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| Suzi turns the baby over, checking her up and down. | |
| Suzi Croft: | She's perfectly fine from what I can gather. Quite surprising, given the circumstances. |
| June walks across to Suzi, smiling as she sees her fussing over the baby. | |
| June Ackland: | You did a great job last night Suzi. With Polly, I mean. |
| June pats Suzi's shoulder encouragingly. Suzi brushes it aside. | |
| Suzi Croft: | I did what I had to, June. And you all helped. |
| June chuckles. | |
| June Ackland: | Well I wasn't much use was I? I just did as you told me. Without you, that little bundle of joy might not be here now. |
| June smiles broadly as Hope's little face lights up briefly. Suzi grins. | |
| Suzi Croft: | She is a cute little thing, isn't she! Makes a nice change around this place. |
| June nods, her face falling again. Suzi tickles the baby, wrapping her back up in the blanket. | |
| June Ackland: | I just hope we can keep her safe from the guards. I've been trying to come up with ideas about that. |
| Suzi looks doubtful. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Surely she's not at risk. I mean, until last night, there didn't seem to be a problem about the baby. |
| June shrugs her shoulders. | |
| June Ackland: | That's because we hadn't thought it over properly. I mean, what are we going to do with her? |
| June turns around and looks at Hope sadly. | |
| June Ackland: | I didn't agree with abortion but Polly did have a point. What sort of life is this for a little baby? |
| Suzi sighs. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Maybe. Let's just pray we won't be stuck here for much longer! |
| Suzi hands the baby back to June. | |
| June Ackland: | What will we do if she gets silly about breast-feeding? |
| Suzi looks surprised. | |
| Suzi Croft: | How did you know about that? |
| June permits herself a small smile. | |
| June Ackland: | I was awake last night. I heard what you said to Poll. I give it a week, tops, before she starts making a fuss again. |
| Suzi Croft: | I dunno, Viv was pretty good with her. |
| June smiles wryly. | |
| June Ackland: | There's no place for modesty in a place like this, Suzi. Is there any alternative to breast-feeding? |
| Suzi looks thoughtful. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Well, there's always canned milk, I guess, but I wouldn't recommend it. It doesn't content the same nutrients. |
| June shrugs. | |
| June Ackland: | Well we'll have to make do with what we have, I guess. |
| June plays with Hope's little nose for a few minutes. Suzi nods politely. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Anyway, I've got patients to attend to, seeya at lunch, yeah? |
| June nods vaguely at Suzi and goes back to playing with Hope. Liz rushes into the room excitedly, having just heard the news from Viv. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Awwwwwww June, so it's true! |
| Liz fusses over the baby in June's arms. June looks over at the loud woman. | |
| June Ackland: | Shush, you'll disturb the baby! |
| June hovers maternally over Hope. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Oh, don't be silly June, she's loving it. Who's a little cutie? Yes, you are! |
| Liz giggles, turning back to June. June shoves Liz aside playfully. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Has she got a name yet? |
| June Ackland: | Her name is Hope. Now leave her alone Liz, she doesn't want one of her first memories being of your ugly mug! |
| Liz pretends to look offended. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Thanks a lot June! |
| Liz looks around confused. | |
| Liz Rawton: | So where's Polly anyway? Haven't seen her all morning. |
| June rolls her eyes. | |
| June Ackland: | Who knows. |
| June smiles and strokes Hope's forehead. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Is she all right? I mean, when did all this happen? |
| Liz gestures to the gurgling infant. | |
| June Ackland: | Last night. Didn't you hear the screams? I thought they'd have woken up the entire neighbourhood. |
| Liz shakes her head. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Not a sound. That musta been pretty rough on you lot? |
| June sighs and returns her attention to Hope. | |
| June Ackland: | It was rough. But at least Polly and the baby are okay. I just don't know how we're supposed to care for her if Polly decides that she doesn't want the baby. |
| Liz Rawton: | What's that? |
| Liz looks concerned. | |
| June Ackland: | Well Polly isn't exactly the most enthusiastic mother I've ever seen. I'm worried that she might reject Hope and then where will we be? She wouldn't even feed the child last night until Viv did her 'tough-girl' act. |
| Liz sighs. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Well, I dunno what I'd be like under the circumstances. And she's still a kid herself! |
