Scripts - Episode 3200

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

JADE, KIRSTY and MAX walk into the living room. PETE and SHELLEY are in the kitchen.

JADE

Are you coming with us?

KIRSTY

Don’t know, before the change comes.

MAX

Hey dad, come on.

PETE

Hey, I’ve got a few things to see too. I’ll be down in a while, OK.

NICK comes in.

NICK

Maxi, this is it. It’s a bit dinged up, but it’s OK. It’s good for a beginner.

KIRSTY

Yeah, like you’re the expert.

JADE

Sorry, it’s you that knows everything isn’t it Kirsty?

MAX

It’s great, let’s go. See you down there dad.

PETE

No worries mate. I’ll see you in a while.

NICK

See you.

MAX, NICK, JADE and KIRSTY all leave.

PETE

He loves being here. It’s been great Shell. I mean every things turned out pretty well, uh.

SHELLEY

Well it’s been a real pleasure having you and Max has really fitted in, don’t you think?

SHELLEY leaves.

SALLY’S HOUSE

FLYNN and SALLY walk in.

FLYNN

It’s discrimination Sal.

SALLY

You think it’s that bad?

FLYNN

Well, he’s basing a work decision on your health status. That’s discrimination, pure and simple.

SALLY

Even, if he’s supposedly doing it for my own benefit?

FLYNN

Well do you think he’s doing for your own benefit?

SALLY

Well, I think I’m more than capable of teaching year twelve.

FLYNN

Well then you fight back. You don’t take it lying down.

SALLY

Yeah, well, how? I’ve already tried to reason with him.

FLYNN

Well go above him, talk to someone at the department.

SALLY

Uh-uh, that’s way too much.

FLYNN

Is it way too much? We’re talking about your career.

JUDE walks out of the bedroom.

JUDE

Hey.

FLYNN

G’day mate.

SALLY

Hi Jude, we didn’t think anyone was home.

JUDE

I just came to get a glass of water.

CHARLOTTE walks behind him.

SALLY

Hi Charlotte.

FLYNN

It’s inside out mate.

JUDE

Yeah thanks, do you still want that glass of water?

CHARLOTTE

No. Not right now.

CHARLOTTE and JUDE walk back into the bedroom.

SALLY

There’s some mail for you.

FLYNN

Thought they were going through a rough patch.

SALLY

Well obviously they’ve smoothed things over.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

IRENE is there. HAYLEY and GYPSY walk in there with LILY

HAYLEY

All right?

GYPSY

Yep.

IRENE

G’day, how did it go?

HAYLEY

Aw, everyone at the clinic fell in love with Lily at first sight.

IRENE

Aw, that’s because you’re such a beautiful girl isn’t it? What did the doctors say?

GYPSY

Em, thumbs up, she’s normal.

HAYLEY

Yeah, she’s a healthy big girl too. Into the eighteenth per cent for height and weight.

IRENE

Really, that would have pleased daddy no end. Where is he?

GYPSY

Last I heard he was on the Blaxland.

HAYLEY

Yeah, em, he had to miss the appointment.

IRENE

Aw, never mind love. They’ll be plenty more where they came from.

The WAITRESS comes up to them.

WAITRESS

Here you go.

IRENE

Aw, oh listen, I’m sorry, I’m going to have to love you and leave you. I only dropped by to pick up a bite for me and Don. Here you go love and oh, em, listen could you make sure that these ladies get a hot chocolate each.

GYPSY

Oh, thank you Irene.

HAYLEY

Thanks.

IRENE

Bye.

HAYLEY

Bye.

IRENE leaves. GYPSY and HAYLEY go and sit down.

HAYLEY

Gyps, I’m sure Will wouldn’t miss the appointment unless he had a really good excuse.

GYPSY

Em, it was Lily’s first check-up. That boy will need a good excuse.

THE BEACH

MAX lies on a surfboard. NICK and KIRSTY are either side. JADE and SEB are in the background.

KIRSTY

So you see a set of waves coming in, what do you do?

MAX

Stand position.

KIRSTY

Yes, that’s right. Now what you need to do is you need to keep waiting until the wave’s going to break. OK, Nick.

