Scripts - Episode 3126

LONDON-THE BOOK LAUNCH

DON, JAMES and JOANNE are there.

DON

You know, I’ve imagined this moment since I was sixteen, scribbling short stories on the back of exercise books, but I thought I’d probably be jetting off to London or New York to publicise some pivotal or weighty novel that held a mirror up to contemporary society.

TINA BAKER

Mr. Fisher, would you sign my book for me please, thank you.

DON

Yes, up to contemporary society or something like that, something that would make the Booker judges stop and think. It never occurred to me way back then that one day.

MARILYN looks at a book at the back of the room.

DON

Nothing of not anyway.

MARILYN drops the book. DON sees MARILYN. MARILYN runs off. DON runs after her.

DON

Excuse me, excuse me.

IRENE is there.

IRENE

Don.

DON

I’m sorry Irene, I’ve got to go, excuse me.

IRENE

Don.

LONDON-A TRAIN STATION

MARILN runs along a corridor. DON runs along it a time later. They end up on opposite side of the tracks.

DON

Wait there, I’m coming over.

MARILYN

No, Donald, please don’t. I didn’t mean for you to see me.

DON

Well, what are you saying. It’s all right for you to sneak in and see me, but I can’t see you. Is that it?

MARILYN

It’s better this way.

DON

Well, talk to me, please then, for gods sake.

MARILYN

I can’t.

DON

What are you doing in London? Where are you living?

MARILYN

Tell Irene I’m sorry I couldn’t say hello.

DON

This is insane.

MARILYN

Sorry Donald. I never meant to hurt you.

DON

You can’t do this. Not again.

MARILYN

I never meant to hurt you Donald.

DON

I’m staying at the.

MARILYN gets on a train. DON gives some money to a violinist.

LONDON-THE BOOK LAUNCH

NICK takes a drink. IRENE comes over. She gives it to WILL.

IRENE

You never listen, do you.

NICK

It’s just going to be put down the drain.

IRENE

Good.

WILL

So, where do you think he’s got to?

IRENE

I don’t know love, maybe I should have gone after him.

WILL

Saying all that stuff about Byron probably really upset him.

IRENE

Yeah, I was thinking along those lines myself.

They walk up to JAMES.

JAMES

No sign of Donald yet, is there?

IRENE

No.

JAMES

Does he make a habit of this sort of thing?

IRENE

Not usually, no.

JAMES

Just have to make the most of it. Bizarre mystery as author goes missing. Well it worked for Agatha Christie.

JAMES walks away.

IRENE

How are you holding.

WILL

I’m OK.

IRENE

It could have fooled me.

WILL

Gypsy reckons I just shouldn’t tell Dani. I can’t not tell her. I can’t lie to her. I can’t tell her over the phone. It’s too cowardly.

IRENE

You are going to ring Dani when we get back to the hotel.

IRENE walks away and NICK walks up to WILL.

NICK

Everything all right?

WILL

Yeah.

NICK

Do you want to do something when this is over? It’s daylight long enough.

WILL

What for?

NICK

I don’t know. Anything you want.

WILL

OK, we’ll see.

ROBBIE and HAYLEY are at a table.

HAYLEY

Ah, so you’ve found the end then, did you?

ROBBIE

Yeah, and very lonely it was too.

HAYLEY

Aw, poor you. So Sir, what would you like me to write?

ROBBIE

Aw, how about, to the best tour guide in London, love and sloppy kisses, love Hayley? Aw, best wishes, I’ll guess that will do for now anyway.

HAYLEY

Aw, your hoping I’ll do a PS.

ROBBIE

You bet. Look, I know you’re a famous artist and all that, but any chance you might like to go out clubbing tonight with a humble hotel worker?

HAYLEY

Yeah, there’s a pretty good chance.

ROBBIE

Brilliant. I’ll keep the paparazzi off you. Promise.

HAYLEY signs another a book.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

FLYNN is there. A girl called SYLVIA is on the computer.

FLYNN

Hi, there’s juice in the fridge. Do you want me to get you a drink? OK, you just let me know if you change your mind then.

SALLY and GYPSY walk in and go into the office.

GYPSY

I mean, I can see her point of view, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that Shauna’s right.

SALLY

Sorry, what did you say? Sorry.

GYPSY

I said it doesn’t necessarily mean that Shauna’s right.

SALLY

No, but I can see her point of view.

GYPSY

Is there an echo in here?

SALLY

What?

GYPSY

Nothing, don’t worry. It’s just getting frustrating. I mean, I’ve been telling myself for ages that it will all sort itself out in the end, but it isn’t, it’s just getting worse.

SALLY

It’s not just your decision though, is it? Despite whatever you may think you don’t know what Will wants.

GYPSY

Yeah, poor Will.

