Story Name - The Future - Part One. Author - Grant Brereton Premise - Here is Grant Brereton’s rough draft of a few hypothetical script ideas, just for fun. Scene 1 Flight heading back to Newcastle Airport, just about to touch down. Dennis and Neville are onboard. Dennis is sat by the window. Dennis: Nearly there, home sweet home eh Nev. Neville: Aye, could have done with a couple more years graft though. Dennis: Weʼve been pensioned off lad - or as good as. Weʼre not 30 years old anymore! Neville: Nah, but I never knew it would go this quick. Dennis: I may not have owt, but at least for the first time in me life I donʼt owe anybody owt, and that feels good! Neville: Easy for you to say. Dennis: You can’t owe anybody now, man. What debts can you have? Neville: Try the VAT or the loans we took out to pay it back 10 years ago. All this working with the lads for the British Consulate has been great, but nearly all the money has gone to pay bills. Dennis: You kept that one quiet! Neville: Well, itʼs not the type of thing you go telling all the lads now is it! Dennis: No. I take it Oz didn’t know…. Neville: Nah, but maybe he saw this one coming and is the reason he got out? Dennis: He wrote to me the other day. He reckons some bird from the past wants to meet up, but he’s bollocksed if he can remember who she is. Wanted some advice like. Neville: And what did you say? Dennis: Told him he should go for it - there arenʼt many virgins left at his age!! Scene 2 Ally Fraser is leaving prison. He walks out the gates and doesnʼt look back. He heads straight for a black Ford Mondeo taxi with ‘Tommy’s Taxis’ on the side. The taxi driver gets out and puts his bag in the boot. Ally gets in the taxi. It drives off. He takes in the views for a while, with a stern look of intent on his face... Ally: I used to be someone round here. Taxi driver: Oh aye... Ally: You look like you work out. What gym do you go to? Taxi driver: The Workhouse. Boss owns it like. Ally: Well-known is he, your boss? Taxi driver: Oh aye, owns half the Tyne be now. ‘Tommy Rampton.’ Ally: Oh does he now. Taxi driver: Aye, he does Mr…. Ally: Fraser. Ally Fraser. Taxi driver: Oh, I’ve heard the name like. Ally roles his eyes Scene 3 Dennis and Neville have departed the plane and are walking towards the terminal building. Dennis’ Iphone makes a bleep noise. Neville: Aren’t you gonna see who’s texting you? Dennis: Probably just the network with a welcome home message. Dennis grabs his Iphone out of his zipped coat pocket. He looks at it confused and as if he has no idea how it works. Dennis: Here are man, can you see what that is? Neville: It’s a text saying there’s a missed call from your Norma. Dennis: Hope she’s ok! Dennis rings Norma Dennis: How Norma, alright pet? Aye, we’ve just touched down now like. Oh that sounds lovely pet. I’ll just ask him. Nev, do you fancy fish and chips at our Norma’s - our treat like? Neville: Sounds champion, Brenda’s not home til 6. Dennis: Champion pet, we’re just collecting the suitcases then we’ll be straight over. Nah, nah, it’s ok pet, we’ll get a taxi. Ok Norma, tara pet. Scene 4 Ally Fraser’s taxi is dropping him off outside a pensionerʼs bungalow. He walks to the door and hugs the old woman who answers. He takes his bag and walks in. Scene 5 Dennis and Neville pull up outside Normaʼs house in a Tommy’s taxi. They pay the driver, leave a tip and then get their cases out of the boot. They walk up to the front door where Norma is waiting to greet them. She gives Dennis a big hug... Norma: How pet, it’s so good to see you. And how are you Neville? Neville: Oh, fine thanks pet, good to be back! Norma: I’ll get the kettle on. Dennis & Neville: Sounds good, pet. Norma: So how was your flight? Mind you, I don’t suppose it takes long from Germany nowadays. Dennis: Nah, just over an hour - ney bother. Norma: So did you meet up with Dagmar? Dennis: Aye. Norma: And?? Dennis: Oh, she’s