NICK

Move a bit further back.

KIRSTY

OK and now when you feel like your boards got enough momentum, that’s when you have to go for it, now.

They all stand up.

NICK

Move your feet back further.

KIRSTY

And, eh, balance on your back foot and always make sure the front of the board doesn’t go in the water otherwise you’ll fall over.

SEB

Looking good Max.

MAX

That sounds brill. Coming?

NICK

Sure.

MAX and NICK go towards the sea.

SEB

That was cool.

JADE

Almost makes me want to take up surfing.

KIRSTY

Don’t get to carried away Jade.

SEB

You’re a good teacher. Good way of explaining things.

KIRSTY

Whatever.

SEB

No, seriously. I think you’d make a great one.

KIRSTY

As if I would.

SEB

Why not? I mean the world needs decent teachers, cute ones too.

JADE

Don’t waste your breath Seb. Kirsty’s not even going to do the HSE, let alone go to Uni. She wants everyone to think she’s grown up by not getting an education.

SEB

Kirsty.

JADE

Dads not going to let you quit anyway.

KIRSTY

As if I care what dad says. He’s a total hypocrite anyway.

SEB

Schools not that bad.

KIRSTY

You know what, it is. I think the only good thing about it is you because basically everything else just sucks.

THE SURF CLUB

ALF hangs a notice up. JOSH is there.

ALF

You heard from young Will? He should have been back ages ago.

JOSH

No, still nothing.

ALF

Yeah, it’s not like him to lose contact you know. You sure your radio’s on the right frequency?

JOSH

Mr. Stewart, I may be new, but I’m definitely not stupid.

ALF

Yeah, alright, alright. Radios probably stuffed.

DANI walks in.

DANI

Em, I actually tried on my mobile which is on the boat and he didn’t answer that either.

JOSH

I’m sure it’s nothing.

ALF

Yeah, it’s probably wouldn’t hurt to slip out and have a look though.

JOSH

Yeah, I’ll go. I’ve been looking for an excuse to use the R. I. O. B.

ALF

Yeah alright, but be quick about and make sure you check on those rock fisherman. He might have pulled up and had a yarn to them.

JOSH

Will do.

DANI

Is he taking the boat?

ALF

Yeah, boys and their toys.

DANI runs after JOSH.

ALF

Hey, where do you think you’re going?

DANI

I’m just going to go with Josh.

ALF

I don’t think that’s necessary.

DANI

Well isn’t it good water safety to have two persons on the crew?

ALF

Your parents might not see it that way.

DANI

I’ll be really careful. I promise, OK.

ALF

You better be.

DANI leaves.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

DON is in his office. There is a knock at the door.

DON

Yes Irene.

IRENE sticks her head around the door.

IRENE

Em Don, Sal wants a word.

DON

Right, send her in.

SALLY enters and IRENE leaves.

DON

Yes Sally, what can I do for you?

SALLY

Well I think you know, I’ve been thinking about this whole year twelve situation.

DON

Oh, you mean the situation that we resolved earlier.

SALLY

Not quite resolved.

DON

It is as far as I’m concerned, the matters over.

SALLY

What if I don’t accept your decision? With respect Don I think that you’re wrong. I think that I’m more than capable of taking on a full teaching load and that includes year twelve. I won’t let you demote me like this.

DON

This is not a demotion. In fact I’m considering giving you additional responsibilities for the special needs classes which is a vital part of the schools programme.

SALLY

That’s so hypocritical.

DON

I beg your pardon.

SALLY

If the special needs classes are so important then why isn’t my health a problem there to?

DON

Year twelve is different. I mean especially in the current climate.

SALLY

And what’s that supposed to mean?

DON

Sally, there is certain issues which you are not privied to. I’ve made a decision and that’s final.

SALLY

Well then I don’t have any alternative, I’ll have to lodge a complaint with the department.

DON

I strongly advise against that.

SALLY

Why? Because you’ll lose?

DON

No, because you won’t be doing anyone any favours believe me.

SALLY

Is that a threat?

DON

I’m just asking you to have faith in my judgement. There are bigger issues at stake here.

