Scripts - Episode 3415

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI and SHELLEY are in the kitchen.

DANI

Welcome to my life for the next three years.

SHELLEY

Didn’t realise there were so many subjects to choose from.

DANI

Too many mum. How am I supposed to know which one I’m going to choose?

SHELLEY

Well don’t ask me. They look very interesting though. A lot more exciting than the eighties, I can tell you.

DANI

Yes. You know, I used to think that would have been one of the best things about growing up, making your own decisions.

SHELLEY

But not any more?

DANI

No, it’s so much easier when your parents do all the thinking for you.

SHELLEY

For better or worse.

DANI

You did all right even if I didn’t know it at the time.

SHELLEY

Do you have to choose all your subjects right now?

DANI

No, not really and I won’t know whether they’ll fit in to a normal day anyway. Then all your best laid plans go down the drain.

SHELLEY

Well, you could always look elsewhere and NDU wasn’t you’re only choice.

DANI

Mum, I want to stay in Summer Bay, OK.

SHELLEY

As long as you’re staying here because you want to, not because you feel you have to.

DANI

NDU is a cool Uni. I’m very excited.

KIRSTY walks in.

SHELLEY

Hey Kirst, everything OK?

KIRSTY

No.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

LEAH is in the kitchen. ALF walks in.

ALF

You know, I could have been wrong. I’ve got pretty good hearing as a rule, but I suppose they do sound pretty similar, don’t they?

LEAH

What do?

ALF

Well, Vinnie and Jesse, you know, Jesse, Vinnie, Vinnie, Jesse.

LEAH

Yeah, whatever.

ALF

Or maybe you only thought you said Vinnie. You know, it could have been like one of them, what do you call them, em Freudian slip things, you know, where you mean to say something and something else just pops out.

LEAH

Yeah, can we just talk about something else.

ALF

Then again when you think about it, it is perfectly explainable because, em, well, Jesse has been spending a lot of time with you lately and, well, Vinnie, well geez, you haven’t seen him for a dogs age, have you?

LEAH

Can we just please drop it.

ALF

You know, it reminds me of this play I saw once about this fella who had to have affairs with Sheila’s who had the same name as his wife because he kept making these Freudian cock-ups.

ALEX walks in.

ALEX

Oh, I love the smell of burnt onions.

LEAH

What? Oh, now look what you’ve made me do.

LEAH puts the onions in the bin.

ALF

Me. What have I done?

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

Two GUYS play table football roughly. FLYNN walks out the office.

FLYNN

Hey, hey, hey, hey, guys. Take it easy.

GUY #1

Whatever.

SALLY walks in.

SALLY

Hello.

FLYNN

Hey.

SALLY

Looks a bit quiet in here today.

FLYNN

Yeah, looks can be deceiving.

SALLY

What? Problems.

FLYNN

Ah, just mucking-up.

SALLY

Oh, you better get used. You want to come home to a house full of screaming kids one day, don’t you?

FLYNN

Of course I do and it will happen, don’t worry.

SALLY

If we can ever find anyone to be our surrogate mother.

FLYNN

We’ve just started looking.

SALLY

Yeah, but what if every time we think we’ve found somebody then there’s a problem? Loads of things that can go wrong.

FLYNN

Sal, it will be fine. Don’t obsess over these things.

SALLY

Obsess.

FLYNN

Wrong choice of words. I’m sorry. I just mean we can afford to relax a bit. You’re twenty-four years old. I’m not exactly over the hill. We have plenty of time to find the right person. Just, don’t want us to lose track in all off this.

SALLY

But if we don’t have this, then what happens to us?

FLYNN

Baby or no baby, I love you. Lets make the most of our time before we’re up to our necks in babies nappies.

SALLY and FLYNN cuddle.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

RHYS walks in. SHELLEY and DANI are there.

DANI

Hi.

RHYS

Hi, is Kirsty back yet?

SHELLEY

Yeah, she came home and rushed straight upstairs.

RHYS

You haven’t spoken to her?

SHELLEY

No, what’s going on?

RHYS

Well, nothing really. It’s I just think Kirsty might have got the wrong end of the stick.

SHELLEY

Go on.

KIRSTY walks in.

KIRSTY

Yeah, that’s right dad, go on. Tell them what happened otherwise I will.

RHYS

Angie, she came into the surf club. She was very upset.

KIRSTY

What? So you just had to hold her in your arms. Yeah, right.

DANI

What dad?

