Sounds of Fire Crackling. People Screaming

THE JUNKYARD

TIME: the early 1950's

FADE IN.

EXT. A STREET DAY

SOUNDS OF FIRE CRACKLING. PEOPLE SCREAMING. MACHINE-GUN FIRE.

EXT. SAM’S YARD DAY

A scrapyard. Wooden crates. Scraps of iron and metal.

MICK(NEXTDOOR NEIGHBOR) When are you going to move that bloody rubbish?

Sam and Thomas carry in some rather heavy scrap which they drop on the ground.

THOMAS He don't like us.

MICK D'ya hear me or are ya deaf as well as daft?

SAM Yes, yes, I hear you.

MICK Well do somethin' about it then!

SAM I can't do anything right now.

MICK Bloody foreigners! What ya come'ere for anyway?

SAM (flaps his hands) Bah!

MICK Well if it's not gone by Friday, I tell the fuzz.

SAM Not a bad load for the day,eh,Thomas?

THOMAS I wish he don't sing out. Enough insults in my life already. He drunk again, Sam.

SAM Yes, of course he is. You should be used to it. Sound of breaking glass

THOMAS He throwing bottles?

SAM Yes, yes, probably at the cat!

THOMAS Sam, here is a man coming. I think he comes here.

Freeman strides through the gates. He is tall, fairly well built. Slightly graying with a detectable European accent.

FREEMAN Good God! What's this? Rubbish everywhere! What is this place?

THOMAS (mumbling) A scrap yard.

FREEMAN It's more like a rubbish tip!

SAM What do you want?

FREEMAN What do you do with this junk?

SAM We sell it.

FREEMAN Sell it? Who would buy any of this rubbish?

SAM I ask you, what d'you want?

FREEMAN Who do you sell it to? It's all no good.

THOMAS People buy scrap,iron and metal.

FREEMAN I find that hard to believe!

SAM Look, one more time I ask what you want.

FREEMAN I’m looking for something...that's right.

SAM For what? If I can help you I will.

FREEMAN I don't think so… Freeman stands staring awhile

SAM Do you know why you came in here.

Freeman is still staring.

SAM What's your name?

Freeman shakes his head.

SAM Would you like to sit down?

Freeman sits on a box, his head in his hands.

THOMAS What's wrong with him?

SAM I don't know, Thomas. What's your name?

INT. A HOSPITAL DAY

FLASHBACK

Freeman lies in a hospital bed. He turns his head from side to side. He moans.

MATRON What’s your name?

FREEMAN Dog! I tell you dog! Leave me alone!

MATRON I think you need a spell by your self.

FREEMAN No! No! Not the quiet room! Bad memories. I get beaten there.

EXT. SAM’S YARD. DUSK

RETURN TO PRESENT

FREEMAN You can call me Freeman...that will do for now.

SAM How d'you you mean, ' that will do'?

FREEMAN I don't know what my real name is! Damn it! Frei - mann - Freeman in English. It was the obvious choice (half to himself) I was free. SAM You haven't been in jail or anything, have you? I mean all this stuff is valuable to us. We don't want anyone stealing it!

FREEMAN No! I haven't been in jail, jail! Jail's a hotel, and as for stealing this muck...

SAM Scrap! And it is always scrap as long as it belongs to me!

MICK Shut up! You lousy wogs!

FREEMAN Who is that?

THOMAS The man next door. Always sing out.

SAM You have some work, Freeman?

FREEMAN No. None.

SAM What did you mean, you were a 'free man'? Free from what?

FREEMAN Free to do what I want for once in my life.

SAM What stopped you before?

FREEMAN The war...

SAM Always the same...the war and you don't remember your name?

FREEMAN It's true! I really have no idea who I am.

SAM I don't doubt what you say.

FREEMAN I'd rather not talk about it. The wretched hospital was nearly as bad as the camp.

MICK For Christ's sake turn that fuckin' light out. I can't bloody well stand anymore of this! Bloody yids!

Freeman makes one rush at the rusty cyclone fence and hoists himself up. MICK Who the hell are you? No, don't tell me, not another one! Junk. He sure collects junk only this time it's human junk, I think.

FREEMAN You bloody idiot! What would you know? You rotten scum!

MICK They should of got rid of you lot ages ago! It's a pity the Krauts didn't finish the job proper!

FREEMAN If I come over this fence...

. MICK You come over here and you're a dead man. I'll knock ya block off!

FREEMAN That's been tried dozens of times and my head’s still on my shoulders.

MICK Yer? More's the pity! Now if I'd been in the war...A guard in one of those places you go on about...

Freeman attempts to climb over the fence. He’s breathing heavily.

SAM Freeman! Come back here!

FREEMAN Now I have work to do!

SAM No! No! We don't want to make trouble. Come down. We don't take any notice of him.

Freeman climbs down.

MICK Can't stand up fa yaself! Ha! Mad Sam! That's what they call ya.

SAM He's not worth the bother.

FREEMAN SITS DOWN ON THE BOX AND cries

Just take it easy now. After a sleep you'll be right in the morning.

FREEMAN Where's your friend?

SAM He’s gone to bed. He got a bit scared when you were arguing.

FREEMAN I should go now. Wasted enough time already.

SAM You waste time? What about me? Me and Thomas qe work, work, work, carrying heavy things…

FREEMAN I meant I waste your time. I forget sometimes what I want to say.

SAM Where're you going now?

FREEMAN It's not your worry. I'll find somewhere.

SAM Would you like to stay here?

FREEMAN Here?

SAM You don't think it's good enough?

FREEMAN Of course it is, but I should go.

SAM Where d'you live?

FREEMAN Live? I live now, I live anywhere, as long as I can be free.

[FREEMAN LOOKS BLANK FOR A MOMENT]

SAM: Look we have a couple of matresses in the shed. We can get one and you can stay here. Come on.

[FREEMAN IS STILL STARING] Come along now.

FREEMAN: Eh? Where is this?

SAM: Never mind, you come and help me get the matress. [FREEMAN FOLLOWS SAM]

WOMAN'S VOICE: Sam! [NO REPLY] Sam!

SAM: [SIGHING] What is it, Mrs Coleman?

MRS COLEMAN: Where's Mick?

SAM: He's certainly not in here. He said he was going to the police. Perhaps that's where he is.

MRS COLEMAN: It's too late in the day for that, you silly man!

SAM: If he didn't drink so much he'd be better.

MRS COLEMAN: Yes, well living next door to you doesn't help. Anyone might take to the drink!

MICK'S VOICE: Mum! What you doin 'ere?

MRS COLEMAN: I'm seeing the agent tomorrow. I rang you but there was no answer.

MICK' VOICE: Thank God you're gettin onto it at last. [VOICES FADING AS THEY GO INSIDE] You're gonna get rid of.....

FREEMAN: Who's that woman?

SAM: The man next door's mother - she's as bad as he is. I think she encourages him. [SAM AND FREEMAN ENTER A MAKE SHIFT SHED, AND COME OUT CARRYING A MATRESS]

SCENE 2. LATER THAT NIGHT.

[ALL IS QUIET. SAM, THOMAS AND FREEMAN ARE ASLEEP ON THEIR RESPECTIVE MATRESSES. FREEMAN IS TOSSING AND TURNING]

FREEMAN: Ruth!...Ruth! [HE SITS UP] Matron? Your painting... slashed it! Not the quiet room? No! No!...not in there, remember too much...[HE FALLS BACK PUTTING HIS HANDS OVER HIS FACE]

[SAM AND THOMAS ARE LISTENING]

Bloody bitch!

THOMAS: What the matter with him?

SAM: It seems he's having a nightmare. I think he's gone back to sleep.

[A VERY FAINT LIGHT LIKE A SMALL TORCH APPEARS CORNER STAGE]

FREEMAN: Ruth? It's Joe. Your painting...I'm sorry. It was all you had left. We friends? I see you, Ruth...through the wire... I see you working like a man...Where you get the strength, eh? [LOUDER] Bastards!

[THE SMALL LIGHT GOES OUT]

THOMAS: I think he dream again.

SAM: I wonder what happened to Ruth.

THOMAS: I think he starts again. FREEMAN: Leave me alone! I'm not mad! [BECOMING WORKED UP] You won't lock me up again! Ever! No psychiatrist...no hospital...I go. I see you, Ruth...one day...one day...

[FREEMAN IS SITTING UP AWAKE. HE SHAKES HIS HEAD]

SAM: That was a bad one. [FREEMAN NODS]

THOMAS: Did they lock you up?

FREEMAN: No. I couldn't have stood it. I had survived that far, God knows.

SAM: So you ran away from the hospital?

FREEMAN: Yes. I don't think they ever looked for me.

