The Night Caller (2024) s01e03 Episode Script

1
GRIFFITHS: Tony Conroy?
So, this is what you're doing now,
driving a cab?
You lost your job
because your face didn't fit?
There must have been more to it
than that, Tony.
Ow!
'Ste, my ex.'
Someone knocked him over
and left him lying in the road.
Sorry, do you know the victim?
'Listen, I'm sending a fella round.'
I think he knows
about the other day.
So, er, me and you,
we're sorted out, yeah?
When I'm talking to you lot
on the radio,
it feels like two old mates
putting the world to rights
over a couple of pints.
LAWRENCE: 'We trust each other.
We get each other.
'It's indelible. It's unbreakable,
'that I could be that person
they could talk to,
'that would listen.'
DOCTOR: Now follow the pen
with your eyes, please.
HE BREATHES DEEPLY
OK.
Any vomiting or nausea?
No.
OK, let's get those ribs X-rayed.
We'll have to sort that wound
to the top of your head.
Someone will be along shortly.
OK, thanks.
'Don't stand idly by. Do something.'
ECHOES:
'Do something. Do something.'
BEEPING,
MUFFLED VOICES
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
HE EXHALES SHARPLY
Mr Conroy?
Oh, God. It is.
It's me, Meena.
Meena Xing.
You remember me.
Of course I do.
What happened? Did you fall?
No, I got jumped.
I think they were after me float.
I'm a taxi driver.
A taxi driver?
Yeah.
Oh, right.
SHE TUTS
So, you're not teaching any more?
No. I, erm
..I left St Kev's.
Yeah, I know. I heard.
Erm, have you phoned anyone?
Let them know you're here? No.
Well, is there someone
you want me to call?
Mrs Conroy?
PHONE RINGS
OK.
I'm gonna give you a little local
to numb the area around the wound.
Don't worry. You won't feel a thing.
MAN SPEAKS
INDISTINCTLY
You OK?
Just behind you.
Just wait till I tell Lucy Thompson
I saw Mr Conroy.
HE CHUCKLES
You remember Lucy, don't you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
She set her hair on fire
with the Bunsen burner.
SHE LAUGHS
God, that was hilarious.
Right, all done.
Try and keep that dry, OK?
Yeah.
You might wanna get yourself
a shower cap.
HE CHUCKLES
Thanks, Meena.
You don't mind me saying, but
it looks like you haven't slept
in ages.
Well, I work nights.
You were such a boss teacher,
you know.
Seriously.
Me being a nurse is all down to you.
I never thought I had it in me,
but you convinced me I could do it.
And no way I'd have passed my
science GCSEs without your support.
You believed in me
when no-one else did
..myself included.
SHE LAUGHS
HE EXHALES
Hey!
Hey, it's OK.
HE CHUCKLES
I'm sorry.
You've got nothing
to be sorry about.
I'm sorry, Meena. I'm so sorry.
No.
What happened it wasn't
You're a good man.
WHISPERS: Yeah.
SOFTLY: Shh.
You don't understand.
Shh. It's all right.
Y-You've had a fright,
and it's hitting you now
cos the adrenaline's wearing off.
Take a deep breath.
HE BREATHES DEEPLY
That's it.
HE INHALES AND EXHALES
You OK?
Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.
You sure there's no-one I can call?
Erm well, Rosa, I suppose.
She a friend?
Yeah.
Do you want me to call her?
No, no, it's OK. I'll do it.
Thanks, anyway.
Right, I'll be back in a bit.
OK.
HE BREATHES HEAVILY
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
Hello again, Mr Conroy.
Second time in two days.
Maybe it's just a coincidence, or
maybe there's something more to it.
I'm sorry?
Your car was in the area
where Stephen Murray was run over.
And the following day,
you're beaten up.
I don't wanna jump to conclusions,
but you'll understand
why I'm starting to wonder
if there's a link.
Is there something
you're not telling me, Mr Conroy?
Mr Conroy?
They were on the rob.
Did they ask for money?
Yeah.
OK, what did they say?
"Give us the fucking money."
And did you?
I didn't have anything to give.
Well, if I was gonna rob a cabbie,
I'd do it at the end of the night,
not middle of the day.
I said, if I was gonna rob
a cabbie Don't feel too clever.
Mr Conroy, you OK?
I feel sick.
Erm, I'll get something.
I'm gonna be sick.
Sorry, all right. OK, this way.
