Scripts - Episode 3906

THE DINER

PETER, IRENE BARRY, COLLEEN, DAN AND LEAH ARE STUDYING A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE SUMMER BAY STALKER.

PETER

Great. More damage for me to control at the meeting.

COLLEEN

I’m sorry Detective Baker, I told Arthur not to write any more stories, but he obviously didn’t listen.

LEAH

Well, what’s this crash he’s talking about?

PETER

A car ran off the road a few days ago – we still haven’t found the truck driver who did it.

DAN

So you think he could be the stalker?

PETER

Well look, there is no stalker. It just shows you that the media will jump on anything right now.

COLLEEN

What sort of truck was it?

IRENE

Love, it doesn’t matter. You heard Peter, it’s all a load of hullabaloo.

COLLEEN

No, not necessarily. You see it on the news all the time.

LEAH

What are you talking about?

COLLEEN

Well a fella gets the sack and next thing you know, he turns up with a rifle, looking for revenge – and they’re mainly ex postal workers.

PETER

Yeah, and it mainly happens in America.

COLLEEN

What, they don’t give them the sack over here?

DAN

Oh, well there you go Mate, case solved – a postie did it.

PETER

Just turn up at the meeting tomorrow night. We’ll discuss all these concerns and hopefully set a few of them to rest.

LEAH

Well right now, I said I’d help Josie with her dress fitting, so I’m off. I’ll see you later.

DAN

See you.

PETER

See you later.

THE BEACH HOUSE

KIM KISSES HAYLEY, APPROACHING HER FROM BEHIND AND SHE FAILS TO RESPOND.

KIM

Oh, that’s not exactly the response I was looking for.

HAYLEY

Sorry, you just caught be by surprise.

KIM

Are that’s all it is, because you haven’t really been yourself lately?

HAYLEY

It’s just, I can’t help thinking about what Tasha said last week.

KIM

You mean that stupid stuff about us acting more like mates than boyfriend and girlfriend?

HAYLEY

Yeah, I know we already talked about it.

KIM

Yeah, we did, what’s the big deal?

HAYLEY

Well, it keeps playing on my mind. And when we had lunch together the other day, I kind of felt more like Robbie and Tasha’s big sister, than a friend.

KIM

Well they don’t think that about you. What’s it got to do with us anyway? Hayles, is this a round about way of saying you wanna cool things?

HAYLEY

No, no, of course not, it’s just I guess we haven’t really spent a lot of time alone together.

KIM

Yeah, we have.

HAYLEY

Well no, if you think about it, we’re either with Robbie and Tasha or Zoë and Scott, or – somebody.

KIM

Alright, well let’s do something about it. I’ll organise something special for tonight.

HAYLEY

What about the town meeting?

KIM

We’ll get someone to fill us in. Yeah?

HAYLEY

OK.

KIM

6 o’clock? Yep? OK.

HE KISSES HER AND LEAVES THE HOUSE.

JESSE/JOSIE’S PLACE

LEAH AND BETH ARE HELPING WITH JOSIE AND TASHA’S DRESS FITTINGS.

BETH

A wedding on a roller coaster?

LEAH

Yep, I saw it on TV. The bride had a to say “I do” just as they were going down the hill. It was “I dooooooooooo”.

BETH LAUGHS, AS JESSE ENTERS THE HOUSE. BETH AND LEAH HURRY TO THE DOOR TO PREVENT HIM FROM WALKING ANY FURTHER TOWARDS THEM.

LEAH

You can’t see Josie, close your eyes!

JESSE

Where am I supposed to go?

LEAH

I don’t know, the beach or something. Just get out.

TASHA GIVES JOSIE A DIRTY LOOK, AS JESSE LEAVES.

LEAH

Honestly, what is he trying to do, put a curse on your marriage before it’s even started?

BETH

Oh well, you know what men are like.

LEAH

Yeah, but why’s it always us women that have to make sure the wedding gets off on the right foot? Hey, I mean to ask, is Scott coming back for the wedding?

