a/n: re-posted because the forced content label was irritating tf outta me.
(transcript below)
[Night - The Dollhouse]
(Girl #1): Slurring. Yay we made it! I’m tryna stare at some big beautiful titties or whatever Rihanna said!
(Girl #2): Relax, man…if you’re too drunk they won’t let us in!
(Girl #1): Booo! I wanna do shots! Girl #2 kisses her teeth.
(Girl #3): Still cannot believe you talked me into this.
(Girl #4): Girl it did not take much to convince you!
[***]
(Girl #3): Guys, we should get drinks, the next girl starts in 10.
(Girl #1): I can’t lie, I'm not tryna get up right now…I want a lap dance.
(Girl #2): Ignore her, the rest of us can go up.
(Girl #4): Nah, I need a wee. Can you get me a rum & coke though?
[***]
(Danielle): Max?
(Max): Danielle…What are you doing here?
(Danielle): I’m out with my friends…are you here with yours?
(Max): …I’m on break…I bartend here.
(Danielle): Oh.
(Max): Oh?
(Danielle): I didn’t mean it in a rude way! This just isn’t where I pictured you working.
(Max): Right well I’ve only got half hour left of my break so-
(Danielle): Wait, don't go! I haven’t seen you in ages. …How are you?
(Max): ...We don’t have to do this, you know.
(Danielle): Do what?
(Max): The small talk. It’s jarring.
(Danielle): You’re jarring.
(Max): And you’re defo drunk so unless you need help finding your friends–
(Danielle): -Can I just ask you something? What exactly is your issue with me?
(Max): Oh we are not doing this. They turn to leave, Danielle grabs their arm.
(Max): Are you for real?
(Danielle): Answer my question Max.
Max sighs, choosing to stay. Danielle lets go.
(Max): Okay one: keep your fucking hands to yourself and two: …I don't have an issue with you. We’re just not…close.
(Danielle): Bullshit. I’ve done fuck all to you. In fact, I’ve only ever tried to support you, but for some reason you still treat me like a prick, so why is that?
(Max): Fed up. Jesus– D’ya know what?! It’s because you fucking pity me Danielle.
(Danielle): Excuse me?
(Max): Ever since I first set foot in your mum’s house the two of you have looked at me like I was a sick dog.
(Danielle): The fuck are you talking about, bruv? All we’ve ever done is try our best to love you! How is that wrong?
(Max): I don’t know! Until I was 11 there was this life I knew and it wasn’t perfect but it was mine. And then my mum met yours and all I could feel was how much everything was changing. Do you know what it’s like to find out almost everything you’re used to is wrong?
(Danielle): I don’t! But I do know that you’ve held onto this shit for years! If you’d just talked to us then–
(Max): …If everyone else was trying their best, then why would I fuck that up?
(Danielle): Max–
(Max): –Look, we’re done here. I’m hungry and my break’s almost over.
10/6/26: post updated w/ new screenshots to reflect tweaks to story timeline
(transcript below)
(Danielle): There’s leftovers in the fridge if you want it.
(Max): Jesus Christ, Danielle! What are you doing here?
(Danielle): Sorry, I came in through the back. I’m waiting for a package here. Didn’t mum tell you?
(Max): I don’t think so. She might have mentioned it to me and I forgot though.
(Danielle): Mmhm…so how are things?
(Max): ….Fine?
(Danielle): …Ok then.
(Max): [sighs, trying] …How are you and…Ryan?
(Danielle): Roman. And we’re good. He sends his love.
(Max): That’s nice of him.
****
[TEXT MESSAGES]
(Max): u owe me btw.
(Lena): I know. stay at mine tonight? I'll pick you up after work.
(Max): …fine. I finish at 2.
****
(Danielle): Can I ask you something?
(Max): [Irritated] I guess?
(Danielle): What should I say to people about you and...Aish?
(Max): [mouth full] What?
(Danielle): W-well I'm still cool with a few girls from school and sometimes I see others at like parties and stuff and they ask me about it and like I know you didn’t go to the funeral so I’m just...not sure what to tell them?
(Max): [annoyed, uncomfortable] Can you not just tell them to mind their fucking business?
(Danielle): Of course I just...[Sighing] Max...you know you can...talk to me right?
(Max): I am talking to you, and now I’m telling you that I'm not gonna give you advice on how to gossip about me and my dead best friend.
