Scripts - Episode 3455

THE CLINIC

SOPHIE and SALLY look at the ultrasound. FLYNN walks up to them.

FLYNN

Oh no, don’t tell me I missed it.

SALLY

Yep, you missed you it.

FLYNN

Aw, I just couldn’t get away. Was everything OK though?

SOPHIE

Ah, absolutely.

FLYNN

No abnormalities. Ten fingers, ten toes, four chambers in the heart.

SALLY

Yeah, yeah, yeah. All of that and more. Here’s the ultrasound.

SALLY hands FLYNN the ultrasound picture.

FLYNN

Baby’s first photo. Fantastique. OK, it’s been a while since I looked at one of these. There’s the head and there’s the spine. There’s the thigh and another baby.

SALLY

We’re having twins.

FLYNN

No way.

SALLY

Yeah.

FLYNN

Aw, come here mum.

FLYNN and SALLY cuddle.

FLYNN

Aw, you too. Come here.

FLYNN cuddles SALLY and SOPHIE.

FLYNN

Aw.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

COLLEEN and MAX are at the computer. RHYS is there.

MAX

And I got the middle bit of chapter three from here.

COLLEEN

Goodness me. This is all a bit, aw, you know.

RHYS

How did you get passed the net nanny?

MAX

Well you should have let me install it.

RHYS

Is that the last one?

MAX

Yeah. I thought stuff on the Internet was free.

RHYS

Yeah, well now you know different. I mean, the Internet obviously has copyright laws as well.

MAX

Well, Uncle Rhys, I did get a bit from a few books.

RHYS

Well how many is a few?

MAX

Oh, not many. Just about twenty.

RHYS

Which books?

MAX

Well most of them were by dead people, you know, Tropic of Cancer, Tommy Jones and then there was Judith Kranz and Colin McGollit.

RHYS

They are alive. They can sue us. Probably going to be getting a few more of these.

COLLEEN

I’ll lose me home. The very blouse off my own back.

MAX

So you really can get in trouble for this.

RHYS

Max, you’ve stolen other people work. Yes, you can get into trouble for this. I mean, we’re probably looking in the hundreds of thousands.

COLLEEN

Aw.

MAX

Well maybe I’ll make enough money in my next book to cover it.

RHYS

Next book.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

DON is walking along outside the hall. He hears noises inside the hall. He walks in.

KIRSTY

You’re not very good at this, are you?

SEB

I’m trying.

KIRSTY

OK, yeah, that’s it. Aw, yeah, perfect.

DON

Whoever’s behind there, come out immediately.

KIRSTY walks out.

DON

And the other person.

SEB walks out.

DON

Would either of you care to tell me what you were doing? No, don’t bother. I think I can guess. I can’t believe you’d be so immature.

SEB

I’m sorry.

DON

Yeah, so am I Seb. I thought better of you both.

KIRSTY

Sir, we weren’t.

DON

Oh, no, don’t Kirsty. Come on. Just get back to classes. Come on.

SEB and KIRSTY walk off the stage and out the hall.

DON’S HOUSE

SEB walks out the kitchen. ALF walks down the stairs.

SEB

Gramps. Oh, Uncle Alf. Do you want some breakfast?

ALF

Is this a vision. A teenager cooking breakfast for a couple of old blokes.

SEB

Don’t get used to it. It’s gramps last day.

DON walks down the stairs.

DON

Where can June be? She wasn’t answering last night either.

SEB

She’s probably just out and about. Do you want some breakfast?

ALF

He’s cooked up a storm here Don.

DON

No, thank you. I think I might go for a walk.

DON walks out.

ALF

You two had a blue or something?

SEB

He caught me and Kirsty doing something in the hall yesterday.

ALF

Oh yeah.

SEB

No, we weren’t doing that?

ALF

Well, what were you doing?

THE SURF CLUB

DON walks along.

THE BEACH

DON walks along.

A ROAD

DON is leaning on a fence. ANGIE walks up to him.

ANGIE

Having a last look Don.

DON

Yes. Yes, something like that.

ANGIE

Mixed feelings. I imagine it must be very sad that after twenty years to finally have your last day. That must feel liberating.

DON

Angie.

ANGIE

Mmm.

DON

There is one thing I’d like to know before I go.

ANGIE

What’s that?

DON

Nick Smith. Did he really assault you?

ANGIE

I wouldn’t have thought you would want to discuss something so sordid on your last day.

DON

I really would like to know.

ANGIE

I’m sure someone here will let you know the outcome of the trial. You know, I’m so glad I came here. It’s so beautiful. I think I’m going to be staying here for a long time. Further my career. See you.

ANGIE runs off.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

DON and IRENE are there.

DON

Irene. Well, here I am at last, literally. So, you coming to this little do of Sally’s are you, later on?

IRENE

Yeah, I imagine so, but until then, business as usual, eh.

DON

Yeah.

IRENE walks away. ANGIE walks up to IRENE.