SALLY

Yes and my career is one of them.

SALLY leaves.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

RHYS and PETE are on the porch.

PETE

You know I love artwork. I could watch someone doing it all day.

RHYS

Well make yourself useful, em, could you pass me that screwdriver

PETE

Yeah, I’m on holidays, remember.

RHYS

Thanks.

PETE

Hey, remember how the old man used to trick us into helping him out.

RHYS

Well what I remember is you making yourself scarce.

PETE

Did I? I remember you being the responsible one. Still it paid of. I wouldn’t know one end of a screwdriver from the other.

RHYS

That’s not what I remember.

PETE

The good old days. Things were less complicated then. Hey, what do you say to a big farewell barbie? My treat.

RHYS

Sure.

PETE

Yeah, we’ll get some steaks, snags and a few fresh kingies. What does Shell like to drink?

RHYS

Oh, she’ll go after a nice bottle of white.

PETE

Great, well listen, I’ll run over to Yabbie Creek and, eh, keep up the good work.

RHYS brings out his wallet.

RHYS

Yeah.

PETE

No, no, no, please.

RHYS

No, it’ll be my mob that mainly eats, so go on.

PETE

We’ll go halves.

PETE takes out twenty dollars.

PETE

Em, this alright?

RHYS

Yeah.

PETE

Max will be alright won’t he?

RHYS

Yeah, the girls are taking good care of him. He’s a good kid Pete. You should be very proud of him.

PETE takes more money.

PETE

Turned out a lot better than his old man. Not too late to have a son of your own.

RHYS

Em, I think I’ve left my run a little bit late there. Still I’ve always thought it would be nice to have another bloke running round the house.

PETE

Max and I are good mates. There’s nothing more important in the world to me. Anyway I’ve got to get a wriggle on before the shops close.

RHYS

I’ll tell Shell you’re cooking.

PETE leaves.

SALLY’S HOUSE

JUDE pours a cup of tea. CHARLOTTE walks in.

CHARLOTTE

Gone.

JUDE

Yep, here you go. You look beautiful.

CHARLOTTE

How guilty did we look?

They sit sown at the table.

JUDE

Ah, how cares. Give them something to talk about.

CHARLOTTE

It’s not how I planned.

JUDE

What do you mean?

CHARLOTTE

Well I thought we’d have the place to ourselves. I wasn’t expecting them to come home.

JUDE

What? You would have given up on the whole afternoon. That’s crazy.

CHARLOTTE

No, I would have wanted you to stay. Just would have been a bit more discrete.

JUDE

Oh, you’re shy.

CHARLOTTE

No, I’m not shy. I just like things to be a bit more controlled, that’s all. Not big on surprises.

JUDE

Well I’ll have to change that.

CHARLOTTE

No, I’m serious. I think it’s um, I think it’s sometimes a reaction to having a totally chaotic childhood.

JUDE

Nothing wrong with chaos spices things up.

CHARLOTTE

In theory, but I feel as though if I’m not in control things will start to unravel. I think that’s why I studied medicine you know, because the career path is so structured.

JUDE

Predictable right?

CHARLOTTE

And that

JUDE

Well you stick with me and I promise to be as unpredictable as possible. Are you up for that?

CHARLOTTE

I’ll give it a go.

OUT AT SEA

JOSH and DANI are on the coastguard boat.

DANI

Do you even know how to drive one of these things?

JOSH

Yes.

DANI

How?

JOSH

Dani, when you drive around in boats, it just seems like the thing to do.

DANI

Doesn’t seem that hard anyway.

JOSH

Hey, you want to drive?

DANI

No, would you watch where you’re going please.

JOSH

You see anything?

DANI

Nut, not a thing.

JOSH

This is where Will was supposed to have seen the university guys isn’t it?

DANI

Yeah, they’re not here now and they’re not back at the wharf, OK.

JOSH

Maybe they’ve gone around the island.

DANI

Yeah, but why?

JOSH

Let’s find out.

DANI

No one just vanishes Josh.

THE BEACH

MAX and NICK run out the surf. SEB, JADE and KIRSTY are on the beach.