SCOTT

Oh, probably. He’s having a good time, so he might stay a bit longer.

LEAH

Yeah, where is he?

BETH

He had a chance to go away with some mates – last minute cancellation, or something. You two OK up there?

LEAH

Yeah, you’re being really quiet.

JOSIE

Us? It must be nerves. Everybody gets that before a wedding, don’t they?

LEAH

Uh-huh.

THE DINER

IRENE AND BARRY ARE SAT AT A TABLE TOGETHER AND BARRY STANDS UP.

BARRY

Off to your place for coffee?

IRENE

Oh well, we could have had it here, you know?

BARRY

Everything is so much nicer at your place.

IRENE

You are such a flatterer.

THEY KISS.

KIM ENTERS.

IRENE

BARRY

Kim.

KIM

Dad.

BARRY AND IRENE LEAVE AND KIM APPRAOCHES THE FOOD COUNTER.

KIM

Hey, Colleen! Can you put together a picnic hamper form me, please?

COLLEEN IS STARING AFTER IRENE AND BARRY

COLLEEN

Eh?

KIM

A hamper, two people, the works?

COLLEEN

Who’s the lucky lady, then? Oh, of course, Hayley. Silly me, I forgot you two were together.

COLLEEN BEGINS TO PREPARE THE HAMPER AND ROBBIE APPROACHES KIM.

ROBBIE

Hey, so what do you reckon – your old man and Irene, next down the isle?

KIM

We’re gonna have to watch –

ROBBIE

Yeah, I’m with you.

COLLEEN

Coarse, medium or fine?

KIM

Huh?

COLLEEN

The pate.

KIM

Oh, um…. Medium? Yeah.

KIM TURNS BACK TO ROBBIE.

KIM

ROBBIE

Oh, good.

KIM

What do you mean, oh good?

ROBBIE

I mean good, brilliant, fantastic.

KIM

No, you don’t. If you’ve got something to say, just say it.

ROBBIE

It’s just you and Hayley, that all, Not that it’s a bad thing – I’m happy for you.

KIM

But?...

ROBBIE

It’s a surprise. I mean, you’ve known her for ages, but you didn’t seem keen before.

KIM

Well, she wasn’t available before.

ROBBIE

True. Well, as long as she like you and you like her…

KIM

Exactly. Look Mate, just because it hasn’t been bells, rockets and fireworks from the beginning, doesn’t mean it’s not gonna work.

ROBBIE

Of course not.

KIM

We just need some time, that’s all.

ROBBIE

Yeah.

KIM

OK?

ROBBIE

Yeah.

KIM

Good.

ROBBIE

One quick question: What’s pate?

BY THE BEACH

TASHA IS WALKING ALONG AND JOSIE APPROACHES HER.

JOSIE

Tash, wait. I didn’t get a chance to talk you – please.

TASHA

What?

JOSIE

We shouldn’t be arguing.

TASHA

Well you know what to do to stop this.

JOSIE

You’re making this sound so simple.

TASHA

It is.

JOSIE

Look, I agree with you about couples being honest with each other, I really do.

TASHA

Then tell Jesse about Marc. I meant before what I said –

JOSIE

When are you going to get it? Not all situations are black and white.

TASHA

All I know is that you’re lying to him.

JOSIE

Because I don’t want to hurt him

TASHA

You are hurting him.

JOSIE

For God’s sake Tasha, what does it take to get through to you? I love Jesse, I made a mistake. I am going to sort it out, in my own time and in my own way. Now all that I’m asking is that you don’t interfere, is that so difficult.

TASHA TURNS AWAY.

JOSIE

Fine. You can behave like an immature little school girl, but I am not going to give in to your ultimatums. Now if you spoil this for us, you’ve got to give live with the consequences.

TASHA WALKS AWAY.

THE BEACH HOUSE.

BARRY IS LEAVING.

IRENE

I’ll see you at the meeting then.

BARRY

Indeed, you will.