Please, I need I just need a
This way. OK, OK.
MANY VOICES SPEAK
AT ONCE
Can I just get past you there?
PHONE RINGS
Straight on. Gonna go right here.
HE BREATHES HEAVILY
It's OK.
INDISTINCT WHISPERS
OK. Deep breaths.
HE GROANS
That's it.
HE BREATHES DEEPLY
Am I OK to leave you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'll be close by.
OK.
All right.
DOOR SHUTS
How is he?
He's fine.
He seemed on edge to me.
He's in shock.
He's got my card.
Tell him - as soon as he's out -
to call me. OK.
LAWRENCE:
'Are there ever any circumstances
'when it's acceptable
to take the law into our own hands
'and mete out justice?'
We're all capable of losing it.
Myself as much as the next person.
KNOCK ON DOOR
Oh, Mr Conroy.
You're gonna be all right. OK?
Have you spoken to Rosa?
Not yet.
Try and think
of your happy place, hey?
That's what you told me
when I was having a tough time
with my friends in Year 11.
Happy place, yeah?
A pub a river
..two muckers having a pint
on a sunny day.
Hey, I'm coming if you're buying.
Right, let's get you cleaned up,
get you home.
I'll give you a minute.
Follow me back to the room
when you're ready.
Two old mates
..down the local boozer,
in front of a roaring fire
..putting the world to rights
over a couple of pints.
HE SIGHS
BEEPING,
INDISTINCT CHATTER
WOMAN: All right, all right.
Stay calm. Just breathe.
WOMAN: We've been sat here for
a while, and I was just wondering
CHATTER CONTINUES
WOMAN: I know it hurts,
but it won't be long
until we sort it out.
RHYTHMIC BEEPING,
WHIRRING
So, they just pulled him out
of his cab, in broad daylight?
MAN: 'He wasn't having any of it,
Lawrence,
'and he wouldn't hand over
any of his takings.'
Wait, so, hang on, he what,
he got a kicking for his troubles?
'That's outrageous. And dare I ask
where the police actually were
'when this was going on?'
'Well, they turned up
'about 15 minutes
after I called them!'
Tony, you look dead-beat.
Yeah, well, it's been
a rough few days for both of us.
You must be tired as well.
Do you want me to hang around?
I can sleep on the sofa.
No, why don't you go home?
Get a proper night's sleep
in your own bed.
Will you be OK?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I just wanna get my head down.
You sure?
Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow
when I feel a bit more with it.
Erm, I'll get you a taxi.
No, it's OK.
I'll pick one up outside.
Well, let me pay, at least.
No!
No. Try and get good sleep.
Yeah, I'll try.
See you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow.
Rosa
..thanks again.
SHE SIGHS
It's OK. No problem.
DOOR OPENS
DOOR SHUTS
You know, I've just been thinking
about all of the wonderful words
of support I've had from you guys
over the last few weeks about my
news of the cancer.
'We're all one big family,
Lawrence.'
'Exactly, which is why we need
to help that poor cabbie out.'
'One of the lads said it's a fella
called Tony, does the night collar.
'By all accounts, he's only
been on the cabs a few months.'
Hang on, ex-teacher Tony?
'Ah, that really breaks my heart.
'I mean, he's a really good mate,
you know?'
WOMAN: 'Oh, the poor man.
'He won't be able to work
for a few weeks, will he?'
'Yeah. And that's a few weeks
he won't be earning, Sue.'
MAN: 'And that's the reason
I'm phoning in, really, Lawrence.
'You know, I wanna pledge my first
hour's takings tonight to Tony.'
Oh, for fuck's sake.
'..but it might just keep him going
'till he gets back on his feet,
like.'
You guys, you never,
ever cease to amaze me.
'What is it about this city,
'Barry, hey? And its people?'
HE SIGHS
'The warmth, the solidarity.'
Oh, no.
'He's one of our own, isn't he?
And we look after our own.'
'Too bloody right, we do, mate.'
Which is why I'm gonna pledge
my first hour's earnings
to Tony as well.
'He's one of the good guys,
you know?
'He's an absolute trooper.'
HE SCREAMS
'..decent bloke, my mate,
Tony the cabbie.'
And if you're listening, Tony
..get well soon, fella.
'Oh, and just as a heads-up,
'we here at Night Talk will be
taking a night off on Friday night
'because I'm gonna be out and about
on the tiles,
'drinking a few bubbles
with my mates.
