Guilt

That's not a dummy camera.

20 grand.

MAX: Are there any other copies?

No.

I'm the only one who knows what you did.

What was that?!

ANGIE: This, the bruising... Something just feels a little weird.

KENNY: I've never heard of a lab losing a sample before.

Was that you?

I took care of it, Jake.

MAX: It's over!

It's done!

ANGIE: I'm not going anywhere until I know what you did.

What we did.

(thunder claps) (whimpers) (click) (engine idling) (both chuckling) Hm.

My associates want to double the money coming through.

No problem.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

(sniffs) The money.

How do you clean it?

How do you dirty it?

(tinkling) (hammering outside continues) (hammering continues) (soft chuckle) HENRY: At least it was peaceful.

Aye.

That was something.

Well, as you know, Walter left you everything.

The full caboodle.

That's the last thing I care about.

Sorry.

Almost everything.

Pardon?

He left his vinyl record collection to his niece.

That wasn't in the will from what he told me.

No, it was a codicil, which he gave me last time I saw him... which I must admit I can't... immediately find.

Och, I'm sure I could sort that out for you, Henry.

No, I'm afraid I, I can't settle the estate until I speak to her.

Och, no.

The estate needs settled, Henry.

Not without speaking to her, Sheila.

My hands are tied.

(clicks tongue) I remember she lived abroad... Was it Australia, maybe?

(distant telephone ringing) America.

(soft chuckle) I met her at the house, she's a nice lassie.

I'll tell her that you want to see her.

(exhaling): Wonderful.

(exhales) ("Love is the Drug" by Roxy Music playing softly) (picks up matchbox, matches rattle) Where did you get these?

I arrived in Scotland a few months ago.

I wanted to see Walter before he died but it wasn't just that.

I had to get away.

From America, from my ex, from a lot of things I didn't want to go back to.

("Love is the Drug" continues playing softly) But Walter was kind of okay.

(soft chuckle) The doctor said he had six months, he was well looked after, he had this whole thing with the old lady over the road.

So, I went traveling, up to the Highlands.

Went broke, wound up working in a bar, which I guess was illegal on my tourist visa, then I overstayed it anyway.

(humorless chuckle) So when Walter died and I had to speak to the lawyer...

I don't know, it just felt safer to tell everyone I just got here.

("Love is the Drug" continues playing softly) You should have told me.

I know.

Obviously I didn't think that this was gonna happen.

(soft chuckle) And I'm telling you now.

("Love is the Drug" continues playing softly) But I'm sorry.

I lied to you and I don't want to do that anymore.

You know, sometimes good people-- very good people-- find themselves in desperate situations and they lie, and they feel terrible about it, but, you know, as long as they make amends, then, for me, it's bygones all round sort of thing.

("Love is the Drug" continues playing softly) Thanks for understanding.

This does not change me wanting you to stay.

I thought...

I mean, you said that... Jake.

I said I was staying a little longer to figure things out, but I mean, beyond that?

This place is getting sold, for a start.

Well, we can live at mine... Or somewhere better.

And I'd work illegally?

Or would we both live off your store?

Well, the shop does all right.

I think.

You think?

Well, Max's accountant does my books.

You know, I don't, don't really get into it.

You don't get into it?

It's your store.

Yeah, it is, but you know, that's just the way it's always worked, you know?

Sign a few forms here and there, and that's it, really.

(scoffing) Let's talk about this later.

I-I need to pack up Walter's stuff.

Okay.

("Love is the Drug" by Roxy Music playing softly) See you later, then.

Sure.

And I'm sorry for lying to you.

Ah, don't worry about it.

These things even themselves out.

Rewind it.

(clicking mouse) Could you go a wee sandwich?

No thanks.

Play it.

I can turn out like decent coronation chicken.

Traditional, with no... What was that?

I didn't see.

Oh, aye.

Right enough.

Good eyes.

That's Walter.

Poor old bastard.

Oh well.

There we go.

Morning, Jake.

Hi, Kenny.

Want a lift?

Eh... no, I'm fine, thanks.

Shank's pony frees the mind.

What, you don't have a car?

By choice.

Planet's dying, Kenny.

I use the trams.

People knock them but I like their whole vibe.

They've got this sort of quiet dignity.

So Max drives, does he, when you two are palling about?

Well, I wouldn't say me and Max do much palling about.

Well, you have recently.

Yeah, well, that's because... aye, I suppose.

(engine idling) I'll see you later on, Jake.

Aye, maybe.

