|
The Arts |
General | Multimedia | Members' Area | Fun Stuff | Annals |
| Fan Fiction | Polly | Pictures | Profiles | Interactive | Our Sign-off |
| Music | Lisa | Sounds | Favourite Episodes | Trivia | Articles |
| Poetry | Forum | Videos | Get Togethers | Pollywaffle | Quotes |
| Polly's Diary | Links | Utilities | Monthly Poll | Recipes | Reviews |
|
*** COMMUNICATIONS ROOM - 5:50 AM *** |
|
| Viv places the phone back in its cradle and closes yet another folder. | |
| WPC Martella: | This is hopeless. We don't have so much as a home address, how are we meant to find her? |
| June shrugs her shoulders. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Maybe we could try tracing her through the stepfather? Do you know his name? |
| Viv shakes her head with a sigh. | |
| WPC Martella: | Only that his first name was Greg. That's it. If something doesn't show up soon, I'm ringing Charles Brownlow! |
| June clears her throat. | |
| WPC Ackland: | That really wouldn't be a good idea, Viv. You don't want him to know that we're on to him, surely? |
| June nods at the pile of folders. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Why not try looking for a Greg Page in that lot? |
| Viv reaches for a folder and begins flicking through sheets before looking up exasperated at June. | |
| WPC Martella: | He's her stepdad. Different name. |
| June sighs in frustration. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Did she tell you anything that might help to trace her? |
| Viv shakes her head. | |
| WPC Martella: | Not really. I hardly know anything, only her school and that her best friend it 'Vicky'. No last names, nothing. |
| WPC Ackland: | Well we can always check with the school once the day has started. I guess we'll just have to be patient. |
| Viv rolls her eyes. | |
| WPC Martella: | Not exactly in my top ten list of emotions at the moment. |
| Viv looks up as DS Burnside enters the room and sidles over to them. | |
| DS Burnside: | Morning ladies! |
| Tommy is looking very pleased with himself. | |
| WPC Martella: | Morning, Sarge. Just what are you looking so smug about? |
| DS Burnside: | I've just cracked a murderer, made him confess. Took me twelve hours and eight interviews before he finally cracked but they all do in the end. I've got a right to look smug, he'll get life in Shadwell or I'm a monkey. |
| Viv crosses her arms, her reply sarcastic. | |
| WPC Martella: | Good for you. Now if you don't mind, June and I are trying to find an eleven-year-old tom before anyone else does. So you'll forgive me for not showering you with praise. |
| Tommy doesn't look at all bothered by this. On the contrary, he becomes quite interested. | |
| DS Burnside: | Eleven-year-old toms? I thought wet-behind-the-ears probates like that Jimmy Carver were more your style, Viv? Or are you trying something new? |
| Viv glares angrily at the officer. | |
| WPC Martella: | Don't start with me, I'm not in the mood. Now either toddle off back to CID or lend us a hand. Sergeant. |
| DS Burnside: | Toddle? I like that. Babies on the brain, that's Vivian Martella for you. |
| Tommy wanders over to Viv's side. | |
| DS Burnside: | This sounds interesting. What have you got so far? |
| WPC Martella: | Nothing, that's the whole problem. All I know is that her name's Polly Page. She's eleven and she goes to Cheetham Road Primary. Little brother, can't remember the name and a best friend 'Vicky'. It's a very long story but I've known her for months and she was brought in late last night by June and Sergeant Cryer. They found her in an alleyway. She'd run away from home because her stepfather, Greg, had apparently killed her dog. After spending several hours talking with her I discovered that this was only the tip of the iceberg. According to Polly, her stepfather's been physically and sexually abusing her for years and has recently begun pimping her. Recently being up to five months ago. |
| Tommy sniffs lightly. | |
| DS Burnside: | Sounds intriguing! What do we know about the stepfather? |
