*** CUSTODY SUITE - 4:10 PM ***

Polly strides into reception, Matthew Boyden looking up in shock.

Sgt. Boyden:

Polly? Good grief, I didn't know you were back at work. I would have thought that you'd be tucked up in hospital.

Polly crosses her arms tightly.

PC Page:

I'm not back at work, Sarge, I'm just killing a few empty hours. I was wonder if I could have a word with one of your prisoners?

Matt raises his eyebrow.

Sgt. Boyden:

Of course. Which prisoner, though?

Polly draws a breath, her reply sharp.

PC Page:

Take a wild guess, Sarge.

Sgt. Boyden:

You don't mean...

Matt looks shocked. Polly raises an eyebrow, heading towards the male cells.

Sgt. Boyden:

Wrong way Poll.

Matt glances sadly at Polly and nods in the direction of the detention room. Polly cringes slightly with a sigh, as she turns and heads back the other way.

Sgt. Boyden:

Are you sure about this, Poll?

PC Page:

Yes, Sarge. Now are you gonna let me it, or just stand there lecturing me?

Matt sighs and gets to his feet.

Sgt. Boyden:

I don't know why you're doing this but I'll go along with it.

Matt walks over to the detention room cell, checks through the window then unlocks the door.

Sgt. Boyden:

I'll be waiting outside if you need me.

Matt steps back to let Polly through. Polly nods, takes a deep breath and enters into the small detention room. Walton looks up, he is surprised to see her.

James Walton:

What's she doing here?

Sgt. Boyden:

She wants to see you for some reason I can't fathom. Don't try anything unless you want to see a bit of police brutality.

Walton sizes Polly up.

James Walton:

Why do ya want to see me then, ya slut?

Polly leans up again the wall, still not more then an arms length from the door.

PC Page:

I suppose, although it now seems a strange thing to do, I actually wanted to talk to you.

James Walton:

And who might you be? Some sort of do-gooder?

Walton glares at Polly angrily. She scoffs.

PC Page:

You mean you don't know? Figures.

Polly turns back towards the door. Walton sits up, the realisation dawning on him.

James Walton:

You do look sort of familiar, come to think of it.

Polly turns around, resuming her place against the wall. Her tone is dry and cutting.

PC Page:

Funny. I thought it woulda been too dark to notice.

Walton sneers at Polly.

James Walton:

You've got some nerve, showing your face again.

PC Page:

Fine, if you're going to be like that. I just thought, I dunno, I thought we could talk...

Polly trails off, with a hint of a question.

James Walton:

Talk? I've already said everything I want to say.

PC Page:

Not to me, you haven't. All you've said it what you thought a pair of detectives wanted you to say. I know. I heard the tape.

Walton shrugs.

James Walton:

Well if you've heard the tape then why are you here?

Polly lowers her voice.

PC Page:

You know why I'm here. I wanna know why you did this. Why me? Or did I just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?

James Walton:

Well it wasn't anything personal. You were just there. Wrong place, wrong time. You shouldn't have struggled so much.

PC Page:

I, I didn't. I deliberately didn't.

Polly looks back down at the floor, being reminded of the night before.

PC Page:

You're blaming me because I made it too easy! Oh please, if I hadn't of, you'd have only hurt me more.

James Walton:

I dunno, I dunno why I did it! Are you happy? I honestly don't know. It just seemed so natural, so easy.

PC Page:

Yeah, I suppose it would be. To someone like you. But that's still not a reason, is it?

James Walton:

No but you're no better than me. You think you are but you're not. Deep down you're just like I am.

PC Page:

No I'm not. I don't do what you do, I never would. You choose to live that way. It's up to you.

Walton looks up at Polly angrily.

James Walton:

Who are you to lecture me? What I did didn't hurt you. You should have just co-operated. You could have had some fun too.

Polly blinks several times, considering her reply.

PC Page:

It did hurt me. Nobody has ever hurt me so much in my entire life as what you did.

Walton's head sinks again.

James Walton:

Well I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for what happened to you. I'm sorry for what I did. But if you've come in here to gloat then you can get the hell out again!

PC Page:

That's not what I came in here for. I just, I dunno. I wanted to understand. I wanted to know why. And you still haven't told me that.

James Walton:

You think I'm proud of what I did? I'm not.

Walton looks towards the detention room wall.

