Original subtitles

Tony Conroy?

So, this is what you're doing now, driving a cab?

You lost your job because your face didn't fit?

There must have been more to it than that, Tony.

Ow!

'Ste, my ex.'

Someone knocked him over and left him lying in the road.

Sorry, do you know the victim? 'Listen, I'm sending a fella round.'

I think he knows about the other day.

So, er, me and you, we're sorted out, yeah?

When I'm talking to you lot on the radio,

it feels like two old mates putting the world to rights

over a couple of pints.

'We trust each other. We get each other.

'It's indelible. It's unbreakable,

'that I could be that person they could talk to,

'that would listen.'

Now follow the pen with your eyes, please.

HE BREATHES DEEPLY

OK.

Any vomiting or nausea? No.

OK, let's get those ribs X-rayed.

We'll have to sort that wound to the top of your head.

Someone will be along shortly.

OK, thanks.

'Don't stand idly by. Do something.'

'Do something. Do something.'

BEEPING, MUFFLED VOICES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

HE EXHALES SHARPLY

Mr Conroy?

Oh, God. It is.

It's me, Meena.

Meena Xing. You remember me.

Of course I do.

What happened? Did you fall?

No, I got jumped.

I think they were after me float.

I'm a taxi driver.

A taxi driver? Yeah.

Oh, right.

SHE TUTS

So, you're not teaching any more?

No. I, erm...

..I left St Kev's.

Yeah, I know. I heard.

Erm, have you phoned anyone? Let them know you're here? No.

Well, is there someone you want me to call?

Mrs Conroy?

PHONE RINGS OK.

I'm gonna give you a little local to numb the area around the wound.

Don't worry. You won't feel a thing.

MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY

You OK?

Just behind you.

Just wait till I tell Lucy Thompson I saw Mr Conroy.

HE CHUCKLES

You remember Lucy, don't you? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

She set her hair on fire with the Bunsen burner.

SHE LAUGHS

God, that was hilarious.

Right, all done.

Try and keep that dry, OK? Yeah.

You might wanna get yourself a shower cap.

HE CHUCKLES Thanks, Meena.

You don't mind me saying, but...

it looks like you haven't slept in ages.

Well, I work nights.

You were such a boss teacher, you know.

Seriously.

Me being a nurse is all down to you.

I never thought I had it in me, but you convinced me I could do it.

And no way I'd have passed my science GCSEs without your support.

You believed in me when no-one else did...

..myself included. SHE LAUGHS

HE EXHALES Hey!

Hey, it's OK. HE CHUCKLES

I'm sorry.

You've got nothing to be sorry about.

I'm sorry, Meena. I'm so sorry.

No.

What happened... it wasn't...

You're a good man. Yeah.

Shh. You don't understand.

Shh. It's all right. Y-You've had a fright,

and it's hitting you now cos the adrenaline's wearing off.

Take a deep breath. HE BREATHES DEEPLY

That's it. HE INHALES AND EXHALES

You OK? Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

You sure there's no-one I can call?

Erm... well, Rosa, I suppose.

She a friend? Yeah.

Do you want me to call her? No, no, it's OK. I'll do it.

Thanks, anyway.

Right, I'll be back in a bit. OK.

HE BREATHES HEAVILY

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Hello again, Mr Conroy.

Second time in two days.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, or...

maybe there's something more to it.

I'm sorry?

Your car was in the area where Stephen Murray was run over.

And the following day, you're beaten up.

I don't wanna jump to conclusions, but you'll understand

why I'm starting to wonder if there's a link.

Is there something you're not telling me, Mr Conroy?

Mr Conroy? They were on the rob.

Did they ask for money? Yeah.

OK, what did they say? "Give us the fucking money."

And did you? I didn't have anything to give.

Well, if I was gonna rob a cabbie, I'd do it at the end of the night,

not middle of the day.

I said, if I was gonna rob a cabbie... Don't feel too clever.

Mr Conroy, you OK? I feel sick.

Erm, I'll get something. I'm gonna be sick.

Sorry, all right. OK, this way. Please, I need... I just need a...

This way. OK, OK.