| WPC Martella: | Nothing really. Just first name. Look, she's told me some pretty graphic stuff and been threatened by punters not to talk about this. I think I put my foot in it by reassuring her that she'd done the right thing by telling me and that now we could arrest these guys, so she's done a runner. She's terrified, Sarge and I just wanna find her again before anything else happens. |
| Tommy raises his right eyebrow. | |
| DS Burnside: | So basically you cocked up and let the little girl escape? |
| Viv replies in a dry tone. | |
| WPC Martella: | If it'll mean you'll help me track her down, then yes. |
| DS Burnside: | Good girl, I like a woman who can admit when she is wrong. Now, do you have any idea where she might be? |
| Viv shakes her head with a blank face. | |
| WPC Martella: | Just about anywhere but back home, I'd imagine. |
| DS Burnside: | Well that's a fat lot of good since we don't know where she lives! What sort of condition is she in? |
| Viv shrugs. | |
| WPC Martella: | Physically okay, I suppose. Few bruises and burns. She thinks she's pregnant again, too. Apart from that it's just emotional. She's completely petrified. |
| Tommy looks mildly surprised. | |
| DS Burnside: | You let an eleven-year-old pregnant tom run out on you, Martella? How the hell did that happen? |
| Viv raises her voice slightly. | |
| WPC Martella: | She was fast asleep, Sarge! Or at least I thought she was. I'd spent the last four or so hours with her. I was taking a five minute break, that's all. |
| DS Burnside: | Yeah, five minutes too long. I'm surprised you got through Hendon with that sort of attitude. I would have thought they would have weeded you out long ago! |
| Tommy is obviously enjoying himself. | |
| WPC Martella: | Sarge, I'm not going to stand here and take this, I've more important things to do. Either help us or go find someone else to intimidate. |
| Tommy grins and starts to walk towards the door. | |
| DS Burnside: | Have fun ladies. Hope you find your little tom before she falls off a building or falls in with some rather nasty company. |
| Viv glances over at June's desperate expression before stepping towards the door. | |
| WPC Martella: | Sarge, wait! We really do need your help on this one. Please. |
| Tommy pauses. | |
| DS Burnside: | What was that, Martella? It sounded like you asking for help. |
| Viv lowers her voice and plays the mind-game. | |
| WPC Martella: | I was Sarge. Will you please assist us in finding the girl? |
| Tommy thinks it over carefully. | |
| DS Burnside: | Well I'm free now that that pillock has confessed. But I was going to go home and get some sleep. Unless, of course, you can promise me a bit of action on this case? |
| Viv walks the Sergeant into a corner, her voice dropping to a whisper. | |
| WPC Martella: | Look, all I can say is that, once we find the girl, we can get started on the arrests and there are some very promising suspects. |
| Tommy chuckles. | |
| DS Burnside: | Like who? The Prime Minister? |
| WPC Martella: | The Chief Super. Not to mention another officer that she mentioned. |
| Tommy chokes for a second. | |
| DS Burnside: | You mean old "Balls" Brownlow? Your tom is claiming that she's had sex with Charlie-boy? |
| Viv nods slowly. | |
| WPC Martella: | And I don't appreciate your 'humour' either. |
| Tommy snorts. | |
| DS Burnside: | You have a strange way of asking for help, Martella. But if there's a chance of bringing down a bent Chief Super... Well I'll have a bit of this! The first thing that we need to do it find the stepfather and tell him that his precious daughter's gone missing. Then we can go from there. |
| WPC Martella: | Right. Well, we can do that once school starts. Say two hours. |
| DS Burnside: | Fine, well I'll just clear up the loose ends on my case. Come up to CID and find me when you know where she lives. |
| Tommy nods briefly at June then strides out of the room, a small smile hidden on his face. | |
|
*** SHADWELL PARK - 6:10 AM *** |
|
| Polly opens her eyes quickly, feeling the sharp jab to her right arm. | |
| Polly Page: | Huh, what? |
