Scripts - Episode 3353

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALF and LEAH are there.

ALF

I can’t say I feel sorry for Jason, but Jesse, flamin’ idiot. You know, this could land him back in the clink.

LEAH

Yeah, well there is no excuse for what he did. Makes him no better than Jason.

COLLEEN walks in.

ALF

Ah, no, the Jesse I know, he’d never back down, but I tell you what, he’d never go looking for trouble either. Look, we can’t do anything for him right now love, but we’ll sort Jesse out, don’t worry.

COLLEEN

What table number?

LEAH

Colleen, have you been crying?

ALF

Stone the flamin’ crows, what’s wrong with you now?

COLLEEN

Oh nothing, just feeling a bit hormonal.

LEAH

Aw Colleen, I’ll take this outside, OK, and you have a seat and Alf is going to make you a cup of tea and you’ll be feeling better any minute, OK.

LEAH leaves.

ALF

Yeah, yeah, sure. All right, tell me what’s really going on.

COLLEEN

I suppose you’ll find out sooner or later. June doesn’t want me to be part of the Eisteddfod.

ALF

Well, how do you know that?

COLLEEN

Aw, last night’s gift voucher at the club was just her way of keeping me out of the loop and there was I, thinking she was doing me a good turn.

ALF

Well, maybe she was. Look at all the extra free time you’re going to have.

COLLEEN

To sit at home and watch telly.

ALF

Oh, come on Colleen. You’ve got your bowls and you know your rummy and your bingo or whatever it is you do and you’ve said yourself, people have been lining up to have you around for dinner.

COLLEEN

Yes, Shelley did invite me over, but it was the same night as the production meeting and come to think of it Irene invited me over too the same night. Oh my goodness, they were both in on it.

ALF

No, hang on a tick.

COLLEEN

Oh, thank you Alf, you’ve made things very clear for me.

ALF

No, no, hold your horses Colleen. There is no point in going jumping to conclusions. Look, why don’t you sit there for a minute and I’ll go and get you that cup of tea.

COLLEEN

Thank you, I know what I could do with it.

COLLEEN leaves.

SALLY’S HOUSE

SALLY and FLYNN walk in.

SALLY

So what happened?

FLYNN

He just lost it, as simple as that.

SALLY

Jason must have done something to start it?

FLYNN

No, not that I could tell. It’s just, Sal, it’s like something in his head just snapped. If I hadn’t been there to stop it I tell you, he could have killed that guy.

SALLY

Jesse’s not like that.

FLYNN

I don’t know. I saw it with my own eyes.

SALLY

So, what happens now?

FLYNN

Depends on what I tell the police.

SALLY

What will that be?

FLYNN

Pick a door, behind number one I tell the truth and Jesse’s back in jail, Jason’s free. Door number two, I tell them Jason started it, Jason’s in jail, Jesse’s free.

SALLY

Jesse can’t go back in there. He’s already done his time.

FLYNN

What do I do? Do I lie?

SALLY

No, I’m just saying that there has to be another way. That’s all.

FLYNN

Look Sal, I agree that he deserves a fresh start, but I can’t take the chance that’s going to happen again and we’ve been through this, right, with Justin.

SALLY

Well, maybe, I’ll talk to Alf or Jesse.

FLYNN

Yeah, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen again.

SALLY

Look, just give him a chance. I know Jesse must be feeling terrible about the whole thing.

THE BEACH

JESSE runs up and down a dune. He hears voices in his head.

JESSE

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why? Control, control, control.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

JUNE and DON walk along a corridor.

JUNE

She was devastated Don. I reduced her to tears.

DON

Well, I suppose it’s only to be expected. The Eisteddfod’s become Colleen’s reason for living.

JUNE

Well, what choice did I have? Her ideas are so old-fashioned, her attitude is prudish and she tried undermine everything I said or did.

DON

Well I don’t think that necessarily getting rid of her is the problem.

JUNE

You mean, you think I could have handled it better.

DON

Well maybe an honest and open approach would have been preferable to all this pussyfooting around, so yes, maybe you should have just spoken to her as I suggested.

JUNE

Oh, well, no use in crying over spilt milk. How do we fix it? That’s the problem.

DON

Maybe we should look at why Colleen was so attached to working on the production.

JUNE

Well, we know why. There’s nothing in her life. She felt needed.

