West Is West Page #4

I don't know who I'm supposed to be.

But you still look like you.

What needs changing?

The boy?

Or the world around him?

Sajid.

Thank you for looking after him.

Sajid needs no looking after.

No, he has changed. I see it.

He not the boy I brought here.

That boy will always be there.

You just have to learn to accept him.

He's part of you, Jahangir.

Of your past, your future.

Part of the world you created for him.

When Sajid look at you,

there's love in his eyes.

If only he'd do the same to me.

Just once.

- Come on!

- Where?

We're going to a wedding.

Come on, now's our chance.

- Salam alaikum.

- Wa alaikum as-salam.

- Say exactly what I say, all right?

- Yeah.

Massi-ji, I hope you do not think

that I am being disrespectful

to you or your family.

We are from the same village.

I am the son of Jahangir Khan.

The fish fryer.

From long way across the big water,

in Salford, England.

Near Bradford?

I have seen your daughter,

though I haven't been looking at her

in the way that you are thinking.

- You know...

- Aye,

and you're gonna get yourself

in heap big bleedin' trouble

as well, pale face,

if you keep following me about.

- Where are you from?

- Japan.

Where do you think, knobhead? Rochdale.

- What you doing here?

- After a husband.

- What about you?

- After a wife.

Do you think I'm a cradle snatcher?

I'd like to talk to your dad, actually.

I've got a proposition for him.

He's dead. Tell us.

We make all the decisions now.

Ella?

Hiya, George. Bet I'm the last person

you thought you'd see.

I knew crimplene would be wrong

for this weather.

Mmm! These are the best kebabs

I have ever tasted.

And I know my kebabs.

Try them, Ella,

they're bleedin' gorgeous.

Did you make them, love?

I'll have to get your recipe.

Swap you with one of mine.

Has she ever had roly-poly pudding?

Oh, no, ta, cock. I'm stuffed.

Um... Hmm? No? No? Mmm?

Mmm!

So, Annie,

who look after your Peter

while you're here?

That's my husband.

Husband.

No, he's fine, George.

I got a load of baked beans in for him.

My husband is bloody useless.

He's only good for one thing.

And he's never been very good at that!

How is chippy chop?

Shut.

Mam?

Maneer!

- Flower. Flower!

- Auntie Annie.

Hello, love!

Well, come here and give us a kiss.

I've missed you!

You look so different.

- What are you doing here?

- I...

I've come to take you home.

I'm not going!

Sajid?

So, this is

where he keeps the harem, then.

Piss off, you.

Don't worry about Sajid, Mam.

A lot's happened.

Right! Maneer,

you were gonna show me the loo?

Uh, everything all right?

You can make it more lighting

if you wanting.

You make me

a bloody surprise seeing you here.

Yeah?

Think how surprised I was

when I didn't see you after four weeks.

I had it all worked out, what I was

going to say to you when I saw you.

Now I'm here,

I don't know what I'm more angry about.

That you've been gone months,

or that you cleaned

the bank account out.

I needing more money for house.

And what was I supposed to live on?

Scotch bleedin' mist?

A month we said, George.

- Ella...

- We agreed.

I don't remember anyone talking about

you building a bastard house out here!

I was to go write letter, but, uh...

Did I deserve this, did I?

All these years, doing things your way?

Trying to make the kids understand you.

And you do this to me?

What?

- I... I only...

- You made me look stupid

- in front of everyone.

- No, Ella.

Oh, what's the bleedin' point?

Basheera, my daughters...

When I see how things are here...

- Ella, I having to...

- Or was it my turn, was it, George?

To hang about,

waiting for you to come home?

Like that poor cow out there?

I never mean to hurt you, Ella.

I only come to help with Sajid.

Then, uh...

Then what?

We'll not be here long.

I just came for Sajid.

- Ella...

- Just leave me, George.

Annie!

Annie.

Oh!

It's probably wind.

Probably kebabs.

I need the little girls' field.

Quick!

Told you the food

was going to be richer over here.

Ow! Ooh!

Good Jesus tonight, that was close.

I don't think I can hold it in

any longer.

Don't you dare sh*t yourself

in front of this lot.

Hi.

March on. Think of Salford.

Nearly finished, Uncle, huh?

Maybe.

Good work.

Have you thought about what

you're going to do, now it is finished?

Only, the family were wondering

if you would be staying here,

or going back to England

with Auntie Ella and the boys.

Perhaps we can't go back.

You, the boys and Auntie,

is that, Uncle?

Maybe I should never have left.

Uh...

Does this look like burnt copper to you?

More like tandoori red.

This house was built

for everybody, you know?

Yeah, well, I'm living in it now

and will be till I decide to leave.

- Oh, no, me mam. Here we go. Come on.

- Leave them to it!

Mam. Come on.

- Come on, Ella, leave it.

- No!

England, is it, love?

Well, don't knock it,

'cause it's kept you

for the past 30 years!

But actually, Auntie, we have worked

very hard here, isn't it, Uncle?

You? You haven't done a hard day's work

in your life, you bone-idle bastard.

And don't you start, either,

'cause I'm ready for you as well.

No, enough.

She had a terrible life.

A hard life with no husband.

Do you think mine was any easier,

do you?

Watching every penny we made

being sent over here,

to buy more bleedin' land

than none of my kids will ever see?

Your kids have never seen

a real father, is it, love?

Well, nor have mine.

They won't come near my house

because of him.

So don't you tell me

what a hard life you've had,

'cause I've had it in spades.

And what have I got to show for it?

- Nothing! Not even my kids!

- Shut it! Shut up, will you?

Maneer! Have you seen our Sajid?

No!

What matter?

It's Sajid!

He's still out in this somewhere!

I go looking. You stay here. Go inside!

Find him, George!

Jesus.

Not now.

I can't do this now.

Oh, you were...

You were very beautiful.

You,

beautiful.

Jahangir...

I didn't know about you,

either.

I...

I don't know what you're saying.

But you sound very kind.

You shouldn't be.

He's been with me all these years,

and I've never really asked him

about you and your girls.

I don't think I wanted to know.

I didn't care.

Do you understand me?

Jahangir...

- Okay?

- Yeah, yeah.

Open your eyes.

I always wanting going those villages

up there in the hills.

And villages after them,

and after them, and after them.

No one believe I would go do this thing.

My father laugh at me.

And did you?

What you thinking?

I reckon you probably did it.

Everyone in the village stand there

and watch me go.

I only maybe same age as you.

Weren't you scared?

Only when I was walking out of a village

and then walking back in.

And one day,

I walk out and no come back.

No see my parents again.

Never see my children grow up.

No see Basheera.

It's terrible thing I do, Sajid.

But you found your way back, didn't you?

That's the important thing.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes