Good Things
Last year, during the first lockdown, I wrote a short script in response to a call out by the BBC called Interconnected. I was delighted that it was in the top 8% of entries but unfortunately it never made it any further in the process.
The fact that we are now facing the same situation almost a year on, I feel like it might be good to put it up here for folk to read. Whilst we face personal sacrifice, heartache and tragedies both big and small, this is hopefully something that will bring a little warmth, a little smile and a little hope.
Enjoy
Cx
Good Things
by
Chris Patrick
INT. LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - VIDEO CALL
TITLE CARD: WEEK 3
Jack and Mary, in their 60s, are waiting on the screen for the other side to be picked up.
Well, it’s Jack and Mary, but we can’t see them just now. What we can see is a lamp.
JACK: Have you done it right?
MARY: I think so, can you see them? Hello?
JACK: There’s nobody there Mary.
MARY: Oh I hope this works.
JACK: Aye.
Sajid appears on the other end of the conference call. Mary lets out a whoop of delight.
SAJID: Hey! Hello! Can you see me?
MARY: We can see you! Oh you look terrific, Si. Oh we’ve missed you!
JACK: Good to see you, you both keeping OK?
SAJID: Aye aye-(he starts to laugh) you need to tilt the camera down. All I can see is your lamp.
JACK: He says you need to tilt the camera down.
MARY: I know. I can--we’re on the same call!
JACK: Aye right you are.
They tilt the camera down so it shows them.
SAJID: There you are.
MARY: It was him that set it up no me.
JACK: Ach yer havering.
SAJID: Well I can see you now.
MARY: Where is she?
SAJID: I’m going to bring her in now.
MARY: Oh this is exciting. Isn’t this excited? Are you no excited Jack?
JACK: Aye, excited.
MARY: What’s the matter with your face?
JACK: Nothing. Feeling all-ye know.
MARY: Emotional, is that the word your looking for?
JACK: Aye.
MARY: Christ.
JACK: What?
MARY: The only things to make you greet are Saving Private Ryan and a bloody lockdown.
JACK: Aye well, I just want to hug my daughter.
MARY: I know.
Sajid brings in Haliee, who is about 6 months preganant. She is also deaf. Sajid guides her in, as she is wearing a blindfold. He gives a conspiratorial glance at the camera.
She sits down on a swivel chair, facing with her back to the camera. When Sajid speaks, he signs to Hailee.
SAJID: Now I know when this all started, you were really down because you knew you wouldn’t get to see of speak to your parents for a long time because they only had a house phone. Well, I’ve tried to do something that might cheer you up.
He swivels her round, she takes a minute to place the camera then she lets out an excited scream, hands to her mouth.
Jack is waving furiously, Mary is emotional and waving, hand up to her mouth also.
When Mary speaks, she signs.
MARY: Oh Hailee, don’t cry.
JACK: Whey-hey, there she is. Aw bless her.
HAILEE: (signing only) Are you OK?
MARY: We’re fine, we’re fine. Oh don’t cry cos you’ll set me aff! Are you OK?
HAILEE: Fine. I miss you.
MARY: I know sweetie.
Jack puts his face right close to the camera, and starts mincing in the reflection by fixing his hair.
JACK: How’s my wee grandwain to be?
Mary slaps him. Sajid and Hailee laugh.
MARY: Away and get back from the camera you. You don’t need to get right up to the camera, filling the bloody screen I cannae see them!
JACK: Well I cannae sign that well so she needs to read my lips.
MARY: I’ll sign. Jesus wept.
HAILEE: You know it’s only Week 3?
MARY: Aye, we know.
HAILEE: It’s so good to see you. Both of you. You need to stay safe.
JACK: What did she say?
MARY: We need to stay safe.
Jack goes to the camera again, lips almost touching it.
JACK: So do you.
Hailee and Sajid laugh.
MARY: Would you get back--honestly, this is going to be a long time.
We leave them for a moment as they laugh.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
TITLE CARD: WEEK 6
INT. LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - VIDEO CALL
Mary and Hailee are mid call when we join them.
HAILEE: The baby is kicking like crazy.
MARY: Oh I wish we were there to feel it kick.
