Scripts - Episode 3420 (2002 Finale)

SUMMER BAY HIGH

RHYS is standing next to ANGIE. ANGIE is covered in the punch. IRENE and DON stand watching them.

RHYS

Are you OK?

ANGIE

I don’t know. It’s a bit of a shock really.

RHYS

Ah, Don, I’ve got to go see how Shelley is. Can you mind.

DON

Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure, sure.

DYLAN walks over to ANGIE

DYLAN

Excuse me Angie.

DYLAN leads ANGIE away.

IRENE

It’s only drink for gods sake. It will wash out.

DON

I must say, I was surprised at Shelley though.

IRENE

Well, I’m surprised she’s toughed it out this long. I tell you what, if she hadn’t of done something, I would have.

DON

For heavens sake Irene, please don’t make it any worse than it already is.

ANGIE and DYLAN are talking to each other.

DYLAN

What did you say to her Angie?

ANGIE

What, to Irene?

DYLAN

No, you know how I mean. Shelley Sutherland. Why would she do this in front of everyone? Humiliate herself unless you pushed her.

ANGIE

Aw, look, I’m sorry. I thought I was the one who’d been humiliated.

DYLAN

Yeah, sure. Poor, innocent, trusting little girl Angie.

ANGIE

Look, I don’t like your tone Dylan.

DYLAN

And I don’t like your game, even though I quite haven’t worked out what it is yet.

ANGIE

Aw, me.

DYLAN

Look, I love you Angie, but I don’t like you anymore. I don’t like you one bit. I’m sorry, but you’ve just lost your best friend.

DYLAN walks away.

THE SURF CLUB

NOAH is standing in front of a crowd. HAYLEY and JESSE are there.

NOAH

And, I guess in some ways it makes it harder to lose when it’s so close, but Alison’s a terrific candidate and she’s going to make a great councillor and I just want to thank all those people who believed in me and made me believe in myself.

NOAH steps down from the podium. The crowd claps.

JESSE

I must say, he’s handled it so much better than I would.

HAYLEY

Yeah, I just wish that, em, too late now.

NOAH walks up to HAYLEY.

NOAH

I think some of my supporters are more disappointed than I am.

HAYLEY

Aw, I am so proud of you baby.

JESSE

Mate, if its any consolation, I voted for you and I hate to lose.

NOAH

Thanks, but, you know, Alison’s going to make a terrific councillor and its no point dwelling over how I would have done the job.

JESSE

Better luck next time, eh.

NOAH

Maybe for someone else. I’m belong to the once bitten, twice shy brigade.

HAYLEY

Aw, don’t be silly. This was just a practice run.

NOAH

I obviously didn’t practice enough. I blew it.

HAYLEY

Yeah, well you won’t blow it next time.

NOAH

What makes you think there’s going to be a next time?

HAYLEY

Because I know you silly.

HAYLEY and NOAH kiss and then walk out.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

COLLEEN sits watching the TV. SHELLEY is there.

COLLEEN

And we didn’t get round to the video at all. As a matter of fact, he read to me. Quite an amazing book Shelley.

SHELLEY

Colleen, please. I’m really tired.

COLLEEN

Yes, you poor thing. You do look a bit peaky. You’re not coming down with something. If I can help.

SHELLEY

No, no, no. I’m fine, thanks. Please.

COLLEEN

All right.

COLLEEN walks out. SHELLEY begins to walk towards the hall. RHYS walks in.

RHYS

Shell. Shelley. Do you want to tell me what that was all about?

SHELLEY

You really want to hear it Rhys.

RHYS

Yeah, I’m trying to make allowances here.

SHELLEY

Make allowances. What gives you the right? That’s it, it’s finished.

RHYS

No, talk to me Shell. I mean, what on earth would make you behave like that? And on the girls birthday. How could you do that to them?

SHELLEY

Oh, you want to talk about behaviour. Let’s talk about behaviour. Yours and Angie’s.

RHYS

What are you talking about?  You’re carrying on like a mad woman.