'And before you ask, yes,
it is a bit of a landmark birthday.'
APPLAUSE,
INDISTINCT CHATTER
OK, no pictures, please.
Rob, can I have a word, mate?
You need to get away from here now.
Mate, I was in the wrong place
at the wrong time.
There's over 2,000 Hackney cabs
in Liverpool, right?
That's over 2,000 fellas
all on the same radio frequency,
all got each other's back, yeah?
Now, if I was gonna rob anyone,
I would think twice
about robbing a cab.
What are you saying? I'm saying
that I think you're full of shit.
'Ey, what's even worse is,
you're up to your neck in it.
They They know who you are now.
They know the number of your cab.
And don't think
that they won't be coming back
because these fellas
These fellas?
Yeah. You know what I mean.
Their sorts. They're ruthless.
The city, the city,
it's crawling with them.
Now, please, please, just do one.
While you've got the chance,
just do one
because you're not
you're not cut out for any of this.
Not cut out for what?
Look, I've told you, haven't I?
And someone like you
Listen.
I heard one of the lads
on the radio.
He said that some of the drivers
keep something under their seats,
just in case.
Oh, no. No, no, no.
What, a weapon? You mean a weapon?
Yeah.
Yeah. As like an insurance policy,
you know.
Where can I get hold
of one of those?
Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony.
You just keep digging
and digging and digging
that great big fucking hole
you're in.
Look, it was only two months ago
you were
you were teaching the kids.
You were teaching the kids and now
you're talking about, come on,
you're talking about
getting tooled up?
What am I supposed to do, 'ey?
You get in your cab
you drive away, and you don't stop.
Please, just go.
Before you or someone else
ends up on a slab in the morgue.
MAN: 2.99, mate.
I think Conroy, he got the message.
He didn't.
We need his address, lad.
No way.
No fucking way.
Yes way, lad.
Ste's wound up in the hospital
because of that prick.
This isn't going away.
You know
..there isn't a doctor in this
country that'll prescribe this gear.
So, tell us where he lives,
and the next six months are on us.
And then everyone's happy.
LAWRENCE, ON RADIO:
'It's obviously been
'a very difficult time for you,
mate.
'And I'm guessing
it's still quite raw.
'You lost your job
because your face didn't fit?
'I think there must've been
'something more to it
than that, Tony.
' "He's one of the good guys,
he's an absolute trooper,
' "you couldn't meet
a more decent bloke.
' "My mate, Tony, the cabbie." '
So, science fiction's your thing?
I saw the books on your shelf.
Let me guess,
it takes you to another place?
Yeah, I suppose so.
SHE CHUCKLES
Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury.
How else do you think
I became a science nerd?
I always wanted to be a teacher,
like you.
And then my mum became ill.
It's not too late to be a teacher,
you know.
We'll see.
Those qualities you talked about
when we went out to dinner
that night
..you've got 'em all.
Thanks.
Plus, you're selfless
..honest.
And you've got integrity.
Which is why I owe you the truth.
About what?
Ste.
Was there something on the news?
He got into my cab that night
and I drove him into town.
I know, you already told me.
But later, I went back to find him.
LAUGHING: What? Why?
I was frightened
he was gonna hurt you.
And I wanted to stop him.
And then I saw him
..standing at the roadside.
But I drove past.
And then I turned the cab around.
He must've thought
I was gonna stop
..because he stepped to the edge
of the pavement.
But I didn't stop.
I put me foot down
..and I ran over him.
No. No.
I left him there,
lying in the road.
And the fellas that beat me up
..they were his friends.
I'm sorry.
But I thought he was gonna hurt you.
And I wanted to protect you.
So you did it for me?
You did it in my name?
No!
I was scared.
I didn't know what to do.
I didn't want to let you down.
Let me down?!
Like I let the others down.
I'm sorry.
DOOR SLAMS
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
RINGING TONE
MAN: 'Hello?'
Hello, Jimmy?
'Yeah?'
Hi, Jimmy, it's Rob.
'Hello, mate.'
I'm sorry to bother you, mate,
I got your number
off one of the lads, erm
'Oh, yeah?'
You know I do nights with, er,
with Tony, and I know that
you and him share a cab. Yeah.
'Yeah.' Well, I Yeah,
I've got a little present for him.
'Tony, yeah?'
Yeah. But I don't have his address.
You haven't got his address,
have you? 'Yeah, hang on.
'I've got it here someone, mate.'
Oh, magic. Hang on, hang on.
