[Elsa:] At the bottom of the street
[Tommy:] Which house?
[John:] Mine and hers taxi, Bluebird taxis.
[Elsa:] to the bottom of us...
[Sharon:] [LAUGHTER] Hiya, hiya
[John:] Shh
[speaker005:] ...
[Tommy:] [phonecall starts] Hello Colin one of the musketeers here... Candice, aha, a few minutes, right, cheers Colin, tarrah [telephone conversation ends].
[John:] Why we watching that tape over there?
[Tommy:] Oh it's where? Private taxis isn't it? One of the musketeers.
[Sharon:] You'll get it
[Tommy:] By the way I've got me
[Sharon:] What have you been saying about me Jimmy?
[Tommy:] Jimmy by the way
[Jimmy:] I haven't said nothing.
[Tommy:] she's switched tapes
[John:] say by the way Jim you could have fixed that boiler [LAUGHTER] take everyone off the pipes [LAUGHTER]
[Tommy:] that's it, just send our love, oh no no, put the stuff back in the box
[Jimmy:] That's off yours
[Tommy:] I've put the stuff back in the box
[Sharon:] [LAUGHTER]
[Tommy:] me console, and me old radio can't throw anything out on a stormy night
[Elsa:] Is that not my bulb?
[Tommy:] ma
[Jimmy:] Mum
[Tommy:] er everything got there, it's gotta be sent in there, it's gotta be sent back.
[Elsa:] Aha...
[Jimmy:] Where's the wiring harness? The old one?
[Tommy:] Is it in the
[Jimmy:] Where's the box?...
[speaker005:] ...
[Sharon:] when Saturday?
[Tommy:] Tomorrow night.
[Sharon:] Oh tomorrow, what time?
[Tommy:] Yeah tomorrow six till seven cos I couldn't wait.
[Sharon:] Oh I'm on till seven, will you be awake when you get to the bus stop then?
[Tommy:] Half one.
[Sharon:] Eh?
[Tommy:] He might take us on er eh, he might take us up Newcastle
[speaker007:] .
[Darren:] Hey, fancy dad watching.
[Tommy:] Get lost.
[Sharon:] ....
[Tommy:] No....
[Elsa:] How are you mam? Eh?
[Sharon:] Oh stop it Sharon.
[speaker007:] No I think we've got a good. It gets not too much gets not too much....
[Sharon:] Well maybe as me dad was saying, conservatives erm sh should be and everything but
[Margaret:] They didn't they didn't.
[Sharon:] they didn't they you know
[Margaret:] They didn't.
[Sharon:] they got to see that.
[Pat:] Oh.
[Margaret:] Dad dad was years ago
[Sharon:] Aha aha.
[Margaret:] when it was foreseen that what was gonna happen. There was even a sketch in the papers about
[Sharon:] Hiya.
[Margaret:] all the land would be you know, heartland and things like that....
[Sharon:] Labour always get in Shields though anyways don't they.
[Margaret:] Mm. It's very always has.
[Sharon:] I'm confusing 'em I don't know who I'm I don't think I'm gonna vote at all. As they say, when in doubt do nowt. [LAUGHTER]
[Gary:] You should vote.
[Sharon:] Every One person's saying Labour and the other one's saying Tory.
[Pat:] You make your own mind up pet nobody does it for you.
[Margaret:] Everybody's got their opinions love we've got
[John:] .
[Margaret:] You've got to you've got to go your what you think
[Pat:] You vote for who you want.
[Margaret:] Let's face it. It doesn't matter who you vote for, you could be wrong.
[Pat:] Yes.
[Sharon:] Aye.
[Margaret:] But it doesn't matter which government gets in, they're gonna do something wrong.
[Sharon:] They're all like that.
[Margaret:] It doesn't matter which government gets in, they're all gonna make mistakes.
[Gary:] .
[Sharon:] Mm.
[Gary:] The next the politicians.
[Margaret:] Well I suppose they've they've got to be you know.
[Gary:] They're stopping trade.
[Margaret:] Wheyey....
[John:] I'll tell you what, there's been no good in the other party's
[Sharon:] That's that's all they've done.
[John:] they haven't said what exactly what they're gonna do. big parties.
[Sharon:] That's all they're thinking on, all just slagging each other off really aren't they.
[Pat:] Yes. They always do and they always will do.
[Gary:] ....
[Margaret:] Kinnock's photograph in front of the Sun this morning
[Pat:] Aha.
[Margaret:] Big headlines saying [LAUGHTER] if Labour get in today will the last person out of Britain please put the [LAUGHTER] lights out. Something like that [].
[Pat:] [LAUGHTER].
[Gary:] If Labour get in what?
[Margaret:] [LAUGHTER] Kinnock on the front of the paper this morning, the Sun, [] his head was inside the light bulb. It said, if Labour get in to the government today, will the last person who leaves Britain please [LAUGHTER] put the light out [].
[Pat:] [LAUGHTER]....
[Sharon:] Er what you having, cheese?...
[Margaret:] Aha. Well I've got me chocolate.
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] they're good you know, are you not getting any? John you know those novelties, M and Ms? Any of them in the warehouse or anywhere?
[John:] I sent them back mother.
[Margaret:] You sent them back.
[John:] .
[Margaret:] Ah there we are.
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] Aha.
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] Mind I think er M and Ms is rubbishy.... quarter past.
[Sharon:] I had them things you know, Kinder Eggs. Have you had them new bars they've made? Oh they're lovely.
[Margaret:] coming in.
[Sharon:] [LAUGHTER]
[Pat:] .
