EXT. TRAINING PITCH – DAY
It is a windy, late winter day. On a muddy, bobbled playing field a team of footballers dressed in light blue tracksuits are practicing. The players don’t seem to be very well organised and are acting in a very rowdy manner.
At the side of the field TERRY, 54, a chain smoker with thin grey hair and a weary demeanour, stands alone with his arms folded and wearing an identical blue tracksuit. He watches his team constantly as they continue their passing exercise.
TERRY
Come on lads. Pass it. Use your sodding eyes for Christ’s sake!
His words have no visible effect on the players. He gives a frustrated sigh and puts a cigarette into his mouth. He is about to light it when an agonising scream is heard.
JERMAINE
Arrrrgggghhhh!!!
TERRY looks up and sees JERMAINE, a 26 year old in the mould of a young Ian Wright, rolling on the floor clutching his leg with the rest of the team huddled around him. TERRY runs over.
TERRY
Keep back! For fuck’s sake, keep back, the lot of you!
TERRY reaches JERMAINE and kneels down beside him. JERMAINE is still crying out in pain. The look on TERRY’s face shows that he realises it is a very serious injury.
JERMAINE
Aaah, aaah shit owwww...
TERRY
Someone go call an ambulance. Now!
INT. HOSPITAL WARD – DAY
JERMAINE is lying on a bed. He is the wards only occupant and is half-asleep from the painkillers. His left leg is wrapped in bandages and is being propped up. TERRY and a DOCTOR are standing in the wards entrance. TERRY has a grim look on his face.
DOCTOR
The good news is that it’s not as bad as we first thought. He will play again, but he’s certainly not going to make the rest of the season.
TERRY
Shit.
INT. TERRY’S KITHCEN – DUSK
MOLLY is sitting at a table in a small, but well-furnished kitchen. MOLLY, 17, is pretty in a chavy sort of way, with her brunette hair tied into a tight ponytail. She is reading the evening newspaper sprawled out on the table and is struggling to hold back tears.
There is the sound of a door opening and closing, at which she hastily recomposes herself and closes the newspaper. TERRY enters.
MOLLY
What happened to Jermaine?
TERRY sees the paper lying on the table and sighs.
TERRY
Oh shit, how did they find out already?
TERRY scoops up the paper and from it a postcard falls out. It shows a long sandy beach and the writing in the top right hand corner reads ‘Hola desde España.’ TERRY flips it over and reads it while MOLLY looks on nervously.
TERRY
How is she...?
MOLLY
I’m going out.
She turns and hastily leaves the room. TERRY looks as if he wants to ask her another question, but stops himself. He throws the paper onto the table in frustration.
INT. TERRY’S STUDY – NIGHT
TERRY takes seat by his desk, looking exhausted. He casts his eyes to the wall on which are hung numerous pictures of football teams. The pictures gradually become more recent and show him with the teams he has managed. Some show him lifting trophies.
He rummages through some drawers in his desk before taking out a photo album. He comes to a page depicting a child’s birthday party. It shows a young girl with brown hair about to blow out her candles. The writing underneath the picture reads “Molly’s eighth birthday, 9th May 2001”.
TERRY then gazes over at a picture on the wall of him lifting a trophy while being showered in champagne by members of his team. The text under the picture reads “Tinchester FC gain promotion to the North East Premier – 9th May 2001”.
There is the sound of a door slamming and hurried footsteps coming downstairs.
TERRY
(Hopefully) Hey Mols do you fancy going out tonight? Maybe for a pizza or...?
MOLLY (O.S.)
I’m going out!
TERRY
(Looking disappointed) Oh...Ok. But if you change your mind, you know...
There is silence for a couple of seconds as TERRY waits for an answer. The silence is broken as the phone on his desk begins to ring, which he answers almost immediately.
TERRY (CONT’D)
(into phone)
What?
(pause)
Look how the hell could I predict he would get injured?
(pause)
Do you really think I don’t know how important Saturday’s game is?
Suddenly the sound of MOLLY’S footsteps start again. TERRY hears her and focuses on the sound of the front door opening, ignoring the person he is talking to. He hears the door slam shut, at which he exhales glumly and turns his attention back to the phone call.
TERRY (CONT’D)
Yeah yeah, I know you want me to take that holiday. Question is will I still have a job when I get back? I’m not an idiot John.
(pause)
Look look look, just listen. If I don’t, win on Saturday, then feel free to get rid of me.
(pause)
Fi...fine.
(hangs up)
Twat!