Go on.
'26 Jerome Way, Bootle.'
Yeah, appreciate this, pal.
'All right.
'He didn't deserve to get the shit
kicked out of him.
'He's a great lad, Tony.'
Oh, yeah, yeah.
HE CHUCKLES
He's great, man. Tony's
He's a hero, ain't he?
'That he is, mate.
'Did I say 26?'
Yep. 26.
'Yeah, Jerome Way.'
Thanks, Jimmy.
'All right, catch you later, mate.'
You're a star. Thanks, Jimmy.
'Ta-ra, mate.'
Ta-ra. Ta-ra.
LAWRENCE, ON RADIO: 'Tony!
'You had us worried there
for a second, mate.
'I am so glad you called in, mate,
because it gives me the chance
'to tell you about
our incredible callers.'
They have pledged you
nearly two grand
to help you get back on your feet.
'And that's incredibly generous
of them.'
And I'm very grateful
to everyone who called in.
But I can't take people's money.
'Hey, listen, mate,
stop right there. Do you hear me?'
You deserve it, Tony.
You deserve every single penny,
mate.
Mate, I can't take it.
Tony, you know, people don't want
you worrying about paying the bills.
Lawrence, I'm back out on a job.
What?!
'I'm back at work.'
Oh, Tony. Look, listen
No!
You listen to me, Lawrence.
Erm
I need to keep working,
I need to keep busy.
I can't afford to dwell.
I can't afford to sit around
thinking about things.
See, that won't work for me,
that just won't work.
I hear you, mate. I hear you.
'Besides, there's plenty
worse off than me,
'so, er, I'd like you
to give that money
'to a food bank or something now.
'No, no, no arguments, OK?'
Ah, mate.
Bloody hell.
HE CHUCKLES
LAWRENCE CHUCKLES
You've got me again.
Oh, God.
You know what, Tony?
You know what, mate?
You truly are the best.
No, sod that, no, sod that.
Listen, you're a hero, yeah?
'You're a bloody hero. You are,
I don't know, a Gary Cooper,
'a John Wayne, a Clint Eastwood.
'You're a Rooster Cogburn,
Butch Cassidy.
'You're the man who does things
his way.
'A man who stands alone.'
But most of all, you're a man
that I am insanely proud
to call my friend.
And I'm proud to call you a mate,
Lawrence.
Tony, you have to promise me
one thing, though, mate, all right?
'Promise me you're gonna find
some time for yourself tonight,
'even if it's just ten minutes,
'sitting there
doing absolutely nothing
'so you can remember
how many people out there
'are thinking about you
and are rooting for you.'
Yeah, OK, mate. I promise.
'Good.
'You take care of yourself,
my friend.
'And stay strong.'
And you, mate.
'And on that, folks,
we are going to take a break.'
ENGINE STOPS
BREATHES HEAVILY
Oh, no.
No.
PAPER RUSTLING
HE SNIFFLES
KNOCKING ON DOOR,
HE GASPS
Hello, Mr Conroy, it's the police.
KNOCKING
Mr Conroy? We know you're in there.
Come on, open the door.
Are you in there, Mr Conroy?
INDISTINCT CHATTER,
LAUGHTER
RINGING TONE
ANSWERING MACHINE:
'It's Tony, leave a message.'
'Mr Conroy, it's DS Marshall again.
'Look, I know you're in
some kind of trouble.
'I'd strongly urge you to come into
the station tonight so we can talk.
'Ste Murray is dead.
'This is now
a murder investigation.'
RINGING TONE
WOMAN: 'Hi there,
you're through to Night Talk.
'We're taking a well-earned break
tonight, but please leave a message.
'We want to hear
what you have to say,
'and we are always here to listen.'
BEEP
Hang on a minute,
I'm just jumping in a cab.
Hello, mate.
Coal's. Coal's, please, yeah?
It's just off Hanover Street,
Hanover Street.
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. No problem.
No, put put me through
to the manager now.
No, no, no, don't-don't even think
about putting me on hold, mate.
Don't.
Fuckin' people, Jesus Christ.
Oh, there he is!
Highly elusive Gianfranco,
the man who wants to push my tables
by an hour.
No, mate, no, shush.
Listen.
Staffing shortages are your problem,
not mine, all right?
So unless you want me
to cancel my table,
I then promptly will cancel you.
I'm absolutely positive
my thousands of listeners
would be absolutely fascinated
to hear
how you've royally fucked me about
on my birthday.
