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TALES OF EVERYDAY CRUELTY

"No, me and George don't get out much, nowadays.... Well, not at all really. Can't really afford it, living on benefits and that. Since George lost his job with the brewery, things have been a bit difficult. But, we've muddled through. It were a good job, too, good money and that. We used to go on holiday every year, Blackpool, without fail. Except for that year we went to Butlins, that was quite nice, for a change. Preferred Blackpool though. And one year we went to Spain. But George didn't like the food, did you, love?

"We were happy then. Really, we were.

"At least Debbie had grown up by the time all that happened. She never knew any hardship, not real hardship. Not like when we were growing up. I don't think I could have beared to think of her suffering, going without. 'Cos it's worse for kids, isn't it, with all their little friends.

"We're ever so proud of her. She's done ever so well for herself. She's got a fantastic job, something in advertising. Our little girl, would you believe it. Our little girl.... Something in advertising. God, I tell you, it was a real struggle to keep her when she was at university, but we're ever so glad we did it.

"And she's got a lovely husband. He works in computers. We don't see them much. But you know what it's like for young people today. They work such long hours, and they're so busy...

"Yes, we would like to see them a bit more, wouldn't we George?

"Mind you, I don't blame them, not coming around. I mean, what have we got to offer them, anyway?

"Now, I don't want you to go away with the idea that we are complaining about our lot. I mean, we have our telly. Save all we can to afford Sky. It's hard, but it is worth it. We're never without something to watch. Mind you, I do wish they didn't have all those Sports channels. The only arguments we ever have are when one of his games clashes with one of my programmes.

"I like a good weepy, myself. You know, when someone dies of some disease or another. Makes you realise just how lucky you are.

"Do you ever watch that Ricki Lake? No? Well, it's a bit like Oprah, but better, because she never put the weight back on. You can believe in her more, gives hope to people like me. I mean, if she can do it, then maybe so can I, one day. It would be so nice to be slim again. I used to be quite a looker once, didn't I, George?

"Ahhhh, George. Isn't he sweet?

"Oh, Lord, though. Did you see that film she did when she was fat? Ricki Lake. It was on Sky Movies Gold the other day. I do love that channel. It was really weird, though. They had this fat man playing her mum. Now, don't get me wrong, I got nothing against people like that, but I don't think they should flaunt it so much. I mean, it's not so bad when it's women involved, because everyone knows that kind of thing doesn't really go on... Men just like to think it does. You can stop blushing lad, I've seen the kind of movies you lads watch when you're alone. George likes his adult channel.

"What? Don't be silly George, you're a grown man. And anyway, no one thinks anything of stuff like that nowadays, do they, love?

"Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you both. I've lost my track now. Oh, that film. Mind you it wasn't as bad as the men kissing in Eastenders. That was wrong. Gave people the idea that kind of thing were normal. And well, now I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it per sé, but it ain't normal. And you shouldn't go on encouraging that kind of thing. I mean, it's no wonder AIDS came about. It's the filthiest part of the body.

"No, I don't suppose we do have that many friends, really. We used to. But you lose touch over the years. Especially when you haven't got the money to go out or nothing. I mean, you don't like to impose, scrounge, like. No, there's not many left.

"Who, George?

"No, Debbie doesn't count, George. She's our daughter. Anyway, she doesn't come round much. Never even phones.

"Ray? Who's Ray? The shelf-stacker in Kwicksave. I would hardly call him a friend, George. Yes, I know he speaks to us, but that really doesn't make him a friend George...

"No, George, it doesn't.

"Well, if you say so, love...."

"Yeah, sure. I know George and Marge. They're just customers, you know. No, I wouldn't really call them friends, but they seem like OK people, I suppose. Why? Really. On the telly. Wow.

"Am I happy? Strange question. I don't really think about it, well I try not to, anyway. Yeah, I suppose I am sometimes, you know, when I've had a few drinks, or when I'm playing football in the park.... Er, oh yeah, and when I'm with Sherille.

"Oh, she's my girlfriend. Yeah, it is a nice name, isn't it. Unusual. Her mum's a bit of a snob. Thought her having a nice name would help her get on in life or something, I don't know. But, yeah, I like Sherille.

"No, I have to admit, her parents don't like me, especially her. Thinks I'm not good enough for her little girl, especially me being a shelf-stacker and that. I mean, I know this is not the greatest job in the world, and you can hardly call it a career. I mean, they probably won't even move me up to checkout. They prefer girls to do that job. They'd never say as much, but I suppose you have to give the customer what they want. And they expect to get a girl on the till.

"I want a tryout for Charlton Athletic, you know. They're the local team, and I'm quite good, well I'm not bad. You know, I think, that if only someone would give me the chance, just one chance, I could really be someone, you know. In fact, I know I could.

"Sorry, it just pisses me off sometimes. They have no right to treat me like that. I mean, he runs a bakery, and she works in Thorntons. They're hardly the lords of the fucking manor now, are they? Well, are they? And I'm young. Not even twenty. I've got my whole life ahead of me...

"Lord. That's frightening.

"Sorry, they just shouldn't write me off so soon, that's all.

"It just gets me down sometimes.

"Lord. I hate people like that."

"No, he's got it all wrong. I don't dislike the boy, he's a perfectly pleasant young man. No, it's just that, well, he's a bit dim. Sorry, but I've said it now, it's out. I don't think he's ever going to amount to much, and I don't want my Sherille to struggle, not like I have to. No, Sorry, but he reminds me way too much of her father. Doesn't he, Bill?