SALLY

How do you mean?

GYPSY

Well, he’s overseas for the first time in his life. He should be enjoying himself, not worrying about all this.

FLYNN walks n.

FLYNN

Sorry to interrupt. Sal, remember we’ve got to get down the community hall.

SALLY

Aw, yeah, of course. We’ve got to go and set some stuff up for the band.

GYPSY

Of course you do.

SALLY

No really.

They all walk out the office.

GYPSY

No need for a lift to the hall.

SALLY

Nothing to say.

GYPSY

Excellent.

FLYNN

You haven’t said anything to her about us, have you?

SALLY

I haven’t had the chance and there’s not really much to tell yet, is there?

FLYNN

Aw, can change that. What about a date?

SALLY

Aw, goodness, you are so pushy.

FLYNN

You know, no point in wasting time. I’ve done that.

SALLY

It doesn’t sound like I have much choice.

FLYNN

Aw, you do. You can say yes.

SALLY

Has anyone ever told you, you are way smooth.

FLYNN

Oh yeah, I get that all the time, all the time.

THE COMMUNITY HALL

ALF is there. NOAH, FLYNN and SALLY  walk in.

ALF

Ah, g’day there boys, Sal. You here for the big performance are you?

FLYNN

I hope they’ll be enough room.

ALF

Well, how many of you are there?

FLYNN

Well man, two guitarists, a drummer and a sensational lead vocalist.

ALF

Ah, you’ll load it in and I that sensational lead vocalist, I believe is Summer Bay’s answer to Judy Garland.

FLYNN

Keep with it mate, Madonna.

ALF

Who?

SIMONE and KIRK are there.

SIMONE

Wonder what the band will be like?

KIRK

Don’t know, probably suck.

DANI runs over to NOAH.

DANI

Oh Noah, just the person I want to see.

NOAH

Hi Dani. How’s it going?

DANI

Oh good. Could you help me set up the lights for the band?

NOAH

Yeah, sure, no worries.

ALF walks up to DANI and NOAH.

ALF

Hey Noah, do you reckon you could give us a hand to set up a few more tables mate?

NOAH

Geez, I’m in demand today. Just about to help Dani set up the lights.

DANI

Well, maybe you can help me after you’ve helped Mr. Stewart.

SALLY walks over.

ALF

Oh, that’s nice of you Dani. On second thoughts, maybe you should help me set up the tables. I reckon you’d have bigger muscles than Goldilocks there.

NOAH

You really know how to hurt a guy Mr. Stewart.

ALF

By the way Dani, has that boyfriend called you from England yet?

DANI

Ah, no.

ALF

Ah, well he’s probably having to much fun with the pommy shielas, eh? Only joking.

DANI

You know, if you paid me my pay cheque early maybe I could call him.

ALF

Ah, that’s a very nice try, but no.

JADE and KIRSTY look at a sign. ALF walks over to them.

KIRSTY

Ah, Mr. Stewart.

JADE

We need to ask you something.

ALF

Yeah.

KIRSTY

We need some more slaves for the slave auction.

ALF

Oh, sorry girls. I’m flat out like a lizard drinking as it is.

DANI walks over.

DANI

Ah, it’s for a good cause.

ALF

Yeah, yeah, I’m sure it is. I’ll throw a few bob in the hat, all right, but I can’t afford to give up a whole day to mow somebody’s lawn or whatever.

KIRSTY

Well, what if we make it half a day.

JADE

Yeah, you can be a bargain basement slave.

ALF

Oh, thanks a lot.

JADE & KIRSTY

Please Mr. Stewart.

ALF

You girls are like a dog with a flamin’ bone. All right, half a day, but that’s it.

KIRSTY

Yes, thank you so much Mr. Stewart.

ALF

And I mean a half a day.

FLYNN and JUDE set up the band equipment.

JUDE

Aw, yeah man. Nice work buddy. So where are you taking her?

FLYNN

Aw, not sure yet.

JUDE

Well, you better start giving it some serious consideration. I mean, you can’t just rock down to the diner and get a burger and fries on your first date.

FLYNN

Of, course not. I just didn’t get that far.

JUDE

Well, what about, when? Did that come up in conversation?

FLYNN

We were in a bit of hurry.

JUDE

So let me get this straight. You asked her out to no where in particular at some unspecified time in the future and she said yes.

FLYNN

Pretty much.

JUDE

Sounds like me when I was thirteen.

FLYNN

All right, all right. Little bit nervous at this OK. I mean, give me some suggestions, dinner, movie, reptile park.

JUDE

Mate, think outside of the square, all right. You’ve got to woo the lady. I mean, take her somewhere special, but whatever you’re doing, you better think of quick because here she comes.

SALLY walks over.

FLYNN

Hey.

