid sod giving...
- Why?
I wouldn't give 'em a light
would I buggery
after what they've done to you!
I don't know.
She's daft, your mam, Grace.
Bloody daft.
PAULINE:
Aaah. He's lost his mammy, I think.
- Dad! Where are yer?
- ...yer bleeding money like that.
Come on, Gary.
Go on, you go first Grace.
Go on, duck.
Mind, Pauline.
PAULINE:
in't that lovely? Listen to that music.
JACKIE:
Watch your feet. Watch your feet.
- PAULINE: Listen.
- JACKIE: You nearly fell down.
PAULINE:
Oh, it's bleeding gorgeous.
Land of Hope and Bleeding Glory!
(SHE LAUGHS)
This committee is at present
running over its budget
so we're going to, at the end of the year,
go into the red.
The council has decided
that we're going to meet the government
demands for expenditure cuts.
We've got to take our share.
It therefore means
that we have got to make savings
and this policy review indicates
where those savings may take place.
If we don't, we simply go into the red
and then the whole council will suffer.
So, we've got to face those facts.
Moreover, the review makes it clear
that the savings we make
will be able to be used
for the kind of things
that you're talking about.
To give you just one example,
a person in residential care
costs £1100 up to £3800 a year,
but a person in community care
only costs us £27 up to £105.
Well, Mr Chairman,
I agree that we have to save money
but I can't help feeling
that if these proposals are carried out
it must result in a deterioration
in our services.
MAN 1: Oh, Mr Chairman,
Could I... I'd just like to stress this point
that this is not a deterioration.
It's an alteration
in the way we use the money.
Um, we've tried
in this new policy document
to save money by a more efficient use
of the resources at our command.
Now, yes, we hope it will save money,
but our thinking all the time
has been guided
by the best interests of the client.
MAN 2: Yes, but surely, Mr Chairman,
we're talking of savings.
These bus passes for the elderly,
we must spend a tremendous amount
of money providing these,
can these not be cut in some way?
I don't think we ought to make any cuts
which are seen to be cuts
in anything to do with the old people.
We all know
what a tremendous lobby they have
and I don't think
we could touch the bus passes
or make any sensible savings there.
WOMAN:
Could I refer to Section II
in the new policy, Mr Chairman?
Where it says that we envisage growth
in relation to services
for the mentally handicapped.
But we're talking
about cutting down services.
Yes, I think you can assure us,
can't you?
That the mentally handicapped
are not going to suffer.
Oh, certainly.
CONWAY: Well, that seems to be
the point we have to consider.
Well, now you've all had the report,
you've had time to consider it.
Discussed it now.
I'm prepared to recommend it to you
and I take a motion to accept
the report and its recommendations
LESLEY: I'll open the door
when we need you to come in.
OK?
Oh, I'm in trouble here.
Leave it like that.
That's alright.
OK, so you're all dancing.
Go in a nice big circle.
Remember what you've got to do, Carl?
In a minute you've got to open the door
and say, "Here comes the King"
(BRASS FANFARE)
HE SHOUTS:
Go on! Hooray!
(THEY ALL CLAP AND CHEER)
CARL:
Long live the Queen!
Item 22. Transfer of children.
Mr Chairman, I wish to report
the transfer of four children
from the Arkwright Home to our own
Broomfield Residential Home.
Er, is this really in the interests
of the children?
Or is it simply financial
and part of the policy?
Well, Mr Chairman,
we've had comprehensive reports
and we're satisfied that it is in
the best interests of the children,
particularly in view of the fact
that Arkwright is 40 miles away.
So, it is in line with our policy as well as
being in the best interests of the children
because it moves the kids nearer home.
Good. Can we agree?
- (THEY MUTTER IN AGREEMENT)
- Thank you.
22, 23. The postponement of provision
of an educational unit...
MRS JOHNSON:
Yes, come on.
Come on then, darling.
God love us.
(SHE SIGHS)
Come on. Alright. Steady.
Mind the steps.
Paula, can you just stand there
for one minute.
Alright. Come on, love.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MRS JOHNSON: You alright Paula?
That's right. You sit there.
CHILD:
Where are we going?
Right. See you again then, OK?
MUSIC: "20th Century Pageant"
by Jean Bouchety
(PAULA BANGS THE DOOR)
Don't Kathy!
- KATHY: Come on.
- PAULA: Nooooo!
KATHY: Come on.
We don't want any silliness now.
Come to bed. Come on.
Going to come with me?
PAULA:
No.
- KATHY: Going to come to bed?
- No.
- Why not?
- ...not going to bed!
- You are.
- No!
- Yes! Come on.
- No!
Come on. Don't be silly.
Come on. You going to sit
on the end of the bed?
Mmm? And be good?
- Going to go to bed?
- No.
Why?
Eh?
No, don't! Come on, come on.
Be sensible now,
Sit down. Sit down properly.
Get your bag back now.
Are you going to go to bed
like a good girl?
- Mmm?
- No.
- Go on.
- No.
You're being naughty now, aren't yer?
- WOMAN: Hi, you alright?
- MRS JOHNSON: Fine, Thank you.
We've come to see Paula.
Can I introduce you to Mrs Crosby?
- WOMAN: How do you do Mrs Crosby?
- MRS JOHNSON: And Mr Dean.
- WOMAN: Mr Dean.
- MR DEAN: Please to meet yer.
WOMAN:
Would you like to see her now?
She's in the day room.
Come along.
- PAULINE: Have you got those lollies?
- MR DEAN: Yes, yes...
Morning, Mam.
Hello, Paula.
Hello, darling.
Give us a kiss.
- Here's your grandad.
- MR DEAN: Hello, girl. Hello, Paula.
Hi Grandad.
Look what we've got for yer.
- Got some goodies here,
- Yeah, look.
Mam's brought you a ribbon.
- Ribbon.
- Yeah, two ribbons.
- Blue!
- Don't like that, do yer?
- I like pop.
- (THEY ALL LAUGH)
- Have that after.
- And there's two ribbons, blue and red.
Red too.
Why aren't you playing
with the children, love?
- I'm here.
- I know. Where are the children?
MRS JOHNSON:
There aren't any here.
Who does she play with then?
MRS JOHNSON: If you want to talk,
perhaps we could go through...
WOMAN:
Yes, come along to my office,
we'll discuss it there.
Bring Paula.
MR DEAN:
Alright, come along.
- PAULA: Coming.
- PAULINE: Whose is that bag?
- PAULA: Mine.
- PAULINE: Oh.
(PAULA COUGHS)
- Why was she moved?
- MRS JOHNSON: I don't know why.
It was... We had a case conference
and there was a decision made,
I disagreed with it
but she's only here for a short time,
- just to be assessed.
- WOMAN: Yes.
- It's only temporary.
- She's not here...
I mean, she was lovely wasn't she.
She was lovely
and then we see her today,
to see her in that room, it's...
WOMAN:
I'm very sorry...
MRS JOHNSON:
I know it's upsetting,
but she's only here for a short time.
PAULINE:
She's not here for a short time.
If she's not going back to the Arkwright,
she's going home!
I'm going to take her home
with me right now
because she's not staying here,
it's not good for her.
MRS JOHNSON: I'm going to go back
and we'll see if we can get her moved
- as soon as possible.
- Don't bother going back.
She's not... She's coming home.
MRS JOHNSON: Now, Pauline,
you know there's too much pressure
at home if Paula's there.
Look, I've disagreed once.
I'm going to go
and try and disagree again.
Try not to let it upset you too much.
We'll see if we can get her moved.
WOMAN: These are the notes
from the case conference.
- You remember?
- Yes.
And it says she was to be moved
to, er, Parkfield.
But that's a mental hospital.
She's not a hospital case.
- PAULA: Oh, no.
- MRS JOHNSON: Paula.
Would you like to go
for your lunch now?
Take your Coca Cola with you, darling.
- MRS JOHNSON: No...
