CARRIE COME HOME
ACT 1 - CARRIE JOINS THE ARMY
ACT 1 SCENE 1
Late at night. A car stops outside a large Edwardian house. It is snowing and the lampost at the gate casts a bleak light picking up the snowflakes. After a few seconds a girl gets out and runs up the driveway clasping her coat around her. The car drives away. Camera pans into her trying to open the front door but the key won’t work.
CARRIE
Damn and blast. The bastard’s locked me out again.
She bends down and removes a grid, shakes the snow of it then squeezes herself down a coalhole.
ACT 1 SCENE 2
The following morning in the kitchen. Carrie, her sister Maggs and her Mother are sitting at the breakfast table. Mother is wearing a pinafore over a long sleeved dress and cardigan. Maggs is wearing her school uniform. Carrie is wearing a long grey dressing gown. The floor is covered with brown linoleum. There is an Edwardian kitchen range stretching along one wall with a tiled hearth and a fire roaring in the fireplace. Next to it there is a freestanding gas stove. A picture window overlooks a winter garden with snow covering the ground and the branches of the apple trees. In front of the window there is a table and the remains of breakfast. Mother and daughters are drinking tea.
MUM
Did you manage to get in OK last night, Carrie. When it got to 11 o’clock and you weren’t home your dad put the catch on the front door. I couldn’t stop him so I left the cellar door unlocked for you and the light on.
CARRIE
Miserable old bugger! In this weather too. Yes thanks Mum. There isn’t much coal down
there at the moment so it was easy.
MUM
Well the coal man isn’t due till Wednesday. I hope your nice new vcoat didn’t get dirty but
I couldn’t have you sitting on the doorstep all night. Did you have a nice time at the
dance?
Carrie gets up and hugs her Mum.
CARRIE
Wonderful thanks, Mum. you’re a gem. But he’s getting worse. Doesn’t he realise we’re
grown up now. He can’t keep treating us like kids any more.
Dad comes into the kitchen
DAD
Oh yes ‘e can. What time did you get in last night young lady?
CARRIE
About five past eleven I think. The door was locked.
DAD
You’re lying Carrie. More like midnight. I heard the car. I’m not ‘aving you girls out till all
hours of the bloody night. It’s not respectable. I suppose your mother’s backing you up as
usual.
MUM
Be fair, Arthur. We can’t let our Carrie sit out there in the cold all night. It’s snowing out
there.
DAD
Well you’ve no right to overrule me, Flo. This is my ‘ouse and I say what goes. And that’s
the end of it. She could’ve knocked on the front door like any one else and I’d have let her
in.
CARRIE
I’m not a visitor, Dad, and I’m nearly eighteen. Its time you treated me like a grownup.
You’re being unreasonable, as always.
DAD
Whilst you’re under my roof my girl you’ll abide by my rules, otherwise you can get out.
See ‘ow you manage on your own.
CARRIE
Alright! I will! (She grabs a newspaper off the chair and opens it to an advertisement) See
this The Army’s advertising for women to join up and I’m going to sign on.
MUM
Oh no Carrie. Please don’t. Tell ‘er Arthur.
CARRIE
Sorry Mum. As soon as I’m 18 in a month’s time I’m going to do it. I can’t stand living
under this roof any longer with ‘im. It’s like being in a flamin’ prison (She jumps up and
leaves the room)
MAGGS
What an adventure. Can I go too?
DAD
No yer can’t. Yer only 16. Go and do some ‘omework.
MUM (crying)
Now see what you’ve done, Arthur.
DAD
Let ‘er go. If she thinks she’s ‘ard done by with my rules she’ll soon change ‘er tune when
she ‘as to abide by Army discipline.
ACT 1 SCENE 3
6 months later, sitting at the kitchen table. The same scene as before but this time there are no remains of a meal on the table and the scene through the window is Spring-like with apple blossom and spring flowers . It is late afternoon. There is a school satchel slung over one of the kitchen chairs. A large pot of stew bubbles on the gas stove. Carrie is wearing khaki uniform,Mum is wearing a summer dress.
MUM
It’s good to have you home Carrie. We’ve missed you, Luv. How long are you here for?
CARRIE
Just overnight, Mum. We’ll be gone first thing tomorrow.
MUM
We? Who’s we?
MUM
Tom. He’s sitting in the jeep outside. I didn’t want to bring him in before asking you.
