EXILE by Danny Brocklehurst

Based on a story by Paul Abbott

July 6th 2010

RED Productions Abbott Vision/BBC Sarah Brandist for BBC One

INT.

TOMS FLAT -- DAY

1 * * * * * *

TOM RONSTADT - wild haired, thirties - sits alone in his flashy London flat, he looks terrible. He stares vacantly at the muted TV screen. Slowly, turns away and he looks around his fancy pad - full expensive things. His face shows contempt. We go closer and closer on TOMs face as he realises just how screwed his life is. Silence. Then... The LANDLINE STARTS TO RING.

He doesnt move, just stares at it. It rings and rings and rings... 2 EXT. UNDERGROUND CAR PARK -- DAY TOM 2

TOM slamming a HOLDALL into the boot of his car. jumping into the drivers seat. Engine sparks. 3 EXT. MOTORWAY -- DAY That same car speeding towards and past camera. so, we spin the shot to reveal a motorway sign. THE NORTH 4 INT. TOMS CAR -- DAY TOMs face as he drives. Emotionless. on the CD drive and music strikes out. Loud music, to eradicate the pain. Hard cut to titles. EXILE 5 EXT. SERVICE STATION -- DAY Summer storm.

3 As it does

4 He pushes a button

Rain hammering down, biblical, making a Northern SERVICE STATION look even more bleak than usual. 6 INT. SERVICE STATION -- DAY 6

Inside, we find TOM sitting in the plastic cafe drinking coffee. He is toying with his mobile. (CONTINUED)

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

2. 6

He looks around at all the people going about their lives. We cut back to his face, lost, ashen, a man whos whole life has fallen apart. He looks down at his mobile, the word HOME is highlighted, he is debating whether to call, but cant bring himself to, and as he stares at those four simple letters, we HARD CUT TO: 7 INT. BEHAVIOUR MAGAZINE -- DAY [FLASHBACK] TOM, looking terrible - hungover, high, wasted - doing the walk of shame through the magazine office, all eyes are on him - he isnt liked - as a SECURITY GUARD leads him from the building. Clearly sacked. TOM (screams at the room) Screw you! He tears down a LARGE MAGAZINE COVER POSTER. The SECURITY GUARD grabs his arm up his back and escorts him out, everyone watching. And he looks like what he is, a man who has lost the plot big time. As he exits, TOM catches the eye of an attractive woman across the room, JANE FINCH, hold a beat, she looks away. BACK TO: 8 INT. SERVICE STATION TOILET -- DAY TOM - on his knees - doing a line of coke off the closed toilet lid. This is no big deal, in fact, for him, its very much the norm. He snorts back, better. 9 EXT. SERVICE STATION -- DAY TOM exits the service station and pulls up his collar against the driving rain. The weather matching his mood. He trots back to his car, and dives inside. He sits for a moment, lost, then stabs the key into the ignition and starts the car. The WINDSCREEN WIPERS swish into action and we HARD CUT TO: 10 EXT. JANES HOUSE -- NIGHT [FLASHBACK] 10 * 9 8 7 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TOM drunk, a wreck - is hammering on the door of Janes * house. Lights come on. JANE opens door in night gown. * (CONTINUED)

10

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

3. 10

JANE Its three in the morning. He tries to push straight into the house. TOM Thanks for the texts. JANE Tom, you cant be here. TOM Texts Jane! Ive lost my job! My worlds fallen apart! JANE Tom - go home. She angles her head to make sure neighbours arent looking. TOM Hope alls well. Well funnily enough, Jane - it isnt. JANE I tried ringing TOM Let me in. Please (he tries kissing her) Go home. JANE

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(CONTINUED)

TOM I wanna stay the night. JANE You cant, Denvers flying back first thing TOM I wanna be with you. Bullshit. Leave him. He goes to kiss her. JANE Stop it, Tom TOM Let me in JANE TOM Hes a prick.

10

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

4. 10

No!

JANE

* * * * But * * * * * * * TOM * * 11 *

TOM Jane - I want you She pushes him away. Rejected, he tries again. without charm. Theres a small tussle. JANE Lets not complicate it, as you said to me Tom, it was about sex, nothing more. TOM hits her. And suddenly everything stops.

JANE appalled and disgusted, slams the door on him. stands there, full of self loathing. 11 EXT. THE NORTH/TOMS CAR -- DAY

TOM driving along A roads. Eyes just focused straight ahead, almost trance-like, as if he is scared of where he is going, what lies ahead of him... ...as we watch the landscape changing slightly. We move away from the densely urban and start to witness countryside, greenery, small towns. TOM clocks a sign for BACUP. 12 EXT. BACUP, LANCASHIRE/TOMS CAR -- NIGHT Bacup. TOMs car slides through the piss-wet streets. As he crawls slowly through the town centre he peers out of the car window, trying to recognise the town he left behind all those years ago. He passes various shops, pubs, a park. Plus a LARGE PROUD TOWN HALL BUILDING. And his conclusion? Shithole. 13 TOM 12

EXT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOMs car pulls up across the road from a large Victorian House, probably worth a few bob. But slightly tatty round the edges these days. Needs some TLC. Rain lashes down.

13

(CONTINUED)

13

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

5. 13

TOM stares, from the car window, at the house. And as we stay with his gaze, we FLASHBACK To a bright summers day, early 90s, the day when a younger TOM, rucksack over his shoulder, facial bruising and healing cuts, slams out of the house, flicking V sign. A young woman, NANCY, comes to the door - upset. NANCY Tom, Tom, not like this, please, dont leave like this TOM doesnt break his stride. TOM Its not you, its him. NANCY He didnt mean it, please, talk to him. TOM Ill call you. Tom, Tom. NANCY Distraught. * * *

* * *

She watches him leave, her brother. End flashback.

And back to TOM, watching that old house, through the piss rain. He takes a deep breath. Doesnt want to be here. But the time has somehow come... 14 EXT/INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT Until 14

TOM ringing on the doorbell. Long and insistent. eventually... it opens and there stands

NANCY RONSTADT. His older sister. Think Clare Rushbrook, but with a face that frowns more than it smiles. Who, upon setting eyes on him, laughs. NANCY Jesus, you must be in the shit. 15 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT 15

TOM is led through the house by NANCY (shes wearing marigolds, clearly in the middle of something), he eyes it like a museum, part of his past that has changed, but not changed very much in his many many years of absence. (CONTINUED)

15

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

6. 15

TOM Were you ever tempted to decorate? NANCY Ive been busy. Said with pointed emphasis. TOM can hear a loud male booming voice from somewhere in the house. It stops him in his tracks. TOM Where is he? His study. NANCY

TOM Whos he talking to? Wendy. NANCY

Off TOMs blank expression. NANCY (CONT'D) His assistant. NANCY takes in the expression on TOMs face, the fear at meeting his father again after all this time. NANCY (CONT'D) Shall I tell him youre here? TOM Will he give a shit? 16 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. KITCHEN -- NIGHT Now we see what NANCY was in the middle of - a mountain of washing up, laundry and house chores. N.B Some of the kitchen cupboards have locks on them. NANCY pours TOM a whisky. He watches the small measure. * 16

NANCY They finally sacked you then? Yep. TOM

NANCY Cant say Im surprised.