RHYS

What else could I do? That’s all it was.

DANI

Anything, but that.

RHYS

Yeah, all right, I’ve stuffed up again.

KIRSTY

Dad, you told me there was nothing going on and I believed you.

RHYS

There isn’t.

KIRSTY

You must think I’m such an idiot. I can’t believe that I fell for it.

RHYS

Kirsty, just listen to me, please.

KIRSTY

No, I know what I saw dad.

KIRSTY and DANI walk away.

THE BEACH

DANI and KIRSTY are walking along.

KIRSTY

Each time I think that everything will be all right it just falls back into a worse heap again.

DANI

Somehow we manage to pull ourselves out.

KIRSTY

I don’t think that I can this time Dan.

DANI

I don’t know Kirst. Maybe it’s just like dad said, you know. Dumb thing for him to, but not so bad.

KIRSTY

Probably still seeing her you. He’s probably just been lying to us to the whole time.

DANI

Kirst, I can’t believe dad would do that, I just can’t.

KIRSTY

Well Dani, why would he go anywhere near the woman if he’s going to talk about her like he’s thinking about her?

DANI

I don’t know, but why don’t we let mum and dad sort this out?

KIRSTY

Maybe. I tell you what though. I’ll feel sorry for Dylan if he turns out to be anything like his dad.

DANI

Kirsty.

KIRSTY

What? I mean it. I never trust him again Dani, dad, I mean. Never.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SHELLEY and RHYS stand outside.

RHYS

I didn’t even hug her, not really. She just kind of fell into my arms, I guess.

SHELLEY

You let her stay her there.

RHYS

Well I cold hardly push her away, could I?

SHELLEY

Why not? Why couldn’t  you push her like you should have pushed her away seventeen years ago.

RHYS

There’s no way that I could say sorry enough. I’ve tried everything to make up for that one mistake, everything. The bottom line is you can’t except Dylan as my son.

SHELLEY

That is not true. Do you think I’d give a damm if you were comforting Dylan? Do you?

RHYS

Like it or not I’ve got a connection with Angie, through a child, like I do with you.

SHELLEY

Don’t you compare me to her.

RHYS

I am not. I am telling you that what I did felt right at the time. Comforting someone who needed it, nothing more, nothing less.

SHELLEY

Tell me this then, if Kirsty hadn’t seen you, would you have told me about it?

RHYS

I don’t probably. The point is, it wouldn’t have mattered. I didn’t do anything wrong.

RHYS walks away.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

FLYNN shows the two GUYS the way out.

FLYNN

No point in arguing guys, you know the rules.

GUY #1

Chill out man. We were just kicking back.

FLYNN

Out and you come back when you can play better.

GUY #1

Come back. This place sucks.

DYLAN walks in.

DYLAN

What’s there problem?

FLYNN

Boredom mostly. What about you?

DYLAN

Me, what’s my problem? Nothing, just passing by.

FLYNN

All right. I’m always up for a social call. As long as you don’t mind me doing a bit of work.

DYLAN

No, not at all, go for it.

FLYNN

Take a seat.

DYLAN

Thanks. This place is a bit drab, couldn’t you have used some better colours or something.

FLYNN

The wall painting roster is just out there if you’re that interested put your name down.

DYLAN

Ah, so I can justify all the time I spend here.

FLYNN

You said it.

DYLAN

So, em, been busy lately?

FLYNN

No more than usual mate. Why?

DYLAN

No, no reason. Em, look Flynn, you know this stuff with me and Kirsty, I just feel, I feel lousy. You know, like everyone’s always watching us all time, like they don’t trust us or something.

FLYNN

You’d like to talk about it. Go on.

DYLAN

Right, use you as a sounding board to vent my angst on.

FLYNN

What else is there?

DYLAN

I don’t know, but there’s got to be something better than this trouble shared is a trouble halved business.

FLYNN

Ah, if talking didn’t help, I’d be out the job.

DYLAN

Yeah, yeah, I suppose if it’s between bubbling it up and venting it I know which one I choose.

FLYNN

Yeah, I’d like to think I can expend a little bit of practical advice on this if necessary.

DYLAN

So, advise me. Tell me what I can do in this situation.

FLYNN

There’s really nothing you can do in this situation. If people can’t handle it, let it be there problem.

DYLAN

Aw, come on.

FLYNN

No, I’m serious. Hey, just let me help. There’s nothing you or me or anyone can do about it. You’ve just got to go and try and let go mate. Move on.