- She's entitled to something.
Now leave her alone.
Take your Coca Cola.
Leave her with her ribbon.
- Don't take them off her.
- WOMAN: There.
- PAULA: Have the ribbons.
- You leave those with me, good girl.
You see, whatever you say to her,
she'll do.
And I wanted her
to keep those bloody ribbons!
Easy, now. Take it easy.
WOMAN:
Don't worry, she's not going to Parkfield.
Mrs Cox, you've agreed,
and so have you agreed
that the place is unsuitable.
Now, it might be alright
for the old ladies...
MRS COX: Well, dear,
she'll have to stay with me until...
She won't have to stay with you.
I'm sorry, she's coming home.
- Take it easy.
- Dad, I'm not letting her stay here.
The thing is, I will care for her
while she's here.
Don't worry on that score.
I'll give her everything...
But who put her here
in the first place?
MRS COX:
Ah, well, there you see, now...
MR DEAN:
She was lovely at the other place.
MRS JOHNSON:
It's been made as a policy decision
but we're going to try
and I'll go back...
MR DEAN: We want a guarantee
that she's not going to stay here.
That's all we want.
- MRS COX: It's temporary.
- MR DEAN: What can you do then?
MRS COX: Well, I can't do anything.
I'm just the warden here.
MR DEAN:
Er, it's really not good enough.
MRS COX:
Well, why don't you write to the director?
MR DEAN:
We'd have to do...
MRS COX: He's hard
to get in touch with, believe me,
but write to him and try.
It's awful leaving her there.
You've got enough on your plate.
I know it's come as a shock,
but she's only there for a short time.
- I'll do what I can to get her out.
- And what are you going to do about it?
I'm going to go back to the office
and see my senior
and see if there's anything
I can do to get her out.
It strikes me
that all you're good for is giving advice.
As soon as there's any heat on
we won't be able
to see your bum for steam.
It's not fair. I try.
That's all I can do.
I'll do my best.
If you had a grain of conscience,
after seeing that child in there
with them old folks,
I mean, if you really cared,
you'd be down that town hall now
and if they wouldn't let you in
you'd bang the door down
to get her out of there.
That's what you should be doing.
Making excuses, excuses.
Oh, piss off!
You're neither use nor ornament.
And we'll get the bus back.
Come on.
Why is that child in that hostel
if it was made
on expert opinion and advice?
That's not the matter in hand
which we're here to discuss...
- Isn't it?
- ...as far as I'm concerned.
That decision has been taken.
It's been taken by experienced people
and with all respect to you,
you're not yet experienced
as a social worker.
You're not qualified and you're still
very much in the early stages of training.
Well, I don't understand
how experienced people
can have made such a decision.
I think what I'd like you to begin to see
in your involvement in this case
is that some of the anger and frustration
that you're bringing out
are problems that are to do with yourself
and as long as you are not able
to at least appreciate that
and deal with that yourself,
you're going to be working
to the detriment of Mrs Crosby.
- So, any anger...
- Mrs Crosby needs you at the moment
more than she needs anybody else
because it is you that has been having
a close, intimate relationship with her.
Mrs Crosby won't trust anybody anymore.
Well, I think you must ask yourself
why that is.
That decision has been...
She sees her child taken away
from a place where it was happy
and put
in totally unsuitable surroundings
and you say that.
- It's ridiculous.
- Well, I...
How can you expect me to do a job
when you won't allow me
to do it properly?
Elaine, I think you have come to a point
where you've got so involved
with this case with Mrs Crosby
and as I mentioned to you just now,
I think the extent to which you've gone,
the collusion that is involved
between you and her
and it's not new with you.
I mean,
John will have pointed this out to you
in other cases you've been involved with
in the department
but it's become so apparent
that I think you're going
to be working in the long run
against Mrs Crosby,
given that you are here
to represent the department,
you're employed by the department
and your job is not
to act as a messenger.
Your job is to be involved with her
and help her through the pain
and acceptance of that decision.
(DOOR BANGS)
- Mrs Crosby.
- Yes?
Right. Has anyone come with you?
PAULINE: Mrs Johnson,
the social worker should have been here.
Oh, she phoned. It's alright. And...
PAULINE:
What? She's coming?
No, she won't be here.
Um, has anyone else come with you?
- PAULINE: Well, my dad.
- Your father is it? Thank you.
And your name is?
- MR DEAN: Mr Dean.
- Mr Dean.
MR DEAN:
D-E-A-N.
Right. Thank you.
Now, what about expenses
this morning?
What about your bus fare?
MR DEAN:
Oh, we walked down.
- No bus fare at all?
- MR DEAN: It's all downhill there.
- No, we walked down.
- Right you are.
Alright, that's fine.
Will you follow me, please?
MR DEAN:
Can I go in with her?
- Yes.
- PAULINE: Oh, good.
Oh, that's good, innit?
WOMAN 1:
Oh, yes, one is away though, isn't she?
WOMAN 2:
Yes.
WOMAN 1:
One is in permanent residence...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
WOMAN 1:
Mrs Crosby?
Please, do sit down.
The gentleman with you is uh?
MR DEAN:
Mr Dean.
- WOMAN 1: Mr Dean?
- MR DEAN: I'm Mrs Crosby's dad.
WOMAN 1:
Oh, I see. Sit down then.
That's quite alright.
(DOOR SHUTS)
WOMAN 1:
Did you bring your papers with you?
PAULINE:
What papers?
WOMAN 1:
The papers we sent you, like this...
PAULINE:
I haven't had any papers.
WOMAN 1:
Had none at all? Not received any?
PAULINE:
Mrs Johnson might have 'em.
She's my social worker.
- WOMAN 1: Oh, I see, so she...
- She was supposed to be here today
but she told me she's not coming.
WOMAN 1:
I see, yes.
Have we got any spare papers,
Miss Stephens?
Thank you,
WOMAN 1:
Um, so you won't have read those or...
I've never even seen them.
WOMAN 1:
She never explained them to you?
- No.
- WOMAN 1: No. No.
Well, we will read through them for you.
The Presenting Officer
will read through them for you
- and then you...
- So you don't want me to read them...
- ...now?
- No, that's quite alright.
Er, you made an appeal
for an Independent Tribunal.
That's correct, isn't it?
That's when the social security told me
cos they turned me down.
WOMAN 1:
Yes, well, that's correct.
So, we are
a completely independent tribunal.
In other words,
we have nothing to do
with the
Supplementary Benefits Commission.
- You understand that?
- Yes.
Right. And we're here to decide
whether supplementary benefit
has been properly carried out
in your case,
- Alright?
- Right.
And the gentleman on your right
is Mr Webb, the Presenting Officer.
Now, he is not the officer
that made out your case for you
so don't be too hard on him, will you?
(PAULINE SMIRKS)
WOMAN 1: Mr Webb,
would you like to read the case?
MR WEBB: This appeal was lodged
on the 21 st of the fifth, '77,
by Mrs Pauline Crosby
against the decision of the Commission
issued on the 17th of the fifth, 1977,
which was the refusal
of a single payment, 262 pounds.
Towards rent arrears.
Mrs Crosby's statement reads,
"I wish to appeal for a grant
to pay the rent arrears."
"If I can't pay it
then I will lose all my furniture"
"and belongings which is all I have left."
Mrs Crosby is separated
from her husband...
MR WEBB:
...minus the electricity arrangement
I've already mentioned of £5.50,
gives a total payable
supplementary benefit of £26. 15.
WOMAN 1:
Thank you.
MR WEBB: The Commission's view,
Madam Chairman, is quite clear here.
It can't be responsible for any debt
that was incurred
before Mrs Crosby became a claimant.
Since the debt was incurred
before Mrs Crosby became a claimant
and since she made her claim
for supplementary benefit,
the Commission is in effect being asked
to backdate the claim for benefit
which can be done
in certain circumstances
but those circumstances
are not applicable in this case.