MANY VOICES SPEAK AT ONCE

Can I just get past you there? PHONE RINGS

Straight on. Gonna go right here. HE BREATHES HEAVILY

It's OK. INDISTINCT WHISPERS

OK. Deep breaths. HE GROANS

That's it. HE BREATHES DEEPLY

Am I OK to leave you? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'll be close by. OK.

All right.

DOOR SHUTS

How is he? He's fine.

He seemed on edge to me. He's in shock.

He's got my card.

Tell him - as soon as he's out - to call me. OK.

'Are there ever any circumstances

'when it's acceptable to take the law into our own hands

'and mete out justice?'

We're all capable of losing it.

Myself as much as the next person.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Oh, Mr Conroy.

You're gonna be all right. OK?

Have you spoken to Rosa?

Not yet.

Try and think of your happy place, hey?

That's what you told me when I was having a tough time

with my friends in Year 11.

Happy place, yeah?

A pub... a river...

..two muckers having a pint on a sunny day.

Hey, I'm coming if you're buying.

Right, let's get you cleaned up, get you home.

I'll give you a minute.

Follow me back to the room when you're ready.

Two old mates...

..down the local boozer, in front of a roaring fire...

..putting the world to rights... over a couple of pints.

HE SIGHS

BEEPING, INDISTINCT CHATTER

All right, all right. Stay calm. Just breathe.

We've been sat here for a while, and I was just wondering...

CHATTER CONTINUES

I know it hurts,

but it won't be long until we sort it out.

RHYTHMIC BEEPING, WHIRRING

So, they just pulled him out of his cab, in broad daylight?

'He wasn't having any of it, Lawrence,

'and he wouldn't hand over any of his takings.'

Wait, so, hang on, he... what, he got a kicking for his troubles?

'That's outrageous. And dare I ask where the police actually were

'when this was going on?' 'Well, they turned up

'about 15 minutes after I called them!'

Tony, you look dead-beat.

Yeah, well, it's been a rough few days for both of us.

You must be tired as well.

Do you want me to hang around? I can sleep on the sofa.

No, why don't you go home?

Get a proper night's sleep in your own bed.

Will you be OK? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I just wanna get my head down. You sure?

Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow when I feel a bit more with it.

Erm, I'll get you a taxi.

No, it's OK. I'll pick one up outside.

Well, let me pay, at least. No!

No. Try and get good sleep.

Yeah, I'll try.

See you tomorrow. See you tomorrow.

Rosa...

..thanks again.

SHE SIGHS It's OK. No problem.

DOOR OPENS

DOOR SHUTS You know, I've just been thinking

about all of the wonderful words of support I've had from you guys

over the last few weeks about my...

news of the cancer.

'We're all one big family, Lawrence.'

'Exactly, which is why we need to help that poor cabbie out.'

'One of the lads said it's a fella called Tony, does the night collar.

'By all accounts, he's only been on the cabs a few months.'

Hang on, ex-teacher Tony?

'Ah, that really breaks my heart.

'I mean, he's a really good mate, you know?'

'Oh, the poor man.

'He won't be able to work for a few weeks, will he?'

'Yeah. And that's a few weeks he won't be earning, Sue.'

'And that's the reason I'm phoning in, really, Lawrence.

'You know, I wanna pledge my first hour's takings tonight to Tony.'

Oh, for fuck's sake. '..but it might just keep him going

'till he gets back on his feet, like.'

You guys, you never, ever cease to amaze me.

'What is it about this city,

'Barry, hey? And its people?' HE SIGHS

'The warmth, the solidarity.' Oh, no.

'He's one of our own, isn't he? And we look after our own.'

'Too bloody right, we do, mate.'

Which is why I'm gonna pledge my first hour's earnings

to Tony as well.

'He's one of the good guys, you know?

'He's an absolute trooper.' HE SCREAMS

'..decent bloke, my mate, Tony the cabbie.'

And if you're listening, Tony...

..get well soon, fella.

'Oh, and just as a heads-up,

'we here at Night Talk will be taking a night off on Friday night

'because I'm gonna be out and about on the tiles,

'drinking a few bubbles with my mates.

'And before you ask, yes, it is a bit of a landmark birthday.'

