Scripts - Episode 3244

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALEX opens the door. KELLI walks in carrying some cakes.

ALEX

Hey, hey, it’s the cake lady.

KELLI

Hi.

ALEX

You want a hand?

KELLI

Thanks.

ALEX

Did you bake these last night?

They walk into the kitchen.

KELLI

Yep.

ALEX

How do you manage that? I mean you’ve got two kids, your mum’s away now.

KELLI

Good question. I thought I’d be able to cope. In fact I’ve forgotten how difficult it was. You know the story.

ALEX

Yeah, yeah, I know the story.

KELLI

Poor kids, they have to stay cooped up in the house while I cooked. Riley told me yesterday that he hated my cakes and when I asked him why he said because you like them better than me. You can imagine how that made me feel. Anyway, I’m going to make it up to them this afternoon, I’m going to pick them up early and we are going to go to the park. You know swings, slides, ice cream, kid heaven. Hey, is Leah coming in? I just wanted to talk to her about next week.

ALEX

No, she’s got the lunchtime shift.

KELLI

OK.

ALEX

We’re taking turns to look after VJ.

KELLI

You are so lucky to have a sister like that.

ALEX

Like what?

KELLI

Like one who’ll look after your kid for you

ALEX

Yep.

KELLI

Anyway if I’m going to pick the kids up early and get to the park I’ve got to get baking now so I’ll see you later.

KELLI leaves.

DON’S HOUSE

SEB picks up DON’S plate from the table.

DON

Shouldn’t you be getting ready for school?

SEB

I’m not going.

DON

Well why not; it’s your first day back. You’re not sick are you?

SEB

No, I’ve just got a lot of stuff to do around the house.

DON

Like what?

SEB goes into the kitchen.

SEB

Like cleaning and looking after you.

DON

Well thank you very much Seb, but I can manage on my own, now go and get ready.

SEB

Well, what about the dishes?

DON

Well, I can also stack a dishwasher.

SEB

But the doctor said you had to take it easy.

DON

I am not invalid, now go. Go on, get ready, go.

SEB

Geez, you’re stubborn.

There is a knock at the door.

DON

Yeah, must run in the family.

IRENE is at the door.

DON

Oh, hello Irene.

IRENE

Hi Don. Just on me way to the hospital. I thought you might want to have a read of this.

DON

Oh right. Yes, Brodie’s letter to the newspaper, thank you.

IRENE

Fantastic actually. She states your case perfectly.

DON

Yes.

IRENE

Now is there anything I can to do for you love, you need any errands run, can I pick up anything for you.

DON

That’s very kind of you Irene, but I’m sure you’ve got enough on your plate as it is and anyway Seb’s got everything under control here.

IRENE

Ah, good, good. So, ah, you’re taking it easy then are you?

DON

Hmm yes, yes I was going to spend the day working on our proposal for the department, we have a meeting with them tomorrow.

IRENE

How do you reckon it’ll go?

DON

Em, quietly confident.

IRENE

Oh, that’s great. Em, so have you heard from the school at all, are they coping all right without you?

DON

Yeah, yeah, far as I know. That reminds me, that grandson of mines is going to be late. Seb.

IRENE

Em, actually Don, I could always drop him off at school on me way to the hospital .

DON

Oh, what a good idea. That way, I’ll be sure he gets there.

IRENE

So em, how’s it going with you two, you getting on all right?

DON

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re fine, fine, yeah. Seb.

SEB

Yeah, just a second.

IRENE

Still, must be a bit of adjusting, eh, you know getting used to la teenage boy around the house.

DON

Yes, yes it is. As a matter of fact, I’m enjoying it really. For the first time since Sam left the house has got some life in it again.

SEB comes out his room.

SEB

OK, I’m ready, but I’m going under protest. Hi Irene, how’s Nick.?

IRENE

Uh, not bad love, not bad. As a matter of fact it looks like he’ll be coming home today.

SEB

Yeah, that’s excellent.

IRENE

Yeah.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

JADE walks into the living room. RHYS is already there.

RHYS

Has this got something to do with this being the first day of school?

JADE

What?

RHYS

No school uniform.

JADE

No, but it’s got something to do with not going to school.

RHYS

Since when?

JADE

Going to the hospital to see Nick.

RHYS

Yeah, well you can go after school.

JADE

But dad he needs me.

RHYS

Jade, look, I know you’re really worried about Nick, but you’ve practically been living at the hospital this last week. You just need to get back to normal, go to school, see your friends, you know, get it out your head for a few hours.

JADE

I can’t get it out my head.

RHYS

Yeah well, sorry Jade, you’ve got to go to school and that’s that.

JADE

Please dad, don’t make me.

RHYS

Now come on, don’t, no, no, no.

JADE

I can’t help it when I think of what Nick’s going through. Dad, he really needs me and I can help him, like the other day he was doing this exercise and he thought he couldn’t do it and I made him give it another go and he did it. Dad, he needs me. I just can’t leave now, I just can’t.

RHYS

OK, OK, OK, OK, OK. I’ll ring the school and tell them that you’re going to be another couple of days. How’s that?

THE HOSPITAL

IRENE and HAYLEY are there. NICK lies in the bed.

IRENE

Right Shortie, I brought you in some magazines and some clean clothes.

NICK

Irene, I don’t need anything, I’m going home today, remember.

IRENE

Yeah well, we’ll see about that.

NICK

What’s there to see about? Charlotte said so. Hey sis, I thought you came to visit me, not read the paper.

HAYLEY

Huh, no, this is so cool, Brodie wrote it about Flathead.

NICK

How come everyone’s so interested in the paper. I’m the one who’s sick, pay attention to me.

HAYLEY

Aw, listen to you. Who long do you reckon you can keep this up for?

NICK

Aw, I reckon if I tried I could stretch it out for weeks, possibly months and you of course will be my slave and wait on me, hand and foot.

HAYLEY

Yeah, in your dreams little brother. Irene, do we really have to take him home, it’s so peaceful without him.

IRENE

Can’t you two be nice to each other for five lousy minutes? I’m going to have a chat with Charlotte all right.

NICK

What for?

IRENE

Mind your business.

IRENE leaves.

NICK

I get the feeling Irene doesn’t want me home.

HAYLEY

Yeah, I wonder why?

NICK

No, I’m serious. It’s like she doesn’t think I’m ready.

HAYLEY

Well it’s not that, it is she just wants to make sure it’s the right thing for you, that’s all.

IRENE speaks to CHARLOTTE and GRACE outside the room.

IRENE

What happens if he falls out his chair or if he gets stuck in the shower?

CHARLOTTE

Ok, I completely understand your concerns and of course, you have to feel comfortable looking after him, but he’s not co-operating with us and he’s not going to make any progress is he?

IRENE

Look, don’t get me wrong, I want him home more than anything, I mean, for god’s sake, I’ll lug him around myself if I have to.

CHARLOTTE

Don’t worry; it’s not going to come to that. That’s why we’re sending a team round, who’ll assess your home and decide what needs to be doing to help you look after Nick. They’ll also work out how to make the house wheelchair friendly.

GRACE

If you have any concerns, we’re only a phone call away.

CHARLOTTE

Exactly, Irene, Nick’s going to get better a whole lot quicker if he’s at home where he feels comfortable, but having said that, of course, in the end your decision

THE BLAXLAND

NATHAN is fixing the engine. ALF is also aboard.

ALF

Nearly finished, these blokes will be here in half an hour.

NATHAN

Righto, turn her over.

ALF

You sure you know what doing?

NATHAN

Turn it on

ALF turns the engine on and it works.

ALF

Strike me roan. What in blue blazers have you done? It’s hardly making a noise.

NATHAN

Bit of grease in the right place, tightened up a couple of nuts and bolts.

ALF

Well there’s no doubt about it, you’re a flamin’ genius when it comes to anything mechanical.

NATHAN

Geez mate. That must have hurt to say.

ALF

Yeah, it did.

THE HOSPITAL

GRACE, HAYLEY and NICK in his wheelchair are there.

GRACE

That’s it perfect, now back the other way. Well done. OK, once more, we’ll go for a spin around the grounds.

HAYLEY

Here comes Jade.

NICK

Hey Jade.

JADE walks up to them.

NICK

Watch this.

JADE

Be careful. You could tip over.

NICK

As if.

GRACE

Ah, Jade has a point. No Evil Kneivel stunts around here, thank you very much. Right, do you want try circuits?

JADE

Yeah, I’ll push you.

NICK

I can do it.

NICK and GRACE leave.

HAYLEY

Don’t take it personally; he’s got to learn to manage.

JADE

I guess.

HAYLEY

You know what Nick’s like. He needs his independence.

JADE

Yeah, but you haven’t been here as much as me. He really relies on me.

HAYLEY

Yeah, and the way you’ve stuck by him and supported Nick through  all this has been huge for him, but maybe now it’s time he started doing things for himself a bit more.

NICK

Hey Jade, you coming.

JADE

See.

JADE runs after NICK.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALEX and LEAH are in the kitchen.

ALEX

Exercise, fresh air, it’s going to do him a world of good Leah.

LEAH

Exercise.

ALEX

Yeah. There’s slippery dips, there’s slides, there’s monkey bars.

LEAH

Alexi, he’s three months old.

ALEX

Yeah, all right. Well he can watch the other kids play around.

LEAH

All right, sure, fine. Whatever you say, all right, just as long gets some sleep. He’s only just gone down and you know how grumpy he gets when he doesn’t get any sleep.

ALEX

Yes Leah.

LEAH

Ay, the happy bag.

ALEX

Anything else.

LEAH

No, I think that’s it. Just don’t make yourself sick on a roundabout.

ALEX

No worries. VJ will keep me in a line

ALEX leaves.

THE PARK

ALEX pushes VJ in the pram. There are children playing in the park. VJ starts to cry.

ALEX

Hey VJ, you were supposed to be asleep mate.

He picks VJ out the pram.

ALEX

So this is the park, pretty good, uh.

THE HOSPITAL

JADE, NICK and GRACE are there.

NICK

Man, I’m totally wrecked.

GRACE

Oh, you did very well.

JADE

You were brilliant.

NICK

Yeah. Starting to get the hang of those turns, eh?

IRENE and HAYLEY are also there.

IRENE

Yeah, well you just be careful in that silly damm thing, all right, you’re not Michael Schumacher.

GRACE

Not yet.

NICK takes the lid of his lunch. GRACE leaves.

IRENE

Oh yum. Got a good idea, might nip down the canteen and grab a sambo. Anyone else?

HAYLEY

Yeah, I’ll come. Jade?

JADE

No, I’ll stay with Nick.

NICK

You can have some of this.

HAYLEY

Yeah, we’ll bring you back something.

HAYLEY and IRENE leave.

JADE

Looking forward to getting out of here?

NICK

What do you reckon? I mean, everyone here’s been great, but it’s dull as.

CHARLOTTE walks in.

NICK

Oh Charlotte, when do you reckon they’ll let me go home?

CHARLOTTE

That’s what I’m here about actually. There’s been a slight hiccup.

NICK

What do you mean hiccup?

CHARLOTTE

Well, we had hoped to get a team around to your house this morning, but unfortunately they can’t make it.

NICK

So when can they?

CHARLOTTE

Not for a couple of days.

NICK

But I can still go home, can’t I?

CHARLOTTE

I’m afraid not. We can’t release you without an assessment. I’m sorry.

CHARLOTTE leaves.

JADE

A couple of days is nothing.

NICK

Nothing. Jade, you try staying in here day after day and see what a couple of days feels like, OK.

JADE

I have been and I’m going to be here as long as it takes.

NICK

Yeah, well I’m not, OK. I’m going home.

JADE

Nick.

NICK

Don’t. I just need to be by myself for a while, OK.

JADE walks out the room. JADE starts crying in a corridor. JADE and CHARLOTTE sit in the corridor. GRACE walks up to them.

GRACE

Oh, what’s with the tears?

CHARLOTTE

Nick can’t go home today.

GRACE

Oh. Why?

CHARLOTTE

Oh, well, the team was meant to go round there to do an assessment, but. Hold on, you’ve worked in SMILE haven’t you?

GRACE

Yeah, three years in Dublin.

CHARLOTTE

So, you can go around and help Irene with whatever needs to be done until they can do the assessment.

GRACE

Absolutely. Straight away if you like. I’m just about to clock-off.

CHARLOTTE

Ah.

JADE

So he can go home?

CHARLOTTE

As long as Grace can provide Irene with the help she needs, yes.

JADE

Excellent, can I tell Nick?

CHARLOTTE

Em, maybe she would wait until it all gets organised, just in case, you know. He’s had enough disappointment for one day.

JADE

OK, but can I at least tell him there’s a chance. I know it will make him feel better.

NICK is lying on the bed. JADE walks in.

JADE

Nick.

NICK

Wait. Before you say anything, I am really, really sorry.

JADE

It doesn’t matter

NICK

Yes, it does. OK, you’ve been so awesome coming in every day, looking up with me and putting up with my moods. Jade, I was way out of line and I’m really sorry.

JADE

Really.

NICK

Really.

JADE

I hope I’ve helped you coming around.

NICK

And you’re right; a couple of days isn’t that long.

JADE

But it would be nice if it was today.

NICK

Yeah, it would, but it’s not so it doesn’t matter.

JADE

What if I said you might still get home?

NICK

What?

JADE

Grace said she could do the assessment. She’s going to your place after her shift.

NICK

Are you for real?

JADE

But it’s not definite.

NICK

Woo hoo, I’m going home.

JADE

Nick.

NICK

Maybe, I’m going home. See babe, you do keep me on track.

A PARK

ALEX and VJ are on a swing.

ALEX

You like that, don’t you? Well, looks like this girl’s a no-show mate.

There is several different scenes of ALEX and VJ in the park. ALEX is putting VJ in a pram when KELLI, BRAYDON and RILEY walk up to them.

KELLI

What are you doing here?

ALEX

Hi. I was taking the kid for a walk.

KELLI

Ah.

RILEY

Mum, you could push me on the swing.

KELLI

Yeah, yeah, in a second Riley. He’s so gorgeous.

BRAYDON

Mummy, I’m going the slide.

RILEY

Me too.

KELLI

OK, you go on the slide.

BRAYDON and RILEY run over to the slide.

ALEX

Your kids?

KELLI

Yeah. Em, excuse me. I’ve got to go and watch them. Riley’s into copying every single thing his big brother does at the moment.

ALEX

Do you mind if we come as well? VJ loves the slide.

KELLI

Extreme baby sports.

ALEX

Eh, no fear, ay, mate. So, what are you doing after this?

KELLI

Em, nothing. No, Riley. Riley, be careful honey. Sorry.

RILEY is on the monkey bars.

THE BEACH HOUSE

GRACE, HAYLEY and IRENE are walking around the house.

GRACE

Could be a little small. He might have trouble manoeuvring a wheelchair in there. Where’s the bathroom?

IRENE

Em, through there love. Maybe Nathan wouldn’t mind swapping.

HAYLEY

Yeah, good luck.

GRACE

The step could be a bit of a problem.

NATHAN walks in.

NATHAN

What’s going on?

HAYLEY

Oh, Grace is making sure the house is wheelchair friendly.

NATHAN

Yeah. When’s he coming home?

IRENE

Well the salvo, darl, we hope.

GRACE walks out the bathroom.

NATHAN

G’day.

GRACE

Hi. I heard you got a job.

NATHAN

Yeah, thanks to you.

GRACE

How’s that?

NATHAN

That pep talk you gave me.

IRENE

Well, I don’t know what you said to him darl, but you’re obviously better than me at making him see sense.

NATHAN

Yeah, anyway.

GRACE

Well, so far Nick’s going to need a ramp for the steps out the back.

NATHAN

I can knock that up.

GRACE

Is there no end to your talents like? There’s also the question of the bathroom. He’s going to need a grab hand on the shower and ramp for the step.

NATHAN

No worry.

GRACE

And he’ll be able to swap rooms for the one outside the bathroom.

NATHAN

Yeah. Excuse me.

HAYLEY

Told you.

IRENE

Sorry darl, you’re going to have to swap with him. He needs more space.

NATHAN

Geez, you turn your back for one minute.

GRACE

Oh, poor you. You know a question for these ramps. How soon can you have them done?

NATHAN

How soon do you want them?

GRACE

Well if Nick’s coming home today, now.

NATHAN

I was afraid you were going to say that.

A PARK

ALEX and KELLI run with BRAYDON and RILEY on their backs.

ALEX

Oh, we lost.

BRAYDON

We won, we won, yeah.

BRAYDON and RILEY go on the swings.

ALEX

Still asleep?

KELLI

Yeah. Out like a light.

ALEX and KELLI sit down.

KELLI

Oh.

ALEX

Ah.

KELLI

Hey, thanks a lot for playing with the boys. I think they really miss having a guy around.

ALEX

So what happened to their dad?

KELLI

Ah, he shot through as soon as Riley was born. What about your wife?

ALEX

I’m not married. I’m not even in a relationship. I’m completely single.

KELLI

And VJ’s mum?

BRAYDON

Mummy, you said we could have ice-cream.

KELLI

So I did. Shall we go to the diner?

ALEX

Or the surf club. Do you like icy-poles?

BRAYDON

We want the one with chocolate topping.

KELLI

The diner is.

ALEX

Come on.

THE BEACH HOUSE

GRACE knocks on the door.

GRACE

Hello.

NATHAN is fitting a ramp at the step.

NATHAN

Through here.

GRACE walks in.

GRACE

Aw, gosh. You’re doing work around here.

NATHAN

Well, where I’ve been for the last eight years when you’re told to do something, you do it quick.

GRACE

Good point.

NATHAN

Did you forget something?

GRACE

I got as far as the car and my stupid car conked out. Could I use your phone to call Road Service?

NATHAN

Sure, or I could take a look at it.

GRACE

Don’t tell me you fix cars as well.