DYLAN

Move on. Why, is that the best advice you can give me? Move on.

FLYNN

In this situation it is.

DYLAN

Well save it for some other loser Flynn. In fact, you know what, that advice is worth about as much as the rest of this dump.

DYLAN walks away.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

MORAG is at the door. RHYS comes to her.

RHYS

Morag. What can I do for you?

MORAG

Well I was hoping for a word with Shelley, Ah, Shelley, how are you? I thought you might interested in some information I discovered about Angela Russell. Well, I think you’ll both be interested, well I assume.

RHYS

I thought I told you not to go interfering in my families affairs.

MORAG

I’m not here to interfere, I’m here to help.

SHELLEY

Morag, really, this isn’t the best time.

MORAG

Well, won’t take a moment. For a start there is no Mrs Angela Russell. It appears she was never married.

RHYS

So?

MORAG

Well, don’t you find that odd?

RHYS

She’d hardly be the first unmarried woman to call herself Mrs.

MORAG

Maybe not. It seems she concocted quite a story about her non-existent husband when she was at her last school and he appears to have been a cross between Albert Einstein and Sean Connery.

RHYS

Anything else?

MORAG

Yes, as a matter of fact there is. Her mother, her own mother took out a restraining order against several years ago, so hardly the model citizen is she? Oh, which we both suspected of course, Shelley.

RHYS

Hang on. Did you ask Morag to dig up dirt on Angie?

SHELLEY

No.

RHYS

But you discussed Angie and her family with her?

MORAG

Oh, so this information is not interesting to you.

RHYS

No, it isn’t. Now I would like you to get out of my house, please Morag.

MORAG

You know, one day you’ll be so sorry you didn’t listen to me.

RHYS

Out please.

MORAG walks out.

RHYS

How can you even talk to that woman, let alone conspire with her behind my back?

SHELLEY

I didn’t conspire.

RHYS

You know what she put Dani through. I mean, why has she been here and you have a go at me for being disloyal.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

The place is trashed. FLYNN and SHELLEY walk in.

SHELLEY

How did they get in?

FLYNN

Window with the dodgy lock. Looks like they knew there way around the place to.

SHELLEY

Have you called the police?

FLYNN

No.

SHELLEY

I’ll do it.

FLYNN

You know what, just hold off for a sec. Someone I want to check out first.

FLYNN walks away.

A PARK

FLYNN and DYLAN are there.

DYLAN

You’re kidding right. You’d really think I’d be that stupid. That’s insulting.

FLYNN

I thought maybe you might be that frustrated. Man, I’ve considered trashing the joint myself if I was going through the same stuff.

DYLAN

Consistency isn’t really your thing is it Flynn. First you offer me all this do-gooder advice and now you’re accusing me of something I’d never even consider doing.

FLYNN

Alright, I had to ask.

DYLAN

Whatever.

FLYNN

I’m sorry. I know you feel like I’ve let you down a bit and I don’t have any of the answers, but I’m your, alright.

DYLAN

I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now Flynn. You know, I’ve got two families who hate each other and friend who offers stereotypical advice and think I’m some sort of vandal. It’s just fantastic.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

MAX is surrounded by a group of kids.

MAX

There’s plenty more where these came from courtesy of Max Sutherland Enterprises.

They all walk away.

MAX

Hey, there’s still some left.

DON walks along the corridor.

MAX

Oh, hi Mr. Fisher.

DON

Hello Max. I never realised you were so generous.

MAX

I’m not that generous, sir.

DON

And where did the money come from this time.

MAX

It’s my money. I earned it working, honestly.

DON

Oh, really and what sort of work was it exactly?

MAX

You know, this and that, a bit there and a bit here.

DON

Could you be more a little more specific. Were you working in a shop, delivering newspapers, digging ditches, what?

MAX

It’s not a scam, ripping people off, if that’s what you think.

DON
Right, well lets discuss what I think in my office shall we. After you.

SHELLEY and MAX walk along a corridor.

SHELLEY

OK, you might not want to tell Mr. Fisher where you got the money, but now I’m after it.

MAX

I already told you. I earned it.

SHELLEY

Ah, yes, but how? That’s what want to know. What’s this stuff about odd jobs? Odd jobs for how?

MAX

You don’t know them.

SHELLEY

I’m sorry Max, but I just don’t believe you. Now, tell me the truth, have you been gambling?

MAX

Auntie Shell.