[Margaret:] Poor little. Did that job I give you this morning.
[Pat:] Aye.
[Margaret:] What a bloody shame, if I had known I would have sent somebody else.
[Pat:] [LAUGHTER].
[Margaret:] Well he took the tomato empty tomato boxes out for us. Poor little.
[Pat:] .
[Gary:] .
[Pat:] still be doing it at Christchurch's till
[Sharon:] What time will they be in?
[Gary:] .
[Sharon:] When will they know who's won. What time will they know who's won.
[Pat:] Oh about Early morning at least.
[Margaret:] Early morning.
[Pat:] They'll be all night counting to get the results in from all the.
[Margaret:] It's exciting really, to watch isn't it Pat?
[Pat:] I bought an extra packet of tabs watch the
[Margaret:] You do.
[Pat:] [LAUGHTER].
[Margaret:] I'm always saying, right I'm going to bed now and you say you know well we'll wait till the next one then, we'll wait you know and it's it's it is really. I'm worse than.
[John:] But if it was gonna be a hung parliament you won't even know this time tomorrow.
[Margaret:] No if it's gonna be hung.
[Sharon:] What's that mean.
[Margaret:] It's not decisive.
[Sharon:] So would you have to vote again like?
[Margaret:] There would be another election.
[John:] Depends.
[Margaret:] Depends?
[John:] Yeah.
[Margaret:] That's how Harold Wilson got in wasn't it.
[John:] There probably would be another election unless
[Margaret:] Mm.
[John:] erm the Labour party decided to go for proportional representation. If they did that, the Liberal Democrats would probably go along with.
[Margaret:] Aye....
[Gary:] I think one of the things is that Mrs Thatcher's not there any more.....
[John:] Well if Labour don't get in don't get in this time, the only person they can blame is their leader. He hasn't come out very well
[Gary:] .
[Pat:] .
[Sharon:] Talk a bit louder please.
[Pat:] Pardon?
[Sharon:] Talk a bit louder.
[Gary:] .... ....
[Margaret:] Ooh me nose is itchy....
[Sharon:] They'll use that one in the Oxford dictionary.
[Margaret:] [LAUGHTER].
[speaker007:] Announcement, Mr to the back door please, Mr thank you.
[Pat:] .
[Gary:] . Mr sexy man Tom Cruise ......
[speaker007:] Staff announcement, Mr, contact the wines and spirits please, Mr.
[Sharon:] Took us all me time to get out of bed at nine o'clock. [LAUGHTER].... Gary that'll be for you....
[Gary:] Hello. No I'm just coming down, aye. Thanks a lot.
[Sharon:] Who was it for?
[Gary:] Eh?
[Sharon:] Who was it for, you?
[Gary:] You.
[Sharon:] Eh? Me?
[Gary:] .
[Sharon:] . [LAUGHTER]
[Gary:] [LAUGHTER]...
[Sharon:] Well talk then. You all keep talking about us bringing it in and you're not even talking.
[Margaret:] About what?
[Sharon:] I dunno. You keep saying bring it in, bring it in, and I've brought it in, you're not talking now.... [LAUGHTER]
[Margaret:] talk about. my house last night. [LAUGHTER].
[Sharon:] Were they playing last night like?
[Margaret:] Yeah..
[Sharon:] You what?
[Margaret:] ...
[Sharon:] They use that in the Oxford dictionary you know.... What a shite. Mhm....
[Margaret:] ...
[Sharon:] Me arm's killing us.
[Margaret:] Your arm?
[Sharon:] It's not like sore, it's when I move it it's
[Pat:] Mm.
[Sharon:] like pulling at the top.
[Pat:] .
[Margaret:] Ah.
[John:] ?
[Sharon:] Eh?
[John:] ?
[Sharon:] Yeah.....
[Margaret:] Yes.....
[Sharon:] [LAUGHTER]....
[Pat:] Margaret?
[Margaret:] One eighty three. How much are they anywhere else?
[Pat:] One eighty two.
[Margaret:] One eighty two.... They put them up to one eight six and then they brought them
[Sharon:] Down.
[Margaret:] down....
[Sharon:] It's outside the University. There's just a survey I've just got to tape general conversation. Me and me mam were singing it the other night.... I think we're auditioning for summat when they listen to this. Should we ask them.
[Margaret:] [cough]...
[Pat:] ...
[Margaret:] Aye....
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] If it's like this on Saturday I'll be at the town.
[Pat:] Aye.
[Margaret:] [LAUGHTER]
[Pat:] .
[Margaret:] Mhm.... Oh I like going to town....
[Pat:] really busy the shop.
[Margaret:] Well it seemed it the bairn's been in.
[Pat:] Dad's been busy....
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] Aye... so I hear.
[Sharon:] In here?
[Margaret:] Aha.
[Sharon:] I see I thought it was in North Shields.
[Margaret:] He was but he's I don't know whether... he's back just for today or what?...
[Pat:] ... I thought it was only ten past twelve.
[Sharon:] ten past twelve on my watch.
[Pat:] and away.... Tell me about it.
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] Is Pauline off all week?
[Pat:] She was in last night.
[Margaret:] Was she?
[Sharon:] .
[Pat:] she got Monday and Tuesday off....
[Margaret:] I didn't see her mind.
[Pat:] Did you not?
[Sharon:] She was five till eight.
[Margaret:] although I never see her on Wednesday night.
[Sharon:] ... definitely....
[Margaret:] When she was on holiday last week, she come in the shop on er... the Thursday or the Friday, she couldn't speak then.
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] Well it must have went away
[Pat:] Aha.
