Homeless Ashes

Today's story ends.

It was all over the news,

It says Frankie Moore was troubled.

All that most people saw was a homeless kid wandering

the streets.

A Killer on the run.

The truth as always is far more complicated.

Frankie was just one of the many dispossessed,

ignored, hated

but I knew him.

I was there at the beginning.

And I was there at the end.

No batteries?

It's not battery powered.

How does it work then?

Why do you want to know?

I'm curious.

Are you?

Okay, bored.

- I built something called a Stirling engine-

Mm-hmm.

You're a clever one.

I don't know

about that.

- Do you want to work for my dad when you're older?

An inventor.

Nowadays he says he's a philanthropist.

What's that?

- If people build things for him, he makes them rich,

that's what he says.

Where is he now?

In a meeting.

He tells you you know?

What's he going to do?

Run me over?

Come on,

Show me the rest of your town big guy.

My name's Frankie.

I'm Nicole not Nikki, or Nick or Nicola.

Don't you dare call me Nicola.

You're funny.

Do you think fish have dreams?

No fish are just fish.

You don't reckon they

at the surface.

Everything looks so different for them though.

You know, I thought i met some

seaweed boys in my time but you.

Hey, daddy.

This is a pity you left.

But

fine.

I'm coming.

He's mad at me.

Where's he now?

You know it?

- Just remember that my offer does have an expiry date.

Mr. Langford.

Frankie?

Hi Mr. Langford.

He is a nice chap Frankie.

So why did you fry your start?

- Mr. Langford this is my daughter, Nicole.

She's very much like me.

Once an idea occurs she pursues it regardless of cost

It's our calling, helping people build their ideas into

reality,

- As I said, I will certainly consider your offer

Mr.

We must be getting back to the city.

It's soon night after all.

See you fish boy.

My name is Frankie.

So, how is your dad doing?

He's fine Mr. Langford.

We're fine.

Hi,

- I was playing with a girl from out of town.

Oh yeah.

- Why isn't anything like that mum

- Franklin, we've talked about that before.

Dad and I don't want you hanging around there anymore.

So, what's cooking?

You're cooking mate.

I thought was cooking.

Fish and peas

and of course I love fish and peas.

Hey,

Lot's of ketchup.

It's great food love.

Thanks.

It makes a nice difference to fish fingers and peas

in front of the TV right?

I love fish fingers.

You can have them tomorrow.

brain food fishes.

- You looking forward to going back to school Frankie?

I guess.

Remember what Miss Simon said?

You're right boy.

Don't you let your mind wander out.

- I reckon these teachers are just jealous.

Probably wish that they had as big an imagination as you.

- Just try to teach the boy to be pragmatic Abbie.

I'm sorry.

How'd it go at the

- How many times have I got to tell you the day out there

is bloody slow?

- Yeah, well, Sunday for a little while isn't it you know

what once we've got some more money you can get a computer

or something and then or what then then you can spend all

day looking for work.

- Don't you think that's what I'm doing now?

I didn't mean it like that.

- Maybe I don't have a vivid enough imagination.

Sit down Franklin.

Please may I go upstairs?

What?

You don't want any dessert?

I will get you all some strawberries.

Sure, okay.

- Why don't I do the washing up and you get going on

to

I love what you're thinking Mrs. Moore.

Do you mind folding up the chairs?

Eat nicely Frankie, no one wants a pig.

Now leave him alone, he's a growing boy.

He's growing into a pig.

I

They are looking for engineers.

I'm not an engineer.

I was never was an engineer.

Yeah, I know but Langford-

Langford was a shipbuilder.

Me I took the Kansas and boathouse.

I wasn't a fucking engineer.

I'm sorry I didn't think.

No you didn't think.

And I don't want about work no more again tonight, right?

Now follow me.

Aye, aye captain.

Let me try to help.

You can't help him.

And if you start talking about work,

think before open your mouth.

Allright?

I'm trying to think practically about things

and all you're doing is fill Frankie's head with nonsense.

You can go and rant it jerky place.

You mollycoddled him all his life

and now he knows more about things

than he does normal life.

Are yoU ashamed of our son?

Don't go putting words in my mouth.

Stop giving me shit.

I'm thinking practically about these things.

You pat him on the head for being a dreamer that is on you.

Frankie,

why don't you go up to bed?

Hey, I will tuck you in at night

That is pathetic.

You are going to go up upstairs and tuck him in like

he's a toddler.

I hope you are happy with yourself.

Do you?

Our son has gifts.

And you are letting him down.

I'm letting him down.

I'm fucking letting him down.

Allright, is that what you said?

This is your fault.

This is what you made me do.

Not nice.

It's not right.

Sometimes grownups fight Frankie.

Just like children.

That wasn't a fight.

One day I'll take you way far away.

When my boat full sized.

That's nice.

This is the real life Frankie.

And he needs me,

The world is a cruel place Frankie,

I'm sorry for teaching you different.

And a cruel world it

can get in people's head and make more wrong.

Doesn't matter who he is.

I think a lot is what he does.

I know that's quite clever.

But have I ever told you

how smart you are?

All the time.

Yeah just like granddad Charlie.

He was a one and a dreamer and just like you.

I have to tell you, he gave me this.

Yeah

Yeah, he gave me this.

When you were born,

Can you tell me please?

Come here,