Episode 187

Extended Summary

Tom, Pippa, Steven and Carly discuss the fact the entire town knows about John Farnham, when he wanted no publicity. They need to avert this disaster. Tom thinks fast and goes to the store where he suggests to Celia that he might bring Sally there in the afternoon, when John Farnham is visiting her. Celia loves the idea, she will set up some tables, have refreshments. She rushes to get everything ready and to spread the word that he’s going to be there…

When Don comes out of the shower he finds a note from Walter saying he has left because he doesn’t want to cause any more trouble for anyone. Don knows what Pippa has planned for tonight so he calls her to tell her what’s happened. They have to find him fast and get him back here before John arrives.

Floss and Neville talk to the Fletchers about how they’re looking forward to seeing John at the store. They feel slightly guilty but know that if there was a crowd there Sally wouldn’t get to spend any time with John. Celia refuses to let Alison into the store because she has caught Sally’s chicken pox and is contagious.

John Farnham arrives at the Fletchers and meets the family – all bar Pippa he has mysteriously vanished. John visits Sally in her sickbed. She is delighted to see him. He sings some songs for her.

At the store everyone is getting restless cos John hasn’t turned up. Half the town is here! Martin and Lance are here with their guitars. They’d been planning to put on an impromptu performance in Johns presence to see if they could interest him in signing them up for his backing band! They realise something is up and figure the Fletchers are pulling a fast one so they race around to the Caravan Park and spot the limousine parked at the house. They hear John singing upstairs and wait outside Sal’s window until he stops before putting on their awful performance. John has to laugh – they have a lot of neck, but no talent. Soon he has to go. He says goodbye to Sally and the others and asks Tom to send Lance and Martin to see him – he tells them to keep practicing! Lance thanks him but Martin is struck dumb being in the presence of a celebrity! John gets in his limo to leave.

Pippa finally finds Walter hiding behind a bush. She tells him she has a plan to get him accepted by the community, which will be one of his problems solved. She gets him in her car and heads back to Donald’s but when she rings Tom he tells her John has already left! She has to chase him, overtake and force him off the road! His photographer is fuming when he gets out, until Pippa explains who she is and why she had to stop him. She explains about Walter and how people have turned against him because they think he is some weirdo. John agrees to help – Pippa takes him to Donald’s where he poses for some photos with Walter…

Next day, pictures of John Farnham hugging Walter and smiling appear in the newspaper. An article detailing the truth of Walters situation and an interview with John praising Walter and urging everyone to give him a go accompanies it. Its enough to get the local community to back off a little and give Walter a break. Pippa tells Tom that Walter now feels ready to leave Donald’s and find somewhere more permanent.

Celia is in everyone’s bad books for making them miss John Farnham. She complains about how he’ll think Summer Bay is full of sick children and misfits instead of decent, upstanding people but only succeeds in making even constant crony Betty Falwell disgusted with her. Tom, Pippa, Steven and Sally are outside the house when Carly comes running up, panting and wheezing, eyes wide in panic. She says that she’s just seen the man who raped her, right now, on the beach!!!!

Thanks to Derrick M. Domican.