The scene:
We open on a bus, stuck in traffic. It’s crowded and there is an air of everyone being tired and fed-up with the wait.
David, has diabetes. He sits towards the back of the bus. Across from him are two school/college kids. They’re boisterous and noisy with an air of being slightly troublesome; they make no secret of their boredom and frustration about being stuck in traffic. They will be known as Kid 1 and Kid 2.
The action:
David looks out the window, there is no sign of the traffic moving. David (thinking): I’m starving, I could really do with some food, but I’ve got to take my insulin... Look at these people – they’re all bored and they’re going to start watching me. Especially these two (looks at Kid 1 & 2).
Kid 2 turns sharply: What?!
David starts to get out his gleaming silver injection pen.
Kid 1, boisterous, noisy and desperate for a distraction sees it: Ah, wicked. Cool pen. Gizzit.
Kid 1 snatches the pen away. David quickly reaches out for his pen device but the scruffy kid already has the lid off.
Kid 1: Eh up? Whoa
What’s this? It’s a needle!
Kid 2 is listening to his iPod, and hasn’t noticed Kid 1 snatching the injection. Kid 1 grabs Kid 2’s arm to get his attention: Here brother, this geezer’s carryin’ round a needle!
Kid 2 (takes his earphones out, and glances over at David, registering where the needle has come from; he looks at the needle) Speaking with annoyance, he grabs the needle off Kid 1: Give it to me man! Don’t you know nuffink! He’s got diabetes.
Kid 1: Hah, shut up. No he ain’t. He's got to be like old and fat to get that. (reaches for the injection pen again, but Kid 2 holds it out of reach).
Kid 2: What?! No, he’s got Type 1 diabetes.
Kid 1(challengingly): And how do you know?
Kid 2: My little bruvva’s got diabetes. (Handing pen back to David). Here you go mate.
David takes the pen and discreetly gives himself an injection in his abdomen, turning away from the others to prevent them seeing what he’s doing. Kid 1 watches, eyes agog.
Kid 2 sees Kid 1’s reaction and says: Yo, this bus ain’t moving man, let's get up and go.
As they walk down the centre aisle of the bus, Kid 1 following Kid 2. Kid 2 speaks directly to camera: You are not alone
over 250,000 people in the UK have Type 1 diabetes, often from childhood, and have to take insulin up to 4 times a day.
(Kid 2 pauses at the top of the stairs, and continues to speak directly in to camera) Unlike Type 2 diabetes, it isn’t linked to obesity or older age. For people with Type 1 it’s just a part of life.
Kid 2 and 1 walk down the stairs, revealing behind them the Diabetes UK logo.
For help, support or more information please visit the Diabetes UK website, www.diabetes.org.uk