THOMAS: What happen to Ruth?

FREEMAN: I never saw her again.

THOMAS: She dead?

FREEMAN: I don't know, but I'd do anything to see her again. Only when I sleep she comes to me.

SAM: You said she called you Joe.

FREEMAN: Did I? I'm not sure what she called me.

[SUDDEN SOUND OF A THUD, THEN ANOTHER, THEN THE SOUND OF BREAKING GLASS]

THOMAS: Ah! The bottles!

[SAM GETS UP AND GOES TO THE DOOR, THEN RETURNS]

SAM: You're right. He's throwing his empties over the fence.

MICK'S VOICE: Shut up! You bloody bastards! I can't get any sleep around here! If you don't fuckin well shut up, the police will be here first thing in the mornin' - and the council. Me Ma'll see to that!

MRS COLEMAN: Mick!

MICK' VOICE: Go away, Mum. No, I'm not comin' with ya.

MRS COLEMAN: Keep your voice down, or I won't do what you want!

MICK' VOICE: OK I'll be quiet then.

MRS COLEMAN: And don't talk to that lot next door!

MICK' VOICE: Yes, yes I'll leave the wogs alone. I'm comin' inside. God ya can't do nothin' even in ya own house! [VERY LOUD] It's all your fault! Bloody Wogs! MRS COLEMAN: Mitchell!

FREEMAN: Now what's happening?

THOMAS: He throw the bottles over our fence. Sometime his mother stay there with him.

FREEMAN: Sleep, let's sleep.

THOMAS: You might see Ruth.

SAM: Shshsh, Thomas.

PAUSE [ALL QUIET]

Thank God. Some peace at last.

SCENE 3 DAY. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER

[ENTER THOMAS AND FREEMAN EACH CARRYING A BRASS BED-END]

FREEMAN: [AGGRESSIVELY] Give me that bed-end!

THOMAS: Why?

FREEMAN: Because it's mine!

THOMAS: No it's not. I find this end.

FREEMAN: The two ends make a bed. I found the head end first so it's mine.

THOMAS: I find the bottom end and it's scrap!

FREEMAN: [SHOUTING] One end is no good without the other!

THOMAS: [ALSO SHOUTING] It is to me!

[FREEMAN MAKES A GRAB AT IT. SAM ENTERS]

SAM: What's all the shouting for?

FREEMAN: [STILL GRABBING] It's mine!

THOMAS: It's brass and I sell it.

SAM: What you arguing about?

FREEMAN: [IGNORING SAM] Not this time. It's too good for rubbish.

SAM: I told you not to call our things rubbish. It's scrap.

FREEMAN: Well I found this and it's certainly not junk or scrap and I will have it.

[FREEMAN MAKES ANOTHER GRAB. BOTH MEN FALL DOWN. THOMAS LIES STILL]

SAM: [LAUGHING] It serves you both right. Just like children you are. [FREEMAN IS LYING VERY STILL. SUDDENLY HE MOVES] FREEMAN: [CRAWLING OVER TO THOMAS] Jacob! We got to get away from here. [HE PULLS AT THOMAS' COLLAR] If they catch us it's the end...I die. Please come with me.

THOMAS: [OPENING HIS EYES] What are you doing?

FREEMAN: I can't stand any more time here. I've got to get away. Let's make a run for it! Quickly! Please! You are the only one who knows about me!

THOMAS: What you doing? What you talking about?

[FREEMAN SITS UP AND LOOKS AROUND HIM. HE PUTS HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS] FREEMAN: Who am I? Where am I? How did I get here?

[THOMAS GETS UP AND PUTS HIS HAND ON FREEMAN'S SHOULDER]

FREEMAN: [HALF CRYING] Leave me alone! Keep your bloody bed-end. I'll find one myself and I'll sell it in one piece.

[FREEMAN EXITS HURRIEDLY AND ANGRILY]

THOMAS: I don't understand him, Sam.

SAM: Naturally he's a bit hard to understand. Maybe he's not used to working with other people.[PAUSE] Thomas, you were in a concentration camp.

THOMAS: Oh, yes. I don't like to remember it.

SAM: You still have the number on your arm?

THOMAS: Yes, Sam.

SAM: Freeman doesn't have a number.

THOMAS: No? I never look. Too many bad memories...

SAM: There's something I can't make out about him.

THOMAS: I think he want to sell things. Not just scrap...furniture. He not very interested in finding scrap. He so impatient some dealers tell him 'go away' and not come back.

[ENTER FREEMAN, STILL DISTURBED BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HE WAS]

FREEMAN: Thomas...I'm sorry.

THOMAS: No worry.

FREEMAN: No. You found the bed end first.

THOMAS: So you find one, I find one. No worry.

SAM: Ah! The bed! The bed! We have more to talk about than the bed.

PAUSE SAM: Who was Jacob?

FREEMAN: What?

SAM: While you were dreaming you mentioned someone called Jacob?

FREEMAN: [ANXIOUS] Did I?

SAM: Yes. When you both fell down you called Thomas Jacob.

FREEMAN: [HESITATINGLY] He was just someone I knew.

THOMAS: You run away together?

FREEMAN: [UNEASY] I said that too?

SAM: Yes. You wanted him to go with you. What happened to him?

FREEMAN: I'm not sure. We were running through a forrest. There were bodies hanging from trees. It was like a valley of bones.

SAM: You mentioned some secret.

FREEMAN: [ANGRY] Secret? I don't know what you're talking about.

THOMAS: You say he was the only one who knew about you.

FREEMAN: [MORE ANGRY] No secret! You must have heard wrong! Shut up, will you? You don't bloody know what you're talking about, either of you!

SAM: Sorry to ask more questions, but how did you get here, to this country?

FREEMAN: Christ! Does it matter now?

SAM: No. Not so much.

FREEMAN: If you must know, I blacked out. I woke up in a hospital. There was an American soldier there named Gordon. He said the soldiers had found me. He said he was going home to the United States. Then I realised I was still in that foul country. I just wanted to get out.They got me on board. No one knew. I wasn't that sick, just a bit under weight.

SAM: No one knew you came here? You came here illegally then?

FREEMAN: So what? I had survived that far. What was I to do, stay there and be caught and killed? When the ship landed they dropped me off.

SAM: What country did you come from?

FREEMAN: Why all these bloody questions?

SAM: I also came here without a passport. I had to come hurriedly, I knew what was coming. The authorities found out and I spent some time in jail.

FREEMAN: Are you going to tell the authorities about me, then?

SAM: [SHAKES HIS HEAD] Were you in Germany?

FREEMAN: Yugoslavia...

SAM: That'd be worse. Did they catch you?

FREEMAN: Yes. But I escaped...with Jacob. To tell the truth they shot Jacob. I laid low, then I changed my clothes for his. He was Catholic. Is that all you want to know?

SAM: I'm sorry, Freeman, but there were some things that are still puzzling me.

FREEMAN: [STRETCHING OUT BOTH HIS ARMS] Like this?

SAM: I wondered about that, yes.

FREEMAN: They caught up with me again. I was wearing Jacob's gold cross....I wasn't what I really was, I was someone

else and no one knew. They didn't want to kill me... I was allowed to live...all because of a small gold icon... I'm alive.

SAM: It's nearly morning. There's still time for a bit of rest.

[FREEMAN IS STILL VERY RESTLESS, MUMBLING IN HIS SLEEP. WHEN THE MORNING LIGHT GRADUALLY APPEARS, FREEMAN IS NOT THERE]

THOMAS: He gone, Sam.

SAM: Maybe. Well, we'd better get going straight after breakfast.

THOMAS: Sales on, Sam?

SAM: Quite a few.

THOMAS: We bring in truck now?

[THOMAS EXITS, AND SOON RETURNS]

THOMAS: He unload it. Now there's no truck.

SAM: You mean he's taken our truck? I'll speak to him later! I think this man will cause trouble. He wants to work only for himself. Come on. We bring in the load from yesterday.

[SAM AND THOMAS COME OUT TO FIND MICK IN THE YARD THROWING BOTTLES AROUND AND SMASHING SOME OF THEIR FURNITURE]

SAM: What d'you think you're doing?

MICK: What's it fuckin look like. Gettin' rid of this putrid muck! [HE HURLS A BOTTLE AT A MIRROR]

SAM: I'm calling the police at once!

MICK: Ya not even on the phone ya wog! [MICK HURLS MORE BOTTLES. SAM LEAVES THE STAGE AS THOUGH GOING OUT TO CALL THE POLICE] THOMAS CREEPS OUT FROM BEHIND A TALL CUPBOARD MICK TURNS AROUND AND GRABS HIM BY THE COLLAR]

THOMAS: No! Please, [CALLS] Sam!