| Liz rocks the child softly, rubbing her back, | |
| Liz Rawton: | Oh, you are the cutest little thing! |
| June smiles. | |
| June Ackland: | I'm just worried about the baby. |
| June returns her attention to Hope and the two women continue to mollycoddle the new-born infant for several minutes. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Don't worry, she's be fine. We'll all make sure of it. I'll speak to some of the Stafford Row girls, I'm sure between up we can all pitch in and take care of her. |
| June nods at Liz. | |
| June Ackland: | We'll manage. Even if Polly doesn't care about this little treasure, I certainly do. And I'm sure the other women feel the same way. |
| Liz Rawton: | Of course we all do. She's the one good thing to come out of this whole situation! |
| June chuckles as Hope throws up on Liz's sleeve. | |
| June Ackland: | You sure about that? |
| June reaches for a tissue and passes it to Liz. Liz gasps, with a quick smile. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Delightful! |
| June is still giggling. | |
| June Ackland: | I think she likes you Liz! |
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| Polly is sitting under a tree with a group of other women. They are slowly chewing on dry biscuits and looking glum. | |
| Polly Page: | Will this ever end? |
| Polly rocks the small baby in her arms unenthusiastically. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Well it can't last forever. You get to forget what it was like back home anyway. |
| June Ackland: | I haven't. |
| Liz Rawton: | I suppose not. What I'd give for a simple D and D, or domestic though. |
| Polly snorts. | |
| Polly Page: | Well there are plenty of assaults. Can we arrest all the guards? |
| Polly strokes Hope's chin but the gesture lacks true feeling. Liz rolls her eyes. | |
| Liz Rawton: | It'd be a start, wouldn't it. |
| June looks up and narrows her eyes. | |
| June Ackland: | Hello, we have visitors ladies. I wonder who it is? |
| Liz looks up as the van drives into the compound. | |
| Liz Rawton: | No idea, probably new arrivals. |
| Polly watches the guards get out of the van, open up the back and escort a small, feeble figure out. | |
| Polly Page: | That's Vicky! |
| Polly shields her eyes from the sun and squints to see more clearly. Liz stands up quickly, looking over at the brunette being pulled down from the van. | |
| June Ackland: | Well I'll be damned. What's she doing back here? |
| Vicky is dumped on the dusty ground. She looks around disorientated, her eyes readjusting to the sunlight. | |
| Polly Page: | She's got some nerve, coming back here. But she looks a right mess! |
| Liz Rawton: | Well, let's go find out, shall we? |
| Polly puts Hope down under the tree and the women go over to investigate as the guards get back into the van and drive off. | |
| June Ackland: | Vicky? Is that you? |
| Liz quickly makes her way over to the huddled figure. June is taken aback by the woman's bedraggled appearance. Vicky looks up as the women rush towards her, rubbing her tear stained cheeks. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | Go, get away from me! |
| Vicky trails off, distraught. Liz kneels down by Vicky's side. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Vicky? What are you doing back here? |
| Vicky looks up slowly at Liz, gradually recognising the woman. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | I, I ran off. They caught me and brought me back here. |
| Polly Page: | So becoming a professional slut wasn't such a wise career move then? |
| June looks across at Polly, shocked by her tone. | |
| June Ackland: | Polly! |
| Polly shrugs. | |
| Polly Page: | She brought it on herself, June. She can't blame anyone else for the way she is now. |
| Polly looks down with contempt at the haggard, bruised, scrawny woman cowering on the ground in front of her. June shakes her head disapprovingly and turns to Liz. | |
| June Ackland: | Come on, let's get her inside and she can tell us what happened. |
| Liz helps Vicky to her feet and they take her back to Liz's tent. | |
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| Liz quickly washes down another mouthful of food with the lukewarm coffee. | |
| Liz Rawton: | You gotta feel sorry for the poor kid though. |
| Polly pauses, her fork halfway to her lips. | |
| Polly Page: | No you don't. She brought it on herself, Liz. I don't care what they made her do, she went there voluntarily. |
| Suzi uses a slice of bread to mop up the gravy on her plate. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Well what did they make her do, Liz? Did she tell you? |
| Liz Rawton: | Well, yeah... |
| Liz looks around cautiously, noticing that everyone has finished their food. Polly leans back, disinterested in the proceedings. | |
| Liz Rawton: | It started out all right and everything. They really did treat them well. Good food, clothing and everything. She said it took about two months for it to change. It was just a gradual thing. They just had less and less freedom. |