MUM
That’s fine by me, Luv but I’m not too sure about your dad. You know what ‘E’S LIKE.
CARRIE
Oh yes I know… But Mum, can you persuade him? You’ll like Tom. He’s very nice and he
won’t be any trouble.
MUM
Mm. Well I suppose he can sleep on the couch if it’s only one night. What is this Tom to
you? A boyfriend...?
CARRIE
He’s just a friend, Mum. A Sergeant in my regiment. We’re on our way to Catterick to pick
up one of the big shots and I’ve got a couple of days leave so I begged a lift.
MUM
Let me go and speak to your Dad. He’s in the front room as usual listening to Bella Bailey
on his gramophone. (Sighs and rolls her eyes then goes out.)
Carrie’s younger sister Maggs comes in. She rushes over and hugs her sister
MAGGS
Hey, Carrie what a smashing surprise. I’m dying to know all about the Army. Are you
having an amazing time?
CARRIE
Good to see you too, Maggs. I’ve missed you. And yes I’m having a fantastic time. I’ve
seen so much in the past three months. Places I never knew existed. Hampshire, Wiltshire,
North Yorkshire. It’s a change from Abergele
every year I can tell you. They’re going to post me to Germany in three months’ time.
Imagine that, Maggs. Germany
MAGGS
Stop stop. I can’t take it all in.
CARRIE (whispers) And I’ve met someone, Maggs. He’s wonderful.
MAGGS
Ooh! What’s his name? Will you get married? When can I meet him?
CARRIE
Sh! It’s early days, Maggs. He’s outside right now. But don’t tell mum and dad. I’ve told
them he’s just a friend who’s giving me a lift.
At that moment their Dad comes in. Carrie winks at Maggs.
DAD
What’s all this about someone called Tom? Your mother tells me he’s given you a lift
home. That’s good of him.
CARRIE
Yes, Dad.
DAD
Well where is he then? You can’t keep ‘im sitting outside. Bring ‘im in and let’s ‘ave a look
at ‘im.
(Carrie goes to the door and beckons Tom
DAD
Please excuse my daughter, Tom. This generation has no idea how to treat us older folk.
TOM
Not at all, Sir. It’s good to meet you. Carrie has spoken a lot about her family on the way
up from Aldershot.
DAD
Told you I’m an ogre I suppose. Never mind. You have the look of someone who’s been in
the army a while, Tom.
TOM
Yes, Sir. I was in India for a few years and then in Germany. It’s a change to be back in
England again.
DAD
Put the kettle on, Mother. Tom and I will go and sit in the front room whilst you girls catch
up with one another. I want to know more about India.
ACT 2 - CARRIE GETS PREGNANT
ACT 2 SCENE 1
A couple in army uniform are sitting in a bar somewhere in Germany. The man is drinking beer from a stein and the girl is drinking a cold drink. The place is crowded. There is the general noise of people speaking German and the clink of glasses. Somewhere in the background a group of students are singing a drinking song. The camera zooms in to the face of the girl who is frowning.
CARRIE
Tom, I have something to tell you.
TOM
Sounds ominous. Has someone died?
CARRIE
NO, Silly. It’s about us.
TOM (WARILY)
that sounds even more ominous. don’t tell me you’re pregnant?
CARRIE
Would it be a problem if I was?
TOM
Oh come on Carrie. Stop winding me up. You know I’m married.
CARRIE
Yes but you hardly see her and you said it wasn’t a happy marriage. We’ve been so close.
I thought…
TOM
You’re serious aren’t you? No, No, No, Carrie. It’s not going to happen.
CARRIE
Well, you’d better think about it because it IS! (She stomps off)
ACT 2 SCENE 2
Three months later in the kitchen. It is Autumn and outside there are leaves falling from the apple trees. Carrie is in uniform and her mother is wearing a warm long sleeved dress covered by a pinafore.
CARRIE
Oh Mum I’ve been such a fool. I was so sure Tom would marry me. But he’s been so cold
since I told him. What am I going to do?
MUM
You’re absolutely sure you’re pregnant? How far gone are you?
CARRIE
I’ve missed two periods now. Yes I’m sure (she bursts into tears)
MUM
There there, Luv. Don’t cry. We’ll sort something out, don’t fret.
CARRIE
But what about Dad. He’ll be so angry. He’ll throw me out. I know he will.