DON

Ring any bells?

JUNE

Oh no, sorry Donald, my problems are one thing, Colleen’s are an entirely different kettle of fish.

DON

If you say so.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

KELLI and LEAH are in the kitchen.

LEAH

Is this yours?

KELLI

Oh, yeah, thanks.

LEAH

So, who do you feel, now that Jason’s not about?

KELLI

Well, to be honest with you the first time I heard about his injuries I was relieved. My first thought was, well at least he won’t be able to come near us for a while. Is that terrible/

LEAH

Oh, after everything that he’s done to you I don’t think so.

KELLI

Yeah, I wouldn’t wish anything worse upon him. It’s for everything he’s done to me, he absolutely loves those kids to bits.

LEAH

Yeah, I’m sure he does.

KELLI

How do I tell them that? The father that they love hits their mum. He’s not going around anymore.

LEAH

Yeah, I know. I seen exactly the same thing myself.

KELLI

Really?

LEAH

No, obviously my situation is different to yours, but one day VJ’s going to ask me why he’s dad wasn’t at his first birthday or why he wasn’t around for the first couple of years of his life and I’m going to have tell him his dad was in jail.

JUNE and COLLEEN are at the counter.

COLLEEN

No, no, I’m the one who should apologise. It was most unprofessional of me to run out like that.

JUNE

Well you were upset Colleen and rightly so.

COLLEEN

Not at all. As a matter of fact, you’ve done me a favour.

JUNE

Favour?

COLLEEN

Yes, I was asked only this morning to help co-ordinate the big Northern Districts ladies bowling Supercomp. So I’ll be involved with that for at least a few months. As a matter of fact, I won’t have a minute of spare time before long.

JUNE

Which means that.

COLLEEN

That you should consider this my formal resignation.

JUNE

Maybe there’s some other way that you could be involved.

COLLEEN

Oh, as much as I’d love to June I really don’t have the time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I do have work to do and if I were you I’d take those choccies home. They’ll melt.

THE PATTERSON HOUSE

ALEX and KELLI walk into the living room.

ALEX

How are the boys coping with their new accommodation?

KELLI

Well, they’re OK. They don’t really understand what’s going, I guess, to be honest. Be really nice for them to get some freedom again.

ALEX

Well, have you thought about what you’re going to do? I mean, you can’t stay in a refuge forever, can you?

KELLI

Well now I don’t have any choice, short of moving away.

ALEX

Leave Summer Bay. You don’t want to that, do you?

KELLI

I don’t want to, but it’s like you said.  We can’t live in refuge forever and as soon as Jason get out.

ALEX

Look, Kell, there’s got to be another way surely.

KELLI

Well, I haven’t made any decisions yet. It was just thought, that’s all.

ALEX

What are you doing tonight? Want to come over for some dinner?

KELLI

Eh, thanks anyway, but the boys will be exhausted after school so I think we should have an early night.

ALEX

Fair enough. What about now?

KELLI

Nothing in particular.

ALEX

Really, what a coincidence.

KELLI

Really.

They kiss.

THE BEACH

FLYNN is out running. He sees JESSE who is running up and down the dunes. He falls over

FLYNN

Wo, wo, wo, Jess, are you OK?

JESSE

Leave me alone.

FLYNN

What are you doing?

JESSE

What does it look like I’m doing?

FLYNN

It looks like your giving yourself a hard time. How long have you been going?

JESSE

Not long enough.

FLYNN

Listen, why don’t you just stop.

JESSE

Back off.

FLYNN

Hey, just give it a rest. Push your body too far. Mate, you need some water.

JESSE falls over. They are now up at the showers.

JESSE

Are you deaf as well as stupid? I told you to leave me alone.

FLYNN

Shut up.

FLYNN pushes JESSE over,

JESSE

Oi, you mongrel, why didn’t you leave me where you found me.

FLYNN

Instant mate, must be the medic in me. Get up, look, get in there.

JESSE

It’s freezing Flynn.

FLYNN

Yeah, I might keep you for a while. Try and cool you down. If you stopped talking for thirty seconds grab a mouthful of water.

JESSE

Why is that? I feel better, I could take a lot more than that.

FLYNN

Yeah, you’re right, but it’s start, eh.

JESSE

Aw, Flynn.

