Happy Valley Page #2

Season #1 Episode #1

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might press it without intending

to, and I’d like you to put it

down.

LIAM:

Leave me alone you stupid b*tch.

CATHERINE:

(water off a duck’s back)

You’re upset, and I understand

that. The point I’m making. Is that

with all these fumes - and frankly

I don’t know how you’re staying

conscious - you could go up any

second whether you intend to or

not, and once you go up, you won’t

just go up a bit, you’ll go up a

lot, and the other big thing to say

is, it hurts. Three seconds in and

you’ll be screaming at me to put

you out, seven seconds in and

you’ll be begging me to shoot you.

Over by the YOUTHS, KIRSTEN’s radio kicks in.

RADIO:

Control to Bravo November nine-five

one-two.

KIRSTEN:

Nine-five-one-two.

RADIO:

I’ve got a negotiator on his way to

you, but he’s stuck in traffic on

the A-fifty-eight between Bradford

and Halifax.

HAPPY VALLEY. EPISODE ONE. BY SALLY WAINWRIGHT 6.

As they knew he would be.

KIRSTEN:

(light)

Okay.

RADIO:

He says the big thing. Is to keep

the subject engaged in

conversation.

KIRSTEN:

I think we’ve got that covered.

Back to CATHERINE and LIAM.

CATHERINE:

I’m Catherine, by the way. I’m

forty-seven, I’m divorced, I live

with my sister - who’s a recovering

heroin addict - I have two grown-up

children. One dead and one who

doesn’t speak to me. And a

grandson! So.

LIAM’s intrigued, but reluctant to ask

LIAM:

Why - ? Why doesn’t he speak to

you?

CATHERINE:

Oh, it’s complicated. Let’s talk

about you.

CUT TO:

3

INT. NEVISON GALLAGHER ASSOCIATES, NEVISON’S OFFICE. 3

DAY 1. 11.30

We see the NGA logo, and in case we’re in any doubt, we also

see what it stands for: NEVISON GALLAGHER ASSOCIATES:

INDUSTRIAL REFRIGERATION. 42-year-old KEVIN WEATHERILL’s

sitting waiting to see his boss. KEVIN’s the firm accountant.

He’s nervous.

JUSTINE:

Nevison’ll see you now, Kevin.

KEVIN:

Oh, terrific. Thank you.

KEVIN goes into NEVISON’s office.

CUT TO:

HAPPY VALLEY. EPISODE ONE. BY SALLY WAINWRIGHT 7.

4 INT. NGA, NEVISON’S OFFICE. CONTINUOUS. DAY 1. 11.31 4

NEVISON’s busy at his desk as KEVIN appears.

NEVISON:

Kevin.

KEVIN:

Nevison.

NEVISON:

What’s up?

NEVISON’s in his late sixties, but he has the energy and aura

of a man half his age. Beneath the bluff exterior you never

doubt there lurks a shrewd businessman.

KEVIN:

Oh nothing. Nothing’s up. As such.

I - can I...?

(”close the door?” he

indicates. NEV doesn’t

respond one way or the

other. KEVIN ventures to

close the door)

Can I...?

(”Sit down?” he indicates.

Unsmiling NEVISON

indicates “Go ahead”)

The thing is. Okay. Melissa.

NEVISON:

Melissa.

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