MICK: [Slowly and menacingly] Sam's not here...

THOMAS: Please let me go...

MICK: Oh, no, I couldn't do that...Now, Thomas, my little wog, you're all alone with me

[HE HAS THOMAS AROUND THE NECK] Just a little harder and snap!

THOMAS: No! Please stop. I done nothing to you.

MICK: Ah! But you have!

THOMAS: Ouch! What I do?

MICK: You come here to my country! You bloody wog!

THOMAS: Ouch!

MICK: Yid! Worm! [SLOWLY, CREEPILY] You're sub-human...not even a person...that's what they said, didn't they?

THOMAS: I...don't...[NEARLY CHOKING] know...

[MICK HAS THOMAS FIRMLY IN HIS GRASP. HE PICKS UP A STONE AND BASHES IT AGAINST THOMAS' FOREHEAD. THOMAS CRIES OUT AND GOES LIMP]

ACT ONE ENDS WITH MICK HOLDING THE FRIGHTENED THOMAS, HIS HEAD HANGING TOWARDS THE GROUND. FREEZE POSE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS.

ACT 2.

[FREEMAN ENTERS HASTILY PUSHING A TREADLE SEWING MACHINE]

FREEMAN: Ah! This could bring a good price when Thomas fixes it up. [HE LOOKS AROUND] All clear. [PAUSE] HE SEES THOMAS LYING ON THE GROUND] Good God! Who did this? [THOMAS HAS A CUT ON HIS 1 FOREHEAD] Sam! Sam! [SOUND OF A POLICE CAR. STOPS. SAM ENTERS] SAM: What's happened? Thomas, are you allright? My God! Did Mick do this?

FREEMAN: He's out cold.

SAM: [KNEELING DOWN] Thomas? Can you hear me? That's a nasty cut on your forehead.

THOMAS: [THOMAS GROWNS THEN OPENS HIS EYES] No! No more. please...

THOMAS: H- He d-did next door.

SAM: We must get him inside. I'll kill that swine if I get my hands on him!

THOMAS: I walk. OK. [SAM AND FREEMAN HELP HIM INSIDE.

FREEMAN RETURNS TO THE SEWING MACHINE]

MICK'S VOICE: I ain't comin' nowhere! Take your bloody hands off me! ... Yes, a course I done it, and so would you if ya had to live next to that filthy, human junk! I should be the one gettin' the police...take ya fuckin' hands off me, will ya! What ya doin' Oh, no, I'm not havin' any handcuffs on me!

FREEMAN: [RUNNING OVER TO THE FENCE] You can take that bloody mongrel away and lock him up for life. He's scum, if ever I saw it!

SAM: Freeman! Come away from that fence. Hasn't enough damage been done already?

FREEMAN: How's Thomas?

SAM: He'll be allright. He's lying down. [SEEING THE SEWING MACHINE] Where did you buy that from?

FREEMAN: There was an auction sale going on. I bid for it.

SAM: [A LITTLE SHORT] How much did you pay for it?

FREEMAN: Two pounds.

SAM: Does it work?

FREEMAN: It will when Thomas fixes it.

SAM: Yes, well you leave him alone just now.

MICK'S VOICE: I'll be tellin' me mother about this police business. We're goin' to get those bloody foreigners next door removed once and for all. And would ya mind removing these bloody handcuffs? Wish I'd killed that old imbecile! [SOUND OF POLICE CAR DRIVING AWAY]

SCENE 2.

THOMAS: What you got there, Freeman?

FREEMAN: It's a sewing machine - feeling better? Sam made a good job of that bandage, he'd make a good nurse!

THOMAS: [LAUGHS] I remember now, my mother had a machine like that one. Does it go?

FREEMAN: I don't know yet. If you could fix it up to work, we'll sell it and go halves in the money.

[THOMAS BEGINS TINKERING WITH THE MACHINE]

THOMAS: Have we got something to try it?

SAM: Here's some rag.

[THOMAS PUTS THE RAG UNDER THE MACHINE FOOT AND BEGINS TO SEW]

FREEMAN: [A LITTLE PATRONISING] He can sew! That's good! [LAUGHS] Well now it goes, now we can be in business!

[FREEMAN EXITS EXCITEDLY]

THOMAS: What does he mean, Sam?

SAM: I think he wants to sell second-hand things, not scrap.

THOMAS: We been collecting for a long time.

SAM: I know, but it doesn't get any easier for me. Each time it gets a bit heavier.

THOMAS: It is for me too much harder. The lumbago in my back start with each load we find. Where Freeman gone now?

SAM: [TERSELY] I think he does a lot of planning.

THOMAS: He say he want a life of his own.

SAM: Ah, yes, everything changes...

[ENTER MRS COLEMAN]

MRS COLEMAN: Well, here you are, working in all the filth and junk as usual!

SAM: What is it now?

MRS C: [STAMPING HER FOOT] How dare you getl the police to my son!

SAM: And how dare he come in here and break up our scrap! And how dare he hurt Thomas like he did!

MRS C: Ha! It's a pity he didn't finish him off once and for all!

SAM: You get off my property this minute!

MRS C: Your property! We'll soon see about that! It won't be here for very much longer!

SAM: You've been saying that for years.

Mrs C: Yes, well this time it's for real, you'll see!

SAM: [SHOUTING] Get out!

MRS C: I'll be back! And just you remember, no more

police![SHE EXITS]

SOME HOURS LATER

[FREEMAN ENTERS IN SEEMINGLY HIGH SPIRITS] [THOMAS IS WORKING WITH SOME SCRAP IRON IN THE YARD]

FREEMAN: Where is everyone? Hello!

[THOMAS APPEARS WIPING HIS HANDS WITH A RAG]

I said I'd find a bed in one piece and I did...And I sold it! I knew where the bed was and I went back for it... They kept it for me.

SAM: What's all the fuss about?

FREEMAN: My first sale! Here's something to celebrate with.

[FREEMAN PRODUCES A BOTTLE OF WINE FROM INSIDE HIS COAT]

THOMAS: Wine? I don't know if I can drink wine.

FREEMAN: You're going to drink this wine!

SAM: So you took my truck to go and pick up the bed?

FREEMAN: I wanted it to be a suprise...I didn't mean to steal your truck. Damn it! One day I'll have a truck of my own. For once in my life I'll have to answer to no one!

[FREEMAN GOES INSIDE AND RETURNS WITH THREE ENAMEL MUGS INTO WHICH HE POURS THE WINE, HANDING ONE MUG TO SAM AND ONE TO THOMAS]

Well, here's cheers ... even if I did steal the truck!

SAM: I never said you stole it. But next time ask me first, eh? I might want to use it. [FREEMAN PUTS DOWN HIS MUG WITHOUT FINISHING THE WINE. HE'S ABOUT TO LEAVE]

You get cross for nothing. Let us drink to the bed, then.

SAM AND THOMAS TOGTHER: The bed!

[FREEMAN DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING]

THOMAS: Where you sell the bed?

FREEMAN: To another second-hand dealer. I told him it was in the way and that I wanted to get rid of it.

SAM: You can think of excuses, that's for sure.

FREEMAN: [LOUD AND IRRITATED BY SAM'S COMMENT] That's business! You expect me to tell him I got it from the auction rooms? A bed nobody wanted? That there were no bids for it?

THOMAS: You make some money with it?

FREEMAN: [IMPATIENT. AS IF SPEAKING TO A CHILD] I bought it for three pounds. I sold it to the man for five pounds. Three from five is two. I made two pounds! Satisfied?

THOMAS: You were lucky.

FREEMAN: [IMPATIENT] Not just lucky. I knew what I was doing. That's what business is about! It wasn't that hard. Some one told me that beds always sell. We could have got a lot for those two brass bed-ends together.

THOMAS: They are still here somewhere.

SAM: One is here. I sold the other one this morning.

FREEMAN: [IRATE] What? You old fool! Make money! You're just wasting it, that's all!

SAM: [HOSTILE IN RETURN] Don't you talk to me like that! This is my scrapyard and I sell what I want!

FREEMAN: Ha! One bed-end! You're mad! You would have got twice as much for two! And you think you're in business!

MICK'S VOICE: Mad Sam! I told ya. Ha, ha,ha!

SAM: You keep your voice to yourself!

MICK'S VOICE: I'd have the whole neighbourhood to meself soon.

SAM: [SHOUTING] Shut up!

MICK'S VOICE: Get stuffed!

FREEMAN: I've had this place!

SAM: You can do what you like! FREEMAN: I will, don't you worry!

SAM: [A BIT CALMER] I never told you or Thomas, but one time there was a fire here.

