Sky Peals (2023)

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(Traffic noise)

(Heartbeat pulsating)

(Traffic noise continues)

(Clattering)

(Humming)

(Overlapping, indistinct voices)

(Whooshing)

(Noises intensifying)

(Noises stop,

phone ringing)

(Door opening)

(Ringing gets louder)

(Answer phone beeps)

(Man's voice) 'Hello, Umar.

'I hope you're well.

It's your father here.

'I'm just calling

because I'm not too far away

'and I'd like to meet,

like to speak to you.

'I know it's been a long time,

but please call me back.

'I'm not going to be around for long.'

(Puts phone back on dock)

(Rattling)

(Gentle background piano music)

(Female customer) Excuse me.

Hello?

I'm sorry, uh...

I think someone should be out soon.

Uh...

Just give me a minute, yeah?

(Music playing faintly,

knocking on door)

I just thought I'd let you know

that there's no one serving out front.

- I think you need to...

- You're on front of house.

Yeah, but it says I'm on days.

I, um... I work nights.

When it's quiet.

Sue's not doing the rota anymore,

is she, mate?

New manager's in Monday.

Speak to him.

(Faint humming)

(Humming gets louder)

(Answer phone clicks on)

'Hello, Umar.

'I hope you're well.

It's your father here.

'I'm just calling

because I'm not too far away

'and I'd like to meet,

like to speak to you.

'I know it's been a long time,

but please call me back.

'I'm not going to be around for long.'

(Electric drill whirring)

(Drill powers down)

I thought you were at work, Ads.

They messed up my shifts.

You boys met, then?

- Adam, this is Ray.

- Nice to finally meet you, son.

(Puts down what he's holding)

You, uh... You gonna ask us

how the drive was?

- How was the drive?

- Yeah, the traffic was all right, thanks.

Yeah, only took us about four hours.

You said you'd have this all packed up

by the time I got back.

I hadn't realised

that was today, Mum. Sorry.

Get some clothes on and help, yeah?

I'll put this here.

- Take this. Sorry, love.

- (Ray) It's all right.

(Calming computer game music

and sound of waves crashing)

(Knocking and door opening)

Ray needs to take your bed apart.

(Plate smashing)

- You all right?

- (Ray) Sorry, love.

(Donna) Did you get a chance

to look at those flats?

(Adam) I've been busy, Mum.

Well, you haven't got long now.

Look, I know it's sad...

- ...saying bye to this place.

- (Electric drill whirring)

Once I've settled in at Ray's, though,

you'll have to come up.

I can't wait for you to see it

when you come and visit.

Where is it?

Well, it's in Herefordshire.

Remember?

Where's that?

It's near Wales.

OK.

OK.

(Clattering)

(Dog barking in distance)

(Donna)

Right, that's the last one, OK?

- (Ray) Are you not gonna wait for him?

- (Donna) Huh?

- Are you not gonna wait?

- No, let's go.

(Car engine starts)

(Phone ringing)

(Dog barking)

(Phone keeps ringing,

footsteps approaching)

'Hello?'

Hello.

'Hello. Is that Umar?'

Who is it?

'Umar, it's Hamid here.'

Sorry, who?

'It's your Uncle Hamid.

'Is that you, Umar?'

Yeah.

'Oh, good. I was worried

the number might have changed.'

- No.

- 'OK.'

No.

'You're probably wondering

why I'm calling,

'and I wish

it wasn't bad news, but, um...

'Well, I just got off the phone

to the police.

'It's your dad.

'They found him yesterday.

'Um, he was parked up

in his car somewhere.

'They're not sure what happened yet,

but they think he hadn't been well.'

So...

So, where is he now?

'Well, he's up in Peterborough with me.

'And, well, listen,

I don't want you to worry about a thing.

'I'm sorting it all.

'Uh, we're burying him Tuesday,

'and it will be at my mosque.

'Um...

'I know it's been a long time, but, um...

we can, um...

'We can all stop wondering

about him now, yeah?'

(Humming)

(Islamic funeral prayer)

(Prayer continues)

(Prayer continues)

(Prayer ends)

Umar? Umar!

There you are!

As-salamu alaykum.

The last time I saw you,

you were up to there!

Sorry, I just, um...