SEB

Oh yeah.

KIRSTY

Wooooh.

SEB

Max, that was awesome.

KIRSTY

You were so good. You were excellent kid.

MAX

Man that was great.

KIRSTY begins to dry MAX and JADE dries NICK.

NICK

Well, you had a great teacher that’s why.

KIRSTY

Oh, don’t start that again.

MAX

I reckon if you can skateboard you can surf.

NICK

Yeah.

MAX

You do the same stuff right.

NICK

I’d like to see you when it’s full.

MAX

Bet you weren’t as good at my age.

NICK

No, I wasn’t, I was better.

They all start tickling NICK.

MAX

As if you were.

SEB

Tickle him, tickle him.

PETE watches from up at the surf club. MAX sees him and waves. PETE waves back. MAX looks again. PETE has gone.

THE SURF CLUB

GYPSY comes in with LILY. ALF and HAYLEY come in.

GYPSY

We went to the wharf. There was no boat.

ALF

He’s out of contact. We think he might be out at the wreck site with those Uni. blokes. Josh and Dani have gone out to check up on him.

HAYLEY

Oh, maybe they’ve found something big and that explains why it’s taking so long.

GYPSY

What is Dani doing out there?

ALF

Well she left her backpack on the Blaxland this morning.

GYPSY

Seems like an awfully long way to go for a backpack. What’s going on?

ALF

We just haven’t had any radio contact from him for a while.

GYPSY

Doesn’t make me fell any better about this.

The university people walk in.

ASTRID

Sorry to interrupt, but we’re looking for Mr. Alf Stewart.

ALF

You’ve found him.

ASTRID

Great, I’m Astrid McKinnon. This is Jake Upton, my colleague. I’m sorry we’re so late.

ALF

Late for what?

ASTRID

We’re from the university. We’d made a booking for the Blaxland, but she wasn’t in. Someone said we’d find you up here.

ALF

You’re from the Uni.

GYPSY

Then who’s out with Will?

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

KIRSTY sits at the table. RHYS walks in.

RHYS

Hi, what happened to the rest of the mob?

KIRSTY

How should I know?

RHYS

Is Uncle Pete back yet?

KIRSTY

I haven’t seen him, all right dad.

RHYS

What’s so interesting anyway?

KIRSTY

Do you mind?

RHYS

Position’s vacant.

SHELLEY walks in.

KIRSTY

Yes dad, I’m just trying to see what wages they pay OK.

RHYS

Yeah, we’re talking about part-time work aren’t we?

KIRSTY

No, not necessarily.

RHYS

Because if you’re not I can tell you here and now you can forget it. Tell her Shell.

SHELLEY

Oh, I think what you’ll see Kirsty is that unskilled work doesn’t pay all that well.

RHYS

I don’t give two hoots how much it pays. She’ll be doing what she’s told and that’s going back to school and finishing her HSE.

KIRSTY

And how are you going to stop me dad? What are you going to do, chain me to the wall or something are you?

RHYS

Don’t get smart with me Kirsty. Leaving school to prove what a rebel you are is about as dumb a move as you can make.

SHELLEY

Yeah well, I have to agree with that.

KIRSTY

Well you know what dad, like father, like daughter, right?

OUT AT SEA

DANI and JOSH are on the lifeguards’ boat.

DANI

Hey is that them?

JOSH

You know the Blaxland better than I do. What do you reckon?

DANI

Yep, yep, that’s definitely her, but what is she doing there?

JOSH

Well there is only one way to find out.

They drive up to the boat.

DANI

Slow. Right I’ve got it; I’ve got it. Will. Will. I’m getting on board.

DANI climbs on board.

JOSH

Yeah, don’t pull me.

DANI

Will. Hey, my bags here.

JOSH

Right, but is there anyone around?

DANI

Nut, it looks empty. Will. Anyone.

JOSH

Anything?

DANI

He’s vanished.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

IRENE, FLYNN and SALLY sit at a table.

SALLY

It was the same when I was just a student teacher. Always putting up hurdles expecting me to jump over them.

FLYNN

Have you told him that you’re prepared to lodge a complaint?

