“Poisoned products...”
(It was the year 2000,
dark clouds hovered above Dagenham. It
was 4pm, but the skies were dark and grey, the sun was hidden. Jamie raced
quickly on his bike, his fingers and feet were numb. He could feel his tear
ducts freezing in the cold. Each harsh breath he took produced a mini fog in
front of him. He could feel his heart beating in his chest, his cheeks were
bright red. He kept on pedalling as fast as his legs could carry him. Two dogs
appeared on the side road barking loudly, he swerved his bike away from them,
he just about maintained his balance. He guided his bike back onto the pavement
on the path leading through the park. He took a quick glance behind him, as he
looked to the in he could see some figures in the distance. A group of boys
wearing hoodies, they all stood closely together facing Jamie. He couldn’t make
out their facial expressions as he was still some distance from them. He began
to panic as he got closer, he looked behind him and saw another boy appear in a
hoodie bearing down on him on a bike. Jamie continued to cycle faster, as he
got closer he could make out some of the faces, he could hear muffled voices
and cries as he got closer. The boy behind him called put “Where you going!?”
Jamie replied, “The Finish line!” As he got closer he could see the faces of
the excited group of boys. They were laughing and cheering.)
Jamie: Haha! I told you I had this!
Max: Whatever man! Next time I’ll beat you!
Jamie: Haha! All talk and no action!
(Max flicked a £1 coin
towards Jamie, he caught it in mid air and stowed it away in his pocket.)
Jamie: What are you doing today? We need to get on that
homework from Mr. Hicks
Max: Yeah, we should but I’d much rather just copy yours.
Jamie: Haha! You don’t even know that I will get the answers
right!
Max: Mate, your always right, I’ve been living off you since
primary school all the way up until year 10, next year you can carry me through
the GCSE’s!
(They both laughed
heartily.)
(A group of hooded boys arrived on the scene. Many of them
donned, navy blue jeans, nike air maxes and tracksuits. Ricky was Max’s brother
he led from the front. He had a rugged ginger beard and muscular build, despite
his rough look all the girls in the area swooned over him. He was respected by
all the young kids and the older adults.)
Ricky: Max you let this boy take your money again?
Max: Yeah! But I will beat him soon! Practice makes perfect!
Ricky: What you going to spend your money on fam?
Jamie: Probably get some panda pops or football stickers.
(Ricky laughed and
playfully put them both in a headlock.)
Ricky: You youngers give me jokes, one day I will show you
about that real wonga init! Ask Max, he knows the deal! Haha
Max: Haha
Ricky: You lot are alright though yeah? Ain’t seen none of
those Barking pussyholes?
(Jamie and Max looked
at each other awkwardly. They always felt uncomfortable when Ricky made
reference to any gang conflict.)
Max: No we have’t just went to school and had a race, off
home now.
Ricky: Good! Them pricks can’t come around here, they know
what time it is, when I see them it’s on site, no talking!
Jamie: I’m late!
Max: For what?
Jamie: Erm my lessons.
Ricky: Oh, your poxy piano lessons! Is that how you get the
girls yeah? You play a tune and the girls come to your house yeah! Pied piper
of Dagenham, you rascal!
Jamie: Haha! I wish! I’m off!
(Jamie hopped on his
bike and pedalled do the end of the park. He headed to the top of the road, he
weaved past some of the pedestrians before parking up his bike. He jogged
towards a small grey building. It had the name in block capitals, ‘Young and
gifted music Academy’. The room was large with wooden flooring. The room was filled
with warmth and peace. Jamie always felt a sense of serenity every time he came
to do his lessons. The tapestry and curtains had golden and purple embroidery.
Pianos, violins and Chellos were placed around the room. Everybody was seated
in a circle. Everybody stared at him as he walked in the room. Victoria was a
tall blonde lady with piercing green eyes. She glared at Jamie as he took up a
seat, her angry facial expression could not hide her divine beauty.)
Victoria: Your late!
Jamie: Sorry miss, I just-
Victoria: Save it! The national talent awards are in a few
weeks and you’re not taking your lessons seriously at all!
Jamie: Sorry miss.
(Victoria turned to
face the class.)
Victoria: As I’m sure you’re aware, the national talent
awards will be in 2 weeks. It will be at the Royal Albert hall, I trust you all
brought your permission slips with you
(She shot a look at
Jamie.)
Victoria: After this session I want all the slips in my tray
or you won’t come! Let’s begin!
(Everybody played
their instruments individually or in sync with others. The atmosphere was
majestic, the sounds of Mozart and Beethoven sweetly floated in the room.