SHELLEY

Mad. No. I’m as sane as I’ve been in weeks. You know something. I just wish you were standing closer. Then I could have poured something over you as well as your girlfriend.

SHELLEY walks out into the hall. MAX comes out his bedroom. RHYS walks past.

MAX

Uncle, Uncle Rhys. What’s wrong?

RHYS

Ah, nothing mate. Everything’s fine. You go back to bed, OK.

MAX

If it’s about the presents, I didn’t do anything wrong.

RHYS

No, not now. Go back to bed OK?

MAX

Yes.

MAX walks away. RHYS walks into his and SHELLEY’S bedroom. SHELLEY is packing her suitcase.

RHYS

I wish I knew what you were talking about Shelley, but I don’t. Now. Shell, what are you doing? Talk to me.

SHELLEY

I don’t have anything to say and I don’t want to listen to anymore lies.

RHYS

Lies. One lie Shell. I mean, it wasn’t even that.

SHELLEY

Our whole marriage is a lie Rhys. Wanting to put it back together is a lie. I know why you want to stay in Summer Bay.

RHYS

What? You got some crazy idea I want to be with her. Shelley, I am doing everything I can, for you and our kids.

SHELLEY

Well I can’t. Not while she’s here. I’m finished. It’s over.

SHELLEY walks out. DANI and JOSH walk into the living room. SHELLEY walks in carrying her suitcase.

DANI

Mum, are you OK? Mum, no.

SHELLEY

I’m sorry sweetheart. I can’t stay. Josh, could you give me a hand.

JOSH

Shelley, where do you want me to put it?

SHELLEY

I don’t know. I just can’t stay.

RHYS walks in.

DANI

Dad, tell her not to go please.

RHYS

Your mum needs some space love., but I don’t think it’s right you leaving in the middle of the night so I think it’s best, perhaps, if I leave. Give us all a chance to calm down. Shell, we can talk tomorrow?

SHELLEY

Just go, please. I don’t want to look at you.

RHYS walks towards the door.

RHYS

Shell, whatever you think, you know I love. That’s the bottom line.

SHELLEY

If you’re going go.

RHYS walks out.

DANI

Mum, I don’t understand. What did she do?

MAX walks in.

MAX

Auntie Shell, did someone leave?

SHELLEY

Oh, Maxi. Em, just go to bed, sweetheart.

MAX

But.

SHELLEY

Just go to bed.

MAX walks out. DANI and SHELLEY cuddle.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALEX and ALF are there.

ALF

That flamin’ Vinnie needs his backside kicked, you know. All the time he’s lost with his little bloke. I remember when Dunc was a kid. I always wanted a boy you know. Like most blokes. Ails, she would have been happy with a girl. Ails, she loved Leah, you know.

ALF walks into the kitchen.

ALF

Eh, where was I?

ALEX

Well, it doesn’t matter. You know, I think you should tell Vinnie that tomorrow at the party. Once he’s home for good, I don’t want my sister to ever be worried again about what’s going on.

ALF

Ah, party. Tonight, isn’t it? You know, you and Leah, you ought to have a party for little VJ. It must be his birthday soon.

ALEX

Good idea.

DON and IRENE walk in.

DON

Strong black coffee, please Alex.

IRENE

Yeah, you better make that two.

ALF

Thought you two would be at the dance?

DON

Oh, it’s over. Well and truly.

ALEX

Why? Did something happen?

IRENE

No, no. Except Shelley Sutherland tipped a jug of drink all over Angie Russell’s head.

ALF

Strike me roan.

DON

You wouldn’t have been laughing if you were there, believe me. It was most embarrassing.

ALF

I tell you what. I wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall at the Sutherland house tonight.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI is on the phone. JOSH sits on the couch.

DANI

OK, good idea.

Bye

DANI puts the phone down.

DANI

Jade and Kirsty are going to stay at Nick’s.

JOSH

Good idea. Maybe now we can sit down and relax a bit.

DANI

Relax. Josh, my parents are breaking up. I hardly think we’re a big priority right now.

JOSH

Oh, no Dani. We’re never a priority lately, are we?

