written by young people in Southwark Social Services After Care Team
November 2010
Mum: I don’t know what happened Antwan, you were such a nice boy. You aint called in ages, I’ve missed you. Come back home. Look, I know your Dads been gone for a long time, it’s hard I know, I miss him too. Look, Antwan, come home.
Alisha: Antwan, what’s wrong? It’s like I don’t recognise you. Ever since you started hanging round with them boys, there not good for you. There nothing but trouble. Look Antwan, I care about you, but you need to make a choice, it’s me or those boys.
J: Yo fam, you wanna come to ma boys wid me. He’s got some work for us still. What you up to Monday because manz gonna get a Q you on dat.
Scene 1
Antwan and mum in the house, mum sitting in the living room, Antwan creeps in through the front door.
Mum: Antwan, is that you?!?
Antwan: yeah…..
Mum: Come here!
Antwan: What?
Mum: Where you bin! You aint called me or text me?
Antwan: Mum I don’t need your stress; I’ve had a long day man
Mum: Were have you been? Where have you bin staying? You think it’s alright to just disappear for a week?
Antwan: Look I am not a little boy; I’m a big man now!
Mum: You know what; if you’re such a big man den you don’t need me….
Antwan: So what you chucking me out
Mum: I’m not chucking you out; I just need you to fix up. You’re a big man, yeah. You need to stop playing games. So grow up and be a man.
Antwan: Mum, why’re you always in my business
Mum: You know what; I try and try for you. I bend over backwards for you and this is how you repay me. You know what, I aint gonna do this no more…
Antwan: I see what’s going on now, you don’t want me!
[ Antwan walks out ]
Scene 2
Antwan and Alisha meeting at Trafalgar Square, next to the fountain. Alisha has been shopping and is waiting for Antwan.
Alisha: Hi babe, how are you? Longtime…..
Antwan: Yeah I know…. Where you bin?
Alisha: Just been shopping innit, for Saturday….. It’s the party! Your comin right?
Antwan: oh yeah… the party. Not sure what’s going on with the boys
Alisha: You promised…. I’m not liking how we don’t get to meet more often
Antwan: Yeah I know but your brothers don’t like me as it is already, so….
Alisha: I know… but you can at least try harder to make time to see me. It’s always about your boys and your putting me in a position where I’m gonna have to ask you to choose…. me or your boys.
Antwan: This is very silly, you’re my girl and they’re my boys?
Alisha: Your starting to make me wonder if this is really worth it [starts to cry]
Antwan: Starting to make you wonder if what’s worth it…. us?
Alisha: Do you know what I’ve gone through? Do you know what my family are saying… You don’t have a clue Antwan!
Antwan: I don’t need this Alisha; I’ve got enough stuff going on at home
[Antwan storms off]
Scene 3
Antwan and J jammin in the park. J sat on a bench, Antwan enters with bag.
Antwan: Yes fam
J: Whats good?
Antwan: Same old, same old
J: look a bit pissed still, you wanna talk… I’m here innit.
Antwan: Cuz, don’t know where to start. Basically yeah, my mum dropped it on me, said I need to fix up. I’m not no little boy! Why she treating me like that? Listen; can you put me up for a bit? Need some space innit….
J: Yeah yeah yeah… Don’t watch nothing fam
Antwan: Cool cool… My girl was chattin shit about…
[ little pause ]
J: About what fam?
Antwan: chatting about how I’m not spending time with her
J: That have done fam! You can’t be letting chicks run your life… did she say anything about me?
Antwan: No no no…. why you think that?
J: Ahhh no, I’m just sayin… does she think I’m a bad influence, ha ha! Anyway, we still on for Saturday?
Antwan: cause man! Wouldn’t miss that, please. Alisha wanted me to come to some party, but I said I had something on with you innit
J: What you said you were jamming with me? What you do that for fam?! Your girl don’t need to know nothing about me…. Meet me at my yard at 12; we’ll go down their together.
Antwan: Meet you then cuz