SHELLEY

Well, you’ve seen what it can do to people like Colleen and your father.

MAX

I’m not gambling and I’m not going to turn our like my dad. I’m trying to help him.

SHELLEY

OK, assuming you’re earning the extra money I thought you were saving it for something special.

MAX

Yeah, I am.

SHELLEY

What? Chocolate for your friends.

MAX

No, this was just a one off. It is not going to happen again, I promise.

SHELLEY

Well have to rely on something more than your promise. Hand over your ATM card.

MAX

No way. It belongs to me.

SHELLEY

Until I know where this money is coming from I want to know when you’re making withdrawals.

MAX

But Auntie Shell I need it.

SHELLEY

Now please and your pin. I want to keep track of your account balance.

MAX

No way. That’s illegal.

MAX runs away.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

DANI is sitting at a table. SHELLEY walks in.

SHELLEY

Sorry. I had to drop-in at the school.

DANI

Problem.

SHELLEY

Max. He’s up to something, but I can’t work out what it is.

DANI

Do you think he feels left out? I mean, we’ve been so caught up in our own stuff, lately.

SHELLEY

I don’t know. Perhaps. I’m not sure how to deal with him. I don’t know how to deal with anything at the moment.

DANI

You’re doing OK.

SHELLEY

Still I shouldn’t be ignoring everybody else’s problems.

DANI

You’ll survive mum.

SHELLEY

Are you sure your going to NDU because you want to?

DANI

Mum, we had this conversation.

SHELLEY

I know. I, would you still want to be here in Summer Bay if the rest of the family wasn’t?

DANI

Sorry.

SHELLEY

If we moved away.

DANI

Well, is that likely? What are you trying to do?

SHELLEY

I’ve just been looking at other options Dan. It just doesn’t work for me here any more.

MORAG walks in.

SHELLEY

Aw, Morag, if I have to see that woman one more time. I’m sorry.

DANI

No, it’s OK. Do you remember why you and dad told me not to run away, because it doesn’t solve anything. You gave me the strength to stay here and deal with what happened in my life and if I can deal with it, you can deal with it and if you can’t deal with it on your own, we can do it together.

ALF and COLLEEN are outside.

ALF

I could have sworn it was your day off.

COLLEEN

Alf, it is.

ALF

Well, what are you doing here, all dressed up like a Christmas chook?

COLLEEN

Well, not that it’s any of your business Alf Stewart, but I happen to be meeting a gentlemen friend, thank you very much.

ALF

Gentlemen friend, eh.

MAX walks up to them.

MAX

Yeah, sorry I’m late.

ALF

Ah, good day little matey. Here I was thinking you were on a hot date.

ALF walks away. COLLEEN and MAX sit at a table.

COLLEEN

This is very nice of you Maximus, very nice.

MAX

Well, I know you deserve something special. I know lunch isn’t much, but still I can afford it now.

COLLEEN

Ah, no, lunch would be fine. Somewhere different might have been nice.

MAX

Yeah, I know what you really want is a nice big house with big garden where you can grow stuff.

COLLEEN

Aw, yeah, that would be lovely, but right now I’ll settle for lunch. What will we have?

MAX

Mrs Smart, are you poor?

COLLEEN

Oh my goodness. What a question. I manage all right, thank you very much.

MAX

I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just, well, my dad has a gambling problem and we lost loads of money and well seeing as you, I was just wondering.

COLLEEN

You don’t have to worry about me Max. Really you don’t. I’ve got a job and I’ve put something aside for a rainy day.

MAX

Oh, great, so two thousand bucks won’t mean much to you?

COLLEEN

Two thousand dollars. Wouldn’t mean much. My goodness, if I had two thousand dollars I could go up to Queensland and seen Lancie and little Maggie. Two thousand dollars. I haven’t had a holiday in ages. Maybe I should buy a scratchy the salvo and see if my lucks changed.

MAX

Yeah.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

FLYNN is there. KIRSTY walks in.

KIRSTY

Oh, someone’s been mature.

FLYNN

Oh, you don’t like my redecorating. Everyone’s a critic.

KIRSTY

My mum around?

FLYNN

Yeah, she’s.

SHELLEY walks out of the kitchen.

SHELLEY

Hey, sweetheart.

KIRSTY

Oh, hey.

SHELLEY

Feeling any better this morning?

KIRSTY

I don’t know. I guess I have to get used to it.

SHELLEY

I’ll just get my bag.

