The Cement Garden

This number 12?

Cement?

Cement?

15 packs.

Put it on there.

Okay.

I really think you should... you should send the cement back, dear.

I mean, have someone to wrap it tomorrow, you could easily...

Don't they teach you any manners at school?

When your mother goes through the trouble of cooking you a decent meal,

the least you can do is eat it.

I don't like beef.

I'm sure if you telephoned, and said you've changed your mind...

It's pork. Isn't it?

- Then I don't like pork. - I'll have it!

Jack, just eat it up properly.

Not if Jack doesn't want to. Sue?

- Julie, do you want some? - No thanks.

As long as it doesn't go to waste. That's the main thing.

Why don't you ring them in the morning?

- Tell them you've changed your mind. - Out of the question.

But you put so much work into that garden...

It's a mess, it's full of weeds. It's out of control.

Son, I'll be needing your assistance tomorrow.

You'll come straight home from school.

Right!

And Thomas, sit up properly! Let your mother eat her food in peace.

I really think you should sleep on it, dear.

It'll be much tidier from now on.

And that is an end to it.

Come on Julie, we're late for gym.

See you later, Jack.

He's just cool.

Where have you been?

Oh, extra maths.

I came as quick as I could.

You better put something on. It's a messy job we've got ahead of us.

Let me do that two inches above the knee.

One should do.

I just thought it should be over there. That's two.

Jack?

No, it's you that's run down, Jack, it's not your clock.

- Now you just lie there for a moment. - No.

I think it's high time you and I had a little chat.

- I'm going to be late... - Yeah. When you're late enough as it is,

another few minutes won't make any difference.

No, don't hide behind your hair. I want to look in your eyes.

Your pupils are very large did you know that?

And there are bags under your eyes even though you've just woken up.

Do you know why that is?

You know what I'm talking about, don't you? I can see that you do.

Look...

You're growing into a young man, Jack, and I'm...

and I'm very proud of you. I am.

And I know growing up is difficult,

but there are things you can do and things you cannot do

to make it that much easier for yourself.

And if you go on the way you're going, you're going to do yourself a lot of damage.

Damage?

I mean damage to your body. I mean, just look at yourself.

You can't get up in the morning, you're tired all day, you're moody,

and your room's like a pigsty,

And don't "huh" at me.

You don't even wash properly

and you're rude to your sisters and to me.

And we both know why that is, don't we?

I don't want to alarm you, but every time that you... do it,

it takes two full pints of blood to replace it.

You don't mind me saying this to you, do you?

It's only what your dad would have said to you if he was alive.

And who knows, maybe some day you'll turn around

and thank me for telling you these things.

Now up you get!

There are clean clothes on your chair.

I have to go to the hospital this afternoon,

so you'll have to bring Tom home and take care of him.

Why can't Julie?

Because I'm asking you, Jack.

Julie has enough to do as it is and all of her homework.

And Sue's netball practice

so it'll just have to be you for a change.

He is your brother, you know.

Hurry up. Breakfast's ready downstairs.

Can I have some salt please?

The salt? Where's the salt?

Now I'll get you some salt. Would you like some more butter on it?

Yes please.

Come on, Julie, we're going to be late.

You've got time for breakfast, Jack.

Well? Are you coming or not?

You go on ahead.

I have no problem. It's you who's gonna be late.

- What about you, Sue? - Not going yet.

Tom?

Hey?

I'm going with Sue.

Jack, do eat your breakfast, please.

I'm sick of that gloopy porridge!

Carrying your satchel, miss?

Wanna race? Wanna fight?

- What's wrong? - Nothing.

Are you pissed off?

With me, aren't you?

Me, me, me...

That's all you think about.

You never think about mum.

No, you're just "me, me, me".

I'll go back and say "sorry", if you like..

Suits yourself.

Come on Tom.

VOICE ON THE RADIO

- How much cats have you got? - Nine.

What are they called?

- Where is mum? - She's not feeling well,

so she told me to pick you up.

I don't want you, I want mum.

Yeah, I don't want you either but I ain't got much of a choice.

What happened? Someone beat you up?

But I just don't want you. I want my mum.

I see. Anyway, who is he?

I'm just a friend.

Hello friend.

- Just going to get something to drink. - What?

I'm just gonna get something to drink.

Shit!

Piss.

Arse.

I've come to get you!

- You dare... you just dare! - Oh, but I do!

- No! - Yes, dear sister, your time has come!

Mum!

The house is empty. There's no one left to protect you

and they're coming for you.

No one knows when they will strike first!

Julie, I'm sorry.

Get out.

Really I am.

It was just, just a game.

Get out.

What happened, Julie?

- What happened? - Nothing.

You're not to go in.

That's enough!

Here, happy birthday.

Tom, take your elbows off the table.

What is it?

A book.

I can see that.

I mean what's it about?

Why not read it and find out?

Jack read a book?

Thanks.

How old are you today?

- Sixteen. - No you're not, you're only one.

- One? - Mum made a cake

and it's only got one candle,

and that means you're only one.

Your turn.

What?

- That's my birthday. - So what?

- It's alright, I'll take it. - No you won't.

It's Jack's turn.

He can bloody well lift a finger for once

birthday or not.

Oh alright then! I'll take it.

No, in that mood now you won't.

I said I'll fucking take it!

- Sorry it's late. - That's alright love.

Bit of an accident downstairs.

Turn out the curtains.

That's better.

I found I can hardly speak these mornings until I've had a cup of tea.

Happy birthday, son.

Put it there.

I wanted to buy you something, but I couldn't get out to the shops.

Thanks, mum.

Your father would have been very proud of you.

I think in his heart he loved you best

even though he found it very hard to show his feelings.

Then that's where you take after him, isn't it?

It had been a long day.

Eighteen dawns, seventeen sunsets,

and yet Commander Hunt had still not had his breakfast.

Hunt knew the Major did not approve of his maverick ways.

'People should just take me as I am'

mused Hunt, as he strode along his Space Station corridor,

his faithful dog Cosmo close to his heels.

'Sit down,' said the Major.

Cosmo curled up at his master's feet

as the Major proceeded to brief Hunt on his mission...

It appeared that minute, life bearing spores

drifting in clouds across a distant galaxy

had been touched by unknown rays from a dying sun,

and had hatched into a colossal monster

- who fed off X-rays... - As mum's not getting up,

we're going to have your party in her room.

What?

I said

that as mum's not getting up, we're going to have your party in her room.

So why don't you do her a favour and clean yourself up?