Victoria surveyed all of them intently, she approached every individual,
correcting them where they were going wrong and encouraging them when they were
doing something right.)
Victoria: Excellent! Amazing! A few improvements for everybody
but so far we are on the right track! But remember somebody has to perform
alone for the final act that will give the judges a good idea of who is the
strongest academy. We all know what is at stake.
(Jamie’s stomach
flipped, he was happy and nervous at the prospect of winning. A trip to Paris and
touring with the Academy was so much more than he could have hoped for. He
looked over at Lizzy and felt a twinge of nerves again. Lizzy had long dread
locks, smooth brown skin and full lips. Whenever Jamie looked at her he got a
tingling sensation in his throat. He had fancied her from year 7. She was
always nice to him and they got along well, they made a stronger bond since
they both joined the academy 2 years before. Every time he spoke to her or
caught eye contact with her he felt butterflies.)
Victoria: Jamie!
(Jamie almost jumped
out of his skin.)
Victoria: Mozart, play now, by yourself.
(Jamie got up and
tentatively walked to the piano. He clicked his fingers and stretched his arms,
he began to play effortlessly. The sounds seemed to put everybody in trance.
When he finished the whole room broke into cheering and applause. Lizzy
embraced him; at that point Jamie felt that he was ready to pass out.)
Victoria: Excellent! I think we have our leader! Now it is
time to go! Leave your slips in my tray! And Jamie if you come late again I
will lynch you boy!
(They all filtered out
of the room, Jamie walked briskly to his bike, Lizzy followed him and tapped
his shoulder.)
Lizzy: Where you rushing to?
Jamie: I’m going home, need to finish off the homework or
Mr. Hicks will lynch me as well.
Lizzy: Typical Jamie, always doing the right thing, you’re a
good boy, I like that, you’re not like the other
rowdy lot.
Jamie: (Blushes)
Thanks Liz.
Lizzy: Do you think we will win?
Jamie: Hopefully, we should be alright, Victoria is wicked.
Lizzy: Yes she is.
(Jamie could not help
but stare into Lizzy’s eyes, he was memorized.)
Jamie: Anyway I’m off home! See you later!
End Scene
Scene 2
(It was Saturday
morning, the wind blew ferociously through Dagenham. The street lights flickered in the darkness. Foxes and cats rummaged
through the rubbish sat outside Jamie’s house. The bin men had evidently
forgotten to come and take the rubbish. It seemed that everybody had forgotton about Jamie and his family except the landlord who kept coming daily demanding rent money.)
Dad: Jamie!! Jamie!! Wake up! It’s 8 o clock! Max is
downstairs waiting for you!
(Jamie sprang up, he
had forgotton that it was his first day at work. Since his Dad got laid off he had been
desperate to secure the job, he looked all summer up until November when he had
given up. Luckily Max’s Nan worked in the Morrison’s, she managed to secure
them two weekend jobs. Jamie washed his face and quickly ironed his shirt. He
ran downstairs and hastily shouted out goodbye. He could hear his dad in the
distance shout something about not having his breakfast but he didn’t have
time. He had to go in hungry or risk being late. The both ran for the bus 5,
just making it.)
Jamie: Sorry I forgot man.
Max: It’s alright we still have time, my Nan will look after
us, at least we can make some peezzz fammmmm!
Jamie: Haha! What you gonna spend your money on?
Max: First pay cheque is definitely going on the new Fifa or
a nike jacket, the one with the suede sleeves. You?
Jamie: I might take Lizzy to that fancy café near Ilford.
Max: What’s fancy about it? Because it has those funny
patterns on the chairs? It’s traditional English breakfast, nothing fancy about
it mate, even I could make a fry up!
Jamie: Like you can even fry 2 eggs mate! Haha! This is our
stop, lets go!
(The day went
relatively smoothly. They worked at the hot food section in the morning, in the
afternoon they worked in the stockroom organising delivery. Max’s Nan called
out ‘That’s my Grandson every chance she got’. Max was not impressed by that.)
Max: Bloody hell, I’ll be happy to work all my shifts back
here, at least I’m out of site of the old lady eh.
(He picks up a
chocolate bar and eats it behind a crate, out of site of the cameras.)
Jamie: If you carry on like that we will get sacked before
long
(Jamie sees some
movement in the corner of his eyes. He looks outside the window, a tall Chinese
man come out of a car slowly. He taps Max on the shoulder and calls his to
watch at the activity. Ricky appears from the corner, he shakes the man’s hand
and passes him a package. He looks over his shoulder and the man gives him an
envelope. They shake hands and go their separate ways.)
Jamie: That was dodgy, I’m sure tha he-
Max: Shut up man.