16

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

7. 16

TOM Thanks sis. NANCY Lets face it Tom, itd had been in the post - theres only so long you can behave like a prick before people get tired of it. He smiles, loves his sisters unsentimental manner. hands him the whisky. NANCY (CONT'D) So what we talking? Flying visit? Hiding from the shitstorm? Or has your guilty conscience finally got the better of you TOM Just fancied being somewhere as crappy as I feel NANCY You picked the right place then. He necks it in one gulp. Hands the glass back to her. She

TOM Any chance of a drink this time. She eyes him with derision. TOM (CONT'D) Occupational hazard. Or it was. NANCY just stares at him. TOM (CONT'D) Im finished. NANCY Some other magazinell have you, theres always a need for vacuous celebrity journalism. TOM (shakes head, solemn) They close the door on you. Ive seen it happen to other people Self pity. emotion NANCY Such an attractive

He crosses the kitchen and slowly, thoughtfully, refills his own glass. Hold the look between them. Theres a lot of history in that one look.
(CONTINUED)

16

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

8. 16

TOM How are you? NANCY Fantastic. Top of the world. Life just couldnt get peachier. She motions to all the domestic crap that surrounds her in an ironic fashion An anger bursts from her NANCY (CONT'D) Ive needed your help, your advice, your bloody money, but none of it was ever forthcoming TOM Im sorry, okay. NANCY But thats alright, you had your big exciting career. Doesnt matter that you only remembered one birthday in three, that you only returned one call in three, you were off, being important... They stare at each other. TOM You know why I left. NANCY Yes, and you left me with him. TOM You could have gone. NANCY Gone where? I was sixteen Hold the look between them. NANCY (CONT'D) I had to bully you to come to your own grandmas funeral TOM Because I didnt wanna see him. NANCY What - and now suddenly you do. (points upstairs) Well, go on then, you know where he is, youd better go and talk to him (CONTINUED)

16

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (3)

9. 16

She leaves. 17

TOM necks his drink with palpable fear. 17

EXT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM pads the stairs, nervously. He walks along the landing, where - ahead of him - he sees the door to the study slightly open, he walks towards it. Then stops. And we flashback, for the briefest moment to: THE MOST TERRIBLE BEATING. GROWN MAN laying in with fists as a TEENAGER huddles protectively on the floor. End flashback. TOM edges forward. peers inside. Very carefully, very quietly. He

The study is packed with FILES and BOOKS and BINDERS. SAMUEL RONSTADT - late 60s, a once large man now somewhat reduced in physical presence, stands with his back to us, rifling - in a flurry of activity - through various BOXFILES and PADS and BINDERS. He mutters to himself, a stream of sentences which seem to have a purpose but which dont go anywhere. TOM watches from the doorway. Hold on his face. *

SAMUEL ...where is it? Wendy? Im looking for the Sanderson! Why havent... For heavens sake, why cant we have a decent filing system in here. Wendy? WENDY! He turns around - as if looking for Wendy and comes face to face with TOM. SAMUEL stops dead in his tracks. SAMUEL (CONT'D) Wheres Wendy? TOM stares at his father - who is in the grip of Alzheimers - he looks physically okay but theres an intensity to his facial expression. TOM doesnt know what to say. TOM Shes gone. Gone? gone? SAMUEL Gone where? Wheres she *

TOM is suddenly lost for words.

17

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

10. 17

TOM ...just gone. SAMUEL Well, get her back. SAMUEL turns and starts faffing through the files again, repeating exactly what he was doing before. TOM stares for a long time, then, croaks. Dad. SAMUEL ignores him. TOM (CONT'D) (louder) TOM

Dad. Still nothing.

TOM (CONT'D) Dad, its Tom. Your son, Tom. Suddenly SAMUEL stops, turns and smiles. Tom? Tom? SAMUEL TOM!

And bizarrely, SAMUEL bounds over to him and throws his arms around him. Hugs him tightly. SAMUEL (CONT'D) Good to see you, great to see you Tom. Thanks so much for coming. How was your journey? TOM (confused) Fine, yeh, no problem. They come out of the hug. SAMUEL Wheres Wendy? TOM Wendy isnt here, dad. SAMUEL Where is she? TOM Shes gone. Gone? SAMUEL Gone where?
(CONTINUED)

17

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

11. 17

TOM just stares at his father. TOM (with sadness) ...just gone. Wendy! SAMUEL WENDY.

SAMUEL goes off shouting her again. TOM can see that his father has no idea who he is right now. TOM turns to find NANCY standing in the doorway, they lock eyes. 18 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. TOMS OLD ROOM -- NIGHT TOM and NANCY head towards Toms old room carrying pillows and freshly laundered bedding. TOM You didnt tell me he had imaginary friends NANCY (regards him with irritation) I stopped telling you anything, because I could tell you werent interested. They enter the room. NANCY - almost by force of habit - starts making his bed. TOM takes in his old bedroom. NANCY (CONT'D) This last couple of years hes gone downhill fast - memory, coordination, its like hes not really him anymore. TOM Same wallpaper. What? NANCY 18

TOM In here. Its the same wallpaper. Whats happened to my posters? NANCY Your posters? TOM Huge ones - Picasso, Klimt artistic nudes.
(CONTINUED)

18

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

12. 18

NANCY He burned them, burned everything. TOM Burned them? NANCY He was real fun to live with after you walked out TOM (almost in disbelief) He burned them. NANCY Im sure you can find some naked woman on the internet if youre really that desperate NANCY just continues what shes doing. TOM looks around the bare room that was his bedroom for so long TOM She was his secretary right back in the day NANCY Wendy? Fifteen years. When he was deputy on the Evening News. Before it all went tits up TOM And where is she now? NANCY No one knows. One day she just quit, walked out. TOM Hardly surprising. Waiting on his every whim. NANCY (wry) Yeah, whod want that job TOM Does she never ring, visit NANCY Not so much as a Christmas card. Fifteen years running his life, then goes completely off radar. TOM puzzling on that, seems very strange. NANCY dumps the duvet cover with attitude, makes to leave.
(CONTINUED)

18

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

13. 18

NANCY (CONT'D) He quite often screams in the night, dont worry hes not in pain, well, not physical. And if you hear him clattering around, hes probably sleepwalking - my adviced be stay put. Nancy She stops, turns. TOM (CONT'D) He has good days, right? I mean, hes not like that all the time NANCY That is a good day. She leaves. We stay with TOM. All this is far too much like real life for him. Hes terrified. 19 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. TOMS OLD ROOM -- NIGHT TOM lying in bed, awake, smoking. Thinking. room that was once his childhood bedroom. 20 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT This empty 19 TOM

20

TOM, in boxers and T-shirt, pads into the living room. He eyes the dated decor, glances at the photos which adorn the wall. Finds one of his father and his MOTHER. They are smiling, to all intents and purposes a happy couple. TOM goes close, examines her face. The mother he adored. 21 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. LANDING -- NIGHT TOM pads along the landing and stops at the door of 22 SAMS OFFICE Theres trepidation. This office means something. flashback to: And we 22 21

Twenty years ago. Younger TOM (17) standing hidden on the landing outside his fathers office. Voices are raised inside - we dont hear exactly what - a man and a woman yelling at each other... Then suddenly the woman - WENDY, his secretary, late 30s, plain - comes storming out, TOM affects nonchalance and she strides past and away.
(CONTINUED)

22

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

14. 22

TOM passes the office door, which is ajar, and sees his father sliding a LARGE FILE back into a high shelf. End flash. TOM stares at that same office door, he reaches for the handle and slowly, perhaps nervously, enters. Its dark, illuminated only by street light. He stands in the doorway, just staring at the shelves. He flicks the light on. He eyes the rows and rows of FILES AND PAPERS. Flashback: Different night. Younger TOM creeps into the study, starts looking around at things. TOMs face as he remembers this past event. memory and cuts like an old wound. Its a painful Delving

Flashback: YOUNGER TOM starts opening up a file. through. Then... he finds something. PHOTOGRAPHY NEGATIVES.

