THE SANDS
AIDAN comes over to the table where HAYLEY, GYPSY and NOAH are
sitting.
HAYLEY
Forgotten something.
AIDAN
What do you think you’re playing at? That was a
very important business lunch. You practically ruined my chances of
getting a job.
HAYLEY
I wasn’t playing at anything. I was being
myself.
AIDAN
Did they put you up to this? This some sort of
joke, right?
NOAH
You’re the joke man.
AIDAN
I don’t understand. I really don’t.
HAYLEY
Yes Aidan. You not understanding is what’s all
about.
AIDAN
What?
HAYLEY
This is who I am. I’m not going to change
because you have some stupid fantasy about the ideal girl.
GYPSY
Very cute outfit. Did you pick that Aidan?
HAYLEY, GYPSY and NOAH all leave.
THE BEACHSIDE DINER
DON and IRENE are sitting at a table. RALPH and VINNIE walk over
to ALEX. COLLEEN is behind the counter.
VINNIE
Alexi, my main man. How are you?
ALEX
Well Vinnie I’d be a lot better if you got me a
forklift truck. I mean, my bodies crumbling here, you know that.
RALPH
It’s on the shopping list mate. Soon as the
funds are in, you’ve got it.
VINNIE
That’s right. Ferrari read. Anything else you
need?
ALEX
Well a bit of pay would be nice.
VINNIE
No worries. Dad, you got the chequebook?
RALPH
Ah, son, it’s probably not a good idea use that
account at the moment. I want to free up those funds for some
deliveries. I’ve got coming.
ALEX
Hey Vinnie. I’m desperate man, please.
VINNIE takes out some money.
VINNIE
No worries. How does the formal stuff suit you?
ALEX
Now we are talking.
VINNIE
Take out the rent money, but we can pay it
back, can’t we dad?
RALPH
Yeah, sure can mate.
VINNIE
See, there’s no need for desperation when the
V-Man is on the case.
LEAH waves at him from behind the counter. VINNIE looks at her
uneasily.
THE BEACH HOUSE
IRENE walks in. HAYLEY is in the kitchen.
IRENE
Good grief girlie. What did you do to your
dress?
HAYLEY
I sort of redesigned it.
IRENE
Yeah, you sort of did. I didn’t realise you
were into fashion design.
HAYLEY
No, I’m not really. I just thought Aidan should
get used to the way I like to dress.
IRENE
I see and did he like it?
HAYLEY
Not one bit.
IRENE
Knock me down with a feather. What about the
computer people?
HAYLEY
Aw, I didn’t really get to meet them. I went up
to Aidan and told him I’m not going to be his little accessory and
joined Gypsy and Noah at another table.
IRENE
Gypsy and Noah. What on earth were they doing
there?
HAYLEY
Aw, they were in on the plan.
IRENE
I see and, em, this little plan of yours
girlie. Did you take into account that you might be ruining Aidan’s
career by staging a little scene like this?
HAYLEY
I just wanted to teach him a lesson. He has to
know he shouldn’t of treated me that way.
IRENE
Hayley. There were other ways of doing it.
HAYLEY
Irene, you were the one that couldn’t stand
him. Why are you taking his side now?
IRENE
I’m not. I just think that you could have got
your point across a little bit more privately instead of doing it in
front of people he’s trying to get a job with.
IRENE leaves.
THE BEACHSIDE DINER
NOAH and GYPSY are sitting at a table.
GYPSY
Well, the entrée was yummy, but the prices here
are much better, don’t you think?
NOAH
Yeah.
GYPSY
Oh, come on. It was fun.
NOAH
Yeah. It was kind of cool to see that loser squirm.
LEAH and VINNIE are in the kitchen.
VINNIE
Oh, I guess I better get back.
LEAH
All right. I’ll see you later.
VINNIE
Oh, can I fetch the squidgy out the bin.
LEAH
Don’t you dare.
VINNIE tickles LEAH. They walk over to GYPSY and NOAH’S table.
LEAH
Sorry guys. Here you go.
GYPSY
Oh, I am so sorry. I forgot to pass on a
message. The real estate agent called. Em, some prospective buyer
wants to come have a look at the house.
LEAH
Oh.
GYPSY
To your convenience of course.
VINNIE
That’s cool with us. Maybe you could have a
word for you old man for us.