[Margaret:] must have got alright and then it's come back.
[Pat:] .....
[Margaret:] Mm?
[Pat:] I say they've finished. And then they puts put gates and big lights up
[Margaret:] No and they're doing all sorts..
[Pat:] .....
[Sharon:] What time you finish.
[Margaret:] Are yous getting
[speaker007:] Half four.
[Margaret:] .
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] Not doors.
[Sharon:] What you gonna do?
[Margaret:] Windows.
[Pat:] Windows?
[Sharon:] Your not.
[Pat:] Eileen said get those.
[Margaret:] Aye but it won't be erm plastic doors. It's not gonna be the plastic doors.
[Pat:] .... windows....
[Margaret:] If the surrounds of the doors are rotten they're gonna
[Pat:] Aye.
[Margaret:] see to all of that....
[Pat:] Metro line.? the Metro.
[Margaret:] The whole estate needs designed.
[Pat:] it's not the same estate is it?
[Margaret:] Well I I don't know I haven't lived there as long as you. I hated it when I first moved on it. People said it used to be lovely.
[Pat:] Couldn't say nowt nice in it.
[Margaret:] Oh no. No.... Just had it I I've been gonna move and move since I went on to it but it was so handy for
[Pat:] J that's it
[Margaret:] Erm I thought oh well I'll I'll stick it out but
[Pat:] Erm... It's not your cup of tea like it's just
[Margaret:] No.
[Pat:] ....
[Margaret:] I don't know who designed it but You cannae beat houses that's got front gardens and back gardens back to back. You can't. We'd a lovely garden.
[Pat:] I mean our back door should really
[Margaret:] Ridiculous.
[Pat:] ............
[Margaret:] Oh well I changed my window you know.
[Pat:] Did you
[Margaret:] Oh aye. Couldn't put up We put a big picture window in, couldn't stand them.
[Pat:] Oh it's nice that.... I think going on to sleep.
[Margaret:] I know, he's got me tired.
[Pat:] last night.... [LAUGHTER].....
[Margaret:] So could I.
[Pat:] It was
[Margaret:] I was eight o'clock last night you know....
[Pat:] .
[Margaret:] milkman that comes round our place, not the Co-op one, the other one. There's two of them on.
[Pat:] Oh aye aye.
[Margaret:] Dear me they're a disgrace. Five o'clock every morning.
[Pat:] Five....?
[Margaret:] Oh it'll be after the meal's over tonight when we
[Pat:] Aye aye.
[Margaret:] Won't be till ten, always are.
[Pat:] Ah.
[Margaret:] Election night.
[Pat:] . They say Dan 's been round.
[Margaret:] He has
[Pat:] .
[speaker007:] Aye voting for like.
[Margaret:] Bit late in the day if you don't know now.
[speaker007:] I thought I'd just close me eyes and put a cross.
[Pat:] Hope for the best.
[speaker007:] .
[Margaret:] That's a daft was of voting.
[Pat:] .
[Margaret:] I don't know I think they're been getting the majority they generally get. The last one they didn't
[Sharon:] The last one I don't think they did.
[Margaret:] They didn't. Now the last one they didn't they didn't get in was a majority. Yes.... This time I don't know what
[Pat:] Aye I think I'm just gonna put.
[Margaret:] I think it's anybody's guess..
[John:] Well what's Conservative's done for you. What's Labour done for you? Nothing.
[Sharon:] Eh?
[John:] .
[Sharon:] Oh so you all
[John:] No....
[Sharon:] .
[Margaret:] Well nobody's.
[Pat:] ....
[Margaret:] my eyes is heavy with watching you.
[Sharon:] Aye watching you.
[Margaret:] Oh.
[Pat:] .
[Margaret:] No they put me off to sleep....
[Sharon:] Eh? .
[John:] .
[Sharon:] I've still got it.. No I don't wear it much now. I never wear it.... I don't like it.
[John:] Oh.
[Sharon:] I don't like it.
[Margaret:] Just gone off it eh?
[Sharon:] tomorrow morning. like
[John:] .
[Sharon:] ah. just wants general conversation.
[John:] Who wants this.
[Sharon:] It's Oxford University, for a dictionary or something.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] So they can look back at nineteen ninety two and see what language we uses.
[John:] will they pay for it.
[Sharon:] Twenty five pound voucher.
[John:] What? Will I get paid for it?
[Sharon:] No. You'd be talking anyways wouldn't you so I'm just taping you talking.
[Pat:] .
[Sharon:] You never talk about anything interesting anyway so I'm not paying you for it.
[Pat:] No is it.
[Sharon:] No.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] That's alright.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] . Your voice is on it.
[Pat:] . His voice is on it?
[Sharon:] It is now [LAUGHTER]. that's his speech.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] Aye.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] It was lying here when we come over earlier on.... lying about. . .
[John:] ....
[Pat:] .
[Sharon:] Are you alright?
[Pat:] Fine.
[Sharon:] How you doing?
[Pat:] Terrible.
[Sharon:] Why?
[Pat:] .
[Sharon:] What you after?
[Pat:] Nothing.
[Sharon:] [LAUGHTER].
[Margaret:] She's taping you man.
[Pat:] Turn it off.
[Sharon:] No I've nearly finished a side of a tape.
[Pat:] You've had that on me all day?
[Sharon:] No no not all day, just general conversation.
[Pat:] I knew you had to have something....
[Sharon:] It's nearly finished, I wanna finish this side.
[Pat:] Can I swear can I?
[Sharon:] Yeah. I've had it in the.
[Pat:] You had it where?
[Sharon:] The bottom of a our bottom pub....
