Transcript: EastEnders 27 June 1995 The Television Transcript Project
<http://www.oocities.org/tvtranscripts/index.htm>
*/EastEnders <http://www.oocities.org/tvtranscripts/eastenders/index.htm>/*
*Written by:* Jeff Povey
27 June 1995




British Air Date: Tuesday, 27 June 1995. This is very probably episode
#200 (in the second numbering series--after the first 952 episodes).
Transcript of the *previous* episode (Monday)
<http://www.oocities.org/tvtranscripts/eastenders/ee199.htm>

    *Synopsis:* Nigel ventures outside to a concerned neighborhood;
    Ricky and Bianca share an evening together; Peggy is now officially
    in charge of the Vic and is determined to make it cheery; Sharon
    tells Michelle about Grant's proposal; Grant and Nigel muse about
    love; David is bummed about Bianca and has a rare, late-night chat
    with Sharon about life in Walford, being adopted, and about Grant
    and her. 

CHELLE = MICHELLE = CHELLE
NIGE = NIGEL = NIGE
TIFF = TIFFANY = TIFF

In Cockney English slang, the "loo" is the bathroom; "ta" means thank
you; "Cheers" also means thank you, is sometimes a good-bye (and is
sometimes a toast). the "telly" is the TV; giving someone a "wind-up" is
like "pulling someone's leg"--a practical joke; a "punter" is a
customer; "bleeding" is a swear word; and "on me tod" means alone.

Approx. 25 scenes.

17 (plus) characters: NIGEL, BIG RON, WINSTON, TRACEY, SHARON, GRANT,
MAXINE, MICHELLE, BLOSSOM, RICKY, BIANCA, PEGGY, CINDY, DAVID, TIFFANY,
VICKY, STEVE, and several GUYS and YOUNG WOMEN with very few lines each
(credits name YORKY, ASH, and STEPH). Cast list
<http://www.oocities.org/tvtranscripts/eastenders/cast.htm> (cast.htm 3K)

Notes:

  * The ring Grant offered her wasn't tacky, in my humble opinion. Big,
    yes, but not tacky.

  * This is the day after the previous episode.

  * Pat and Janine are away on holiday with Roy.

When I printed this, it took 37 pages.

Transcribed <http://www.oocities.org/tvtranscripts/howto.htm> via VCR
tape and microcassette tape.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[*/EastEnders/ Intro* with theme music (time: 00:27). Intro theme: Save
music
<http://www.oocities.org/tvtranscripts/eastenders/eastenderstheme.mp3>
(417kb mp3).]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The market in the morning. NIGEL is walking through, clearly the first
time he's been out since Debbie died. People keep coming up to him.]

RON
[comes up, putting hand on N's shoulder] Did you get the flowers..

NIGEL
Yeah, I did. Thanks a lot, Ron. Cheers.

WINSTON
[goes up to him] {How d'ya make ??} If there's anything, yeah?

NIGEL
Yeah, thanks. O' course. Ta.
[goes to TRACEY's flower stall]
Hi, Tracey..

TRACEY
Nigel. How are you today?

NIGEL
Oh, well, I, here, needed a bit of fresh air, I was, feelin' a bit
cooped up..
[serious, urgent, nearly teary] Um.. A wreath.. Uh, I wanted a wreath
made up..

TRACEY
[it's upsetting] Oh.. um--

NIGEL
I think, I'd understand if you didn't want to do it, but..

TRACEY
Course I'll do it. What would you like?

NIGEL
Uh, I don't know, really, uh.. I haven't had uh.. Something nice.. you
know, something really nice..

TRACEY
Leave it to me.. [nodding]

NIGEL
All right, how much {do} I pay you--

TRACEY
[difficult for her, too] Nige. No.

NIGEL
[with difficulty] It's because of you that, that me an' Debs met. And
I'll /al/ways be grateful for that. All right? Thanks. [pays her as he
quickly leaves]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[At Michelle's, the phone's ringing and SHARON gets it. She's still in
her robe and keeps it quiet.]

SHARON
Only /you/ could phone this early.

GRANT
Well, I've been /up/ since five waitin' to call you. Huh. Couldn't stand
it any longer. I /need,/ an answer. Huh. Well, you've had all night.

SHARON
I /told/ you, I need a few more days. Let me get everything clear in me
head.
It's gotta /work/ this time.. Look.. I'll meet you Thursday night. I'll
give you my answer then, okay?

It's only a couple o' /days./
'Kay. [hangs up]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[At the Bates', MAXINE's cooking and NIGEL comes in. She still seems
anxious. He mostly keeps himself distracted with the mail.]

MAXINE
I thought you might be hungry.

NIGEL
Uhhhh, just a bit o' toast'll do me.

MAXINE
You were gone quite a while..

NIGEL
Yeah, I popped into the video shop. Just sat in there for a bit.
Watchin' Debbie's favourite film. Well, half of it..
Where's Clare?

MAXINE
I said I'll bring her breakfast in bed.

NIGEL
Oh is she hungry, then?

MAXINE
Mmm, a little. Hmm. I'm beginning to wish I hadn't given up smoking, I
could do with one right now.
I uh, I forgot to /ask./ Did you get a hold o' Liam.

NIGEL
[sitting] No, I haven't, I haven't tried yet..

MAXINE
You'll have to tell him. He has a right to know. What is it. {Is it}
Clare? Oo, we'll have to find out what he wants to /dooo./ He is her
/fa/ther..

NIGEL
Look, could--could we maybe, talk about this another time?

MAXINE
[nicely] I know it's /hard../ but putting it off won't make it go away,
Nigel.

NIGEL
You don't think he'd try an' take her, do you?

MAXINE
[breathes in] Liam's odd.. You never /know/ with him..

NIGEL
I mean, we haven't /heard/ from him in /a/ges, he.. He never, tries to
/see/ her, he, doesn't /phone/ or write to her..

MAXINE
Personally, I think he'll stay away..

NIGEL
Do you?

MAXINE
[anxious] Probably got his life /just/ the way he wants it. Who knows..
there might not be any room for Clare..

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[At Michelle's, SHARON is sitting in the living room and CHELLE comes by.]

CHELLE
Uh, have you seen Vicky's school bag?

SHARON
Uh, the last time I saw, it was in the loo.

CHELLE
[leaving] Loo? What's it doin' there?
[loudly calling] Sweetheart! It's in the /toi/let!
[bitterly, from the kitchen] I bet she hid it there just so we could be
late.

[about tea] Oh. It's cold.

SHARON
[calling] It's been there a while.

CHELLE
Well, what time were you up.

SHARON
About six.

CHELLE
[surprised, coming to living room] /Six?/

SHARON
Yeah, I couldn't sleep.

CHELLE
Oh. Right, I really gotta be goin'. [calling] Come on, sweetheart!
[remarking] God, every morning it's the same.
[friendly, while gathering papers for work] You all right.

SHARON
[quiet] Yeah.

CHELLE
Sure?

SHARON
Yeah, I'm just feelin' a bit sluggish.

CHELLE
Nothing's happened?

SHARON
No.

CHELLE
You, would tell me if there was anything wrong, wouldn't ya.

SHARON
Course I would.

CHELLE
[smiling] All right then. See ya later.
[leaving, nice to VICKY] Come on.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[At the cafe, RICKY's ordering, BLOSSOM is behind the counter.]

RICKY
{I'll have} five {ham} rolls to take out, please.

BLOSSOM
/Five?/

RICKY
Yeah, David's /use/less when it comes to doin' the shopping.

BLOSSOM
Seems like you /both/ need lookin' after.

RICKY
Oh--well, he does, that's for sure.

BIANCA
[coming in, smiling] Oh.

RICKY
Oh, hey.

BIANCA
Hi.

RICKY
Um, still on for tonight?

BIANCA
Yeah, uh, we'll meet around your house, yeah?

RICKY
Mine.

BIANCA
Yeah, you don't mind, do ya?

RICKY
/No, no,/ not at all, uh. It's a bit messy, though.

[They can't keep their eyes off of each other. (She's a little
distracted about BLOSSOM, though.)]

BIANCA
Well, I don't mind.

RICKY
{Like,} we'll, say about six?

BIANCA
[smiling] Yeah, that sounds good to me.

RICKY
All right, then--try an'--better get back to work.

BIANCA
All right.

RICKY
[starts leaving, to BLOSSOM] Cheers.

BIANCA
Lost a bit o' weight, did ya?

RICKY
[friendly] Starvation does that to ya. [leaves]

[BIANCA looks at BLOSSOM, who's been watching.]

BLOSSOM
[nonchalant, pointing to nose] Don't worry. Secret's safe with me.

BIANCA
Hm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Outside the Vic, PEGGY and SHARON run across each other.]

PEGGY
[unfriendly] Oh, Sharon.

SHARON
Peggy?

PEGGY
I was just comin' around to see you.

SHARON
You were?

PEGGY
I just got back from the licensing session.

SHARON
[pause, remembering] Oh, right.

PEGGY
Since you couldn't be bothered to turn up, I thought you /might just/
like to know: the transfer's complete.

SHARON
[pause] It went okay, then?

PEGGY
Why shouldn't it?

SHARON
I was just asking.

PEGGY
Well, if you'd /been/ there, you'd /know,/ wouldn't you?
[gets smug] But then I don't suppose it's your business, now. Come to
think of it, /noth/ing around here is your business anymore. It's in
/my/ name, now, Sharon. The /days/ of the Watts are over. And don't you
ever forget that.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRANT is downstairs in the Vic (closed at this hour), looking at the
ring. PEGGY comes in and he hides the ring away. She goes behind the
bar. He has a tea with him.]

GRANT
Morning mum.

PEGGY
Ahhh. Morning. /How's/ my little lad, then.

GRANT
Eh?

PEGGY
[victoriously getting a drink] We have the result, Grant. The transfer's
been finalized. The license is ours. Cheers. [lifts her glass to him]

GRANT
So, there were no hitches, then?

PEGGY
[just had some of her drink] Mmm. Went as /smooth/ as anything. Not
joinin' me?

GRANT
Uh--it's a bit early for me.

PEGGY
Oh, suit yourself. I saw Sharon a minute ago.

GRANT
Yeah?

PEGGY
I /told/ her there was nothing left for her now.