GYPSY
Sure.
VINNIE
See if he could knock off a few bucks for
sitting tenants.
GYPSY
You guys.
VINNIE
No, for the kangaroos on the roof. We expect
very shortly to be in a position to buy.
GYPSY
Oh really. When did you guys get into the big
bucks?
VINNIE
Life is changing sweetheart.
LEAH
It would be just good to stay where we are. You
know, it kind of feels like home and I just hate the thought of
having to pack everything.
GYPSY
I see what I can do.
LEAH
Thank you. Well Bubs, you might as well give
Gypsy the rent.
VINNIE
The rent.
LEAH
Yeah, the rent.
VINNIE
Aw, pay Gypsy the rent.
LEAH
Yeah, that’s the usual idea.
VINNIE
Tomorrow, I’ll pay tomorrow.
GYPSY
That’s fine.
LEAH
Why can’t you pay now?
VINNIE
I just can’t. Sorry Gypsy.
GYPSY
No, I don’t mind. I’m fine.
VINNIE
Look, well I’ll see you later.
VINNIE leaves.
LEAH
Hey, hey, Vinnie.
THE BEACH
AIDAN sits on the beach. HAYLEY walks up to him.
HAYLEY
Hi.
AIDAN
Nice outfit. It’s a bit tame for you, don’t you
think.
HAYLEY
Aidan, I’m really sorry about the whole
restaurant thing. It was a dumb thing to do.
AIDAN
Dumb. You mean completely immature. I knew you
were younger than me Hayley, but I didn’t realise how young.
HAYLEY
Me. You’re the one that tries to control
people. Telling them what to wear and what to say. I mean, how
immature is that.
AIDAN
You mean the suit and the ring. That was a
business strategy Hayley, that’s all.
HAYLEY
Yeah, well it’s not just that.
AIDAN
Well, what then?
HAYLEY
Well, every time I’m with you I have to think
twice about what I say and what I do. You’re just so judgemental.
It’s like you’ve got all these rules on how people should be.
AIDAN
What I’m some sort of control freak?
HAYLEY
You said it.
AIDAN
Aw, that’s ridiculous and anyway, if that’s how
you felt, you could have said something before and not show me up
like that.
HAYLEY
Yeah, well, that’s the only way I could get
through to you.
AIDAN
I can’t believe I’m hearing this.
HAYLEY
The worst part is, I nearly let myself get
taken in. I nearly stopped believing I had a brain of my own.
AIDAN
I think we need to talk this through. You’ve
obviously misinterpreted everything.
HAYLEY
See Aidan. There you go again. You don’t want
me, you want the girl you thought you could make me and I’m never
going to become that.
AIDAN
Look, I’ll get this job. I’ll be moving up to
Summer Bay and then we could stop seeing each other for a while and
see how we feel.
HAYLEY
You’re still not listening. I’m telling you
we’re not right for each other.
AIDAN
You haven’t even given us a chance.
HAYLEY
Yeah, I just do, OK.
AIDAN
Fine. I could have really made you into
something Hayley.
HAYLEY walks away.
THE PATTERSON HOUSE
VINNIE and RALPH, asleep are there. LEAH walks in.
LEAH
Hello.
VINNIE
Hey.
LEAH
I want to know why we couldn’t pay Gypsy our
rent?
VINNIE
Babe, I mean princess, it’s quite simple
really. Em, Alex needed the money so I took it out of the rent.
LEAH
Why did you not just give him a check?
VINNIE
Dad.
RALPH
Well, it’s part of our deferred payment plan.
Like I told you before we need to free that account up.
LEAH
Well, what about that thousand dollars that we
loaned you. We could really use it to pay the rent.
VINNIE
Gypsy already said we could pay it later.
LEAH
No, she said we could pay it tomorrow and we’re
not going to have the money tomorrow are we?
VINNIE
Ah, not exactly, no, but we’ll get it to her,
won’t we pap.
RALPH
Sure will.
LEAH
I just hate owing people money.
RALPH
Well you better get used to it darling because
that is the name of the game in big business. Yep, I’m sorry, but
cash flow problems are part of the course, but hey, that’s where you
make the big bucks in the end.
VINNIE
Dad, quick minute. In a few weeks time, we’ll
be owning this place. Rent won’t be a problem.
