SUMMER BAY HOUSE
RHYS, BRODIE, SHELLEY and ALEX walk in. DANI is also there.
RHYS
What gets me most is the only thing you see, to
think you’ve done wrong is get caught.
BRODIE
No, no, no, I never said that.
RHYS
Yeah, will you imply it.
DANI
Em, I think I’m going to do my homework
upstairs.
SHELLEY
Might be a good idea.
DANI walks away.
BRODIE
All I said was that I wasn’t drinking.
ALEX
Mr. Sutherland, this is all my fault, OK.
RHYS
Yeah, you keep saying that, you know and I
agree with you, a lot of it is down to you, but not all of it. See
Brodie does have a mind of her own or so I thought up until today.
BRODIE
I was dancing, that’s all.
RHYS
On licensed premised and you managed to dance
yourself down to the cop shop and a seventy-five buck fine.
BRODIE
It’s a pretty stupid law.
RHYS
Stupid or not, it is the law. Anyway, you’re
the one how’s so fired up about wanting to become a lawyer. Don’t
see how you’re going to make much of one if you don’t have any
respect for it in the first place.
ALEX
Mr. Sutherland, that’s a bit hard, don’t you
think? I can’t believe you didn’t do this kind of stuff when you
were our age.
RHYS
Can’t you, well you see it just so happens that
my dad ran a pub, so Brodie, she gets off with seventy-five bucks
and a rap over the knuckles, but its not so easy for the publican,
is it? Two thousand dollar fine and if it happens too often he could
lose his license, so maybe you’d like to pop on down there and
discuss how stupid the law is.
BRODIE
I didn’t realise.
SHELLEY
I think its time you went up to bed, Brodie.
ALEX
Look. I’m going to see you in the morning, OK.
RHYS
Good night Alex.
ALEX leaves.
BRODIE
I really am sorry.
BRODIE leaves and passes DANI who is sitting on the stairs.
THE PATTERSON HOUSE
The living room is full of boxes. LEAH walks in and VINNIE
carries a box. RALPH is already in the room.
LEAH
No, definitely not, OK. It’s one thing having
all these boxes in here, but not in my kitchen. I want them out now,
in fact sooner rather than now.
VINNIE
Yeah, babe. Just let me finish this first.
LEAH
Fine. I’ll do it myself.
VINNIE
No, come back here. You can’t do anything in
your condition. Just, I’ll do it, stay calm.
LEAH
Thank you Bubbles.
VINNIE leaves.
RALPH
I’ve got to hand it to you doll. You’ve got him
well trained.
LEAH
Ralph, how long are we going to be living like
this?
RALPH
Not long, long sweetheart. You’ve got cut a few
corners when you’re starting out a new business and besides storage
space costs a mint.
VINNIE comes in carrying another box.
RALPH
Ah, when you’re finished with that, you boy,
I’ve got a few papers for you to sign.
VINNIE
What sort of papers?
RALPH
Oh, all sorts of stuff. We’re getting
incorporated and buying a shelf company. Your first duty as
chairman. Chairman and executive director.
VINNIE
How come?
RALPH
How come.
VINNIE
Yeah.
RALPH
I thought it was the plan, wasn’t it? To get
you set up in your own business. Well there it is, besides I can’t
do it. I’m an undischarged bankrupt. Well sign it boy.
VINNIE signs the paper.
VINNIE
Chairman of the board, babe. It makes me sound
like Frank Sinatra or something.
ALEX walks in.
ALEX
More boxes.
LEAH
Aw, don’t ask.
VINNIE
It’s only for a couple of days.
ALEX
All right, all right, well you’re not screaming
at me yet Leah so I guess you haven’t heard.
LEAH
What have you done?
THE BEACH HOUSE
HAYLEY and IRENE are there. WILL is in the background.
IRENE
So since when have you taken to hanging out in
pubs?
HAYLEY
It was a one off Irene. We went to listen to
the band, that’s all.
IRENE
But you knew Brodie was underage.
