01x03 - Episode 3

[bunniefuu]

GRIFFITHS: Tony Conroy?

So, this is what you're doing now,

driving a cab?

You lost your job

because your face didn't fit?

There must have been more to it

than that, Tony.

Ow!

'Ste, my ex.'

Someone knocked him over

and left him lying in the road.

Sorry, do you know the victim?

'Listen, I'm sending a fella round.'

I think he knows

about the other day.

So, er, me and you,

we're sorted out, yeah?

When I'm talking to you lot

on the radio,

it feels like two old mates

putting the world to rights

over a couple of pints.

LAWRENCE: 'We trust each other.

We get each other.

'It's indelible. It's unbreakable,

'that I could be that person

they could talk to,

'that would listen.'

DOCTOR: Now follow the pen

with your eyes, please.

HE BREATHES DEEPLY

OK.

Any vomiting or nausea?

No.

OK, let's get those ribs X-rayed.

We'll have to sort that wound

to the top of your head.

Someone will be along shortly.

OK, thanks.

'Don't stand idly by. Do something.'

ECHOES:

'Do something. Do something.'

BEEPING,

MUFFLED VOICES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

HE EXHALES SHARPLY

Mr Conroy?

Oh, God. It is.

It's me, Meena.

Meena Xing.

You remember me.

Of course I do.

What happened? Did you fall?

No, I got jumped.

I think they were after me float.

I'm a taxi driver.

A taxi driver?

Yeah.

Oh, right.

SHE TUTS

So, you're not teaching any more?

No. I, erm

..I left St Kev's.

Yeah, I know. I heard.

Erm, have you phoned anyone?

Let them know you're here? No.

Well, is there someone

you want me to call?

Mrs Conroy?

PHONE RINGS

OK.

I'm gonna give you a little local

to numb the area around the wound.

Don't worry. You won't feel a thing.

MAN SPEAKS

INDISTINCTLY

You OK?

Just behind you.

Just wait till I tell Lucy Thompson

I saw Mr Conroy.

HE CHUCKLES

You remember Lucy, don't you?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

She set her hair on fire

with the Bunsen burner.

SHE LAUGHS

God, that was hilarious.

Right, all done.

Try and keep that dry, OK?

Yeah.

You might wanna get yourself

a shower cap.

HE CHUCKLES

Thanks, Meena.

You don't mind me saying, but

it looks like you haven't slept

in ages.

Well, I work nights.

You were such a boss teacher,

you know.

Seriously.

Me being a nurse is all down to you.

I never thought I had it in me,

but you convinced me I could do it.

And no way I'd have passed my

science GCSEs without your support.

You believed in me

when no-one else did

..myself included.

SHE LAUGHS

HE EXHALES

Hey!

Hey, it's OK.

HE CHUCKLES

I'm sorry.

You've got nothing

to be sorry about.

I'm sorry, Meena. I'm so sorry.

No.

What happened it wasn't

You're a good man.

WHISPERS: Yeah.

SOFTLY: Shh.

You don't understand.

Shh. It's all right.

Y-You've had a fright,

and it's hitting you now

cos the adrenaline's wearing off.

Take a deep breath.

HE BREATHES DEEPLY

That's it.

HE INHALES AND EXHALES

You OK?

Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

You sure there's no-one I can call?

Erm well, Rosa, I suppose.

She a friend?

Yeah.

Do you want me to call her?

No, no, it's OK. I'll do it.

Thanks, anyway.

Right, I'll be back in a bit.

OK.

HE BREATHES HEAVILY

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Hello again, Mr Conroy.

Second time in two days.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, or

maybe there's something more to it.

I'm sorry?

Your car was in the area

where Stephen Murray was run over.

And the following day,

you're beaten up.

I don't wanna jump to conclusions,

but you'll understand

why I'm starting to wonder

if there's a link.

Is there something

you're not telling me, Mr Conroy?

Mr Conroy?

They were on the rob.

Did they ask for money?

Yeah.

OK, what did they say?

"Give us the f*cking money."

And did you?

I didn't have anything to give.

Well, if I was gonna rob a cabbie,

I'd do it at the end of the night,

not middle of the day.

I said, if I was gonna rob

a cabbie Don't feel too clever.

Mr Conroy, you OK?

I feel sick.

Erm, I'll get something.

I'm gonna be sick.

Sorry, all right. OK, this way.

Please, I need I just need a

This way. OK, OK.