[Pat:] That is great.
[Sharon:] Eh?
[Pat:] . Nice..
[Sharon:] Is he?
[Pat:] Aha.
[Sharon:] Ah.
[Pat:] for the money one night
[Sharon:] Oh that'll be nice
[Pat:] They've got a lovely surprise at the wedding came to a a hotel you know
[speaker007:] Staff announcement Mrs contact Mr please, Mrs. Announcement, Mr contact the Wines Mr, thank you.
[Sharon:] .
[John:] Why should I.
[Sharon:] Eh?
[John:] yeah, come on let's hear it....
[Sharon:] . Rowntree's Jelly
[Elsa:] I mean domestics.. They had to go and pick bags of stuff up.... I think she's I think she I said Are you gonna vote Conservative like, just cos you've got a canny job. I says, and your house. and she looked at me she, what do you mean, I says, you know. I says, you vote what you want I says, I says erm,... you're sitting pretty just now. She were like I thought, aye I wonder how you'd get by if you didn't have a job.... I mean it's not as if mortgages and that that erm bed and breakfast and different things. all had good jobs.
[Sharon:] Aye. Especially if you're used to having the money and all like.
[Elsa:] They are.
[Sharon:] just been finished off the rigs.
[Elsa:] Aye there's a lot gonna be finished off the rigs.
[Sharon:] Oh well all that got paid off because of erm giving the yankees the contract or something. The the contract. He's got his name down like so he might be lucky and get a phone call cos he
[Elsa:] Well what happens if they don't and Thirty pound social security.
[Sharon:] Me Aunty Linda's not working either, like she didn't need the money but I mean he was on the dole for years me Uncle Ron.
[Elsa:] Mm.
[Sharon:] He was like, he was on the dole for years man, he was lucky to get that but I mean he used to.
[Elsa:] Aye.
[Sharon:] So it was his last trip and he's waiting to hear something now so
[Elsa:] Well that's one t one thing about us, never ever made good wages. I mean he worked hard, he worked he worked six nights a week. He used to work twelve hour twelve, thirteen hour shift he worked. And his wages weren't all that good and he worked kids. And he never got good wages.
[Tommy:] .
[Elsa:] Just didn't get good money.
[Tommy:] Seems to me I was Jobs are hard, the weren't like secure jobs.
[Elsa:] You got a few months and then you were paid off you were back on the dole. I remember. I mean many a time we had... mm. oh fine you know,....
[Sharon:] As I was saying to me mam like, all these John Major and that, they're all going on about what they're gonna do. But they've all got big houses and loads of money. They don't know what it's like er being on the dole.
[Elsa:] I know they don't have to go and say, ee can I afford that this week or can I
[Sharon:] Aye.
[Elsa:] afford that.
[Sharon:] It's alright for them to say we're gonna do this and do that, but they get everything easy don't they.... I mean they all say they understand what it's like being on the dole and that, but they don't.
[Elsa:] Of course they don't. Nobody knows. Nobody knows.
[Tommy:] If anybody tells you..
[Elsa:] No. I mean did you see that them lads that were round that discussion. And this lad got up and he says, I get thirty one pound social security. He says I have to pay me rent, he says me rent's three pound right, he says I have to pay me poll tax, I have to pay me electric, me gas. He says, feed meself all out of that thirty two poun He says, could yous manage on that? And he had a place of his own, a flat, he was on his own. How how would how would what would you have out of thirty two pound.
[Sharon:] I'd love to see them manage on it for a year
[Elsa:] I mean you couldn't.
[Sharon:] They couldn't could they.
[Elsa:] And then that one conservative who did go and do it, he swapped places with people who were on the dole, and he went and lived up in Newcastle. Never heard of him after that did you I mean?...
[Tommy:] Well they swapped places didn't they.
[Elsa:] Aye you never heard of him after that....
[Sharon:] So who do you think'll get in?
[Elsa:] Well I think it's hard to say.
[Tommy:] Well I think Labour'll get in like.
[Sharon:] Do you?
[Elsa:] Well I.
[Sharon:] Cos somebody was saying something about the la the last time they got in, it all went
[Tommy:] It's er very very poor.
[Elsa:] You see there's been that there's been that many flung out of jobs Sharon, there's been that many people put out of jobs, there's been that many people bought their houses and been put out on the streets they've got no homes you know.
[Tommy:] It's about time like s somebody else had a go at it because
[Elsa:] Aye. Aha. Labour or Conservative
[Sharon:] That's why me mum and dad voted Liberal Democrat this time, I mean they never vote for them.
[Tommy:] There'll be a lot like that.
[Elsa:] There'll be a lot.
[Sharon:] And me mam says, oh just for a change to give someone else a chance.
[Elsa:] you swing the whole it could just swing.
[Tommy:] Paddy Ashdown.
[Sharon:] I like him, I was watching him on the telly the other day, I think he seemed nice. There's not many people like Neil Kinnock like. [LAUGHTER]
[Elsa:] Well I think John Major's nice.
[Tommy:] Did you see Spitting Image?
[Sharon:] Aye Ee
[Elsa:] Ee it was great.
[Sharon:] Why was he grey? Me and me mam couldn't understand it
[Elsa:] Yes You c he's grey because it's all to do you turn grey. That's what he was grey for.
[Sharon:] Oh.
[Elsa:] Because he's grey because he knows he's losing, he's gonna lose his job. Well they have published that he's gonna lose
[Sharon:] Aye.
[Elsa:] his job, they mightn't.
[Sharon:] Ah.
[Tommy:] .