Theres a name written on the negatives in bold lettering:

METZLER.
They fall to the floor and TOM reach down to pick them up, but as he does so he drops the file and the entire contents skid out. Shit! As he swoops to collect them he hears a noise, looks up, scared SAMUEL (IN FLASHBACK) What the fuck d you think youre doing? TOM (manages to squeak) Whos Metzler? And we hard cut to TOM switching out the light. Slamming the door closed. WE stay on TOMs face. Memory still haunts him. 23 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. LANDING -- NIGHT TOM - fully clothed - heads for the front door, escaping, he peeps it open, and as quietly as he can, leaves. 24 EXT. TOMS CAR -- NIGHT Overnight bag tossed into boot.
(CONTINUED)

23

24

* *

24

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

15. 24

Engine started, acceleration, away. Music kicks in - U2 Ultraviolet... 25 EXT. MOTORWAY -- NIGHT ...and runs over TOMs CAR firing along the motorway, he has no idea where hes going. He just wants out. His mobile rings. ditches the call. 26 He checks the display: NANCY. Guilt-ridden. He 25

* * * * *

EXT. SERVICE STATION -- NIGHT Deserted service station. TOM exits with a coffee and paper. He dodges a late night wagon NANCY (V.O.) (her message plays) ...you coward. Thats right - run away. Crawl back to your pathetic little life. JUMP TO: TOM sitting in his car, drinking the coffee and perusing the tabloid. Mobile plays a message on loudspeaker... NANCY (V.O.) (CONT'D) You wanna know about the bad days Tom? The days where he doesnt wash, doesnt shave. The days where he spits his tablets down the toilet and I have to fish them out by hand. Or how about the incontinence days or the days where he stays in bed and refuses to move. Then theres the mood swings days, the aggression days, the hallucinations, the uncontrollable tears and the way that sometimes you get glimpses, just glimpses of the old dad and then its gone in an instant... TOMs face, makes a decision.

26

27

EXT. TOMS CAR -- NIGHT TOM driving back towards town.

27

(CONTINUED)

27

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

16. 27

NANCY (V.O.) ...so go this time Tom and I promise youll never see him again. I will let him DIE, I will put him in the ground and WILL NOT ring you. 28 EXT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM walks up the path to Samuels house. NANCY opens the door. Neither say anything, they dont need to. TOM heads inside. 29 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM and NANCY sitting with drinks, low music playing. NANCY So what happened? TOM I screwed up. NANCY Women, drugs, writing? TOM All of the above. He smiles. But then it quickly fades. Hes not a confessional kind of guy but he needs this outlet TOM (CONT'D) I imploded. Wasnt in control anymore. It was like... I was seeing how much I could get away with, like I was invincible. As he talks, in visuals we see Flashback: TOM striding through the offices of Behaviour magazine, like the cock of the walk, he looks terrible. TOM (CONT'D) Then one day I walk into the office, hangover, come down, you name it, and theres three lawyers waiting for me. We see the YOUNG FRIGHTENINGLY EFFICIENT LOOKING LAWYERS in the EDITORs OFFICE, awaiting his arrival. TOM (CONT'D) ...like a lynch mob.
(CONTINUED)

28

29

* * * * * * * * * * * *

29

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

17. 29

On TOM, heart sinking. Back ON TOM and NANCY. TOM (CONT'D) Theyd given me enough rope to hang myself. Why? NANCY

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 30 * * * *
(CONTINUED)

TOM I was writing about crap. But not even benign crap, malicious stuff - secret abortions, shameful pasts, the juicer the better. He introverts more... TOM (CONT'D) Thats not journalism. Not the sort he used to do (motions upstairs - dad) Not the sort I wanted to do NANCY acknowledges that. Plus... TOM (CONT'D)

NANCY There had to be a plus - what was her name TOM Jane. She was kind of... married to the boss. NANCY raises an eyebrow. TOM (CONT'D) What can I say, she was hot NANCY smiles. TOM (CONT'D) Didnt think he knew. But he was bidding his time, waiting for the right moment to swing the axe 30 INT. BEHAVIOUR MAGAZINE -- DAY [FLASHBACK] Lift doors open. TOM exits. This is the fifth floor and something about it says official. He walks towards

30

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

18. 30

The big powerful office of a big powerful media exec. TOM sits waiting in the outer office. He manages a small smile at the purse lipped PA. TOM Hes expecting me. 31 INT. DENVERS OFFICE -- DAY [FLASHBACK] TOM takes a seat opposite a huge man, DENVER BROWN. TOM Look, Denver DENVER raises a hand to stop him. DENVER Theyre baying for blood. want you destroyed. Who does? TOM They 31

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

DENVER (relishing this) The industry. All the people youve screwed over. We had scores of calls already agencies, advertisers, public relations - people saying they wont deal with us til your heads on a plate TOM It was a genuine mistake. DENVER throws a mug at him. It hurts.

DENVER (yells, with genuine bile) You got it wrong! You picked the wrong person! Why dont you have the decency to fucking admit it! DENVER gives TOM a look that says youre a piece of shit on my shoe. Then suddenly smiles, professional again. DENVER (CONT'D) You can see my situation. TOM Youre hanging me out to dry. DENVER Youve hung yourself.

Exile

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

19.

32

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- CONTINOUS Back with TOM and NANCY. TOM (stares into his drink) Washed up embittered hack - like father like son. Flash of TOM hitting JANE from the start of the ep. TOM (CONT'D) Maybe Im more like him than I ever realised. NANCY just stares at him, her mind thoughtful.

32

* * * * * * * * * * *

33

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. TOMS OLD ROOM -- DAY Morning. TOM wakes up in his old room, rubs his face.

33

34

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. SHOWER -- DAY TOM taking a blissful shower.

34

35

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. BATHROOM -- DAY TOM does a blissful line of coke. The last of his stash.

35 * 36

36

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. STAIRS -- DAY TOM comes downstairs towelling his hair dry, only to find NANCY heading out with an OVERNIGHT BAG. TOM Going somewhere? NANCY Two weeks in the Seychelles. TOM (laughs) Have fun. NANCY Think Im joking? She heads out, TOM follows. NANCY (CONT'D) Im going to drink wine, lie by the pool and have sex with the first man who offers -

(CONTINUED)

36

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

20. 36

TOM Nancy, look, youre pissed off I left, I understand that, but She zaps the central locking on his car. TOM (CONT'D) Whyve you got my car keys? NANCY Because Im taking your car. TOM To the Seychelles? You might need to check the oil She throws her overnight bag inside. TOM (CONT'D) Wheres your car? NANCY I cant afford one - tax, insurance, MOT. How far do you think part-time money stretches, Tom? She hops in his car. He moves round to the drivers side. TOM Nancy! Come on, where you going? Holiday. Where? NANCY TOM

NANCY Somewhere out of mobile range. Itll be good for you. Think of it as therapy She starts the engine, revs it hard and smiles. feel of it. TOM Okay, youve made your point. NANCY Have I? (revs the engine again) TOM Loud and clear. Likes the

(CONTINUED)

36

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

21. 36

NANCY Great. Theres instructions on the kitchen table She puts her foot down and screams off down the street. TOM just stands there watching her go. 37 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- DAY 37

TOM walks back into the kitchen, he looks at the NOTE she has left for him. Flicks through, pages of the stuff. TOM sighs heavily. Behind him, SAMUEL enters, wearing only socks. Morning. SAMUEL

He nods at TOM with a casualness that would suggest TOM has been there everyday for the last 20 years. 38 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- DAY N.B. Samuels room is a safe haven - it has photos and items of familiarity specifically placed. TOM trying to help SAMUEL dress. But as TOM puts the clothes on SAMUEL pulls them off again. TOM Fucks sake. 39 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- DAY TOM watching - trying not to - as SAMUEL takes a shit. He fingers the toilet roll, dreading what he has to do next. 40 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. GARAGE -- DAY Garage. SAMUEL (half dressed) is searching for a screwdriver in the garage toolboxes. TOM stands beside. TOM Why do you need a screwdriver? SAMUEL To fix the shelves. TOM Which shelves? SAMUEL The broken ones.
(CONTINUED)

38 * *

39

40

40

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

22. 40

Where?

TOM

SAMUEL Conservatory. TOM Which conservatory? SAMUEL My conservatory. TOM You havent got an conservatory. Aha! He finds a CHISEL. SAMUEL Sets off away.