RALPH
Listen to the boy. He knows what he’s talking
about. Listen to him.
SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE
NOAH and GYPSY are then. NOAH goes to leave.
NOAH
Just going over to Hayley’s.
GYPSY
Is that such a good idea?
NOAH
Just want to see if she’s all right;
GYPSY
And I ask again, is that such a good idea?
NOAH
Sorry.
GYPSY
Well, if you go over now it’s going to like
you’re doing one of two things. You’re either going over to say I
told you so or you’re going over to angle at getting back together
again. Now girls hate it when a guy takes advantage of the fact that
they’ve just broken up with someone else.
NOAH
No, no, really. I just want to see if she’s all
right.
GYPSY
Aw, so you don’t want to get back together.
NOAH
Yeah, maybe, eventually.
GYPSY
Hmm, then would you trust me and just give her
a little bit more time.
NOAH
Ah, I guess you’re right. Anyway, just because
she’s broken up with Aidan doesn’t mean she’s ever going to get back
with me, does it?
GYPSY
There you go. That’s looking on the bright
side.
THE PATTERSON HOUSE
RALPH, VINNIE, LEAH and ALEX all sit around the table.
RALPH
Leah, that was excellent, yet again.
LEAH
Aw, thank you. Now, anyone for dessert?
ALEX and LEAH stand up. VINNIE puts his hand up.
LEAH
There is apple pie and ice cream.
ALEX
Not for me. I’m dying to go to bed.
VINNIE
Aren’t you forgetting something?
ALEX
Oh, totally slipped my mind. Come here.
ALEX kisses VINNIE. LEAH laughs.
VINNIE
I meant the dishes.
ALEX
Oh, the dishes. No, I’ll do them in the
morning.
LEAH
Yeah, well they will be waiting.
ALEX
Hey, the forklift. Don’t forget the forklift. I
need that to load the truck all right.
ALEX leaves.
VINNIE
Feels good to have him onside. Running a real
family business now, aren’t we?
RALPH
Yeah, that’s the way we want it to be mate. But
think we could train him up to be a manager or something. Come to
think of it we should get a few letters at the end of your name
Vinnie, you know, bachelor of business or what not.
LEAH
Bachelor of business. Don’t you think that’s a
bit unrealistic? He’s already too busy.
RALPH
Well, anything is possible love. The sky is the
limit and I’ve always been a big believer in training haven’t I
Vinnie? Remember at the car yard, always having people off at
training courses all the time.
VINNIE
You should have seen this one wall he had. It
was full of diplomas and certificates.
RALPH
Yeah, because training breeds confidence. Hey.
VINNIE
Hey, what do you think? Me with a degree, with
a masters, with a masters.
RALPH
We’ll make it a number one priority. Only wish
I’d gone to get one myself. Too late now, but never mind, they might
have a university of the afterlife.
VINNIE
Not the best of joke’s there dad.
RALPH
Yeah, sorry son. Look, it’s enough for me to
know that you’re going to be carrying on the business after I’m
gone. It gives me a feeling of comfort. I’m a bit tired so I might
skip the pie if that’s OK.
LEAH
Yeah, of course.
RALPH
And I will see you in the morning. Eeeshila.
LEAH
Pardon.
RALPH
It means god riddance.
SUMMER BAY HOUSE
SEB and KIRSTY come down the stairs.
SEB
So Jude wouldn’t let me listen to the tape, but
Noah reckons they used to go off.
They walk into the living room. SHELLEY is there.
KIRSTY
So what were they called?
SEB
Jugular Therapy.
KIRSTY
Oh, yuck.
SEB
I reckon it’s a cool name.
SHELLEY
Oh, yeah. Gypsy told me there was quite a
mini-music festival going on at your place at lunchtime.
SEB
Oh yeah, but until I get my act together they
won’t let me in it, but once I learn the guitar properly.
KIRSTY
Talk about ambitious.
SEB
I’m going to be in on it.
SHELLEY
Aw, Seb, there was one other thing. Sally tells
me you’re not doing the remedial classes anymore.
SEB
No, it didn’t fit in with my other classes.
SHELLEY
Oh, well, I’m sure something could be arranged.
SEB
I’m too busy. I got to go.
KIRSTY
See ya.
SEB
See ya.