- I just thought I was in the wrong place.

- No.

We're just getting started.

Come on...

Umar, these are your cousins.

This is Asif.

And this is young Adeel.

Umar, this is Jalal.

Alaykum. And this is Sadiq.

They're your cousins, too.

They're your bhua's boys.

Oh...

This is Hanif.

(Speaking Urdu in hushed voices)

Umar, this is Bilal.

They're... friends of the family.

(Speaking Urdu)

He says you look just as he did.

(Estate agent) I know what you mean,

but it can be repainted.

And, um, yeah,

this doesn't let water in.

And it lets the light in,

as you can see. It's, uh...

Sorry, are you here for the 6:45?

No, I live here.

Oh.

Um, the office has been trying

to get hold of you.

- Yeah, um...

- Sorry, I was, um... I was out.

We need you to get all your stuff out,

um, by the end of the day.

Yeah, if you'd just like

to make your way upstairs, guys.

Bedroom's upstairs.

Lovely, spacious bathroom.

Uh, while you're here,

um, I need you to get your...

your post redirected.

Um, anything after today

will be thrown in the bin.

OK?

(Car unlocks)

(Birdsong)

(Bird squawking)

(Ringing tone)

- (Hamid) 'Umar?'

- Hi.

'Hi. Is everything all right?

We never seen you leave.'

Yeah. I was just wondering,

do you know what happened to his stuff?

'Oh, well, there wasn't much.

'Just the car

and what they found him in.

'But, yeah, they should

be dropping it off soon.'

(Estate agent) No problem.

(Car alarm going off in the distance)

(Overlapping, indistinct voices)

(Scraping whoosh)

(Electronic fizzing)

(Voices continuing)

(Noises intensifying)

(Noises stop)

(Alarm blaring)

(Horn honking)

(Honking and beeping continue)

(Honking and beeping continue)

(Alarm has stopped)

(Frying oil boiling)

(Music playing)

(Indistinct chatter)

Mind your backs!

(Skin sizzling, he exclaims)

(Clatter)

(Adam humming)

Ah.

Well, hello, there.

Jeff.

- Adam.

- Ah.

Oh, well,

it's good to meet you, Adam.

You're the new manager?

Yeah.

Anything I can do, anything at all,

don't hesitate to ask.

My door is always open.

(Male colleague) Jeff!

Um, actually, if you...

If you're doing the, um, rotas...

I'm so sorry, Adam.

Just... Just hold that thought.

(Indistinct chatter)

(Female colleague) Yeah.

Police had the car park all shut off.

(Police radio, indistinct)

It went on all night.

I was sat watching it for hours.

- Are you back on?

- Yeah.

(Police radio continues)

(Tape rewinding)

(Humming)

(Tara) Excuse me.

Sorry, I'm new.

I'm just looking for the manager.

- This is the manager's office, right?

- Yeah, yeah.

Just, uh, give me a minute.

- One minute.

- OK.

(Buzzing and humming)

(Phone ringing)

- Hi, Mum.

- 'Hiya.

'Did you move everything out all right?'

Oh, yeah. Um, it went OK.

'Well, where are you staying, then?'

Just...

- Just with a friend.

- 'A friend?'

Yeah.

'OK, well... Anyway, we're coming back down

to get the stuff from storage

'and I was thinking we could all go

and get something to eat together.

'We'll be there on Thursday.

- 'You're not working, are you?'

- Mum?

'Yeah?'

Did... Dad, um, ring you?

'Did he ring me?'

Yeah.

'Well, no,

not in the last twenty years.'

OK, but before that

did he tell you why?

'Why what?'

Why he left.

'Oh. Well, um...

'I'm just not sure

he was ever comfortable here, love.'

Why not?

'I just don't think he felt like he fit.

'Ads, what's this all about?'

Don't worry, Mum.

I've got to go. I've got an early start.

- 'But hang on a second...'

- I'll call you back tomorrow.

'All right, bye. Um, OK.'

OK.

(Knocking)

Hey.Salam, Umar.

The car?

Actually, you know what?

It's... It's in good nick.

I reckon we could get you

a few quid for it.

OK, you know, I can probably...

No, no, don't worry, it's fine.

Let me take a few pictures, eh?