[Elsa:] Might come up trumps. on the night but nobody do on. It's the politics didn't work gotta mention politics, it's just to get away from politics.
[Tommy:] Who was this?
[Elsa:] put a do on tonight....
[Sharon:] We were laughing at the Sun this morning, had a picture of Neil Kinnock's head in the light bulb and it said, could the last person out of Britain please turn the light off after them....
[Elsa:] You see and another thing what they're saying is thirty year ago when Labour was in, there were strikes and everything
[Sharon:] Aye was saying that.
[Elsa:] I mean grave grave diggers went on strike, hospitals went on strike, couldn't bury your dead. Stuff wasted in the streets, rubbish and all that and there was rats and everything. Er you know but you see, conservative won the election and because what they did was, if you went on strike they they paid you off, you got sacked and you just didn't get any money. And so people had no other option but to go out to work. Even if you had any grievance against your employee, it didn't stand.
[Sharon:] Mm.
[Elsa:] And and employers put an end to people. They took an end because they took them in a scheme where the kids actually got jobs what you've done. Now then that after about six weeks or eight weeks, if you've got a kid you can have them.
[Sharon:] Oh aye I don't believe in the Y T Ss and that like.
[Elsa:] job. No.... So that's doing away with a person's er wage isn't it.
[Sharon:] I think there's a few times I was gonna pack in cos I used to do the same amount of work as everyone else and I got paid
[Elsa:] That's right and you were only getting aha
[Sharon:] not even half what they were getting
[Elsa:] And the government pays them that. So they really were getting you for nothing.
[Sharon:] Oh aye....
[Elsa:] So they've made cheap labour. They've made er and you know what they did, they've privatized all the jobs. They school cleaners and hospital cleaners
[Sharon:] Then they brought this poll tax didn't they?
[Elsa:] Aha. The poll tax has done them through.
[Sharon:] I was gonna say, if they lose it's I think a lot of it'll be through the poll tax.
[Elsa:] Aha. Poll tax and people getting flung out of houses.... That's not him is it?
[Sharon:] I think she's got a new husband now.
[Elsa:] Not him. That's that little fella.
[Sharon:] Aye I think he's her new husband....
[Elsa:] I thought that was the mate who was going out with the blonde you know.... Wh is that not.
[Sharon:] I've got I'm on to tape four. And she's coming tomorrow morning.
[Elsa:] .
[Sharon:] twenty.
[Elsa:] .
[Tommy:] .
[Sharon:] Me tapes tomorrow morning.
[Elsa:] work
[Sharon:] Aye but she says you only you can just do as many as you want she says, you'll not use the twenty.
[Elsa:] Aha.
[Sharon:] She said you probably won't even get th through the first ten.
[Elsa:] And then will she And then will she erm
[Tommy:] Eh?
[Sharon:] She says the other ones they're all full of politics. The ones I've taped today.
[Elsa:] Aye but you wouldn't be able to would you?
[Sharon:] Probably wouldn't like it like mm.
[Elsa:] Mm.... So she's coming in the morning for it?
[Sharon:] Yeah. And I get me twenty five pound Marks's voucher.
[Elsa:] Oh yeah. Not bad that.
[Sharon:] It's not no.
[Elsa:] . .
[Tommy:] .
[Elsa:] .
[Tommy:] [singing]. .
[Sharon:] What for?
[Elsa:] . That's. It's gonna be....
[Sharon:] .
[Elsa:] Ah.. You know what I don't know how many times I've stripped that down.
[Sharon:] Aye I know.
[Elsa:] ..
[Sharon:] I know I've seen. I.
[Elsa:] He doesn't take any notice now.. And look at his watch, his watch is in a right state.
[Sharon:] do that.
[Elsa:] how did you know. and done it.
[Tommy:] .
[Elsa:] You never
[Tommy:] .
[Sharon:] When I phoned our Rachel's I was hollering, I always do that. It's just cos the numbers.
[Elsa:] Vivienne Vivienne does it.
[Sharon:] Does she.
[Elsa:] and she'll say, Mam e it's me.
[Sharon:] Cos our Rachel's number starts with.
[Elsa:] Is that at ten thirty.
[Sharon:] And y just cos I'm used like used to phoning I just.
[Tommy:] ....
[Elsa:] ....
[Tommy:] get the telly page.
[Elsa:] .........
[Tommy:] Nine o'clock.
[Sharon:] .
[Elsa:] Oh
[Tommy:] .... already, God almighty..
[Elsa:] .
[Sharon:] .
[Tommy:] .
[Alan:] .
[Sharon:] microphone
[Alan:] .
[Bridget:] What's your microphone?
[Sharon:] One of them little clippy ones.
[Darren:] What do you use that for?
[Sharon:] I got a woman give us it, she's doing a survey for erm Oxford University. She asked us if I would tape conversations. She's give us twenty tapes and I'm only tape five and she's coming for 'em tomorrow. left it running all the time. I took it to the pub the other night, but you can't hear nowt except pool balls crashing. And the jukebox on.
[Darren:] Oh.
[Sharon:] And me and me mam we singing in it the other night, just to use up the tape.
[Alan:] telly on it'll pick the telly up.
[Sharon:] Aye it does. I got some good ones of when Col was talking the other [LAUGHTER] night didn't I []? I was Yeah I was listening to all his howling.
[Bridget:] What was he saying
[Sharon:] it was just the was talking not what he was saying. It was the way he asked get a cloth, that's what he was saying, I was howling.
[Bridget:] Aye aye aye.
[Sharon:] .
[Bridget:] he's awful isn't he
[Sharon:] Aye.