HAYLEY
We didn’t go with them. We ran into them there.
IRENE
Doesn’t matter Hayley. You still knew she was
on the premises illegally.
HAYLEY
What? And I’m supposed to stop her going there.
IRENE
Funny things have happened. Its called being
responsible.
HAYLEY
Irene, I’m like a year older that what she is.
IRENE
Yeah. Obviously not a year wiser.
HAYLEY
Oh, come on. You just can’t go kicking people
out of pubs. Tell her Will.
WILL
Yeah, it’s a pretty hard call.
IRENE
Well I’m sorry Hayley, but I’m not going to
agree with you in a million years, but even if I do accept the fact
that maybe you do have a bit of an excuse, where was Mr. I’m oh so
mature and responsible Bradley in all of this?
HAYLEY
I get it. That’s what this is all about, isn’t
it? It’s a chance for you to have another go at Aidan. Well what
about Alex? He’s her boyfriend.
IRENE
There is a difference.
HAYLEY
Oh, what is the difference Irene?
IRENE
Well from what I know of Alex it’s pretty much
what I would of expected of him, but the way you go on about Aidan
and god help us, the way he goes on about himself, I would expected
a lot better of him and that’s the difference girlie.
IRENE leaves.
SUMMER BAY HOUSE
RHYS and SHELLEY are sitting on the couch whilst BRODIE walks
in.
BRODIE
I’m so sorry for what happened. I didn’t think.
SHELLEY
Yeah, we know that Brodie. It’s all right. It’s
not the end of the world. I think we’re more surprised than angry.
It’s just so unlike you to get into trouble.
RHYS
Yeah, I think we’re just a little bit worried
that you’re letting yourself get led into things that you wouldn’t
normally do.
BRODIE
You can’t blame Alex for what happened. Like
you said, I’ve got a mind of my own. You know, he didn’t make me go
in there.
BRODIE sits down.
BRODIE
It was my decision. I knew it was illegal. I
just didn’t want to miss out.
RHYS
Yeah, well I guess I did overreact a little.
Just growing up in pubs, I’m a bit over sensitive. Anyway, look it’s
good to know that you’re human. I was starting to think that we
wouldn’t have any problems with you.
BRODIE
You won’t have any more, I promise.
RHYS
Fair enough. We’ll leave it at that then, eh.
BRODIE
Thanks Rhys, Shelley. Goodnight.
BRODIE stands and leaves.
SHELLEY
That was quite a concession.
RHYS
Oh, yeah.
SHELLEY
Why?
RHYS
Oh, lets hope it is, you know, the last problem
we have with Brodie for a while.
SHELLEY
Oh, I think she’s learned her lesson.
RHYS
Yeah, Brodie might of, but Alex. Not so sure he
has. He has just got a little bit more influence over her than I
like.
THE BEACH
BRODIE runs down to the beach. ALEX is there.
BRODIE
Hey.
ALEX
Hey, babe. How are things at home?
BRODIE
Well I had a talk with them last night after
you left and it’s OK.
ALEX
Should get Leah come around and talk to them.
BRODIE
Did you tell her?
ALEX
Yeah, I mean she would of found out anyway so
better get it over with. You know she’s three years older than me, I
mean three years and she thinks she’s my mum. She thinks that I’m
corrupting you, like leading you into evil ways.
BRODIE
Oh, that’s silly.
ALEX
It would actually be funny if it wasn’t so
pathetic. I mean, we went to a pub and we listened to a band, I
mean, big deal, you know. I’m taking care of that fine for you.
BRODIE
No, no, no, you’re not.
ALEX
Hey, you’re my woman. I always take care of my
woman, uh.
BRODIE
You’re just scaring me.
THE BEACHSIDE DINER
WILL and ALF are walking along.
WILL
Painting. Are you kidding?
ALF
Aw, come on mate. Make up your flamin’ mind.
When the boats out of commission you’re always complaining about
being short of cash. Now while we’ve got up out of the water, I
thought it’s a good time to do a bit of maintenance, but of course
if you don’t want the work.