BARRY LEAVES THE HOUSE.

IRENE

Who’d have thunk it, hey? Me and Barry Hyde. So, did you get all your stuff moved into the downstairs room OK?

HAYLEY

Yes, yeah.

IRENE

So, what’s the matter?

HAYLEY

Nothing, I’m fine. Really.

IRENE

Come on, Girly, you don’t fool me one bit. What’s wrong?

HAYLEY

I’ve just started going out with Kim and I should be waking on air like you and Barry are, but instead –

IRENE

Well you do like Kim, don’t you.

HAYLEY

Yeah, he’s a really nice guy.

IRENE

Oh dear. Just nice, hey?

HAYLEY

There’s something missing. You know, the spark.

IRENE

Well Love, sometimes it takes a bit for that spark to get going, you know?

HAYLEY

Yeah, I know, but I just can’t help thinking about how we got together.

IRENE

Well, you’ve certainly been through a lot.

HAYLEY

Yeah, well maybe that’s been clouding my judgement.

IRENE

Well Darl, when it comes to love, sometimes those lines are blurry. You know, maybe you’ve just gotta go with your gut feeling.

HAYLEY

Maybe that’s the problem – I’ve been waiting to get someone else’s feeling. I always thought Noah would give me a sign when I met the right guy. Stupid, hey?

IRENE

No, Love. I don’t think it’s stupid at all, but I think if you’ve been having second thoughts about Kim, you should be talking to him about it.

HAYLEY

It’s not that easy.

IRENE

Trust me, the longer you leave it, they harder it’ll get.

THE HUNTER HOUSE – ROBBIE’S BEDROOM

ROBBIE

I knew there was something wrong.

TASHA

I wanted to tell you earlier, but Josie made me promise.

ROBBIE

Well I’m glad you spoke up now.

TASHA

She just makes me so angry. She called me a schoolgirl and said she wouldn’t take any of my ultimatums.

ROBBIE

Sounds like guilt talking to me.

TASHA

It’s like she’s trying to make me feel guilty, as if I’ve done something wrong.

ROBBIE

Yeah?

TASHA

I keep thinking about Jess, the poor guy. He’s the one who’s gonna get hurt.

ROBBIE

You’re not planning to tell him, are you?

TASHA

No, I’ve told Josie that she has to tell him before the wedding, otherwise I don’t want anything to do her.

ROBBIE

But there won’t be any wedding if she tells him.

TASHA

That’s what she keeps saying.

ROBBIE

Then maybe you should leave it to her.

TASHA

What?

ROBBIE

Don’t get angry, just try and look at it from Josie’s point of view. When she told you, she was probably looking for support.

TASHA

Rob, how can I support her? What she did to Jesse was terrible. How can you say that was OK?

BETH ENTERS THE ROOM WITH WASHING.

BETH

Hello again. Don’t mind me.

BETH LEAVES AND TASHA ATTEMPTS TO FOLLOW HER.

ROBBIE

Wait, wait! I’m not saying what Josie did was OK.

TASHA

What are you saying then?

ROBBIE

I just reckon you should stay out of it. Regardless of everything, Josie’s your family and she loves you.

TASHA

You know, I love her too and that’s why it hurts so much.

ROBBIE

I know, I felt the same way about Dads cheating on Mum all those years. Take it from me, don’t ruin what you’ve got because of something that really has nothing to do with you.

TASHA

Yeah, I’ll see you later.

TASHA LEAVES.

BY THE BEACH

TASHA IS WALKING ALONG, STARING AT THE SEA, LOST IN THOUGHT.

THE BEACH HOUSE

HAYLEY IS NICELY DRESSED, READY FOR HER DATE WITH KIM.

IRENE

You’re still going then?

HAYLEY

Yeah, he’s probably already booked a table.

IRENE

Well, a simple phone call would un-book it, Girlie.

HAYLEY

No, it’s not fair for me to back out just because I’m feeling weird.