Jamie: What? Max you need to talk to him, if you get
involved with the wrong people you get-
Max: Listen, it’s none of your business what he does, just
drop it.
(They continued the
rest of the shift in silence. The tension was strong. When it got to 5 o clock,
they both clocked out of their shift. As they walked out they nodded at each
other and went their separate ways. Jamie crossed the road to the launderette
to go to see Lizzy. Her smile gleamed as he crossed the road. He puffed out his
chest as he got closer to her.)
Lizzy: Hey!
Jamie: How was work? Everybody is working now.
Lizzy: Yeah, we have to its hard around here for everybody,
it’s not like we are rich.
Jamie: What time do you have to be home?
Lizzy: I have to be in like 7 to look after my sister. Why?
Jamie: Erm, do you want to go chip shop for a bit?
Lizzy: Yeah of course, why not!
End Scene
Scene 3
(Over the few weeks
Jamie and Lizzy were spending a lot of time with each other, they done their
homework together and rode their bikes together. After every shift she would
wait for him outside work. They would hold hands on the street and go and sit
in the park. Occasionally having snow fights in the park. Jamie was happy
despite the fact he and his family were dirt poor. Lizzy and music had brought
new life to him.)
Dad: Jamie! You got a letter!
(In the background ‘My
Girl’ by The Temptations is playing in the background through the cassette player.
Jamie runs down the stairs and picks up two letters with his name on it on the
table.)
Jamie: You alright dad?
Dad: I’m alright fella, still looking for work. I’m going to
sign on soon, life is hard right now but we will be ok.
Jamie: It’s not much but here, take this money, maybe we can
use it to pay for the heating, it’s getting so cold this season.
(Jamie’s mother saw
this, her eyes welled up and she burst into tears. Jamie’s twin brothers jumped
on his back laughing and squealing, he tackled them down to the floor and playfully
wrestled them on the floor. They laughed out loudly.)
Dad: Haha!
Mum: How many times do I have to remind you no fighting in
this house!
(Jamie’s dad kisses her on the cheek. The twins jump on his father’s
back. He runs upstairs with his letters and enters his room. He sits on the
side of the bed and opens it up. Victoria notifies them of the event the next
day. He opens the second letter, it is a newsletter from the school. He lays
back on his bed and looks at the picture of his family. He scrolls through his
phone and looks at the picture of Lizzy. He makes up his mind there and then
that he needs to control and execute his performance the next day. He is the
only one who can take his family out of their situation.)
Scene 4
(The following day the bus was rocking, the group were excited that
they got a private minibus to take them to Royal Albert hall. Lizzy was sat next to Jamie.
When they reached the building they all hurried off the bus. Jamie got up but
Lizzy held him back, she waited till everybody got off the bus, she pulls him
in close and kisses him softly on the lips. Jamie stares at her in shock.)
Jamie: Wow. What was that for?
Lizzy: I wanted our first kiss to
be special, this is a special occasion, I know you will win this for us. Good
luck!
(Victoria signalled them angrily to get off the bus. They hurried into
the hall. It was extremely busy, there were many academies inside the building.
Jamie noticed that many of the academies had come from upper class backgrounds.
Most of them stared at his group in disgust. They wore bow ties and smart
blazers whilst Jamie wore a pair of ripped boot-cut jeans with a scuffed pair
of reebok classics. Some of the children walked past and made snide remarks
“Haha look at those poor kids” “are they going to use the bins to play the
drums?”. Jamie heard the remarks and remained unmoved. Victoria met the co-ordinator
and shook hands with him. He was a short round bellied man with a thick
moustache. He wore a 3 piece grey suit, Jamie had never seen a man dressed so
smartly.)
Rodger: Delightful to see you Victoria! It has been many years!
Victoria: I know, I know, how wonderful to see you all
Rodger: So this is your group. Hmm I've heard so much about this bunch.
(He grimaced at the state of Jamie's trainers, he turned to smile at Victoria He came over to the group and smiled at them. Jamie was filled with excitement,
he had never felt so much joy. The man led them to a room; it was similar to
their academy room, filled with instruments with a seating area. They came in
and immediately began to rehearse. After an hour Victoria brought them in for a
team huddle.)
Victoria: Ok guys, this is it!
You’ve been working so hard. Let’s make it count! I don’t care what happens
just give your best you’ve all made me proud, it’s been a pleasure working with
you all!
(She wipes a tear from her face)
(They head to the back stage and wait for their slot. They watch and
listen from behind the curtain. After an hour of listening to other
performances, Jamie decides he hasn’t heard anything particularly spectacular.
He is convinced victory is for the taking.)