| Suzi screws up her face thoughtfully. | |
| Suzi Croft: | So what happened? She was seriously bruised and battered when I examined her before. |
| Liz Rawton: | It took me awhile to get the details out of her, but she said they were just forced to stay in their room longer. Work longer hours. The clients were rougher and it just slowly got worse and worse. Eventually they were being chained to their beds twenty-four hours a day. |
| Polly snorts. | |
| Polly Page: | I'm surprised that Vicky could tell the difference. |
| Suzi hushes Polly and turns back to Liz. | |
| Suzi Croft: | So basically, they were chained up and used for sex? |
| Liz nods reluctantly. | |
| Liz Rawton: | It ended up worse then this place. |
| Polly shakes her head contemptuously. | |
| Polly Page: | I think she was exaggerating. |
| Liz Rawton: | I wish she had have been Poll. |
| Polly Page: | She was. Her type can't help but exaggerate. Did she say what happened to the others who left? |
| Polly obviously has no respect for Vicky's story. Liz sighs. | |
| Liz Rawton: | She said she and Sally tried to escape after Michelle and a few other women died. They were chased and Sally shot. Vicky only just made it back here. |
| Suzi shakes her head sadly. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Poor Sally. No one deserves that. |
| Polly remains stony-faced. | |
| Polly Page: | She deserved it. She lived her life like an animal and she was shot like one. A fitting end, in my book. |
| Viv Martella: | That's a bit harsh, Polly. What about Michelle? You reckon she deserved it? |
| Polly shrugs. | |
| Polly Page: | She chose to leave us. She has to live with the consequences. Or die with them, if it comes to that. |
| Polly is unrepentant. | |
| Suzi Croft: | You're being a bit mean, Polly. They didn't choose to die. |
| Suzi looks at Polly in an unfriendly way. Polly stares back uncaringly. | |
| Polly Page: | They knew that whorehouse was trouble and they chose to accept the risk. Now she's back and she's moaning about it. Some people are far too soft in my opinion. |
| Suzi Croft: | Well take your opinion someplace else Polly! You yourself were thinking of going there, remember! |
| Suzi folds her arms and turns away from Polly in a huff. | |
| Polly Page: | Yes, you tried to turn me into a tart Suzi but I wasn't having any of it. You should have gone along with it, it sounds like conditions there would have suited you down to the ground! |
| Polly is practically fuming. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Look, both of you just calm down, yeah! It's irrelevant now anyway. My point is that Vicky's in a pretty bad way, so we all have to stick by her, regardless of what she was like before. |
| Polly pushes her seat back and stands up. | |
| Polly Page: | Well you can do what you like, but my motto as far as Miss Hagen is concerned is "Once a slut always a slut". |
| Polly walks out of the room angrily. Viv rolls her eyes angrily. | |
| Viv Martella: | I've had just about as much as I can take from that kid! |
| Suzi Croft: | Haven't we all? |
| Viv Martella: | Yeah well you don't have to live with her! |
| Suzi Croft: | No, but I have to listen to her moaning non-stop at the clinic! I wish she'd grow up. |
| Liz continues picking at her food. | |
| Liz Rawton: | She's not exactly winning friends and influencing people is she! |
| Suzi shakes her head. | |
| Suzi Croft: | At this rate, she'll become less popular than Wild Cat with the women. |
| Viv scoffs. | |
| Viv Martella: | That's a bit extreme, Suzi. But I see less of him, so anything's possible. |
| Suzi snorts. | |
| Suzi Croft: | She's driving me up the wall. She was bad enough before when she was a wet blanket but now she's turned into a heartless bitch. |
| June walks into the mess hall and sits down at a nearby table. | |
| Viv Martella: | Tell me about it! She thinks she's the only one who's life stinks! She doesn't deserve that baby! |
| Suzi Croft: | The baby doesn't deserve a mother like that. |
| Suzi sips slowly on her tea. Liz sighs in agreement. | |
| Liz Rawton: | I just wish we could do something about it, I can't take much more of her sulking! |
| Suzi Croft: | Maybe we should take the baby away from her? You never know what she might do to her if she flies off into a rage. |
| Suzi looks concerned. | |
| Viv Martella: | I shouldn't worry about that. She doesn't care enough about it in the first place! |
| June picks up her dinner and walks over to the table, taking the seat opposite Viv. | |
| June Ackland: | Are you girls talking about Polly? |
| Liz Rawton: | What do you think? |
| Liz replies sarcastically. | |
| June Ackland: | You shouldn't be so hard on the poor girl. She's been through a lot just recently. |