GRANT
[pause] What you.. didn't have a go at her or anything, did you..

PEGGY
Does it matter?

GRANT
No. I just don't want you wasting your breath, that's all.

PEGGY
Oh! Don't worry about it, she's history. It's just me an' you, Grant,
from now on. The Real Mrs. Mitchell an' Son, Limited. [finishes rest of
drink]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The fish and chips shop. CINDY's working when DAVID comes in. There are
no other customers.]

CINDY
[tense] Yes.

DAVID
[warm, smiling, masterfully nice] Chips.

CINDY
Open or wrapped.

DAVID
Surprise me.

[CINDY is putting together his order, uptight.]

DAVID
Where's the boy {blunder,} then.

CINDY
Out the back. Counting fish.

DAVID
[quiet] Mmm! Well I'll have to make sure I'm on my best behaviour, then,
won't I?

CINDY
I doubt you'd know what that was.

DAVID
[keeps it quiet] Well, that makes two of us, d'n't it?

CINDY
Salt an' vinegar?

DAVID
Well, since you put it so nicely.. how can I resist.

CINDY
I doubt you ever can.

DAVID
You're in form, i'n't ya.

[CINDY is clearly uptight, refusing to engage in this.]

DAVID
I could watch you wrap chips all day, do you know that.

CINDY
Yeah, well you should play games with someone younger. [done with his order]

DAVID
[puzzled] Younger?

CINDY
Yeah. Little girls. They're easier to impress.

DAVID
[pause] Can't say I know any..

CINDY
[disdainful] That's not what I've heard.

DAVID
People been sayin' something?

CINDY
Who knows?

DAVID
[doubtful pause] How much do I owe you.

CINDY
Well wait an' see.
Oh, an' don't forget. We do children's portions. /Just/ in case you want
to take her out for dinner.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The Vic is open now. TIFFANY is behind the bar, PEGGY's getting
glasses. GRANT is there, too, like he just came down there.]

GRANT
Mum.

PEGGY
What is it?

GRANT
I, uh fancy takin' the night off. I think I should go around an' check
on Nige.

PEGGY
Ohhh, that'll leave me a bit short-handed. Tiffany's off tonight.

GRANT
Yeah, well it is quite important.

PEGGY
Oh. Well. I'm /sure/ I'll manage.

GRANT
Sometimes you have to, runnin' a boozer couldn't /al/ways be a bed o' roses.

PEGGY
[amused] Lucky I've got /you,/ then.
[serious, grateful] You know, I'd never taken this on if /you/ weren't
gonna be involved--not at /my/ age.
[quiet] Tsk. Imagine. Me an' my son in business together.. Your dad
would o' been /sooo/ proud to see you lookin' after me..

GRANT
Yeah, an', I--I think I might nip out for a bit.

PEGGY
By the way: we're holding our /first/ quiz night next week.

GRANT
[dread, it's tiring] You what.

PEGGY
Yeah, I've sent away for one of those /packs/ they give out. I don't
suppose you want to be Question Master.

GRANT
Uhhh--I'd rather not, if it's all the same.

PEGGY
Suit yourself. But I need a bit of help from you--you know--settin' it
all up.

GRANT
Yeah. O'course.
I'll see you later.

PEGGY
Ta da, love.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[At Michelle's. SHARON's at the kitchen table when MICHELLE and VICKY
come in. It's 5:10 PM.]

VICKY
Sharon. {Hello.} [goes to her]

SHARON
Hello, Vicky. How are you, mmm. [kisses hello]

MICHELLE
[routine] Straight upstairs an' change for me, sweetheart. Will you hang
it up.

[VICKY heads upstairs.]

MICHELLE
What a /day/ I have had. Nothing but com/plaints./ What about you,
anything, ex/cit/ing happen. [sitting]

SHARON
Well, I bumped into Peggy this morning.

MICHELLE
{Oh, that must o' been a} thrill for you.

SHARON
[wry] Hm.
[stoic] The Vic's all theirs now..

MICHELLE
[sits] Oh.. I'm sorry..

SHARON
No. I guess it's the price you pay..

MICHELLE
You all right..

SHARON
[partly brave front] Yeah. Like I said before, I can live with it. Just
about. Only a pub.

MICHELLE
{I wouldn't} say that..

SHARON
Well it is, when all's said an' done, it's just another lousy east end pub.

MICHELLE
[arms crossed] I don't believe for a minute that's how you really feel..

SHARON
Well it is.. Didn't think it would be, but it is.. Ooo, it's just been
one old /bat/tle-ground there, Chelle. World Wars Three, Four, an' Five
took place there.

MICHELLE
Yeah, but, there were some good times, too..

SHARON
Do you fancy a coffee?

MICHELLE
Love one, yeah..
You must be feelin' a bit {bored} at times, yeah?

SHARON
[filling kettle with water] Ohhh. I'll survive. As usual..

MICHELLE
Have you seen /Nig/el today?

SHARON
No..

MICHELLE
Oh. Poor Nigel.. I hate to think what Clare must be goin' through.. I
know it's little comfort, but.. I mean, Vicky's doin' all right with one
parent.. Maybe they'll get through this..

SHARON
Hey--you've done better than all right--a lot better than /I/ could o' done.