IRENE

Yeah, and it’s not fair for you to string Kim along either. Look Love, maybe you should take it easy for a while. Tell him you need time to get your head together, or until you get this sign that you’re waiting for.

HAYLEY

Yeah well, maybe this whole sign thing’s just my imagination going crazy.

KIM ARRIVES, DRESSED CASUALLY.

KIM

Ahhh, oops.

HAYLEY

I thought we were going to a restaurant.

KIM

I said something special, I meant a picnic. Sorry.

HAYLEY

No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.

IRENE

I think what we have here is a failure to communicate, guys.

HAYLEY

Well, I’ll go get changed.

KIM

No, no, you look beautiful, it’d be a shame to change it.

HAYLEY

OK, um, well I’ll see you later.

IRENE

Have fun.

OUTSIDE THE SURF CLUB

COLLEEN, LEAH AND DAN ARE WALKING TOWARDS PETER’S MEETING, REGARDING THE SUMMER BAY STLKER RUMOURS.

LEAH

Wow, quite a big turn out.

DAN

Yeah, I hope Pete’s finished writing his speech.

COLLEEN

Actions speak louder than words. Black pepper and brown ginger.

COLLEEN DRAWS A SMALL CONTAINER FROM HER POCKET.

DAN

Right, well it’s really nice on roast lamb, but –

LEAH LAUGHS.

COLLEEN

If anyone comes near me on the way home – straight in the eyes!

DAN

Well hopefully, you won’t feel so threatened after the meeting, Colleen. That’s why we’re having it, to put people’s minds at rest.

SOMEBODY WATCHES THEM WALK INTO THE SURF CLUB THROUGH THE TREES, HIDING THEMSELVES FROM VIEW.

BY A LAKE

HAYLEY

Wow, this place looks beautiful!

KIM

Yeah, it is, isn’t it? I’m thinking later on, we could watch the sun go down, go for a nice walk in the moonlight.

HAYLEY

Yeah, that sound nice.

THEY LEAVE THE CAR AND AS KIM OPENS HAYLEY’S DOOR, SHE PUSHES IT INTO HIS KNEE.

HAYLEY

Oh, I am so sorry! Are you alright?

KIM

Yeah, it’s fine. I’ve got a nice picnic packed. We’ve got chicken, rolls, salad, a nice bottle of wine.

KIM OPENS THE BOOT OF HIS CAR.

KIM

Oh, great.

HAYLEY

What?

KIM

The bottle’s broken.

THE MEETING

ROBBIE APPROACHES TASHA

ROBBIE

Hey Tash!

TASHA

Hey.

ROBBIE

I hope I didn’t upset you before.

TASHA

No, actually you made me think

DAN WALKS OVER TO THEM.

DAN

Oh sorry, can you give me a hand with moving the tables?

ROBBIE

Yeah sure. To be continued, OK?

ROBBIE FOLOWS DAN AND JESSE SITS DOWN WITH TASHA.

JESSE

Hey Tash, d’you think it’s safe to go around to the apartment yet? Nothing else there I should see, is there?

TASHA

Nope, I don’t think so.

JESSE

All these superstitions, I’ll tell you.

JOSIE ENTERS AND SEES THEM TALKING. SHE IS CLEARLY WORRIED.

JESSE

You know it’s unlucky to see a pig on the way to the church? Or a nun, apparently.

TASHA

Right.

JESSE

TASHA

Yep, fine.

JESSE

Are you sure?

JOSIE WALKS TOWARDS THEM.

JOSIE

Hi, have I missed anything?

TASHA SHAKES HER HEAD.

TASHA

No, we’re just talking about the wedding. Excuse me, I’ve got to talk to Rob.

TASHA WALKS TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM.

BY A LAKE

KIM

You don’t have to eat it, you know.

HAYLEY

No, it’s OK. The red wine actually really goes with the sandwich. Oh, a bit of bottle.

HAYLEY REMOVES A SHARD OF THE WINE BOTTLE FROM HER SANDWICH.

KIM

Sorry.