SALLY

Yeah, I sure did. He just said that that would be stupid because they’re bigger issues at stake. What issues?

IRENE

Don’t ask me darl. All I could tell you is he’s been having a something lot of meetings with the department these four days. Of course he doesn’t tell me a thing about them.

FLYNN

Nah, he’s bluffing. You take it further.

SALLY

Yeah, I don’t know.

HAYLEY runs in.

HAYLEY

Em, excuse me guys, Irene.

IRENE

What?

HAYLEY

We think something’s happened to Will.

THE SURF CLUB

JOSH and ALF stand at a table.

JOSH

Well she’s close inshore of Fossetts Beach. Whoever’s taken hers dropped anchor and taken a small craft. No sign of that boat.

ALF

Strike me roan.

DANI and GYPSY sit at a table.

DANI

It’s actually in good condition and there is no damage.

ALF

Yeah, well thank the lord for that.

GYPSY

Will wouldn’t just leave the Blaxland.

ALF

I know that love.

IRENE and HAYLEY run in.

IRENE

Aw Gypsy, love. Hayley told me there’d been a problem. Em, what in blazers is going on? Who are these divers?

ALF

Well Dr. McKinnon here reckons it’s quite common practice. You know, they get wind of some new wreck discovery and some jokers try and beat them to it and see if there’s anything of value they can knock off.

ASTRID

Ordinarily we ask people to keep the news of their discovery quiet until we’ve had a chance to examine the site.

ALF

Well it’s a bit late to be telling us that now love.

ASTRID

I’m sure we did.

GYPSY

Will you two please stop arguing? This is not helping. We should be out looking for Will.

ALF

Well the coastguard’s on its way and I’m going out with dome jakers from the surf club so that will add the Blaxland and the rescue boat to the search.

IRENE

Come on love.  Lily needs a feed and a snug little cot.

ALF and JOSH leave.

GYPSY

No, I have to stay. I have to help.

IRENE

Gypsy, Alf will let us know as soon as he hears anything, Alf won’t you.

ALF

Yeah, yeah, sure.

GYPSY

Do you think he’s OK?

IRENE

Love I know he is. He loves you and the bubs way too much to let anything bad happen. Come on.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

JADE, NICK and MAX all walk in. KIRSTY and SHELLEY are already there.

MAX

I could have stayed out here.

NICK

Oh trust me Max you don’t want to be out there when the Southerlies hit. You’ll be blown halfway to Queensland.

SHELLEY

Well you kids better get changed for dinner. It’s a special occasion.

MAX

What are we having Auntie Shelley?

SHELLEY

What ever treats your dad brings back from Yabbie Creek.

RHYS walks in.

RHYS

I’m just going to move the barbecue under cover in case it rains.

RHYS and MAX leave.

SHELLEY

Kirsty, can you help by buttering some bread please.

JADE

Mum, can Nick stay?

SHELLEY

Yeah, if he wants to.

NICK

Yes please.

NICK and JADE leave. RHYS comes in.

SHELLEY

Kirsty.

KIRSTY

Oh mum, I have to cover my book with contact for school.

RHYS

Yeah, that’s not exactly the twelve labours of Hercules is it?

KIRSTY

What? Seriously dad you’re are spinning out.

KIRSTY leaves.

RHYS

At least she’s still got school somewhere on her mind.

SHELLEY

Eh, weren’t you going to move the barbecue?

RHYS

Shell, what if Kirsty sticks with this attitude about dropping out?

SHELLEY

I’m not sure. I’m still hoping it won’t come to that.

MAX walks in.

MAX

Uncle Rhys, where’s dad gone?

RHYS

To fetch us all some tucker from Yabbie Creek matey.

MAX

Why would he take all his things?

RHYS

What do you mean?

MAX

His clothes and his bags. There is only my stuff upstairs.

SHELLEY

Rhys.

RHYS

He hasn’t just put them all in another room.

MAX

He’s gone. Uncle Rhys, dads gone.

THE SURF CLUB

JOSH and DANI are there.

JOSH

Dani, you should go home.

DANI

No, I couldn’t.