EXT. TRAINING PITCH – DAY
TERRY has his players crowded together into a circle. He is in the centre handing out instructions while making excitable gestures with his hands and arms. He constantly turns clockwise in order to look at each member of his team.
TERRY
We’re all upset about Jermain, but we’ve got to put that behind us. It’s the biggest game of our lives coming up, and by God we are going to win.
The team watch him intensely, all looking thoroughly disenchanted. JASON, a young player in his teens, looks very upset and regularly shakes his head.
TERRY (CONT’D)
It’s either them or us for relegation. We all know this isn’t a one man team, so let’s prove that to everyone else!
TERRY looks about his team for a reaction, but doesn’t get one. They continue to look miserable. This irritates him.
TERRY (CONT’D)
Ok. What the hell do I have to do? What the hell do I have to do to motivate you lot?
JASON
(Almost inaudibly) Maybe you should bugger off.
TERRY
What was that?
TERRY takes a couple of steps closer to JASON. JASON stares back defiantly. The team fall silent as they watch.
JASON
Nothin’.
TERRY
No. If you’ve got some grand scheme that will win us the game, then let’s hear it.
JASON
Why, because you can’t think of one?
TERRY pauses, before he starts to laugh darkly. He loses his temper and begins to rant at his squad.
TERRY
Oh so this is how it begins is it? This (he points around at his team) is how the revolution starts? Well before you decide to chuck me out let me just say this. I haven’t won five trophies to be bossed about by a bunch of whiny kids. You lot won’t stand a fucking snowball’s chance in hell on Saturday without me. If you disagree, feel free to fuck right off.
As he speaks nobody on his team dares to say a word. Some of his players snap to attention as a result of the rollicking, others continue to look dismayed.
TERRY (CONT’D)
Everyone else, five laps of the field warm up, then we practice defending set pieces. Go!
The players break away from the circle, clapping and shouting words of encouragement to each other. JASON lingers behind, eyeing his boss with disdain.
TERRY
Anything else?
JASON
(pause)Think you’re so bloody brilliant don’t you?
TERRY
Thank you for your opinion lad, now hop to it!
JASON shakes his head again and sets off after his team. TERRY watches them set off, before he lights a cigarette.
INT. TERRY’S STUDY – NIGHT
TERRY sits at his desk scribbling on various pieces of scrap paper, on which he has drawn diagrams outlining tactics for the next game.
There is the sound of the front door opening as MOLLY returns home. TERRY pauses as he listens to her walk upstairs and slam her door behind her. Shortly afterwards, hip-hop music starts, drifting downstairs from her room.
INT. TERRY’S OFFICE - DAY
TERRY sits behind his desk in his manager’s office, talking on the phone. He becomes increasingly exasperated as the conversation continues.
TERRY
(into phone)
Do I really have to devote three hours of my life stroking the egos of journalists?
(pause)
I don’t care what they are paying...
(pause)
Ok, ok I’ll talk to them for an hour. That fair?
(slams the phone down)
Twat!
He slumps against his seat angrily. He looks at his computer screen, on which is a picture of a tropical holiday resort with a huge swimming pool surrounded by palm trees. TERRY gives a smile, before he reaches for his phone and dials.
TERRY
(into phone)
Hi there. I was just wondering if there are any rooms available for this summer?
(pause)
Yes...yes for two please.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – DUSK
TERRY is walking through the hospital on his way to check on JERMAINE.
INT. HOSPITAL WARD - DUSK
TERRY is about to walk into the ward when he freezes in the entrance. JERMAINE is lying in his bed looking a lot happier than before. Sitting at his bedside is MOLLY. She is holding his hand and is smiling at him happily.
Neither of them notices TERRY standing in the entrance staring at them in absolute horror. This look intensifies when MOLLY leans over JERMAINE and kisses him passionately, after which she hugs him tightly.
JERMAINE looks over her shoulder and sees TERRY watching.
JERMAINE
Jesus Christ!
He pushes MOLLY off him as fast as he can. MOLLY first looks at JERMAINE in confusion, but then turns her head and sees TERRY glaring at her.
MOLLY
Dad, what the hell are you...?
JERMAINE
It’s not what you think gaffer.
TERRY
(With angry sarcasm)Oh really?
JERMAINE
I swear...
TERRY
(Points at JERMAINE) You stay the fuck away from her (turns to Molly) and you...!