(changes gear, engine revs) (music playing softly in background) Feels like I'm doing more and more of these.

These are the page numbers, right?

I imagine so.

I want to see the rest.

Sorry?

Let's see what kinda shape the business is in.

Gauge potential, and so on.

I'll, I'll tell you what, mate, why don't you just sign these just now and I'll be sure to pass that on?

No, it's my shop.

I want to see the rest.

Okay.

(clicks pen) (distant telephone ringing) (cellphone vibrating) (vibrating stops, button clicks) Hi.

Um, listen, I'm quite busy right now.

("Spoon" by Can playing) ("Spoon" continues playing) (indistinct chatter) Candle in the room in the afternoon How do you spoon?

She will be soon With your fork, raise your knife Speaks a joke, she soaks me alive ("Spoon" continues playing) Candle in the room in the afternoon How do you spoon?

She will be soon With your fork, raise your knife Speaks a joke, she soaks you alive ("Spoon" continues playing) (indistinct chatter) Oh, sit down on my chair where nobody want to care (cellphone dialing out) Hiya, buddy.

MAX (on phone): Hey, I had a weird call from my accountant.

He says you didn't sign off some papers.

Yeah, I was thinking I should take charge of that stuff.

You should?

JAKE (on phone): Yes, Max.

Me.

(items clatter loudly) (laughing forcefully): I don't mean you, you couldn't.

It's just, um... Why would you want to?

'Cause I can't spend my life like this.

I want to take on responsibility, be more ambitious.

Well... (clears throat) What do you want to know?

Everything.

I want to make plans, Max.

Think about the future.

Work out what this place can offer us.

"Us"?

Me.

Whatever.

Okay, um... let me look into it.

(phones clicks) (sighs) (places box down) (cellphone ringing) Hey, Claire.

Holy (muted).

Yep.

Are you enjoying it?

Well, that's not important.

Well, it's kind of important.

No, look...

I just need someone to tell me how insane this is.

I'm sorry I've put that on you, but-- It's not insane.

Having an affair?

Though "affair" sounds a little grandiose, doesn't it?

It's more... (music playing in restaurant) Oh, I don't know what it is.

So what are you gonna do?

I don't know.

I know I have a nice life, and I should be grateful for it...

But I don't remember ever agreeing to any of it.

It just sort of happened.

And then I look at you, and I can see that you're different, that you've made decisions.

Not just... you know... played it safe.

Yeah, I've made a lot of decisions, Claire.

And a lot of them have been terrible, and I regret them.

And what I regret more than anything is that on a few occasions, I didn't just play it (muted) safe.

There is a lot to be said for having a nice life, Claire, that's all.

(music playing in restaurant) He's done.

That seems... unlikely.

(scoffs) We had a good run, Cameron.

You had a very good run, but it's time to take my brother and his shop out of the equation.

I can still do what I need to do but... he needs to go.

Max, I'm afraid that you've fallen for a deception.

This is not really me, and this, us... (sighs) it's not really me, either.

I am simply a legitimizing presence.

and behind me, Max, behind me is reality.

And you don't want to know what the reality is, and you certainly don't want to meet it.

So, please, let us keep the pretense.

Let us fix this.

I don't know if I can.

Oh, I hope you can.

(music playing in shop) What are you up to?

Hey.

Just sorting out this place a bit.

Weird stuff at the back, collectibles up front, draw them in with the big guns, and then hopefully lead them down a wormhole or two, you know?

Well, I'm sure that will... help.

Gonna get a website done, bring in the international collectors.

(quietly): Good luck with that.

And if I'm honest, Max, I'm wondering if I should move uptown, just sell this place, see what's available.

No!

Jake, no, no.

It's... that's not possible.

Vinyl's booming, Max, just not in Leith.

I spoke to your accountant.

He's gonna do you a financial summary.

Should take a few weeks, so, you know, just crack on as normal till then.

Nah.

Sorry?

I don't want summaries, Max.

I want the full shebang.

Why?

'Cause it's my shop!

Yeah, it is, it is...

But there's a couple of wee tax things involved, which are to both our benefits.

It's best you don't know the details.

It's called... (quietly): "plausible deniability."

(chuckling) Is that what it's called?

Yes, Jake, that's what it's called.

Now I want to know everything, see what you've got me into.

"Got you into"?

I kept you in bloody business!

What does that mean?

It means just do what I tell ya!

Get me my accounts, Max.

Get me the paperwork for this place and leave me alone.

Fine.