MICHELLE
Rubbish!

SHARON
I mean it!
I hate to think what would of happened if me an' Grant had had kids.

MICHELLE
[distaste] Mm. And how /is/ Grant.

SHARON
Same as ever..

MICHELLE
[absently] Mm. That bad, eh?

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[At the Vic, PEGGY's with a PUNTER, and GRANT has just sat down by the bar.]

PEGGY
[giving change] Thank you, love.

PUNTER
Thanks a lot.

PEGGY
[spotting GRANT] /Where/ did you disappear to?

GRANT
[calm] I just went out.

PEGGY
Anywhere nice?

GRANT
[amused] Does it matter?

PEGGY
[amused] Well, I hope she cheered you up.

[DAVID's just come in. He's pretty sober--hard day.]

PEGGY
What can I get you, love?

DAVID
Oh, give us the usual, please, Peggy.

PEGGY
Hard day?

DAVID
Yeah, {I could crash now.}

PEGGY
/Well,/ ya come to the right place then.

DAVID
Have I?

PEGGY
Ho-ho! Yes indeed! Let me tell you: things are gonna change around here.
This is gonna be the /cheer/iest pub in the east end. [has his drink]

DAVID
[mumbling, paying] Ohh, congratulations. {Here ??}

PEGGY
Oh, I thought at least /some/one would be happy about it.

GRANT
It's just come at a Bad Time, that's all, mum.

PEGGY
Here. What do you think o' Quiz Nights?

DAVID
Not a lot..

PEGGY
Oh. Why do I bother?

GRANT
[getting up] Right. I'm off--over at Nige's.

DAVID
Listen: give him my best, will ya?

GRANT
Yeah, I will do..

PEGGY
Do you think I'll be able to /cope/ in here on me own..

GRANT
Uh, like I said, mum, sometimes.. you have to. [leaves]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[SHARON and MICHELLE are still in the kitchen, having coffee. (It's 5:25.)]

MICHELLE
To the Vic.

SHARON
If you don't mind, I'm not really in the mood right now..

MICHELLE
Sorry, it should be alcohol, really, shouldn't it.

SHARON
[absently gets up] No, it's not that so much..

MICHELLE
Something else?

SHARON
[slowly pacing] No, I just feel a bit restless, I.. can't seem to relax..

MICHELLE
What's happened..

SHARON
Nothing..

MICHELLE
Uh, it's Grant, i'n't it..

SHARON
No.

MICHELLE
Well, you're seein' him again, something must have happened.

SHARON
[pause] Maybe..

MICHELLE
Come on, Sharon, you can tell me..

SHARON
[sits, holds CHELLE's hand] Well..
He's asked me to marry him..

MICHELLE
[taking this in] What..

SHARON
[proud] {That's it--} he begged me..

MICHELLE
[relishing] Oh my god! You've /done/ it! You've pulled it off, I don't
believe it--Sharon--why didn't you tell me?!

SHARON
Well, it's only just sinkin' in--

MICHELLE
So what did you say--I mean--how could you keep a straight /face?/

SHARON
[awkward] Well, I--I didn't give him an answer straight away..

MICHELLE
What..

SHARON
I--I said I needed time to think it over, you know--

MICHELLE
Why?

SHARON
Well, he caught me off guard..

MICHELLE
So you--so--I mean--you been /plan/nin' for this.

SHARON
Yeah, well I didn't think it'd happen this quickly--

MICHELLE
Well, what's the problem, Sharon? Why make him wait?
You're--You're not falling--/Tell/ me you're not falling for him again,
Sharon--

SHARON
No, no, of /course/ I'm not--

MICHELLE
Look, Sharon, loo--this is what you've been /wait/in' for, this is why
you came back in the /first/ place, /don't/ lose sight o' that..

Did he get you a ring..

SHARON
[subdued] Yeah..

MICHELLE
I hope he spent his life /sa/vings on it.

SHARON
[concerned, firm] Look, Grant'll get what he's due.. You just leave that
to me.. [firm but smiles nicely]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The Butchers'. RICKY's taking trash out back and BIANCA's at the back
gate.]

BIANCA
All right?

RICKY
[good mood, friendly] All right? Just gettin' changed.

BIANCA
All right.

[They come inside the kitchen. The ironing board's out. (Wall clock says
6:10)]

BIANCA
Oh, it's not as bad as you said.

RICKY
{Okay.} No thanks to David. Gonna be with you in a sec. Oh. Tsk. Didn't
bring the iron around, did ya.

BIANCA
Oh--sorry, I thought you were joking.

RICKY
[aplomb] That's all right. Just go as I am.

BIANCA
David not in, then?

RICKY
No, he's gone {out} to the pub. Probably be out all night.

BIANCA
[pause, nonchalant] Well, we don't have to go out, we can stay in, if
you want.

RICKY
Yeah! If you like.

BIANCA
{A bit of curry tonight, yeah?}

RICKY
/Yeah./

BIANCA
Perhaps we'll go an' see the film another night, eh?

RICKY
All right, then--yeah--if that's what you /fan/cy. I've got a menu
somewhere.
[looking for it] They deliver to your home now. An' they bring wine
'round. Fizzy stuff. [has found the menu]

BIANCA
[nice, a little nervous] Oh, sounds good to me.