Oh, I've got a great camera

on this new phone of mine.

- Twelve megapixels.

- Ah, yeah.

Now, let's just hope

the logbook's still in here.

No, not in there.

(Hamid grunts)

(Hamid opens other door)

Yeah, got it.

Here we are.

- Thanks.

- Hey, like I said, Umar,

you can come up anytime you like.

- Thank you.

- OK.

Umar, uh...

Do you mind if I...?

- Yeah.

- Didn't even know he had these.

(Shuffling photos)

(Adam) Is that him?

(Hamid)

Yeah. He's probably sixteen there.

Never told any of us

he was leaving, you know.

He just, uh, buggered off one day.

Hey, look at this.

That is when he brought you up to us.

She wouldn't put you down.

Yeah, she loved your...

your dad the most, my mother.

She used to say,

"Ya, Allah, he was blessed."

- Blessed?

- Hmm? Yeah.

She always thought

he was special.

That's why she took him in.

They adopted him?

I mean...

I guess you could put it like that, yeah.

- What about his parents?

- No. No, no, no, no. He was on his own.

Um, Mum told us that he just walked

into their village one day and...

Hey, it doesn't matter, though.

He's still my big brother.

(Crackling)

What?

Come on, it's only a vape.

Yeah, well, why don't you vape

in your own bloody car?

- Chill.

- Hey.

(Scolds him in Punjabi)

(Car door shuts)

(Hamid) Do you remember him?

Not really.

Look, it's not that he didn't care.

It's just that he found it hard,

you know, to...

...be with people.

OK?

A few days before he died,

he tried to call me.

What do you reckon it was?

Last time I spoke to your father,

he wasn't well.

Wasn't himself.

No. He told me that he didn't think

he was from here.

Said he was sent from somewhere else.

Yeah, from Pakistan.

No.

No, no, not like that.

Told me he wasn't human.

Wasn't human?

What does that mean?

(Heavy traffic passing)

(Hamid) Umar!

Come on!

(Chair vibrating)

(Tap running)

Hey. Coming tonight, right?

(Chuckles) Eh?

Yeah, maybe.

You OK?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Oh, no.

No, that looks infected.

Let me get a first aider

to take a look.

- No, it's OK. Don't worry about it.

- Tara.

Tara's just started,

but she's an experienced first aider.

Ain't that right, Tara?

(Tara) Mm.

What happened to you?

Uh... just burnt myself.

No, last night.

Thought you were coming back.

Oh, sorry.

Anyway, I saw

what you were doing.

Checking that dead bloke out,

the one they found outside.

What were you looking at, then?

Hmm?

I just needed to check the video

cos I recognised the car.

Oh, right.

- Yeah.

- OK.

Whose were it, then?

My dad's.

Your dad's?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Mm.

The police dropped it off.

It's still at my house.

So, it were your dad?

Yeah.

You all right?

Yeah, fine.

Thank you.

No, no, no.

I mean about your dad.

Yeah.

Um, OK, thank you.

(Tape rewinding)

(Mouse click)

(Mouse click)

(Mouse click)

(Mouse click)

(Static crackle)

(Tapping mouse)

(Tape rewinding)

(Static crackle)

(Jeff) Hey!

Where are you going?

Well, come on.

I'm just heading over now.

Oh, Adam,

was there a reason

why you were in my office?

Um...

When it gets busy...

...the queues don't work.

Just wanted to work out why.

Yeah, you're right. Yeah.

It's just one long queue.

Why is that?

Yeah, um...

I think people just...

...don't wanna be on their own.

They don't wanna be on their own.

(Pop music playing)

I'm just gonna set a few things up.

Grab yourself a drink.

All right?

Yeah.

You just started here, then?

No, no. Um...

I've... I've been here a while.

Oh, right.

(Male colleague) Hey, Reece!

(Tara) Ah, thank God you're here.

You want a drink?

Here.

You know it's rude to stare.

Who, um...? Who's that?

My girl, Steph.

She's eight.

Did you bring her?

Yeah. I locked her in the car

with a bag of sweets.

She's at a sleepover!

She's got a better social life

than I do.

(DJ PIED PIPER:

"Do You Really Like It?")

We're lovin' it like this

We're lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it

- Tune!