Announcer: Last but not least!
Will the young and gifted music academy from Dagenham please come out!
(A small round of applause rang out. They confidently strode onto stage
and began performing. It was an effortless display of talent and creativity.
Jamie’s solo performance got a huge round of applause. Once they finished they
bowed and exited the stage left. Victoria was in tears, she couldn’t even hide
how proud she was. They sat on the bench and all held hands, patiently waiting
the results, Jamie was beaming.)
Announcer: And the unanimous
winner of this year’s competition is the South Kensington music group! They win
£10,000 and trip across Europe touring.
(The crowd burst into cheers and a loud round of applause. Meanwhile
the backstage where the young and gifted group were was in complete silence and
shock. Jamie’s jaw dropped, he was filled with confusion and an unfamiliar
feeling of rage. The man with the moustache came into the back and ushered them
to leave the building. Victoria was livid, nobody had seen her like this
before.)
Victoria: You stupid man! You
people are stupid! We were the best! If we were from poxy Chelsea or poxy south
Kensington we would have won!
Rodger: Please, leave the building
madam, we don’t want to get you escorted out, you tried hard, come back next
year, maybe with a little bit more class.
(They left the building, all of them hand their heads down, they were
confident of victory but they weren’t so fortunate. Jamie sat by himself and
stared outside the window in complete shock and silence. Rage bubbled inside of
him, this was his chance to bring change to his family and his community but it
was snatched from his hands. The driver called his name out as they pulled up
to his estate. He got off the bus and walked slowly in the darkness. He could smell
the scent of marijuana in the air as he got closer to his house. He was used to
the smell of alcohol, marijuana and other substances. In the corner of his eyes
he could see a group of girls laughing out loudly. All of them were clearly
drunk stumbling across the road. The boys in the blocks called down and jeered
at them. The local crack head crawled out of the back road calling out “Terry!
Where are you!? I need some stuff!” A Benz pulled up and a man wound the window
down and threw a package at him and peeled off. The Benz screeched loudly as it
turned the corner. Jamie stared at it as it left the estate, he looked at the
crack head as he gave a toothless smile. He hugged the package, it was so precious to
him, just as the competition was precious to Jamie. He walked into his house,
he kicked off his trainers and walked through the living room where his mum and
dad sat on the sofa.)
Mum: How was the show Mozart!
Dad: That’s my boy! I know you
have it in the bag, you keep making us proud.
Mum: Haha
Jamie: Not so good, we didn’t win
maybe next year.
Dad: Oh, never mind next year.
Jamie: Yeah, next year.
(His mother and father looked at each other with a look of dismay. He
turned into the corridor and ran up the stairs and slammed the door. He sat in
his bed in the darkness. The moonlight streamed through his torn curtains. He
was due to get them replaced but his parents could not afford it. He could hear
more noise outside, he got up and looked outside. He saw another Benz and BMW
pull up on the block. He saw Ricky and a few other boys he had seen around. He
could see a few girls sitting in the back seat. Ricky looked like he didn’t
have a care in the world.)
End Scene
Scene 4
(The next few weeks that passed Jamie wasn’t himself. He visited Lizzy
sparingly. His mind was scrambled, the loss at the competition had rattled him.
Even at work he was making many simple errors. His Dad was still not working,
neither was his mother. They were deep into debt. Jamie’s contributions were
not reducing the burden significantly. He was becoming fed up, Max was the only
person who seemed to understand him. They continued to work through the boxes
in the afternoon.)
Max: I’m tired man, but I’m just
happy I’m getting money.
Jamie: yeah
Max: How’s Lizzy?
Jamie: Don’t know.
Max: Mate, you used to love her a
few weeks ago, now you just don’t cre
Jamie: Got other things to think
about, forget these girls man.
Max: Yeah, Ricky always says money
over bitches, I’ve never understood that phrase.
Jamie: Speaking of Ricky.
(They both strode to the window leading to the back street. As usual
Ricky came with a package to deliver to the gentleman. They made the exchange and
went their separate ways. Jamie stared at them in silence, he dropped his box of
frosties and stormed out of the stock room and went left the shop. Max called
out his name through the supermarket. Jamie went through the automatic doors,
the rain was beating heavily. He saw Ricky in the car park entering his car. He
jogged towards his red BMW and tapped his window.)
Jamie: I want in.
Ricky: What bruv? Oi what you
talking about?
Jamie: I’m not stupid alright? I
want in! Whatever your doing, I want in!
(Ricky opened his door and stepped out, he was irate, he looked at his
brother Max then looked at Jamie.)
Ricky: We don’t talk about what I
do in the supermarket car park you twat! Get in the back seat.
