*** POLLY'S ROOM - SECTION HOUSE - 11:10 PM ***

Polly is laying on her bed, a pillow curled up under her, day-dreaming. Reaching across and opening the bedside table, Polly slips out her diary and begins writing.

WPC Page:

'I can see it all happening, all over again. She's withdrawn, shy. The way he looks at her. He was patting her on the back. It brought it all back. His hands, on my legs, on my body, on my..'

Polly throws the pen across the room, sinking her head down into her pillow, sobbing. Norika knocks at the door.

WPC Datta:

Polly? Are you in?

Polly sighs, wiping her eyes quickly, slipping the diary back where it belongs.

WPC Page:

Hang on!

Norika waits outside patiently. Polly drags herself slowly from the bed, heading for the door and opening it.

WPC Page:

Oh, Norika, hi.

Norika peers into the room.

WPC Datta:

Are you okay, Poll?

Polly crosses her arms in front of her awkwardly.

WPC Page:

Yeah, fine. Why?

Norika looks into Polly's eyes and reads the lie within them.

WPC Datta:

You don't look it. Have you been crying?

Polly nods slowly.

WPC Page:

Does it show that much?

WPC Datta:

It's not something you can hide. Do you want to talk about it?

Polly shakes her head.

WPC Page:

It's personal.

Polly trails off, wanting to change the subject. Norika shrugs.

WPC Datta:

Well, it's your choice. Fancy a drink?

Polly pauses, deciding to take her up on it.

WPC Page:

Well, yeah, that'd be great.

Norika smiles.

WPC Datta:

Well are you ready? There's no time like the present!

Polly nods.

WPC Page:

Yeah, I'll just grab a coat.

Norika turns around and leaves Polly's doorway.

WPC Datta:

I'll wait downstairs.

*** THE PIKE'S HEAD - 11:30 PM ***

Norika and Polly are walking up a hill towards the pub. Norika is in a cheerful mood but Polly's reluctance is obvious.

WPC Page:

You sure about this?

WPC Datta:

'Course I am.

Norika speaks with confidence. Polly follows Norika into the pub. Dave is downing his third lager for the night, watching with amusement as Ben tries to balance a coaster on his nose. Norika and Polly are shocked by the crowd.

WPC Datta:

Shall we?

Norika is cut off by a loud raucous boom from the gaggle of men. Polly cringes.

WPC Page:

Do we have to?

PC Prior:

Well look here lads! It's two strip-o-grams come down from the local nick!

Ben is drunk and he doesn't care who knows it.

WPC Datta:

Looks like we do, we've been spotted.

Polly sighs, following after Norika. Norika chooses a table well away from the men.

WPC Datta:

We should be safe here. What are you having?

WPC Page:

Barcardi and coke.

Polly replies looking from the men to Norika. Norika smiles and walks over to the bar.

PC Prior:

Hey Nori, fancy a bit of rough?

Ben is grinning foolishly. Norika looks at Ben with disgust.

WPC Datta:

You're a bit too rough, mate.

Norika rests her elbows on the bar, as a roar of laughter is directed at Ben. He looks angrily.

PC Prior:

Silly cow. Wouldn't know a decent man if he touched her up!

Steve polishes off his scotch, nodding to Ben.

PC Loxton:

Too right.

PC Stamp:

Oh shut up you two. Let's get drunk, that's what we came here for.

Tony drains his beer. Ben tries to fix his attention on Tone.

PC Prior:

You're just jealous 'cause I got to sleep with our new colleague but you didn't!

Ben licks his lips and downs a scotch and soda.

PC Stamp:

Shut up, you prat.

Steve pushes against Ben's shoulder.

PC Loxton:

Give over!

Ben grins.

PC Prior:

She was begging for it, mate. She was practically on her knees begging me to do it!

Norika overhears the last few comments. She turns around and heads back to Polly, a look of intense loathing written all over her face. Polly takes her drink with a nod.

WPC Page:

What's up Norika?

WPC Datta:

You should hear what they're saying over there.

Norika sits down.

WPC Datta:

That little ray of sunshine is shooting his mouth off.

Norika nods, indicating Ben. Polly rolls her eyes.

WPC Page:

Wouldn't surprise me. Look, can we just finish these and head off? I don't fancy having to put up with that lot.

WPC Datta:

Neither do I. Too much testosterone, that's their problem.

Norika smiles at Polly and the girls get on with their drinks.

PC Prior:

And she was pleading with me, yelling 'Don't stop Benny boy' at the top of her voice. She was really into it and it lasted for so long.

Ben is speaking at the top of his voice and he finishes his sentence with a glare in the direction of the two girls. Steve follows his glare, bursting into laughter, whispering back to the group.

PC Loxton:

You'd never know it to look at her, little thing like that!

Ben laughs and lights up a cigarette.

PC Prior:

She ain't that little, Stevie. At least, not where it counts!