TOM Thats a chisel. SAMUEL Screwdriver. Chisel. TOM

SAMUEL Screwdriver. TOM Its a friggin chisel. SAMUEL turns back, utterly certain. SAMUEL Screwdriver. He dashes out. 41 TOM bugged, watches him go 41

EXT. BACK GARDEN -- DAY TOM exits to find SAMUEL just standing there, chisel in hand, looking bewildered at the garden. TOM Dad... Dad... He realises his father is shaking. As he reaches him, TOM sees the total confusion on his fathers face. SAMUEL Wheres it gone?

(CONTINUED)

41

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

23. 41

TOM It was on your mums house. The conservatory was on grans house. More confusion. SAMUEL looks at the chisel in his hand and suddenly throws it full tilt at the imaginary conservatory. It SMASHES through the back window. TOM exhales, startled by the violence of this outburst. 42 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT SAMUEL plays the piano, his fingers move across the keys with grace. Of all the things he cant do anymore, this is one he can - he plays beautifully. TOM stands close, watches, examining the father he no longer recognises. 43 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. KITCHEN -- NIGHT TOM trying to cook, burning things. Hes hopeless at this and his task isnt helped by the combination locks on all the kitchen cupboards. He despairs... 44 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. DINING ROOM -- NIGHT TOM and SAMUEL eat bought in pizza. SAMUEL eyes his son suspiciously throughout. Eventually... SAMUEL Isnt it time you cut your hair! 45 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM trying to get SAMUEL into bed. Theres an unholy struggle and the two of them almost end up on the floor. TOM Lie down, lie down. SAMUEL springs to his feet. TOM (CONT'D) Its bedtime. Dad! More struggle. SAMUEL blows raspberries. 45 44 43 * * * * * 42

TOM (CONT'D) Nancy says you go to bed at ten, if you dont go to bed at ten, you get cranky and WHACK!
(CONTINUED)

45

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

24. 45

SAMUEL slaps TOM clean across the face. stand staring at each other Flashback to

Shocked, the two

More detail of the flashback we saw earlier... SAMUEL - twenty years ago - laying into a cowering 18 year old TOM. He hits and hits and hits. Horrific violence. End flashback. They are still staring at each other. TOM (CONT'D) Nothing changes. TOM makes to leave. SAMUEL I want Nancy! TOM Dont we all! SAMUEL follows TOM out and yells SAMUEL You useless little shit! TOM bounds back with an aggression that seems like he could murder his father. SAMUEL retreats, but TOM grabs him and in one movement, pins him to the bed. TOM Me useless. Youre the one who cant wipe his own arse. Trust you, trust you to get this. Cant have cancer or heart disease, something quick, no, you have to really make us suffer (really yells at him) You selfish old twat. TOM suddenly stops as he sees the terrified face of his father beneath him. He flees the room. 46 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT 46

TOM kicking the landing wall in sheer frustration. He slumps to the floor, spent. From his position on the floor he can see the slightly open door of SAMUELS OFFICE He stares at it and FLASHBACK TO
(CONTINUED)

46

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

25. 46

TOM, as a teenager, peering through the crack in the slightly open door, fascinated/concerned by what he sees: REVERSE ANGLE: SAMUEL looking through a FILE, his face starting to buckle and contort. The contents of the file clearly very upsetting. He suddenly slams it closed. TOM scarpers without being seen. End flashback.

TOM, still sitting on the floor, reacts to the memory of his fathers tears. Its a disturbing image. 47 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. SAMS ROOM -- NIGHT SAMUEL, asleep now, passed out, exhausted. We find TOM staring at him. Just looking at his father. The man that gave life to him. now - almost a stranger. 48 EXT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT The man that hurt him. And 47

48

TOM exits the house, closes the door and heads off down the street, escaping again. But this time, by foot, locally. 49 EXT. BACUP -- NIGHT TOM walks the streets of the town he grew up in. Its no longer a place he recognises. The place - which once had an elegance - is now shuttered down, grey and lifeless. The only signs of life are chippies and pubs. Youths hang around in clusters, all white, all aimless. TOM, couldnt care less, he walks through the middle of a small group of testosterone filled lads. Excuse me. Puff. TOM just smiles. Oy! TOM LAD 1 He walks on, then stops, turns. 49

TOM Reprobates.

They all stare at him, eyes that could kill. TOM (CONT'D) (big bold, couldnt give a shit smile) (MORE)
(CONTINUED)

49

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

26. 49

TOM (CONT'D) Dont know who sells decent coke round here, do you?

50

EXT. BACUP. ALLEY -- NIGHT Seedy transaction.

50

TOM digging a TWENTY out of his wallet He offers the money to the DEALER YOUTH, who hands him a bag of coke. But as TOM goes to take it, DEALER YOUTH punches him in the stomach and legs it with the coke and the cash. TOM bent double in pain, yells TOM Whats this - rehab! 51 EXT/INT. THE FRIENDSHIP -- NIGHT 51

The Friendship pub. TOM still in pain, enters. As he does so, he encounters TWO MEN YELLING INTO EACH OTHERS FACES. Theyre seconds from extreme violence. TOM sidesteps them, with a wry look. He enters. Its

TOM heads to the bar. He looks round the place. clearly changed a lot since he was last here. But its still a dump.

Its the antithesis of the kind of London drinkerys TOM has got used to. A few locals cast him vague recognition looks, but none really care that much. TOM eyes the arse of the thirtysomething ginger barmaid, MANDY, as she refills the bottle coolers. Shes seen better days but she is still in good shape. As she rises, she clocks him looking. TOM Pint of lager, whisky chaser. Actually, make it a double. (offers conciliatory smile) And whatever youre having. She gives him a tight smile. Starts pulling the pint. looks around, and by way of conversation... TOM (CONT'D) Busy for a Thursday. She just stares at him.
(CONTINUED)

TOM

51

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

27. 51

TOM (CONT'D) Suppose people drink more in a recession She just stares at him. TOM (CONT'D) Why do pubs always have TV on? Sport fine, but whats that Holby City? With no sound. And three of them are watching it. She just stares at him. Puts pint down.

BARMAID Four ninety. TOM (impressed with cheapness) No wonder the place is full. As TOM delves in his wallet for a note, she eyes him carefully, as if mentally assessing something. 52 LATER TOM feeding coins into the jukebox. He flips through the various albums as the BARMAID sweeps past collecting glasses. She stares at him, until he turns to face her. MANDY I recognise you. TOM Dont think so, Im a truck driver, just passing through MANDY We were at school together. He stops, looks at her properly. No recognition. 52

MANDY (CONT'D) Mandy Craven. Right. TOM

MANDY You shagged my sister. TOM dredges the memory banks. Right. TOM And your sister is?
(CONTINUED)

52

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

28. 52

Tara. Right. nice.

MANDY TOM Tara Craven.

She was

MANDY You dont remember her, do you? TOM Not really. Was she He motions her hair colour. What? MANDY

TOM You know, auburn. Ginger? Yes. Yes. Right. MANDY stares at him. MANDY You dumped her for that slapper Sarah Maguire. TOM (remembers her with glee) Sarah Maguire! MANDY Shes dead now. Overdose. Tara? Sarah. TOM MANDY MANDY TOM MANDY TOM

TOM Really, what - Heroin?

(CONTINUED)

52

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

29. 52

MANDY Domestos. She had some weird OCD kind of deal TOM Ironic, given what a dirty cow she was TOM drinks and ponders that. TOM (CONT'D) Hows Tara? MANDY Fine, married to an accountant, she lives in Hartlepool. TOM Suppose someone has to. He smiles. MANDYs face cracks. between them, we hard cut to: 53 INT. MANDYS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM and MANDY kissing on the couch of Mandys house. TOM cant get into it though, because in his eyeline is a FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH. Mandy, with a bloke and two kids. And as we hold the look

53

TOM eyes the blokes face, recognises him. She turns up the volume, starts going for his belt. tries pulling out of the kiss. TOM Mandy, Mandy... MANDY (doesnt stop) Im on the pill. TOM (still eyeing that photo) No, no, Mandy. MANDY (pissed off at interruption) Stop talking. And she pulls her top off to reveal a fantastic pair of tits, bursting out of a sexy bra. TOM decides this is no time for chit chat. TOM

Exile

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

30.