(Jamie quickly hopped in with Max. Jamie examined them in this mirror,
Max was clearly uncomfortable, Jamie’s face was neutral.)
Jamie: I’m tired of this shit, I
want in. Any deal your doing, just tell me the rules and I’ll play along, I’m
smart and I’m good with maths. I’ll work for you, Max is your brother he doesn’t
need to get involved, he is my best mate. I just want to make some money for my
family. We might get evicted if we don’t pay the rent.
Ricky: You always explained the
rules of the game to me. Family first and loyalty. If you want in this is how
it goes...
End Scene
Scene 5
(A year had passed and Jamie was fully involved in the drug trade. His
mum and dad had found work in Dagenham market. They had their own stall, all
thanks to Jamie’s contribution. He never disclosed his business and kept it
away from his family. He stressed to Ricky he was only doing it to help his
family. His mother had her suspicions but she didn’t ask questions as Jamie had
taken up more hours at Morison’s. He had also completely forgot about Lizzy, he
was simply focused on acquiring money to look after his brothers and his
parents. He arrived at Ricky’s flat, he knocked on the door three times, Ricky
opened the door and smiled when he saw Jamie. He handed over an envelope to him
and nodded his head. He jumped on the bus 5 back to his estate. He looked
outside the window and saw kids playing football in the park and riding their
bikes. He was overwhelmed by the joy they displayed, pure , innocent fun. Most
of them lived in his area. The bus driver made an announcement but Jamie was
too engrossed in the feeling of nostalgia. He felt a tap on his shoulder, an
elderly women tapped his shoulder. ‘Last stop, bus terminating here darling’.
Jamie looked at the bus stop and immediately panicked. He was in Barking, enemy territory.)
Bus Driver: Boy! You better get
off this bus the next one to Dagenham will be here in 5 minutes!
(Jamie walked down the stairs carefully. He looked left and right and
hopped off the bus. He put his hood on and looked down at his nike air maxes.
But it was too late, one of the barking boys had caught a glimpse of his face
before he even got off the bus. A group of boys crossed the road hood up and
circled Jamie. It was too late.)
End Scene
Scene 6
(Ricky and his crew were sat in his flat. He was livid. Max sat next to
Jamie on the sofa, he had a fat lip and a black eye.)
Ricky: This is war! Them Barking
boys are finished! We need to ride out on them, we need to act fast! Any delay
will be taken as a sign of weakness. I’m not a prick fam!
Jamie: I don’t think I can do this
no more, I just wanted money for my family.
Ricky: It’s not about what you
want bruv, don’t be a pussy! It’s deeper than money it’s about respect now!
They know you’re affiliated with me and work for me. You can’t back out now!
Max: Ricky, please man, we don’t
need to go this far.
Ricky: Shut up!
(He goes into his draw and takes out a tiny packet. He empties out the
contents on the table. He takes out a blade from his back pocket and shifts the
cocaine on the table. He gets on his knees and begins doing lines. Some of his
crew wince as he begins to snort.)
Ricky: OI! Peter, get your strap
we are riding out on these pricks, lets go.
Peter: Ight fam. In and out ting,
lay one or two out they won’t ever think of responding.
(They all leave the building and enter the cars parked outside. Max and
Jamie are close to tears but they hide their faces, Max looks at Ricky’s eyes
in the mirror. His eyes are filled with rage and revenge. Within 10 Minutes they
slowly creep into the Barking estate. As they creep in the can see a line of
boys with their hoods up, it is as if they are prepared for war. Some of the Barking boys held baseball bats and knives. Ricky takes
out a knife from his front pocket and exits the car. Peter holds his gun on his
hip. Everybody steps out of the car and faces their enemies across them. The
moonlight spilled in between the Dagenham boys and Barking boys, the rain continued to beat down mercilessly.)
Barking Boys: What you pricks
doing here cuz? Is it on yeah? We rushed that prick today and you want some
more?
Dagenham boys: Oi stop talking
init, lets do this ting init!
End scene
Scene 7
(The next day the Barking Estate was buzzing. The roads were blocked
off, police cars and black vans were parked inside the estate. Various TV
organisations had their vehicles just outside. Polices lines and chalk lines
covered half of the estate. Sirens were sounded and members of the community
stared outside their windows at the drama downstairs.)
BBC News reporter: Another tragic
tale of young boys that have lost their lives because of gang rivalry. Jamie
Wilson and Max Tummings tragically lost their lives in what was a very violent
and bloody shootout in the Barking estate. When will this community civil war
stop? Why do these stabbings and shootings continue to happen within the
community?)
End