I would remind
the members of the Tribunal
that the Commission
have helped Mrs Crosby
with her electricity bill for 196 pounds.
Mrs Crosby has already received
two Exceptional Needs Payments
during ten months
on supplementary benefit
totalling 60 pounds.
There is no danger of eviction,
no danger of the children being split up.
The Commission
have offered to Mrs Crosby
to pay her rent direct to the council
plus 50 pounds to pay off her arrears.
She declined that offer.
That offer is still open.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN:
Now, did you understand all that?
Did you find that correct?
As that was your...
Yes, I didn't know the Needs Payments
were 61 pounds.
I remember one in December
for 41 pounds and that was for...
MR WEBB:
There were two payments actually.
One for £45 and one for £15,
a total of 60 pounds.
CHAIRMAN:
Total those two together,
You've got one for 45 pounds
for shoes and clothing...
Right,
...and you got one
when the baby was born.
15 pounds.
Do you remember getting that?
I must of...
I thought every women got that.
MR WEBB: No, every woman
gets the 25 pounds maternity grant
and Exceptional Needs Payments
are something which is paid
on the top of the weekly benefit.
Oh, yes,
CHAIRMAN: So, is there anything
you want to add to that?
You know, is there any other questions
you'd like to bring up
or anything you're not sure of?
Well, he said there's no threat
of the family being broke up
but somebody come to the house
and said if the arrears weren't paid
that could happen.
The social worker says not
but, um, that's what I was told.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes. I see... Um...
MR WEBB: As far as we know here,
Madam Chairman,
the situation is
that Mrs Crosby's furniture
is going to be taken and that's
the responsibility of the social services.
CHAIRMAN:
But if the rent is paid direct to them
and they're sure of that
plus this extra paying off the arrears,
they would surely not take the furniture
do you think?
MR WEBB:
I would think that may be a help.
Um, I don't know
what the Housing Department's attitude
towards that is now.
Certainly when we offered
to pay Mrs Crosby's rent
direct to the Housing Department,
they were perfectly amenable
to that suggestion.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes.
And I think this would be
rather a good idea
to accept this...
arrears agreement.
Is there anything else at all
connected with this
that you would like to bring up?
Well, um, I also agreed
to pay off three pound a week
to the arrears.
- CHAIRMAN: Yourself?
- Yes.
Yes.
When they came to me house
and said I could be evicted.
- CHAIRMAN: Yes.
- MR DEAN: You were putting it by.
- Eh?
- MR DEAN: You were putting it by.
- You were putting three pound by.
- Yeah, right. I do.
And I pay it whenever I can
cos that's what I agreed to.
CHAIRMAN: The three pound
is what you said you could find.
- You obviously can't find that.
- I can't.
CHAIRMAN:
So, the way to help you, I think,
the Supplementary Benefits
Commission decided,
was to keep the rent and pay it for you
plus 50p a week
to help pay off the arrears.
You see, so the only thing
that would be taken off you
would be 50p, plus your rent.
Well, I said "no", didn't I?
CHAIRMAN:
You said "no" to that.
I can't manage
on what I'm left with now,
so how would I manage...
And some weeks, I promise you,
I can't pay the rent.
MR WEBB:
Well, I would point out to you
that, in fact, the rent
in the supplementary benefits scale rate
is set aside to be paid as rent.
It's not set aside to be used
for any other purposes.
CHAIRMAN:
Mmm.
MR WEBB: The difference is
that Mrs Crosby seems to think
that the nine pounds is to be used,
not for paying rent,
but for whichever purpose
she deems fit.
CHAIRMAN:
Is that correct? Is that...
Not really, no.
MR WEBB:
Well, you had the choice, Mrs Crosby,
to have us pay the rent
direct to the council, plus 50p.
Well, I wouldn't mind that,
but there's £5.50 going out already.
CHAIRMAN:
And that's for your electricity
to make sure that you've always
got cooking facilities and light
- and heating for your children.
- Of course.
Not only are you stopping £5.50
for her light,
you talk about taking
another 50p off her.
- You...
- CHAIRMAN: To save her home, really.
I've got a paper in my pocket
that I had for Mrs Johnson
and Pauline's had about one rise
off the social security in 18 months.
That's... They don't lie...
That's what they use for the...
15 pounds worth of grub
15 months ago
and that now costs 20 quid.
I mean, even Mr Healey
couldn't budget his budget on that.
Er, I think it's only fair to say
that if you go back over her history,
she's been managing 16 years,
you know,
and it's only this last 12 months
that she's really been in any difficulty.
Before that she's been able to live
on the wages before he went away
and she was able to manage
and everything was alright.
It's only this past 12 months.
And I've gone in there
on Monday morning
when she's had nothing left.
And I'd like to say this too,
Mrs Chairman.
I've never asked for charity in me life
and we've always been
grafters and workers.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes.
I've come through the 1933 period
when people were visited and hounded
and the night men come round
and throw them out their beds.
I didn't think that this would come back.
After 1945 I said "Well, that's it"
with the war and everything
that I wouldn't be seeing
a daughter of mine
coming in to this place.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes, the scale of rates is laid down
by the Act of Parliament, you see.
- It's nothing to do with us.
- Yeah, but the officer...
The officer said that...
It's too clever.
There's... When people try
to get something out it's always there.
He said there is provision within the Act,
so and so, so...
if it's exceptional circ...
- CHAIRMAN: That's quite true,
- Pauline's an exceptional circumstance.
Now, what she wants
is the means to exist.
She wants another four or five quid
in her pocket.
- CHAIRMAN: Yes.
- All I want, really,
is just some of me arrears paid off so...
just so me mind...
CHAIRMAN:
...we'll take all this into consideration...
MR WEBB:
The Commission have already offered
to help Mrs Crosby out with her arrears
- but I must reiterate that...
- But the Housing won't except that 50p.
They say it's not enough.
MR DEAN: It's not my nature to beg,
Mrs Chairman,
and indeed it's not Pauline's...
if I could help then I would do but...
CHAIRMAN: Yes.
If you would leave it with us now,
we'll come to a decision today
and let you know in the course
of the next few days by post.
MR DEAN:
Yeah, well when you consider...
CHAIRMAN:
We'll take everything into consideration.
The point I want to...
Yeah, but there's no second chance.
I can't come back here
once I've gone outside.
By the way, I'm trying to stress.
You imagine yourself keeping three kids
and yourself..
- CHAIRMAN: I see this.
- And what I'm trying to stress is...
You... No matter how much
you juggle with...
How can you juggle
with what you haven't got?
MR WEBB:
This is a case for the social services.
CHAIRMAN:
We're going to discuss it anyway
and thank you very much
for coming, Mr Dean,
and for helping Pauline.
MR DEAN:
You see...
I didn't think they allowed them things
to happen these days.
The public... I mean,
if I told one of my old times...
now they say,
"No, they don't do that now, Peter".
That was years ago.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes, I see your point.
Pauline, you have an elder daughter
not living with you.
Where is she?
Where is your eldest daughter?
She's in an old peoples' home.
CHAIRMAN:
Is she being looked after there?
She's only 14.
She's a baby and they just moved her.
CHAIRMAN:
Where did they move her from?
The Arkwright Home.
- Which is a very good home, isn't it?
- Wonderful.
- CHAIRMAN: Why did they move her?
- I don't know.
First I knew
social worker come into the house
and said they'd moved her
and we went to see her two days ago
and she's sitting in a home
for old people.
CHAIRMAN: I think you ought
to go back to the social worker here...
She can't do nothing.
PETER:
She... Her hands are tied.
CHAIRMAN: I think you ought
to take this up then.
We went out, you see...
When you talk about the social worker,
we went over there the other day,
and we seen the matron
and all she done was saying
that she was there for assessment
and that's a lie.
And you say go to the social officers.
CHAIRMAN:
They can help you.
PETER:
They bring you to see somebody else.
She sent me a letter
I don't understand.