[Bridget:] I thought it wouldn't last.
[Sharon:] Has he seen.
[Bridget:] She's she's never been away. She's been.
[Sharon:] Mm.
[Bridget:] She mentioned tonight she's been at work every day mind you.
[Sharon:] So has he still not been down?
[Bridget:] She won't go back down......
[Sharon:] Oh I didn't know that was meant to be him.
[Bridget:] . Did I tell you.
[Alan:] No.....
[Darren:] Mhm.
[Bridget:] Aye....
[Sharon:] [LAUGHTER]....
[Bridget:] .
[Sharon:] Oh yeah there's all....
[speaker005:] [LAUGHTER]...
[Bridget:] Oh my god.
[Sharon:] [LAUGHTER]...
[Bridget:] [LAUGHTER]... [LAUGHTER]
[Jimmy:] Pack them in now.
[Alan:] Right, see you later.
[Darren:] Tara Alan.
[Bridget:] .....
[Darren:] Where's he?...
[Bridget:] that er B and Q had erm gardening centre. Forty nine... pound.
[Darren:] Mm.
[Bridget:] 's got them in they're ninety nine pound. Erm... She was saying er cos she went.... And er.?
[Darren:] Eh?
[Bridget:] Do they do them for free?
[Darren:] ....
[Bridget:] They've been there before.... round here didn't we.
[Darren:] Aye.
[speaker007:] How old is John now?
[Elsa:] ....
[Sharon:] What's a hung parliament again?
[Elsa:] ....
[Sharon:] What's a hung parliament.
[Tommy:] It means that got a majority.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] Oh have they got to have so many past each other?
[Tommy:] got and twenty six.
[Sharon:] Why?
[Tommy:] Three hundred and twenty six. If they get three hundred and twenty six, they've won.
[Sharon:] What do you know what he's talking about?...
[Tommy:] three hundred and twenty six gives them an overall majority
[Elsa:] Well what happens
[John:] It's not gonna be a a hung parliament.
[Elsa:] What happens if if Labour had got one more vote than Conservative.
[John:] No it's got What are you saying?
[Sharon:] What a hung parliament is? We're asking him what a
[John:] What's a hung parliament?
[Tommy:] Three hundred and twenty six.
[John:] No I'm saying the majority. Don't shout I'm only here.
[Tommy:] No if if if if a party's got a three hundred and twenty six
[John:] A hung parlian A hung parliament To get into parliament in the house of commons you've got to have a thirty percent majority.
[Sharon:] What's that mean?
[John:] To be a full parliament.
[Sharon:] But I still don't know what that means.
[Tommy:] Three hundred and twenty six votes.
[John:] You've got to have a thirty percent I'm not on about seats. You've got to have a thirty percent majority.
[Sharon:] Well what's that mean? Thirty percent more than the other party?
[John:] If Labour won the morrow and they only had twenty five percent majority it would be a hung parliament. But... if they had twenty five percent it would gentlemen of the Conservative party to say, Listen, you've got twenty five percent, go on, run the country. And it would be. There'll not be a hung not be hung parliament.
[Sharon:] What do you mean twenty five percent majority.
[John:] You've got to have a thirty percent majority.
[Tommy:] Three hundred and twenty six
[Sharon:] Oh.
[Tommy:] They've got to have three hundred and twenty six seats.
[Sharon:] doesn't want to talk to us.
[John:] Cos he's talking stupid.
[Tommy:] They've got to have three hundred and twenty six seats.. They've got to have three hundred and twenty six seats to get in.
[John:] It's thirty percent majority I've just told you....
[Sharon:] does the Queen vote?
[Tommy:] No the Queen's speech.
[Sharon:] But who did she ask for?
[Tommy:] ask for anybody.
[Sharon:] But who would she like for
[Darren:] Labour
[John:] The only people who'll get the Conservative parties back in is the snobby people who work at Oxford and that. They get right on my wick. And I can see your tape moving so that's why I said it.
[Sharon:] Well I'm finishing me tape she's coming for it in the morning.
[John:] That's why I said it cos I could see a tape moving.
[Sharon:] voting Conservative like.
[Darren:] just been on where they've had unemployment and loss of jobs and the Tory's held it.
[John:] Where?
[Darren:] Basildon.
[John:] Well you're talking about South dad. You're talking about South.
[Darren:] It was a Conservative
[Sharon:] There you are dad. After four results
[John:] You're talking about South.
[Sharon:] Conservatives three, Labour one. Liberal Democrats non. That's how many places they've got
[John:] Aye but they're they're starting off on the South that's what you've got to think.
[Tommy:] No there's a there was a Tory Tory held one wh which was very very close in the last election, Tory held it. What did I say now, Tories' ll be seventeen short. Labour'll be nineteen short. At the end of the selections. Well that's what I predicted....
[Sharon:] There's loads of people I know sitting up to watch this.... Margaret at work and she's an old woman and she says it's dead exciting.
[Elsa:] How old is she?
[Sharon:] .
[Elsa:] Erm.
[Sharon:] No she's about sixty I think....
[Tommy:] But but but Basildon John, loads of unemployment dad. A hundred and seven....
[Sharon:] You said Oxford....
[Elsa:] Conservative
[Sharon:] See Vivian voted Conservative
[John:] That's what it is, it's Conservative all down South. The whole of Scotland The whole of the North East of England'll be Labour won't it.
[Sharon:] Darren's mam was saying Vivian's only voted Conservative cos she's sitting nice, she said they've both got nice jobs and a nice big house and that.
[Elsa:] Oh....
[Sharon:] I suppose they would work out nice if you are doing good really wouldn't it?...
