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Someone new has take up residence on the pavement near the bus stop. Mike might be homeless, but he's got a ukulele, so Helen challenges him to join her in a sing song. This Episode's guest is Roy J Carruthers (who also plays Harry from across the corridor, Dimitri (Season 1) Loki Season 8), Eric Frogsholme, and Kyrane (Season 9).
If you, or someone you know, is homeless, you can get support from Mind, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous. Alternatively, you can search for local organisations in your area.
The transcript is available on the episode website amIoldyet.com/s10e3
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EPISODE 3 - MIKE
FLLOYD: Thunder's Mouth Theatre presents Episode 3 of Season 10. There's somebody new hanging out by the bus stop, and Helen's just on her way to the shops. This episode the guest artist is Liverpool actor and role play specialist, Roy J Carruthers. If you're enjoying these little vignette scenes, please follow, or subscribe in your podcasting app, and leave a review or drop a comment over at the website amIoldyet.com/reviews. Enjoy...
STREET AMBIENCE
MIKE: Got any spare change lady? Sorry to bother you.
HELEN: Sorry mate.
MIKE: Have a nice day.
HELEN: Just a minute! What am I doing? Of course I've got spare change. Where's my purse? Hi yeah yeah sorry. I do have some spare change. So silly, I just don't think in terms of cash anymore these days. Must make it hard for you
MIKE: oh yeah
HELEN: oh you've got a uke! Have you been playing it for long? Are you busking?
MIKE: No! I just play to amuse myself.
HELEN: But you sing don't you?
MIKE: No way. Not if anyone's listening. You do not want to hear me sing.
HELEN: Oh but I do! Come on, play something, I'll join in.
MIKE: Are you a singer?
HELEN: Not at all. I'm just somebody who sings. But maybe together we could fool some people that we are actually a couple of buskers. Get some more cash in your in your cup there. What sort of songs do you know?
MIKE: No, really.
HELEN: "You are my sunshine"? You must know that. From primary school.
MIKE: mmmh. Maybe.
HELEN: well if I start it will you join in?
MIKE: Might.
HELEN: Ok. Well give me a key to get started?
MIKE: I'll do my best.
HELEN: you my sun shine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey, you'll never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away.
Hey! there you go! You did know it you even knew the chords. You're pretty good.
MIKE: No not really.
HELEN: So where did you learn to play the ukulele?
MIKE: In the army.
HELEN: They teach you to play the ukulele in the army?
MIKE: Well, some of the guys, you know, they played different instruments, and one of them taught me how to play the ukulele. We had a bit of a band going amongst ourselves for a while.
HELEN: And so how long ago was that?
MIKE: Few years?
HELEN: Right. So were you in Iraq.
MIKE: Yeah. Got out after that.
HELEN: All right. So you've had a rough time, then.
MIKE: Oh, yeah. Wouldn't recommend it
HELEN: And now? Is this your spot now?
MIKE: Yeah. Used to be an old Scottish lady here. But she disappeared.
HELEN: Mina? Oh she didn't disappear, I know exactly where she is!
MIKE: You do? We just heard she was here one minute, and gone the next. Thought maybe she'd--you know--passed on...
HELEN: Oh not at all. She was persuaded to go into the Shelter over on Boundary Road. And they managed to get her back to Scotland, into one of those new tiny homes the local councils have been building to house the homeless people.
MIKE: A house? A whole house to herself?
HELEN: Well it is a very tiny house. Just right for one person. And they have carers who pop in to make sure she's managing ok.
MIKE: Right. Well, that's good. That's really good... Amazing. Yeah. Well, you have a lovely day.
HELEN: Thank you. Let's see. Apart from any spare cash I happen to have, and you've got that, is there anything else I can do for you?
MIKE: No, thanks for that.
HELEN: Really? What about these charities that are supposed to help ex soldiers?
MIKE: Yeah. Tried them. Just checked me out after a while.
HELEN: And why was that?
MIKE: Anger management issues.