WILL
No, no, no, I’ll do it. I’m just not too keen
on painting.
VINNIE rides up behind them.
ALF
Well you’re not Robinson Crusoe there mate. Not
too many people are too keen on painting, but that’s the thing with
boats, they’re ongoing maintenance.
VINNIE is now off his bike.
VINNIE
Are you guys going to take it to Jesperson’s
yard are you?
ALF
Well, where else around here?
VINNIE
Good luck mate, good luck.
WILL
Why?
VINNIE
Why? Because once Jesperson’s daughter gets a
hold of you she won’t be letting go. She takes no prisoners.
VINNIE leaves.
WILL
Em, I’ll see you down at the yard. I’m going to
talk to Dani first, all right.
ALF
Half an hour and don’t be late.
WILL leaves and COLLEEN walks up to ALF.
COLLEEN
Was that Carmen Jesperson you were talking
about? Got quite a reputation that one.
ALF
Yeah, well young Will’s a good professional
lad. He’ll keep things on a professional basis.
ALF walks away.
VINNIE
He’s going to need a suit of armour.
THE BEACH HOUSE
HAYLEY and AIDAN are there.
AIDAN
Didn’t know she was only seventeen. I hardly
know her.
HAYLEY
Exactly. Try telling that to Irene though.
AIDAN
Mind you she’s got a point. If I had know how
old she was and I didn’t do anything about it then she’d be
justified in being annoyed with me.
HAYLEY
You’re amazing. You know that. Irene is so down
on you. You only find good things to say about her.
AIDAN
Well she’s a good person. I like her. I’d
really like her to like me.
HAYLEY
Yeah, you’re not the only one.
AIDAN
Well if this business lunch I’ve got next weeks
goes according to plan she might have to get used to seeing a lot
more of me around here.
HAYLEY
What business lunch?
AIDAN
Aw, a couple of guys over at Yabbie Creek who
have started up their own software consultancy business and they’re
interested in having me on board. With all the dot coms going under
lately there’s a lot of opportunities out there for people like me
who have learnt from everyone else’s mistakes.
HAYLEY
Why didn’t you tell me?
AIDAN
I wanted to surprise you and I wanted to see
that look on your face. Like I said, Irene might just be seeing a
lot more of me about here before long.
They cuddle.
THE BEACHSIDE DINER
ALF walks down the outside steps. VINNIE sits at a table.
VINNIE
Suppose I better get back to it.
ALF
Not one of your worst ideas.
VINNIE
I’m entitled to my regulation break, Stewart.
ALF
What ever you reckon Vinnie.
COLLEEN walks out.
COLLEEN
Do you actually understand any of that
financial what not?
VINNIE
I didn’t at first, but now that I’m running my
own business I’ve got to keep abreast with the worldwide money
market.
ALF
God help us.
COLLEEN
I notice you father doesn’t seem to be having
so much trouble getting around now.
VINNIE
Oh, yeah, what’s that supposed to mean?
COLLEEN
Oh, nothing, only that his health seems to have
picked up, that’s all.
VINNIE
No, no, no, no, no, that’s not what you were
saying. You were saying that he wasn’t sick in the first place
weren’t you?
ALF
Vinnie weren’t you saying you were going to go
back to work.
LEAH walks out.
VINNIE
You know Colleen, sometimes even when people
are sick they find that little bit more for the people that they
love. I guess you wouldn’t know that Colleen though, would you?
COLLEEN and VINNIE leave.
LEAH
What’s going on?
ALF
Oh, nothing, nothing. Just the normal friendly
exchange of ideas.
LEAH
Right, OK.
ALF
By the way, I wouldn’t mind a bit of a word.
LEAH
Yeah, what about?
ALF
I’ve already had a go at Vinnie, I thought I
might as well have a chat with the cluey side of the partnership as
well. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t considering using the
equity you’ve got in this place to under ride anything you might be
doing with Ralph Patterson.