PETER:
It's a brick wall all the time.
- I don't understand.
- PETER: No one knows who sent her.
You asked them that, didn't yer?
CHAIRMAN:
Listen, Pauline, don't get too upset now.
- I know it's...
- Everybody says that to me.
"Don't get upset. It'll all be alright!"
PETER:
I'd like to ask the committee
or the Tribunal, to be charitable
in applying its judgement here.
CHAIRMAN: Yes, we'll come
to a decision today, Mr Dean
and let you know as we said.
I think she's worth a new start.
She's not anyone that's a spiv.
I mean, her record before that proves it.
CHAIRMAN:
Yes, Mr Dean.
And she... I'll tell you what she done
and I made her knock it off.
She was a machinist before.
- We've worked all our lives.
- CHAIRMAN: Yes.
Mr Dean and Pauline
we will come to a decision today
and let you know.
So, thank you very much for coming
and for all your help, Mr Dean.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Pauline.
I was hoping that, you know...
CHAIRMAN: You'll get a letter
from us in the next three days.
Ask for raise, as the officer says,
I think that would be the best course.
And...
- Just pay off what I owe.
- Don't stop the 50p.
CHAIRMAN:
We'll consider everything
and let you know our decision, Pauline.
Thank you for coming.
Thank you.
- Thank you, Mr Dean.
- PETER: Come on.
(CHAIR SQUEAKS)
I feel that if we don't help her
in some way
that she'll really be sunk.
262 pounds is a great deal of money.
I would have thought something
perhaps like 40 to 50 pounds
as a sign of good will,
confidence in her.
I do agree that the £9.50
should be deducted
because I think
that she could fall into debt again...
- Yes.
- ...if she wasn't helped with that.
I mean, I do agree about that
but I feel that she's really
at the end of her tether
and I think that if we turn her down...
Yes, I think the most important thing here
is that if we do allow this to happen
that it's going to be a very good idea
for all husbands to leave their families
and the supplementary benefit is going
to take over and pay their debts.
- You see my point?
- Yes, yes. I do.
I just feel we have to take her
as an individual.
I think she has tried very hard
and I think she's been
terribly pressured and...
Yes, but she's not going
to come to any more hardship
except the 50p a week.
Well, one wonders,
you know, er... quite...
She wants to juggle with the rent
which is, of course,
not a good thing in her case.
No, agreed.
But of course,
if you are feeding children,
naturally, the inclination is
to give your children food
and take money out of the rent.
Yes, of course.
I feel it would just lift the pressure
if she could have
a little bit taken off this 262 pounds.
Not a great deal
but just something
to give her encouragement.
Yes, she's still going
to end up paying £9.50.
Yes, yes, I think that...
So it's not really going
to be any benefit to her.
I think, mentally, it would be.
Yes, um...
- I'll be guided by the Chairman.
- Yes. Miss Stephens?
MISS STEPHENS:
Let me give you the legal situation.
The office may also pay benefit
from a date prior to the claim
so long as the claimant was eligible.
In fact, Mrs Crosby was not
because the husband was working.
So, we'll have to turn her down.
(PAULA CRIES)
MRS COX:
Just a minute. Christ.
Right.
(SHE SOBS)
MRS COX:
Now, now, Paula.
MRS COX:
She's having...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
You know, sometimes she gets
a bit upset, doesn't she?
Just a minute, Paula.
I'm coming.
Hang on a minute.
(MRS COX SIGHS)
Now then...
(SHE WHISPERS)
Tell me what the trouble is.
What's the trouble?
Why are you crying?
Come on. What is it?
SULLIVAN:
Jesus.
It's like trying
to get to see the Pope, innit?
That's his office, innit, there?
SHE SIGHS
Let's have a look at that letter again.
I haven't read it proper
cos it came through the post
first thing this morning
and I came out to meet you... 'ey!
He must be in then.
Oh, he's in alright.
Well, he'll see us, won't he?
I wouldn't bet on it.
"All parents of children received
into care now have a legal obligation"
"once the child has been in care
six months or more"
"to give 28 days' notice of intention
to apply for the discharge of the child."
28 days?
That's not what you're asking for, is it?
No, I just want her out of that hostel
and back where she come from.
(SHE SIGHS)
- Have you read all this?
- No, it only came this morning.
I came to meet you.
(SHE WHISPERS)
Is that him?
- WOMAN: Mrs Crosby?
- PAULINE: Mmm?
WOMAN: I'm sorry, I'm afraid
the director isn't available right now
but perhaps I can help you?
Would you like to come this way?
Would you like to sit down?
Right now.
I think perhaps it would be as well
if we clarified the situation
to date, shall we?
And then perhaps any queries you have
will be answered while I talk.
The situation is that,
um, after consultation,
and after a lot of heart-searching
on our behalf,
we have decided
to move Paula's location.
Why? If the place isn't right for her?
Er, she has been moved
to a different place of residence
in her own interests,
in what we feel are the best interests
of her family and you...
How?
WOMAN:
Well, my dear, she's closer to you
and surely you're able to visit her
a lot more often.
- But...
- WOMAN: You don't have the outlay
of time and money
that you used to have.
And I would think
that time is much more valuable to you
when you have other children
dependent upon you.
No. What's most valuable to me
is Paula's welfare
and she's not right where she is.
It's not got facilities for a child like her.
She needs special care.
WOMAN:
Yes, no I have had a summary
of your objections from Mrs Johnson
but, look here,
you have had our letter I take it?
- Yeah, this is it.
- WOMAN: Yes.
That's another thing
I'd like to talk to you about.
You see, I don't understand it.
WOMAN:
Ah, well what don't you understand?
Nothing.
WOMAN: Well, let me put it
a little more simply, perhaps.
That letter points out
that we have to ask you to, um,
satisfy a legal obligation
and that is that if you wish
to remove Paula from our care
and take her home,
you must give us 28 days' notice
in writing of your intention.
But no one's... She's...
Mrs Crosby's not talking about
taking the child away from the hostel.
WOMAN:
Oh, you are Mr Crosby?
No, no. My name's Sullivan.
I'm a community worker on the estate.
But anyway, the point is
that Mrs Crosby
is not interested
in taking the child into her home.
All she's concerned about
is the child having to stay in the hostel
where she actually...
it's not suitable for her, for Paula.
Now, we've come to find out why that,
er, why that decision's been made
to move her
from Arkwright Home to the hostel
and if it can be reversed.
Yes, but the decision to remove Paula
from the Arkwright Home
was a policy decision.
Now, I'm really not at liberty
to discuss that
- but I have already told you...
- But listen. I'm her mother.
You should discuss everything with me,
shouldn't you?
WOMAN:
Look, I must draw your attention
to the printed form on the back of your...
it's attached to the back of that letter
and you probably haven't had time yet
to take it in properly.
Now, if you look at the third paragraph
on the first page of the printed form,
you will see there a heading,
"Parental Rights".
Now that clearly states
that the local authority
can also take over
parental rights and duties
if a child has been in care continuously
for a period of three years or more.
- Yes.
- Now that applies, of course, to Paula.
Fine, but it also says,
a bit further down,
that if the local authority
is taking over parental rights
that they're required by law
to let the parent know in writing
that parental rights have been taken.
Now, Mrs Crosby has had no letter
informing her of that sort of action.
WOMAN:
That's quite true
because we have no intention,
in this case, of enforcing the law
because if we did so,
Mrs Crosby would lose her rights
over her own child.
Listen, Paula was taken into care
in the first place
because everybody advised me
it was the right thing to do
because no way
would I sign her into care.
I said, "I'm not doing that".
And the social worker explained to me
because the Arkwright Home
was out of the area,
she had to be signed into care
so you could pay the fees.
WOMAN: Now, Mrs Crosby,
you have a clear-cut decision.
You either leave Paula in our care
and concede us the right to do
what we feel
is in the child's best interests
or you take her home
and assume full parental control for her.