54

INT. MANDYS HOUSE -- MORNING TOM naked, peels himself out of bed. to him. He dresses. MANDY is asleep next JUMP TO: TOM sneaking out of the bedroom. As he does so he notices the door to a childs bedroom ajar. Curiosity gets the better of him, he peers inside. Theres a BUNKBED with a child - maybe eight - in the top bunk and an older child - twelve - in the bottom. He stares at them a beat. Then leaves.

54

TOM (V.O.) Im starting to think I havent asked enough questions. 55 EXT. BACUP -- DAY TOM walking through the town as it starts to open up for business. Shutters coming up. TOM (V.O.) Like what the hell Im doing back here after all this time. He passes a man sleeping rough on a bench. TOM (V.O.) (CONT'D) Why this was the only place that felt safe 56 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- DAY TOM sits talking to SAMUEL as he silently shovels cereal into his mouth, joylessly eating. TOM And why I needed to see you again... TOM stares at his father, who isnt listening. TOM (CONT'D) It feels like you caused all this mess. Like in some weird, twisted way, you made all this happen. So Id end up back here, sitting with you, staring at you (heavy pause) - if I can understand why you were such a screw up, maybe I can understand why I am.
(CONTINUED)

55

56

56

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

31. 56

SAMUEL stops chewing, has that insult penetrated his skull? No, he opens his mouth and spits the cereal out. 57 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM helping SAMUEL onto the toilet. 58 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM blending food. Preparing Sams medication (as per Nancys instructions). 59 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. STUDY -- DAY SAMUEL in his study doing his wheres Wendy? routine again as he ploughs through files. TOM watches on, bemused, irritated. But also, upset. closes his eyes, to blink away emotion and we: Flashback to THAT SAME OFFICE. Years Ago. SAMUEL, a younger man - in his prime - is typing a story at a typewriter, he is really pounding it, like a proper journo. A YOUNGER TOM watches him from the doorway, admiring his father, the writer - his passion, his ability. Then his dad notices he is there, turns and gives him the most amazing smile. LOVE. He motions his son over. YOUNGER TOM goes and sits with him, sharing his chair, squashed up but loving being with his dad. YOUNG TOM How can you type so fast? YOUNGER SAMUEL Forty words a minute. YOUNG TOM What you writing? YOUNGER SAMUEL Expose. Someones done something wrong - were telling the world all about them... He winks. YOUNG TOM loves that idea, and watches with admiration as his father goes back to typing. End flashback
(CONTINUED)

57

58 * * 59

He

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

59

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

32. 59

BACK ON: TOM standing in that same position, watching his Alzheimers ridden father. With heavy heart. 60 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT PHOTO ALBUM - snapshots of the past. We focus on one particular image - SAMUEL, his wife Edith, and a younger TOM and NANCY all huddled together on a hillside posing. SAMUEL sits in bed, TOM beside him. TOM Remember that holiday? Nothing from Sam. TOM (CONT'D) Abersoch. We stayed in that posh hotel, what was it called? Nothing from Sam. TOM (CONT'D) Its the holiday that always stays with me, probably rose tinted but it feels like we were actually... TOM searches for the right word. TOM (CONT'D) (it chokes him a bit) Happy. Nothing from Sam. TOM (CONT'D) No rows, no tension. None of your outbursts. Silence. TOM (CONT'D) What changed, dad? We were happy? Werent we? Then it all fell apart... TOMs pushing it here, trying to get a reaction. TOM (CONT'D) Whats my name? Nothing from Sam. TOM (CONT'D) Tom. Thomas Martin. And thats Nancy. Nancy Jennifer.
(CONTINUED)

* * 60

He taps the image.

* He fails.

60

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

33. 60

He nods.

He knows Nancy. TOM (CONT'D) Were your family. FAMILY.

SAMUEL slowly nods, thoughtful. TOM looks back at the faces before him, a lost innocence. TOM (CONT'D) (almost to himself) What happened to us SAMUEL Bayside Lodge. What TOM

SAMUEL The hotel. Terrible service. And they had a bloody great peacock in the beer garden... TOM looks at his father, affected by this bizarre fragmentation of his memory banks. 61 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT Back window boarded up from where Samuel smashed it. TOM sitting alone drinking. Deep in thought. He picks up the phone and dials. Its answered by machine. TOM Nancy, wherever youre hiding, come back - Im gonna stay okay. Ill help out with him. You can have nights off, get laid, whatever it is youre missing. Just please, come back 62 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- DAY Morning. TOM gets out of bed, he opens the curtains and sees HIS FLASHY CAR parked outside the house. He smiles. 63 INT. SUPERMARKET -- DAY TOM and NANCY doing the weekly shop together. 63 62 61

(CONTINUED)

63

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

34. 63

NANCY Were in the shit financially, theres bills beyond red, respite care debts - envelopes I dont even wanna look at (to a shopworker) Hi Mary. MARY, a Downs Syndrome woman, in store uniform, waves back. This woman is Toms age and will crop up in later episodes. TOM Did he not have any savings Spent. How? NANCY TOM

NANCY You tell me. Pension? TOM

NANCY Tiny, only just covers the household stuff. TOM sighs, didnt realise the extent... NANCY (CONT'D) So if were gonna do this, we do it properly, right, cash in the pot, which means no more spunking it on drugs He starts a heartfelt denial. NANCY (CONT'D) (cuts him straight off) Ive stayed at your flat. I could go out for a weekend on whats left on the cistern TOM (no point denying) Fine. NANCY And if youre gonna hit the spirits the way you have been youre gonna have to find a cheaper brand She smiles. Heads away. As she does so, TOM catches sight of someone - a bloke in his thirties, bit lardy. (CONTINUED)

63

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

35. 63

Shit!

TOM

He quickly, hastily, dodges out of the way. He flings himself behind a LARGE STOCKING TROLLEY. Crouches down. He peers round, seeing if lardy bloke has gone, he hasnt. YOUNG SPOTTY SHOP ASSISTANT appears next to trolley, stares at TOM with a confused expression. SPOTTY ASSISTANT You alright down there? Fine. TOM Just ignore me.

ASSISTANT stares at him. SPOTTY ASSISTANT You lost something? TOM No. Im hiding. Just get on with what youre doing. SPOTTY ASSISTANT You cant sit there, Im afraid. Why not? TOM

SPOTTY ASSISTANT Health and safety. TOM (deeply bugged) Its a floor, what do you thinks going to happen SPOTTY ASSISTANT Something might fall on you. TOM Were in the cereal aisle. TOM peers around the trolley, lardy is still there. SPOTTY ASSISTANT Ill have to ask you to move. TOM stares at him. TOM Do you get laid much?

(CONTINUED)

63

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (3)

36. 63

SPOTTY ASSISTANT (affronted) Im sorry. TOM Im guessing not, with the acne. And the terrible haircut. But when you do, all this tension youve got will just disappear They stare at each other. SPOTTY ASSISTANT Im calling the supervisor. (yells across store) Brendan. Brendan. This mans on the floor, refusing to move SPOTTY ASSISTANT grabs his trolley and pushes it towards Brendan leaving TOM completely exposed. LARDY turns. Tom! Mickey! BLOKE (MIKE) TOM

TOM rises to his feet as if he was never behind the trolley. Acts natural And we now realise that Mickey is the bloke he saw on the family photo in Mandys house - her husband. MIKE Oh my God. Tom Ronstadt. live and breathe TOM Mickey Eldridge. MIKE Look at you TOM Look at you! Mental Mickey MIKE Yeh, its Mike these days. me a man hug Give TOM reacts As I

Look at you -

MIKE grabs TOM and pulls him in for a squeeze. as the air is pushed from his lungs. MIKE (CONT'D) (as they part) What you doing back here?