SEB leaves.
KIRSTY
Mum.
SHELLEY
What?
KIRSTY
It was so obvious that he didn’t want to talk
about it. You’re supposed to be a counsellor. Look, the reason that
Seb doesn’t want to do those remedial classes is because he’s
getting bragged about it at school.
SHELLEY
Oh.
KIRSTY
And it wasn’t really just like a class. It was
only him doing it and then when morons like Nick found out they
couldn’t stop hassling him.
THE SURF CLUB
DON watches SEB, KIRSTY and NOAH are playing football. There is
various screams of excitement. DON turns around and walks into SALLY
and SHELLEY.
SEB
I’m the winner. I’m the best. And he’s through.
That’s a goal.
SALLY
Morning Mr. Fisher. Forgotten something?
DON
No, I’ve remembered something actually.
DON leaves.
SHELLEY
Kirsty was saying that Seb was the only one at
school doing the remedial reading.
SALLY
Yeah. That’s right.
SHELLEY
She thinks that’s why he gave it up. He has
been given a pretty hard time about it.
SALLY
I didn’t offer to teach him at home, but he
wasn’t having that either.
SHELLEY
Yeah, I suppose he’d still feel singled out.
SALLY
Yeah, maybe. I’ll have another talk to him
about it. See if there’s some other way to go.
SHELLEY
I’ve got an idea. There’s a lot of kids who
come into the drop-in centre who need help with literacy problems. I
was thinking if I could get them interested in classes then, maybe
Seb wouldn’t feel so isolated.
SALLY
Do their classes at the centre you mean?
SHELLEY
Well I don’t think that’s best place for
studying so I was wondering if Don might let you use the school.
SALLY
Oh, he might especially if it’s going to help
Seb. Thanks Shelley.
SUMMER BAY HIGH
ALEX and BRODIE are there.
BRODIE
Thanks for walking me to school.
ALEX
It’s all right. Nothing else on anyway. I
better go.
BRODIE
OK, will I see you later?
ALEX
No worries.
NOAH, KIRSTY and SEB all walk up to them.
SEB
Forget it man. Why can’t we be in the band? We
could be seriously great? Right Alex.
NOAH
Nah, who’s this we stuff? You can’t even play
the mouth organ and besides I heard you in the shower and it’s
pretty sad.
SEB
I can learn guitar in a couple of weeks.
NOAH
Yeah. It’s that easy, is it?
BRODIE
Hey Alex. Maybe you could learn something.
ALEX
Me.
BRODIE
Yeah. Wouldn’t it be great, be in a band, be a
rock star?
ALEX
Yeah, it would be great to be a striker for
Olympiakos as well, but it’s not going to happen is it Noah?
BRODIE
Well you never know until you try.
ALEX
No, I’m tone deaf anyway. You should hear me.
BRODIE
You can’t be that bad.
ALEX
Oh, guess what. When I was a little kid right,
my mum insisted on me getting these violin lessons done. Every
single time, by the time I pulled out the violin, bang my father was
out the room.
BRODIE
OK, maybe you’re that bad.
SEB
Hey guys. We could make a demo tape.
NOAH
Now you’re getting carried away. You need to
learn to play something first.
SEB
Well, I didn’t mean now. I mean in a couple of
weeks.
NOAH
Nuh, nuh, nuh, nuh. Look, when you make demo
tapes, they suck. It sounds like you’re playing in a field.
ALEX
Hey, you can borrow my minidisk recorder if you
want.
NOAH
You got one?
ALEX
Yeah.
NOAH
Aw, now we are cooking with you man. Those
things are so good. I’ll need to learn to play a few songs first and
then I’ll call Flynn and we’ll come over tomorrow.
SEB
Oh look. Who’s getting carried away now?
NOAH
Shut up. I’ll just learn to play the banjo.
SUMMER BAY HIGH
SEB is in a classroom. DON walks in.
DON
Morning.
SEB
Hi.
DON
I saw you playing soccer earlier on with Noah
and Kirsty and well it reminded me of something. This is in fact.
DON opens the photo album.
DON
Em, he’d have been just about the same age as
you when this was taken.
SEB
I didn’t know he was into soccer.
DON
Ah, yes, yes. He was good at all sports.
There’s more.
SEB
Is that him too?