DANI

That’s not fair.

JOSH

No, no, it’s not. I’m sorry. I’m sorry about your mum and dad, I am, and I want to be here for you. Is it too much for me to ask for you to be there for me too.

DANI

What are you talking about? I am there for you.

JOSH

Well not when you’re preoccupied with some other crisis.

DANI

Excuse me.

JOSH

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.

DANI

No, I think you did.

JOSH

No, Dani.

DANI

What has happened to you lately Josh? You have gone from someone I can rely on, someone I can lean on, to talk or be comforted to.

JOSH

To someone who won’t be pushed around.

DANI

To a complete and utter jerk. If you can’t understand my priority right now is my family then we have serious problems. Do you understand that?

JOSH

What I understand is you keep pushing me aside and I don’t want to be in a relationship where I keep playing second fiddle.

DANI

Well, don’t be in a relationship.

JOSH

I’m sorry.

DANI

Go. Go, Josh, go. Spread your wings. Go find a girl who’ll wait on you, hand and foot, who’ll bow down to your every wing because I’m not interested.

JOSH

Dani, this is crazy.

DANI

No, what is crazy is that I didn’t make this decision sooner. This is not working. All we seem to do is we fight, we break-up, we get back together and nothing is changing. This is not working. This is for the best.

JOSH walks out. The next morning SHELLEY walks in. DANI is there.

DANI

Hey. Kettles on.

SHELLEY

Aw, I don’t think my body can take anymore coffee.

DANI

OK.

SHELLEY

I’m worried about you sweetheart. Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?

DANI

It’s supposed to be my life.

SHELLEY

I’m not sure about anything. The more we talk about it, the more muddled it becomes. You know I don’t want to hurt you. It’s not just all of you, there’s the centre and letting Flynn and there’s the business here and it’s just gets too hard and I can’t breathe and I just need some time and I need to think

DANI

I know. It’s exactly how I feel about Josh. He just doesn’t give me the space to figure out what I want.

SHELLEY

Don’t hate me for this Dan.

DANI

I could never hate you, but I love dad too.

SHELLEY

Yeah, and I don’t want you to stop. He’s going to need you. I just can be with him. I’ve tried.

RHYS walks in.

RHYS

Is it OK? To come, I mean.

SHELLEY

It’s your home Rhys.

DANI

I’m going to have a shower in a minute.

DANI walks out.

RHYS

Thanks Dan. You’re all dressed up.

SHELLEY

Eh, not really.

RHYS

I was hoping things might be different in the cold light of day.

SHELLEY

Really. You’re still here, she’s still here. I’m the only one whose leaving.

RHYS

You’re running away Shell.

SHELLEY

I don’t want to. Not now.

RHYS

You’ve got some wild idea about her. I love you.

SHELLEY

But not enough to stop seeing here.

RHYS

She lives here Shelley. She teaches our kids. I’ve got a child with her.

SHELLEY

We’ve got three remember.

RHYS

I’m not the one who’s walking out on them Shell.

SHELLEY

I am not walking out on them Rhys, I am walking out on you. I love my kids more than anything. They will understand why I have to go. I will call them and explain.

RHYS

Well, the least you can do to them is talk to them face to face.

SHELLEY

I don’t think that’s a good idea. Right now I couldn’t be responsible for what I say about their father.

RHYS

Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t love me?

SHELLEY

No, but I’ll get over it.

SHELLEY walks out.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALF and COLLEEN are there. ALF wraps a present.

ALF

We just shut this place up for a couple of hours, don’t we? I mean, a blokes entitled to a bit of time off. I mean, a party is a party. You know, I hope Leah has some of that fairy bread. I used to love that when I was a kid.

COLLEEN

Is that for VJ, is it Alf?

ALF

Yeah, well of course it is. It’s his birthday, isn’t it?

COLLEEN

Yeah. It looks very impressive. What is it?

ALF

It’s eh, em. It’s a present, isn’t it?

ALF walks into the kitchen carrying the present. MAX walks in.

COLLEEN

Aw, hello young Maximus. How’s your writing hand? Must protect your fingers, you know.