| Viv Martella: | Haven't we all, June. It's no excuse. That girl is starting to get on everyone's nerves! |
| June Ackland: | This is exactly when she needs the support of her friends most! But you all seem to have abandoned her! |
| Suzi frowns. | |
| Suzi Croft: | She's abandoned her baby, June. |
| June Ackland: | Give her time. I'm sure that Polly can grow to love the baby if you just give her time! |
| Suzi Croft: | She's had nearly a year to get used to the idea! I think her puppy-walking period is over! |
| June shakes her head, distressed by Suzi's words. | |
| June Ackland: | You lot are worse than Sally Johnson when it comes to picking on that girl. |
| Viv gets to her feet angrily. | |
| Viv Martella: | Will you just stop mothering her! Admit it, she's annoying the hell outa of you, just as much as she is the rest of us! I'm sick of it! |
| June sighs. | |
| June Ackland: | She's mixed-up, confused and screwed up. I'd like to see how you would cope if you were put in her shoes, Vivian! |
| Viv looks down her nose at June very sharply. | |
| Viv Martella: | I have been in her shoes, June, and I've not turned into some cold-hearted little bitch! |
| June Ackland: | If you're looking for cold-hearted bitches I suggest you look a little closer to home Viv! |
| Viv grabs June by her hair, pushing her down viscously. | |
| Viv Martella: | Just shut up for a change, yeah June! |
| June screams in pain and pushes Viv backwards. | |
| June Ackland: | Get your claws out of me, you cow! |
| June is wincing from the pain. Viv pushes back against her, digging her fingernails into June's arms. | |
| Viv Martella: | I'm sick of you Ackland! Always playing the big sister! So bloody perfect ain't ya! |
| June elbows Viv in the stomach and gasps as Viv's hands slip from her hair. Liz looks across worriedly at Suzi. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Shouldn't we do something! |
| Viv kicks at June's ankles furiously. Suzi nods and the two women get up to break up the fight. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Ladies, stop squabbling like schoolchildren! |
| Suzi holds June's arms behind her back as Liz drags a furious Viv away towards the door. | |
| Viv Martella: | Let me go will you! |
| Viv pulls against Liz's clutches. | |
| Liz Rawton: | Not until you calm down! |
| Viv takes several breaths, brushing her hair from her face. | |
| Viv Martella: | Satisfied? |
| June pulls herself out from Suzi's grasp and sits back down at her table. She continues to calmly eat her dinner. Liz nods, releasing Viv's arms, as Viv paces off towards her dorm. Suzi and Liz exchange puzzled glances. | |
| Suzi Croft: | This place is getting to everyone, even June it seems. |
| Suzi and Liz slip back onto their seats and the three women finish their dinner in silence. | |
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| Polly and Vicky, desperate to escape the older women, are huddled under a tree. Polly looks down at the sleeping baby blankly, as she lays her down a few feet from her. | |
| Polly Page: | How are you settling back in? |
| Vicky glares across at her companion. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | What are you being so friendly all of a sudden baby-face? |
| Polly shrugs. | |
| Polly Page: | You're about the only one not talking about me behind me back I guess. |
| Vicky looks confused. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | Well I'm not too popular right now either. So I guess we're stuck together. |
| Polly Page: | Fine. |
| Polly replies coolly. Vicky reaches over to the sleeping baby and picks her up off the ground. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | Have you fed her yet? |
| Polly replies somewhat exasperated. | |
| Polly Page: | Yes, you're as bad as the others. |
| Vicky frowns. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | What's the big deal over a bit of breast-feeding? I thought you'd be into all that motherhood stuff. |
| Polly scoffs. | |
| Polly Page: | Yeah right. |
| Polly gazes across the compound. Vicky plays with Hope's little chin. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | So why are the other women treating you like you're wearing a bad deodorant then? Had a bit of a falling out did we? |
| Polly looks sceptical. | |
| Polly Page: | What do you care? You were a right cow to all of us before. |
| Vicky snorts. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | I was just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I suggest you do the same here and try to make your peace with the others. Just a bit of friendly advice. |
| Vicky continues to play with Hope's tiny hands and fingers. | |
| Polly Page: | It's not my fault they all hate me! |
| Polly looks suspicious. | |
| Polly Page: | They put you up to this or something? |
| Vicky shakes her head with a smirk. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | Honey, I don't give a toss about you. I just thought you might appreciate a few words of wisdom from someone who has seen an awful lot in her time. |
