Reggies Discovery
Written by Deborah Lowther
Location:INT: REGGIE’S BEDROOM (1958): NIGHT
Reggie is 7. He is asleep in his bedroom it is cold; he is tucked under the blankets.
Cut To:
EXT: REGGIE’S HOUSE (1958): NIGHT
Connie (42, dark clothes, dungarees) balances on the window ledge, looking at the sleeping boy. He takes a newspaper from his pocket and spreads a sticky substance on it. He presses the surface against the windowpane and pushes it. The glass cracks softly.
Cut To:
INT: REGGIE’S BEDROOM: NIGHT
Connie stands over Reggie’s bed, Reggie turns over, he awakens.
Camera Up: on Reggie’s face as his eyes widen.
REGGIE:
Who, who are you?
CONNIE:
Don’t be alarmed Lad.
REGGIE:
Mam! Mam!
Reggie runs toward the bedroom door, Connie blocks his path, Reggie begins to cry.
REGGIE:
I want me Mam, get out of my way!
Reggie struggles with Connie.
REGGIE:
Mam, Mam, help me Mam!
Connie holds his hand over Reggie’s mouth.
Camera Up: On the bedroom door as footsteps are heard getting louder…
GRACE (voice over):
Go to sleep Reggie! you know I’ve got work in the morning; it’s onions tomorrow, you know I need all my strength!
The footsteps get quieter and a door is heard closing.
Camera UP: Connie is holding Reggie close his hand is still over his mouth, Reggie is still crying.
CONNIE:
Now lad, if I let go of your mouth, are you going to be quiet?
Reggie nods, Connie slowly releases his grip and faces Reggie. He pulls a greasy rag from his pocket and tenderly wipes Reggie’s tear-stained face.
CONNIE:
Now, there you go Reggie, that’s better isn’t it?
REGGIE:
How, how do you know my name Mister?
CONNIE:
It’s me Son… your old Dad
Reggie stares at Connie and backs away from him.
REGGIE:
Oh no you’re not Mister, my Dad’s away working! My Dad’s clean and, and he’s not skinny like you and he’s got Brylcreem in his hair!
CONNIE:
It is me Son, I am your dad and I’ve come a long way to see you Reggie, don’t you remember me at all?
Reggie surveys Connie intently.
REGGIE:
Well if you’re my Dad I don’t like you!
CONNIE:
Oh don’t be like that Son!
REGGIE:
I can be ‘ow I want seeing as it’s my ‘ouse, so you can just shove off back to where you came from Mr Smelly!
CONNIE:
Oi, watch your mouth, I haven’t come all this way to be insulted by you, you cheeky monkey.
Connie advances towards Reggie, he scrambles backwards.
REGGIE:
Mam! Mam! He’s going to get me… Maaaaaaam!!
Connie restrains Reggie. Reggie is kicking Connie as hard as he can and as Connie puts his hand over Reggie’s mouth, Reggie bites it.
CONNIE:
Why you little bastard!
Connie lifts his arm in the air ready to slap Reggie when Reggie’s mum Grace enters the bedroom wearing a long nightshirt and rags in her hair.
GRACE:
Let go of my Son! Do you hear me? LET GO!!
Grace springs forward and grabs Reggie by the wrist she wrestles him free and pushes him behind her.
Camera UP: on Grace’s face as she realises who the aggressor is, her eyes and mouth widen as she stares at her husband.
GRACE:
C, C, Connie? Connie? What are you doing here?
REGGIE:
Mam?
GRACE:
It’s okay son, Mummy’s here now.
CONNIE:
Grace, my lovely Grace I just had to come and see him; I couldn’t wait any longer.
GRACE:
But how, how did you get out? What have you done?
Grace starts to cry.
REGGIE (Voice Over):
Get out of where? Why’s me Mam crying?
REGGIE:
Mam? What’s the matter? Why are you crying?
GRACE:
It’s, it’s alright Son… I’m just a little surprised that’s all.
Grace turns to Connie.
GRACE:
Well now you’ve seen him you can be on your way.
Grace points to the door.
CONNIE:
Don’t be heartless, darling; I still love you!
GRACE:
There’s only one thing you love Connie Allen and that’s the reflection you see in the mirror!
CONNIE:
That’s not fair Grace I’ve put a lot on the line to see you two.
GRACE:
Fair? Fair! I’ll tell you about fair Connie Allen, whilst you was Lording it up with your fancy floosies, I was scrimping and scraping just to feed your son!
CONNIE:
You got me all wrong Grace you know there was never anyone but you my petal.
GRACE:
Don’t you think your smooth talking charm is going to work on me this time Connie, you’ve gone too far you, you varmint!
CONNIE:
Hahaha varmint? You don’t even know what it means Grace, now how about rustling up some food my love? I’m famished I haven’t eaten in hours.
GRACE:
Why don’t you get one of your other women to feed you! I’m sure they are used to paying attention to men in the middle of the night!
REGGIE (V.O):
Who cooks in the middle of the night? I never get fed when I wake up ‘ungry! I’m going to get me one of them.
REGGIE:
Mam, I’m ungry can I ave summat to eat?
Grace glares at Connie and points her finger in his face.
GRACE:
See what you’ve done now, you and your influence before too long he’ll be like you with a string of strumpets to COOK FOR HIM!!
Connie backs into the wall, Grace advances further her brow furrows as she scowls at him; she presses against him and speaks through clenched teeth.
GRACE:
When you went like a parasite living off your cheap tarts, drinking pubs dry and gambling all your money away, you lost us Connie Allen. Don’t you think that your silvery charm can help you now; I get more enjoyment from the pickles at work than I do from you.
REGGIE (V.O):
Then why does she always come home crying?
GRACE:
You see that boy there?