DON
Yes, yes, it is, yes and that, that I regret to
say is me. All I can say in my defence is that, well everyone looked
like that way back then.
The bell rings. NICK and SIMONE walk in.
DON
I know you said you didn’t want to look at
photos, but, em, you’re welcome to if you want and, eh, you can keep
the whole album for a while if you want to.
SEB
Thank you.
DON
Right.
DON leaves.
NICK
What is this? You and Flathead really are
getting pally aren’t you?
SEB
Mind your own Smith.
SIMONE
Oh, touchy.
THE WAREHOUSE
ALEX walks in. RALPH and CHARLIE are there.
RALPH
Oh Alex.
ALEX
Where’s all the stuff?
RALPH
Mate, there’s been a change of plan. Got a
better offer from a mob in the city so they came in very early this
morning picked up, yeah.
ALEX
OK.
RALPH
So, I’m sorry to bring you all the way down
here for nothing, but I would want you to take the rest of the day
off, eh.
ALEX
Em, all right. Well, I’ll see you later then.
RALPH
No worries.
ALEX leaves.
CHARLIE
You’ve done really well here Ralphie. Tob job.
RALPH
Yeah.
CHARLIE
Another month of this and you’ll be laughing.
RALPH
I’m not going to be here for another month.
CHARLIE
What?
RALPH
I can’t keep doing this Charlie.
CHARLIE
But you’ve only done enough to cover what you
owe. You’ve got to get some profit going.
RALPH
I can’t do it any more Charlie. I can’t keep
ripping off my own son. I can’t do it. I do have some principles. I
only hope I haven’t put him into too much debt that his
father-in-law can’t afford to bail him out.
CHARLIE
And what about me?
RALPH
Well it’s a good scam Charlie. You can take it
anywhere. Melbourne, Brisbane, I don’t know.
CHARLIE
I think you’re making a big mistake Ralphie.
RALPH
Yeah, probably. Can you do me one last favour
before you go? I want you to give me another one of those doctor
calls this afternoon. OK, and then I’m out of here for good.
SUMMER BAY HIGH
The bell rings. SEB puts his book in his bag. SIMONE and NICK
walk out of the classroom.
NICK
Oh, hang on. I just left my book behind.
NICK walks back into the classroom. SEB is looking at the photo
album. NICK tries to look at it. SEB stands up and walks out. An old
photo of DON falls out.
NICK
Was it something I said?
NICK picks up the picture of DON. SIMONE walks in.
SIMONE
What’s the hold-up?
NICK
Come and see this.
SIMONE
What?
NICK
This is too good to keep to ourselves.
THE BEACHSIDE DINER
ALF sits at a table. LEAH walks up to him.
LEAH
Alf.
ALF
Yeah.
LEAH
Can I ask you a bit of a favour?
ALF
Yeah. Course you can.
LEAH sits down.
LEAH
Aw, thanks. It’s actually a bit embarrassing
really.
ALF
Aw yeah.
LEAH
Well it’s just that I don’t think we’re going
to afford to pay the rent this week so I was just kind of wondering
whether I could borrow some money from the diner. I swear we’ll pay
it back in a few days honestly. It’s just a bit of cash flow
problems with the business.
ALF
Is that right?
LEAH
Yeah, but it’s going really well, really. It’s
just a one-off.
ALF
Girlie. I warned you about this.
LEAH
Alf.
ALF and LEAH stand up.
ALF
I warned you if that caper you’re involved in
started interfering with this.
LEAH
It’s not interfering with this joint. All I’m
asking for is an advance on what I’m entitled to from my own share
of my own business.
ALF
Yeah, yeah. All right.
LEAH
Thank you.
ALF leaves and LEAH walks past COLLEEN.
SUMMER BAY HIGH
BRODIE and SALLY are in a classroom.
SALLY
It was a really good effort. Well argued. You
could tell that you really felt strongly about it. I probably would
have marked you higher if there hadn’t been some structure problems.
BRODIE
Oh yeah. I’m a bit hopeless at stuff like that
and I’ve just been a bit distracted lately too.
SALLY
Anything you want to talk about?
BRODIE
No, I’m sure I’ll be fine. Sorry. The essay.
SALLY
Well I was going to say I’ve got some old Uni.
essays at home. You can always come over later and we go through
them together if you like.