MUM
He’ll be angry but when he settles down he’ll be reasonable. I’ll speak to him tonight. Now
you go up and wash your face whilst I make us a pot of tea. I’ve got a sponge cake in the
cupboard. That’ll cheer you up. That’s better. I knew my Victoria sponge would put a smile
on your face. Maggs’ll be coming in from school any minute and we don’t want her
knowing about it until we’ve decided what to do.
CARRIE
Thanks, Mum. I feel much better now that I’ve told you.
(she goes upstairs. mum busies herself making tea and setting the table. Maggs bursts in.)
MAGGS
What a perfect shit of a day.
MUM
Maggs!
MAGGS
Sorry, Mum. It began with a boring lecture from Fanny Fairclough about the proper
behaviour of a
well brought up young lady, does she think we’re still living in the 19th Century? And then
we were given a spot algebra test. I got 20 percent and given extra homework and then….
Mum are you listening to me?
MUM
Sorry Maggs. What was that?
MAGGS
Oh never mind. No one ever listens to me anyway. Hey is that Carrie’s cap? I didn’t know
she was coming home. Where is she?
MUM
She’s upstairs getting changed. She’ll be down in a minute. Do you want a cuppa?
MAGGS
No thanks, Mum. Ah there you are, Carrie. You look pale. Are you OK? You aren’t sick are
you?
CARRIE
No just a bit tired. It’s a long journey from Hamburg.
MAGGS
How’s Tom?
CARRIE
Tom’s fine. Now tell me about school. When do you take your final exams?
ACT 2 SCENE 3
That night in Flo and Arthur’s bedroom. Flo is hanging her dress in a large mahogany wardrobe whilst Arthur sits up in a double bed reading the newspaper. There is an eiderdown covering the bed and on the floor a floral carpet square. In the corner there is a mahogany dressing table with spiral spindles holding up a large oval mirror. A tallboy stands on another wall.
ARTHUR
Carrie was very quiet tonight. She ‘ardly said a word at the tea table. That’s’ not like ‘er.
Do you think she’s OK?
FLO
It’s just the journey. Tires you out on those ferries
ARTHUR
Well that’s alright then. I reckon that army has knocked ‘er into shape. Not as cocky as she
was 18 months ago.
FLO
Yes. She’s grown up a lot. Nearly 20 now.
ARTHUR
Time she was finding a husband and ‘aving some kids of ‘er own. Anyone on the ‘orizen?
She’s more likely to tell you than me.
FLO
Not that I know of. What sort of a day have you had? Any problems at the office?
ARTHUR
No. It’s been quiet as days go. Everyone getting on with the job in hand.
FLO
Arthur…..
ARTHUR
Yes, what is it?
FLO
It’s about Carrie.
ARTHUR
Wants to come back home I suppose. Well she’s welcome as long as she behaves herself.
FLO
Something like that…but that’s not all.
ARTHUR
Well spit it out Flo. What else does she want? She’ll have to find a job. I can’t be
supporting her for too long.
FLO
You remember Tom.
ARTHUR
Yes. A very pleasant bloke as far as I remember. He stayed the night once
FLO
Well it seems they’ve been seeing one another
ARTHUR
She’s what? He’s old enough to be her father for God’s sake. What does she want with an
old man like ‘im? You need to talk some sense into that daughter of yours.
FLO
It’s too late for that, Arthur.
ARTHUR
What do you mean, too late?
FLO
She’s… well she’s pregnant
ARTHUR
PREGNANT? She’s gone and got herself pregnant? Well he’ll have to marry her. You’ll have
to organise a wedding straight away. I’ll bloody well drag him to the altar if needs be
FLO
Well, there’s a problem there. He’s already married
ARTHUR
He’s WHAT?
FLO
Calm down, Arthur. Remember your blood pressure. The doctor said…
ARTHUR
Never mind the bloody doctor. What about the bloody neighbours. We’ll be the talk of the
village.
FLO
Getting angry doesn’t solve the problem Arthur. We have to think sensibly.
ARTHUR
Well she can’t stay ‘ere that’s fer sure.
FLO
Alright. How about we send her to my sister in Bury. Tell everyone she’s signed on for
another year. No one needs to know and Clara will make sure she’s well looked after until
the baby’s born. Then we’ll have to think again.