NATHAN

You’re looking at a mechanical genius. Just ask Alf Stewart.

A ROAD

NATHAN is looking under the bonnet. GRACE is in the car.

NATHAN

All right, try it now?

The car fires up.

GRACE

What was it?

NATHAN

Blockage in the fuel line.

GRACE

Obviously this Alf Stewart was right. Listen, what are you doing tonight?

NATHAN

Ah, nothing. Why?

GRACE

As thank you I’d like to take you out to dinner.

NATHAN

You don’t have to do that.

GRACE

No, but I’d like to. About seven or eight here.

NATHAN

Yeah, sure, but you don’t have to.

GRACE

I’ll come by, pick you up.

GRACE drives away.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALF and LEAH are behind the counter.

ALF

Well, he’s got a bit to learn about boats, but he certainly know his way around an engine.

LEAH

Well, that’s great.

ALEX walks in pushing VJ. KELLI, BRAYDON and RILEY walk in.

LEAH

Hey, Alexi, about time.

ALEX

Right boys. Come with me and we’ll see what’s in the kitchen.

KELLI

I’ll just get us table.

ALEX, BRAYDON, VJ and RILEY all go into the kitchen.

KELLI

Leah, I hope you don’t mind, but we ran into Alex at the park and the boys just wanted to come back here and desperately have an ice-cream.

LEAH

No, no, of course not. So you ran into him at the park.

KELLI

Yeah, well he was walking VJ. He is a fabulous father, isn’t he? My boys think he’s awesome.

ALEX

Do they?

KELLI

Yeah.

LEAH

Will you excuse me?

ALEX, RILEY and BRAYDON are in the kitchen.

ALEX

All righty, one vanilla ice-cream with a lot of chocolate for you.

LEAH walks through.

LEAH

Ah, Alexi, can I talk to you please?

ALEX

Ah, can this wait please. I’ve got serious ice-cream.

LEAH

No, this can’t. Can I ask since when you were a father?

ALEX

All right, you need spoons.

LEAH

Alexi.

ALEX

What?

LEAH

Well you’re using my son to get pick up girls.

ALEX

It was only one girl and it was a misunderstanding, Leah.

LEAH

Which you didn’t bother to correct.

ALEX

Look, can we please talk about this later.

LEAH

Aw.

ALEX

Right boys. Follow me. We’ll see what mummy wants.

LEAH

Well, don’t think you’ve heard the last of this daddy.

ALEX, BRAYDON and RILEY walk out the kitchen.

THE BEACH HOUSE

NICK comes in his wheelchair. IRENE, HAYLEY and JADE follow him.

NICK

Home sweet home.

IRENE

Hey, hey, hey, wrong way shortie.

NICK

Huh.

IRENE

That’s your room from now on.

NICK

You’re kidding. Nathan gave it up for me.

NATHAN

Grab handles in.

NICK

Thanks for swapping man.

NATHAN

It’s all right, not that I had a choice.

JADE

Hey Nick, look what Nath built.

NATHAN

Do you want me to give it a test?

IRENE

Yeah, come on, come on.

NICK

Yeah, OK. Watch this.

IRENE

Up he goes. Yes, thanks so much Nathan. I really appreciate it. Listen, why don’t we, em, have a bit of a barbie to celebrate shorties homecoming.

NATHAN

Mum, I sort of going out tonight.

IRENE

You’re.

NATHAN

Grace is shouting me dinner.

IRENE

Oh, is she now.

NATHAN

For fixing her car.

IRENE

A simple thank you wasn’t enough.

NATHAN

It’s just dinner.

HAYLEY

Ah, this sounds like a date to me.

NICK

Go Nath.

NATHAN

She asked me.

IRENE

That’s the way of the world. You know, women do ask men out these days.

NATHAN

You reckon she likes me?

IRENE

Duh, what do you think?

NATHAN

Nah. Aw, geez.

DON’S HOUSE

DON is on the phone.

DON

Ah, Don Fisher.

Yes, yes, how are you?

Good.

I don’t believe it.

When was this decided?

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

DON walks in. ALF is behind the counter.

ALF

Ah, good day Don. Good to see you up and about again.

DON

Yes, hello Alf.

ALF

Em, maybe you should sit down mate. You don’t look to good.

DON

No, I’ve just had a call from the education department regarding it’s decision on the school closures.

DON and ALF sit down.

ALF

And?

DON

They’ve decided to amalgamate both schools at Reefton.

ALF

What does that mean?

DON

It means they’re closing us down.

ALF

What? They can’t do that.

DON

They can and they have. Summer Bay High School is no more.