A DUMPY 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL, JADE, WITH HER HAIR SCRAPED UP OFF HER HEAVILY MADE-UP FACE, IS STANDING IN HER SWEAT SUIT HAMMERING ON THE DOOR OF A RUNDOWN TERRACED HOUSE.
INSIDE, HER GRANDAD, ARTHUR, CLOSES THE KITHEN DOOR, PULLS HIS MOTH-EATEN GREAT COAT AROUND HIS THIN FRAME AS HE SHUFFLES TO THE FRONT DOOR TO LET HER IN.
JADE
Cheers - just keep me freezing t'death on your doorstep why dontcha?
ARTHUR
Hello, dear.
JADE (Pushing past him and flopping onto the living room sofa)
Whatever. Where's me Nan? Dropped dead yet, has she?
ARTHUR
Having a little soak, trying to keep warm. You look nice, dear. Been out?
JADE
Xfactor auditions - I told you, yer senile git! I'm well f**ked off!
ARTHUR (Sits down and looks worried)
How did it go?
JADE
Oh, they loved me - I'm singing in the finals on Saturday! How do you think it went? I'm not likely to come and see a loser like you if I'd got through!
ARTHUR
Oh well, better luck next time, eh, darling.
JADE
Next time! I worked my bollocky arse off since last Tuesday. Singing and singing - sometimes practising Adele's songs for over an hour a day - all for what? I'm not going through all that again!
ARTHUR
Well, struggling is good for your character - after 40 years down the pit I...
JADE
F**k off - pit! Digging's a doddle! This was mega, mega difficult!
ARTHUR
Well, you've got to renew your courage and fight for...
JADE
Fight? What do you know about fighting?
ARTHUR
Um, I was wounded in the war and...
JADE
Fighting the bloody Nasties ain't real fighting. I'm talking about proper fighting - like for respec' and artistic integratarity - stuff what really matters.
ARTHUR
Is there's anything your Nan and me could do to help, dear?
JADE (Under her breath)
You could try dropping dead and leaving me your house you manky git.
ARTHUR (Tapping his ear)
Sorry, darling. My hearing aid's on the blink. What were you saying?
JADE (Sees some change on the sideboard and scoops it up)
Never mind, I'll take this and get some cider.
ARTHUR
Oh, that £3.87... we were going to...
JADE
That'll have to do - anywayz, I'm off. Laterz.
SHE STOMPS OUT WHILE ARTHUR SHUFFLES AFTER HER TO CLOSE THE DOOR
ARTHUR (Calling after her)
Say hello to Lucille for us.
JADE (Without bothering to turn round)
Mum says piss off - she hates the pair of yoos.
ARTHUR CLOSES THE DOOR AND SHUFFLES ACROSS TO THE KITCHEN DOOR. HE OPENS IT TO REVEAL A HUGE OPEN PLAN EXTENSION WITH A SUMPTUOUS LOUNGE, LEATHER L-SHAPED SOFA IN FRONT OF A 72-INCH PLASMA TV. THERE'S EVEN A HUGE SUNKEN BATH WHERE NAN IS RELAXING, A CHAMPAGNE FLUTE IN HER HAND.
ARTHUR DISCARDS HIS GREAT COAT AND SLIPS INTO HIS SILK KIMONO
NAN
How was Jade?
ARTHUR
Usual rude, obnoxious bitch. She wants a good hiding, that one.
NAN
We really should tell her and Lucille about our lottery win, Arthur. Perhaps give them some money?
ARTHUR
I just gave her as much as she deserves. More Cristal, dear? (pouring champagne into her glass) You know, I fancy snorting cocaine off your tits.
NAN (Looking down at the flesh floating flaccidly in the bubbles)
You're going to need to cut a lot more cocaine, dear.
THE PAIR CACKLE LOUDLY AND CLINK GLASSES