THERE IS A BREIF SILENCE, AFTER WHICH THEY KISS. SUDDENLY, HAYLEY JUMPS UP.

HAYLEY

Ouch!

KIM

What’s wrong?

HAYLEY

Ouch, I’m being bitten!

KIM JUMPS UP.

KIM

Ouch! Jeez, argghhh.

BOTH ARE JUMPING UP AND DOWN.

THE MEETING

DAN

Where is Pete? He should have been here ages ago.

PETER ARRIVES.

PETER

HI, sorry I’m late. Yes, I know I should have phoned – what can I say? Just give me a couple of minutes, we can get started, OK?

JOSIE TAKES TASHA ASIDE.

JOSIE

Thanks for not saying anything to Jesse.

TASHA

Is that what you thought I was doing?

JOSIE

It crossed my mind. And I’m sorry about before, I shouldn’t have shouted.

TASHA

It’s cool. Hey um, I did tell someone, though. I told Robbie.

JOSIE

Well, he is your boyfriend. I suppose I can understand that.

TASHA

He made me understand some things too. What you did was wrong and I’m not gonna change my mind about that, but I kind of realised it wasn’t my place to tell you how to fix it.

JOSIE

Sweetheart.

TASHA

I’m going to come to you wedding and be your bridesmaid because I love you, but not what you’ve done.

JOSIE

Thank you.

THEY HUG.

JOSIE

It means a lot to me.

TASHA

You’ve still got a problem though. Marc’s not going to just go away.

JOSIE

No, he’s not.

TASHA

What are you going to do about it?

THE MEETING IS NOW IN PROCESS.

PETER

I understand your concern, we all remember what happened in our community just 6 months ago, OK. But rest assured this not the same situation.

A COMMUNITY MEMBER

According to this, it’s even worse. Not according to this.

HE INDICATES A NEWSPAPER.

PETER

What you’re holding is an example of extremely poor journalism. It’s not surprising that the writer declined my invitation to this meeting.

COLLEEN

Oh, thank goodness for that.

JESSE

So you’re saying the Summer Bay Stalker doesn’t exist?

PETER

What I’m saying is there have been some incidents recently, but there’s no reason to believe that they’re linked.

COMMUNITY MEMBER

Maybe you just haven’t found the link.

PETER

Well, myself and my colleagues are investigating every matter.

COMMUNITY MEMBER

Just like you were supposed to investigate that Sarah Lewis character?

PETER

Like I said, this is a different situation.

COMMUNITY MEMBER

Well, shouldn’t you be treating it more seriously? I mean we’re sitting next to a bar named after the poor bloke that woman shot dead!

PETER

Look believe me, I of all people understand the need to protect ourselves, but reading rubbish like this and overreacting is not the way to go about it. All that’s going to do is lead to hysteria.

BARRY

Then how should we go about it, Detective?

PETER

Stay calm, keep your eyes open and report anything that’s out of the ordinary.

COLLEEN

But late if you’re the poor soul being murdered in your bed.

PETER

And do not blow things out of proportion, OK? That’s the way that things are going to get way out of hand.

BY THE LAKE

KIM AND HAYLEY ARE SAT TOGETHER ON A BENCH, KIM’S ARMS AROUND HAYLEY’S SHOULDERS.

KIM

Tonight hasn’t exactly been a raging success, has it?

HAYLEY

Well, it’s been OK.

THEY KISS.

HAYLEY

It’s getting cold.

KIM

Well, that’s why we should huddle together for warmth.

HAYLEY

And that road’s probably going to get tricky in the dark.

KIM

Just a few more minutes?

HEAVY RAIN BEGINS TO POUR DOWN.

KIM

Or maybe not. Here we go!

HAYLEY

Yeah, OK. OK, I’m going.

THEY RUN TO THE CAR.

PETER

You shouldn’t listen to this sensationalist reporting.

BARRY

And if you do find out that the stalker exists, you will inform us, won’t you?