(CONTINUED)

63

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (4)

37. 63

TOM Oh, you know - family visit, break from London. MIKE (points with two fingers) Behaviour magazine. Associate editor no less. Ive Googled you a few times, kept track of your career - tried getting you on Facebook - you not on that? No. TOM

MIKE You should. Its a laugh. And Twitter, Im into it all, me. Just for fun, Im not a geek. Well, maybe... a bit. They smile at each other. TOM So... hows life? MIKE Great, great. Bit softer round the middle, too many nice dinners, but otherwise good. Youve kept yourself trim TOM Spend a lot of time running away from people. MIKE laughs. Married? MIKE

TOM Does it look like it. You? MIKE Guilty, couple of kiddies. TOM Great, whos the lucky woman? MIKE (does huge tits gesture) Mandy Craven. Well, Eldridge now of course. Wow. TOM Well done.
(CONTINUED)

63

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (5)

38. 63

MIKE You remember her? TOM Yeh, a bit, I had her sister. MIKE (whacks him playfully) Lucky bastard. They laugh. MIKE (CONT'D) Shes in Hartlepool now. Really? TOM

MIKE Well, someone has to. They laugh again. Small awkward pause.

MIKE (CONT'D) We should have a drink. TOM Definitely. MIKE No, Tom, not like that - not someday, maybe, never. We should have a drink - proper catch up. TOM nods, thinking how can I get out of this? MIKE (CONT'D) What you doing tonight? 64 INT. THE FRIENDSHIP -- NIGHT TOM and MIKE - a few drinks in - are back in the Friendship. In the b/g MANDY is serving behind the bar. MIKE ...assistant to the Chief Executive. His deputy in all but title - rose up from planning he confides in me, asks my opinion, last year he took me on an all expenses paid trip to Barcelona - first class travel, five star hotel, the works. TOM Sounds like youre doing well for yourself.
(CONTINUED)

64

64

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

39. 64

MIKE Cant complain. But we should sense that this is all bravado, hes a man who is deeply disappointed with his life. TOM glances across at MANDY serving. TOM Same again? MIKE waggles his long slim glass. TOM (CONT'D) (slightly amused) White wine Spritzer? MIKE Im on the slim fast. If I drink beer Ill be starving. TOM heads to the bar. Where he stands next to an old bloke watching QVC on the mute TV. TOM Enjoying that? OLD BLOKE Its just on, innit. TOM despairs. MANDY appears. He proffers a big open smile. TOM Lager for me and a spritzer for the lady. MANDY (speaks sotto) Look, he works away TOM I dont need the justification. You wanted it, you got it. MANDY (attack being best form of defense) Think he doesnt do stuff on his trips abroad TOM Im not your marriage councillor. TOM looks across at MIKE who drinks and contemplates. MANDY Youre not gonna tell him, are you?
(CONTINUED)

64

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

40. 64

TOM Do I look insane? He looks at her, theres a secret smile between them. Actually some proper attraction here, which surprises TOM. MANDY Its crap between us. Together for the kids cliche cliche. I just wanted to be someone else for a night TOM nods, gets that. As she places the pints down, she surreptitiously strokes his hand. MANDY (CONT'D) Five eighty. TOM secretly returns the finger stroke, then glances at the OLD BLOKE who has seen this. He motions to him, nose. TOM and MANDY laugh. 65 MIKE is completely oblivious. 65

EXT. BACUP TOWN CENTRE -- NIGHT Post-pub. TOM and MIKE walk the streets with chips. MIKE (stuffing his fat face) Funny where life leads you isnt it, paths you take, choices you make - Id say we were equals at school, intelligence wise, grades an all that, wouldnt you TOM In your dreams. They laugh. MIKE And yet you became the high flyer, off to London, making a fortune (a real bitterness emerging now) - women, cash, the odd line of snort I wouldnt be surprised... TOM is non-committal. MIKE (CONT'D) And what did I do, stayed in this place, settled down -

(CONTINUED)

65

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

41. 65

TOM Youve got a wife and kids, steady job MIKE I took the sensible path TOM Dont knock it. The high lifes not all its cracked up to be They eat and walk a moment. MIKE Can I tell you something? TOM Unless it involves cross dressing. MIKE I was jealous of you... He lets that hang a moment, then follows up with MIKE (CONT'D) ...every time I saw your name on a byline, Id think, that could have been me - I could have been doing that, and I hated you for it. Because lifes not about talent, its about chutzpah, its about being the one to get off his fat arse and go and make something of himself. And you did, and I stayed here. TOM But now Im back. Tail between legs. Nowhere else to go. So whos the bigger screw up? TOM ditches his chip wrappings. MIKE Sorry about your dad. TOM Yeh, well, life sucks. MIKE Its a terrible disease. They watch a BLOKE ON CRUTCHES try to do a runner from the chippy, he pursued by THE OWNER. Silence falls.

(CONTINUED)

65

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

42. 65

MIKE (CONT'D) He was a great bloke, great journalist. Campaigner. It must be hard to see him like that TOM stares at him. TOM Can I tell you something? MIKE As long as it doesnt involve bestiality TOM smiles. TOM I only left because he beat me half to death one night. Your dad? MIKE

TOM (nods) The great bloke. Off Mikes surprised face, having to reassess. TOM (CONT'D) Things changed. Home was awful. He went moody, uncommunicative. Wed walk on eggshells in case he exploded. You wouldnt see it, because the world got the other Sam - the one with the wit and the banter. MIKE (reeling) He used to beat you TOM No, it was just this one time. But it was pretty savage ...why? MIKE

TOM Thats the question Ive been asking for the last eighteen years. 66 INT. MANDYS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT 66

WHISKY gets poured - ample measures - into two glasses. (CONTINUED)

66

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

43. 66

TOM and MIKE sit on the same couch where Tom got off with Mandy. Theyre both pretty oiled by now. TOM ...he was always possessive of his study - said it was full of sensitive journo stuff, so, cause I wanted to be like him, I started to wonder what sort of juice he kept in there... Flashback to the scene we saw earlier: Younger TOM creeps into the study, starts looking around at things. TOM (V.O.) (CONT'D) One night, after a few toots, I just thought fuck it, went in, started nosing around... most of it was pretty dull to be honest, Lancashire news, bits of county court stuff, but then I came across this file... YOUNGER TOM starts opening the file. TOM (CONT'D) There was something about it, the way it was positioned, the way it had three elastic bands wrapped round it... it was enticing. YOUNGER TOMs face drops, perplexed. TOM (CONT'D) Inside there was reams of paper, printouts, research, all kinds of guff, too much to get through. Id just started skim reading it when these negatives fall out In flashback we see the PHOTOGRAPHY NEGATIVES fall to the floor and TOM reach down to pick them up, but as he does so he drops the file and the contents skid out. Shit. TOM (IN FLASHBACK) (CONT'D)

TOM (CONT'D) I lean down to get them and the whole file goes over. So there I am clearing it up when suddenly theres this noise behind me. I turn around and there he is. SAMUEL stares down at the YOUNGER TOM.

(CONTINUED)

66

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

44. 66

TOM (CONT'D) Ill remember it for the rest of my life, he charges over, fists already clenched and yells SAMUEL (IN FLASHBACK) What the fuck d you think youre doing? TOM I had no answer. Not even a feeble lie... TOM looks up terrified, manages to squeak the words. TOM (IN FLASHBACK) (CONT'D) Whos Metzler? TOM (CONT'D) And thats when he lost it. The Savage Beating. Then stop. Fists and feet, anger and screams.