HELEN: Yes, but isn't that common with ex forces people who've been in combat zones? A lot of them come back with anger management issues, don't they have treatments for it?
MIKE: Didn't see much point really,
HELEN: Really? No point in trying?
MIKE: I did try. I got a job. You know, pushing trolleys around in a car park at a supermarket. And then I punched one of the security people.
HELEN: Oh dear.
MIKE: He really pissed me off. Kept making stupid jokes, disrespecting the armed forces. Unfortunately, I was stronger than I thought and I put him in hospital for a month or so. wasn't good.
HELEN: No. That would not have been good.
MIKE: So they put me in jail. So yeah. That was interesting.
HELEN: I'm sure it was...
MIKE: You want to sit down I've got a box here.
HELEN: Oh, that's very kind. Yes. I could do sitting down. Hips rubbish at the moment.
MIKE: Oh, sorry to hear that. Anything you can do about it?
HELEN: Oh, yes, I'm taking the drugs
MIKE: Okay, I won't ask.
HELEN: Don't Ask Don't Tell eh? What's your name?
MIKE: Mike.
HELEN: Hi, Mike. I'm Helen.
MIKE: Nice to meet you, Helen. You got family looking out for you?
HELEN: I do actually I'm quite lucky in that respect. I have a daughter who--she's very fond of looking out for me. I have to keep her in check a bit
MIKE: Too much eh?
HELEN: She can be. And you?
MIKE: Well, I do see me Mum. From time to time. Yeah! She's she's not long turned 80!
HELEN: Really? Same age as me!
MIKE: Really you're 80?
HELEN: Oh, yes. Don't try to flannel me.
MIKE: Alright.
HELEN: So... So where does your Mum stay?
MIKE:: Oh, she's in a home now. Being looked after okay.
HELEN: And your Dad?
MIKE: My Dad passed away about 20 years back... so she has been on her own.
HELEN: No brothers and sisters?
MIKE: Nah. Just me. Fat lot of use I am to her.
HELEN: Ah-- it doesn't take much to be of use to your family. You know. All you have to do is exist really? And that's of use.
MIKE:: Right? Never thought of that.
HELEN: When did you last see her/
MIKE: About six months ago? I phone her when I can.
HELEN: Ah, rright, well
I haven't got any more cash to give you, but ah-- is she far away?
MIKE: Ah... no... couple of buses.
HELEN: You got enough in there for a couple of bus rides. Even if she doesn't know you.
MIKE: Oh, she's she's she's still got all her marbles. She'll know me.
HELEN: Mike, do it.
MIKE: Yeah. All right. Thanks, Helen... You off now?
HELEN: Why? Do you want rid of me? Am I putting off the punters? Let' sing another song. Do you know another one?
MIKE: Irene Good night.
HELEN: Okay, yes I know that one. My mother used to sing it when I was a kid. Irene good night
Irene good night
Good night Irene and good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in town
Sometimes I have a great notion
Jumping in, into the river and drown
Irene good night
Irene good night
Good night Irene and good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife have parted
Guess I'll take a little stroll downtown.
Irene good night
Irene good night
Good night Irene and good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
MONEY FALLING INTO PAPER CUP
Stop ramblin'. stop your gamblin'
Quit staying out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
Stay there by the fireside bright
Irene good night
Irene good night
Good night Irene and good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
MIKE: Oh, crikey, you do harmonies. That's impressive.
HELEN: Not so much...
MIKE: Thanks. Thanks, Helen
HELEN: .Hey, maybe we should take this up. I tell you what. You should sing more. Just enjoy it.
MIKE: Yeah. Maybe you've got something there. I should give something back. Even if it's my dodgy voice.
HELEN: It's the music!
MIKE: You're right. I should do something. Give... give something... give a little... Yeah, I will... thanks. Helen. You fair picked me up a bit.
HELEN: Oh, that's good. Hasn't done me any harm either. I suppose I better get on... shopping. Can I get you anything? I can come back this way. It's only an extra bust stop.