fine. Just went for a drink and reminisced about old times. She’d aged a bit like. Neville: Ah, well I reckon there’s a good chance she thinks the same about you. Norma: Don’t worry pet, you may be getting old, but you’re still my baby brother - always will be! The front doorbell goes Norma: Do you want to get that Dennis, pet. I’ll just pour the tea. Dennis answers the door. There’s a young lad at the door holding a carrier bag full of fish and chips. Young lad: A delivery! Dennis: Kevin, son, how are you lad? Oh come here! Kevin and Dennis hug and then walk through to the kitchen Neville: I wondered why you got 4 cups out like. Norma: I thought I’d keep it a surprise. I was dying to tell ya! Norma: It’s fish, chips and mushy peas, times 4. I hope you weren’t hankering after something else. Neville: Fish and chips is fine pet, just the job. Dennis: So do you see much of your mother? Kevin: Now and then. Dennis: And how is she? Kevin: She’s good. Works at the local chemists. Dennis: She’s a chemist? Kevin: Nah, on the tills like. Dennis: Am only joking son. So, is she with anyone? Kevin: Was, but they broke it off about a year ago. Norma: She’s better off without that one! Dennis: So how’s your sister? Kevin: Alright, I think. Kevin looks at Norma who shakes her head. He continues… Kevin: Anyway, there’s someone who wants to meet you. At the George at 8 o clock tomorrow night. Dennis: Who? Kevin: You’ll have to wait and see. It’s a surprise, like. Dennis: Today’s been full of surprises. Hey Nev, you don’t reckon it’s the same lass that wants to meet up with Oz do ya? Neville: Could be, I’m not psychic Dennis. You’ll have to wait and see! Kevin: Anyway, it’s been great seeing ya again Dad. Thanks for the brew and the chips Aunty Norma, I’ll see ya soon. Dennis: You’re not going already? Kevin: I have to. I’m a taxi driver and me shift starts in 10 minutes. Need to go and clock in. Nev: Oh, ah, could I get a lift, I live very close to the centre. I’ll pay ya like. Kevin: aye, ney bother. Which is your case? They walk out and head for the car, which is another ‘Tommy’s taxis’ cab. They load Nev’s case and wave Dennis and Norma off. Back in the kitchen of Norma’s house… Dennis: What a wonderful surprise, pet. I wasn’t expecting that today. Norma: It’s just good to have you home, pet. Dennis: So you don’t mind me stopping here for a while? Just til I get meself sorted? Norma: Stay as long as you like, pet. I get so lonely since Frank passed. It’s good to have family around again. Dennis: Aye, you and Nev are about my only family these days. The lads were, but we’re all fragmented nowadays. Still, there’s time now to build some bridges with Kevin and Angela. Maybe even Vera too. Dennis: I wonder who it could be, this ‘mysterious’ person who wants to meet us like? I hope I haven’t missed something. You would tell me Norma if I was about to be a granddad, wouldn’t you! Norma: Ha, of course, pet. As if I’d keep something like that from me little brother. I’ve no idea, but you’ll just have to go along and see for yourself pet. Scene 6 In the taxi. Kevin is driving Neville home… Neville: He’s a good bloke, your dad, you know. He’s always been there for me. Kevin: You’ve probably seen more of him than me! Neville: Oh sorry, no, I didn’t mean to be tactless. I just mean that he’s a got a good heart and he always looked after you financially from when you were bairns, which is more than can be said for a lot of lads who just pissed their money up against the waaaall. Kevin: I know he’s not the worst dad. Just feel like I don’t know him. Hardly ever see him, as he’s always working abroad. Neville: Aye, well that’s all changing from now on. Kevin: Aye, Aunty Norma said you were finishing with the embassy work. Neville: Not by choice. They just think we’re passed it now, and there was only me and Den left in the end... Pause as they drive over the Tyne bridge Neville: They did give