I'll cut you loose.

Let you sink or swim.

That's all I want.

Not to ruin the surprise, it'll mostly involve sinking.

Bye, Max.

(groans) I'll be going up at lunchtime.

Tomorrow?

(Muted) off, Max.

(music continues playing in background) (door slams) (laughing) Hm.

(exhales deeply) (cellphone button chirps) (dialing out) (sighs) TINA'S VOICEMAIL: Hi, I can't take your call just now, but please leave a message, and I'll call you right back.

(message beeps) Hi, it's...

I'm sorry.

I wish I was braver... but I'm not, and I should tell you that now, for both of us.

I'm really sorry.

But... (voice catches) Uh, bye.

(cellphone button chirping) (sighs) (puts phone down) (music playing, indistinct chatter) Well?

Sit down, Max.

Would you like a lemonade?

It's just off the draft, but it's nice-- Kenny...

I don't appreciate the mystery.

You're not a man who has earned the right to mystery.

Okay.

Well?!

(soft chuckle) (sighing): Oh, I'm sure it was an accident.

What was?

(quietly): When you killed Walter.

(laughing forcefully) Hm...?

(both laughing) (laughing heartily) (laughing): Oh, Jesus, Kenny.

This is you sober!

You and Jake.

Your car.

Late, dark.

Walter's out on the road.

Then you put him back in his house, buggered off, and here we are.

Without wanting to entertain what is clearly the result (chuckling): of a booze-ravaged mind, I'd like to point out (inhaling): Walter died of cancer.

Aye, you had a right result there, didn't you, Max?

A right result.

Just like you had with the paint sample.

Kenny, I hope you get the help you so clearly need.

I found the garage.

I spoke to the mechanic who knocked the dents out of your car.

You shouldn't have used your credit card, Max!

(chuckles) But that's the arrogance there, you see?

This is ridiculous.

No, it's not.

I've known you for a long time, Max, this is entirely logical.

What do you want, Kenny?

I want my family back, which means I want my career back, which can happen one of two ways.

I can take you down, and prove that I'm straight enough to shop a client.

What's the second way?

Full partner.

With whom?

With you.

You're deranged.

You do the legals, I'll handle investigations, security, whatever needs done.

"Needs done"?

I can be between you and the street, Max, which is something you require, considering who you're involved with.

You've no idea who I'm involved with.

I do, (quietly): but I don't think you do.

(exhales) (gulping audibly) Just think about it, Max.

(places glass down) And be careful.

(music playing in background) So, I thought a website could bring in international collectors, you know?

You don't have a website?

I always thought it was cooler to fly under the radar sort of thing.

So your business plan was to kind of hide?

(soft chuckle) I thought the punters would seek me out like a hidden gem, you know?

How did that go?

Oh, I over-estimated the punters' seeking-out abilities.

Truth be told, they're pretty (muted) at it, which is why I'm looking to move the shop uptown.

Get in amongst it.

You could do that?

'Course I can.

With the move, busier shop, I could do with the help, you know.

Let's see what happens.

What's this?

It's just one of Walter's crazy notes.

Who's Jessie?

I don't know.

(places records down) (passenger door opens) Follow them.

What is this?

We're friends of Cameron.

Now follow them.

(engine sputters) (papers rustling) (exhales) (pills clattering) (phone dialing out) You need to come down here.

Now.

(car door closes) What?

It's probably nothing.

What is it?

ROY: Do you know who I am?

You work for me.

I didn't know that.

Well, that's why I am who I am.

Because people like you work for me and don't know they're doing it.

Um... look, whatever this is, I... And I don't know the details of it; I've never known the details-- Your brother's shop is a registered address of 43 Scottish limited partnerships, and he knows (muted) all about it.

Yeah.

Now I need those limited partnerships to stay open, and the money that goes through them to keep going through them.

Money, which incidentally, is about to double.

So this is not a good time for a disruption.

Let's work out what we can-- Now the reason that you recognize me, Max, is because for many years, myself and the people that work for me have committed significant amounts of extreme violence.

Look, that's all in the past now.

You know, I'm a businessman now, but a businessman who in the past has committed significant amounts of extreme violence.

Have you seen a dog, mate?

(grunting) (groaning) You've got until the end of the day to get your brother under control.

You leave my brother alone.

(stammering): Please.

Well, I suppose that in your hands, son, isn't it?

(chuckles) (door closes) I'm sorry.

(opens door) (seagulls squawking) (humorless chuckle) (cellphone ringing, button chirps) Yeah.