MANY VOICES SPEAK

AT ONCE

Can I just get past you there?

PHONE RINGS

Straight on. Gonna go right here.

HE BREATHES HEAVILY

It's OK.

INDISTINCT WHISPERS

OK. Deep breaths.

HE GROANS

That's it.

HE BREATHES DEEPLY

Am I OK to leave you?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'll be close by.

OK.

All right.

DOOR SHUTS

How is he?

He's fine.

He seemed on edge to me.

He's in shock.

He's got my card.

Tell him - as soon as he's out -

to call me. OK.

LAWRENCE:

'Are there ever any circumstances

'when it's acceptable

to take the law into our own hands

'and mete out justice?'

We're all capable of losing it.

Myself as much as the next person.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Oh, Mr Conroy.

You're gonna be all right. OK?

Have you spoken to Rosa?

Not yet.

Try and think

of your happy place, hey?

That's what you told me

when I was having a tough time

with my friends in Year 11.

Happy place, yeah?

A pub a river

..two muckers having a pint

on a sunny day.

Hey, I'm coming if you're buying.

Right, let's get you cleaned up,

get you home.

I'll give you a minute.

Follow me back to the room

when you're ready.

Two old mates

..down the local boozer,

in front of a roaring fire

..putting the world to rights

over a couple of pints.

HE SIGHS

BEEPING,

INDISTINCT CHATTER

WOMAN: All right, all right.

Stay calm. Just breathe.

WOMAN: We've been sat here for

a while, and I was just wondering

CHATTER CONTINUES

WOMAN: I know it hurts,

but it won't be long

until we sort it out.

RHYTHMIC BEEPING,

WHIRRING

So, they just pulled him out

of his cab, in broad daylight?

MAN: 'He wasn't having any of it,

Lawrence,

'and he wouldn't hand over

any of his takings.'

Wait, so, hang on, he what,

he got a kicking for his troubles?

'That's outrageous. And dare I ask

where the police actually were

'when this was going on?'

'Well, they turned up

'about 15 minutes

after I called them!'

Tony, you look dead-beat.

Yeah, well, it's been

a rough few days for both of us.

You must be tired as well.

Do you want me to hang around?

I can sleep on the sofa.

No, why don't you go home?

Get a proper night's sleep

in your own bed.

Will you be OK?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I just wanna get my head down.

You sure?

Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow

when I feel a bit more with it.

Erm, I'll get you a taxi.

No, it's OK.

I'll pick one up outside.

Well, let me pay, at least.

No!

No. Try and get good sleep.

Yeah, I'll try.

See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

Rosa

..thanks again.

SHE SIGHS

It's OK. No problem.

DOOR OPENS

DOOR SHUTS

You know, I've just been thinking

about all of the wonderful words

of support I've had from you guys

over the last few weeks about my

news of the cancer.

'We're all one big family,

Lawrence.'

'Exactly, which is why we need

to help that poor cabbie out.'

'One of the lads said it's a fella

called Tony, does the night collar.

'By all accounts, he's only

been on the cabs a few months.'

Hang on, ex-teacher Tony?

'Ah, that really breaks my heart.

'I mean, he's a really good mate,

you know?'

WOMAN: 'Oh, the poor man.

'He won't be able to work

for a few weeks, will he?'

'Yeah. And that's a few weeks

he won't be earning, Sue.'

MAN: 'And that's the reason

I'm phoning in, really, Lawrence.

'You know, I wanna pledge my first

hour's takings tonight to Tony.'

Oh, for f*ck's sake.

'..but it might just keep him going

'till he gets back on his feet,

like.'

You guys, you never,

ever cease to amaze me.

'What is it about this city,

'Barry, hey? And its people?'

HE SIGHS

'The warmth, the solidarity.'

Oh, no.

'He's one of our own, isn't he?

And we look after our own.'

'Too bloody right, we do, mate.'

Which is why I'm gonna pledge

my first hour's earnings

to Tony as well.

'He's one of the good guys,

you know?

'He's an absolute trooper.'

HE SCREAMS

'..decent bloke, my mate,

Tony the cabbie.'

And if you're listening, Tony

..get well soon, fella.

'Oh, and just as a heads-up,

'we here at Night Talk will be

taking a night off on Friday night

'because I'm gonna be out and about

on the tiles,

'drinking a few bubbles

with my mates.