Yeah.
Well, that'll be-that'll be lovely,
and then a nice complimentary
bottle of Champagne on arrival.
Sweet. All right, mate.
Yeah, all right, great.
Yeah, I'll see you in five. Yeah.
Bye.
This is mad.
Lawrence, thank Christ.
Sorry? I've been driving around,
not knowing what to do.
Oh, am I glad to see you, mate.
Sorry, do I know you, mate?
Lawrence, it's it's Tony.
Hey, it's the one and only!
Yeah.
It's the lovely Linda.
Yes. Yes, it's the birthday boy,
yes, darling.
Listen, I hope you've got your
drinking boots on tonight, queen.
Yeah, cos we are gonna get
absolutely munted.
LAUGHING: Yeah.
LAWRENCE LAUGHS
Well, I'm sure the fizz
is gonna taste just as lovely
from your Louboutins, yeah.
Oh, wait, Linda?
What's cool and hangs up?
LAWRENCE CHUCKLES
It's me, it's Tony.
You know, from the radio.
Used to be a teacher.
We speak all the time.
Yeah, course we do, mate, yeah.
I'm in-I'm in trouble, mate,
big trouble.
I've done something really stupid.
I've lost everything.
Oh, dear.
Yeah, everything. You know,
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
But you're here now.
I know you're gonna help me,
you know
tell me how to get out of this mess.
Er, Tony?
Tony, can I ask a massive favour,
please?
Yeah, yeah, course.
Yeah. Can we just, erm
can we save this
for the show on Monday, yeah?
Monday?
Yeah, Monday.
I'm not sure I'm gonna make it
to Monday.
I think you probably can, mate.
No, you don't understand.
I do understand.
I do understand, Tony.
You know, tonight is my birthday,
it's my big one,
yeah, it's my night off.
So, please, yeah?
Save it for the show on Monday.
Lawrence, there's no-one else
What the fuck is wrong
with you people?
Tony, now, listen
I've asked you politely, haven't I?
Please save this for the show
on Monday.
Yeah, I know, but we're friends.
Friends? You mean like
my 10,000 other best mates?
HE CHUCKLES
You what?
Listen, where we're going,
we're going to Coal's.
We're gonna go and see the people
I choose to hang out with.
You know, my real friends.
But I thought
You thought what?
You know, two muckers, erm,
having a pint?
Having a pint down the pub? Yeah.
No, Tony.
No, listen
you used to be a teacher,
didn't you?
Yeah. So don't be
so bloody stupid, mate.
Honestly. £8.20?
Seriously, brother get a life.
Keep the change.
Get yourself something nice.
WOMAN: Oh, my God, he's coming.
Get ready!
Oi, oi!
CHEERING
MUFFLED CHEERING
# Happy birthday to you
# Happy birthday, dear Lawrence #
SINGING TRAILS OFF
# Happy birthday to you
# Happy birthday to you
# Happy birthday, dear Lawrence
# Happy birthday to you. #
CHEERING
DISTORTED: 'That I could be
that person they could talk to,
'that would listen.
'I could be that friend in need.
'Yes, there is a bond,
'a genuine bond
between me and my audience.
'It's indelible, it's unbreakable
'because I have a feeling -
correct me if I'm wrong -
'that we trust each other
'..we get each other.
'But the thing is
'when I'm talking to you lot
on the radio
'..I genuinely forget
that I'm live on air.
'No, it feels like two old mates
down the pub,
'in front of a roaring fire,
'putting the world to rights
over a couple of pints.'
SIREN BLIPS
POLICE RADIO CHATTER
You're on double yellows.
Yeah, I'm-I'm just waiting
on a fare.
DISTANT CHEERING
Looks like they're wrapping up.
Not too long, OK?
OK, mate.
Thanks for that.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
I love you, queen.
Happy birthday.
INDISTINC
You're welcome!
See ya.
Bye!
Taxi.
SHOUTS: Taxi!
Are you free?
Yeah.
All right.
Shot.
LIQUID POURING
'You used to be a teacher,
didn't you?
'So don't be so bloody stupid, mate.
'Get a life.'
'I promised myself that I'd never
put me trust in anyone ever again.'
I'd resigned myself to my fate,
being lost on my own,
but then you came along.
I've some information
about Stephen Murray.
SHOUTS: Help!
THUD
GRUNTS
Get off!
What happens now?
Got people there, they're outside.