KIRSTY

Well, actually, em, would you mind if I sort of hang out here for a while?

SHELLEY

Come on Kirst, don’t shut your dad out, please.

KIRSTY

Mum, I had a class with Mrs Russell this morning and seriously all I could see was dad with her arms around her.

SHELLEY

Well, he did explain what happened.

KIRSTY

Yeah, but then I have to spend the rest of the day avoiding Dylan. I just wish we’d get out of here mum. I just want to go somewhere where I don’t have to see them again.

SHELLEY

Hey.

KIRSTY

Can’t we just do it mum. Can’t we just get out of here.

THE CARAVAN PARK

RHYS is there. COLLEEN walks up to him.

COLLEEN

Oh, Rhys. When you’re done there I’ve just noticed that the washing machines overflowing in the laundry.

RHYS

Thanks, I’ll get on to it.

COLLEEN

I offer to clear it up myself, but I’m not exactly dressed for cleaning.

RHYS

No, you look very smart.

COLLEEN

Ah, yes, well I thought I’d have to make a bit of an effort since young Maximus invited me out for lunch.

RHYS

Our Max.

COLLEEN

Ah, said I could have anything on the menu and dessert, not that I had any. I have to watch the calories you know.

RHYS

Yeah, and he paid for the lot, did he?

COLLEEN

Oh, yes, of course, he did. It was his treat. I think he’s got the idea I’m on the poverty line. Asked me what I’d do if I had two thousand dollars. Anybody would think the boy had money to burn.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

SALLY and DON walk in.

DON

I’d keep an eye on young Max if I were you? The last thing that family needs at the moment is for him to get involved in another one of his scams.

SALLY

Yeah, well I haven’t noticed anything unusual lately, but I’ll definitely keep an eye on him. I’m going to grab a stool.

SALLY walks away. ALF comes to serve DON.

ALF

G’day Don, what can I do for you?

DON

Ah, oh, a sandwich, please Alf, em, takeaway. So, em, how are you feeling today?

ALF

Oh, good, good.

DON

Excellent.

ALF

And getting better by the minute.

MORAG walks out of the kitchen.

MORAG

Yeah, I think that’s everything.

DON

You’re not leaving, Morag, are you?

MORAG

Oh, most definitely.

DON

Ah, right.

ALF

I begged her to stay mate, fairdinkum, I did.

MORAG

And I must say this visit is been a complete and utter waste of time.

DON

Well I’m very sorry to hear that.

MORAG

Not only have all my efforts to help Alfred been frustrated, no one it appears wants to listen to anything I have to say about Angela Russell or what she is up to.

DON

I’m not sure she is up to anything.

MORAG

No. How remarkably naïve Donald. Well, I’m just sorry I won’t be around to see the ordure hit the winnowing fan.

MORAG walks out.

ALF

Drive carelessly.

FLYNN walks in.

FLYNN

Hey, what are you smiling about?

SALLY

Oh, well, the man of my dreams just walked in.

FLYNN

I don’t see him.

SALLY

And I spoke to Sophie today. She’s going to come and stay with us for a while.

FLYNN

Great. Right, when?

SALLY

Tomorrow.

FLYNN

Oh, that’s pretty sudden.

SALLY

Is that a problem?

FLYNN

No, no, it’s no problem at all.

MORAG walks outside. Her car has been vandalised. She is annoyed and hits herself on the head.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SHELLEY walks in. RHYS is in the kitchen.

RHYS

Oh, hi. You haven’t seen the girls have you? I was expecting them home for lunch?

SHELLEY

I’ve just seen Kirsty at the drop-in centre. She wants to spend some time on her own.

RHYS

Or to put it another way, avoid me.

SHELLEY

We really need to talk about things Rhys.

RHYS

Yeah, I know. Well I seem to be putting my foot in it every time lately, so, you first.

SHELLEY

Well I’m sorry I didn’t believe you before. Angie probably did take advantage of the situation, but I also don’t believe that this isn’t going to be the last time that something like this is going to happen.

RHYS

No, it won’t happen again Shell. You’ve got to trust me on that.

SHELLEY

It’s not you that I’m worried about. You said yourself you won’t be able to avoid her. And it’s not just you and me it’s affecting. Dani and Jade will be able to cope eventually, but Kirsty, living in a small town like Summer Bay she’s always going to run into the Russell’s and I don’t think she can cope.

RHYS

I’m not with you Shell.

SHELLEY