I crave redemption...
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
MUM (50'S) IS TYDING THE FRONT ROOM. HER SON NEIL (30) SLOUCHES ON THE SOFA WATCHING TELEVISION.
MUM
And that room of yours is a bombsite. When are you going to get it cleaned?
NEIL
I said I would do it, didn't I?
MUM
You're thirty years old, Neil. It's bad enough you're still living at home but I shouldn't have to keep on at you about it.
NEIL
Mum! Will you just get off my back and leave me alone. God!
MUM HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN.
MUM
Well, if you won't listen to me, maybe you'll listen to your dad.
NEIL
Aw no, don't--
MUM DISAPPEARS INTO THE KITCHEN.
THERE IS SOME MUFFLED CONVERSATION FROM THE KITCHEN BEFORE A HOODY WEARING TEENAGER ENTERS.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
What's all this about son?
TEENAGE STEPDAD PUTS HIS HAND ON NEIL'S SHOULDER. NEIL PUSHES IT OFF.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
Look, I know this is difficult for you. I mean, before I joined the family it's fair to say we didn't really know each other that well.
NEIL
Oh, I knew you alright. Every time I went past the high flats you and your posse bombarded me with piss filled balloons.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
(Snaps fingers) Yeah, that was a cracker... I mean that's appalling behaviour… unforgivable. But that was before I met your mum. I can still remember that night… the way our eyes met… the way she took my hand in hers and squeezed it tight. Who knows what she saw in me?
NEIL
She saw you dipping her purse.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
I suppose you could call it fate.
NEIL
Theft is more accurate.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
I don't expect you to call me Dad, that's way on down the road somewhere. But at least we can make an effort to get on. That special lady in there deserves that much.
NEIL
I suppose.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
So let's make a fresh start, put the past behind us and let bygones be bygones… for your mother's sake. What do you say?
TEENAGE STEPDAD HOLDS OUT HIS HAND. NEIL THINKS.
NEIL
Alright. For mum's sake.
THEY SHAKE HANDS.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
That's the spirit.
TEENAGE STEPDAD HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN. NEIL MANAGES A SMILE.
TEENAGE STEPDAD
Oh, I meant to say... if you hear some banging later on, don't worry... it's just me... doin' yer maw... and her lovin' it, ya fanny!
END