FLYNN

What are you doing? What are you trying to prove Jess? Want to end up in a hospital?

JESSE

Like you care.

FLYNN

Actually I do. It’s called trying to be a mate.

JESSE

Well it’s your loss then, isn’t it.

FLYNN

Grow up. Just accept responsibility for what you’ve done to Jason. Stop whinging and wallowing in this pathetic self-pity of yours.

JESSE

It’s one of your best, mate. You’re talking to the world’s best loser.

FLYNN

OK, so what are we going to do about that?

JESSE

Just get one thing straight mate, the only thing I’m good at is screwing up my life. So you go and save your feel good mumbo jumbo on someone worth saving, all right.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

JUNE and SHELLEY are there.

JUNE

I loved working on the Eisteddfod with the kids. Mind you, sometimes the generation gap felt like a gaping hole, but apart from that.

SHELLEY

Well I know Jade and Kirsty have got a lot of out it.

JUNE

You must be so proud of them. There both so talented, but each in their own way.

SHELLEY

Tell me about it.

JUNE

Thanks.

They both go and sit in the veranda.

SHELLEY

So, do you feel that becoming involved has helped ease your anxiety?

JUNE

Yeah, it has. Being busy has given me being valued and a sense of purpose.

SHELLEY

And how’s it going with Colleen?

JUNE

Well my plan to keep her away from the Eisteddfod backfired. She realised what I was up to.

SHELLEY

I was worried that might happen. How did she take it?

JUNE

Oh, she was devastated and now she’s officially resigned. I tried so hard to fob her off without telling the truth I didn’t stop to think how my decision would affect her.

SHELLEY

I think we’re all guilty of disregarding Colleen’s feelings sometimes. What are you going to do?

JUNE

Well I’m going to stop pretending to be a friend. I’m going to start acting like one.

THE BEACH

JESSE and FLYNN are on a chair.

FLYNN

There you go. Get some salts back in you. Ready to talk?

JESSE

Not much to say is there. I stuffed up, end of story.

FLYNN

Yeah, Jess, you did stuff up. Doesn’t have to be end of story.

JESSE

So what, you’re telling me you’re not going to dob me into the cops?

FLYNN

Talk me out of it. Tell me why I shouldn’t. Jess, tell me what happened to Jason. Why did you do it?

JESSE

It’s what I’m used to. You know, you stick up for your mates.

FLYNN

OK, but that’s not going to cut it out here to long. Looking after your mates, that’s one thing, nearly killing somebody for them, that’s a hole different racket. They’re not the kind of values you want to bring out here. They’ll take you one place Jess, straight back inside.

JESSE

Yeah, well when I got out of the joint all I wanted to do was to get my daughter back and start a new life. I think I’ve totally stuffed that up now.

FLYNN

OK, if you’re serious, if you  really want  to make a go of it, here’s the deal. You and me, regular counselling sessions, until we sort all this out.

 JESSE

What are you on about?

FLYNN

You promise you’ll come and see me once a week until this is all under control and I will cover for you, but Jess you miss one session, I’m going to go to the cops.

THE PATTERSON HOUSE

LEAH walks into the living room. ALEX and KELLI are on the couch.

LEAH

Hello, is anyone home? Sorry, I didn’t realise.

ALEX and KELLI stand up.

KELLI

Oh no, that’s fine. I was just.

ALEX

We were making sure that Kelli hadn’t forgotten anything that’s all.

KELLI

Yeah, and anyway I, em, better go.

ALEX and KELLI walk into the kitchen.

KELLI

OK, bye.

They kiss.

KELLI

Bye Leah.

LEAH

Bye.

KELLI leaves and ALEX walks through to the living room.

LEAH

Oh, you two looked happy.

ALEX

Yeah, we are.

LEAH

Alexi, are you sure you’re doing the right thing with Kelli. I know you don’t want to hear another lecture, but I’m just worried about you, that’s all.

ALEX

Look, we’re adults. We know what we’re doing Leah.

LEAH

Do you? I mean, it’s all right now that Jason’s in hospital, but what happens when he gets out? I just don’t want to see anymore of my family or friends in danger. I just want you to seriously think about  what you’re doing.

ALEX

Leah, I am not going give up on her. All right, we’ve been through too much. I really like Kelli, OK, and as for Jason I’ll deal with him when I have to. What are you doing home anyway?