JOSH

Alf’s got everyone out searching. They’ll find him. You can’t do anything sitting around here waiting.

DANI

And I can’t do anything at home either, OK.

JOSH

I know you and Will had something going on.

DANI

It’s got nothing to with it. Did you see Gypsy’s face? She’s not going to be able to cope if anything bad happens to Will.

JOSH
Alf said he was a good swimmer. He knows the area really well. If he’s got himself into trouble he can get himself out of it.

DANI
Yeah, OK. You’re right Will you call me if you hear anything.

JOSH

Yeah, sure.

DANI
Thank you.

DANI leaves.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SHELLEY and RHYS are in the hall.

RHYS

He’s totally cleaned out. He won’t get very far. I don’t reckon he’s got more than the twenty that I gave him for food unless.

RHYS takes out his wallet.

RHYS

I had at least a hundred bucks in there Shell.

SHELLEY

Well maybe we should call the police, something might have happened.

RHYS

No, something’s happened all right, but he won’t want the police involved.

They walk into the living room where MAX, JADE and NICK sit.

SHELLEY

So.

RHYS

You know what he said to me before he left, there is nothing in this world matters to me more than Max. Bet you there’s something deeper. He’s stuffed up before, but not like this.

KIRSTY walks in.

KIRSTY

Em dad, I found this in the dressing table for you.

KIRSTY leaves. RHYS reads the note.

RHYS

Shell and Rhys, I’m OK. Thanks for taking care of Max. I’ll be back. Yeah, but when?

The phone rings.

RHYS

Better be Pete.

Hello.

Ah, Hayley.

Ah, yeah, yeah, he’s here. I’ll tell him.

Nick, you’re wanted at home, it sounds important.

NICK

Oh, yeah sure, see you later.

RHYS

He’s on his way.

JADE

I’ll see you out.

JADE and NICK leave.

RHYS

Shell, what am I going to tell him?

SALLY’S HOUSE

JUDE and CHARLOTTE are on the couch.

JUDE

I like windstorms. It makes you feel crazy and romantic.

CHARLOTTE

How long have we been here? It’s almost dark.

JUDE

That’s the clouds. It makes it look like it’s darker than it is.

CHARLOTTE

Whole afternoon wasted; see what you’ve done to me.

JUDE

Hey, why don’t we waste some more time?

CHARLOTTE

No, no, no, I’m going to do something productive with what’s left of today.

JUDE

Babe, you’ve got the whole weekend off.

CHARLOTTE
Yes and I’ve got reading to do, I’ve got patients notes to catch up on, you’ve seen the state of my room.

JUDE

Hey, hey, hey, listen. Why don’t we take off? Just the two of us in the car, no plans, no decisions about where we are going. No map. No idea which way we are going to take. No idea where we are going to end up. Just make the whole weekend happening and waste it.

CHARLOTTE

No, I can’t.

JUDE

OK. We’ll take a map.

THE BEACH HOUSE

There is a storm outside. GYPSY comes out of the bedroom. IRENE, NICK and HAYLEY are there.

GYPSY

I’ve made an express bottle for Lily if she wakes up.

IRENE

Love, where on earth are you going?

GYPSY

I can’t just sit around here Irene.

IRENE

Gypsy, I know this hard darl, but you’ll only get in the way.

GYPSY

He is still out there.

NICK

Gypsy’s right, Irene. There is got to be something we can do.

IRENE

You stay put Mr. Gypsy love, please listen. Look he’s strong, he’s tough, he’s smart. He’ll know how to manage this.

LILY starts to cry. HAYLEY stands up.

HAYLEY

Em, I’ll get her if you like.

GYPSY

No, no, no. It will give me something to do.

There is a knock at the door. IRENE opens it. It’s ALF.

IRENE

Alf.

ALF

Oh g’day Irene. I brought you a little something from the diner.

GYPSY

Did you find him?

ALF

We’re organising another search party at first light.

IRENE

What? You’ve called off the search for the night.

ALF

You can’t have people out there in these conditions. It’ll just put more lives at risk.

GYPSY

So you’re just going to leave him out there?

ALF

I’m sorry love, but there is nothing we can do about it.