LEAH
No, no, of course not. I know Vinnie wouldn’t
do that.
ALF
Oh, good, no problem then. Just if you were,
you and I could have a very serious falling out. Sure you know what
I mean?
LEAH
Yep.
THE DRY DOCK
WILL and ALF are there.
ALF
Yeah, see there is not much point in doing a
patch-up job. I mean, now that she’s out of the water we might as
well scrape her all of the way back.
WILL
You’re the boss.
ALF
Well you might as well get started.
CARMEN appears.
WILL
Wait up, it was we better do this and we better
do that. Now all of a sudden you’d better get started.
ALF
Captains prerogative mate. Like you said, I’m
the boss. I’ll call back later to see how you’re getting on.
WILL
Yeah, all right Alf. See you later.
ALF leaves and CARMEN walks up to WILL.
CARMEN
Gee, sure can talk, can’t he. I thought he was
never going to leave. You’re Will Smith aren’t you? I’ve heard a lot
about you.
THE BEACHSIDE DINER
VINNIE is cycling along. LEAH and COLLEEN are wiping tables.
VINNIE
Hey princess.
LEAH
Hey, how are you going?
VINNIE and LEAH kiss.
COLLEEN
Oh, that table over there needs cleaning.
COLLEEN walks away.
VINNIE
Did she just leave us alone?
LEAH
I think she did which is kind of a good thing
because I sorted of wanted to have a bit of a talk to you.
VINNIE
Oh yeah, sounds serious.
LEAH
Well no. Well yeah. It sort of us.
VINNIE
Sort of serious.
LEAH
Yeah, it’s just that Alf was talking to me
before.
VINNIE
Oh yeah.
LEAH
About this place.
VINNIE
Go on.
LEAH
And about going into business.
VINNIE
That guys ridiculous. He’s like a dog with a
bone. I told him I’m not going to risk this place.
LEAH
Yeah, I know, I know. It’s just that, em, well.
VINNIE
What?
LEAH
See I was thinking.
VINNIE
Yeah.
LEAH
You know how you’re the chairman of the
company.
VINNIE
Chairman.
LEAH
Yeah, you know the chairman of the company
right. What if, and I’m only saying if, but what if something were
to happen and all of a sudden you were owing all this money and you
have to pay it back right and they’re going to make you so you are
part of the diner. They’d do that wouldn’t they?
VINNIE
Yeah, yeah. They would, because you’d
automatically assume would go under because it’s me and dad, in
business together.
LEAH
No, no, no, no, I didn’t say that.
VINNIE
I’m sorry babe, but I think you are. You know
what? I’ve got a better idea. How about I sign over my part of the
business to you and you’ve got absolutely nothing to do with my
business. That way when it does go under you want to be untouchable.
LEAH
Now you’re being silly.
VINNIE
I don’t think I am babe because realistically
this business was your dads gift to you. So lets treat this new
venture as my dads gift to me.
THE BEACH HOUSE
IRENE and NOAH walk in.
IRENE
It’s typical. The day I want to do me big shop
is just the day that Will wants to use the car. It’s all right love,
you can come in. It’s safe. She’s out with Mr. Perfect. Anyway
you’ve got to at least let me make you a cuppa to say thanks.
There’s some chocolate crackles in the small bag there, may as well
help ourselves to something.
NOAH
Yes.
IRENE
Before Nick and Will get there fangs into them,
eh.
NOAH
It sounds good.
IRENE opens a cupboard door. It gets stuck.
IRENE
Aw, great. I thought Will was going to fix that
for me.
NOAH
Aw, yeah, look you just have to put a plug in
otherwise the screw won’t hold. I can do it for you if you like, but
I’ll have to go down the hardware shop to get the plug. It’s not
that big a job.
IRENE
Love, I couldn’t expect you do that.
NOAH
Aw, no really. It’s no big a deal. I’ve got
nothing else to do.
IRENE
OK, that would be great.
NOAH eats a chocolate crackle, then leaves.