FREEMAN: [SUDDENLY QUIET. DIFFERENT TONE] What?

SAM: Even before Thomas came, the house I have here caught fire. I had furniture. It all got burnt.

FREEMAN: [SHOCK] No! A fire! It couldn't be!

[FREEMAN STANDS STARING]

SAM: I try and tell you, the scrap I have does'nt burn. The metal, iron, even tin. Then I built this shack from the peices I had left. I used plenty iron so it won't burn down again.

FREEMAN: Leave me alone, for God's sake! [QUIETLY] Fire...

[FREEMAN SUDDENLY DELVES INTO HIS POCKET AND TAKES OUT A BOX OF MATCHES]

SAM: Where did you get those? You put them away.

FREEMAN: You have them to light your old stove, don't you? This place would burn away in two minutes.

[FREEMAN STRIKES A MATCH AND HOLDS IT ABOVE HIM, LAUGHING] You think you can fight another fire, yes?

SAM: I fight you, that's what.

[FREEMAN STRIKES ANOTHER MATCH AND HOLDS IT ABOVE SAM'S HEAD]

FREEMAN: If I was to drop this match here... [FREEMAN MOVES TOWARDS SOME OLD RAGS AND CARDBOARD BOXES] or here...

SAM: Your wicked! Stop it! [SAM TRIES TO GRAB THE MATCH BOX. FREEMAN STUMBLES. THE MATCH BOX AND THE LIGHTED MATCH FALL]

FREEMAN: No! No! No!

SAM: [VERY ANGRY] So now you try and start a real fire!

[THE LIGHTED MATCH HAS NOT CAUGHT ANYTHING AND SAM GRABS THE MATCH BOX] [FREEMAN RECOILS NERVOUSLY, DROPS TO HIS KNEES AND PUTS HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS]

THOMAS: He gone mad, Sam?

SAM: [STILL ANGRY] He's always mad! Who knows? But if he does these things in my scrapyard, he must go. [TO FREEMAN] you hear?

[FREEMAN NODS]

SAM: Come on, Thomas. We leave him now. [SAM AND THOMAS EXIT INSIDE]

FREEMAN: [LOOKING AROUND A LITTLE NERVOUSLY] I'll show them. [HE GETS UP AND EXITS HASTILY, THEN RE-ENTERS PUSHING A TROLLEY WITH A TABLE ON IT. FREEZE POSE - FREEMAN WITH TABLE] ****

ACT 3 SCENE 1 TIME: SOME WEEKS LATER. DAY

[THERE IS AN ODD ASSORTMENT OF FURNITURE IN THE YARD. FREEMAN IS LOOKING IT OVER]

FREEMAN: [TO HIMSELF] Not a junkyard anymore. The first time I ever had a chance to work for myself...not for someone else...or as a slave. God knows what Sam will say to this lot! All mine...how long since I owned anything?

[SAM ENTERS]

SAM: [SLIGHT HINT OF DISPLEASURE] You been buying more furniture?

FREEMAN: That's right.

SAM: What are you going to do with it all?

FREEMAN: Clean it up and sell it.

SAM: Like you been doing for the past few weeks?

FREEMAN: It's my work now, the best I can do for the time being.

SAM: I don't see you or Thomas scrounging anymore.

FREEMAN: Thomas does what he wants. He doesn't mind cleaning things up for me. After all, he makes more money than he did before. I give him half of what we sell and so do you with your odd bits of scrap.

SAM: Thomas is working very hard now.

FREEMAN: I think the work does hm good. He's not so shaky anymore.

SAM: I don't think people recover from bad experiences so easily.

FREEMAN: [SELF ASSURED] You're so sure? I'm alright now, and I was sick once too.

SAM: But you still remember nothing.

FREEMAN: [SLIGHTLY IMPATIENT] That's true. But I'm used to my nightmares! Even they are getting less and less.

SAM: Well, I'm glad you're happy.

FREEMAN: I'd be happier if I had somewhere to store my furniture.

SAM: [IRRITATED] There, I cannot help you. There's not enough room here for scrap and furniture as well.

FREEMAN: I know that. Anyway, it looks like rain. Every time I have to cover this lot up. That old sheet doesn't do much good, either. [FREEMAN EXITS CARRYING A LARGE SHEET. ENTER THOMAS]

THOMAS: I hear you talking, Sam.

SAM: I talk to myself. It helps me to understand some things better.

THOMAS: I have some news for you.

SAM: I hope it's good news, eh, Thomas?

THOMAS: Freeman say he wants to find a shop where he can sell his furniture.

SAM: It's true, eh? I knew this already, Thomas. What else does he want to do?

THOMAS: He say he wants me to work with him.

SAM: And what d'you say?

THOMAS: I not sure, but I know what he's like.

SAM: I think this amnesia makes him difficult. One minute an angel, the next a devil!

THOMAS: I feel safe with you, Sam, I know you so long.

SAM: But remember our talk. We're both getting older. We mightn't be able to sell scrap much longer. Well, I'm tired. Bedtime, I think. [SAM AND THOMAS EXIT]

ACT 3. SCENE 2

A WEEK LATER

[FREEMAN AND THOMAS ARE IN THE JUNKYARD]

FREEMAN: Well, I found it, Thomas.

THOMAS: What did you find?

FREEMAN: A premisis.

THOMAS: Where you sell furniture?

FREEMAN: It's not far from here. Only a small place but good enough for a start. I can see the red SALE sign hanging outside already. Will you come and work with me, Thomas?

THOMAS: What about Sam?

FREEMAN: He's managed here for a long time now. If this work gets too much for him, we could take him in too.

THOMAS: Is there enough room for us all to sleep?

FREEMAN: There's enough room out the back. Anyway, I don't think Sam would care where he slept any more than we do.

THOMAS: How you find this shop?

FREEMAN: [HESITANT] It was...for sale.

THOMAS: There was a sign to say this?

FREEMAN: Er...yes.

THOMAS: Then you go in and ask for it?

FREEMAN: Yes.

THOMAS: What about the money? You got enough money to buy a shop?

FREEMAN: I nearly have. Anyway the shop was really for lease...I wouldn't actually own it.

THOMAS: What you mean, you just say you bought it?

FREEMAN: [A BIT CONFUSED BY THOMAS' UNEXPECTED REASONING] I meant it was for lease.

THOMAS: So if we don't like it, we can move back here?

FREEMAN: If you like. So you'll come and work with me then?

THOMAS: I talk to Sam first.

FREEMAN: [ANNOYED] I thought so! Please yourself! Talk to Sam all you want, but I'm going!

[ENTER SAM] SAM: Are you two arguing?

THOMAS: He find a premises to sell furniture, Sam.

SAM: Yes?

FREEMAN: Yes.

SAM: Good for you, if that's what you want! Are you going too, Thomas?

THOMAS: I don't know.

FREEMAN: We could all go together? SAM: [EMPHATICALLY] I don't leave here!

FREEMAM: [SMUGLY] I didn't think so. Just Thomas and me.

SAM: It's whatever you think, Thomas. [TO FREEMAN] You ever sell before?

FREEMAN: I had no trouble selling the bed or the sewing machine... [LESS CONFIDENT] But before that...I don't know, damn it!

SAM: When d'you move into this shop?

FREEMAN: Tomorrow.

THOMAS: [LOOKS AT SAM] Tomorrow?

SAM: [INDIFFERENT] You can try it, Thomas. Remember our talk?

FREEMAN: [HOSTILE] Anyway, no one can stop me!

SAM: No one is trying to stop you. You're free.

FREEMAN: [ANGRY AND SHOWING FRUSTRATION] Free! That's funny!

SAM: [ANGRY AT FREEMAN'S ATTITUDE] Good luck to you!

THOMAS: What time you going?

FREEMAN: Early.

THOMAS: We need truck to get there?

FREEMAN: I can walk there.

SAM: What about all this furniture?

FREEMAN: No. I...I can manage alone, somehow.

SAM: Come on, Thomas. I suppose we'll get up early and help him.

FREEMAN: No, don't go to any trouble for me!

SAM: [A LITTLE CYNICALLY] It's no trouble. Come on, Thomas, we still have some work of our own to do.

[EXIT SAM AND THOMAS]

FREEMAN: [ALONE] I do it alone. My own business! Something...[LISTENING] What's that sound? No! No! No! It can't be!

[STAGE GRADUALLY DARKENS. THERE IS A SMALL FLICKER CORNER STAGE]

Ruth? Ruth? Is that you? [FREEMAN MOVES TOWARDS THE LIGHT] Ruth? [LOUDER] Mama? [DARKNESS. SCREAMING. FIRE ENGINE SCREECHING. MORE SCREAMING AND GUNFIRE]

No! No! No!