LEAH

Oh, I just wanted to give myself an early mark.

ALEX and LEAH walk through to the kitchen.

ALEX

You’re think about Jesse, aren’t you?

LEAH

It just makes me sick to know that he’s got that much violence in him, you know, and to think that we let him into her home, into or lives and don’t say that you told me so, OK. But I just don’t get it, you know, Alf, Sally, anyone that used to know him swear that the Jesse they used to know would never have gone that far.

ALEX

Well, I guess that’s what being inside does to you.

LEAH

How do you mean?

ALEX

Well, you know, it was like when you sent him to look out for me, he did this hero routine, yeah, but only after he let me cop a few punches. He said it’s this whole prison etiquette. After what he did Jason, I have to think whether that etiquette he’s got off his sleeve.

SALLY’S HOUSE

SALLY walks in. FLYNN and JESSE are in the kitchen.

FLYNN

Hey, is that you gorgeous?

SALLY

Hey, what are you doing back here?

JESSE

Hi Sal.

SALLY

Jesse, hi.

FLYNN

Oh, hi, sorry to crash. We just had a few things to talk about and this is more comfortable than a caravan.

SALLY

Yeah, that’s fine.

JESSE

Just relax Sal. I’m not going to chuck a mental and start throwing things around.

SALLY.

No, I didn’t. I mean that’s not what I was thinking.

FLYNN’S phone rings.

FLYNN

Excuse me, I’ll just grab this. Hello, Flynn Saunders

JESSE

I guess you heard what happened.

SALLY

Jesse, what you did was.

JESSE

Stupid and psychotic.

SALLY

It was a mistake and I don’t know what made you do it, but I do know that it wasn’t you.

JESSE

Thanks Sal, you’ve got big heart.

SALLY

Yeah, we all make mistakes.

JESSE

Yeah, well some mistakes you wish you could take back more than others. Listen, I’ve got a couple of things I need to do. Can you say bye to Flynn for me?

SALLY

Yeah sure.

JESSE leaves.

FLYNN

Is that Jesse gone?

SALLY

Aw, yeah, what’s up?

FLYNN

Well that was Inspector Carter. Jason’s woken up and he’s made a statement. Wants me down there first thing tomorrow to make mine.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

DON and COLLEEN are there.

DON

I’ll have a coffee Colleen. I’ll order when June gets here.

COLLEEN

Yeah, I must apologise for leaving the school Eisteddfod in the lurch.

DON

In the lurch.

COLLEEN

Well unfortunately I won’t be able to juggle the Eisteddfod with the new commitment I have.

DON

Oh no.

COLLEEN

But I’m sure that you’re more than capable insuring a high degree of moral standards in the production so that nothing which might compromise it’s integrity should stick through.

DON

Oh, absolutely, absolutely, that’s my job. Yes, June, June, you’re here.

JUNE walks in.

JUNE

Hi Don, hello Colleen.

COLLEEN

Well I’ll be back in a minute to get your orders.

JUNE

Actually, I need to talk to you.

COLLEEN

Well if it’s about the Eisteddfod I’m not the one to talk to.

JUNE

I know what you said, but please, just here me out. As you know I’ve had my fair share of troubles lately and I had to take a good, long, hard look at myself to find out what the real problem was. See when you get to my age, our age, it’s really easy to think that, you know, the world is just tossed you on a heap, your children have grown up, their living their own lives. And it’s really easy to feel that no one gives a damm about you anymore.

COLLEEN

Your point is?

JUNE

My point is that we should stick together and look after each other. We should try things to do that make our lives meaningful and share them as friends.

COLLEEN

Or I’ll end up like you. Is that what you’re saying?

JUNE

No, I’m saying that you should come back and work with me on the Eisteddfod. Now I know the kids don’t need me, but somehow I feel their energy and their enthusiasm and I feel like I’m a part of something important and I want you to feel that too and I also want you to consider me your friend.

COLLEEN

Well I’m glad things are working out for you June, but I couldn’t go back on my word.

JUNE

Well of course you can, we just forget you ever resigned.

COLLEEN

My word to the bowling ladies. They’ve organised a special meeting later today so they can fill me in on what’s been happening.

JUNE

Well, then you can join us tomorrow.