THE DRY DOCK
CARMEN walks down to where WILL is. WILL cleans the boat.
CARMEN
Don’t you ever take a break?
WILL
No, I’m not due for one.
CARMEN
There’s no one around. No one would ever know.
WILL
No, I just thought I’d get this finisher.
CARMEN
You could show me around the boat.
WILL
No, I reckon my boss would go ballistic if I
let you on the boat.
CARMEN
Like I said. He isn’t here.
WILL
Yeah, well knowing my luck he’d probably show
up as soon as I put my tools down.
CARMEN
I heard you like taking risks Will.
CARMEN leaves and WILL restarts his work.
SUMMER BAY HOUSE
BRODIE and DANI are there.
DANI
Brodie.
BRODIE
Yeah.
DANI
Alex right?
BRODIE
Oh, yeah, yeah right. Look, well he’s just been
acting really weird lately like last night with the police and your
mum and your dad. It was like the whole thing was just a big joke.
DANI
Yeah well.
BRODIE
What?
DANI
Well he obviously didn’t think it was a big
deal.
BRODIE
No, no, no, that’s not what you were going to
say.
DANI
Well, Alex has always been a bit like that. You
know those tapes in his car, romantic chicks, chicks with brains.
He’s not exactly Mr. Subtlety. You know, he probably just thought it
was all a joke.
BRODIE
He’s not like that anymore Dani. He’s changed.
THE SURF CLUB
ALEX plays pool. A girl walks in. RHYS walks past.
ALEX
Hey, I know you. Definitely know you.
LISA
I don’t think so.
ALEX
Well in that case you must be new.
LISA
Sorry.
ALEX
Well, you see, if I don’t know you, you must be
new because if you weren’t new I’d definitely would know you.
LISA
I’m visiting friends.
ALEX
You want a game of pool? It’s one of those
games that are much better when there’s two of you playing.
LISA
Sorry, but I’m meeting someone.
LISA leaves. RHYS looks at ALEX from behind the counter.
ALEX
OK, enjoy your stay.
ALEX turns around.
ALEX
What? Oh, come on Rhys. I was just talking to
the girl. What’s the problem?
RHYS
Hmm, right. Just talking.
ALEX
Yeah, she’s new in town. I was making her feel
welcome.
RHYS
Whatever you say Alex.
ALEX
Oh, come on man.
ALEX leaves.
THE DRY DOCK
WILL sands off the paint. CARMEN walks up to him. He stops
sanding.
CARMEN
Want a drink?
WILL
No, I’m all right.
CARMEN
You won’t catch anything.
WILL
You reckon.
CARMEN
You’re not very friendly.
WILL
I think you’re friendly enough for both of us.
CARMEN
Don’t you like me?
WILL
I don’t even know you.
CARMEN
Well that’s not my fault. I’ve been trying to
get to know you all day.
WILL
Carmen, I’ve got a girlfriend.
CARMEN
So.
WILL
So that means I don’t play around.
CARMEN
Your loss.
CARMEN turns away.
CARMEN
She must be pretty special.
WILL
She is.
CARMEN walks away. WILL starts to sand the boat again.
THE BEACH
VINNIE and RALPH walk along.
RALPH
And Leah should be happy because she’s going to
get her lounge room back by this afternoon.
VINNIE
Yeah, yeah. Real happy.
RALPH
What’s the problem Vinnie?
VINNIE
Well all right. We bought all this bankrupt
stock.
RALPH
Yeah.
VINNIE
And you went and on sold it to a discount
chain.
RALPH
Correct. It seemed pretty straightforward to me
son.
VINNIE
Oh, yeah, yeah. No problem at all.
RALPH
Eh, Vinnie. What?
They stop walking.
VINNIE
I thought the whole idea of owning a business
was to turn a profit. Dad you’ve sold the stocks for less than we
bought them for. Now I may not know as much about business as you
do, but even I know technically that’s what we call a loss.