HAILEE: How’s Dad?
MARY: Christ, he’s like the bloody window police. He stands there at the window and starts shouting SIX FEET APART, YER NOT SUPPOSED TO BE OUT! He’s driving me up the wall.
Hailee laughs.
MARY: I’ve got a calendar now. Counting down the days. One for the birth and one for this to be over. Do you think the baby will hang on in there till this is all over?
HAILEE: If he’s anything like his father he’d be here already trying to help.
MARY: And he’s staying safe?
HAILEE: He is.
MARY: Well we’re proud of him for continuing his work. Our son-in-law on the front line we tell folk. Your Dad thinks he deserves a medal.
HAILEE: I’ll be sure to tell him that. He’ll like that.
They smile for a moment. We leave them again.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
TITLE CARD: WEEK 9
INT. LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - VIDEO CALL
Hailee sits there and the screen rings on the other end. Waiting.
Her Dad answers. Hailee waves and signs.
HAILEE: Hi Dad.
JACK: Hi honey. How are you?
HAILEE: What?
He brings the camera up again to his face.
JACK: How are you?
HAILEE: Dad, you need to sign?
JACK: Oh I don’t know what you--can you not read my lips?
HAILEE: Try and sign.
JACK: I know I should have paid more attention at the sign class. Yer mother could be saying anything about me tae you and I wouldn’t know.
Hailee shakes her head.
HAILEE: I don’t know what you’re saying.
JACK: Your mother--(he shouts to the other room) MARY--your mother will be here in a minute.
They sit in silence for a moment. It’s painful, sad. Jack starts to get emotional. He can’t communicate with his daughter, let alone hug her. Let alone be in the same room. He clears his throat.
JACK: I’ll call, we’ll call you back when your mother is here. I’m sorry honey, I need to go.
He waves bye. She waves bye. The connection ends. She sits there for a moment, then the tears come and she puts her head in her hands, catching the raindrops falling from her face.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - VIDEO CALL
TITLE CARD: WEEK 12
Jack and Mary are waiting for the phone to answer.
JACK: Maybe they’re busy.
MARY: Busy where? Away partying at Club Kitchen?
JACK: Just leave a message.
MARY: It doesnae work like that.
JACK: This kind of technology and it cannae take a message?
MARY: Right, I’m setting up the spare room the night, I need peace.
JACK: Ach awae.
MARY: You’re just nervous aren’t you?
JACK: Why would I be nervous?
MARY: I know you’ve been taking the sign classes online.
JACK: Aye? Well, you know, thought it was about time I gave it another go.
MARY: I’ve seen you practice. You’ll be fine.
JACK: Aye.
MARY: Christ, were are they?
And the call is answered. It’s Sajid.
SAJID: Hey guys, sorry. I was just--he looks off camera--it’s your Mum and Dad. Here you come and sit here. I’ll take over.
Hailee comes in. She’s no longer pregnant. But Jack and Mary don’t know that yet.
MARY: Hi honey - oh god you look exhausted? Has the baby been kicking?
HAILEE: Yes, she’s been keeping us up all night.
MARY: Well, your Dad has something he wants to say to you.
HAILEE: What? You need to tell him I can’t really read his lips it gets all blurry.
MARY: Just wait.
Jack a little shy, signs.
JACK: How are you both and the baby? We miss you all. Love you.
Hailee shocked, hands clasp her mouth. It’s a joyous moment. She’s torn between crying, laughing and smiling.
HAILEE: When!? How!?
JACK: Oh, christ, it took me two weeks to learn that. Eh--
MARY: He’s been taking classes online.
HAILEE: I’m proud. We’re OK. Love you too.
JACK: Love you and OK - I understood that!
MARY: Where’s Sajid?
HAILEE: He’s good. He’s just getting her ready.
MARY: Good that’s--getting who ready?
JACK: Who’s getting ready?
HAILEE: Well you asked how the baby was, why don’t you ask her yourself?
MARY: What? WHAT? OH MY--
And we hear a cry, off screen. Jack and Mary are smiling, tears in there eyes. Celebratory. Touching the screen. Fist pumping.
They look at each other.
HAILEE: Good things can still happen in 12 weeks.