'And before you ask, yes,

it is a bit of a landmark birthday.'

APPLAUSE,

INDISTINCT CHATTER

OK, no pictures, please.

Rob, can I have a word, mate?

You need to get away from here now.

Mate, I was in the wrong place

at the wrong time.

There's over 2,000 Hackney cabs

in Liverpool, right?

That's over 2,000 fellas

all on the same radio frequency,

all got each other's back, yeah?

Now, if I was gonna rob anyone,

I would think twice

about robbing a cab.

What are you saying? I'm saying

that I think you're full of sh*t.

'Ey, what's even worse is,

you're up to your neck in it.

They They know who you are now.

They know the number of your cab.

And don't think

that they won't be coming back

because these fellas

These fellas?

Yeah. You know what I mean.

Their sorts. They're ruthless.

The city, the city,

it's crawling with them.

Now, please, please, just do one.

While you've got the chance,

just do one

because you're not

you're not cut out for any of this.

Not cut out for what?

Look, I've told you, haven't I?

And someone like you

Listen.

I heard one of the lads

on the radio.

He said that some of the drivers

keep something under their seats,

just in case.

Oh, no. No, no, no.

What, a weapon? You mean a weapon?

Yeah.

Yeah. As like an insurance policy,

you know.

Where can I get hold

of one of those?

Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony.

You just keep digging

and digging and digging

that great big f*cking hole

you're in.

Look, it was only two months ago

you were

you were teaching the kids.

You were teaching the kids and now

you're talking about, come on,

you're talking about

getting tooled up?

What am I supposed to do, 'ey?

You get in your cab

you drive away, and you don't stop.

Please, just go.

Before you or someone else

ends up on a slab in the morgue.

MAN: 2.99, mate.

I think Conroy, he got the message.

He didn't.

We need his address, lad.

No way.

No f*cking way.

Yes way, lad.

Ste's wound up in the hospital

because of that prick.

This isn't going away.

You know

..there isn't a doctor in this

country that'll prescribe this gear.

So, tell us where he lives,

and the next six months are on us.

And then everyone's happy.

LAWRENCE, ON RADIO:

'It's obviously been

'a very difficult time for you,

mate.

'And I'm guessing

it's still quite raw.

'You lost your job

because your face didn't fit?

'I think there must've been

'something more to it

than that, Tony.

' "He's one of the good guys,

he's an absolute trooper,

' "you couldn't meet

a more decent bloke.

' "My mate, Tony, the cabbie." '

So, science fiction's your thing?

I saw the books on your shelf.

Let me guess,

it takes you to another place?

Yeah, I suppose so.

SHE CHUCKLES

Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury.

How else do you think

I became a science nerd?

I always wanted to be a teacher,

like you.

And then my mum became ill.

It's not too late to be a teacher,

you know.

We'll see.

Those qualities you talked about

when we went out to dinner

that night

..you've got 'em all.

Thanks.

Plus, you're selfless

..honest.

And you've got integrity.

Which is why I owe you the truth.

About what?

Ste.

Was there something on the news?

He got into my cab that night

and I drove him into town.

I know, you already told me.

But later, I went back to find him.

LAUGHING: What? Why?

I was frightened

he was gonna hurt you.

And I wanted to stop him.

And then I saw him

..standing at the roadside.

But I drove past.

And then I turned the cab around.

He must've thought

I was gonna stop

..because he stepped to the edge

of the pavement.

But I didn't stop.

I put me foot down

..and I ran over him.

No. No.

I left him there,

lying in the road.

And the fellas that beat me up

..they were his friends.

I'm sorry.

But I thought he was gonna hurt you.

And I wanted to protect you.

So you did it for me?

You did it in my name?

No!

I was scared.

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't want to let you down.

Let me down?!

Like I let the others down.

I'm sorry.

DOOR SLAMS

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

RINGING TONE

MAN: 'Hello?'

Hello, Jimmy?

'Yeah?'

Hi, Jimmy, it's Rob.

'Hello, mate.'

I'm sorry to bother you, mate,

I got your number

off one of the lads, erm

'Oh, yeah?'

You know I do nights with, er,

with Tony, and I know that

you and him share a cab. Yeah.

'Yeah.' Well, I Yeah,

I've got a little present for him.

'Tony, yeah?'

Yeah. But I don't have his address.

You haven't got his address,

have you? 'Yeah, hang on.

'I've got it here someone, mate.'