COLLEEN

Well I’d really like to. I don’t have the time, but good look with the production anyway.

COLLEEN leaves.

DON

It’s not exactly what I had in mind, but at least you tried.

THE PATTERSON HOUSE

LEAH is there. JESSE walks through the door

LEAH

First you put Jason in a hospital bed and now I find out, that thanks to you Alexi could have been in a same position.

JESSE

Leah, let me explain.

LEAH

You stood by and let Jason go for my brother after I asked you to look out for him all because of some dumb prison rules.

JESSE

They’re not rules, OK, it’s just the way it is. You don’t jump in to stop a fight straight away. A guys got to earn his respect. He’s got to earn his place in the pecking order.

LEAH

Even if he gets hurt.

JESSE

Even if. I’m not saying it’s the right thing, it’s just the way it is. Look, I know I should have helped Alex sooner and I know I shouldn’t have laid into Jason the way I did, but trust me you can’t hate me more than I already do.

LEAH

Aw, it’s such a mess.

JESSE

The story of my life, Leah.

ALEX walks through.

JESSE

G’day mate.

ALEX

What are you doing here?

JESSE

Well I’m not here for payment for my services if that’s what you think.

ALEX

Good, because I don’t remember hiring a hit-man.

LEAH

Alexi.

JESSE

No, Leah it’s cool. I didn’t expect anything different. I’ll leave you to it.

JESSE leaves.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALF is at the till. JESSE walks in.

ALF

Ah, I was wondering when you were going to turn up. Anything you want to talk to me about mate.

JESSE

A long, black strong to go.

ALF

Look, I don’t want to go sticking me nose in.

JESSE

Alf, come on.

ALF

I just want to let you know that in spite of what’s happened your still welcome to stay upstairs for as long you need to.

JESSE

Thanks.

ALF

And I’ve got a message for you to from Inspector Carter. It’s not all-good news. Young Jason’s regained consciousness and he’s saying that your attack on him was entirely unprovoked.

JESSE

And he would say that, wouldn’t he?

ALF

Anyway once Flynn gives his statement Carter will be back in touch. In the meantime he’s doesn’t want you going anywhere.

JESSE

Thanks.

The phone rings.

ALF

Colleen.

COLLEEN

I have got somewhere to be you know.

COLLEEN answers the phone.

COLLEEN

Ah, Beachside Diner. Oh, yes, hello.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SHELLEY is on the phone.

SHELLEY

I was wondering if we were still on for tonight. I thought I’d pop a roast in the oven.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

COLLEEN is on the phone.

COLLEEN

Oh, em, sorry. I completely forgot. I am afraid I’m going to have to cancel.

SHELLEY can be heard from down the phone.

SHELLEY

Oh, what are you up to?

COLLEEN

Oh, well I have a ladies bowling meeting. It’s very important and I couldn’t possibly get out of it.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SHELLEY is on the phone.

SHELLEY

Well why don’t you pop in afterwards for a night cup on your way home.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

COLLEEN is on the phone.

COLLEEN

Oh, well I couldn’t say how long it’ll go on for. We do have a lot to discuss on account of me having been absent this last little while and anyway the girls and I usually have a toddy ourselves at the end of the night.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SHELLEY is on the phone.

SHELLEY

Yeah, of course. Well, you’ll have to let us know another night that you’re free.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

COLLEEN is on the phone.

COLLEEN

Yeah, I’ll do that. Goodbye Shelley.

COLLEEN hangs up.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SHELLEY is there. JUNE sits at the table.

SHELLEY

I’m sorry June. No luck, she said she had a ladies.

JUNE

Bowling meeting. Same thing she said to me.

SHELLEY

Well it might just be true.

THE WORKERS CLUB

COLLEEN walks in. A WORKERS CLUB WORKER comes up to her.

WORKERS CLUB WORKER

Hi, back again. You’re the lady who won five hundred dollars last night, right?

COLLEEN

Yes, that’s right.

WORKERS CLUB WORKER

Will you’re friend be joining you again?

COLLEEN

No, just me.

WORKERS CLUB WORKER

OK, can I get you a drink?

COLLEEN

Oh, thank you. A pims and lemonade would be lovely. I might have a quick little flutter. See if my luck can stretch.

WORKERS CLUB WORKER

OK, good luck.