SULLIVAN: But don't you see,
you're not presenting her
with any real alternatives.
You're not...
What you're presenting her with
is a choice of two evils,
neither of which she wants to take.
Now come on.
Why is it happening like this?
WOMAN: The decision has been made
and put into effect
and from that standpoint,
it is very difficult indeed to reverse it.
The reversal, if any,
can come from the child's mother.
The child's mother has a perfect right
to take her home, out of our care.
But again, we're going home,
again she's going home.
But she doesn't want
to take the child home.
We said that when we first came in.
Who's made the decision?
And please tell us.
Did Dr Whitehead say is was right?
WOMAN:
Dr Whitehead is perfectly aware
that the move has taken place.
PAULINE:
What did he say? Did he agree?
SULLIVAN:
Was he consulted about it?
Dr Whitehead is not officially attached
to this department.
SULLIVAN: No, but he is officially
attached to the home, and to Paula,
which is, after all, what we're all on about.
Now, has he been consulted or not?
SULLIVAN: What that cow's saying
is if you kick up a fuss,
you can take Paula home,
knowing, they know full well
that you can't manage.
Now, it's not because you're inadequate,
it's because she's a difficult kiddie
with the fits and everything
which is what the Care Order
was all about in the first place.
But you see,
they've twisted that round now
to suit their own purposes
and all they've gotta do now
is give you a monthly or whatever visit
from the social worker.
Bloody social...
They want bagging, the lot of them
and Mrs Johnson.
Yeah, I mean, well,
it's not her fault, is it really?
Cos she's got to get her wages paid
like everybody else.
She's at the bottom of the pile.
Hang on here, I'll get the key.
(EMERGENCY SIRENS WAIL)
That cow.
She's never even seen our Paula...
saying she's doing it for her good.
I'll have to take her home.
Well, that's not a good idea, is it?
Well she's not staying where she is.
Look, hang on.
Just think about yourself for a minute.
I mean, you've got three to cope with
as it is
and you're not finding that very easy.
You've got two at school
and one on the floor
and if you take Paula on
that'd be four of you.
We'll manage somehow.
Well, maybe you will,
but you've got no husband
and you've got money problems.
(HE SNIFFS)
Just think...
Just think what'll happen
if you crack up.
If you take a wobble,
all four'll end up in care
and you'll end up on your back.
That'd just bloody serve them right
won't it, then?
Well, just listen.
We'll go and see Dr Whitehead
and we'll see what he's got to say
and then we'll take it from there, eh?
But just hang on a minute.
I mean, trust me, yeah?
We'll sort it out, we'll get it sorted out,
don't worry about that.
Now, just hang on. OK?
I'm sorry to be so much trouble.
No trouble.
Look, Pauline, will you stop
blaming yourself for what's going on?
The point is you're coping really well
with all the problems you've got.
All you've gotta do is stop
blaming yourself for them, right?
Well, she made me feel it was my fault.
Well, of course she did.
I mean, that's the idea.
If you're poor, you're to blame.
If you're on the welfare,
then you're fiddling.
You're inadequate or you're wicked.
But the point is you're neither.
I mean, was it your fault you had
a mentally handicapped kiddie, eh?
Was it bloody hell!
(SEAGULLS SQUAWK)
PAULINE:
But you're Paula's doctor.
Surely they can't move her
without you saying yes?
I'm afraid they can do that.
It's happened before.
It doesn't generally happen.
What they usually do,
as a matter of courtesy,
they're supposed to consult me,
but they didn't in this case.
SULLIVAN:
They're not legally bound to do it?
Not legally bound to at all.
SULLIVAN:
They can take kids away from here?
Yes, they can do that.
Officials can do that.
PAULINE: The social worker told me
it was for assessment or something.
Well, that's rubbish actually.
Because if they wanted to assess them,
they could have done that
quite easily here
without having to disturb the children.
Well, the matron at the hostel,
she said that originally they weren't
even going to go to the hostel,
they were going to go
to Parkfield Mental Hospital
but they didn't have enough beds
so she's gone to the hostel.
Yes, well, this seems to be
a sort of general trend now
with local authorities.
You see, what they try and do,
they try and unload
the burden of responsibility
onto the hospitals.
So, let me try and explain to you.
Er, what happens is when adults
or children come into a place like this,
er, then the local council
who send them here have to pay a fee.
Er, I think in the case of these children
we're talking about
it's somewhere in the region of £13,000,
I'm not sure.
SULLIVAN: You mean for Paula and...
for the four of them?
Exactly. Yes.
Whereas, if they go into a hospital,
then the money comes
from the central government, d'you see?
SULLIVAN:
But she's not in a mental hospital.
I can see how that would work
if she was
but she's not, she's in a hostel.
Are you trying to say that the hostel
is cheaper than the home... than here?
Well, it depends
on whose doing the counting, really.
The beds are there already
and they're just filling the beds
that are there, you see.
It's internal costing, in fact.
So, it's a money decision,
pure and simple.
That is the main consideration, yes.
PAULINE:
So what happens to Paula now then?
Well, in Paula's case
there will be a definite regression.
She's a very bright child,
very loveable,
but if she is removed
from this environment,
she will become disturbed,
apprehensive,
and she will probably have those fits
that she had
and return to the clinical state
she was in
when she came here first
four years ago.
JACKIE:
Hit it hard!
I'll hit me bleeding...
Ouch, shit!
JACKIE:
Pauline! Are you up there?
Yeah.
JACKIE:
Come down and help us.
Give us the bloody hammer.
Go on, put the bleedin' hammer
where your mouth is
and get up there, go on.
I don't want it where me mouth is,
I want it in that bloody post.
You better hold it while I get up
because I'm not as young as you, am I?
You daft sod.
Wait a minute.
Hang on. Hang on. Hang on.
Hang on.
Don't pull me cos that sits loose.
It's all balls this job in't it?
Give us the hammer.
Right.
Hang on.
JACKIE:
Pauline! Are you coming?
Is she still up there, her?
JACKIE:
Pauline!
GERTIE:
Hey, it's your queen an' all, you know!
Come down old droopy-drawers!
Oh, good Jesus,
this is going to be funny.
CHILD:
There's one!
Oh, bloody hell. Are you sure
it's Jubilee this week and not next year?
What you doing up there, Gertie?
GERTIE:
Trying to nail me balls to this post.
JACKIE:
...nail 'em to the lamp post.
GERTIE:
You stood up there like bloody Juliet
waiting for flippin' Romeo.
You've got no chance.
Get off me arms, you. Hang on.
- Now just watch this go in, daughter.
- "Watch this go in daughter!"
GERTIE:
Watch this go in.
(GERTIE HAMMERS)
PAULINE:
Mind your thumb, love.
GERTIE: Bloody hell,
it's like knocking sense in her, this.
- (PAULINE LAUGHS)
- GERTIE: No chance!
PAULINE:
How d'you put up with her, Jackie?
GERTIE:
Hey look, Lady Muck from Turd Hall,
how about you having a go?
- Really?
- GERTIE: Are you gonna have a go?
No, because it's a stone lamp post.
GERTIE:
It figures! It figures!
JACKIE:
Why don't you just tie 'em round?
PAULINE:
Have you go a proper thing for stone?
BAILIFF:
Morning, Mrs Crosby.
GERTIE:
Oh, the bad smell's here again.
BAILIFF: Got a lot up here, haven't you?
Lots of decorations.
GERTIE: It's not laid on for you
old bloody featherbrain!
BAILIFF: We'd be much better
going somewhere quiet.
- MR WILLIAMS: You think so?
- Yes, I think so.
Come on.
BAILIFF: ...somebody coming in now...
OK... Right in here, Mr Williams.
- You've got this list?
- MR WILLIAMS: Yes, I have, yes.
BAILIFF:
Take the settee out first.
Go easy, don't er...
The council are on our neck already.
- OK?
- MR WILLIAMS: Yeah.