PC Stamp:

Just leave it, Ben.

Tony sits back with a grim look on his face. Dave scoffs.

PC Quinnan:

What, jealous Tone? Just coz you didn't get anywhere.

Dave chuckles. Tony is too worn out to respond.

PC Prior:

I think he's a bit tired, Davie-boy. He can't pick up a plonk so no doubt he's been spending a lot of time enjoying his own company!

Ben and Dave erupt into spasms of laughter.

PC Quinnan:

Aw, that's just cruel, Ben.

Ben looks serious and repentant.

PC Prior:

Yeah, I guess. But it's true!

Ben and Dave explode into fresh laughter but Tone has stopped listening. Dave turns to Ben.

PC Quinnan:

I bet, if you were to walk over there right now, she wouldn't so much as peck you on the cheek!

Ben slurps down the last dregs of his beer and stands up.

PC Prior:

Sure she will. Women find me irresistible, the stupid sluts. 'Scuse me gents while I go over and feel up my pretty little blonde bombshell.

Ben stands up, none too steadily and staggers over towards Polly and Norika. Ben approaches the table and leans in close towards Polly. His breath carries a foul reek of stale beer.

PC Prior:

Fancy another kiss, Blondie?

Polly slides across out of her chair, turning to Norika.

WPC Page:

I'm leaving.

Ben pushes his face towards Polly.

PC Prior:

C'mon sweetie, just a little kiss. You seemed eager enough the other night.

Polly looks between the shocked Norika and the awaiting plods.

WPC Page:

Piss off.

Ben grabs the back of Polly's head roughly and pulls her head towards him.

PC Prior:

Just a quick peck, Blondie. I promise not to bite!

Polly tries to pull away from him, his grasp too tight.

WPC Page:

Let me go, you bastard!

Ben lets go of Polly's head and slides his hand downwards. He grabs Polly's right buttock and pulls her body towards his.

PC Prior:

You're a cheeky girl, Polly.

Polly shoves him backwards, bursting into tears and runs towards the door. Ben laughs.

PC Prior:

Come back here, you little whore!

Polly heads out of the pub, tears streaming down her face. Norika pushes past Ben, knocking him sideways as she pursues Polly.

WPC Datta:

Polly! Wait up!

Ben has a huge grin on his face as he mimics Norika's voice.

PC Prior:

Polly! Wait up!

Ben laughs and rejoins his companions. Steve pats Ben on the back encouragingly.

PC Loxton:

Better luck next time, mate!

PC Prior:

Well she was begging me for it, did you see?

PC Quinnan:

Yeah and besides the plonks always stick together. The trick is to get em on their own.

Ben grunts.

PC Prior:

All women are bastards. Who needs women when you've got your mates, eh?

Ben puts his arm around Steve and orders another pint. It's going to be a long night.

** APRIL 17TH **

*** SECTION HOUSE - 12:15 AM ***

Norika has been following Polly home. She finally manages to catch up with her outside the section house. No words are exchanged but both women go inside. Norika and Polly walk up to the kitchen area and they sit on opposite sides of the table. Norika thoughtfully looks at Polly's slumped form. Polly brings a hand to her forehead, continuing to sob. Norika sighs.

WPC Page:

He, he's just such a bastard.

Norika looks concerned.

WPC Datta:

Prior? I noticed!

Polly looks away.

WPC Page:

It's more than that. The other night..

Norika waits expectantly for Polly to finish her sentence.

WPC Datta:

Go on. What's troubling you?

Polly looks away.

WPC Page:

The other night, when I came in, I'd just finished late turn. I, I dunno where to start, I mean one minute I'm getting changed the next he's, he's..

Polly trails off sniffling and wiping her eyes.

WPC Datta:

He's what? What did he do?

WPC Page:

He, he came into the locker room. He said stuff, he came over to me..

Polly's hand again and smiles at her.

WPC Datta:

Just tell me exactly what he did, right from the start Polly. Don't leave anything out.

Polly sighs, her eyes filling up with tears.

WPC Page:

I was getting changed and he just barged in. I asked him what he thought he was doing and he made some sleazy remark. He, he pushed me up hard against the lockers, he kissed me, he pulled me down onto the floor, I couldn't scream, nuffink. He ripped open my blouse, pressing right up against me. I was trying to struggle but it didn't do any good.

Polly looks across to Norika. Norika is looking down, lost in thought. Norika looks up and stares into Polly's eyes.

WPC Datta:

Yeah, something similar happened to me once. How much further did he o? Did he..

Norika trails off.

WPC Datta:

Did he rape you, Polly?

Polly looks helplessly over at her colleague.

WPC Page:

There was nothing I could do! He was on top of me, really rough and aggressive. He, he pulled me knickers off and just held me down, while he, finished. I gave up fighting him then, it was useless. As soon as I could I just lashed out, I kicked him and broke free. I got dressed as quick as I could and got the hell outa there.