APPLAUSE, INDISTINCT CHATTER

OK, no pictures, please.

Rob, can I have a word, mate?

You need to get away from here now.

Mate, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There's over 2,000 Hackney cabs in Liverpool, right?

That's over 2,000 fellas all on the same radio frequency,

all got each other's back, yeah?

Now, if I was gonna rob anyone,

I would think twice about robbing a cab.

What are you saying? I'm saying that I think you're full of shit.

'Ey, what's even worse is, you're up to your neck in it.

They... They know who you are now. They know the number of your cab.

And don't think that they won't be coming back

because these fellas... These fellas?

Yeah. You know what I mean. Their sorts. They're ruthless.

The city, the city, it's crawling with them.

Now, please, please, just do one.

While you've got the chance, just do one

because you're not... you're not cut out for any of this.

Not cut out for what? Look, I've told you, haven't I?

And someone like you... Listen.

I heard one of the lads on the radio.

He said that some of the drivers

keep something under their seats, just in case.

Oh, no. No, no, no.

What, a weapon? You mean a weapon? Yeah.

Yeah. As like an insurance policy, you know.

Where can I get hold of one of those?

Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony.

You just keep digging and digging and digging

that great big fucking hole you're in.

Look, it was only two months ago you were...

you were teaching the kids.

You were teaching the kids and now you're talking about, come on,

you're talking about getting tooled up?

What am I supposed to do, 'ey?

You get in your cab...

you drive away, and you don't stop.

Please, just go.

Before you or someone else ends up on a slab in the morgue.

2.99, mate.

I think Conroy, he got the message.

He didn't.

We need his address, lad.

No way.

No fucking way.

Yes way, lad.

Ste's wound up in the hospital because of that prick.

This isn't going away.

You know...

..there isn't a doctor in this country that'll prescribe this gear.

So, tell us where he lives, and the next six months are on us.

And then everyone's happy.

'It's obviously been

'a very difficult time for you, mate.

'And I'm guessing it's still quite raw.

'You lost your job because your face didn't fit?

'I think there must've been

'something more to it than that, Tony.

' "He's one of the good guys, he's an absolute trooper,

' "you couldn't meet a more decent bloke.

' "My mate, Tony, the cabbie." '

So, science fiction's your thing?

I saw the books on your shelf.

Let me guess, it takes you to another place?

Yeah, I suppose so.

SHE CHUCKLES

Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury.

How else do you think I became a science nerd?

I always wanted to be a teacher, like you.

And then my mum became ill.

It's not too late to be a teacher, you know.

We'll see.

Those qualities you talked about

when we went out to dinner that night...

..you've got 'em all.

Thanks.

Plus, you're selfless...

..honest.

And you've got integrity.

Which is why I owe you the truth.

About what?

Ste.

Was there something on the news?

He got into my cab that night and I drove him into town.

I know, you already told me.

But later, I went back to find him.

What? Why?

I was frightened he was gonna hurt you.

And I wanted to stop him.

And then I saw him...

..standing at the roadside.

But I drove past.

And then I turned the cab around.

He must've thought I was gonna stop...

..because he stepped to the edge of the pavement.

But I didn't stop.

I put me foot down...

..and I ran over him.

No. No.

I left him there, lying in the road.

And the fellas that beat me up...

..they were his friends.

I'm sorry.

But I thought he was gonna hurt you.

And I wanted to protect you.

So you did it for me?

You did it in my name? No!

I was scared. I didn't know what to do.

I didn't want to let you down.

Let me down?!

Like I let the others down.

I'm sorry.

DOOR SLAMS

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

RINGING TONE

'Hello?' Hello, Jimmy?

'Yeah?' Hi, Jimmy, it's Rob.

'Hello, mate.' I'm sorry to bother you, mate,

I got your number off one of the lads, erm...

'Oh, yeah?' You know I do nights with, er,

with Tony, and I know that you and him share a cab. Yeah.

'Yeah.' Well, I... Yeah, I've got a little present for him.

'Tony, yeah?' Yeah. But I don't have his address.

You haven't got his address, have you? 'Yeah, hang on.

'I've got it here someone, mate.' Oh, magic. Hang on, hang on.