[Elsa:] get loads down.
[Tommy:] So what time will they have the results in?
[Elsa:] Oh.
[Tommy:] By tomorrow morning? When I get up, six o'clock.
[Elsa:] Will it?
[Darren:] Oh aye usually.
[Tommy:] So if I put the teletext on
[Elsa:] even if they haven't
[Darren:] telly on, and it'll tell you.
[Sharon:] Someone says about one or two o'clock.
[Darren:] watch this till about I normally watch this till about two.
[Elsa:] All night. Big Nicky is watching it all night.
[Sharon:] Big Nicky?
[Elsa:] Aye.
[Sharon:] Does he.
[Darren:] I usually watch it about two or three o'clock in the morning.
[Sharon:] Is he interested in politics and that like?
[John:] stupid he does things like that. He'll have a bet on it or something.
[Sharon:] .
[John:] He will he'll have a bet on at the bookies.
[Elsa:] .
[Sharon:] Is he betting for the bookies?
[John:] And he'll be panicking. He'll be sitting panicking.
[Elsa:] Why?
[John:] Cos he will....
[Sharon:] Oh I know why John Major was grey.
[Elsa:] .
[Sharon:] Cos he was losing. That's what it was meant to mean.
[Elsa:] Oh was it?
[Sharon:] Aye.
[Elsa:] .
[Sharon:] Last night. Darren's mam and dad were watching it, they were laughing.
[John:] . Jeff's been alright hasn't he?
[Elsa:] Oh
[John:] For the first time in about three weeks. Sa s He's been to the psychiatrist you know..
[Elsa:] Oh that's
[John:] They're going. Two of them, sitting talking to him. They go and off it with the doctor.
[Elsa:] .
[John:] He's o What was he on he was drinking, what a bottle and a half of vodka and about fifteen pints of cider a day.
[Elsa:] .
[John:] He went to the doctor's he says, listen if you drink another drink you'll be dead in six month.
[Elsa:] Mhm.
[John:] Full stop, there's forty milligrams of... valium.
[Elsa:] Mhm.
[John:] You've gotta take that a day. They reckon the doctor should've says to him He shouldn't have said that, full stop, you should never say that to an alcoholic. They reckon he should've said cut it down to about two or three, four pints a day, there's fifteen milligrams of valium. Fifteen so you're talking treble. He was taking treble the amount of valium... and drinking and all.
[Tommy:] What did he do John?
[John:] Oh he was great tonight he was back to his normal self tonight.
[Elsa:] Aye I saw him down the pub.
[John:] He's had about three pints but that's what they've told him to take. The psychiatrist has told him to take three pints of lager.
[Elsa:] .
[John:] Jeff went to the psychiatrist and they start babbling on saying about the forty milligrams of valium he's taking. They says the doctor's given you that to take you off the alcohol. They says, right, he says, I've got a I've got a problem with alcohol and he's given us the valium to get us off the alcohol. He says, right six months time I'm totally off the alcohol, he says, what's gonna get us off the valium? Cos that that does you up
[Elsa:] Ah.
[John:] that stuff. How many people get addicted to that?
[Tommy:] Oh aye.
[John:] He says, right I'm gonna go off the alcohol, I'll be totally teetotal but I'll be taking valium, he says it's just like a vicious circle, what am I gonna do after the valium. What you gonna give us to take us off that?... And they told him they told him he shouldn't even be on that.
[Elsa:] So what have they given him?
[John:] The doctor didn't even say six month. He sh he did but he didn't. His mam's been on the phone.
[Elsa:] Where to?
[John:] The doctor.
[Elsa:] The doctor's?
[John:] Aye the doctor.
[Elsa:] And the doctor hadn't said six months?
[John:] He did.... He did he said that which he shouldn't have done. He says if you have another drink if you keep on drinking, you'll be dead in six month.
[Elsa:] Oh. And is he saying he didn't say that?
[John:] That was to scare him. He says if he doesn't stop drinking he'll be dead in five year. So I said that so he would stop thinking.
[Elsa:] Aha.
[John:] But you don't do that. No with a proper alcoholic. He's sound as a pound isn't he like, he's only had a couple of pints. first time you've been able to talk to him properly.
[Elsa:] So is he still on valium?
[John:] Aye but he's on next to nowt compared to what he was.
[Sharon:] What's he drinking, lager?...
[John:] Owt. Doesn't make any difference just so long as it's equivalent to two pints of lager.
[Sharon:] has he admitted he's an alcoholic John?
[John:] Aye.
[Sharon:] Is he.
[John:] I think it's between two and four pints of lager he's allowed to have a night as long as he doesn't touch spirits.
[Elsa:] Aye.
[John:] But me and Jimmy was standing say like me and Jimmy have what seven or eight pints, a night.
[Elsa:] .
[John:] When I go out, aye, seven or eight pints.
[Elsa:] Oh.
[John:] Jeff can only have three or four. So we says to him, why didn't he get a half of lager a h a bottle of Kaliber which is a half of lager non-alcohol, and put it in a pint glass.
[Elsa:] Aha.
[John:] So he can have like four pints but it'll be exactly the same as us having eight.
[Elsa:] Aye.
[John:] Know what I mean.
[Sharon:] .
[Tommy:] .
[John:] what you got that on for.
[Sharon:] Cos I've got to finish it for the morning.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] Me last tape. So does he have Kaliber?
[John:] I'm not telling....
[Sharon:] I don't like the talking, it's like the war.
[Elsa:] Eh?
[Sharon:] I don't like the talking it's like it when the...
[John:] Be talking to and Billy.