Er, Mrs Crosby, this should
have been done, you know.
I'm sorry to trouble you
but they should all be off.
They shouldn't be here at all,
you know that.
It's in your own interest too.
Now we'll get the sideboard out.
Will you give us
a bit of a hand here, Mr Williams?
The drawers, how about the drawers,
anything in those?
Yes, they're full.
BAILIFF: Oh, aye.
You'll get that out will you?
I'll do it.
BAILIFF:
Just let them get through with this...
Have... Have you got a...?
Er, will you look after the settee
and will you take the cushions down?
MAN:
Yeah.
BAILIFF: Got to empty
all this stuff out of here now.
Should have been done ages ago.
I'll have to give you assistance.
I'm sorry but it has to be done.
- PAULINE: Don't touch my things.
- BAILIFF: I'm just checking.
You should've had it all out, you know.
You've got paperwork
in that top drawer there.
D'you want to get this sorted?
I think... I think we'll put
those drawers down here
and take the sideboard down as it is.
You'll have to empty these drawers.
They won't be very long.
They want this sideboard down next.
Sorry about that.
- Oh, love.
- Are you coping? Are you alright?
GERTIE:
We are sorry for you.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- GERTIE: Oh, I am sorry...
- Hey!
GERTIE:
I wish I could help. I am sorry.
BAILIFF: It should have been cleared,
you know, Mrs Crosby.
All your personal effects...
- You should be cleared an' all.
- She's got four kids, right.
- Well, I know...
- She's got four kids and lots on her mind.
I know, but the faster we do this...
Right, we've come
and we're gonna help.
- BAILIFF: Well, alright...
- GERTIE: The faster we do it
the faster we get rid of you.
(THEY ARGUE)
BAILIFF: ...gonna need that afterwards
when we check on it.
GERTIE:
I hope it happens to you some day, mate.
Mind you don't break your neck
going down steps.
It's hard enough with children
without having this...
BAILIFF:
It's alright. Won't be long now.
- No paper in your side?
- MR WILLIAMS: No.
BAILIFF:
OK, write that down there.
GERTIE:
You alright, cock?
Never mind, cock.
You can always look at it
in a funny way if you want, you know.
You always fancied a bit on the rug,
didn't you?
You'll have to have it on the rug now
because you've got no bleeding bed.
(PAULINE LAUGHS)
BAILIFF: Er, Mr Williams,
you'd better go upstairs and have a look.
Hey, hang on.
Dawn's upstairs.
BAILIFF: Only the bedrooms
to have a look around.
The baby's up there,
why don't you take that as well?
- BAILIFF: Alright...
- GERTIE: I wouldn't put it past him.
If you want any help,
give us a shout.
PAULINE:
Hello, darling. Come on.
Look, why don't you just give us
a minute, right?
Just go back downstairs
and give us a minute, right?
- Very well.
- Thank you.
- Look, Pauline...
- What?
Wh... Wh...
Why don't you give me the baby?
- No, I'll have her...
- No.
Go and have a cup of tea
with me mam.
- What, with the baby?
- I'll mind the baby, right?
No, you stay here
until the fellas have gone and I'll...
You go and have a cup of tea
with me mam.
- OK.
- I'll get the kids from school
and we'll go out tonight, alright?
- Will you send 'em to Gertie's?
- Yeah. We'll fix you a babysitter.
- Don't leave 'til they've gone.
- No, I won't.
- I'll look after it alright?
- Right. OK, love. Thanks.
Come on, darling.
Thanks a lot, love.
- JACKIE: It's alright.
- PAULINE: Gertie, come on. Gertie!
- C'mon kid, let's drown our sorrows.
- Alright.
Have a good night.
Can't do nowt, can you?
It'll do you the world of good, Pauline.
It will honestly. Getting out.
- Nowt you can do about it, is there?
- Get yourself a fella.
What d'you owe?
Two hundred and what?
- 62.
- My God.
God help you.
How much we got in there, kid?
(PAULINE LAUGHS)
That's good for a laugh.
Even the bloody purse is plastic.
How much?
- 42p.
- And before you ask me, no.
Well, I've got about 50 pence.
Enough to get pissed on.
Don't worry.
Come on both of you.
- Get some rich fella!
- I'll sort them bloody fellas out for you.
I'll tell you what,
if they take your bed, don't worry.
Come in my bedroom with my old man
cos if you can get anymore
out of him than me
you're bleeding welcome y'are, kid.
He's never been upstanding
since the bloody coronation!
- Oh, Gertie!
- He hasn't, God help us.
And I'll tell you something
about the dole now.
I don't know if they do it around here
but in Manchester they really are,
they're paying them in pesetas
in the summer
so's they can go over to Spain.
They can!
They're paying them money in pesetas.
They've even got an office over there
now so's they can draw their money
without coming back each week
to bloody sign on.
Four people on Social Security,
120 quid a week...
- Have you ever got that?
- (GERTIE LAUGHS)
GERTIE: Social security 120 quid a week,
let's get pissed on it.
- Do you work?
- Course I do, don't you?
GERTIE:
Bloody hell...
(CROWD APPLAUD)
I know, I might be.
I'm sick, I shouldn't be doing it.
MAN 2:
What he's spoken up there
is just what you read every day
in the capitalist press.
But there's no smoke without fire,
is there, John?
There's no smoke without fire, is there?
SULLIVAN: Straight outta the Daily Mail
and the Express, that.
Papers like the Daily Mail
and the Daily Express
quite readily quote figures
of two million pounds
being scrounged off social security.
It's a lot of money compared
to what you or I know about.
Let me finish.
But two million pounds a year
is a drop in the ocean,
it's a drop in the proverbial bucket
to the amount of money
that's going lying unclaimed...
- Look...
- ...from the Social Security Commission.
I accept all that.
SULLIVAN: Six hundred million pounds
a year is left unclaimed
and the reason for that
is that people are ashamed
to go and claim it.
And they're ashamed to go and claim it
because people are criticised,
directly or indirectly,
by people who accuse them
of being member of a hard core,
and by comedians like that
who go on about social security
as being some sort
of a stigma on their lives.
MAN 1: What about the guys
who are throwing...
These guys out of work,
they come and tell you
they've just done the social security
out of a new bed
cos he slung a bucket of water over it,
had a guy up, let it go a bit green...
they've got a giro for 60-odd quid,
blankets, bedding, all that...
MAN:
♪ They may build their ships, my lads ♪
♪ And think they know the game ♪
♪ But they can't beat the boys
of the bulldog breed ♪
♪ Who hold old England's name ♪
♪ We got a Navy, our fighting Navy ♪
♪ That made old England's name ♪
PETER: When there's a bit
of a crisis on within the system,
the first thing they want
is to turn worker against worker.
Worker against unemployed.
What do you mean
"worker against worker"?
(THEY SHOUT)
Half of them should be x-rayed
to see if they've got any work in 'em.
- PETER: You've had a good say.
- What do you mean?
Half of them should be x-rayed to see
if they've got any bleedin' work in 'em.
♪ No, let there be no regrets ♪
♪ Why explain ♪
♪ Why delay ♪
♪ Don't complain ♪
♪ Simply call it a day ♪
Your attitude is clouded
by the few examples of fiddling
that you've come across.
MAN 1: I don't say
everybody scrounges.
Now listen,
you're twisting my words round.
I don't say... Listen, let me finish.
Right. It's alright
the three of you sat there.
- PETER: What's your job?
- The three Just Men.
Have you got frankincense
and myrrh and gold as well?
When I wake up in the morning,
I think Pauline and myself are parasites
and we're not parasites.
MC:
She's promised me
she's gonna be
very, very clean tonight, is Gert.
(HE LAUGHS)
Here you are my darling,
and your number is?
Bleeding hell!
(SHE LAUGHS)
Oho, bloody fellas.