RALPH
That’s right. Technically speaking it is, but
this is something called a sweetener son. We give them a little
taste of what we’ve got to offer and they want more and they’re
going to want it on a large scale. So much so they’ll advance us a
line of credit for them to get it.
VINNIE
Well its pretty easy money.
RALPH
Now, I’ve marked with a cross where I want you
to sign.
RALPH pulls out business papers and hands them too VINNIE.
VINNIE
What’s this? I might just use your back.
VINNIE puts papers on RALPH’S back.
THE BEACH HOUSE
WILL walks into the kitchen where IRENE is. NOAH is fixing the
door.
WILL
Irene, you’ll not believe the day I’ve had.
IRENE
Uh, ha.
WILL
There was this girl down at the dry docks that
Vinnie told me about. I thought he was joking, but.
NOAH walks up behind them.
NOAH
Hey Will.
WILL
Noah, how’s it going man?
NOAH
Yeah, look, I’m just going to drill the hole
for the plug. It may be a bit noisy for a while.
IRENE
Not a problem, darl. Go for it.
NOAH returns the door.
WILL
What’s he doing here?
IRENE
He’s fixing the hinge on the pantry door.
WILL
I said I would do that.
IRENE
I know, but I thought I’d let Noah do it.
NOAH starts drilling.
WILL
You want Noah here for when Hayley walks up,
don’t you?
IRENE
Yeah, well natures taken her own sweet tone, so
I thought I’d give it a little bit of a kick-start.
WILL
You’re dead if she catches on.
IRENE
Well, Will, it’s a risk I’m willing to take,
you know. Anything to get her away from Mr. Smarty-pants.
THE PATTERSON HOUSE
VINNIE walks in. RALPH sits on the settee.
VINNIE
Hey, all the boxes gone.
RALPH
Yeah, all the boy were oh.
VINNIE
Wo, wo, take it easy. What’s up?
RALPH
Oh, I think I’ve overdone a bit.
VINNIE
You think you’re hurt.
RALPH
I’m going to go to the bedroom for a bit of a
lie down.
RALPH stands up.
VINNIE
Hey, take it easy.
LEAH walks in.
LEAH
Hey, what’s wrong?
RALPH
Just let me go myself. I’ve got to get used to
doing these sorts of things.
LEAH
What’s wrong?
RALPH
Sweetheart, don’t fuss. I’m just having a bit
of a cramping thing. Look, I’ll be right as rain after a little bit
of a rest.
LEAH
Yeah, you’re going to go and rest, OK, and I’m
going to bring you dinner in there. Right, go in rest, help him.
RALPH
Thank you love. You’re an angel.
VINNIE
I wish Colleen could see him now.
VINNIE walks RALPH into the bedroom.
THE BEACH HOUSE
WILL and NOAH are in the kitchen.
WILL
When Carmen was coming onto me I felt nothing.
Like I wasn’t fighting against her or anything. I just wasn’t
interested. I reckon Dani’s the chick for me man.
NOAH
Yeah, well. I hope it lasts. That’s all I can
say.
AIDAN and HAYLEY are outside.
HAYLEY
That was just the greatest day. Are you going
to come in? I’ll put the kettle on.
AIDAN
I’d love to.
HAYLEY
Early start. Call tomorrow.
AIDAN
Got my word of honour.
They kiss and HAYLEY shuts the door. IRENE comes down the
stairs.
IRENE
So nice of you to drop by girlie. You were
supposed to help me with the shopping remember.
HAYLEY
Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot.
IRENE
So where have you been?
HAYLEY
We went to the pub.
IRENE
Yeah, by the looks of things you didn’t go
there to listen to the band this time.
HAYLEY
Irene, I had a couple of drinks. I’m eighteen
years old for heavens sakes.
NOAH
You total hypocrite.
HAYLEY
What?
NOAH
You went on and on about me drinking. I gave up
all together because of you and now since he’s came along its
different. Its all right to go out and have a few drinks is it?
Sophisticated. Hypocrite. Anyway hinge works fine. |