SALLY

Hey. I’m going to go.

FLYNN

Ah, all right.

SALLY

Well see you later then I suppose.

FLYNN

Yeah.

SALLY

OK.

FLYNN

Ah, actually, you know that conversation we were having before. How about tonight, if you’re free.

SALLY

Yeah, no, well no, I don’t have anything on, that’s why.

FLYNN

Eight o’clock.

SALLY

Sure. I’ll pick you up at the drop-in centre. Where are we going?

FLYNN

It’s a surprise.

SALLY

OK, I’ll see you then.

FLYNN

All right.

SALLY walks away.

JUDE

Love your work, but just so you know, you’ve got four hours, twenty-seven minutes and forty seconds until you’re due there. Time starts now.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

FLYNN sits at the desk. SALLY walks in.

SALLY

Ready to go.

FLYNN

Wahl, you look amazing. One small problem though.

FLYNN and SALLY walk through to the bedroom where SYLVIE is sitting on one of the beds.

FLYNN

I don’t know if she is ready to go.

SALLY

Haven’t you asked her?

FLYNN

Yeah, a few times. She doesn’t seem to respond to me. Think you maybe you could have a chat. Maybe she’d warm to you more.

SALLY

Hello, how are you? We were just wondering if you wanted to stay the night, only if you don’t, we were going to lock up.

SYLVIE

They kept hurting me.

SALLY

Sorry.

SYLVIE

They moved off, but you can’t hear me.

SALLY

That’s all right. You calm down. Everything’s all right.

SYLVIE

I ran away. I had to. Don’t send me back.

SALLY

What’s your name?

SYLVIE

They’ll be looking for me.

SALLY

I think I remember this.

SALLY does some sign language and SYLVIE answers back using sign language.

SALLY

This is Sylvie.

FLYNN

Hello Sylvie.

SALLY

I think it’s going to be easier if we right things down.

FLYNN

Sure.  I can’t believe I missed that. You’re amazing.

LONDON-THE HOTEL

WILL and IRENE are there.

IRENE

Nut, thanks. Look, if he’s not back in half an hour I’m calling the cops.

WILL

Irene, will you stop stressing. It’s not like he doesn’t know his way around. He’s been here before.

IRENE

Yeah, love, forty years ago. Look, I’ve read about things like this in Readers Digest. Grown men just disappearing in the middle of the night, turning up three weeks, not having a clue where they have been.

WILL

Irene, you’re overreacting OK. I’m going to go use those phones.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is there. SEB, KIRSTY and JADE sit at the table.

DANI

You know, even with Alf Stewart we still don’t have enough guys.

JADE

You’re right. We definitely need a few more spunks, but who could we ask?

SEB

No worries, I’ll do it.

KIRSTY

What? Don’t listen to them, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.

SEB

It’s cool. I reckon it’ll be fun.

KIRSTY

Well, I don’t.

The phone rings. DANI answers it.

DANI

Oh, I’ll get it.

JADE

Probably just a booking.

DANI

Hello, Summer Bay Caravan Park.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

Dani. It’s me.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone.

DANI

Where have you been? I thought you got lost.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy, you know.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone.

DANI

Aw, it’s OK. So, how have you been? Have you seen Buckingham Palace?

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

DANI

Have you seen anyone famous?

WILL

Hey, slow down, OK

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone.

DANI

The book launch. Was Hayley really nervous?

LONDON-THE HOTEL

IRENE sits at a table. DON walks in.

IRENE

Oh, Don, thank god your safe.

DON

Sorry Irene. I didn’t mean to alarm you.

IRENE

Well, what happened? Why did you run out like that?

DON

I need a drink.

IRENE

Well come up to the room. There’s coffee making.

DON

I mean a drink. A proper one.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone.

DANI

We’re all missing you.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

Yeah.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone.

DANI

Did you read my note?

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone.

DANI

Will, Will.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

Yeah, I did. Listen I.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone.

DANI

Hello, Will

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

Look, I better go. My money is running out OK, bye.

WILL hangs up and gets his money.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI puts down the phone. SEB, KIRSTY and JADE sit at the table.

DANI

His money ran out.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL picks the phone up.

SALLY’S HOUSE

GYPSY is there. The phone starts to ring and she picks it up. It’s WILL.

GYPSY

Hello.

WILL

Gypsy, it’s em, Will.

GYPSY

Hi.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

How’s it going?

SALLY’S HOUSE

GYPSY is on the phone.

GYPSY

Good, same old Summer Bay, you know. How’s London?

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

It’s good, great.

GYPSY

Well, lucky you.

WILL

Yeah. Listen, I’ve been thinking about what I want to do.

SALLY’S HOUSE

GYPSY is on the phone.

GYPSY

No, no, I don’t want to about this at the moment.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

Gypsy, please.