Grace points at Reggie, while she grips Connie’s throat.
GRACE:
That boy there is more of a man than you’ll ever be Connie Allen and if you love him like you say you do, you’ll walk out that door and never come back. Don’t tar him with your brush, you useless hobo!
There’s a series of loud knocks…
REGGIE:
Oh, no it’ll be Mrs Spencer bet we’ve woken her babies, Mam she’ll shout at me again, like she did when I hit her on the buttock with my catapult and a conker!
Grace releases her grip on Connie she looks flustered as she pulls Reggie towards her. Connie is alarmed; he peers through the broken window. Another series of knocks echo through the flat.
GRACE:
Reggie, mummy wants you to be a good boy and stay in here with your father.
REGGIE:
No, Mam, I don’t want to; I’ll be a good boy honest…. please don’t leave me here with him!
GRACE:
Please Son, do it for Mummy?… If you do I’ll buy you a ‘Matchbox Car’ tomorrow…. Please?
REGGIE:
Okay Mam, I’ll do it but please come back soon…
Grace leaves the room as Reggie sits on the bed with his head down; Connie is looking out of the window nervously…
Cut To:
EXT: Grace’s front door there are two policemen in uniform with their helmets on: NIGHT:
Grace opens the door, she looks anxious.
GRACE:
Yes? Is, is everything alright officer?
POLICEMAN 1:
Yes, Madam there’s no need for alarm, we have come on a somewhat delicate nature; it is Mrs Grace Allen isn’t it? Can we come in?
Camera Up: On Grace, pan in to her face as she bites her bottom lip.
GRACE:
Yes, yes, I’m Grace Allen, I would love to invite you in but my Son has been having nightmares and I’ve just erm, just managed to soothe him back to sleep. What is this call regarding Mr Officer, Policeman, Sir?
POLICEMAN 2:
It’s about your husband a Mr Connie Allen, he absconded from Pentonville Prison today; he is a threat to the public so you’ll understand Mrs Allen that we need to find him as soon as possible.
GRACE:
Absconded? But, how Where? Oh I’m sorry Officer I’m a little shocked!
POLICEMAN 2:
Yes we understand Madam but as you’ll agree his capture is paramount, now we need to know if you’ve seen Mr Connie Allen at all today? And to remind you that harbouring a convict is a criminal offence.
Grace nervously fiddles with the buttons on her nightshirt….
Cut To:
INT: Reggie’s Bedroom: NIGHT:
Reggie is crying and holding his head in his hands, he can hear the policeman talking to Grace; Connie is ducking below the window.
REGGIE:
It’s all your fault; smelly man! Is me Mam gonna go to prison? Are they gonna take her away? Are they? I want me Mam….
Reggie sobs
CONNIE:
Shh kid your gonna give me away, your Mum will be back in a minute, she’s fine all she’s got to do is say I’m not here, they won’t come in to check.
REGGIE:
Why are you hiding in here then? Why didn’t you go off with your flopsies?
CONNIE:
I came to see you Son, I miss my boy, I think about when we used to spend time together?
Connie smiles
CONNIE:
Do you remember when I got you that plane? ‘The Sop With Pup?’ Oh and your favourite, the little black Hillman? We used to play for hours together with that do you remember? Have you still got it Son?
REGGIE:
No! I put it down the chute with the rest of the rubbish!
CONNIE:
I see Son; I see…
Connie looks at the floor and with his shoulders hunched he starts to walk to the bedroom door. Reggie looks up.
REGGIE:
Where are you going Mr Smelly?
CONNIE:
I’m going Reggie, I know where I’m not wanted; I’m sorry I came I thought if I saw you I could change things but I can’t can I? Just promise me one thing Son before I go.
REGGIE:
What? I ain’t promising anything to you why don’t you just clear off you’re not wanted here, Mr blinkin Smelly!!
Connie looks down at the floor as he rests his handle on the doorknob.
CONNIE:
Just look after your mum for me, she’s a good un you know, I loved her; I’ll always love her and I’ll always love you too Son, that’s why I’m walking out of your life for good. I’m a rotten apple; rotten to the core you don’t deserve to have me thrust upon you! Goodbye!
Cut To:
EXT: Front door: NIGHT
The 2 Policemen are still waiting on Grace’s reply, Grace looks Policeman 2 in the eye with her head held up high.
GRACE:
No Officer I haven’t seen my husband since he was sentenced at court on 16 September 1957! Now if there’s nothing else gentlemen I’d like to go to bed now I have a job to do and I can’t afford to get the sack as I’m bringing up my Son on my own!
POLICEMAN 1:
Right madam, we’ll bid you goodnight and if you do hear from your husband I trust you will let us know right away.
The front door is thrust open wide as Connie confronts the Policemen.
CONNIE:
You took your time boys! I’m Connie Allen, or Connie The Cat, or whatever you want to call me! I’m going to come peacefully… Honest!
Connie walks towards Policeman 1 with his hands held out for the handcuffs.
CONNIE:
And don’t bother having a go at her I said I’d hurt the kid if she told you I was here.
GRACE:
Connie? I’m so sorry, I’m sorry for keeping Reggie from you!
CONNIE:
No, my girl, you’re right he doesn’t need the likes of me….
The Policemen put the cuffs on Connie; he looks at the floor. Reggie pushes past his mother clutching a car, he runs towards his dad.
REGGIE:
Look, look I have got the Hillman I didn’t throw it, I always play with it
Connie looks at the boy; tears stream his face.
REGGIE:
What are you crying for Dad? I thought it would make you happy….
CONNIE:
I am happy Son, I just never realised it before today!!
Reggie clasps his dad’s legs as Grace encircles them both, the Policemen, look away from the family scene for a moment before escorting Connie back to the life he knows, he leaves a contented man.