- We're lovin' it like that

DT, Melody, Sharky P,

Unknown to make you rock

- Come on.

- Sing we, got to sing

And dance till we drop

Do you really like it?

Do you really like it?

- Come on!

- We're lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it

- We're lovin' it like this

- Come on!

Do you really like it?

Is it, is it wicked

- We're lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it

- f*ck 'em.

We're lovin' it like that

Do you really like it?

Do you really like it?

We're lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it

We're lovin' it like this

(EDWARD MAYA & VIKA JIGULINA:

"Stereo Love")

You've blown my mind

When I see you, baby

I just don't wanna let go

I didn't think I'd see you here.

Me... Me neither.

So, you...

You just moved here, then?

Yeah, last month.

I were over in Derby before.

That's where my ex is from.

And when that ended, I moved.

Then that didn't work out,

so... now I'm here.

You... You move around a lot, then?

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

My mum...

My...

My mum always used to say

that I found it hard to sit still...

...that I could never settle.

Why... Why is that?

End up realising

how different you are.

You know?

What about you, then?

Where's home?

Here... I guess.

Here. Here, yeah.

(Whooshing,

music becomes muffled)

(Whooshing)

(Gasps)

There's no need to be like that.

- Like what?

- I mean, I weren't trying to...

- I'm not saying you are.

- (Music stops)

- (Thud)

- (Tara) Watch yourself!

(Jeff) 'Now, obviously, we have had

some changes in personnel,

'so I just wanted to announce

who will be stepping up to help me out.'

(Echoing) 'Where are you going?'

(Jeff) 'First up,

'Adam Muhammed.

(Applause)

(Echoing) 'Adam?

'Where are you, man? Adam?'

(Humming)

(Overlapping, indistinct voices)

(Noises intensifying)

(Noises stop)

You OK, sir?

Mm... yeah.

Yeah.

(Adam) 'Well, I thought

I'd come in today cos, um...'

I keep having these, uh...

I don't know what to call them,

but, um, I keep having them.

Um...

It's like one minute

I'll be doing something,

and the next I'll be...

standing somewhere else and...

...like, I can't remember

how I got there.

Um...

But it, um, starts off like a dream.

Or a... or a daydream.

And, uh...

'It's like something coming through

from some other place, and it's...

'It's bright.

'And it's, um...

'It's loud.

'And it feels like

it's trying to tell me something.'

(Humming)

(Rummaging in glove compartment)

(Phone ringing)

(Donna) 'Ads, are you all right?'

- Yeah.

- 'Cos you never called me back.'

Oh, sorry.

'OK, well, look,

we'll be around tomorrow.

'I've booked us a table for eight, right?

So we'll see you then, yeah?'

Yeah, OK.

Hi, Adam.

(Jeff) Oh, there he is.

(Laughs) The man of the mo!

You heard the news, right?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah.

Last night,

I kept thinking

about what you told me,

about the queues,

and then it came to me:

store greeter.

Peak times standing out front

greeting people.

You'd be the first face they see.

No, I think I'm better in the kitchen.

No way. No way.

You're a people person, Adam.

I can see it in you.

Yeah? (Chuckles)

(Electrical crackling)

(Distorted whispering)

(Whooshing)

Um...

I think I left my coat here last night.

(Group leader)

OK, let's keep ourselves open.

Open to any contact.

Focus your energy.

Open yourself up to the universe.

I'd like to invite people

to share any immediate feelings.

Uh, I'm feeling... inquisitive.

I felt warmth,

warmth and love coming through.

(Group leader) We're just talking

about how we're feeling.

Anything that arises.

Um...

I think I'm...

...maybe confused.

Um...

I'm feeling confused.

(Group leader)

Something came through to you.

Uh, not then,

but I think it might have before.

(Group leader) Why don't you

introduce yourself to the group?

OK, uh...

My name's Adam.

And what brought you

here today, Adam?

Um, I was just looking for something.

If you've got anything to share...

...please feel free.

It's what we do here.

OK.

I think...

I think...

...my dad...

I think my dad might have been an alien.

(Humming)

(Phone rings)

(Woman) 'Hello, Mr Muhammed?

'I'm calling from

the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.'

- OK.