"Lord, you never listen, do you? I was just saying to this gentleman, that young Ray, he's just like you were at that age.

"He agrees. He always does. No backbone. Now you see why I get so worried? I just don't want her to have to put up with someone like him. Lord, one drunken New Year Eve, and you have to pay for it the rest of your life. Still, they can get that seen to now. Couldn't in my day. Not that my Sherille.... No, I brought her up properly. Told her never to drop her draws until she's seen their bank balance. Well, you can never be too careful. Mind you, they won't be told at that age, will they? It is a worry.

"God, I hope she doesn't have to struggle. Not like me. She's a pretty girl, prettier then I ever was. She doesn't have to put up with second best, not like me. Actually, second best would be an improvement.

"What, love?

"Ha! He heard that all right."

"What do old people know about love? I mean, how can they possibly understand how I feel. They just didn't in their day, did they...? Love, I mean. It just didn't happen.

"Anyway, all they think about is money. Money, money, money, as if was the centre of the universe. Well, it's not. I love my Ray. That's all that matters. Anyway, it's not like we're going to have to struggle. Ray's going to be a famous footballer, and I'm going to be a model. We've discussed it. So I don't know what they're worrying about.

"They are no help. Now, as you know, yellow is the new black, this year. It's been in all the magazines, and if I want to be a model, I just have to keep up with the latest trends. But when I asked my dad for some money to get all new clothes, well, you should have heard him. You know. He even suggested I go out and get a job. Yes, a job. As if I'll ever get anywhere like that. A friend of mine, now you won't believe this, she has been working in an office now, for nearly a whole year. Yes, a whole year. And do you know, she has only had one pay rise. Can you believe that? In all that time.

"My mum, she understands a bit more. She bought me this jacket. But suede, ple-a-ease. Yellow Suede. I mean, suede. God, she probably still likes the band. No idea. But she tries, I suppose. Bless her.

"Mind you, she hates my Ray. She is always trying to push me to go out with this boy called Paul. He works in an office, like my friend. But, you know, he doesn't really earn much more then my Ray. You'd think he would really. But mum thinks he has prospects. Yeah, right. Probably end up as some boring old executive. He doesn't dream, not like my Ray. And you gotta have a dream.

"I heard it in a movie.

"But my parents, well, they just don't understand love. They never had it in their day.

"You did say this was going to be on TV, didn't you?

"And you got my good side? I can do it again if you like..."

"Sherille? The one with the weird mum. Yeah, I know who you mean. Fancy that? You have got to be joking. Spiteful little bitch. Still, I suppose they all are at that age. Still believe they're going to be happy.

"She'll learn.

"Prospects? Me? You have got to be joking, mate. Trust me. There are none of those here. I've looked. Not that they told me that when I took the fucking job. No, this is an expanding company don't you know. Be on proper money within a year. That's what they said... Two years ago.

"Any job with more money comes up, they take in someone from outside, despite constantly telling me that I'm good at my job. I hate this shit, I really do.

"You want to hear something really bad, something I'm really ashamed of. I shouldn't be telling you this, but you know, I'm looking for something else, anyway, with a bit of luck, I won't even be here when this goes out. They fired someone for.... God I really shouldn't be telling you this, but you know, sometimes you just.... They fired someone for not being white. For being black.. In this day and age. Can you believe that? Made no secret of it either, well they did to her, obviously. But they made it clear to rest of us, they didn't want us to hire no more. And you think all that stuff's in the past.

"No, I didn't do anything. Christ, I shouldn't even be telling you now. But I hope to be away from here soon, You know, I can't afford to be out of work. God knows it's not much, but it's all I have.

"Yeah, I feel bad about it. But I know all about guilt. At college, I spent every penny mum and dad gave me on drugs and booze. Never bought a single book the whole time I was there.

"Tell me, is it just me? Do you have to hate yourself more the older you get? You know, I thought all this was supposed to get better.

"I hate this shit. I really do."

"Yah, of course I know Paul, deary. We used to do the advertising for his company. He used to bring the cheques around. I suppose he must be too busy, now. They just post them.

"Now, let me get this straight. He knows the girl, who goes out with the boy, who works in the Kwicksave, that my mum and dad use? No I wouldn't call that coincidental, luvvy. It will do for your purposes will it, dear? Well, that's good.

"Of course I'm aware that yellow is the new black. Haven't you noticed my yellow Prada handbag, or my yellow Gucci shoes.

"Typical male.

"My Jerry never noticed them either.

"No, I don't get to see them often. I'd like to, really, but I am sooo busy, you know what it's like, dear. I would invite them around, but, you understand, one's friends do like to drop in unannounced, and even if you have OK parents, having them around one's home, well, it's not done, is it? And, let's face it, I do not have OK parents.

"I thought you said you'd met them, dear. You have? Well, they haven't exactly aged well, have they, darling? I mean, mum should have had a face lift an aeon ago, and dad.... Well, they could both do with losing a stone or three.

"No, it's not just the way they look, dear. I mean, you have spoken to them? And I still have to explain. Well, they are a little, you know, dare I say it...... Well, they still watch Blind Date, and they eat sausages in batter, as a treat.

"I don't like to sound like a snob. But I really had to struggle to get this far. I don't want to lose it.

"Roots? Do I look like Kunta Kent ?

"Anyway, Jerry doesn't like them."

"Yes, we'd love to see more of her really. She is our daughter, after all. But you know, people today. They just don't have the time.

"Still, we've got each other. That's something, isn't it, Love....

"George?

"George?

"What's going on?

"Why are you crying?

"George?"

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