RICKY
[at phone] {Does it?} What'd'you fancy: a, red or white?

BIANCA
{I'd like,} white. Thanks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Michelle's living room. CHELLE comes in with wine bottle and glasses
and sits with SHARON. CHELLE doesn't seem to notice SHARON's hidden doubts.]

CHELLE
{I think} /I/ need this more than you.

SHARON
Fine, really.

CHELLE
{Oh.} You look it..

SHARON
Oh, it's just draining, that's all. It's like {runnin' miles}
twenty-four hours a day. Sayin' one thing, thinkin' another..

CHELLE
[starts pouring wine] Well, it's nearly over, you just hang in there.

SHARON
I'll need a year to recover after this..

CHELLE
You've got the rest of your /life/ to recover. An' think how much better
it's gonna be without /'im/ around..

SHARON
Without bein' given a {second chance.}

CHELLE
Absolutely. Here you go. To the rest of your life.

SHARON
The rest of my life.

    (They clink glasses and drink.)

CHELLE
Nnnd--what'd the ring look like.

SHARON
Don't know, wasn't really looking.

CHELLE
I bet it was /so/ tacky.

SHARON
Oh--like I said, I didn't really see.

CHELLE
I can't believe the arrogance of the man. I mean, did he /ho/nestly
believe that you'd wanna /mar/ry him again? What has he /got/ between
his ears.

SHARON
Yeah, well, I didn't really--

CHELLE
He's got a half a pound o' /shrap/nel lodged in there--

SHARON
Well, look. Uh.. let's forget it for now, eh? I, I don't wanna waste my
/time/ on 'im.

CHELLE
I can't wait to see him suffer.. I just can't wait..

[SHARON fakes a smile for her.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[RICKY and BIANCA are relaxing on the living room couch with wine and
dinners. Both are musing.]

BIANCA
So nice havin' the place to ourselves. {Wouldn't} get any peace an'
quiet over ours.

RICKY
Hm. David's out quite a lot, lately.. Gives me time to think..

BIANCA
Wha' about.

RICKY
You..

[DAVID can be heard coming in the door.]

BIANCA
[disappointed] Ohhh, I thought you said he'd be out.

RICKY
[dread] Oh, I can't believe it..

DAVID
[standing in doorway] What's all this?

RICKY
[pause] Dinner..

DAVID
[stern] Yeah, I can /see/ that. What's it doin' all over the floor.

BIANCA
Well we're not finished yet..

DAVID
I'm gonna make a coffee. Anyone want one?

RICKY
[same time as B] --No--

BIANCA
No thanks, got wine.

[DAVID leaves for the kitchen, but then stops to eavesdrop, just out of
sight.]

RICKY
[bitterly disappointed] Uh. I can't be/lieve/ it: the /one/ night he
comes home /ear/ly.

BIANCA
[quiet] {Don't say anything. He might hear you.}

DAVID
[comes back in] Sorry. There's a film on I wanna see..
[turns on telly--an action show--he sits on chair] Don't mind, do you?

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The Cafe, STEVE's running his all night shift. Five attractive YOUNG
WOMEN are laughing like hyenas in the corner table by the window. A
YOUNG GUY is at another table. Another YOUNG GUY is ordering at the
counter. (One of the girls is TIFFANY.)]

GUY
Two teas.

STEVE
Yeah. [getting it]
[notices OTHER GUY has cards] Uh--what--what's all this?

OTHER GUY
[looks over] I just thought we'd have a few games o' cards.

STEVE
For money?

GUY
Naturally.

STEVE
Yeah?

OTHER GUY
Honestly.

[STEVE drops it--can't really do much about it. The YOUNG WOMEN idly
turn their hilarity on STEVE.]

TIFFANY
[calls over] /So./ When's the last time that you {lived it up, Steven?}

TWO YOUNG WOMEN
[dramatically] /Yeeess./ [laugh]

STEVE
[doubtful] Why..? [bringing teas to GUYS, now both at table]

TIFFANY
Well, I just thought we could um.. come back an' tell you what a great
/time/ we'd all had.

YOUNG WOMEN
Yeah! Woo-ooo!

STEVE
Ohhh.. Thanks but no thanks..

[YOUNG WOMEN all groan in mock disappointment.]

TIFFANY
Oh, touching.. {Are those burgers gettin' you down.}

[YOUNG WOMEN are all yelping, "Wooo!" and laugh.]

STEVE
Who are you kidding? I love it here.

TIFFANY
{Why not} come out with us!

[YOUNG WOMEN variously: "Yeah, come on." "Come on!" "Come oooon."
Apparently it's not /all/ a wind-up.]

STEVE
I /can't,/ Darren's not working tonight..

TIFFANY
There's no such word as "can't." Come on.

    (TIFF's BUDDIES are saying stuff like, "oh, you twooo." "I told ya.") 

STEVE
I've got a business to run..

    ("Oh!" "Told ya.") 

TIFFANY
[to YOUNG WOMEN] Shut up. Shut up.
[alluring to STEVE] Do this for me..

    (BUDDIES: "Yeah." "Oo.") 