- 'Yeah, I've been instructed

'to make an appointment

for you to come in and see us.'

Oh. How come?

'Uh, I believe there were

some inconsistencies in your blood work

'so your results are showing

as inconclusive.'

What?

'Yeah, so the next appointment we have

is in two weeks' time.

'Can I book that in for you?

'Mr Muhammed?'

(Handyman)

Oh, that should be working.

Let's have a look.

Hold that for us a minute, will you?

Cheers.

So, where are you from, then?

I'm... I'm half English.

No, no. I mean,

which unit are you from?

I've seen you around somewhere.

No, I don't think that was me, cos, um...

I just work in the back,

in the kitchen.

- Burger Trip...

- No, no, yeah.

I've definitely seen you.

Pass us that, will you?

That on there.

Cheers.

(Tool scraping)

My dad died the other week.

Oh. I'm, uh...

I'm sorry to hear that, mate.

Yeah.

You know, actually,

since it happened,

um...

I'm finding out that he might not actually

have been who I thought he was.

And...

um...

...if it's true...

...and...

...I'm his son,

then what does that...

...make me?

(Tools clattering)

"Who?"

"Who does that make me?"

Yeah. Yeah, sorry, who?

Hey, there you go.

Right.

No rest for the wicked, eh?

(Dryer starts up)

I think you made the right call.

You know,

taking an early bath.

Sorry.

I wasn't feeling great.

- Don't worry.

- (Machine beeps)

Just...

Just get the right...

Just get the right bun to start.

Here.

Yeah, OK, and then it's...

So, once they come out,

um, sauce,

onions, lettuce, and then cheese.

Sauce, onions, lettuce, cheese.

I thought we were

to put the other stuff on first.

You can,

but I just do it this way.

So, when they eat it,

it doesn't fall apart.

They're nearly done.

What?

Nothing.

It's just you're quite thoughtful,

aren't you?

(AGINCOURT: "All My Life")

Do you ever...?

Do you ever wonder

if you're in the right place?

Like...

if this is where

you were supposed to end up?

Whoa, whoa!

Dunno, man.

That's... That's pretty deep.

(Chuckling)

But, seriously, though.

I'm not sure

we're supposed to be anywhere.

What do you mean?

I think we get to go where we want.

Oh, yeah. Just down here.

Cheers.

Anyway, thanks for that.

You're a gem.

- See you.

- See you.

(Humming)

(Electrical crackling)

(Overlapping, indistinct voices)

(Laughter)

(Noises intensifying)

(Noises stop)

(Phone vibrating)

(Traffic passing)

You OK?

(Donna) Mm.

It's just a bit of a shock.

He's dead, then?

You know, it was your dad

who wanted to move here.

I was quite happy where we were.

We didn't know anyone

when we came here.

We'd just sit on this thing

every night, watching telly,

with you in the middle.

And then he started talking

about the neighbours all the time.

Said he'd rather be somewhere quieter.

We hadn't even been here six months.

Mum...

Did he ever talk to you

about where he was from?

Oh, no, he didn't like

to talk about those things.

OK, but...

...did he ever mention

going back home?

Or anything like that.

(Door closing)

I found these.

(Footsteps approaching)

Uh, caf were closed,

but they had sarnies at the petrol station.

Let's talk about this later, yeah?

It's hard for me,

doing everything on my own, Ads.

Thank you, darling.

- You all right?

- Yeah.

- You sure?

- Yeah, sure.

(Humming)

(Rattling)

(Reece) Hey!

Do you know who Tara is?

She's not here, mate.

Her kid just got dropped off.

Cheers. I gotta go.

Where do you wanna sit?

Don't worry, OK?

She'll be here soon.

Who are you?

Um... well, I'm Adam.

Adam Muhammed.

Yeah.

I'm friends with your mum.

You're weird.

(Adam) Yeah.

Why are we here?

Um, so we can see your mum

when she comes.

(Phone ringing)

Hello?

(Jeff) 'Adam, where are you, mate?

I had you starting an hour ago.'

Sorry. It's just,

something came up.

'Don't worry, just hurry up.

I need your help over here, buddy.'

(Jeff hangs up)

(Humming)

Hey, come on.

(Woman)

Do you know who this is?

- Um...

