| Two boys of about 11 years old, known only as 1 & 2, have murdered a young child; society is lost for words. The boys are sentenced to youth prison and forbidden ever to make contact with each other again. Although their mothers visit their sons behind bars, the boys are effectively disowned. About seven or eight years later, the boys are released back into the community. The victim’s mother is livid at this, preaching vengeance to her older, surviving son, who is now a teenager. Neither boy 1 nor boy 2 can unburden their secret or confide in anyone. However, boy 1 telephones a help line (like the Samaritans) called Crisis Line. There, the volunteer who replies sings a song of comfort to him. Boy 1 is unable to say much. However, by phoning again, he finds such acceptance and reassurance that he decides to become a volunteer himself to make amends for his crime. Meanwhile, boy 2 is seen frustrated with his situation, so he too decides to seek solace by phoning Crisis Line. At once he finds himself speaking to boy 1, oblivious to the latter’s real identity. However, as it becomes clear to boy 1 that for the first time in years he is speaking to boy 2, he is left almost speechless with shock. |
| A group of new-age travellers arrives in town. Meanwhile, when boy 2 phones Crisis Line again, (wanting to meet boy 1 but not knowing who he really is), boy 1 tells him that meetings are forbidden. Being a help to people makes boy 1 feel his life is worthwhile again. Boy 2 phones him at Crisis Line once more, and begins to feel more self-confident. As boy 2 hangs up, a brick is thrown into his flat by vigilantes who have discovered him. Panicking, he runs away and discovers the travellers who accept him unquestioningly. However he is not reassured, and he phones boy 1 pleading for him to come and help. Very reluctantly, boy 1 finally agrees. Before he can arrive, one of the vigilantes, the victim’s older brother, catches up with boy 2 at the travellers' camp. On meeting, they unexpectedly find solidarity together and declare peace. They swap jackets in order that boy 2 can confuse the other vigilantes and escape. As boy 1 arrives, boy 2 briefly meets and recognises him. Thinking he’s cornered boy 2, a vigilante threatens the victim’s brother with a knife. Boy 1 runs to help, but is knifed and dies as he saves the victim’s brother. The crowd doesn’t learn boy 1’s identity. Boy 2 escapes and considers leaving with the travellers. |