Oh, magic. Hang on, hang on.

Go on.

'26 Jerome Way, Bootle.'

Yeah, appreciate this, pal.

'All right.

'He didn't deserve to get the sh*t

kicked out of him.

'He's a great lad, Tony.'

Oh, yeah, yeah.

HE CHUCKLES

He's great, man. Tony's

He's a hero, ain't he?

'That he is, mate.

'Did I say 26?'

Yep. 26.

'Yeah, Jerome Way.'

Thanks, Jimmy.

'All right, catch you later, mate.'

You're a star. Thanks, Jimmy.

'Ta-ra, mate.'

Ta-ra. Ta-ra.

LAWRENCE, ON RADIO: 'Tony!

'You had us worried there

for a second, mate.

'I am so glad you called in, mate,

because it gives me the chance

'to tell you about

our incredible callers.'

They have pledged you

nearly two grand

to help you get back on your feet.

'And that's incredibly generous

of them.'

And I'm very grateful

to everyone who called in.

But I can't take people's money.

'Hey, listen, mate,

stop right there. Do you hear me?'

You deserve it, Tony.

You deserve every single penny,

mate.

Mate, I can't take it.

Tony, you know, people don't want

you worrying about paying the bills.

Lawrence, I'm back out on a job.

What?!

'I'm back at work.'

Oh, Tony. Look, listen

No!

You listen to me, Lawrence.

Erm

I need to keep working,

I need to keep busy.

I can't afford to dwell.

I can't afford to sit around

thinking about things.

See, that won't work for me,

that just won't work.

I hear you, mate. I hear you.

'Besides, there's plenty

worse off than me,

'so, er, I'd like you

to give that money

'to a food bank or something now.

'No, no, no arguments, OK?'

Ah, mate.

Bloody hell.

HE CHUCKLES

LAWRENCE CHUCKLES

You've got me again.

Oh, God.

You know what, Tony?

You know what, mate?

You truly are the best.

No, sod that, no, sod that.

Listen, you're a hero, yeah?

'You're a bloody hero. You are,

I don't know, a Gary Cooper,

'a John Wayne, a Clint Eastwood.

'You're a Rooster Cogburn,

Butch Cassidy.

'You're the man who does things

his way.

'A man who stands alone.'

But most of all, you're a man

that I am insanely proud

to call my friend.

And I'm proud to call you a mate,

Lawrence.

Tony, you have to promise me

one thing, though, mate, all right?

'Promise me you're gonna find

some time for yourself tonight,

'even if it's just ten minutes,

'sitting there

doing absolutely nothing

'so you can remember

how many people out there

'are thinking about you

and are rooting for you.'

Yeah, OK, mate. I promise.

'Good.

'You take care of yourself,

my friend.

'And stay strong.'

And you, mate.

'And on that, folks,

we are going to take a break.'

ENGINE STOPS

BREATHES HEAVILY

Oh, no.

No.

PAPER RUSTLING

HE SNIFFLES

KNOCKING ON DOOR,

HE GASPS

Hello, Mr Conroy, it's the police.

KNOCKING

Mr Conroy? We know you're in there.

Come on, open the door.

Are you in there, Mr Conroy?

INDISTINCT CHATTER,

LAUGHTER

RINGING TONE

ANSWERING MACHINE:

'It's Tony, leave a message.'

'Mr Conroy, it's DS Marshall again.

'Look, I know you're in

some kind of trouble.

'I'd strongly urge you to come into

the station tonight so we can talk.

'Ste Murray is dead.

'This is now

a m*rder investigation.'

RINGING TONE

WOMAN: 'Hi there,

you're through to Night Talk.

'We're taking a well-earned break

tonight, but please leave a message.

'We want to hear

what you have to say,

'and we are always here to listen.'

BEEP

Hang on a minute,

I'm just jumping in a cab.

Hello, mate.

Coal's. Coal's, please, yeah?

It's just off Hanover Street,

Hanover Street.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. No problem.

No, put put me through

to the manager now.

No, no, no, don't-don't even think

about putting me on hold, mate.

Don't.

f*ck' people, Jesus Christ.

Oh, there he is!

Highly elusive Gianfranco,

the man who wants to push my tables

by an hour.

No, mate, no, shush.

Listen.

Staffing shortages are your problem,

not mine, all right?

So unless you want me

to cancel my table,

I then promptly will cancel you.