STEVE
[pause, doubtfully considering] I'm /sor/ry.. I can't. It looks like
it's a girls only night to me.

    (A chorus of "Oh!"s.) 

STEVE
Besides, uh, I need the money.

TIFFANY
What for?

STEVE
This an' that..

TIFFANY
Oh..
[saunters up, smiling] I think I know what you need.

    (BUDDIES do a chorus of "Woooo!"s.) 

STEVE
Yeah.. so do I.. startin' to forget what it's like..

[YOUNG WOMEN laugh.]

TIFFANY
[quiet] I meant a holiday..

    (TIFF's BUDDIES resume talking amongst themselves.) 

STEVE
Well, I don't wanna go anywhere on me tod, do I?

TIFFANY
Why don't you go an' see Deller an' Binnie? {They sa'they're havin' a
/right/ crack.}

STEVE
Uh.. I think they're happy doin' their own thing.. Nice thought, though.

TIFFANY
Okay. Suit yourself. [turns to shout behind her] Come on, girls, {come
on let's go!}

[YOUNG WOMEN all get up, shouting, "Yey!" celebrating the night.]

TIFFANY
[to STEVE] Bye.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DAVID, RICKY and BIANCA are absently watching telly. RICKY and BIANCA
are very comfortable together. She's leaning against him, he has his arm
around her. The telly's on a quiet show now.]

DAVID
[tense] What, you two been seein' each other..

BIANCA
Does it matter..

DAVID
Just like to know what's goin' on, that's all..

RICKY
Listen, what we do has got nothing to do with you..

DAVID
I'm her father.

BIANCA
Oh. When it suits you, yeah.

DAVID
That's not true!

BIANCA
We're not doin' anything wrong.

DAVID
Never said you /were../

RICKY
Mm, you don't look too happy about it..

DAVID
W--I'm tryin' to watch this--do you mind?

RICKY
Well, /watch/ it then, we're not stoppin' ya.

[Everyone absently watches telly, then DAVID looks at how comfortable
they are with each other.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Michelle's. SHARON's at the hall mirror, making herself up, evidently
going out. CHELLE has wine.]

MICHELLE
You're off out?

SHARON
Yeah, I fancied a wander.

MICHELLE
You're not meetin' Grant, are ya?

SHARON
[wry] No. One proposal's enough.

MICHELLE
[doubting] A bit late for a stroll.

SHARON
Oh, I just want to have a look around. Not gonna have much chance in the
future.. Don't worry.. I know what I'm doing.. [strolls out]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The Butchers'. RICKY and BIANCA are giggling on the couch with each
other. She yelps in laugher.]

DAVID
[shouting] Oh, for /god's sake!/ I'm /tryin'/ to watch this! Do you
/mind?!/ I can't hear a /word!/

[No answer, BIANCA's reluctantly toning it down a little, but also finds
DAVID sort of amusing.]

DAVID
Ohh. I'm goin' out. [leaving]

BIANCA
Uhhh, I thought you had already /been./

DAVID
Well, I'm goin' out again. It's obvious you two wanna be alone together.

RICKY
[relaxed] Well, what time will you be back.

DAVID
What's that to you?

RICKY
[good-natured smiling] Well, because I /wor/ry about ya.

DAVID
[testy] Be /care/ful, Ricky. [leaving]

[BIANCA giggles.]

RICKY
[amused, calls] Do you want me to leave a /light/ on for ya?

[The door slams shut after a couple tries slamming it.]

RICKY
[giggling] I reckon he's your dad, d'you know that?

BIANCA
{Well, he'd better be. Surprised if} he doesn't get a hold of another
one before {??}

RICKY
Oh, {it's something he got out of /bed/} or something.

BIANCA
Yeah, I know.

RICKY
[sigh (they've become a little anxious alone)] It's really, really
rubbish without you, you know.

BIANCA
[pause] Has it..

RICKY
I thought about you a lot..

BIANCA
Oh yeah..

RICKY
Every time I've seen you, I, just.. wanted to grab you all the time.

[BIANCA's amused, gentle. He's serious, sad, relaxed and a little amused
at himself.]

RICKY
You know what I mean?

BIANCA
Why didn't you, then..

RICKY
[wry] Just thought you might /knock/ me or something..

BIANCA
[nice] Well, why don't you try it now, then.. [looks at him]

RICKY
W--{that means you might fight} back?

BIANCA
[good-natured] I'll do it {right if you're b?? the front.}

[They kiss big.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[At the Bates', NIGE and GRANT are relaxing in the dark living room with
beers, tired after this day.]

GRANT
So, did you manage to get a hold of Liam?

NIGE
No, I didn't. He seems to have moved on..

GRANT
That's one problem solved..

NIGE
Yeah, I hope so..

GRANT
Well, you done your bit..
[glances at watch] Wonder how Mum's gettin' on without me..

NIGE
She'll {leave around to turnin' up.}

GRANT
Mm.. She wasn't very happy when I left.

NIGE
She'll forgive you.. She always did..

GRANT
Yeah.. Maybe that's been one of my problems.. I always thought I could
get away with anything..

NIGE
So what you gonna do..

GRANT
What about..

NIGE
/Shar/on..

GRANT
How'd you mean..