NICOLA BOWMAN (on phone): Where are you?

Chasing something up.

NICOLA: She's looking for you.

Won't be long.

(car engine starts) (exhales) (Max driving off) (quietly weeping) (sobbing) (flashes echoes loudly) (indistinct chatter) SHEILA: I miss him terribly.

But it was God's way.

ANGIE: I'm sorry for your loss.

I looked after Walter for a long time.

We had an agreement.

All he had was his house, but it was... Well, it was a haven to him, particularly towards the end.

So I paid for everything.

Specialist care.

All those daft alternative treatments.

(chuckles) And when he died, he left me the house.

The solicitor will sell it, and after I've been repaid, the balance goes to charity.

Lifeboats.

SHEILA: Aye, he loved his lifeboats.

But it turns out, unbeknownst to me, that Walter left his record collection to a niece in America-- his only family.

Not that she had anything to do with him.

Well, we don't know where she is.

The solicitor's lost the instruction.

I mean, it could take months to find her, if we even can.

I'm in debt, love.

And all for the sake of a few records!

And that's when Gordy had his wee idea.

Well, it wasnae my-- All people are expecting is a grieving niece.

All Walter's solicitor is expecting is an American woman with an American passport.

No.

Gordy talks about you a lot.

He says you turned up here in slightly reduced circumstances.

Perhaps you'd accept some money for your time?

I was thinking maybe... �10,000?

This wasn't his idea.

'Course it wasn't.

And the lifeboats don't get (muted).

Of course they don't.

No?!

Ten grand.

Twenty.

(shaky exhalation) (exhales) (distant telephone ringing) (exhales) ELAINE HILL: Stevie?

(telephone continues ringing) Is it Stevie?

I forget.

Sorry, boss, I was just chasing something up.

(indistinct chatter) All right?

ELAINE: You two are up.

Uncooperative complainer.

Oh, sorry boss, we're clocking off, we're... ELAINE: Have fun.

(birds twittering, rain pattering) When you told me you were going on holiday, I said, "Don't be away on the 19th."

'Cause on the 19th the label were up from London to see the band.

And I said to you I'd go see her every day in that place.

Like I did when you were busy getting married, busy building your house, busy starting your practice, but I needed the 19th off.

And you just went anyway.

They said she had months.

Well, they said she might have months.

Oh Jesus (muted), Jake!

The shop.

That's how I got over it.

When you bought me the shop I thought, "Well, there's some feeling there.

There's some humanity, there's some...

guilt."

But now, now it looks like that's not why you bought me the shop at all.

I opened my practice in the middle of the recession.

I was arrogant, stupid, and things got a little desperate, and I got in a wee bit a trouble.

I don't want to hear it.

Well, you need to hear it.

I don't want to, Max!

I just want to stand here and think about how things might have gone, because that's what I do every year.

I stand here, I look at that date, and I think about how things might have gone, and how I might have escaped like you escaped.

You're not listening to me!

I didn't escape!

Because that was it!

That was my way out!

And you took it from me!

(breathing heavily) Jake, if your band was gonna get signed, they'd have got signed.

(stammering): You're probably right.

But it would have been nice to have had a shot, you know, at something, something bigger, something better, something real.

Well, now, maybe I do.

I can understand why you think like that because you're a better man than the life you've had.

And maybe I should've helped you more.

I shouldn't have let you struggle.

I can help you now.

More than you can imagine.

Because if you want bigger, and better, and all that bollocks, then stick with me.

That's the right way, Jake.

Think of what you want.

The wrong way is to go with her.

And, if in your head, it's between me or her-- and I hope, I hope it's not even a question-- but if it is, then believe me, Jake, the answer-- and it is (muted) resounding-- the answer is me.

Maybe you're right.

Maybe she's the wrong option.

But I've got nothing to lose, Max.

I've lived half my life and... got nothing to lose.

Jake, you're in danger.

Proper danger.

Then call the police.

No... No, we can't.

We never can, can we, Max?

Not now.

Not when we hit Walter.

What have you done?

What have you done to me?

I can tell you as much as you want to know-- it's, it's up to you.

But if you walk away from me now, we're (muted).

Both of us.

Well, it's nice to have the company.

(footsteps retreating) (exhales) Hi, um, where are you?

Where?!

SHEILA: The checkbook?

We can start with the checkbook.

Jesus (muted), are you kidding me?

50 quid here and there?

A little more than that.

Well, how much more?

You said you paid for everything.