MAX

Oh, good I guess.

COLLEEN

I’ve been thinking all day about our little secret. It doesn’t matter whether anyone buys the book, what a great adventure we’re having.

MAX

Cool. So, partners.

COLLEEN

Yes, of course. It is exciting, isn’t it?

MAX

Yeah, but I’ve still got to sort things out with Uncle Rhys.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

RHYS and IRENE are there.

IRENE

Yeah, love I was just passing so I thought drop by and pick up some of their stuff.

RHYS

They don’t have to stay away Irene.

IRENE

They just want to give you some space darl.

RHYS

How are they?

IRENE

They’re doing OK. You’ve got to look after you.

RHYS

I don’t know what I’m going to do Irene.

IRENE

Aw, love. You’re going to take one day at a time you know, because that’s all you can do. Maybe, maybe it’s the best thing that could have happened. Look, it will give her some time to calm down, she’ll be able to think things through. In a couple of days she’ll miss you all so much she’ll be back and you can work everything out.

RHYS

I hope you’re right. It’s just, I don’t know what triggered it? What made her go off like that? I mean, I thought it was different.

IRENE

Unless. Did she tell you what they were talking about? Angie and Shelley. Just before Shelley went off her nut.

THE SURF CLUB

RHYS walks into the surf club. DANI is there.

DANI

Dad.

RHYS

Not now Dan.

RHYS walks into the gym. ANGIE is there. HAYLEY is behind the counter.

HAYLEY

Oh, Mr. Sutherland.

RHYS

Just passing through Hayley. Thought I’d find you here.

ANGIE

Em, hi. That’s very sweet, but.

RHYS

She left me.

ANGIE

What? Aw, poor Shelley. She really must be having a breakdown. Why? I mean, what caused it?

RHYS

She’s got some bee in her bonnet that you and I are still, you know.

ANGIE

That’s crazy. Where would she get an idea like that?

RHYS

Well you tell me Ange, because I know you were talking to her. What did you say to her?

ANGIE

Rhys. This is awful. I really don’t want to hurt you, please.

RHYS

I need to know, all right. I need to make some sense of this.

ANGIE

She was eaten up with jealousy. She said that she loved you as the girls father, but not as husband and she would decide when to go. She seemed crazy.

RHYS

You’re crazy.

ANGIE

Maybe you need to except that she’s no longer the girl that you left me for. You’re far stronger than you know and far stronger than she has ever believed.

RHYS

Yeah, well I need to be to get through this.

ANGIE

You will get through Rhys. I have absolute faith in you and I will be right there as your friend.

THE PATTERSON HOUSE

JESSE walks in. ALEX walks through in a dog suit.

JESSE

Hi.

ALEX

Hey. Where did you get the stuffed toy from?

JESSE

Ah, toy shop in Yabbie Creek.

ALEX

You mind. I’m talking to the bear, eh.

JESSE

You’re very funny mate, yeah. You look good in a dog mask too. Gotcha.

ALEX and JESSE walk through to the living room. There are balloons and streamers that hung up around the room.

JESSE

Place looks great mate.

ALEX

Yeah.

JESSE

Yeah. I bet Vinnie’s impressed, yeah?

ALEX

I don’t know. He’s not here yet.

JESSE

He’s cutting a bit fine, isn’t he?

LEAH walks in.

LEAH

Oh, Jesse, hi. Sorry. I thought for a moment you were.

JESSE

Aw, that’s cool. I didn’t think you’d gone to all this trouble for me. Where’s VJ?

LEAH

Em, he’s having a nap. Guy. How do I look?

ALEX

Nice, very nice.

JESSE

You look beautiful.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

COLLEEN, MAX and RHYS are there.

COLLEEN

And of course I realise that I was just being a silly-dilly. I mean, it’s not as though you or Shelley would dob me in or anything like that. I’m sorry Rhys.

RHYS

I’m sorry. I still don’t think I’ve got this straight.

COLLEEN

Well, I panicked when you mentioned the cheque and the solicitors. I thought somebody was on to me.