[Elsa:] .
[John:] Talking to and Billy. I haven't seen them for years.
[Sharon:] From school like.
[John:] No shields.
[Sharon:] I've never heard of them.
[John:] .
[Elsa:] .
[John:] Do you know him?
[Sharon:] glasses?
[John:] No. That's the boxer trainer who you're on about. From Street all the second hand shops. Great big double glazed glass.
[Sharon:] .
[John:] That's not him who I'm on about. he's one of the top notches of Shields. So's him mate,. Have you heard of?
[Sharon:] Who?
[John:] . Have you heard of him dad? dad?
[Darren:] What?
[John:] Have you heard of?
[Darren:] .
[John:] Who?
[Darren:] .
[John:] Where from?
[Darren:] at the end of the.
[John:] Aye he used to be the
[Darren:] His brother used to be his brother and all.
[John:] He's o he's one of the top notches of Shields him like. You wouldn't believe it but he is. He's a small dark lad.
[Darren:] .
[John:] Nothing to look at honest to god.
[Darren:] man.
[Elsa:] .
[Darren:] His brother's with Oscar's er wife.... His brother's You know his brother was living up at erm...
[Elsa:] Those flats.
[Darren:] Aye
[Elsa:] er Oscar.
[Darren:] .
[Elsa:] Oh.
[Darren:] that's 's brother.
[John:] 's brother.
[Sharon:] Oh I know
[John:] He is the hard I would put me money on this coffee table now to say he's the hardest man in Shields.
[Darren:] .
[Sharon:] .
[John:] He is.
[Darren:] .
[John:] A very hard bloke.
[Darren:] Aye.
[John:] Ah but I'm saying he is the hard one of the hardest blokes in Shields. I've been talking to,, and Billy. No Billy, no not the one you're thinking of.
[Darren:] Oh aye.
[John:] He's a waster him, Billy.
[Darren:] .
[John:] Put your money on he's one of the top in fact I would say he's the hardest bloke in Shields him.
[Sharon:] I've never heard of him.
[John:] And he looks nothing. His second name's and he's wife's name. And that's the truth. H No but that's his nickname, that's what people call him,. But his second name's and his wife's second name used to be. And when they got married it was and in the paper and that's the truth that. And that's the truth. Mr and Mrs.
[Sharon:] .
[John:] No that's the truth, not a word of a lie.
[Darren:] ,
[Sharon:] .
[Darren:] . aye.
[Sharon:] I know used to work in the curry shop. did he used to. Is he hard like?
[John:] ...
[Sharon:] Is he hard dad??
[Darren:] .
[Sharon:] Is he?
[Darren:] Oh aye.
[Sharon:] you wouldn't think so looking at him.
[John:] Small?
[Sharon:] No he's not small but he just doesn't look the type that would fight.
[John:] is small as owt.
[Sharon:] No Aye and he's like a
[John:] Baldy little dark bloke and you would look at him
[Sharon:] half caste.
[John:] You look at him and you think
[Sharon:] 's a half caste
[John:] look at.
[Darren:] .
[John:] Take anyone.
[Darren:] .
[John:] That's the truth.
[Darren:] ..
[John:] Well you shouldn't have it on.... [break in recording]
[Sharon:] I don't know how anyone could sit and listen to tapes....
[Elsa:] You what?
[Sharon:] Aye....
[John:] She's picking them up tomorrow morning isn't she. You should've been a lot through more than five.
[Sharon:] I've had it on all the time haven't I mam?
[John:] you haven't.
[Sharon:] John there's two sides. Forty five minutes each.
[John:] She was on about general conversation, you should have it on the whole time.
[Sharon:] Well you all keep telling me to turn it off.
[John:] But you haven't though. Don't say it's through me. Cos you haven't turned it off. That's a great big spot on the side of your face and I'm happy. I'm glad.
[Sharon:] Why?
[John:] Cos I'm glad you've got a big spot on the side of your face.
[Sharon:] Where man?
[John:] There, right there.
[Sharon:] There?
[John:] No down. There. It's massive. You cannae pick it cos it's inside.
[Sharon:] So. What you do that for?
[John:] Dot to dot.
[Sharon:] Mam he's horrible. What you glad for?
[John:] I'm glad you've got a spot.
[Sharon:] Why?
[John:] Cos.
[Sharon:] I've got loads of spots.
[John:] I know but that one's massive.
[Sharon:] So.
[John:] .
[Sharon:] .
[John:] sleep.
[Sharon:] Spots don't bother me.
[John:] It's looks like an Indian woman asleep on a pillow. spots lying next to us.
[Sharon:] Spots don't bother me.
[John:] They do like
[Sharon:] They don't.
[John:] They really bother you. So do your blotches.
[Sharon:] Me blotches don't bother me.
[John:] They do. You're lying.
[Sharon:] .
[John:] They do cos you're always looking and saying Ee there's a spot.
[Sharon:] I don't get many spots.
[John:] But you have you've got a great massive one on the side of your
[Sharon:] Well shut up man.
[John:] [LAUGHTER]
[Sharon:] You've got them on your chin.
[John:] I'm not cared I'm not a lass, I don't have to make-up on them.
[Sharon:] At least I can cover mine.
[John:] I don't have to cover mine. You've got to cover yours to look alright.
[Sharon:] So.
[John:] I wouldn't bother, you'll never cover that. Polyfilla and concrete wouldn't cover that spot....
[Sharon:] Darren's got his driving lesson tomorrow night.
[Elsa:] Aye.
[Sharon:] six till seven.
[John:] .
[Elsa:] ....