Back on TOMs face, still pained by the memory. TOM (CONT'D) It was like something snapped... MIKE What do you think was in there? What didnt he want you to see?

TOM cant answer.

They stare at each other.

MIKE (CONT'D) Did you never ask him? TOM (shakes head) I left as soon as could, walked out, never went back MIKE (exhales) Wow TOM Being homes brought it all back. I look at him and Im there again. That fucking study, cowering. And I wanna ask him why, what was it... but the guy cant even put his shoes on the right feet TOM drinks, nursing real internal pain.
(CONTINUED)

66

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (3)

45. 66

MIKE ...and you didnt ever look at the negatives? TOM shakes his head. TOM All I can remember is this name... scrawled in the corner with Tipp Exe. Metzler. Flashback to TOM looking at the name written on the negatives in bold lettering METZLER. Metzler? TOM nods. MIKE (CONT'D) Thats what was on the negatives? TOM (shrugs) Just that This registers for Mike. TOM (CONT'D) Only person it links to is Donald Metzler, local entrepreneur, big hitter round here in the 80s. MIKE But you dont know what the connection is to your dad? No idea. TOM MIKE

They drink, music fills the silence. MIKE Only... hes still around. Metzler. Pretty big fish TOM You know him? MIKE ... hes chief executive of the council. Hes my boss.

Exile

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

46.

67

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. STUDY -- NIGHT TOM sitting in the semi darkness of the study where it all happened. More whisky on the go. He takes in the room, contemplative. Dark thoughts swirling. Jump cuts as he looks around the office. PHOTOS from the past of his dad - the working journalist. Papers and cuttings still litter the surfaces. Letters and correspondence. Bills and invoices.

67

TOMs eyes scanning. Trying to work out who his father is, the genial hard working man of newspapers or the violent psycho who attacked him unprovoked. He finds his hand trying the DESK DRAWER before him. Its locked. He pulls at it and feels it wobble. All his anger and frustration comes out on that drawer as he pulls and smashes and pulls until... PING. Out it flips, spilling the contents onto the floor.

TOM sits on the floor now, surrounded by the contents - a sea of ageing paper awash around him. He examines something carefully. On TOMs face. Thinking. Questioning. Bemused.

We then see what he is looking at - its an old BANK STATEMENT, from years ago - 1980s. His eyes scan down the PAYMENTS IN column. regular payments from J CLEEVE. TOM knows this is significant. 68 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. NANCYS ROOM -- NIGHT TOM gently shaking NANCY awake. sleep. What! 69 NANCY Shes snatched from deep 68 There are * *

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT TOM hands NANCY - now in dressing gown - a drink. examining the bank statements. A pile of them. NANCY How do we know this moneys still in here? She is

69

(CONTINUED)

69

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

47. 69

TOM Its never been touched. no final withdrawal -

Theres

NANCY But hes told me, countless times, where the money is, which accounts to use TOM The guy with Alzheimers has NANCY Not recently, before he degenerated. Why wouldnt he mention this TOM shrugs, who knows. NANCY (CONT'D) (scanning thru -) Theres thousands. TOM Paid in regular installments for over nineteen years - whos J Cleeve NANCY looks up, confused. NANCY No idea. The bastards let me struggle and all the time this was sitting here TOM We have to release it. NANCY How we gonna do that? TOM Well need power of attorney. At a stroke this clears everything NANCY For who, Tom? Or do you see this as some kind of inheritance. TOM You need money, I need money - he doesnt even know hes got it. Or hes conveniently forgotten. NANCY Whats that supposed to mean?
(CONTINUED)

* * * *

69

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

48. 69

TOM Someones been paying him money. And he hasnt once dipped in in all those years - doesnt that start a few bells ringing, Nancy? Suddenly the door bursts open and SAMUEL is stood there in his pyjamas. TOM jumps put of his skin. NANCY laughs. In fact, howls.

SAMUEL moves slowly towards them. NANCY Hes sleepwalking. Come on, you can help me get him upstairs. 70 INT. SOLICITORS OFFICE -- DAY 70

Solicitors office. TOM and NANCY sit with SAMUEL opposite an OLD SCHOOL SOLICITOR. He peruses paperwork. NANCY Doctors letter confirms his condition and theres a report from the respite unit outlining the care theyve been providing. SOLICITOR Yes, I can read. NANCY looks as though she could deck the smarmy get. TOM gives her a calming gesture. SAMUEL, in suit and tie, is on best behaviour. SOLICITOR (CONT'D) My problem, and its a very real problem, in legal terms, is that your father sits before me, appearing, to all intents and purposes, like a man very much in charge of his faculties. Solicitor smiles at SAMUEL, who smiles back. TOM could kill him. TOM He has good days and bad days. SOLICITOR Dont we all. Solicitor smiles again at SAMUEL. He smiles back.
(CONTINUED)

70

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

49. 70

NANCY Were not after his cash. SOLICITOR You wouldnt be the first. NANCY (controlling her temper) Dad didnt even know the account existed, weve got debts up to our ears and we need access to this money, without having to rely on his say so SOLICITOR (solicitor) And is this something you endorse, Mister Ronstadt? No. SAMUEL

Simple as that. TOM and NANCY are furious. Solicitor gives them a belligerent look. TOM The mans got Alzheimers. Solicitor isnt for budging. 71 INT. SOLICITORS OFFICE -- DAY TOM, NANCY and SAMUEL walk away in silence. TOM and NANCY still have enraged faces. Suddenly SAMUEL stops dead and calm as you like, starts undoing his trousers. NANCY Dad, Dad... TOM No, let him TOM darts back towards the main office. NANCY Where you going? TOM To get that smug prick. 72 EXT. PARK -- DAY 72 71

NANCY is buying ice creams from the ice cream van. TOM and SAMUEL sit on a park bench, watching the world go by.
(CONTINUED)

72

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

50. 72

TOM Do you remember the planes crashing into the twin towers? SAMUEL 9/11. 2001. TOM You remember Margaret Thatcher? Bitch. SAMUEL

TOM Ill take that as a yes. TOM smiles. TOM (CONT'D) What about United winning the treble? SAMUEL turns to him, blank. TOM (CONT'D) Dementias not all bad then. NANCY starts heading over with ice creams. more question TOM (CONT'D) Do you remember mum? You remember Edith, before she died? SAMUEL (turns in panic) Ediths died? TOM (calming tone) Its okay, she died years ago. SAMUEL Ediths died? TOM Dad, she was ill, you looked after her SAMUEL Ediths died. NANCY arrives back to see the scene before her. SAMUEL (CONT'D) Edith. Edith! Edith!
(CONTINUED)

TOM tries one

72

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

51. 72

NANCY Its okay, its alright. SAMUEL starts sobbing with upset. NANCY embraces him and makes calming noises. She shoots TOM a reprimanding look 73 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. NANCYS ROOM -- NIGHT NANCY is getting dressed up for a night out. close by, assessing her outfit as she talks. NANCY Dont tell him bad news. TOM Like his wifes death NANCY His mind jumps about, past and present get confused. TOM How do you put up with it? NANCY With great difficulty. TOM You wearing that dress? NANCY (sarc) No, Im just trying it on for a future occasion (annoyed, looks at herself in mirror) Whats up with it? TOM Its a bit - and dont take this the wrong way - tarty. NANCY Dont take this the wrong way youre a dickhead! TOM When was the last time you went dating, the late 80s? NANCY Its not a date. TOM A mans taking you for dinner and youve spent an hour getting ready, what would you call it?
(CONTINUED)

73 TOM standing

73

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

52. 73

NANCY Hes my dentist. TOM Yeh, well he wants to get inside a different hole tonight, and that dress tells him he can NANCY marches to her wardrobe and thrusts it open NANCY Fine, fashion guru, you choose TOM assesses the collection. TOM When did you get so into bauge? She shoots him a killer look. He starts rifling through.