| Polly looks up at the strange face of the older girl staring down at her. | |
| Randy Lomax: | What the hell are you doing on my patch, you cockney tosser? |
| Randy glares at the small, frail girl lying there. | |
| Polly Page: | Nuffink, just kipping. Not a crime, is it? |
| Randy growls. | |
| Randy Lomax: | It is when you kip on my patch. Get up, will ya? |
| Randy jabs Polly in the ribs again. Polly sits up, rubbing her eyes and taking a closer look at the older girl. | |
| Polly Page: | What ya want? |
| Randy Lomax: | I want to know why you're here, you little slut. I hope you're not starting up here, that wouldn't be a wise thing to do. |
| Randy carefully clicks her fingernails together, making a scraping sound. | |
| Polly Page: | Look, all I was doing was sleeping. What'd I ever do to you, anyway? |
| Randy Lomax: | You are here. On my ground. That's enough to get a beating in most cases. I'll let you off this time 'cause you're just a kid. |
| Randy turns away in disgust. Polly gets to her feet, brushing the girl's arm lightly. | |
| Polly Page: | Wait up, who are you? What's your name? |
| Randy Lomax: | I'm Randy. |
| Randy grins at Polly. | |
| Randy Lomax: | I mean, my name's Randy. |
| Polly nods slowly. | |
| Polly Page: | My name's Polly. What did you mean by saying this was 'your ground' anyway? |
| Randy spits at Polly's feet. | |
| Randy Lomax: | I work here. This is my territory. You don't intrude. Am I making myself clear? |
| Polly Page: | I guess so. How long you been here? |
| Randy shrugs. | |
| Randy Lomax: | Longer than you, sunshine. And that's all that matters. So clear off, I'm earning a living here. |
| Polly looks up at, biting her lip while she's thinks. | |
| Polly Page: | Well, couldn't I stay here with you for awhile? I won't do nuffink to upset you working or anything. I promise. |
| Randy sighs. | |
| Randy Lomax: | You're a kid. I don't need a kid tagging along behind me and pulling on my skirts whenever a bad-looking man appears. Go home to your Mummy and Daddy and leave me alone! |
| Polly raises her voice, placing her hands on her hips angrily. | |
| Polly Page: | I'm not a kid and I'm not going home, neither! Look, I'll stay outa the way and all. Just wanted to hang with you and your mates is all. |
| Randy Lomax: | Why aren't you tucked up safe and sound at home like most kids your age? |
| Randy looks down contemptuously at Polly. | |
| Polly Page: | What's it got to do with you, eh? All I want is to hang out with you, right? |
| Randy Lomax: | Well then it has everything to do with me. Go home and cuddle your teddy bear. |
| Randy starts to walk away again. | |
| Polly Page: | Randy, please! |
| Polly runs after her desperately. | |
| Randy Lomax: | What? I ain't your mother, go play somewhere else! |
| Randy shakes Polly off and looks around anxiously. | |
| Polly Page: | I'm not playing, I'm serious! Let me hang with ya, yeah? |
| Randy shakes her head. | |
| Randy Lomax: | You're a kid! Who are your parents? |
| Polly frowns, her voice becoming louder. | |
| Polly Page: | I am not a kid, stop that! I don't give a toss about me folks either! |
| Randy Lomax: | What, have they kicked you out? |
| Randy looks momentarily concerned. Polly crosses her arms with a smug expression. | |
| Polly Page: | Nope, I left. And I ain't going back. |
| Randy Lomax: | You're pretty tough for a kid. How old are you? |
| Polly Page: | Eleven. So what? |
| Randy whistles. | |
| Randy Lomax: | That's young. How did you come to be out here on the streets? |
| Polly Page: | Does it matter? The point is that I'm here now. That's it. |
| Randy shakes her head, annoyed by Polly's tone. | |
| Randy Lomax: | You don't give up, do you? Give me one good reason why I should hang around with you. |
| Polly considers her reply, looking back up at the dark haired girl with a smirk. | |
| Polly Page: | Well I bet I can pull in double what you do. And give you a cut in exchange? |
| Randy is surprised, to say the least. | |
| Randy Lomax: | Do you mean what I think you mean? |
| Polly looks up at her innocently. | |