[SILENCE]

ACT 3. SCENE 3 THE SAME NIGHT

THOMAS: Where is he?

SAM: I don't think he came inside. You wait here, I'll go and see.

[SAM GOES TO OUTER AREA CALLING]

I smell a lot of smoke.

THOMAS: [CALLING] Be careful, Sam!

SAM: There's a fire, not far away from here.

MICK'S VOICE: Put that bloody fire out and shut up! I can smell ya greasy cooking!

THOMAS: Can you see him, Sam?

SAM: No. Nowhere.

MICK'S VOICE: Stop that bloody racket!

SAM: The truck's still here.

MICK'S VOICE: I'd like to put some nails in the bloody tyres! Ha! Ha! Ha!

THOMAS: [OUTSIDE] Look!

[FREEMAN APPEARS WITH HIS FACE BLACKENED. HE IS SHAKING. HALF CRYING What happen? [FREEMAN SHAKES HIS HEAD]

SAM: [A LITTLE ABRUPT] Did you go out to see the shop?

FREEMAN: Everything's gone!

SAM: What's gone?

FREEMAN: My home! My family! My mother! All killed!

SAM: [VERY PUZZLED] Where you been just now?

FREEMAN: I been there. Our houses, they burn them! Soldiers shooting people as they run! PAUSE [AS IF RETURNING TO PRESENT] I ran too. They caught me! Beat me! But I was young...strong enough to work! But I survived...[IN A SORT OF DREAM] They would break me! Kick me! PAUSE I get away but they follow me! That hospital...Ruth. It was a trick! They even follow me here! [SAM ATTEMPTS TO PACIFY HIM]

[WILDLY] Keep away from me! I should have been gassed! But no! A man Josef Sorrel leads them...now they're after me again!

SAM: How d'you mean? Why do they follow you?

FREEMAN: [IN A KIND OF WILD NIGHTMARE. HE MOVES AROUND THE STAGE] My shop! Tonight they burn it down. Soon they will come for me again...[EYES STARING WILDLY] That's the way it happened...I remember. The cabinet maker I worked for, he escaped, thank God! You want to know why?

SAM: Yes.

FREEMAN: Because he knew he couldn't trust me!

SAM: [A LITTLE BEWILDERED] Why?

FREEMAN: [HALF CRYING] I was afraid...terrified...I'm sorry! Sorry!

SAM: [QUIETLY] Josef?

FREEMAN: Yes?

SAM: You remember who you are?

FREEMAN: Yes.

SAM: But why are you scared now? What did you do?

FREEMAN: I was scared. I told...where people were hiding. I believed they wouldn't take me if I told them but they did!

THOMAS: [SUDDENLY REALIZING WHAT HE'S HEARING] You tell? You tell where people are?

[FREEMAN NODS] FREEMAN: I forgot. I didn't want to remember! Now I do remember!

[THOMAS BACKS AWAY FROM FREEMAN. SAM PUTS HIS HAND ON THOMAS' SHOULDER]

THOMAS: [ANGRILY. ALMOST IN PANIC] He go, Sam! He go... or I kill him! [LOUD] You go now!

SAM: Thomas, they took him, just like they took you!

THOMAS: Why they not kill him then? Eh? Why?

SAM: They didn't kill you either.

THOMAS: You mean I don't die! People hide others! Risk their own lives! He tell! Try to save himself! [SHOUTING] MURDERER! No different! MICK'SVOICE:[DRUNK] If I'd been there I'd 'ave killed the lot of ya! [STARTS SINGING IN A DRUNKEN WAY]

FREEMAN: It's true. I deserve to die!

[THOMAS RUSHES INSIDE THEN STANDS AT THE DOOR]

Go ahead, Thomas.

SAM: [TURNS QUICKLY AND SEES THOMAS POINTING A RIFLE]

No! I say no more killing! We never had a gun here before!

THOMAS: He say this gun sell for lots of money. We buy it at an auction. Now it does its work for all those that die!

[THOMAS TAKES AIM AT FREEMAN]

SAM: No, Thomas! You murder just like they did! You call him murderer. If you shoot him what's the difference between you and him?

THOMAS: Lots of murderers run away! Still free! He the same! I know what happens. I see it all. Not you, you too clever, you come here! People like him sell us out! He should die!

[WHILE SAM AND THOMAS ARE TALKING FREEMAN EXITS. THOMAS TURNS TO WHERE FREEMAN WAS SITTING] Where is he? He not here anymore! This is your fault, Sam. Always you talk. You know everything! Now he escape! Maybe I shoot you instead!

[THOMAS POINTS THE GUN AT SAM]

SAM: [ANGRY] Put that gun away, Thomas!

THOMAS: Where is he?

SAM: How do I know. I've been here with you all the time.

THOMAS: You find him! I shoot him!

SAM: I said put the gun away. Tomorrow I'll get rid of it.

THOMAS: No! It my gun now! I find him!

SAM: You go out with that gun, you don't come back here to me!

THOMAS: [VERY WORKED UP] I must find him! He mustn't run away like all other war criminals!

SAM: [A LITTLE CALMER TO TRY AND CALM THOMAS] Look, he comes, he goes. Just like that. How do we know what he tells us is true? Many people are mixed up after the war. He says he finds a shop. Where? Eh? I haven't seen any shop around here. The only second- hand shop's been closed for years. And Ruth, who is she? Someone he imagines? So why d'you worry about him? [SAM GENTLY TAKES THE GUN FROM HIM]

[THOMAS NODS. HE EXITS INSIDE AND JUST MISSES SEEING FREEMAN]

FREEMAN: I...I'm looking for some second-hand furniture.

SAM: You know we don't sell any now. What you see here, you brought yourself.

FREEMAN: I'd never bring that stuff. Still a lot of junk to me.

SAM: You can call it what you like. But why did you come back here?

FREEMAN: My home...my shop is gone!

SAM: I cannot help you. Anyway, I don't think there was a shop.

FREEMAN: There was a shop. I see it in my mind. [DREAMILY TOUCHES SOME OF THE FURNITURE]

SAM: Look...I'm afraid you can't stay here anymore, Josef. It won't work. So you must go. Thomas will be back soon and I'd like you to be gone when he comes in.

FREEMAN: He hates me, as much as I hate myself! But now I live with that. Still a prisoner...in a way.

SAM: I'm sorry.

[FREEMAN EXITS. SAM WIPES HIS BROW AND GIVES A SIGH OF RELIEF. THOMAS RETURNS JUST MISSING FREEMAN AGAIN]

THOMAS: I don't find him. I talk to the woman in the grocer shop. She say she doesn't know why I talk about a second- hand shop. She tell me to stick to scrap collecting and mind my own business...What you think, Sam?

SAM: [WEARILY] I think she's quite right.

THOMAS: You think Freeman come back?

SAM: I don't think. I don't care as long as he leaves us in peace.

[SAM AND THOMAS ARE WORKING IN THE YARD. THERE IS THE SOUND OF A TRUCK]

THOMAS: That sound like our truck, Sam.

SAM: [LISTENING] I know. Go and see.

[THEY HURRY TO THE GATES]

BOTH CALL: Hey! Come back! THOMAS: Freeman has taken it?

SAM: Someone has.

THOMAS: What we do now?

SAM: We tell the police.

[THEY SIT DOWN WEARILY. THERE IS THE SOUND OF THE TRUCK AGAIN. THOMAS GOES TO HAVE A LOOK]

THOMAS: There is no one here, but someone put the truck back. The furniture's still here.

MICK'SVOICE: Next time keep that bloody truck away from my drive!

SAM: At least we know it wasn't him next door. Everything back to normal again!

[AN EMPTY BEER BOTTLE COME FLYING OVER THE FENCE]

ACT 3 SCENE4 THE NEXT DAY

[SAM IS POURING OVER SOME SCRAP, SORTING OUT BITS]

ENTER MRS COLEMAN

SAM: [LOOKING AROUND] What can I do for you?

MRS COLEMAN: I intend bringing a member of the council here. Look at it! This is what my son has to live next door to! I've bought this block, so you'll have to clean up this filthy mess before it's cleared.

SAM: This mess isn't filthy, and it's my home and Thomas's.

MRS COLEMAN: Not for any longer. Besides, it devalues the whole street. No wonder my son's always complaining!

SAM: Your son's always complaining because he's always drunk! It's his bad behaviour and foul language that devalues the whole street!

MRS COLEMAN: Anyway it's going and so are you and that idiot friend of yours!

SAM: It's you who are the idiot! You can't see unfairness and injustice. You're just blind!

MRS COLEMAN: Well, I'd rather be blind than stupid. Anyway, this is now my property!