MIKE: Well, I could do with some fruit.
HELEN: Sure! Anything in particular?
MIKE: Just fruit, Helen.
HELEN: Anything at all?
MIKE: I'd be most grateful.
HELEN: Okay, see you shortly.
ADVERT MUSIC INTRO
FLLOYD: That was Episode 3 of Season 10. And that's not all. Stick around to hear the epilogue in just a very few minutes. In this episode, you heard Roy Carruthers as Mike, and me, Flloyd Kennedy, as Helen. The theme music is by John T LaBarbera, from his album In the Labyrinth. And now, for the epilogue...
THEME MUSIC
HELEN: Janey, do you have time to drop over here sometime this afternoon?
JANEY: Ye-es. I do have time. Any particular reason? What can I bring you?
HELEN: I want to you take a couple of your empty garden pots, smallish ones, and fill them with lovely fresh potting compost. That's all.
JANEY: Oh, what are you going to plant? And where will you keep them? You don't have any room left on your windowsills.
HELEN: No, they're not for me. There's an ex soldier who's taken up residence in Mina's old spot down by the bus stop. He wants some fruit. So I've arranged with Demeter to have seasonal fruit plants growing in your pots.
JANEY: Oh, that's a lovely idea. He doesn't have a dog then...
HELEN: No, he doesn't have a dog. And I'm just hoping this will give him something to look after
JANEY: And to look forward to...
HELEN: Exactly. It's just an experiment, of course. But then what isn't?
JANEY: I'll be right over. Love you!
MUSIC - MID ROLL ADVERTS
FLLOYD: That was Episode 3 of Season 10, with Roy J Carruthers as Mike, and Flloyd Kennedy as Helen and Janey. If you, or someone you know, is homeless, you can get support from Mind, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous. Alternatively, you can search for local organisations in your area. Please support the ongoing costs of producing this podcast with a donation or a subscription at https://patreon.com/amIoldyet. And if you would like to listen to the episodes without the advertisements, subscribe to Fable & Folly Plus for over 50 of your favourite fiction shows, including this one. Thanks for listening, stay safe. And now for the Epilogue.
MUSIC
FLLOYD: Done.
ROY: Well
FLLOYD: Yeah.
ROY: Have you got it all?
FLLOYD: We're going to have a listen and... find out. That one? No...
MUSIC
Actor
Born and raised in Liverpool, England, Roy experienced life in a variety of jobs, before he came to acting after graduating from University as a mature student at the age of thirty-eight. Previous theatre credits include: the MI5 agent in ‘By The Waters of Liverpool’ (Empire Theatre, Liverpool), as panto villains Abanazar (Dubai Media City), the Sheriff of Nottingham and King Rat (Gracie Fields Theatre, Rochdale), Tony De Vito in ‘Lennon’s Banjo’ (Epstein Theatre), Victor Franz in Arthur Miller’s ‘The Price’ (Liverpool Unity Theatre), Frank in ‘Ladies Night’, Slater in ‘Funny Money’ and Santa in ‘Night Collar’ (Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool), The Fourth Wall (Old Red Lion, Islington) and Mafioso (Hill Street Theatre, Edinburgh).
On TV he appeared in ‘Longford’ (Granada), ‘Good Cop’ (BBC TV) and as Frank in the Feature Film Sparkle (Magic Light Pictures).
Roy supplied over 50 character voices for 10 unabridged audio books of the Redwall series, by best-selling Liverpool author, Brian Jacques and can often be heard on BBC Radio 4; credits include ‘Cobwebs’ and ‘Brief Lives’, ‘The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe’, ‘William Quilliam: The Sheikh of Liverpool’ and ‘The Strange Case of Oliver Cromwell's Head’ plus two appearances on the Radio 4 show Pick of The Week.
Begin at the very beginning, with Episode 1 "Kind Like Sharon". Or pick it up at Season 6, which is the beginning of Helen's life as a Super Hero!