TERRY takes a step forward, pointing at MOLLY looking furious. He tries to shout at her but finds he can’t do it. He covers his face with his hand and wheels out of the room.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – DUSK
TERRY walks back down the corridor as fast as he can travel. MOLLY runs after him shouting loudly.
MOLLY
Dad, listen. Jermain and me are...
TERRY
Don’t even talk to me!
MOLLY
Will you listen to me for once? (Pause)Or are you just going to run back to your shit football team?
TERRY ignores her as he comes to a pair of swing doors that he barges through. MOLLY stops following and stands on the other side of the swing doors as they slowly begin to close.
MOLLY (CONT’D)
You aren’t even going to lecture me? God, would it hurt you to try and act like a dad for once in your life?
The swing doors close, hiding her from view. TERRY walks a little further before he stops. He pulls a print-out of holiday resort from his pocket and gazes at it, his look of fury beginning to crack into one of despair.
TERRY
Just like your fucking mother.
He tears up the picture angrily, throws the pieces onto the hospital floor and storms away.
INT. TERRY’S KITCHEN – DAY
MOLLY sits at the table texting. She is toasting bread but has forgotten about it. The radio is playing commentary of her Dad’s game. The COMMENTATOR doesn’t sound excited.
COMMENTATOR (V.O)
We’re halfway through the second half and the score remains nil-nil. And despite the importance of this game it has hardly been an inspirational game of football. Just what can Terry Mitchell do to lift his players following the devastating injury to Jermain Lee earlier this week...
As the commentary drones on MOLLY finishes her text. There is a close-up on the final line, which reads “Plz come home mum. Rly missing u.” She gazes at it sadly for a moment, before she presses send and flips her phone shut.
Suddenly the COMMENTATOR’S voice becomes much more excited, at which she turns to face the radio. She doesn’t notice the toaster beginning to smoulder.
COMMENTATOR (CONT’D) (V.O)
Oh but that’s a brilliant pass by Thompson, and he’s played Fenchurch onside. Surely this has to be IT IS!
Through the radio is the sound of a crowd celebrating. MOLLY closes her eyes, looking upset yet resigned at the same time.
COMMENTATOR (CONT’D) (V.O)
That could be the goal that keeps Tinchester FC in the league! And look what it means to everyone here.
MOLLY suddenly smells burning and remembers the toaster.
MOLLY
Shit!
She runs over to the toaster and takes the toast out, burning her fingers in the process.
MOLLY (CONT’D)
Ow, ow, ow!
She cradles her fingers as she casts her eyes to the ceiling, looking as if she is struggling to contain her emotions.
COMMENTATOR (CONT’D) (V.O)
Just when it looked all over, Terry Mitchell has done it again. You just can never write this man off. What an extraordinary couple of weeks it has been for a manager who lives and breathes football...
MOLLY
(In sheer exasperation) God!
She walks over to the radio and slams her hand against the off switch. The radio turns off and she storms out of the room.
INT. POST MATCH INTERVIEW – DUSK
TERRY is being interviewed by the COMMENTATOR after the game has finished. The COMMENTATOR cannot be seen but his microphone is being held out towards TERRY. We hear the sound of the team celebrating. TERRY doesn’t seem to be all that enthusiastic
COMMENTATOR (O.S)
Terry, would you call this the finest moment of your career?
TERRY
Well not for me. I mean full credit to the lads, they’ve been working hard all year, but they deserve this more than I do. I’ve had a good career and it’s time for me to stand aside.
COMMENTATOR (O.S)
(Sounding surprised) Are you telling us that you intend to retire at the end of the season?
TERRY
(looking suddenly relieved) I believe I am.
EXT. FOOTBALL STAND – DUSK
TERRY is sitting alone in the empty football stand, watching the sun slowly begin to sink towards the opposing stand. He takes a big puff of his cigarette, lost in his thoughts.
MOLLY (O.S)
Mum called.
TERRY looks over to see MOLLY walking through the seats towards him. She sits down two seats apart from him.
MOLLY (CONT’D)
She said you quit.
TERRY gives a sad chuckle.
TERRY
Something like that.
MOLLY
You didn’t have to.
TERRY
Yeah I did.
TERRY takes another puff of his cigarette. They both look over at each other at different times, both wanting to say what needs to be said but not knowing how. MOLLY gets up.
MOLLY
When you want that pizza, let me know.
TERRY
Maybe later Mols.
MOLLY stares at him for a few seconds, before she turns and leaves TERRY alone, smoking his cigarette and watching the sun set behind the stand.
FADE OUT:
THE END