SAM: So, you get your lovely son to clean up your property. After all, he made more of a mess besides assaulting Thomas - I believe he will be charged with that! MRS COLEMAN: That's quite another matter, you fool. The builders will be starting next week.

[ENTER THOMAS]

THOMAS: Ah! This lady again, Sam?

SAM: Yes, and we are standing on her property,Thomas. She has bought our home!

THOMAS: Where we go now, Sam?

MRS COLEMAN: You can go anywhere you like as long as it's nowhere near me.

SAM: We will certanly see to that.

MRS COLEMAN: Before you go from here.

SAM: What?

MRS COLEMAN: Make sure nothing on this block is left behind.

SAM: It's your block now, so you clear it!

MRS COLEMAN: We'll soon see about that, you crazy old goat!

[MRS COLEMAN STORMS OFF]

THOMAS: She want to get rid of us, Sam?

SAM: She has brought the block, but we won't move so easily!

ACT 3. SCENE 2 THE SAME NIGHT

SAM AND THOMAS' SLEEPING QUARTERS

THOMAS: Sam, you hear a noise?

SAM: Yes. Probably cats.

[THERE IS A TAP AT THE DOOR]

I better go and see. (PAUSE) Freeman! What D'you want? Where've you been?

FREEMAN: Can I sit down.

SAM: Of course.

[ENTER THOMAS] THOMAS: Freeman! Why you come back?

FREEMAN: It's a long story...I nearly got arrested!

THOMAS: Pity you didn't.

SAM: Enough now, Thomas.

THOMAS: I had a few drinks and I fell asleep on someone's front lawn. They called the police, but I was told to get going...So I came here...

SAM: That's alright, but I don't have the matress anymore, someone came looking for a matress and I let them have it.

FREEMAN: It makes no difference. The floor will do.

THOMAS: I no sleep anywhere near him.

SAM: You better sleep where you always sleep, Thomas.

THOMAS: Then he go somewhere else.

SAM: I'm too tired to argue. You can all sleep where you like.

FREEMAN: If I could just doss down in the kitchen for the night?

SAM: Yes, yes, alright. Whatever you like.

THOMAS: You not touch any of our food!

SAM: Enough, Thomas.

THE NEXT MORNING

SAM: We have to tidy up the yard. Remember, it's not ours anymore.

THOMAS: I don't work with him!

SAM: Alright, Thomas. Work where you like.

FREEMAN: I'll do whatever you ask, Sam.

[ENTER MRS COLEMAN]

MRS COLEMAN: I've spoken to the council. Since you've never paid any rent on this property, they say you should go as soon as it's cleared.

SAM: What are you on about now?

MRS COLEMAN: The builders are going to start before the end of this week now.

FREEMAN: We are entitled to two week's notice before we move anywhere.

MRS COLEMAN: And who might you be?

FREEMAN: Freeman...I don't know the rest.

MRS COLEMAN: You're mad the whole lot of you!

FREEMAN: I only want to get the axe.

[SAM PICKS UP A PIECE OF IRON]

SAM: I don't care how much you hate me, but don't you dare criticize the people who haven't had it easy like you! If you hadn't been here you'd have been in the ghetto too...Now get off my property!

[SAM IS STILL HOLDING THE IRON MENACINGLY]

SAM: Get out, I say! Just leave us alone!

MRS COLEMAN: [THRUSTS AN ENVELOPE AT HIM. SAM PUTS THE IRON DOWN AND READS]

SAM: By order of the West Ward Council, Samuel Gross, and Thomas Wizenberg are to vacate the premises at No. 31 Baker Street by Thursday, April 10, 1967. Failure to co-operate will result in a court order and charges will be laid" What's this for?

MRS COLEMAN: You do understand what you read there?

SAM: Yes, but why such short notice?

MRS COLEMAN: Because I don't want you here any longer than I have to put up with. Besides, I told you about the builders.

SAM: You expect us to take all this scrap away in two days? Where? We don't know where we're going.

MRS COLEMAN: And that's not my problem.

[FREEMAN ENTERS HOLDING THE AXE]

SAM: We have to be out by Thursday, Freeman.

FREEMAN: Oh, no we don't.

[SAM HANDS HIM THE EVICTION ORDER]

This is bloody impossible!

MRS COLEMAN: Would you like a letter from the Health Authorities as well? [SHE TAKES A LETTER FROM HER HANDBAG AND HANDS IT TO FREEMAN WHO SNATCHES IT AND OPENS IT QUICKLY AND ROUGHLY]

I really didn't want to resort to this but you leave me no alternative.

FREEMAN: Christ! What's this?...three men living...immoral... no standards...filthy..." Why you filthy minded old bitch! This is absolute lies, even the police will tell you that!

[SAM STANDS UP, CRESTFALLEN]

SAM: You know it's not true...I know the place is a mess...But you can't charge me with...

MRS COLEMAN: It's how it appears, what people must think, I'm not the only one who wants to see you go.

[SAM COUGHS AND STUMBLES FOWARD CLUTCHING HIS CHEST. HE FALLS DOWN AND LIES STILL]

FREEMAN: Sam! [FREEMAN LOOSENS SAM'S COLLAR] For God's sake call an ambulence! Don't just stand there woman!

MRS COLEMAN: You don't have a telephone here, do you?

FREEMAN: Please hurry!

MRS COLEMAN: Very well, and don't you call me 'woman', you heap of garbage! [MRS COLEMAN EXITS]

[FREEMAN IS SITTING BESIDE SAM. HE PICKS UP THE LETTER]

Rotten bastards!

[HE'S TRYING TO GET SAM TO BREATHE]

[THOMAS ENTERS]

THOMAS: What's wrong with Sam?

FREEMAN: I think he's had a heart attack.

THOMAS: No! Sam...[THOMAS KNEELS BY SAM] He going to be allright, Freeman?

FREEMAN: [NEARLY CRYING] I don't know. I...

THOMAS: He not dead! No, Freeman, I not live without Sam...please wake him up.

FREEMAN: [FREEMAN SHAKES HIS HEAD] I can't.

THOMAS: Please, you try!

FREEMAN: I can't, Thomas.

THOMAS: Sam, Sam, please don't leave me! Sam?

[THOMAS TAKES HIS SCULLCAP FROM HIS COAT POCKET, PUTS IT ON AND RESTS HIS HEAD ON SAM'S BODY]

FREEMAN: Thanks for everything, Sam. Good-bye, old friend. I never did thank you for taking me in... [LAYS HIS HEAD ON SAM'S CHEST. THOMAS IS CRYING SOFTLY]

[SOUND OF AMBULANCE SIREN APPROACHING] END Copyright. 2002 Margaret Houghton

EXT: THE STREET DAY

Ruth Klein (20’3) goes to the newsagents about 7.00am She stands looking at the red ‘SALE’ sign hanging outside a shop nearby.

The morning traffic gradually becomes heavier. Ruth sits on The small ledge of the newsagent’s window. She wanders slowly towards the shop where the red flag hangs.

A young man is putting some bookshelves and other items on the foopath.

Ruth sees the shop is blocked by many large items of furniture, things stacked on top each other.

Ruth crosses the road to a small memorial park. She sits for a while, then crosses the road to an hotel where she purchses a bottle of wine.

She returns to the park, swallows a few mouthfuls of the wine. She gets up and returns to the second-hand furniture shop.

Joan McCreeth (40’s)approaches her.

JOAN Can I help you ?

RUTH I want to see the manager.

Ruth has difficulty controlling her speech.

JOAN He's not in at present.

RUTH When will he be in?

The wine is taking effect rapidly

JOAN He went to a sale early this morning. He should be back by lunchtime. Can I give him a message?

RUTH No. I'll wait.

Ruth stumbles and Joan takes hold of her.

JOAN D'you know him? Ruth tries to light a cigarette.

RUTH I'm not sure.

She flops into an armchair and lays her head back looking at The ceiling.

JOAN Would you like some coffee? He could be quite a while yet.

Ruth shakes her head.

JOAN I just have to slip out for a minute to get a printer ribbon. It’s only two doors away.

INT. ‘THOMAS’TYPEWRITERS” DAY

MR THOMAS emerges wearing a long coat and gloves.

He speaks with A foreign accent and has a stammer

It's only me, Thomas.

THOMAS

Hello Joan.

I want to printer ribbon...

THOMAS

Now, what kind of a printer do you have?

Still the old Epsom.

THOMAS

Now what number was that?

LQ-860.

THOMAS

Now, let me see now...860...860...here we are...

Thomas accidently drops the ribbon and Joan picks it up.

JOAN How much are these ribbons now?

Thomas is staring vacantly

Thomas?