GYPSY

No seriously.

SALLY’S HOUSE

GYPSY is on the phone.

GYPSY

Look, whatever you decide I need to see your face when you say it. Besides your not back until the end of the week. You might change your mind.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

WILL

I won’t.

SALLY’S HOUSE

GYPSY is on the phone.

GYPSY

You don’t know that.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL is on the phone.

SALLY’S HOUSE

GYPSY is on the phone.

GYPSY

Look, I better go OK. I’ll talk to you when you get back.

GYPSY puts the phone down.

LONDON-A TELEPHONE BOX

WILL puts the phone down.

SALLY’S HOUSE

GYPSY is there.

LONDON-A ROAD

HAYLEY and ROBBIE are walking along a road next to the Thames.

ROBBIE

You have to remember cities are organic, they grow, they change, they have bombs dropped on them.

HAYLEY

Which is good if you’re an architect I guess.

ROBBIE

Ah, if you’re not careful you’ll get my lecture on the missed opportunity of post-war rebuilding and the horrors of crease stressed concrete.

HAYLEY

Yeah, I’ll give it a miss, thanks.

HAYLEY and ROBBIE run up a flight of steps.

HAYLEY

Hey, what’s the hurry?

ROBBIE

We have to get there as early as possible.

ROBBIE bows to a stature.

ROBBIE

Ah, good morning your majesty.

LONDON-A BRIDGE

ROBBIE and HAYLEY are on a bridge.

ROBBIE

Lots of tourists think it’s Mrs Thatcher, you know.

HAYLEY

I wonder what Wordsworth was doing on the bridge that morning.

ROBBIE

I can tell you. He was on top of a stagecoach with his sister. They were on their way to Dover.

HAYLEY

How do you know all this stuff?

ROBBIE

I have a trivial mind. I could tell you what James Bosworth had got up to on this bridge, but your too young.

HAYLEY

I think I can guess. What are you doing?

ROBBIE

Oh, admiring the view. Wordsworth view. You see most of this wasn’t here then. No Houses of Parliament, no Big Ben, no Scotland Yard. Actually it’s not even the same bridge.

HAYLEY

What?

ROBBIE

Well, this one wasn’t open till sixty years later.

HAYLEY

You’re shattering all my illusions.

ROBBIE

I don’t bore you with all this stuff, do I?

HAYLEY

No, of course not. I think it’s great that you’re so passionate.

ROBBIE

I could be really, really corny here you know.

HAYLEY

Corny.

ROBBIE

I could say it’s not the only thing I’m passionate about at this moment.

HAYLEY

And is it?

ROBBIE and HAYLEY kiss.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

SYLVIE sleeps in a bed. FLYNN is on the phone in the office,

FLYNN

OK, thank you.

You can tell them she is fine. Yeah, she’s all set in for the night.

Tell them they can pop in any time they want, see how she’s going.

SALLY walks into the office.

FLYNN

Thank you, good night.

SALLY

Is that DOCS?

FLYNN

Yeah, they’re going to notify the foster parents. Let them know she’s OK. Apparently she’s been having trouble at her new school. If there’s one thing that gets me, it’s bullying.

SALLY

Yeah, poor kid.

FLYNN

How she going?

SALLY

Oh, she’s fast asleep.

FLYNN

I guess this means the date is off.

SALLY

I guess so. After you went trouble too.

FLYNN

Good intentions though. I didn’t make any bookings. I had no idea where I was going to take you.

SALLY

What?

FLYNN

I know, I’m hopeless, after you dressed up.

SALLY

Yeah, and now I’m all dressed up and hungry.

FLYNN

Well.

They walk through to the kitchen.

FLYNN

Excellente, I’ll have a cheese omelette and barinchalattas smothered in tomato sauce and you?

SALLY

At this stage pretty good actually.

FLYNN

You  can wash it down with a drop of a bottled orange and mango juice.

SALLY

It gets better and better.

FLYNN drops an egg on the floor.

FLYNN

There you go. As grandma said you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.

LONDON-THE HOTEL

HAYLEY lies down on a bed. IRENE walks in.

HAYLEY

I am shattered.

IRENE

Ah, this will sort you love.

HAYLEY

But it was so worth it. I’ve just had the best time.

IRENE

What it is to be young, eh. I had to make do with a hot drink and late night movie though to be honest I could do that in Summer Bay.

HAYLEY

And Robbie is amazing. He knows absolutely everything about London, I mean everything.

IRENE

Does he now.

There is a knock on the door.

IRENE

I wonder if Noah would be so enthusiastic. Oh, good day Don. You’re up bright and early this morning, Cinderella here hasn’t even been to bed yet. Is everything OK?

DON

Marilyn phoned ten minutes ago. She wants to meet me this morning.