Norika looks taken aback.

WPC Datta:

Yeah, I saw what he did tonight, that wasn't right. I thought that something was amiss.

Norika collects her thoughts.

WPC Datta:

Do you want to make this official? I mean, Prior's pretty popular on the relief.

Polly sighs.

WPC Page:

So he can do what he likes, yeah? You're just as bad as the rest of em!

Norika grits her teeth.

WPC Datta:

I'm being realistic, Polly. Have you got any proof of this?

Polly shakes her head miserably.

WPC Page:

Just some light bruising. I didn't know what to do. I didn't think, I guess.

Norika gets businesslike.

WPC Datta:

Show me the bruises.

Polly awkwardly pulls up her jumper, revealing the purple patches.

WPC Page:

There are some others on me thighs too.

Norika examines the bruises with a grave face.

WPC Datta:

Show me them.

Polly sighs and slides her skirt up, exposing the small marks. Norika lightly runs her fingertips across the discoloured areas, stopping as Polly winces.

WPC Datta:

Does that hurt?

Polly nods slowly. Norika stands up.

WPC Datta:

Well, there's nothing serious here. Did he hurt you in any other way?

Polly recomposes herself with an uncomfortable expression on her face.

WPC Page:

No, not that I know of.

Norika thinks hard.

WPC Datta:

Did anybody see him on top of you?

Polly shakes her head.

WPC Page:

He closed the door when he came in.

WPC Datta:

Is there any chance that someone could have overheard it?

WPC Page:

I dunno. I mean It sounded pretty noisy to me but it was after changeover. He probably planned it that way.

Norika looks frustrated.

WPC Datta:

Is there anything at al that might help to substantiate a formal accusation of rape?

Polly looks away.

WPC Page:

It's his word against mine, ain't it?

WPC Datta:

Well, if you've got no witnesses and no evidence..

Norika shrugs her shoulders.

WPC Datta:

It's not looking good Poll.

Polly buries her face in her hands.

WPC Page:

It's just not fair! I mean, I didn't do nuffink to deserve all this and I'm the one stuck working with him everyday. You've seen what he's like!

Norika purses her lips into a tight smile.

WPC Datta:

We all know what Ben Prior is capable of.

Polly looks up at Norika in disbelief.

WPC Page:

What, so I shoulda expected it? I can't believe you're making excuses for him!

Norika shakes her head.

WPC Datta:

I'm not, Polly. I'm just saying you have to think about this practically. You know what the job's like, you know all about the male-dominated culture. If you make an allegation like this, you'll need strong proof to back it up.

WPC Page:

Well, you saw what he was like tonight. And I'm sure Tony..

Polly trails off miserably. Norika keeps shaking her head.

WPC Datta:

It's not enough, Polly. We need definite proof to even have a chance at this. Are you sure you've told me everything?

Polly nods.

WPC Page:

Yeah, that's it. It's pointless, ain't it? There's nuffink I can do.

Norika slaps Polly on the back.

WPC Datta:

Don't say that. Sleep on it, yeah? Think it over and figure out what you want to do properly.

Polly stands and looks extremely tired.

WPC Page:

Yeah, whatever.

Norika helps Polly to her feet then stands back as the tall, slender girl waves her off. Polly begins walking out of the room, before telling and stating simply:

WPC Page:

I just have to get over it, don't I?

Polly turns back and heads off towards the stairwell.

*** POLLY'S ROOM - SECTION HOUSE - 12:32 AM ***

Polly stumbles through into her room, slamming the door behind her and curling up on her bed, reaching for her diary. In her haste the few photos slipped into the back of it, spill down onto the bed. Tears streaming down her face, Polly reaches for the nearest photo, a school picture taken when she was about eleven. Staring through tears at the photo, her decision is clear. She can't win either way. Making her way back out of her room and towards the bathroom, Polly checks to make sure no-one's around before heading over to the medicine cabinet, hesitating before grabbing the two packets of Paracetamol and locking herself in the nearest cubicle. Norika is walking up the staircase on her way to bed. She notices that someone is in the bathroom and decides to investigate.

WPC Datta:

Polly? Are you alright?

Norika walks into the group bathroom and spots the closed cubicle.

WPC Datta:

Polly?

Norika softly taps on the door. Polly manages a strained response.

WPC Page:

Leave me alone, will ya!

Norika sighs.

WPC Datta:

Look, I'm sorry that there's nothing you can do about this Poll, believe me I wish there was!

Polly raises her voice angrily.

WPC Page:

Just forget about it, will ya!

Norika loses her patience.

WPC Datta:

Oh for god's sake will you grow up? Just get over it!

WPC Page:

Look, I don't wanna talk about it! Get lost!

WPC Datta:

You're such a bloody wet blanket! It's no wonder he raped you! I bet you let him walk all over you!

Norika storms off in a huff.

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