I'm absolutely positive

my thousands of listeners

would be absolutely fascinated

to hear

how you've royally f*cked me about

on my birthday.

Yeah.

Well, that'll be-that'll be lovely,

and then a nice complimentary

bottle of Champagne on arrival.

Sweet. All right, mate.

Yeah, all right, great.

Yeah, I'll see you in five. Yeah.

Bye.

This is mad.

Lawrence, thank Christ.

Sorry? I've been driving around,

not knowing what to do.

Oh, am I glad to see you, mate.

Sorry, do I know you, mate?

Lawrence, it's it's Tony.

Hey, it's the one and only!

Yeah.

It's the lovely Linda.

Yes. Yes, it's the birthday boy,

yes, darling.

Listen, I hope you've got your

drinking boots on tonight, queen.

Yeah, cos we are gonna get

absolutely munted.

LAUGHING: Yeah.

LAWRENCE LAUGHS

Well, I'm sure the fizz

is gonna taste just as lovely

from your Louboutins, yeah.

Oh, wait, Linda?

What's cool and hangs up?

LAWRENCE CHUCKLES

It's me, it's Tony.

You know, from the radio.

Used to be a teacher.

We speak all the time.

Yeah, course we do, mate, yeah.

I'm in-I'm in trouble, mate,

big trouble.

I've done something really stupid.

I've lost everything.

Oh, dear.

Yeah, everything. You know,

I don't know what I'm gonna do.

But you're here now.

I know you're gonna help me,

you know

tell me how to get out of this mess.

Er, Tony?

Tony, can I ask a massive favour,

please?

Yeah, yeah, course.

Yeah. Can we just, erm

can we save this

for the show on Monday, yeah?

Monday?

Yeah, Monday.

I'm not sure I'm gonna make it

to Monday.

I think you probably can, mate.

No, you don't understand.

I do understand.

I do understand, Tony.

You know, tonight is my birthday,

it's my big one,

yeah, it's my night off.

So, please, yeah?

Save it for the show on Monday.

Lawrence, there's no-one else

What the f*ck is wrong

with you people?

Tony, now, listen

I've asked you politely, haven't I?

Please save this for the show

on Monday.

Yeah, I know, but we're friends.

Friends? You mean like

my 10,000 other best mates?

HE CHUCKLES

You what?

Listen, where we're going,

we're going to Coal's.

We're gonna go and see the people

I choose to hang out with.

You know, my real friends.

But I thought

You thought what?

You know, two muckers, erm,

having a pint?

Having a pint down the pub? Yeah.

No, Tony.

No, listen

you used to be a teacher,

didn't you?

Yeah. So don't be

so bloody stupid, mate.

Honestly. £8.20?

Seriously, brother get a life.

Keep the change.

Get yourself something nice.

WOMAN: Oh, my God, he's coming.

Get ready!

Oi, oi!

CHEERING

MUFFLED CHEERING

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Lawrence #

SINGING TRAILS OFF

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Lawrence

# Happy birthday to you. #

CHEERING

DISTORTED: 'That I could be

that person they could talk to,

'that would listen.

'I could be that friend in need.

'Yes, there is a bond,

'a genuine bond

between me and my audience.

'It's indelible, it's unbreakable

'because I have a feeling -

correct me if I'm wrong -

'that we trust each other

'..we get each other.

'But the thing is

'when I'm talking to you lot

on the radio

'..I genuinely forget

that I'm live on air.

'No, it feels like two old mates

down the pub,

'in front of a roaring fire,

'putting the world to rights

over a couple of pints.'

SIREN BLIPS

POLICE RADIO CHATTER

You're on double yellows.

Yeah, I'm-I'm just waiting

on a fare.

DISTANT CHEERING

Looks like they're wrapping up.

Not too long, OK?

OK, mate.

Thanks for that.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

I love you, queen.

Happy birthday.

INDISTINC

You're welcome!

See ya.

Bye!

Taxi.

SHOUTS: Taxi!

Are you free?

Yeah.

All right.

Shot.

LIQUID POURING

'You used to be a teacher,

didn't you?

'So don't be so bloody stupid, mate.

'Get a life.'

'I promised myself that I'd never

put me trust in anyone ever again.'

I'd resigned myself to my fate,

being lost on my own,

but then you came along.

I've some information

about Stephen Murray.

SHOUTS: Help!

THUD

GRUNTS

Get off!

What happens now?

Got people there, they're outside.