PC Page:

But why would you do a think like that! You're still a kid, James. You're only fifteen. Why do something that's gonna screw up the rest of your life?

Walton turns on Polly fiercely.

James Walton:

You don't know what it's like! It's terrible living out there on the streets. Nowhere to sleep, nowhere to hide. You have to go with about three men per night just to earn enough to eat!

Polly looks down at the youth, her voice softening.

PC Page:

How did you start out? End up on the streets, I mean.

James Walton:

Is it important?

Polly shrugs.

PC Page:

I just wondered, that's all.

Walton's face grows long.

James Walton:

I used to live at home. I used to be happy. Then me Mum died. Me Dad started hitting me so I left home. I got into drugs and one of the dealers turned me into a rent boy. He used to call me his "star pupil". I've been living on the streets ever since.

Polly nods slowly.

PC Page:

How long ago was this?

James Walton:

Years ago. You lose track out there on the streets. It sure toughens you up, though.

PC Page:

Yeah, I guess. So what happened last night? I take it you don't make a habit of assaulting women. Or do you?

Polly's voice has become cold.

James Walton:

I just got sick of it all, yeah? Don't you ever get sick of what you do? I lashed out and you were the first thing that got in my way.

PC Page:

Sure I have bad days. I get sick of the job. But I usually get over it with my mates. Don't you have friends, mates? Even out there, there must be people you can reply on?

Walton shakes his head.

James Walton:

Only person you can rely on is yourself. There's no time for friends.

Polly sighs.

PC Page:

Can't be much of a life, eh?

James Walton:

You should try it. You'd do well with your looks.

Walton pauses.

James Walton:

Look, I'm sorry. You seem like a nice person. It's good to know that there are still a couple of those left.

Polly hesitates, gauging James' reaction before pacing across the room, perching on the edge of the mattress.

PC Page:

Look, I'm not here to judge you but I don't understand it. Not from someone you're age. I mean, when stuff started getting this bad, couldn't you go home? Surely anything's gotta be better then the streets. As for you Dad, well we can change that. We can work that out.

Walton shakes his head hopelessly.

James Walton:

It'd be nice to think so. But I can't, it's too late. I've burned my bridges. I just have to make do with the life I have. And I've just screwed it up, as usual.

Polly stands, heading back towards the door, thoughtfully.

PC Page:

But maybe this'll change things, yeah? You've a fresh start, you don't have to go back on the streets.

James Walton:

Yeah, fifteen years banged up because of one mistake. Life is wonderful, isn't it?

Polly shrugs, with a hint of comfort in her voice.

PC Page:

You won't get fifteen years. Not at your age. You'll be lucky to get a custodial.

Walton glances at Polly with a smile.

James Walton:

Your word against that of a street kid? I'll probably get life.

Polly brushes him comment off, slipping back out into the corridor, glancing a final time at the young man, as Matt closes the door.

*** WPC'S LOCKER ROOM - 10:35 PM ***

Polly collects her bag and slips on her jacket as June closes her locker.

PC Page:

Liz was none please when I told her I was dropping the charges. Not that I expected her to be.

June shakes her head.

Sgt. Ackland:

I still don't know why you're doing this Polly. I don't care what he's like as a person, you can't let him get away with this.

Polly sighs as they begin walking down the corridor towards the foyer.

PC Page:

He's not getting away with it though. You tell me what good it'll do, giving a kid with as little future as him, a criminal record. Let alone one like this.

Sgt. Ackland:

But he raped you Polly! That's not like burglary or assault.

Polly sighs.

PC Page:

But it was to him. He's so screwed up, he wouldn't have known the difference. That and I suppose I just feel sorry for him.

June raises her eyebrows.

Sgt. Ackland:

He was that pathetic?

PC Page:

Yeah, he was.

Sgt. Ackland:

What are you going to do with yourself now?

Polly shrugs.

PC Page:

I dunno. Take a week off, wait for all this to blow over. Come back as soon as Monroe'll let me.

Sgt. Ackland:

I think you really should talk with someone about this.

Polly rolls her eyes, slipping an arm around June's shoulder.

PC Page:

Please, not you too! June, trust me, I know it all; denial, self-blame, anger and don't worry I'm not gonna say all this and go home and top meself neither. Trust me, yeah?

June nods slowly.

Sgt. Ackland:

You're the expert when it comes to rape cases.

Suddenly, the two women hear nearby raised voices.

