written by young people involved in
Southwark Intensive Surveillance & Supervision Programme (ISSP)
August 2010
SCENE ONE: FRANK AND BOB
In Bob’s kitchen
Bob
So what’s been going on?
Frank
Nothing much really. Just trying to stay out of trouble and get back on my feet.
Bob
How’s that going on for you?
Frank
Not too good. Can’t find a proper job that pays well and I’m restricted from most good jobs due to the nature of my offense.
Bob
It’s your fault in the first place. You shouldn’t have got yourself into all that trouble.
Frank
What d’you mean?
Bob
You’ve never really been responsible for anything in your life. Your sister seems to get on with it, your cousin seems to get on with it but you – you’re useless.
Frank
(Flipping out) You can’t be saying them stuff to me, who do you think you are? You think because you’re so rich, you think you can start criticising me. You don’t know what I’ve been through. When we were kids everyone used to pay attention to you and turn their back on me. The only reason you had such special treatment is cos you’re a foster child. I never really liked you anyway. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.
Frank walks out
SCENE TWO: FRANK AND DAD
Dad’s house
Dad is under the influence and answers the door. He doesn’t immediately recognise Frank. Finally clocking who it is, Dad turns and goes to the living room, leaving Frank to follow through the open door. Dad pours himself a drink.
Frank
Can I have some of what you’re drinking?
Dad
You know where the kitchen is.
Frank sits down
Frank
How’s things dad, how’s life? You been looking after yourself?
Dad
(shouting)
After all these years what do you really want? I aint got nothing for you here!
Frank
(trying to keep the peace)
I’m just trying to keep in touch. I ain’t seen you after all these years… I thought we’d start something new!
Dad
My life’s been great without you. How’s your miserable life?
Fank
It doesn’t have to be like this. I don’t like the attitude and the way you’re going about this.
Dad
What do you expect me to say, you haven’t come to see me since you been out apart from now – which was probably a mistake.
Frank
The reason why I haven’t been seeing you all these years is because I needed time to myself – to get myself together.
Dad
I’ve done some thinking. I’ve thought about it for quite some time now – that you Frank haven’t been of any benefit in my life since the age of 11. I think it’s time that me and you just go our separate ways. I’ve already got Bob who’s been taking care of me. So leave.
Frank
(Flipping out) So basically you’re trying to call me a screw up child?
Dad
Well yeah.
Frank
Well take a look at yourself. What are you doing so successfully in life? You act like everything is all good but really you’re a sad old man.
Dad
What are you getting at?
Frank
Don’t play games and act like you don’t know. What, you don’t think I know you’re living off of Bob’s money? That’s the only reason you like him so much.
Dad
That’s not true. You don’t know my condition.
Frank
Save it. I don’t want to hear. I’ve had enough. I’m out!
Dad
Just where do you think you’re going?
Grabs Frank who shrugs him off. Dad falls to the floor
Frank
You’re right dad. This relationship really is over.
SCENE THREE: FRANK AND BONDS
Frank bumps into Bonds on the street
Frank
(Scared) Is that you?
Tries to walk away but gets called back
Bonds
Where you going man, what’s the rush? Man’s fresh out of jail. Is that all you got to say?
Frank
I’m not in a rush it’s just that really and truly, there’s nothing much to say, cos I’ve moved on.
Bonds
I’m not gonna lie to you, you owe me one. The reason I went to jail is because of you.
Frank
I can’t help that Bonds. I’m sorry for that but I need to get going.
Frank tries to leave again but Bonds pulls him back aggressively
Bonds
Seriously. You’re gonna do me a favour and you can’t say you won’t because you owe me. And if you don’t I’ll be at your doorstep and you know what time it is after that.
Frank
Are you threatening me?
Bonds
Take it how you want it but you’re doing this favour for me. We meet tonight at the warehouse, so we can get down to business.
Bonds leaves and Frank considers his position
Frank’s monologue
I’m feeling really agitated, upset, jealous. I don’t know what to do without no money.
I’m a failure, I didn’t do anything to make good money, living off the wife.
Need to make a change. Just if my bro left me a bit of change, he would have set me off to take care of problems and set me off to make investments.
I feel like breaking down. I done this to myself. Why can’t I get it together. Bro’s right.
Monologue for ‘Rampage’ (or Frank)
I am a problem. I need to get out of this life but I can’t leave my friends. I have to be there for them. Wait… are they there for me? I want to go to college. I want to live a better life, go to university, have a nice family, a nice wife – 4 kids that I love… that I love and care about the most in the world. I want to make my mum proud. She carried me in her stomach for 9 months. She looked after me, she fed me, she bathed me – I love her a lot.
The gang life that I’m living is not the way to live. I’ve been nicked so many times – not for myself but for helping others. I’m in a situation – big situation. Somebody help me – PLEASE.
What do you mean the stupidest thing in my life? My brother’s living like this – he is happy. My 2 sisters living like this, they are happy. So why can’t I live like this? I have to do the right way. I am going to change. I MUST change.
Bob’s monologue
I feel pissed – what Frank just said to me. Maybe I shouldn’t be so selfish – give him some money. But why didn’t I give him money? He didn’t earn it. He’s a failure. Cos he did achieve nothing in this world. He didn’t listen to anyone – that’s why he’s a failure. He’s a prick. Why should he put me down cos I have money? I earned my money. I listened and achieved in school. I got a good job – he’s a bastard.