TOM (CONT'D) So what youre saying is, if I wanna ask him about the past Ive no chance of getting a proper answer NANCY He doesnt know what hes forgotten so its difficult to talk to him about it - prompts help. Music, smells. And talk in the present - even if youre asking about the past TOM What kind of music? NANCY Anything really, stuff that might have been around at the time you wanna talk about TOM appears with a dress, assesses it, thinks better. TOM Didnt you date a dentist once before NANCY (nonchalant) Couple of years ago, David TOM No, way back. NANCY Oh, yeah, Martin.
(CONTINUED)

73

Exile - episode one by Danny Brocklehurst CONTINUED: (2)

53. 73

TOM This is your third dentist So? NANCY

TOM Whats that all about? NANCY I dont get out much! TOM hands NANCY a dress - bright red, long flowing. NANCY (CONT'D) Are you for real? TOM Trust me, it says available, not desperate - have we still got all my old compilation tapes? NANCY Try the loft, what didnt get burned went up there TOM leaves. 74 NANCY assesses the dress in the mirror. 74

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. LANDING/LOFT -- NIGHT

TOM erects a step ladder on the landing, he climbs up and pushes back the loft hole. With a FLASHLIGHT he peers into the darkness of the loft. Its dusty and mucky in there and piled with years and years of stuff. Carved into one of the beams are the words TOM 4 SARAH 4 EVER. TOM smiles at them. TOM Sarah, babe, what happened? He starts to flash the light on to various items - an old rocking horse, dozens of binliners containing bedding and so on, old appliances, three large piles of fading newspapers and so on. Until... eventually his flashlight falls on to an old 1980s style suitcase, it has a combination lock. TOM awkwardly manoeuvres over to it. Lodging the flashlight under his chin he opens it. Inside is various stuff, including - A PORTABLE CASSETTE PLAYER, single speaker. And next to it theres a LONG THIN CASSETTE CASE in bright blue, small black metal handle. He grabs them and descends.

Exile

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

54.

75

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. TOMS ROOM -- NIGHT TOM - amused by nostalgia - glances through the old C90 cassettes - compilations he made when he was younger. They look like antiquated museum pieces now. He chooses one - entitled TOTALLY FAB CHART HITS - and slides it into the player. Level 42 blast out. TOM So not totally fab.

75

76

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE -- NIGHT TOM sitting with SAMUEL. The portable cassette player is playing music from the early 90s. TOM has a very intense look on his face as he chooses his words carefully. TOM Hows work? Is the editor still getting on your nerves? SAMUEL The guys an idiot. Calls himself Oxford educated, he couldnt write fuck on a dusty blind. They laugh. TOM Do you think youd ever fancy being editor - or do you prefer being at the coal face SAMUEL Hacks write. Thats what we do. We put the truth on the page. Editors go to lunch and talk figures with accountants. TOM (as casual as he can make it) But... do you never get tired of digging, it must get hard - it must be stressful, all that pressure, do you ever feel it building up, all that anger Never. SAMUEL

76

Hold the look between them. Suddenly the music abruptly stops in that way cassettes do - the music has been taped over something - voices. A heated phone conversation. (CONTINUED)

76

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

55. 76

VOICE Im not saying you did VOICE 2 Then what are you saying VOICE This isnt an accusation, its a question VOICE 2 Then phrase it like a bloody question, because to me Sam it sounds like a bloody Suddenly, SAMUEL springs from his chair - wild, agitated and grabs the cassette player - the voices continue (will script separately) as he fumbles to eject the cassette Dad. Dad! TOM

SAMUEL starts trying to destroy the cassette, dragging the tape from inside the casing - screwing it up in his hand as he feverishly pulls at the thin black tape. TOM (CONT'D) Dad, stop it. TOM springs to stop him. SAMUEL (overly emotional) I didnt want it. I told him. I TOLD HIM!!! Why did she let him in the house He sinks to the floor, still clutching the semi unravelled tape. He kicks out, then punches the sofa with both hands like a tantrum child. TOM approaches him, a picture of extreme calm. TOM Who didnt you want? (nothing) Who did you tell? (nothing) Who came here? SAMUEL looks at him like he might actually start to give some kind of coherent explanation. Then... SAMUEL Go to hell! SAMUEL scrambles out of the room. Leaving TOM to slowly exhale; shaken, startled and more curious than before.

Exile

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

56.

77

INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. TOMS OLD ROOM -- DAY TOM carefully winding the tape back inside the cassette with a pencil. TOM finding a set of headphones. TOM placing the cassette back into the player. TOM listening to the tape. Music. Then voices. catch glimpses of the phone conversation. We just

77

TOMs face as he gets to a part that amazes him. He presses STOP. Then REWIND. Then STOP. Then PLAY. And now we hear what he has just heard: VOICE 2 Youre a journalist, Sam, you should know what agreement means. VOICE (SAM) I know perfectly well what agreement means VOICE 2 Then youll know that exposing me means exposing yourself. VOICE (SAM) I can live with that. VOICE 2 Honourable. Youre such an honourable man. VOICE (SAM) Honours got nothing to do with it VOICE 2 Except youre forgetting one thing, Mister Upstanding Member of the Community... Crackle on the tape. Voices distorted. And TOM realises the machine is chewing the crinkled tape up. TOM Shit, shit! TOM presses STOP and drags the tape out, it has spooled and is now in pretty bad state. TOM stares at the tape. He notices something. The sticker saying Totally fab tunes is one he placed over the original tape.
(CONTINUED)

77

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

57. 77

Slowly, carefully, he starts to peel off the white sticker he placed there many years before. The strip peels off and written underneath, in biro, on the original tape, is the word METZLER. Hold on TOMs face. DOORBELL rings. TOM jumps up and heads DOWNSTAIRS. He swings the door open to find MIKE standing there. TOM (CONT'D) Mike, thats weird, I was just about to Whack! MIKE punches him in the face. TOM flies backwards. MIKE Bastard! You fucked her in my house. In my bed! TOM I didnt know! I swear! MIKE goes in for another punch but TOM, nursing his bust nose, dodges him. MIKE hits the wall. It hurts. MIKE curses, winces with pain. MIKE (shaking with anger) You deserve everything you get! You useless...washed up...prick! TOM Im sorry! Mike, Mike... MIKE stomps away, clutching his bust hand. dripping from his nose - chases after him. TOM (CONT'D) Mike, mate... MIKE (with real venom) Stay out of my life! MIKE just carries on walking, appalled. TOM watches him go. Disappointed in himself. 78 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. KITCHEN -- NIGHT 78 TOM - blood

TOM pours himself a modest measure of whisky, he stares at it as he contemplates what hes about to do. (CONTINUED)

78

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

58. 78

Then downs it in one. 79 INT. SAMUELS HOUSE. BATHROOM -- NIGHT 79

TOM walks along the upstairs corridor. Ahead he sees the toilet door ajar. Geared up now, he cant back out, he has to do the thing he has wanted to do for so many years TOM goes to the door, opens it. SAMUEL is sitting on the toilet. TOM stares at the side of his fathers head for a long time, before eventually uttering TOM Why did you beat me? (Silence) Look at me. (Silence) That night, why did you react that way (Silence) Dad, look at me - LOOK AT ME. SAMUEL slowly turns. TOM (CONT'D) Who were you protecting? SAMUEL says nothing. TOM (CONT'D) Because... to do what you did, it must have been something so big... something... (his voice cracks) ...that utterly terrified you SAMUEL says nothing. TOM (CONT'D) I know its still in there. TOM taps his head. TOM (CONT'D) And believe me, Im gonna get it out SAMUEL smirks, looks directly at TOM with utter contempt, then kicks the door closed. TOM stands, door closed in his face. breath and slowly walks away. He takes a deep

END OF EPISODE ONE

79

Exile CONTINUED:

- episode one by Danny Brocklehurst

59. 79