ARTHUR
OK. But you’d better tell ‘er tomorrow. I don’t want to see ‘er ‘ere when I get ‘ome
tomorrow night. She’s a disgrace to the family.
ACT 3 - CARRIE COMES HOME
ACT 3 SCENE 1
Clara’s house in Bury, a semi detached with a neat postage stamp front garden on a tree lined road. A car rolls up to the gate and Carrie and her mother get out. Carrie gets a small case out of the boot. Mum presses the doorbell and the chimes of big ben ring out.
MUM
Now are you sure you’ll be alright, Carrie? Just shout if you need me. I’m only at the other
end of the phone.
CARRIE
Don’t fuss, Mum, I’ll be fine.
MUM
Remember, as soon as your water breaks I want to know about it.
CARRIE
Mum, I’ve got another seven months to go.
Clara opens the door and they go inside.
MUM
Are you sure you don’t mind Clara. It’s a bit of a liberty but what could I do?
CLARA
Not at all. I’m happy to help. (She takes the suitcase and places it on the stairs). How is
Arthur taking it?
MUM
Well you know, Arthur. Head in the sand as always. But I’ll work on him during the next
few months don’t you fear. He can’t deny his first grandchild.
CARRIE
You don’t need to, Mum. There’s no way I’ll let him near my baby. I’m through with Dad
and his puritanical ways. He can go jump in the Mersey for all I care.
MUM
Well we’ll see, Luv. You might feel differently once the little one is born.
CLARA
Changing the subject I think I might have found you a job at the local newsagents, Carrie.
It’ll give you a bit of money in your pocket and help towards your board.
MUM
Perfect. You see Carrie. Things are looking up already. Anyway its time I was off. I’ll phone
you every couple of days to see how you’re getting on and pop over from time to time.
(Camera shots outside showing Mum getting into her car and waving goodbye.)
CLARA
Right, let’s get you sorted with somewhere to sleep. I’m putting you in the bedroom over
the garage. It’s nice and bright with the sun shining in there first thing in the morning.
ACT 3 SCENE 2
The baby is in a carrycot on the dining room table. The doorbell rings.
CLARA
Can you get that please, Carrie. I’m just upstairs in the bathroom.
CARRIE
Oh it’s you. What do you want? I’m busy.
DAD
Can I come in, Luv? I need to speak to you.
CARRIE
You’ve said all you had to say seven months ago. Now I think you should leave.
DAD
Please, Lass. Your mother has made me see how selfish and wrong I’ve been. I just want
to apologise. I’ve been a rubbish dad and now I want to make amends to you and the little
one.
CARRIE
Do you? Well it’s too late. He doesn’t need you in his life. And neither do I.
DAD
I beg you, Carrie. Just let me see my grandchild then I’ll leave you both in peace if that’s
what you want.
CARRIE
Sigh! Oh alright. Just 5 minutes.
DAD
‘ello little man. I’m your grandad. ‘e reminds me of you when you were small Carrie. You
were such a pretty baby.
The baby grasps his finger. Arthur sobs.
DAD
‘e’s beautiful, Carrie. I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?
Carrie starts to cry too.
CARRIE
Oh, Dad, you hurt me so much. You let me down just when I needed you most.
DAD
I know. I’m a stubborn old fool, but I can change. Just give me a chance.
CARRIE
Would you like to hold him?
DAD
Yes please. I’ll be very gentle. What’s ‘is name?
CARRIE
It’s Sam
DAD
‘ello Sam. Tell me if I’m going too fast ‘ere, Luv, but I’d like for you and Sam to come ‘ome.
That’s where you both belong, at ‘ome with your family.
CARRIE
But what about the gossip?
DAD
To hell with the gossip. You’re my daughter and this is my grandson and that’s all that
matters. If they don’t like it they can lump it.
CARRIE
Oh Dad there’s nothing I’d like more.
CLARA
I thought I heard voices. Is everything OK, Carrie?
CARRIE
Dad wants me to go home, Aunt Clara. Will it be alright if I go back with him today.
CLARA
Of course, Lass. But I’ll miss you and little Sam. I hope you’ll bring ‘im back to see me
often
CARRIE
You know I will. I’ll just go and pack my things. I’ll call in at the Newsagents on the way
past and thank Bob for the job he gave me. There’s a bottle in the carrycot, Dad. Perhaps
you’d like to feed him.