it another go and tried really hard to make it work your mam and dad, you know. Kevin: Yeah. She told me. I will always respect him for trying. That’s why I came today. I have no anger towards him. I just don’t know him these days. Neville: Well maybes now is as good a time as any. Kevin: Maybes. Scene 7 Kevin drops Neville off and he walks through his front door. As he goes into the house he hears One Direction playing from his daughter, Calista’s bedroom... Neville: I’m home pet! Calista comes running down the stairs and straight into her Dad’s arms for a welcoming embrace… Calista: Oh Dad, so good to have you home. Are you staying home for a bit now? Neville: More than a bit, pet - indefinitely! Calista: Definitely? Neville: Yes, promise. No more working abroad. You and your Mam’ll have me all to yourselves in future! Calista: Great, cup of tea? Neville: Ooh, ah, please pet. Calista: I’m looking forward to tomorrow night, Mam’s booked us in to TGI Fridays. Neville: Me too pet, (whispers):*if these fish and chips ever gan down*. You and your Mam deserve a treat. A bit of quality time spent together as a family! Scene 8 The following evening around 7:50pm. Dennis walks into the George pub and orders a pint of Newcastle Brown Ale. He doesn’t seem to recognise anyone in the pub and they donʼt recognise him. Shortly afterwards, a lad in his early 20s walks in and heads straight over to Dennis’ table... Young lad: Er, are you Dennis Patterson? Dennis: Might be, who’s asking? And what’s this all aboot? I never slept a wink last night - you’re not one of Ally Fraser’s debt collectors are ya, ha ha? Young lad: Eh? Dennis: Nevermind. Carry on… Young lad: Er well, you obviously don’t know me, but I know you. My name is Jamie and I have been seeing Angela for 2 years like, and I was thinking of proposing. But I wanted your blessing first. Dennis: My blessing? I didn’t even know my own daughter had a boyfriend. Mind I’m not surprised. My kids are strangers these days. Jamie: Angela said that you don’t see much of each other. Dennis: Aye, well maybes all that’ll change if she’s getting married. It took balls to ask me son, did she put you up to this? Jamie: Nah, it was me Dad, like. He’s very traditional, and so am I, I suppose - get it off him. He thought it was the right thing to do. Said he would be none-too-impressed if our Kate was proposed to without his blessing. Dennis: Your sister, like. Jamie: Aye, she’s good mates with your Angela, that’s how we met. Reckon she’ll land the bridesmaid gig! Dennis: Well this calls for a celebration. What you drinking Jamie? Jamie: I’ll have a pint of brown, cheers! Scene 9 TGI Fridays. Brenda, Neville and Calista are just finishing their meal at the table. It looks like it was a good spread and they all look happy. Calista: Excuse me, I’m just going to the ladies’ room Calista gets up and walks to the toilets… Brenda: I could get used to this! Neville: It’s been wonderful, pet. Some quality time spent just the 3 of wor. Brenda: Don’t know how people manage to eat out all the time though… Neville: Oh, Brenda man, can we have just one conversation that doesn’t involve money? Brenda: Just being realistic, pet. We’ve still got bills to pay, and debts, and from Monday, you’re officially another out-of-work statistic. I just wonder how we’re gonna manage. Neville: Well we always have! We’re not going to start up another business, that’s for sure. I’ll not fall for that again. Paying in my 60s for mistakes I, no, we, made in our 50s. Bitter pill to swallow. Oh Brenda man you’ve got as us all wound up now! Scene 10 Back in the George Hotel. Dennis and Jamie have shared a few jars… Dennis: So, what do you do for work, like? Jamie: I’m a Carpenter. Dennis: A Carpenter? Worked with a few of those in me time! Jamie: Aye, me own business. Well, me and the old man like. We run it together. Dennis: So, you’re a good lad, a grafter and you’re seeing our Angela. Is there something you’re not telling me? *smiles* Jamie: No sir. What you see is what you get! Pretty boring really. Oh, and I support the toon as well, obviously! Dennis: Pleased to hear it. Another loyal fan condemned to a life of misery. So I take it you know our Kevin? Jamie: Aye, heʼs a good lad is Kev. Just wish he would find alternative employment. Dennis: How do you mean? Jamie: Well you didn’t hear this from me, but he’s driving cabs for Tommy Rampton, a local…. Dennis: I kna who that Bastaard is, like! What the hell is he doing with the likes of that scumbag? Jamie: Owes him money. Gonna take him years to pay off, so he’s taking it out of his wages. But you didn’t hear this from me. I’m just worried about him, like. Dennis: Hell’s Bollocks! Where can I find him? Jamie: Don’t be daft, man. You can’t just waltz into his office and threaten him, he’s an absolute maniac. Dennis: Where can I find him? Jamie: He’s in his Gym (the Workhouse) most nights, in the back office like. But donʼt go it alone. I need a future father-in-law. Dennis: Don’t worry son, I’ll not do anything daft - I’m too old and past it for that. Scene 11 Dennis is having a cigarette outside and watching bodybuilders leaving a Gym as it draws towards closing. When he can see no-one else left inside, he walks straight in, past all the equipment and barges into Tommy Rampton’s office. Tommy has his back turned… Tommy: Forget something did ya pet? Dennis: I want you to tell me how much my lad owes! Tommy: Dennis bloody Pattasun!!! Where’s the rest of Dad’s Army? I haven’t forgotten that I owe your mate a visit - the ugly one. Dennis: Aye and he’d chin ya just as quick this time! Tommy: Lucky punch! Anyway, what’s this about your lad? Dennis: My lad, Kevin Patterson is one of your drivers, as well you know, SO HOW MUCH DOES HE OWE??? Tommy: Kevin’s your lad? Oh this is perfect. Too much for you to pay off. So he’ll be driving taxis for a long, long time! Dennis: Delivering your shit, no doubt under the guise of a taxi business. Tommy: Like father, like son! *Smiles sarcastically* Dennis: I worked for scumbags like you so he wouldn’t have to. At least the old school ones like Ally Fraser had some sense of decency! You, your just… Tommy: I’d be very careful what you say - I think you’re forgetting who your talking to. I let the first one pass - I put it down to being old and senile. But I’ll not let the next one pass. I think you better piss off old man! “Ally Fraser?” *Sniggers* Dennis walks over to the door but then turns around... Dennis: As from tomorrow, my lad doesn’t work for you. I’ll pay what he owes, so how much does he owe? Tommy: Fifteen grand in all. Dennis: YOU’LL GET 5 GRAND MAX, AND ON MY TERMS - WHEN I CAN PAY IT!! Scene 12 Dennis storms out thinking he’s done enough to keep Tommy off his son’s back. To his surprise Tommy follows him in a rage, grabs him by the collar and throws him against a nearby car… Tommy: Just who in the name of shite d’ya think your shouting the odds at old man? He’ll pay what he owes and on MY terms. I could make an example of ya right now and make ya disappear, but people already know there’s only one name to fear round here, and it’s NOT the small-time has been, Ally Fraser!! Darkened figure: Is that a fact? Tommy looks like he’s seen a ghost and instantly lets go of Dennis. Ally: Now piss off back to your shithole of a Gym. I need a word with Dennis here. Oh, and before you call any of your ‘roided-up’ buddies to come and sort me out, let me warn you son: you are being watched and it will be the last thing you (or they) ever do! Tommy nods nervously, still in absolute disbelief and quietly walks back to the Gym… Dennis: Ally, man, I don’t know what to say? Ally: C’mon, let’s get out of here. I’ll take you home. They both get in Ally’s Mercedes and it drives off To be continued.......

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