(BAND STARTS PLAYING)
MUSIC:
"When You're Smiling"
♪ When you're smiling ♪
♪ When you're smiling ♪
♪ The whole world smiles with you ♪
♪ And when you're laughing ♪
Hey!
♪ Keep on laughing ♪
♪ The sun comes shining through ♪
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
It's a nice evening.
(SINGING CONTINUES IN THE DISTANCE)
Er, Mr Conway,
can we have a word with you?
CONWAY:
Yes, what? Hello there.
- Hello.
- Nice to see you. Grand night.
- Yeah.
- Hello there.
- Hello.
- Hello.
My wife...
Sorry, won't be a minute, love.
This is Councillor Conway.
This is Mrs Crosby.
This fella next door,
I've never seen him sober yet.
Daft as a bloody brush, he is.
He is, he's crackers.
You know what he was doing
the other day?
Mowing the field with no trousers on.
You know how windy it was.
And the fella in the next field said,
"Hey Charlie, Charlie! What you mowing
field for without your trousers?"
"You'll get pneumonia!"
He said, "I went out yesterday
without me scarf and got a stiff neck"
"This is the wife's idea".
(SHE CACKLES)
(CROWD LAUGH)
(SHE GIGGLES)
Now, girls. Now, girls.
If you agree with me,
I want a great big "Yes".
Isn't this world in a mess?
CROWD:
Yes!
And who's at the back of every mess?
A bloody fella!
- WOMEN: Yes!
- MEN: No!
Shut it!
Shut it! You're outnumbered.
The fella next door got up
on Monday morning.
You know what they look like
on a Monday morning, don't yer?
Teeth in the jam jar.
(CROWD LAUGH)
Bald patch uncovered.
(CROWD LAUGH)
She was putting his toast under grill
with her rollers in
and he come down
with his braces dangling,
looking like
a Midsummers Night's Dream!
And he said to her,
"I'm not going this morning."
(CROWD LAUGH)
"I'm not well".
(CROWD LAUGH)
"You make me sick", she says,
"You do, you make me bloody sick".
"There's nowt wrong with you,
only bloody beeritis"
"now get to the doctors
if you're not well"
"and don't mither me,
I'm going to wash house."
And he went to doctors
and they all sat there like waxworks
and the doctor came out,
he had a look round the surgery
to see how many was in
and how soon he could get out.
He says, "There's half of you in here,
there's not a thing wrong with yer".
"You come in here
just to read the magazines."
"You, Mrs Jones, you know
what your trouble is, don't yer? Drink."
"You think that much about drink"
"you've even called
your daughter Sherry."
(CROWD LAUGH)
"And you Mrs Brown, you know
what's up with you, don't you? Money."
"You think that much about money"
"you've even called your daughter Penny."
And the little woman got up in corner
and she said,
"Come on, Fanny,
we're not sitting here to be insulted".
(CROWD LAUGH AND APPLAUD)
- (MUSIC STARTS)
- GERTIE: This is just for the ladies.
Only for the ladies, this.
♪ Are you lonesome tonight? ♪
♪ Is your brassiere too tight? ♪
♪ Are your corsets just ripping apart? ♪
♪ Have you got a big chest
poking holes in your vest? ♪
♪ Is your spare tyre
right up to your heart? ♪
♪ Are your stockings all laddered
and your shoes worn and thin? ♪
♪ Do you hold up your knickers
with a big safety pin? ♪
♪ Are your false teeth all worn? ♪
♪ Do they drop when you yawn? ♪
♪ No bloody wonder
you're lonesome tonight ♪
(CROWD CHEER)
WOMAN:
Better warn you now
that if I'm asked
about my decision again,
it would still be the same.
- Thank you, John.
- OK. Thanks, Barbara.
Seems I've ruffled her feathers a bit.
Sorry about that.
- Moving kids is always an emotional matter.
- Yes, it is.
And you can never actually
do right or wrong.
And, of course, these voluntary homes,
they have a lot of brutal muscle.
- Mmm.
- Have to be very careful about that.
- Yes.
- And a further point.
The mother is a constituent of mine.
Well, I know that you find yourself
in a very difficult position
but, er, in this one,
I'm backing Barbara's judgement.
Good, right. Thanks for your help.
Bye bye.
JOHN:
Bye bye.
CONWAY: If I go in
and start trying to tell Chief Officers
what to do with individual cases,
then my relationship
with the officers disappears.
I mean, I would suggest to you,
quite logically and calmly,
that if we let the heat go out
of the situation for a few weeks...
No. If we let the heat...
I know exactly what'll happen
if we let the heat go out of the situation,
it'll be forgotten!
That's exactly...
That happens time and time again.
Are you accusing me of lying?
- No.
- Cos I said I'd re-open the case.
- No, well, you may re-open the case...
- Well, it won't be forgotten then.
...but time is of essence.
All I can say is I'll re-open the case.
Yes, but you keep saying that.
You keep saying...
Well, that's the end of the matter
as far as I'm concerned, Sullivan.
It's the beginning of the matter.
I want you to do something now.
I don't want you to re-open the case.
The case is not closed
as far as I'm concerned.
CONWAY: I can't go up
and tell officers what to do.
That's not my power or privilege.
It's been through committee
and the Committee made the decision.
The Committee made
a wrong decision then.
That's your opinion, Mr Sullivan.
And it's only been made...
I know why it's been made.
I can have a good guess
at why it's been made.
It's been made
because of some financial restraint
- that's been handed down from...
- Rubbish.
It's been handed down
from central government.
So, tell me,
how was the decision made
for the child to be moved out of it.
Now, come on.
The decision was made quite properly
by the proper offices.
It's been through council quite properly
and that's the end of the situation.
- Why?
- In the best interests of the child.
Bullshit.
Well, that language doesn't impress me
and what's more I shan't stand for it.
- No...
- Simple as that.
Well, alright. I'm not intending
to impress you, Councillor.
I'll tell you the facts.
That child was moved.
It may well be there is some saving
by not paying money
to a private or a voluntary home.
- It may be there is some saving.
- Maybe.
It maybe, but that isn't
the reason it was done.
I talked to the doctor at the home.
I said... I said to him,
"Now, why has Paula been moved?"
"In your opinion,
why has Paula been moved?"
And he said,
"It's not for medical grounds".
"Under no situation could it ever
be justified on medical grounds."
CONWAY:
You find any two doctors,
you'll find they'll give
directly opposing views.
This is all part of the general framework
of cutting back on social services
I haven't come here, Sullivan,
to be lectured by you
about local government.
SULLIVAN:
You know what's going on!
CONWAY:
I know exactly what's going on
and I know this,
that you don't know.
And I'm not here to be lectured by you,
a sort of long-haired utopian type
who's feet aren't on the ground.
I haven't got long hair
and I don't want utopia.
What I want is action
on this particular case
and I know why it's all gone wrong!
It's all blown up in your face
because I'm stood here today,
confronting you with the book!
I'm running a department here
- with a nine million plus gross budget.
- Yes.
Serving all these people
in the social services
and you come and lecture me
about local government finance?
- Yes.
- My God.
And it's your budget
that you're most concerned with.
- Rubbish.
- Because you're getting cutbacks
all over the place
and the first area of cutback
is in the area
of the mentally handicapped
because they can't fight back.
Because you can hide the results
in a home.
Sullivan, you make me bloody ill
- and the other people like you.
- I'm glad I do!
You go around hawking
your bleeding heart round the streets
A knight in shining armour.
By God, you, you make me bloody ill.
We're the people who do the work.
We're the people
that solve the problems.
We're the people with the responsibility
and people like you come along
and, my God, you do more harm
than you do bloody well good.
Who's the social services
being run for?
- Your socialism...
- Answer that question.
...is nothing more
than a blinking emotional spasm.
- Exactly.
- It's not...
Exactly, because living out there
makes me emotional.
...ideas, it's not based on practicalities.
There's only one way to be a socialist
and that's to face
realistic facts and figures.