NIGE
Yesterday you looked like a couple again..

GRANT
We did..

NIGE
Yeah.. You looked, like you did a few years ago.. Is something happening..

GRANT
[breathes in, gets up] To tell you the truth, Nige, I'm as much in the
dark as anyone else. [sighs]

NIGE
Do you /want/ something to happen..

GRANT
[has got a fresh beer from other side of room] I don't know.. I just get
the feelin' we're, [pops beer tab open] fated to be together..

NIGE
[subdued, struck] Wouldn't surprise me..

GRANT
[ruefully sighs] Imagine havin' me as your life-long soulmate..

NIGE
I doubt I'll find another Debbie..

GRANT
[pause] Would you even look..

NIGE
/No../ No, I can't see it, mate.
[very quiet, looking at air] I don't mind, though.. I won't be alone..
See, I.. I still have Debbie.. in a way.. that's all I need..

GRANT
That's all anyone needs, mate.. One woman.. The right woman..

NIGE
Maybe it's true.. Maybe we /are/ fated to /be/ with someone.. whether
they're here or not..

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Steve's cafe. It's quiet. SHARON's sitting at the window bar, absently
looking outside. DAVID comes in.]

DAVID
[mellow] Hi Steve.

STEVE
All right, Dave.

DAVID
How you doin'.

STEVE
Yeah, all right.

DAVID
{Why don't ya} give us a tea, please, mate.

[A scruffy, young GUY comes up to SHARON, inches from her face.]

GUY
[blankly] On your own?

SHARON
Sorry?

GUY
You won't be if you came back with me.

SHARON
[absently] Life's full o' regrets.

GUY
[leans right near her face] Take a gamble on me? It's probably the best
{off'} you'll have all night.

DAVID
How 'bout /I/ make you an offer, pal?

GUY
[sits up] Oh yeah?

DAVID
/Yeah./

[The GUY pauses and leaves.]

DAVID
[muttering] Yaww.
[quiet, to SHARON] You all right.

SHARON
I suppose so..

STEVE
Tea's up.

DAVID
[gets it] Cheers, mate.
You want anything, Sharon?

SHARON
Oh.. another coffee..

DAVID
[friendly] Scratch the tea, mate, make it two coffees instead.

STEVE
[wry] Ah, that's my profit gone down for tonight, huh..

DAVID
Mind if I join you or uh, are you waitin' for someone..

SHARON
/No../ Be my guest..

[SHARON's very distracted, halfway doesn't mind if he's there or not.
He's mellow, nice, and tired tonight.]

SHARON
You don't fancy the Vic?

DAVID
Nah, not tonight. You?

SHARON
Well, it's not really my scene anymore..

DAVID
Oh. Where is your scene, then..

SHARON
Don't know.. Got any suggestions.

DAVID
Might have.
Then again, it's not been my day today, so I think I better keep me
ideas to meself.

STEVE
[passing coffees over counter] Here we go. Two of the best coffees in
London.

DAVID
Smashing. Cheers, ta.

STEVE
All right.
Uh, I don't suppose uh, either of you have been to uh, Spain.

SHARON
A few times.

STEVE
And?

SHARON
You'd like it, Steve.

DAVID
I went to Spain once. For a fortnight. Come back three months later. And
that was under protest.

STEVE
[encouraged] Right, cheers. [goes back to sink area]

DAVID
[whisper] {Never} really, but why tell him otherwise.

SHARON
[amused] Oh.

DAVID
[wistful] Wish I was in Spain, now, though..

SHARON
Why d'you say that? Albert Square not good enough for you?

DAVID
It's just been one o' those days, Sharon..

SHARON
So what happened..

DAVID
Oh, the same old stuff, really, you know.. Things gettin' out of hand
all the time.. If this place hadn't o' been open, I think I'd just
carried on walking..

SHARON
Yeah..

DAVID
I sat over on the bench for a while. But that didn't seem to do the
trick, so I.. thought I'd go for a walk.

SHARON
[dry] Surprised I didn't bump into you..

DAVID
Why, where was you going?

SHARON
[regretful smile] Who knows.

DAVID
I reckon I could o' left the square. Forever, tonight..

SHARON
Really?

DAVID
Yeah.
Just gone off.
An' never come Back.

SHARON
Well, I thought you /liked/ it, you seemed settled enough.

DAVID
I don't know if I belong here, though.. I've tried so hard to put down
roots, but.. ground keeps shiftin'.. It's like tryin' to farm in a,
/bleed/in' earthquake sometimes.

SHARON
Albert Square's got a /lot/ to answer for..

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[It's thundering out, and drizzling. GRANT's coming around to
Michelle's, knocks on the door. CHELLE answers, just looking at him, no
greeting.]

GRANT
[annoyed] Is Sharon still up.

CHELLE
What d'you wanna know for?

GRANT
Look, /is/ she still up.

CHELLE
I guess so.

GRANT
I wanna talk to her.

CHELLE
[dismissive] Sorry I can't help you. [shutting door, he blocks it]

GRANT
/Don't/ wanna cause any trouble. I just need to talk to Sharon.

CHELLE
Well, you can't.

GRANT
I can.

CHELLE
Not tonight.

GRANT
I think that's for me an' Sharon to decide, don't you?