THOMAS

Oh, yes, I am sorry. What is it you wanted?

How much?

THOMAS

I'll have to look it up... Eight dollars and ninety-nine cents.

JOAN See you later.

EXT. STREET DAY

As she’s walking back to the shop Joan smells burning. It’s coming from the second-hand shop.

INT. SECOND-HAND SHOP DAY The armchair where Ruth sits is burning. Joan tries to help her up.

JOAN (To the young boy helping) Kevin! Ring the firebrigade, quickly!

EXT. ABOUT 9.30AM. SAME DAY

Furniture is still out on the foopath A crowd gathers to look Ruth is huddled in a chair on the footpath holding her stomach

EXT. CAUSEWAY DAY Joe Sorrel drives his truck accross the bridge towards the shop. He puts his hand over his eyes. He hears people screaming, gun shots, shouting.

A sudden bang. The furniture truck hits a pole further up the road . Joe Sorrel looks to be unconscious. Some of the people who have been looking at the furniture Shop move towards to the accident up the road.

AN ONLOOKER Hey, it's the bloke from the furniture shop!

A WOMAN I think he's dead. POLICEMAN Keep clear. We've got to get him out of there.

Two policemen get him out of the truck. He can just walk.

POLICEMAN Seems to be nothing wrong with the truck apart from the big dent in the front - will set him back a bit.

AN ONLOOKER About time something did!

POLICEMAN Clear the way, please, we want to get him into the station.

A WOMAN (LAUGHING) He picked a convenient place to crash - outside the policestation.

POLICEMAN (TO ANOTHER POLICEMAN) Shall I tell him about the shop.

POLICEMAN Not yet, for god's sake. He's in shock. The ambulence will be here any minute.

SOUND OF AMBULENCE SIREN.

Joe Sorrel is in the ambulence.

JOE What are you doing? I have to get back to work.

POLICEMAN Not today you don't, mate.

JOE What happened?

AMBULENCE OFFICER You crashed into the pole outside the police station. They've taken the truck away.

JOE Don’t take me away…

Joe is suddenly asleep.

EXT. THE STREET SAME DAY. An ambulence arives at the shop to take Ruth to the hospital

AMBULANCE OFFICER Good lord, whatever happened here?

JOAN We're not sure how it happened? But I've got a fair idea...

AMBULANCE OFFICER Smoking?

JOAN I'm saving what I think for the doctors.

RUTH Where are you taking me?

AMBULANCE OFFICER You just rest now, luv.

INT. JOE'S ROOM SAME DAY

NURSE HIGGINS

I think he's coming around.

RADFORD It was a pretty bad crash. D'you know who he is?

HIGGINS The man from the furniture shop, they said.

RADFORD Not that second-hand place in East Street?

HIGGINS I wouldn't know.

RADFORD Gee, I hope not.

HIGGINS

Why? D'you know him? RADFORD No, but Jim and I were looking for a cot and we went in there. It was real creepy.

HIGGINS How d'you mean?

RADFORD Well, we wanted to look round for a bit, but he got really impatient! He almost told us to go.

HIGGINS What about the cot?

RADFORD We got one, but we were glad to get out of there.

HIGGINS I thought he was coming around.

RADFORD Doesn't look like it...Better get Di.

Dr Diana Edwards examines Joe’s face and eyes

DR Mm, it's a bit worse that we thought it was. We'll have to take some tests.

HIGGINS Whats' the trouble.

DR He’s badly concussed. I rang through to the shop to find out his details but there was no answer. I expect it's been closed because of the fire.

RADFORD How's the girl?

Oh, ha! The girl...she's the one who started the fire. She was pretty full of alcahol. RADFORD Alcahol?

DR She'd been drinking very heavily.

Joan McCreeth comes to the door.

Is this Mr Sorrel's room?

DR Yes.

I'm his assistant at the shop. I thought I better drop in and see him.

We know very little about him. Are you his next of kin?.

No, he doesn't have any next-of-kin. I work for him.

DR What's his full name?

Josef Sorrel.

DR And how long have you worked for him?

Three years.

D'you know if he's a good driver?

Well he takes the truck out every day and this is the first time I've known him to have an accident. Do they know what caused it?

DR We haven't heard yet. What did you say your name was?

Sorry. Joan McCreeth.

Is Mr Sorrel easy to get along with?

Yes, with me, anyway.

DR What about the customers?

He gets a bit impatient sometimes, but then he works pretty hard.

Joe opens his eyes and closes them again.

[MUMBLING]

What are you doing here, Joan? I have to be getting back...

JOAN You're in the hospital. You have to rest.

JOE Get back to the shop.

Yes, I’m just going. I'll come and see you later on. That girl, is she here too. She came into the shop this morning looking for him.

DR Ah, yes she’is here alright..

JOAN Strange kind of girl. She wanted to see him and she insisted on waiting.That's when the fire started. She was smoking and she dozed off to sleep and dropped the cigarette.

Did she know him?

Apparently she did. I'd better get back. I'll visit again.

INT. HOSPITAL FOLLOWING MORNING.

Hi, there.

JOE Hello.

JOAN I brought you some fruit and a nut bar - I know how you like them.

Thanks

(beat)

my truck...

JOAN Don't you worry about that now. Get all the rest you can.

JOE My head, I can hardly lift it up. I think they said something about tests...

You had them yestersday. You'll be right soon. It was a terrible bang. Everyone heard it right along the highway.

JOE What happened?

Oh...a truck crashed into a pole outside the police station...

JOE Not my truck?

JOAN Well, Joe, as a matter of fact it was your truck.

JOE No! My truck! Who was driving it?

Well, you were. That's why you're here.

JOE What made it crash?

JOAN They don't really know. There was no brake failure... There was very little damage to it.

Joe lies back and closes his eyes

I don't remember what happened...

JOAN I'll go now and let you sleep. Bye now.

INT. HOSPITAL SAME DAY

Dr Edwards is working at her desk

JOAN Excuse me, doctor, I've just been in to see Joe. D'you think he'll be alright? DR It's a little hard to say. He's certainly not the best right now.

JOAN He asked me about the truck and I told him. He doesn't remember anything.

DR That's partly the medication. There was some leakage into his brain. We're trying to rectify that. How long have you worked for Him?

JOAN Five, nearly six years now, and I didn't think I'd be able to stick it for the first six days...

DR Why was that?

JOAN He was so impatient and irritable. He'd had a hard time keeping anyone to work for him. But we got there.

Dr Edwards shakes her head As Joan is leaving, the doctor calls back

DR Mrs McCreeth? I forgot to mention that Joe had a strange turn this morning, more or less like an epileptic fit. After that he was rambling on about the strangest things, in fact he even mentioned Ruth's name a couple of times – the girl who came into his shop. Does he know her?

JOAN Not that I know of. I'd never seen her before...wait a minute, she said she wanted to see the proprietor. I thought it must be over some deal, or something she wanted him to get in for her.

DR Did she say his name?

JOAN No, but insisted on waiting when I told her he wouldn't be back until lunchtime.

DR Well, he's well and truly out to it now.

JOAN I'll call in again tomorrow. Soon I might have to start looking around for another job. My son's at Uni. and the amount of money he's always paying out seems to be more than I get for my wage.

DR See you later.

INT. JOE’S ROOM DAY

Joe is propped up in bed but has his eyes closed

Ruth enters softly. Her lips are tremble as she moves closer

To the bed.

Joe opens his eyes. He seeS Ruth. Hetries to speak.

Ruth takes his hand. They look at each other

Joe, it's me, Ruth...

Joe nods his head and puts his hand over hers.

I have to go. I'll come back again.

Ruth flees back to her room

INT. RUTH’S ROOM DAY

Nurse Higgins finds Ruth gone from her room.

Nurse Radford enters the room when Higgins has left.

Ruth enters

RUTH I want a cigarette.

RADFORD

You can't have one in here.

RUTH Where can I have one, then? RADFORD Do you have any cigarettes with you?

No, I don't. Where can I get some? I think I have a couple of dollars in my bag.

RADFORD I could get you a packet from the shop downstairs.

RUTH Great.

RADFORD

You wait for me here, won't you Ruth?

RUTH Of course. This place is such a riot,

I wouldn't dare leave it. Too much like fun!

Radford laughs and goes out of the room

INT. NURSES’ STATION DAY

Dr Edwards is leaving when Higgine approaches

HIGGINS

Di, the girl's gone!

DR What girl?

HIGGINS

The one they brought in here after the fire.

DR Have you looked in all the toilets and in other patient's rooms?

HIGGINS I've looked everywhere.