BRODIE
Oh, thanks, but I’m going to see Jude’s band
tonight.
SALLY
Didn’t know he had a band.
BRODIE
Yeah, yeah. It’s him and Noah and Flynn and
Seb.
SALLY
Oh, are they any good?
They walk into the classroom.
BRODIE
I don’t know. I’ll tell you tomorrow.
SALLY
I was desperate to be in a band when I was at
high school.
BRODIE
Yeah.
SALLY
The closest I ever got though was singing in
front of a mirror with a hairbrush.
BRODIE
Oh, well, you should audition then. They’re
looking for a lead singer.
SALLY
No, I didn’t say I could actually sing. I think
I’ll leave it if you don’t mind.
NICK and SIMONE are sitting outside. They are looking at the
photo of DON.
NICK
Check out that hair.
SIMONE
Talk about a try hard afro.
JASON walks behind them and grabs the photo.
JASON
Don’t keep it to yourself Smith.
NICK
Jason. Give it back man.
JASON
No, this is classic. Where did you get it?
NICK
Never mind where I got it. Just give it back.
JASON
No chance. I’ve got plans for this little
beauty.
NICK
Jason.
THE PATTERSON HOUSE
RALPH is getting something out the fridge. ALEX walks through.
ALEX
Hey Ralph. Who was that bloke down at the
warehouse?
RALPH
Oh, he was a salesman, a photocopy salesman.
RALPH walks through to the living room. VINNIE is there. LEAH
answers the phone.
LEAH
Hello.
VINNIE
Ah, so now that we’ve got rid of the goods does
that mean the cash flow bond thing is in operation.
RALPH
Yeah.
LEAH
Yeah. I’ll just tell him.
RALPH
Put a cheque in the bank tomorrow morning.
LEAH
Em Ralph. It’s for you. It’s Dr. Windall.
RALPH
Oh, thanks love.
RALPH takes the phone.
RALPH
Hello doc. How are you?
Oh, not too bad.
Tomorrow.
I don’t think I can mate. I’m a bit busy.
Yeah, all right. Yep, thanks, bye.
VINNIE
What was that all about?
RALPH
Oh, the docs got some new treatment he wants to
try on me, but you know my feelings when it comes to new treatments.
I’m not interested. I’ve got to much to do up here with the
business.
VINNIE
Look, you’ve got plenty of time. Go and do it.
RALPH
No, I’ve got to handle things at this end. I’ve
got a commitment with the.
LEAH
No, no, no. You’ve got to take care of
yourself. That is your number one priority.
VINNIE
And ours.
RALPH
All right. OK. Only because I know you guys
will never let me hear the end of it if I don’t.
VINNIE
Good.
LEAH
Good.
RALPH
Funny thing, you know. Before I came up here I
sort of felt like I had everything under control, but I don’t know,
really feel like I’ve got something to live for now and maybe this
new treatment could be worthwhile. Give it good go, eh.
VINNIE
That a boy. Well, when is it?
RALPH
Oh, I’ve got to leave tonight.
ALEX walks through.
VINNIE
Alex and I can take care of the business.
ALEX sits down.
ALEX
Sure can.
VINNIE
So, what time do you leave? I’ll give you a
lift.
RALPH
No, no, no, no. You take care of the company.
That’s what’s important and besides I love train rides.
LEAH laughs.
VINNIE
Hey, that’s what we’ll do. When we can all
spare the time, we’ll fly to Paris and get on the Orient Express.
Can you think of a better incentive to get better?
RALPH
No, I can’t actually.
LEAH
Yeah.
SUMMER BAY HIGH
SALLY and DON are in one of the classrooms. DON is wiping the
board.
SALLY
So if we heard the classes here in the evening,
maybe Seb wouldn’t feel so awkward especially if he’s among a crowd
of others.
DON
Yes, well it’s certainly an interesting idea
Sally.
SALLY
Yeah, maybe we could get a grant for textbooks.
DON
Right, well. I’ll give it my very careful
consideration.
They leave the classroom.
SALLY
Thank you.
DON
Yes, and I’ll let you know in the morning.
There are photo copies of the photo of DON plastered all over a
wall. DON spots them.
DON
What on earth?
He grabs one off the wall.
DON
The way I feel at the moment, the answer is
almost certain to be no. |