Episode 446

Extended Summary

At the Diner, Steven and Viv show Andrew and Bobby the serviette they found. Andrew thinks it isn’t enough proof to accuse Macklin’s of dumping the rubbish, since they didn’t see the name on the truck or who was driving it, and decides they need to organise a 24 hour watch. Steven and Viv volunteer to do the first shift.

Ailsa arrives at the store and, after beating about the bush a bit, reminds Alf of how he felt when he thought she was having an affair with Graham and says Pippa’s having an affair with Zac. Alf is initially disbelieving until Ailsa tells him what Carly and Bobby saw and what she saw herself. Alf is determined to tell Tom. Meanwhile, at the mobile home, Martin is on the phone to someone, trying to get sausages on credit, but fails. He reminds Lance that Celia is expecting her first payment and blames him for buying the hot dog stand.

Alf and Ailsa arrive at the caravan park and Ailsa tries to convince Alf to let her talk to Pippa first. Alf finds Tom doing the gardening while Ailsa goes up to the house. She asks Pippa how she feels about not having a full relationship with Tom at the moment but Pippa says she’s got everything she wants. Alf helps Tom, who says Pippa and the kids have been great and given him a reason to go on. Tom sees Zac leaving his caravan and wishes him luck. Alf isn’t convinced Zac can catch the shark but Tom thinks he’s good company and says he gets on well with the family.

Martin and Lance are drinking the last of their beer when there’s a persistent knocking at the door. Lance goes to answer it and finds it’s Marilyn, who joins the boys for a juice. She tells them she’s recorded the pilot for a game show, Cheap Shots, and people are calling her the next Marilyn Monroe. Her producer Drew wants to come back to town and film a documentary about what her life was like before she became famous.

Alf and Ailsa arrive home; Alf admits he couldn’t tell Tom and Ailsa says she couldn’t get Pippa to open up. Alf is disgruntled about the fact Tom likes Zac but Ailsa thinks there isn’t anything else they can do. At the surf club, Andrew helps Steven and Viv pack up their stuff for their night out watching the dump site. Steven has “borrowed” an infra-red camera from the school science lab. Viv says Don gave her permission because he’s as keen to see an end to Macklin’s advertising campaign as anyone.

At the Diner, Lance, Martin and Marilyn are chatting about the documentary and Marilyn expresses her disappointment that Morag isn’t around anymore. Martin suggests they interview him and Lance at Café de Waves to give them publicity and Marilyn likes the idea. Lance storms off to the counter and tells Bobby that Marilyn isn’t the same now she’s become a star. Ailsa arrives back and, when Bobby quizzes her, says Alf wanted to see Tom. Bobby realises she’s told Alf and again warns that Tom mustn’t get a shock.

Andrew helps Steven and Viv set up their makeshift camp. He realises Viv is keen to get rid of him and tells them not to do anything he wouldn’t do. At the Diner, Bobby just about manages to be polite to Zac, who is having his dinner there, and says a quick goodbye to Ailsa. Andrew arrives and joins Bobby and Don at the counter. Don asks who’s partnered with Viv and is shocked when Bobby tells him that not only is it Steven but Viv’s interested in him, saying she’s “hot to trot”. Don says if he’d known that he wouldn’t have given Viv permission.

Ailsa arrives home to find Alf counting out money. He says he’s going to pay Zac to leave town. At the mobile home, Martin is celebrating the free publicity, saying they’ll be able to pay Celia back in one go and start a franchise. Lance is still upset however and storms off to bed.

Steven sets up his camera while Viv puts their sleeping bags as close together as possible, saying they might need to snuggle up for warmth. Steven points out it’s warm and Viv hastily agrees, taking her shirt off to reveal a skimpy top. Steven clearly realises what she’s trying to do but pretends he’s oblivious. Viv asks him to rub some mosquito repellent on her back, even those there don’t seem to be any mosquitos around. They see someone approaching with a torch and worry it’s someone from Macklin’s but it’s Don, complete with camping gear. He asks to join them, saying he’s as eager to catch Macklin’s as they are: In fact, he’s “hot to trot”.

Alf goes to Zac’s van and gives him the money to stay away from the Fletchers, thinking that because Carly knocked him back he’s moved in on Pippa. Zac realises he thinks they’re having an affair and rejects Alf’s offer of $1000, saying if he stays he’ll have $5000 plus fringe benefits. He’s going to stay and catch the shark and no-one can stop him…