Sgt. Ackland:

What's that?

Polly and June turns the corner, only to come face-to-face with Vicky and Roz, the pair engaged in a blazing row.

PC Hagen:

Well she didn't exactly fight back did she? She just lay down and let him do whatever he liked!

PC Clarke:

You bitch, how can you say that! I'd like to see you in the same situation! Or would that be too much like a typical Saturday night for you to remember!

Vicky glares menacingly at Roz.

PC Hagen:

That is out of order. At least I don't spend all my time oozing sympathy like you seem to do. You're turning into a little Polly Page! As if one isn't enough.

Roz lowers her head, as she notices June and Polly.

PC Clarke:

Sarge.

June surveys the situation.

Sgt. Ackland:

Girls, girls, girls! Just what do you two think you're doing! Vicky, my office. Now!

June puts her hands on her hips and glares at Vicky. She looks shocked by the sudden arrival of the officers, refusing to acknowledge Polly's slightly hurt expression.

PC Hagen:

I'm sorry Poll, I didn't mean...

Polly scoffs, replying under her breath.

PC Page:

Leave it out, you know you did.

Roz looks close to tears, Polly placing an arm on the younger officer's shoulder.

PC Page:

Calm down, yeah? June'll put Vicky back in her cage.

PC Clarke:

I know. I'm so sorry, Poll. I'm so ashamed of myself.

Roz looks into her friend's eyes. Polly frowns lightly.

PC Page:

Whatever for, Roz? None of this was down to you.

PC Clarke:

Oh yeah? That's not what Vicky thinks. And it's not what I think either.

PC Page:

Don't listen to a word Vicky Hagen says, you hear. You know what a gossip she is.

PC Clarke:

Yeah but even gossips can sometimes tell the truth. I let you down, Poll.

Polly hardens her voice.

PC Page:

Will you just stop that! Now we both know that it's rubbish. None of this was our fault. It just happened.

Roz shakes her head.

PC Clarke:

It was my fault that you were left alone. I should have stayed behind to help you. I know exactly what I'm going to do about it.

PC Page:

Roz?

Polly looks very confused.

PC Clarke:

I'm going to quit, Poll. I'm too much of a liability to continue as a police officer.

Polly looks at Roz silently, still not believing her words.

PC Page:

Are you crazy or something? Just stop this, will ya! Talk to June or someone. Don't do anything stupid.

Roz takes a deep breath.

PC Clarke:

I've thought it over. I've been thinking about nothing else these last couple of hours. You must hate me for what I've done.

Polly adds a harshness to her tone.

PC Page:

Roz, you're over-reacting here! Of course I don't hate you. Nobody hates you!

PC Clarke:

I hate me. I can't take it any more Polly. I'm sorry but I've already told Inspector Monroe what I intend to do.

It slowly dawns on Polly that Roz is actually serious.

PC Page:

Roz, please tell me you're joking. You can't pack it in just because of this!

Roz speaks in a firm, clear voice.

PC Clarke:

I've been thinking about it for a while, actually. I'm not cut out to be a police officer. This has made me realise that I can't go on pretending to do the job when I can't. It puts me at risk and everyone else too.

Polly looks crushed.

PC Page:

But, Roz, you were doing so well. All the effort you put in, at Hendon as well as here. You really wanna throw all that away?

Roz nods slowly.

PC Clarke:

I haven't really achieved anything in the last year or so. Nothing worthwhile. I need a chance of scenery. I'm sorry Poll, but my mind's made up.

Polly shakes her head slowly.

PC Page:

But, Roz. Surely you could just give it a few more months? Just 'til the end of the year?

Roz smiles at Polly.

PC Clarke:

Don't blame yourself. It was nothing to do with you. It's to do with me and who I am. Where I want to go. I'm sorry I won't be around to help you get through this. You've been good to me Poll.

The two women have ended up in the front office. Roz steps towards the station exit.

PC Clarke:

Look after yourself. I'll think of you often.

Polly looks regretfully again at the younger officer, before embracing her in a tight hug.

PC Page:

Just take care, yeah? And keep in touch.

PC Clarke:

I'll try. I hope everything works out for the best.

Roz gives Polly one last smile then walks outside. She takes a deep breath of the crisp air and walks away from the station with a new sense of freedom. Taking one last lingering look back at Polly standing in the front office, Roz sighs, turns away and walks down the street, never to return.

THE END