ANGIE

Hello Irene. How’s Nick this morning?

IRENE

Save your concern.

ANGIE

Look, I’ve been really worried about what’s happened and I was wondering, maybe Nick’s troubled childhood caused him to lose perspective.

IRENE

Don’t pretend to care Angie. I’m not buying it.

ANGIE

Irene, please. I tried to get those charges dropped. It’s completely out of my hands.

IRENE

I bet you knew all along that the cops couldn’t do anything once they had started the ball rolling and now because of you, my boys run away.

ANGIE

Nick’s broken bail. Do the police know? You must be so worried.

IRENE

Worried. Worried. You have got no idea, but I tell you this much lady, if Nick doesn’t come home safe and sound I will personally kill. You got that?

DYLAN walks up to them. IRENE walks away.

ANGIE

I’m glad you still care enough about me to protect me.

DYLAN

I wasn’t protecting you Angie. I was protecting Irene from doing something she might regret.

The bell rings. DYLAN walks away. DON is in a classroom with a class includes MAX. The class is making a lot of noise.

DON

All right, all right, settle down please. Quiet everyone. Well, it seems that you lot have the dubious distinction of being my very last class.

A pupil called MARTIN is sitting at the front of the class.

MARTIN

Shouldn’t you be having some sort of muck-up day then Sir?

DON

Yes, Martin. I should. In fact I think I’m entitled to it after twenty years. So I thought I’d do something, em, well absolutely crazy and spend the entire lesson sharing some of my favourite poetry with you.

The class sighs.

DON

I thought I’d start with Invictus by W.E. Henley. Now, I know that most of you think that poetry is written by nerds in cardigans who can’t get proper jobs, but, well, this was written by Henley who had already had one leg amputated due to disease just after he’d been told that they might have to remove the other leg as well. Who knows, it might even put your own troubles into perspective. Out of the night that covers me, black is the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried or read aloud under the bludgeoning of chance, my head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms, but the horror of the shade and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate. I charge with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.

DON is in his office. IRENE runs in.

IRENE

Don, Don, you’re needed in the hall.

DON

Well why? What’s the matter? What’s going on?

IRENE

Ah, there’s a bunch of kids playing silly beggars. They won’t get out. Sal said to come and get you.

DON

Ah, why today, today of all days?

DON and IRENE walk along outside.

IRENE

They were being very difficult Don.

DON

Oh, for goodness sake.

IRENE

You better go first Don.

DON walks into the hall followed by IRENE.

DON

Right, what on.

There is a crowd gathered which includes FLYNN, ALF, SOPHIE, RHYS, SEB and KIRSTY. They all stand up and cheer. SALLY is on the stage clapping. ANGIE is sitting in a classroom. Cheering can be heard. She then walks out the classroom and along a corridor. DON and IRENE are now on stage with SALLY.

SALLY

So, although you asked us not to make a fuss, we though well, you’re only the principal. We’ll just ignore you, but really Mr. Fisher, we couldn’t let you go without letting you know something about the impact you’ve had on so many peoples lives and there’s been quite a few people here today that have asked to say something, but with your permission I would like to go first. I would never have become a teacher if it hadn’t been for Mr. Fisher. I was at Uni. heading towards a different career altogether, but somehow it just didn’t feel right. It was your influence that made me decide on education and since then I’ve never had a moments doubt. You have a real gift for seeing through the exterior of people, through these walls that we build up to what we really have to offer and that’s because you give so much support.

The audience applauds.

SALLY

Anyway, like I said, there’s lots more people here today who would like to say something so, em, Noah.

NOAH walks onto the stage.

NOAH

Hey, everyone, Fisher. Em, when I first came to Summer Bay High I had this attitude. I thought I was, you know, so much smarter than everyone, which I thought was pretty cool, but it didn’t take long for Mr. Fisher to see right through me, you know, to what I really was. A brainy kid who was scared stupid someone might actually challenge him and, you know he helped me. He helped me come up with work that was rich and solid and to say that I’m grateful is an understatement.

HAYLEY is on the stage.

HAYLEY

So then in the middle go trying to work through his own grief Mr. Fisher generously invited me, a dipstick blonde year eleven chick to share in the tribute of his little boys short life and that not only gave me some of the best moments of my creative life, it also helped me deal with loss of my own.

ALF is on the stage.

ALF

They told me this was going to be a quiet do, with a cardboard cast, cheap plonk and a plate of crackers. This bloke here is probably the most intelligent, dedicated, hard-working, committed citizen this town has ever just in case you hadn’t picked up on that already this afternoon. Over the years, I’ve heard kids complaining that Flathead set this really hard essay or whatever. It’s too hard, it’s too demanding. Well if Don Fisher works you hard or expects a lot of you, you can bet your life that it’s nothing compared to how hard he works or what he expects of himself. Because of that, he somehow manages to get the best out of all of us.

IRENE is on the stage.