| Polly Page: | Depends on what you mean, don't it? |
| Randy Lomax: | I mean, do you work? With men? |
| Polly Page: | Yeah, have done. No big deal, really. So, you made up ya mind? |
| Randy blinks several times. | |
| Randy Lomax: | Well if you could make yourself useful in that way then you might come in handy. You mean you've had sex with men before? |
| Polly scoffs. | |
| Polly Page: | You don't have to sound so surprised. Now whatcha say? |
| Randy thinks for a moment. | |
| Randy Lomax: | Okay, you're in. Jeez, the kids are getting younger every day, I'll have to watch myself, soon I'll be too old for this game. |
| Polly smiles and steps closer to Randy. | |
| Polly Page: | Nah, you're alright. |
| Randy smiles back. | |
| Randy Lomax: | You'll do okay kid. Follow me, there's someone you should meet. |
| Polly follows along eagerly. | |
| Polly Page: | Who? |
| Randy Lomax: | A friend. You'll see. |
| Tom looks across as Randy leads the small girl up to him. Polly looks across warily at Randy. | |
| Polly Page: | Who's he? |
| Randy Lomax: | He's my friend. |
| Tom Varney: | What's all this, Rand? She's a bit young for you, isn't she? |
| Randy snorts. Polly glances suspiciously at the dark haired man, smoking and smiling between the two young girls. | |
| Polly Page: | He a punter or somefink? |
| Randy Lomax: | No, he's your new boss. |
| Polly looks hesitant. | |
| Polly Page: | My new what? |
| Randy Lomax: | Your new boss. Say hello to him. |
| Tom looks down at Polly contemptuously. | |
| Tom Varney: | She's a bit young Rand. |
| Polly shrugs and looks up at the man. | |
| Polly Page: | No I'm not. |
| Randy Lomax: | She's really experienced apparently, boss. |
| Polly nods in agreement, observing the man's reaction. | |
| Tom Varney: | What's your name, cutie? |
| Polly Page: | Polly. You? |
| Tom Varney: | I'm Tom. So you're a working girl are you? |
| Polly Page: | If ya like. Is that a problem? |
| Tom shakes his head. | |
| Tom Varney: | That's great. How far are you prepared to go? |
| Polly shrugs. | |
| Polly Page: | Don't matter, nothing too rough though. Been there, done that. |
| Tom Varney: | For how long? |
| Tom looks unimpressed. | |
| Polly Page: | Few months. Simple stuff for years, though. |
| Tom Varney: | Are you used to working professionally? Did you have a pimp before? |
| Randy Lomax: | Give the kid a break, can't you see she's scared? |
| Tom ignores Randy. | |
| Tom Varney: | Did you used to have a pimp? |
| Polly Page: | Yeah, stepdad. Right bastard he was. I ain't putting up with that no more! |
| Tom Varney: | How much did he pay you? |
| Polly Page: | Depends, about twenty but he got way more than that. |
| Tom nods in a businesslike manner. | |
| Tom Varney: | Fine, well you'll get thirty percent of whatever you make, the rest stays with me. Agreed? I'll provide you with all the usual protection and I might treat you every once in a while if you're a good girl. |
| Polly looks tentatively over at Randy. | |
| Polly Page: | And what's the usual rate? |
| Tom Varney: | Up to you. Most of my girls try to screw their punters for a hundred or so. Think you can manage that? |
| Polly Page: | A hundred? That all? I was getting two hundred before, more if it was particularly rough. |
| Polly is not impressed with the offer. Tom shrugs. | |
| Tom Varney: | Take it or leave it darling. You're not exactly in any position to pick and choose. |
| Polly Page: | Well who says I have to work for you, anyway? |
| Tom sighs. | |
| Tom Varney: | Well how old are you? You look at least thirteen. |
| Polly rolls her eyes with a shake of her long hair. | |
| Polly Page: | That's what they all say. I'm eleven and a half. |
| Tom is impressed. | |
| Tom Varney: | Nice. Eleven and experienced to boot. Well we can charge the punters more for that, a lot more. And you can have forty of whatever you make for yourself, okay? |
| Polly smiles with a quick nod. | |
| Polly Page: | That's more like it. |
| Tom Varney: | Good girl. You'll go far. |
| Tom and Polly walk off together, his arm around her small shoulders. | |