[Draws opening, clothes rustling, muffled sounds of a phone call]
(DANIELLE): …The doctors kept them in overnight due to some smoke inhalation but they’ve had a bunch of tests done and from what mum says things seem okay.
…I know, they’ve not even got their phone with them, ‘cause the firefighters aren’t sure if the flat’s safe to go in yet.
…I’ve had to run home to find some stuff for them to wear.…Oh mate don’t even get me started on that. You know they never replied to my voicemail?
[***]
(MAX): Can I leave now?
(DOCTOR): We’re just waiting on those discharge papers to be drawn up, then you’ll be free to go.
[Max sighs, Simone emerges]
(SIMONE): I’ve spoken to the fire brigade, they’re gonna try and send someone to collect your phone from the flat later today. They’ve also managed to get a hold of your boss and she’s flying back asap so, don’t worry your pretty little head alright? It’ll all be fine.
(MAX): Did they find out how it happened yet?
(SIMONE): I’m not sure darling. It’s privileged info so I couldn’t get anything just yet.
(DOCTOR): I’ll just go and check on those forms.
[Danielle enters]
(DANIELLE): There you two are. This place is a nightmare to get around, man.
(SIMONE): It’s been like that since you were born, love.
(DANIELLE): Mmhm. I brought you some clothes Max. I hope the fit’s okay. I could only find stuff from when you still lived at home.(MAX): …thanks.
[TEXT] (DAISY): Here’s the info. She’s in cunch and she’s got a nokia so the phone signal might be a bit shit. I set her up on gmail though, might be easier to reach her there. My gran’s got a laptop.
[FLASHBACK #1]
(CHRIS): I know it's shit but you gotta be strong Max. I’ll be out of here before you know it.
[PRESENT DAY] [EMAIL]
Hi, I’m Max, Chris’ daughter. Your niece Daisy is a friend of mine and said it would be better to email you. I’d really love to meet and I’m glad to hear that you are too|
[FLASHBACK #2]
(MAX): Did I do something wrong?
(SIMONE): Of course not Max! Your mum is just- She loves you so much. It’s killing her not being able to be with you all the time, and every time we visit it just reminds her of um. Of what she’s lost, you know?
[PRESENT DAY][EMAIL]
Hi, I’m Maxine, but I go by Max. My pronouns are They/Them Hope that’s not too confusing for you! I’m Chris’ daughter. Your niece Daisy kindly gave me your info and said it would be better to email you. I’m glad to hear that you’re up for meeting as it’d be great to hear about my mum from you. Unfortunately, before her passing I hadn’t seen her in quite a long time|
[FLASHBACK #3]
(MAX): [Sobbing loudly]
(SIMONE): [Emotional] I’m so sorry sweetheart. Let it out.
[PRESENT DAY]
[TEXT] (AISH): u free this eve? was thinkin we cld do tht movie night. srry ab last wk - had lots goin on.
[Mostly silent, save for the occasional phone notification and muffled conversation from outside]
(DANIELLE): I’m off now mum.
(SIMONE): Okay my love, Thank you for your help today. Drive safe and text me when you get in, alright? [She stands up, they hug]
(DANIELLE): Will do, I’ll call you tomorrow, too. Let me know if you need anything else and don’t…put too much pressure on things. You know how Max is. It never works out when you force it.
(SIMONE): I don’t-
(DANIELLE): Mum please. Let’s not do the back and forth again. I love you both, but Max has a special way of making you feel like a failure when you’re far from it. Just respect their boundaries and maybe set some of your own, alright?
[***]
(TERESA): [Getting up] Well I’ll think that’s all I’ve got for today. Please let me know if you recall anything else you feel will help us.
(MAX): Alright…did you drive here? It’s easier to get to the car park from the back gate. I’ll let you out.
(TERESA): Thank you, I did. I’ll be in touch, Mx. kyle.
[Pan sizzling]
(MAX): Hi…
(SIMONE): Hey…all done now?
(MAX): Yeah, I let her go out the back gate. Where’s Danielle?
(SIMONE): She had to go but she sends her love.
(MAX): Alright, I’m going back to bed then. Let me know when my phone gets here.
(SIMONE): Wait, Max you need to eat something. I’ve done some cheese on toast, why don’t we put a film on, have a bit of a movie marathon?
(MAX): I’m not really hungry…
(SIMONE): Max I’m not asking for the world. For once can you just let me look after you?
(MAX): [Exhaling deeply] Fine…do you still have dreamgirls on dvd?