(CHILDREN CHATTER)
- GRACE: Ow! I got you then! Nine, eight...
GRACE:
Six, seven...
Ten I got.
- Nine!
- 11 and...
PAULINE:
Oh.
- PAULA: Hello, Mam.
- PAULINE: Hello, Paula.
Have they got you ready
and waiting for me?
Waiting you.
- No one with you, love?
- No.
- Been waiting long?
- Waiting long.
Oh well.
- Come on. We'll go home now.
- No!
- You don't want that bag.
- No!
Right, come on, love.
Come on.
- Oh, hello.
- These are Paula's tablets.
- No, I've got her tablets at home.
- Yes, but this is a stronger dose.
I want you to give her one
four times a day.
Why is she having those, then?
Well, she did have
two rather nasty ones.
- Er, but not to worry...
- Two?
Not to worry because I think
it was just the disturbance
and the excitement,
you know, seeing you.
- Uh, can you put them in there?
- I certainly will, yes. There you are.
Thank you.
Er, now then.
See you in a day or two then.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Come on, love.
DOCTOR:
You know,
I think you're just suffering
from a little bit of depression,
that's about all.
You ought to liven yourself up,
get out a bit and enjoy yourself.
Don't take life so seriously.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll give you a prescription for something
that'll perk you up for a week or two
and if this doesn't work out for you,
we'll get you an appointment
at a hospital, eh?
See how that'll work out.
There we are.
Try those for a couple of weeks
and see how you feel then, eh?
PAULINE:
Can't go into hospital.
DOCTOR:
Just a check-up that's all.
Our Paula's home
so I need some phenobarb at for her.
DOCTOR: They giving her
anything at the home?
Yeah, this is just
for while she's at home.
DOCTOR:
There we are.
Couple of weeks' supply
of phenobarbital for you.
(HE TEARS PRESCRIPTION)
To make her better, OK?
Thanks.
Right.
Thank you.
GRACE:
Gary!
(THEY SHOUT)
Hello, you two.
- Pauline.
- Hello, love.
- Hello,
- ELAINE: Hello, Paula.
She's going to the party.
Have you got a minute?
I wanted to see you
because I've had some news today
and I'd rather you heard it from me.
I don't know how to tell you.
Paula's got to stay
at the hostel indefinitely.
The reasons seem to be
all sorts of financial ones.
There's no other.
- I'm sorry.
- It's alright, love.
- ELAINE: I'm sorry.
- PAULINE: Alright, bye.
- ELAINE: Bye bye.
- PAULINE: Paula!
- There you are.
- PAULA: Hello.
PAULINE:
Where's Gary and Grace?
- PAULA: Down there.
- PAULINE: Let's go and get 'em.
Come on, Paula. Quick!
♪ Sailing every ocean ♪
♪ Laughing foes to scorn ♪
♪ They may build their ships, my lads ♪
♪ And think they know the game ♪
♪ But they can't beat the boys
of the bulldog breed ♪
♪ That made old England's name ♪
♪ We've got the Navy,
the fighting Navy ♪
(THEY ALL SING)
♪ We've got the Navy,
the fighting Navy ♪
(THEY ALL SING)
(THEY ALL SING)
♪ And England likes a navy blue ♪
(THEY ALL CHEER)
Take the strain.
Heave!
Pull!
(CHILDREN SHOUT)
BOY:
Heave!
Pull! Heave!
(CHILDREN SHOUT)
Go on, Paula!
Heave! Heave!
Come on!
GRACE:
Go on Paula! Pull it!
PAULINE:
Thank you. Come on.
Come on, let's go.
Gary, watch yourself.
Watch yourself.
GARY:
Can I have one for two pence?
PAULINE:
No, come on.
GARY:
But...
GERTIE:
♪ How few were her pleasures ♪
♪ She never cared for fashion's style ♪
♪ Her jewels and her treasures... ♪
OFFICER 1:
What's this then? Evening all.
Here they are,
here they are, here they are.
GERTIE:
♪ I know that I owe ♪
♪ What I am today... ♪
OFFICER 1:
A command performance?
This is not the Palladium.
PETER:
Let her finish, go on!
What's ado, Officer?
GERTIE: What's ado?
What are we doing wrong now?
- OFFICER 1: Bit late, innit?
- PETER: It's the end of a good time.
We 're only having a sing-song.
GERTIE:
We're only singing to the Queen.
And everyone off the estate and all.
GERTIE: You think
cos we live on this bloody estate
we're shit and rubbish, don't yer?
Well, let me tell you, flower,
our Lord was born in a stable
and you couldn't call him
a bloody horse couldn't yer?
(PEOPLE SING INDISTINCTLY)
(DOOR SLAMS)
GRACE:
Oh, stop splashing me, Gary!
(THE CHILDREN ARGUE)
GRACE:
Woohoo!
Thank you.
Put dressing gown on.
GRACE:
OK, I'll just take this.
- Yeah but...
- PAULA: Yeah?
I'm not going to put it on yet.
(PAN CRASHES)
(MUG CHINKS)
(MUG CHINKS)
(PAULA GROANS)
GRACE:
Gary! Paula! The cocoa's coming.
GARY:
So's Christmas.
- PAULA: It's Mam!
- PAULINE: What you doing in there?
(PAULINE LAUGHS)
Are we all sleeping
in here tonight, then?
- PAULA: Oh, yes.
- PAULINE: We are. Come on.
- Hang on.
- GRACE: I'll go first.
PAULINE:
Hey, Grace! Don't grab. Wait.
Go on. Gary.
- Grace.
- PAULA: Grace.
- And Paula.
- PAULINE: Here you are, darling.
- Thank you.
- I've got loads of hairs in me mouth.
- PAULINE: Let me get Dawn.
- GRACE: Don't put 'em on me.
Come on chuck. Aah. Bless her.
Come and have a nice drink. Come on.
- Here she is. Here we are.
- Drinking chocolate.
PAULINE:
Look what Mummy's got for you.
- Where's hers Paula?
- I drunk it.
- PAULINE: There you go.
- PAULA: Mmm. I drunk it.
PAULINE:
Pass me mine, darling.
Grace, pass me mine, darling.
GRACE:
I want a drink.
I'm taking this off,
I'm absolutely boiling.
PAULINE: Where you going to sleep?
You gonna sleep with Paula?
No! I'm...
This is...
Mum, I like this bed the best.
I want to sleep in this bed.
I'm sleeping in this bed.
- GARY: You can't, I am.
- GRACE: So am I.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GRACE:
I'm sleeping in this bed, Mum.
PAULINE:
Alright, darling. Come on then.
GARY:
I am and all.
PAULINE: Here y'are Paula.
I'll come with you, eh?
Me and Dawn come with you?
GRACE:
Aw, can you two come with us?
No we can't.
We're going with Paula.
- (GRACE GROANS)
- GARY: Night.
GRACE:
Amen.
- PAULINE: Amen.
- GARY: Amen.
ALL:
Amen.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
PAULINE: Ooh. Here you are, Dawn.
Come with Paula.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
PAULINE:
in't it lovely?
Come on Grace, get down,
Settle down, sweetheart.
There we go. Night, night. Amen.
- (DAWN STARTS CRYING)
- GARY: Amen.
Mam, aren't you going
in your proper bed?
PAULINE: No, darling,
I'm staying with you tonight.
GARY:
But Dawn won't go to sleep.
PAULINE:
Yes, she will. I'm holding her.
GARY:
I'm going to sleep, an' all.
- PAULINE: Night, night.
- GARY: I'm tired, me.
PAULINE:
Night, night. God bless.
All of 'em?
GERTIE:
Oh, the little baby an' all.
(SHE SOBS)
She'd no right to do it.
GERTIE:
Why? Why did she do it?
Poor little baby.
JACKIE:
She had no right to do it.
She should have stuck it out
like the rest of us
instead of letting them
get one over on her.
(GERTIE SOBS)
I'll call round later, OK?