I did, and then he paid me back.

He was housebound.

Do you know what "housebound" means?

I mean it's fairly self-explanatory.

That's not what you said.

What do you want me to tell you, love?

About going over there at the crack of dawn and coming home in the dark?

About cooking his meals and cleaning his house?

About washing the body of a dying man, 'cause that's a (muted) barrel of laughs!

You took his money, then you waited for the house.

And then... Well, you had enough of waiting, didn't you?

(stammering): I don't understand.

I think you were overdosing him.

You've lost your bloody marbles!

And so did Walter.

He left a note in the records for his niece.

"Non compos mentis."

Hmm?

That's what the doctor said.

That's where your note-- if there was a note-- came from.

An unsound mind!

A scared, confused man who barely knew his name.

What the (muted) did you get me into?

You need to go.

Now.

America, anywhere, just go!

You'll get your money when the house is sold.

You think I trust you to leave without it?

That is very hurtful.

You're a liar.

(footsteps retreating) (drawer opens, paper rustling) There are only liars in this room.

(doorbell rings) Well, that was a (muted) way to do it.

Yeah.

It was.

Where is she?

The uncooperative complainer?

He.

NURSE: Sign in here, please.

It's not domestic?

IC2.

Right.

Drink driving?

No, found unconscious at Leith docks.

Here, uh, why don't you take this one, and come in late tomorrow?

Are you taking the piss?

And come in late all week.

I'll cover for you.

Stevie, I've covered your ass all day while you've been at the bookies, and my reward was calling my ex's smug bitch of a wife to get her to pick up my kids from school, so for the sake of novelty, as much as anything, just do your bloody job for five minutes.

I wasn't at the... (sighs) Mind if I take a seat?

Nothing can, you know, happen.

Not here.

And I know it's a little late for me to start laying down moral markers.

Nice house.

Thanks.

I suppose a place like this comes with a lawyer husband.

Ill-gotten gains, and all that.

It's not ill-gotten.

He works hard.

Does he talk to you about his work?

No.

It's one of the many things we don't talk about.

I don't get it.

Why would you even care about Max?

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have shown up like this.

No.

(exhales) I'm sorry.

(voice breaking): Because you're the first bit of happiness, proper happiness, I have had in a long, long time.

So I reacted, obviously, by running away.

Claire, it's cool.

Maybe we should...

I don't have to make any decisions yet.

It was fun, that's all.

Don't beat yourself up.

Don't do anything drastic.

I'm...

I'm sure I'll see you at the gym.

Bye, Claire.

No, wait, I... (soft chuckle) (cutlery clinking) It's a shame what happened to him.

To Walter.

Aye, it was.

It was a shame what happened to Ralph, too.

Eat your soup, son.

You want to get up the road... before it gets too dark.

(bird twittering outside) NICOLA: Can you hear us, Mr. Burns?

KENNY (softly): I asked 'em not to call you.

What happened?

Someone hit me from behind.

I didn't see what happened.

I'm exercising my legal right not to comment further.

This was a violent attack, that's not someone we want on the streets.

I'm exercising my legal right not to comment further.

(clears throat) Call us if you change your mind.

Thanks for coming in.

(footsteps retreating) I don't know why you still come in, Stevie.

Just get signed off.

Depression or whatever you want to call it.

I'm not depressed.

Really?

Well, you should be.

At least a wee bit, and I say that with love.

Oh, bollocks, I've left my phone in there!

Christ's sake.

I know, I know, it's fine.

You go, I'm just round the corner from here.

Come on, I've wasted enough of your time today.

You get up the road.

Bye, Stevie.

(exhales) (continues typing) (cellphone chimes, vibrates) (places phone down) (shaky breathing) (inhales deeply, exhales) Well...

I tried.

You'll just scare him.

You'll just... scare him.

(door closes) (keys jingling) (keys clattering) (pouring liquid) (places bottle down) She doesn't know anything.

(footsteps approaching) How do you know?

She trusts me.

Clearly.

Befriend-- that's what I said.

Befriend.

You can't get much friendlier than that.

(footsteps approaching) She doesn't know anything.

Okay.

(footsteps retreating) (grunting) JAKE: No!

(engine starts) (tires squealing) (click) JAKE: They say it looks like an accident, but it wasn't an accident, was it, Max?

ANGIE: Who would do that to you?

However this started, it's real now.

You're in danger.

No, Max.

You should listen to your brother.

This is your chance to get out.

You're a lunatic.

I'm a professional.

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