CHELLE
She's not in.

GRANT
What.

CHELLE
She's gone out.

GRANT
Where?

CHELLE
How would /I/ know?

GRANT
She can't have gone out.

CHELLE
Well, she /has./

GRANT
But it's late.

CHELLE
Yeah, she's a big girl now. [shuts door]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The cafe. SHARON and DAVID are still quietly talking.]

SHARON
You know, I've just realized that /ev/erything I've ever had here has
been on hire.. Just /rent/ed.. My mum an' dad are gone.. the Vic's gone,
Grant.. even Roly.. all of them've gone.. An' I /paid/ for them
all--/boy,/ did I pay..
Let me tell you, David, the longer you stay, the more the price keeps
goin' up.

DAVID
[staring at air] Should o' carried on walking, then..

SHARON
Probably never even meant to be here in the first place. Sometimes think
how different it might o' been.. I could o' been adopted by someone else
an' had a whole different life..

DAVID
You're adopted?

SHARON
Told you everything was just on hire..

DAVID
[nervous, interested] Do you, do you know who your, you know, your real,
parents are..

SHARON
Well, I know who my mum is, but.. it didn't really work out when I went
to see her..

DAVID
Wha'bout your dad, did you ever find out about him..

SHARON
No. No, I decided not to, not with the way /my/ luck goes.

[GRANT comes in. He's cold from the rain. STEVE comes over. GRANT sees
SHARON and just stands there looking at her in disappointment--quiet and
ominous.]

GRANT
{Popped to} your place.

STEVE
Uh, what can I get ya.

GRANT
[ignores him, to SHARON] Been lookin' for you all over.

SHARON
[apprehensive] Why?

GRANT
'Cause I didn't know where you were.

SHARON
Sorry, but what's it to you..

GRANT
[long pause] Look, I been at Nige's. {We've had a hard night..} Sorry.
[breathes in]
[to STEVE] Cup o' coffee to take out, please.

STEVE
Coming right up.

[DAVID's still seated between them, has been eyeballing left and right,
at a loss about the weird atmosphere.]

GRANT
[subdued] Forget it. [leaves]

DAVID
[pause, quiet, careful, to SHARON] You okay.

SHARON
[embarrassed] I, I think I'm gonna go. [getting her bag]

DAVID
Where.

SHARON
I don't know, somewhere.

DAVID
Well, look, let me walk with you, in case he's hangin' around outside..

SHARON
[pauses, reconsiders] Maybe I'll stay put for a bit..

DAVID
Two more coffees, please, Steve..

STEVE
Sure.

DAVID
[whisper] Is /that/ what you've had to put up with, love.. [breathing
out] /God../ What are you doin'?

SHARON
[slightly vulnerable] I don't know..

DAVID
You can't have wanted it..

SHARON
There /were/ good times..

DAVID
Yeah, but nothing's worth that sort of fear, Sharon..

SHARON
I loved him.. I'd suffered /any/thing for him.

DAVID
[half to himself] Seems like that's all love ever leads to.. Suffering..

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The Butchers'. RICKY and BIANCA are on the couch, she's in his arms,
asleep.]

RICKY
[quiet, kisses her neck] I love you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Outside the cafe. DAVID and SHARON are both mellowly leaving. The
rain's stopped. They talk as they stroll home.]

DAVID
Where are you goin' now?

SHARON
Michelle's.

DAVID
I'll walk with ya. Just to be on the safe side.

SHARON
[long pause] Do you reckon you'll stay here?

DAVID
Who knows.

SHARON
Mm. You've at least got family.

DAVID
Yeah, well, right now, they don't mean too much to me.

SHARON
You think I'm crazy for puttin' up with Grant, don't you..
Sometimes you have to. Just so as you can get to the point of no return.

DAVID
[long pause] You should o' jumped ship a long time before you did.

SHARON
I couldn't. Really I couldn't. I didn't have it /in/ me then. For a long
time I thought I wasn't strong enough.

    (They're in the gardens by the gate toward Michelle's house. They stop.)

DAVID
An' are you now?

SHARON
[pause] What do you think..

DAVID
Present or the Past: they're the only places for Grant.. Trust me. It's
time you got out, Sharon.

SHARON
You didn't answer me..

DAVID
[pause, honest] Yeah. I /do/ think you're strong enough.

[A car's driving past.]

SHARON
If you don't mind, I'm gonna get off now.

DAVID
[calm, good-natured] Yeah, I better {shoot} meself.

SHARON
Thanks for the chat.

DAVID
Maybe we'll do it again sometime.

SHARON
[pause, with sad regard] I'd like to, but.. Somehow I don't think we
will. Good night. [strolls away]

DAVID
[strolling away, sad regard, too] Sleep well.

SHARON
I reckon I will. [walks away with pride growing and pace quickening!]

-boom- -boom- -boom-boom-

------------------------------------------------------------------------
[show's time: 27:00]
[*Credit Roll* with theme music. Long version of exit theme: Save music
<http://www.oocities.org/tvtranscripts/eastenders/eastend_end_long.mp3>
(1mb mp3).]
[time: 00:30; total with intro and credits: 27:57]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Last Updated: 5 Feb 2000

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