Go on. '26 Jerome Way, Bootle.'

Yeah, appreciate this, pal. 'All right.

'He didn't deserve to get the shit kicked out of him.

'He's a great lad, Tony.' Oh, yeah, yeah.

HE CHUCKLES

He's great, man. Tony's...

He's a hero, ain't he? 'That he is, mate.

'Did I say 26?' Yep. 26.

'Yeah, Jerome Way.' 26.

Thanks, Jimmy. 'All right, catch you later, mate.'

You're a star. Thanks, Jimmy.

'Ta-ra, mate.' Ta-ra. Ta-ra.

'Tony!

'You had us worried there for a second, mate.

'I am so glad you called in, mate, because it gives me the chance

'to tell you about our incredible callers.'

They have pledged you nearly two grand

to help you get back on your feet.

'And that's incredibly generous of them.'

And I'm very grateful to everyone who called in.

But I can't take people's money.

'Hey, listen, mate, stop right there. Do you hear me?'

You deserve it, Tony.

You deserve every single penny, mate.

Mate, I can't take it.

Tony, you know, people don't want you worrying about paying the bills.

Lawrence, I'm back out on a job. What?!

'I'm back at work.' Oh, Tony. Look, listen...

No!

You listen to me, Lawrence.

Erm...

I need to keep working, I need to keep busy.

I can't afford to dwell.

I can't afford to sit around thinking about things.

See, that won't work for me, that just won't work.

I hear you, mate. I hear you.

'Besides, there's plenty worse off than me,

'so, er, I'd like you to give that money

'to a food bank or something now.

'No, no, no arguments, OK?'

Ah, mate.

Bloody hell.

HE CHUCKLES

LAWRENCE CHUCKLES

You've got me again.

Oh, God.

You know what, Tony?

You know what, mate?

You truly are the best.

No, sod that, no, sod that. Listen, you're a hero, yeah?

'You're a bloody hero. You are, I don't know, a Gary Cooper,

'a John Wayne, a Clint Eastwood.

'You're a Rooster Cogburn, Butch Cassidy.

'You're the man who does things his way.

'A man who stands alone.'

But most of all, you're a man

that I am insanely proud to call my friend.

And I'm proud to call you a mate, Lawrence.

Tony, you have to promise me one thing, though, mate, all right?

'Promise me you're gonna find some time for yourself tonight,

'even if it's just ten minutes,

'sitting there doing absolutely nothing

'so you can remember how many people out there

'are thinking about you and are rooting for you.'

Yeah, OK, mate. I promise.

'Good.

'You take care of yourself, my friend.

'And stay strong.'

And you, mate.

'And on that, folks, we are going to take a break.'

ENGINE STOPS

BREATHES HEAVILY

Oh, no.

No.

PAPER RUSTLING

HE SNIFFLES

KNOCKING ON DOOR, HE GASPS

Hello, Mr Conroy, it's the police.

KNOCKING Mr Conroy? We know you're in there.

Come on, open the door. Are you in there, Mr Conroy?

INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER

RINGING TONE

'It's Tony, leave a message.'

'Mr Conroy, it's DS Marshall again.

'Look, I know you're in some kind of trouble.

'I'd strongly urge you to come into the station tonight so we can talk.

'Ste Murray is dead.

'This is now a murder investigation.'

RINGING TONE

'Hi there, you're through to Night Talk.

'We're taking a well-earned break tonight, but please leave a message.

'We want to hear what you have to say,

'and we are always here to listen.'

BEEP

Hang on a minute, I'm just jumping in a cab.

Hello, mate. Coal's. Coal's, please, yeah?

It's just off Hanover Street, Hanover Street.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. No problem.

No, put... put me through to the manager now.

No, no, no, don't-don't even think about putting me on hold, mate.

Don't.

Fuckin' people, Jesus Christ.

Oh, there he is!

Highly elusive Gianfranco,

the man who wants to push my tables by an hour.

No, mate, no, shush.

Listen.

Staffing shortages are your problem, not mine, all right?

So unless you want me to cancel my table,

I then promptly will cancel you.