| Polly Page: | Whatever. |
| Vicky absent-mindedly trails her fingers across Hope's face. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | She's a beautiful baby. |
| Polly stares absent-mindedly down at the child in Vicky�s arms. | |
| Polly Page: | You want it? |
| Vicky smiles and shakes her head. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | I'm hardly the mumsy type am I? |
| Polly Page: | I wouldn't say that. You like fussing over the thing. |
| Vicky stops playing with Hope and looks up puzzled at Polly. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | Most mothers aren't so negative about their babies. What's the matter? |
| Polly rolls her eyes. | |
| Polly Page: | Leave it out will ya, you sound like Viv! |
| Vicky scowls. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | There's no need to be insulting. |
| Polly chuckles. | |
| Polly Page: | Sorry about that. Being likened to Martella ain't a compliment is it! |
| Vicky smiles. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | At least we agree about something! But she's a very beautiful baby, why don't you like her? |
| Polly considers the question for a moment. | |
| Polly Page: | I dunno. All it does is scream all the time. It's bad enough in this place without having to fuss over that thing as well. |
| Vicky Hagen: | It's a bit of a chore? |
| Polly Page: | Worse than time. Chores you get finished, and there's an element of reward. That thing you feed her, put her to sleep, and she just wakes up again! |
| Vicky shrugs. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | But that's life. You either like it or loathe it, you can't do anything to change it! |
| Polly Page: | Unfortunately. |
| Polly rests lightly against the tree trunk, looking over at the women playing sports and chatting in the compound. Vicky sighs and goes back to playing with Hope. | |
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| June is ripped from her sleep by a piercing wail. | |
| June Ackland: | I'm getting too old for this. Polly? Polly, wake up! |
| Viv is also awakened by the shrill cries from Hope. | |
| Viv Martella: | Bloody hell, doesn't that little police siren ever sleep? |
| Viv gets out of her bed, grumbling and whinging. June hisses over angrily at the mother, receiving no reply. She drags herself out of bed and across to the padded wooden drawer, containing the screaming infant. Carefully picking her up, June attempts to settle her, offering her the make-shift bottle that they have integrated. | |
| June Ackland: | Here, just take this will ya. |
| Viv rubs the sleep from her eyes and walks over to June's side. | |
| Viv Martella: | Polly's the mother for Christ�s sake. Why are we expected to be the wet nurses? |
| June shrugs, exhausted. | |
| June Ackland: | I dunno, and at this hour I don't care. |
| June continues trying to quieten the fussing child. Viv stares at Polly's sleeping form. | |
| Viv Martella: | Well at the very least she could get up and help us. Spoilt little brat, it's a wonder she's lasted this long with such a selfish attitude. |
| June Ackland: | Viv, look I'm sorry for what happened last week. I meant to say something sooner. I just, you know what this place's like. It gets to all of us. |
| June looks apologetically over at her best-friend. Viv slowly smiles. | |
| Viv Martella: | Forget it. We all say things we regret in the heat of the moment. I'm sorry for messing up your nice new hairdo! |
| Viv softly juggles the baby up and down, pushing the bottle towards her mouth. | |
| Viv Martella: | Shush, little one. Just suck on this for a while, yeah? And please turn the volume down! |
| June shuffles back to her bunk, shivering in coldness. | |
| June Ackland: | I owe ya one Viv. |
| Viv Martella: | Just don't forget it! I just wish that lazy, selfish little brat would get off her arse and help occasionally! |
| Viv slowly rests Hope back in her makeshift cot once the bottle is drained dry. Hope burps, turns over and begins to snore lightly. | |
| Viv Martella: | Well at least someone is satisfied! |
| June smiles softly. | |
| June Ackland: | You're really good with her. |
| Viv returns to her bed and slides under the covers. | |
| Viv Martella: | Yeah well, call it my maternal instinct. You've either got it or you haven't. |
| Viv glares in Polly's direction and turns over in her bed. | |
| June Ackland: | I wish Polly would hurry up and find it. Night Viv. |
| Viv Martella: | Night June. Night Hope. |
| Viv and Juen settle down to sleep, the room falling silent again. Polly blinks several times, her gaze fixed on the rough brick wall, having heard the passing comments. Holding the crumpled letter tightly in her hand, she feels silent tears continue to run down her cheeks. It wasn't fair. | |
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