IRENE

Loddy. Don Fisher, where to begin? This man is not only one of my very best friends, but he’s been like a fairy godmother to me. Sorry Don. He’s helped transform me from, em, an unemployed, unskilled, middle-aged waitress into an employed, experienced, university undergraduate. Sadly I’m still middle-aged, but, hey, he’s still working on it.

KIRSTY is on the stage.

KIRSTY

Sometimes Mr. Fisher, you and I haven’t got on so well, but, em, I know that you always wanted what was best for me. Just this week you’ve gone out of your way to help me again.

SALLY adjusts the microphone for MAX.

MAX

Ah, the thing about Mr. Fisher’s English classes is he really believes in what he is doing. You know, that books make a difference. I think what I’m trying to say is he is really inspirational. I wrote this after his last lesson. In the future when the world is dark, dark as the night and I’m struggling to see, I think of you and remember to mark that I learned to hold my destiny and if I face hardship and hate. If people don’t like who I am, remembering you, I’ll change face and be the best me that I can and never lose sight of the goal that makes me captain of my soul. Thank you.

The audience claps.

A FLASHBACK-SUMMER BAY HIGH

DON is wearing punk clothing. This is from Episode 423.

A FLASHBACK-THE BEACH

ALAN is there.

A FLASHBACK-THE BEACH HOUSE

A teddy bear is thrown at DON.

A FLASHBACK-THE BEACH

SAM and DON are there.

A FLASHBACK-SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DON and BOBBY are there.

A FLASHBACK-SUMMER BAY HIGH

DON, SELINA and JACK are there.

A FLASHBACK-SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DON and SHANE are there.

A FLASHBACK-THE CHURCH

DON helps ANGEL up the aisle towards DAMIAN and SHANE. This is from Episode 1662.

A FLASHBACK-THE BAYSIDE DINER

DON and SHANNON are there.

A FLASHBACK-DON’S HOUSE

DON and STEVEN are there.

A FLASHBACK-DON’S HOUSE

ANGEL and DON are there. They cuddle. This is from Episode 2000.

A FLASHBACK-THE BEACHSIDE DINER

DON and GYPSY are there.

A FLASHBACK-SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DON and REBECCA are there.

A FLASHBACK-THE BEACH

TRAVIS, REBECCA and MARILYN are there. This is from Episode 2295.

A FLASHBACK-SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DON and REBECCA are there. They cuddle.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

DON, IRENE and SALLY are sitting on the stage. SEB is making a speech.

SEB

You’ve all heard about the Donald Fisher, the teacher and the principal. I want to talk about the other side, the side that you don’t get to see. He’s always been what people have said. Intelligent, committed, accepting and generous, but he also tells really funny jokes and believe it or not he plays games and surprise, surprise, he’s unbeatable at Scrabble and he’s hopeless at Pictionary. He cooks an awesome apple crumble and a terrible steak and he loves his family beyond what I can say. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I am so grateful to be Donald Fisher’s grandson and I’m honoured that you are my grandfather. What I hope this shows you is that you’re going to be part of our lives forever.

IRENE and KIRSTY unveil plaque naming the hall the Don Fisher hall. The audience applauds. DON and SALLY stand up.

SALLY

Just a minute. There is one more thing. Do you recognise this voice?

JUNE

Are you ready for a walk along the beach?

JUNE walks out from behind the curtains. They cuddle. The crowd claps again. SALLY goes into her office and collects a bunch of flowers. She then goes into DON’S office. ANGIE is sitting with her feet on the desk.

ANGIE

Am not I coming to your party. Seems no one mentioned it to me.

SALLY

I think you’ll find that’s my desk.

ANGIE

You really want to take me on Sally. I have fifteen years on you and I know how to use everyone of them.

SALLY

That sounds like a challenge. I never refuse a challenge.

DON is on the stage making a speech.

DON

Well, em, I really don’t know what to say to you. If I am a man of ego, I don’t think my head would fit through that door. I guess I would just like to say thank you all very, very, very much for all the kind and generous things that you have said about me, but let me assure you for anything that I may have given you, you have given me far more in return. I will miss this school. I will miss this town. I will miss all of you for the rest of my life, but knowing, knowing all these people has enriched my life beyond measure and so I leave Summer Bay High with a staff to be proud of, a student body full of potential and energy and a new principal, Miss Sally Fletcher. Eh, where is she?

SALLY walks in.

SALLY

I’m here Sir.

DON

In Sally Fletcher, this school couldn’t possibly be in better hands.

The crowd applauds.

DON

And June.

JUNE stands up.

DON

I do believe another beach awaits me somewhere and so from the bottom of my heart, thank you and farewell.

DON and JUNE walk down off the stage and down an aisle. SALLY gives them the bunch of flowers and they hug.

A FLASHBACK-THE CARAVAN PARK

DON and SALLY are there. This is from the Pilot Episode.

DON

Sally. Charming.

SALLY screws her face up.

SUMMER BAY HIGH