I'm absolutely positive my thousands of listeners

would be absolutely fascinated to hear

how you've royally fucked me about on my birthday.

Yeah.

Well, that'll be-that'll be lovely,

and then a nice complimentary bottle of Champagne on arrival.

Sweet. All right, mate. Yeah, all right, great.

Yeah, I'll see you in five. Yeah.

Bye.

This is mad.

Lawrence, thank Christ.

Sorry? I've been driving around, not knowing what to do.

Oh, am I glad to see you, mate.

Sorry, do I know you, mate?

Lawrence, it's... it's Tony.

Hey, it's the one and only! Yeah.

It's the lovely Linda.

Yes. Yes, it's the birthday boy, yes, darling.

Listen, I hope you've got your drinking boots on tonight, queen.

Yeah, cos we are gonna get absolutely munted.

Yeah.

LAWRENCE LAUGHS

Well, I'm sure the fizz is gonna taste just as lovely

from your Louboutins, yeah.

Oh, wait, Linda? What's cool and hangs up?

LAWRENCE CHUCKLES

It's me, it's Tony.

You know, from the radio. Used to be a teacher.

We speak all the time.

Yeah, course we do, mate, yeah.

I'm in-I'm in trouble, mate, big trouble.

I've done something really stupid.

I've lost everything. Oh, dear.

Yeah, everything. You know, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

But you're here now.

I know you're gonna help me, you know...

tell me how to get out of this mess. Er, Tony?

Tony, can I ask a massive favour, please?

Yeah, yeah, course. Yeah. Can we just, erm...

can we save this for the show on Monday, yeah?

Monday? Yeah, Monday.

I'm not sure I'm gonna make it to Monday.

I think you probably can, mate.

No, you don't understand.

I do understand.

I do understand, Tony.

You know, tonight is my birthday, it's my big one,

yeah, it's my night off.

So, please, yeah?

Save it for the show on Monday.

Lawrence, there's no-one else...

What the fuck is wrong with you people?

Tony, now, listen...

I've asked you politely, haven't I?

Please save this for the show on Monday.

Yeah, I know, but we're friends.

Friends? You mean like my 10,000 other best mates?

HE CHUCKLES You what?

Listen, where we're going, we're going to Coal's.

We're gonna go and see the people I choose to hang out with.

You know, my real friends.

But I thought... You thought what?

You know, two muckers, erm, having a pint?

Having a pint down the pub? Yeah. No, Tony.

No, listen...

you used to be a teacher, didn't you?

Yeah. So don't be so bloody stupid, mate.

Honestly. £8.20?

Seriously, brother... get a life.

Keep the change. Get yourself something nice.

Oh, my God, he's coming. Get ready!

Oi, oi! CHEERING

MUFFLED CHEERING

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Lawrence... # SINGING TRAILS OFF

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Lawrence

# Happy birthday to you. #

CHEERING

'That I could be that person they could talk to,

'that would listen.

'I could be that friend in need.

'Yes, there is a bond,

'a genuine bond between me and my audience.

'It's indelible, it's unbreakable

'because I have a feeling - correct me if I'm wrong -

'that we trust each other...

'..we get each other.

'But the thing is...

'when I'm talking to you lot on the radio...

'..I genuinely forget that I'm live on air.

'No, it feels like two old mates... down the pub,

'in front of a roaring fire,

'putting the world to rights over a couple of pints.'

SIREN BLIPS

POLICE RADIO CHATTER

You're on double yellows.

Yeah, I'm-I'm just waiting on a fare.

DISTANT CHEERING

Looks like they're wrapping up.

Not too long, OK?

OK, mate.

Thanks for that.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

I love you, queen. Happy birthday.

INDISTINCT

You're welcome! See ya.

Bye!

Taxi.

Taxi!

Are you... free?

Yeah. All right.

Shot.

LIQUID POURING

'You used to be a teacher, didn't you?

'So don't be so bloody stupid, mate.

'Get a life.'

'I promised myself that I'd never put me trust in anyone ever again.'

I'd resigned myself to my fate, being lost on my own,

but then you came along.

I've some information about Stephen Murray.

Help! THUD

GRUNTS Get off!

What happens now? Got people there, they're outside.