- (Tara) Steph! Oh, my God.

You all right?

Where have you been?

I was just, um...

Oh, I should have

double-checked with her.

Are you OK?

sh*t.

Can you just tell him

I'll be there in, like, an hour.

I'm supposed to be starting now.

Come on.

(Rattling)

(Jeff) Adam?

Come on.

We've got this inspection today.

Um, it's the guys who decide

if I've passed my probation here.

Now, look, I wanted

to try this out earlier,

but I think,

let's just go for it, yeah?

- Yeah?

- No...

Go on, please.

Ah.

- Uh, Adam, this is Lynn and Tony.

- Hello.

Um...

I was just explaining the new system

that we devised together.

Um, yeah, Adam's gonna be

demoing it today

so that we can see it in action.

Yeah.

Wonderful, terrific.

Thank you. After you.

I was thinking I could show you...

Hi. Keep on the lefthand side,

please.

Just go back to...

Gave me the wrong order.

OK. Well, uh...

Move... Move to...

to my left, your right.

Yeah?

Yeah. Your right, please. Um...

(Whooshing)

(Customer) Where is it, mate?

My food.

Do you work here?

Excuse me...

(Indistinct)

(Whooshing,

overlapping, indistinct voices)

(Whooshing)

(Humming)

(Tara) Hey! You told him

where I went, yeah?

Where you going?

Whoa!

Adam!

Where are you going?

Look, you can't keep

running away all the time.

That's what you do, isn't it?

- That's different.

- This is different.

- Things are different for me.

- Why are they?

I'm not normal like you.

I'm not normal.

Yeah, but I'm really not.

- Come on, just come back.

- Just leave me alone.

OK?

Leave me alone.

(Humming and buzzing)

(Adam humming)

(Alarm going off)

(Car alarms blaring)

(Alarms still going off)

(Alarms stop)

(Indistinct conversation)

(Indistinct conversation)

Here she is.

Thank you.

Hi.

I'm Adam.

(TV on mute)

Um...

I'm Hassan's son.

I think we met once

when I was a baby.

(Hamid scoffs) Bloody permits!

(Speaks Punjabi)

Like I said, Umar,

I mean, she doesn't speak much now.

But, uh... she loves the company.

Don't you, Mum?

I think she should still

be at home with us,

but, I mean...

(Grandmother speaks Punjabi)

(Hamid) She's saying that, uh...

she's glad that you've come back.

But, Mum...

This is Umar.

(Continues in Punjabi) Not Hassan.

(Speaks Punjabi)

(Hamid) She's saying, uh...

she's glad that you're here, but...

she understands

why you have to go.

Uh, have to go?

(Grandmother speaks Punjabi)

(Hamid) You were never like the others.

You're the special one.

(Indistinct)

(Engine starts)

(Hamid) Hey, it's your auntie.

She wants to know if you'd like her

to get you a bed ready, eh?

You know, I'll be OK.

I'll be OK.

Oh, OK.

Well, listen, I need to shut up here,

but I'll meet you back there, yeah?

Let me just give you the address.

(Hamid) OK.

(Humming)

(Overlapping, indistinct voices)

(Humming continues, rattling)

I didn't know you were waiting.

(Hassan) It's all right.

You can come with me if you want.

(Adam) What's it like there?

Quiet.

You know, I never meant

to stay away for so long.

Sometimes, though...

...it's just easier on your own.

(Humming)

(Overlapping, indistinct voices)

(Whooshing)

(Echoing,

Grandmother speaks in Punjabi)

(Noises intensifying)

(Noises stop)

Where is everyone?

(Hassan) There isn't anyone else.

(Overlapping whispers)

(Hassan) You know

you're not the same as them?

I'm not the same as you either.

(Overlapping voices)

(Humming)

(Voices stop,

humming intensifies)

(Distorted voices)

(Voices continue)

(Noises intensifying)

(Voices stop,

humming continues)

(Humming continues, footsteps)

(Background chatter)

(Indistinct)

Thought you wanted

to be left alone.

Hmm?

(Tara chuckles)

(She drags on her cigarette)

(Birdsong)

(Adam) I forgot you could

come out this way.

(Tara) It's quite nice here.

Innit?

(Adam) Mm