Nurse Rossi is also at the desk. ROSSI I know the one you mean...I used to see her at Uni sometimes when we had lectures for nursing. I think she was doing Fine Arts, then she seemed to disappear.

D'you know what her name was?

ROSSI Er, Ruth, Ruth something. I don't know the other name.

DR She had no ID on her. I'll put the alarm out.

INT. HOSPITAL DAY

Ruth finds the stairs leading to the basement.

She runs down as fast as she can.

The CLEANER is on the stairs

CLEANER

Hey, miss, where d'you think you're going?

Ruth runs on without answering him.

CLEANER

I'll have to report this! You come back here! This is a hospital, not a detention centre.

He puts down his bucket and tries to catch up to her. She’s soon out of sight

Ruth leans against a wall, then runs again.

At last she’s outside. She levers herself up the brick wall of the hospital. It’s a long drop on the other side.

She takes a chance.

EXT. THE VERGE DAY

Ruth walks some way along the verge, then crosses the road. She weaves in and out the traffic Ruth sees a police car and scrambles into a bushy island in the middle of the road.

A policeman goes into the bushes after her

The policeman grabs her. She screams and kicks him. Hee bends her arm behind her back and

Pushes her into the police car

INT. THE HOSPITAL DAY

The policeman uncuffs Ruth.

He walks her into the hospital

Ruth in her hospital gear, looks tired and dishevelled

The doctor is at the desk

Thank you.

POLICEMAN

What about the charges? Isn't this the one

who set fire to the shop?

The charges can wait for now. We have to get her into bed.

POLICEMAN

You better put a lock on the door, then,

we can't spend all our time chasing hospital patients.

Yes, yes I know. I'm sorry.

POLICEMAN

Let us know when you're ready.

Setting fire to public property is a serious offence.

I'm not sick! And I don't know

what you're talking about. I never set fire

to anything! I just want to go home.

DR Nurse Rossi take this patient to her room and clean her up, please.

POLICEMAN

I'm out of here.

I'm not going to any room. I'm going home.

Not so fast. Now we must have your name.

Ruth Klein.

And your address.

21d South Street Gardens.

And your age, please.

That's all, Now.

RADFORD

Come with me and I'll show you where you can smoke.

HIGGINS

Are you nuts? First she nearly sets a shop on fire then she disappears from the hospital!

RADFORD

When did the disappear?

HIGGINS A couple of hours ago. The police brought

her back and wanted to lay

charges. Now you’re going to let her smoke?

RADFORD

I didn’t know any of this. I heard the

alarm but I didn’t associate it with her!

She can have a smoke in the chook’s cage.

Ruth looks from one to the other.

INT. BALCONY DAY

The balcony is enclosed with wire netting. It is old. There are a few chairs

Radford takes Ruth to the balcony

Is this a cage? Or is it to stop people jumping out?.

RADFORD

It's on the agenda for improvement. It’s the oldest

part of the hospital.

It makes me want to tear it down!

RADFORD

If you move from here before I come back for you

there'll be no more cigarettes.

RUTH: (SIGHING)

Whatever.

Ruth sits down and lights up. She looks around the cage-like balcony and shakes her head. She finishes the cigarette feels bored and restless. She goes to the door than sits down again. She takes out another cigarette butputs it back in the packet. She looks through the wire then sits down again.

Joan McCreeth appears at the door.

JOAN Hello, remember me?

Ruth shakes her head

I was at the second-hand furniture shop.

What second-hand furniture shop?

You don't remember going there?

You were waiting for the manager...

I don't know what you're talking about.

Your name is Ruth, isn't it?

Ruth lights a cigarette

The shop caught on fire.

What's that got to do with me?

Ruth, you were there...you dozed off to sleep and dropped your cigarette on the carpet...

What? Are you saying I caused the shop to catch fire?

Yes. That's what happened.

That's ridiculous! As if I'd go to sleep in a second-hand furniture shop! Radford appears at the door.

RADFORD

Mrs McCreeth.

I was just telling Ruth...

Please take me back to my room. This woman's talking nonsense.

Ruth butts her cigarette and follows Radford.

INT THE HOSPITAL DAY

Two days later.

Ruth goes to Joe’s room

Feeling better?

Joe stares at her.

It’s me, Ruth.

No! It can’t be…

(beat)

Your painting

(beat)

I’m so sorry. I have to

Get out of this stinking country!

You had an accident

(beat)

your truck, remember?

That was no accident. They purposely set

a trap for me so I’d fall from those rocks

we were quarrying and be killed. RUTH

You’re not there now. You have a shop,

a business, you sell furniture.

I might one day

(beat)

but that man I worked for, if he’s not dead he’ll

come after me. I sold him out…

That was a long time ago.

Ruth? What happened to Ruth? Did she die?

I’m Ruth. We were in that same hospital,

then I didn’t see you anymore. They said you ran away.

Joe buries his head in the pillow

I don’t know…I don’t know who I am, where I am.

Dr Edwards comes in.

Ruth, I didn’t know you were in here.

He’s not very well. He doesn’t remember anything.

He will. It’s probably the effects of the medication.

Mr Sorrel, I think you’re just about well enough to

go back to your shop.

Joe looks at the doctor vaguely

I just want to get away from this foul country!

DR What’s he talking about?

He still thinks it’s 1945, when he was liberated.

Really?

I was in the same hospital as he was.

Some people helped him come here.

I thought he’d had that shop for some time?

I think he has, but I think he’s a bit confused

at the moment.

I’ll get the social worker to have a talk to him.

No! No more psychiatrists, or needles!

Not the quiet room, please!

You just rest now.

Ruth holds his hand

Sleep, Joe. Sleep all your fears away.

Ruth…Ruth…come to me

I’ll stay with you.

INT HOSPITAL NIGHT

Ruth is still in Joe’s room. He is rambling a lot in his sleep

What’s this place – junk – buy it? No – Sam – who’s next door? Sam – no – he’s

Dead – shop – my own – Thomas –

Ruth dozes off to sleep in the chair.

INT. HOSPITAL MORNING

Joe opens his eyes. He sees Ruth asleep.

Radford enters with a tray

RADFORD

Ruth! Have you been in here allnight?

Yes. He’s been rambling a lot.

Who’s been rambling?

Joe? D’you know who I am?

Ruth! How did you get here?

Radford helps Joe sit up and puts the tray on his bed.

Who’s Sam?

Joe smiles.

Just someone I knew/

You remember what happened here.

I was lucky to find Sam. He took me in. Can’t say I

Made him too happy. Come here, Ruth.

Joe pulls her to him and they kiss.

I want to get back to the shop. RUTH

Great! I’ll tell Dr Edwards.

EXT. THE SHOP DAY

Joan is putting some small tables on the footpath.

She turns around and sees Ruth and Joe.

Well, it's so good to see you. Were you both

discharged from the hospital?

So you finally caught up with each other.

It was a funny place for us to meet up.

I want to see Thomas.

I don't think he's in. The place is closed.

I'll go and see just the same, then I'll have

to get on to the bloody police about the accident.

Joe takes a look around the shop.

Ruth, how well did Joe know Mr Thomas?

RUTH I don’t really.

JOAN Well, I'm afraid I have some very bad news.

RUTH About Thomas?

JOAN He's dead, Ruth. He shot himself... His wife called this morning.

JOE (calling)

I'm just going to see Thomas..

RUTH You can't do that.

JOE Why not?

RUTH Come in here and I'll tell you.

Joe comes to the door. RUTH Joe, Thomas is not there anymore.

JOE How come?

RUTH He’s dead.

JOE What?

RUTH He shot himself.

JOE No! No, he didn’t! Those bastards Were after him, the same as they were After me! They wanted us all dead!

RUTH Sit down. Thomas was at home with his Wife. When he didn’t come down for Breakfast, she went to his room and found Him.

JOE But that doesn’t mean he did it! Someone killed him while he slept.

RUTH He left a note, saying he couldn’t stand The bad memories of the war any longer.

JOE But he didn’t write it! They, they left it.

RUTH His wife has the note. She knows his writing.

EXT. FOOTPATH DAY

Joe dashes out of the shop. He goes to Thomas’ shop which is closed. He bangs on the windows.

JOE Thomas! Thomas! Open up! Please! Ruth is behind him. She turns him around and he cries bitterly on her Shoulder.

JOE Sam gone, Thomas, only me now. Why? Why did They do it?

RUTH No one did it. You and Thomas both suffered in the War. Now Thomas is at peace like Sam.

Joe sobs as Ruth walks him back to the shop. He gets his keys.

JOE Bring everything inside, Joan.

Joan begins carrying in the furniture from the footpath, Ruth is helping her.

INT. SHOP DAY

Joe locks the shop from the inside.

FADE OUT.