RHYS

I still don’t see what this has to do with Max having more money than he should have.

COLLEEN

Aw, well, it’s simple really. Maximus.

RHYS

No, no, Colleen. Look, it’s OK if you say it’s OK. I trust you. Look, Max and I really need to have a chat.

MAX

No, Uncle Rhys. It’s really simple. Mrs Smart being doing these articles for the oldies magazine.

COLLEEN

Seniors.

MAX

Aw, the over fifty-fivers. Anyway, she asked me to help her and she’s been giving me a little bit more pocket money. It’s really simple.

RHYS

OK, if you put it like that. Now look, we really need to have a chat.

COLLEEN

Aw, I’ll leave you to it then.

MAX

Uncle Rhys, what’s there to talk about? I’m telling the truth.

RHYS

Max, it’s about your Auntie Shelley.

THE PATTERSON HOUSE

ALEX, in his dog suit, and JESSE play with VJ. COLLEEN, ALF and LEAH are there.

LEAH

Is he all right Colleen? He looks a bit worse today, somehow.

COLLEEN

Oh, if he won’t accept help pet, what else can we do?

LEAH

Yeah, I know.

COLLEEN

You’re turning into a very good cake maker Leah. Did you know that I was once crowned the crumpet queen of Summer Bay at the Northern Districts Easter show.

LEAH

Aw, I wonder where mum and dad is. I mean, you can’t have a birthday party with half the guest missing, can you?

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DANI walks in. RHYS is there. MAX is in the kitchen.

DANI

Is he OK?

RHYS

He’s taken it pretty hard.

DANI

Poor kid. Worse for him he never had a mum.

RHYS

I’d say it’s pretty lousy for all of us love.

DANI walks out.

RHYS

Hey Maxi. I thought maybe, you know, you and I could just watch some cricket together, eh.

MAX

Sure. Just blokes regular stuff.

RHYS

All right.

THE PATTERSON HOUSE

COLLEEN, LEAH, ALF, JESSE, VJ and ALEX are there. ALEX is on the phone.

ALEX

Look, don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault.

All right.

Hey, cool. Love to see you.

LEAH

Aw, it’s OK bubby. If daddy can’t make it, that’s OK. At least you’re going to get to see him.

ALEX

Hey Leah. That was mum. She said they’ve got a flat tyre so they’ll be here in twenty minutes or so.

LEAH

Good. I mean, that’s great.

ALF

At this rate another twenty minutes will be tomorrow.

LEAH

Em, why don’t you put the tape on for him. That will make him smile, eh.

The phone rings. JESSE answers it.

COLLEEN

Well then. More to eat, in twenty minutes.

ALF

Oh, sit down and shut up, eh, Colleen.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

MAX and RHYS are watching TV.

TV

And news just to hand. A fire has broken out at the Wirramirra State Prison after guards failed to quell a riot.

MAX

Isn’t that where?

RHYS

Yes, mate. Yes it is.

TV

There are serious injuries.

THE PATTERSON HOUSE

LEAH and VJ are watching the TV. It’s a video of VINNIE in a clowns outfit.

LEAH

Hey, bubble, do you know who that is?

VINNIE

Do you know how I am?

LEAH

That’s daddy.

VINNIE

I’m Vinnie the clown and today its your first birthday. Listen mate, I am really sorry I can’t be there today, but since I can’t, you have yourself a great birthday mate, all right and lets party.

VINNIE starts cart wheeling.

LEAH

Can’t get out this word from this one. Daddy. Say daddy.

JESSE is holding the phone.

JESSE

Leah, it’s for you.

LEAH takes the phone.

LEAH

Hello.

No, it can’t be Vinnie.

Ah.

LEAH drops to the floor.

LEAH

Oh Vinnie.

JESSE cuddles LEAH.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

ALF walks in holding his head. He hears some noises from the kitchen.

ALF

Morag, who’s there?

AILSA

It’s only me.

ALF

Me who?

ALF sees AILSA in the kitchen.

AILSA

Oh, for goodness sake Alf. What sort of question’s that?

ALF looks amazed.