PETER

You have my word. But the situation hasn’t come to that – your town is not at under any threat. So, unless anyone has any further questions –

THE LIGHTS CUT OFF AND THE ROOM IS LEFT IN DARKNESS.

COLLEEN

Arghhh, he’s come for us!

PETER

Please everyone, just stay calm!

COLLEEN

The stalker!

JESSE TURNS THE LIGHTS BACK ON.

LEAH

There you go. You see?

PETER

Come on folks, is this the way that you want to live your lives – jumping out of your skin every time there’s a thunder storm and the lights turn off?

COLLEEN

Maybe not, but I’ll still be sleeping with a rolling pin beside my bed, thank you very much.

LEAH

Oh, Colleen!

THE ROAD

KIM AND HAYLEY ARE DRIVING ALONG.

KIM

Looks like the storm’s past.

HAYLEY

Yeah, it looks like it.

KIM

D’you want the radio on?

HAYLEY

Go for it.

KIM ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE RADIO ON, BUT IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, WHEN THE CAR STOPS AND MAKES STRANGE NOISES. KIM LEAVES THE CAR TO EXAMINE THE BONNET, WHICH HE HITS HIMSELF WITH.

HAYLEY

Are you alright. Whoa!

HAYLEY SLIPS AND FALLS INOT THE MUDDY ROAD.

BOTH LAUGH.

HAYLEY

Oh, yuck!

KIM HELPLS HER TO STAND UP.

KIM

D’you think someone’s trying to tell us something? This isn’t working is it?

HAYLEY

No, it’s not.

THE BEACH HOUSE

HAYLEY IS MAKING KIM A HOT DRINK.

KIM

How are you feeling?

HAYLEY

Better than I thought, you?

KIM

Yeah, not too bad. We’ve done the right thing haven’t we – calling it quits?

HAYLEY

Yeah, we’re good mates, but that’s all we ever should have been. Getting together, it was… it felt right at the time, but it just –

KIM

Wasn’t.

HAYLEY

And the last thing I want is to lose our friendship and that’s probably what would have happened if we’d stayed together.

KIM

Yeah, I know. I did want it to work though.

HAYLEY

Yeah, me too. You see, maybe that was half the problem – we were both trying to make things work that was never going to. With the plane crash, Valentine’s Day, it’s was a really weird set of circumstances and we rushed into something that we shouldn’t have.

KIM

I’ve never told you this before, but I used to look at you and Noah and think you guys had the perfect relationship. I don’t know, I guess I wanted that too.

HAYLEY

Hang in there, you’ll meet the right girl someday.

IRENE, BARRY AND TASHA ENTER THE HOUSE.

IRENE

Oh, g’dday, g’dday. You two look like you had a humdinger of an evening.

HAYLEY

Yeah, in a funny sort of way.

KIM

How was the meeting?

BARRY

Oh, fine – until all of the lights went off.

HAYLEY

What?

IRENE

Oh, long story, Darl. But I have to say, Peter did a really good job of reassuring everyone. I know I was sceptical, but after tonight, I don’t think we’ve got a thing to worry about.

THE HUNTER HOUSE

BETH AND ROBBIE WALK  TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR, TO FIND IT LEFT OPEN.

BETH

The kids aren’t due home yet.

ROBBIE NOTICES THAT THE LOK HAS BEEN BROKEN.

ROBBIE

Um, maybe they’ve not, unless they forgot their keys.

BETH

Oh, be careful.

THEY ENTER THE HOUSE, WHICH HAS BEEN RAMSACKED.

ROBBIE

What?!

BETH

Oh, my God!

BETH RUNS THROUGH THE HOUSE.

BETH

Matilda?! Henry?! Matty, Henry, are you here?!

ROBBIE FINDS A NOTE LEFT ON THE TABLE.

ROBBIE

Mum?

BETH

I’m just ringing the kids.

ROBBIE

Look at this.

ROBBIE UNFOLDS THE NOTE, WHICH READS “TICK TOCK TICK TOCK”.