AT THE END OF YOUR PAY

(Ten years later, a care home on the outskirts of London)

Care-Home Staff
At the end of your pay you’re no better off really,
With inflation as high as it’s ever been now.
We all struggle, you see how,
And the government doesn’t help either.
One more pay, cash in your hand, sweat on your brow.
One pay less that they’re giving,
At the end of your pay you’re no better off, honest,
And the cash in your purse doesn’t pay what you owe.
While the well-off sit at home
And ignore the pensioners’ wheezing;
With the winter approaching so soon, with all its snow
And the old folk are freezing!

At the end of your pay there’s a mortgage to settle
And your son back at home doing nothing to help.
Like the floods blocking the drains
It’s the norm that we see every summer
There’s no stopping all the rains
When they come it’s a bit of a bummer!
And I ask what more can I say
At the end of your pay!

(The manager and old folk emerge)

Manager
At the end of your pay you can buy very little.
Sitting back in your flat there is nowt in your purse.

Staff
There are old folk in this home
And the old folk have got to be nursed
And they’re lucky to be here at all.
They’re not the first!
And we’re costing their dressings!

Old Folk
Have you seen who the manager’s shouting at now?
You can guess what he wants as he looks rather mad.
It’s because poor old Mildred is locked in a row,
As she’s lost all her money, lost all that she had.
Now the cost, as she well knows
Is now something she cannot afford.
So we guess it won’t be long
Before she’s told and be out through the door!

Staff
At the end of your pay you have nothing to live on,
And it’s hardly enough to enjoy any treats.
After paying for your keep,
Nothing to do save watching the tele,
Nothing to do till you sleep.
Even then all the bedrooms are smelly.
You might be on your way,
At the end of your pay!

Staff Member
What have you got in your hand, dear old Mildred?
Is that a letter from someone you know?
(She grabs the letter from Mildred)
“Dear Mildred, we’ve now run out of money…
Your grandchild is poorly…you won’t see her grow!”

Mildred
You’ve got the better of me.
What it says is my business.
I’ve no husband at home
Just my daughter who cares.
And there’s nobody here
Who can honestly say
They have something to cheer
When they come down the stairs?

(She tries to grab the letter. Connor bursts in, looking different)

Connor (as Mr Gordon Glee)
Now what is going on in here?
I heard the noise out on the street.
This is a care home, not some farmyard!
Return that letter, put it down.
I like to see things fair and square
As I’m the MP in this town.

(To the manager…)

It’s up to you as you’re in charge
She is your patient as you know---
(He goes back out)
Manager
Will someone tell me, blow by blow!

Staff Member
At the end of the day she is nothing but trouble
With a daughter who’s lost everything that she had.
She took out all her money
Just to find any way to make extra.
Any bets she’s out on the street hoping to meet
Anyone who could help her!

Mildred
No that’s wrong! I admit
That I do have a daughter,
And my husband died years ago leaving us poor.
Then my health went and failed and I ended up here
And she helped pay the bills
Could you do any more?

Old Folk
At the end of your pay you do nothing to help us,
You just sit on your bums with your mugs full of tea
While we’re chewing on our stale bread
And you don’t even give us some butter.
You don’t like to hear us say
We know that you all like a flutter.
You gamble your cash away
At the end of your pay!