Scripts - Episode 4402

A ROAD

TONY stands surveying the scene of carnage. BETH is wheeled away. JACK walks over to him.

JACK

Dad, we need to go.

TONY looks at BETH’S suitcase sitting beside the remains of the car.

JACK

Let’s go.

TONY

How am I going to tell them this Jack?

TONY puts his head in his hands.

THE HOSPITAL

MATILDA, KIT holding the baby, KIM, SALLY, RIC, RACHEL and ALF are there.

MATILDA

You know, I reckon he’s got mums eyes.

KIT

Do you think so?

SALLY

Yeah, and her chin.

ALF

How can you tell? Poor little bloke’s got a face like a twisted sand tube.

RIC

Yeah, I think he looks like Kim too, doesn’t he?

SALLY

Aw, don’t listen to him. I think he’s beautiful. Have you picked a name yet?

ALF

Well Alfred’s got a nice ring to it, don’t you reckon?

RIC

If he was born a hundred years ago maybe.

ALF

Hey.

KIT

We’ve got a few ideas, but nothing definite yet.

KIM

We have had a couple of other things to think about the last few hours.

RACHEL

Sally’s right. He’s beautiful.

KIM walks over to RACHEL.

KIM

Thanks for looking after them.

RACHEL

That’s OK. I’m just glad to see they’re healthy.

NURSE KING walks over to the door and signals to RACHEL.

RACHEL

Hang on just one minute.

RACHEL walks out the room.

NURSE KING

You know that accident on Yabbie Creek Road.

RACHEL

Yeah.

NURSE KING

There’s been a fatality at the scene.

RACHEL

Who is it?

NURSE KING

Rachel, it was Beth Hunter.

RACHEL

Beth. Has it been confirmed? Are you sure?

NURSE KING nods. TONY and JACK walk in.

RACHEL

Aw, Tony. I just heard. I’m, I’m so. I’m sorry.

TONY

Thanks.

RACHEL

Listen, I could talk to Kit and Matilda if you like.

TONY

No, no thanks Rach. I think that maybe I should do it.

RACHEL

OK, just through here.

KIM, KIT, RIC, MATILDA, SALLY, ALF and the baby are in the room.

RIC

Pull me finger. Come on.

MATILDA

Ric, you’re going to corrupt my nephew.

RIC

I’m not corrupting anyone. I’m just teaching him some valuable social skills.

RACHEL and TONY walk to the door.

KIT

Tony. Where’s mum?

RACHEL

Guys, Tony just needs some time alone with the girls right now.

ALF

Alright.

RIC, SALLY, ALF and KIM walk out the room.

MATILDA

Hey, where’s mum?

TONY

Em, girls, I’ve got a bit of bad news actually. I don’t really know how to.

MATILDA

It’s OK. Just tell us.

TONY

Your mum, on the way back from the airport, she, she was in a car accident.

MATILDA

How bad was it? Is she alright?

TONY

It was bad.

KIT

How bad?

TONY

She, she, girls she died.

MATILDA

She was coming home.

TONY

I know. I’m so.

MATILDA

She’s coming home.

TONY

Tilly, I’m sorry, OK. She’s gone.

MATILDA

No, no. Don’t say that, OK.

TONY

I’m sorry love.

TONY tries to hug MATILDA.

MATILDA

Stop it.

MATILDA pushes TONY away.

MATILDA

Stop it.

MATILDA starts crying. RIC walks into comfort her. KIT sits on the bed. KIM walks in.

THE ROCKET CLUB

MARTHA and CAM walk in.

CAM

Promise you’ll take good care of it.

MARTHA

We are talking about the car, aren’t we?

CAM

It’s not just any car. Consider that I’m lending it you.

MARTHA

I’ll treat it like I treat you.

CINDY walks across to MARTHA and CAM.

CINDY

Lou Baines rang a few times.

MARTHA

Who’s Lou Baines?

CAM

He could be the answer to my prayers.

MARTHA

I thought I was the answer to your prayers.

CAM

He’s a guy with very deep pockets who might consider putting money into this place.

MARTHA

Really. That’s great. Good luck.

CAM

I don’t need luck. I’ll get my best girl dancing for him. He’s going to love you, which means he’s going to love this club.

MARTHA

Well I better get going then. The sooner I get out of here, the sooner I can get back.

MARTHA walks away. AMY walks over to CAM.

AMY

You seem tense.

CAM

I’m fine.

AMY

Are you sure you wouldn’t like a little massage?

CAM

No, I’m fine. I don’t want to mess things up with Martha. Last week was bad enough, OK.

THE HOSPITAL

MATILDA, RIC, KIT, KIM and TONY are there.

MATILDA

How did it happen? I mean, was it her fault?

RIC

Does that really matter now?

TONY

They think the truck veered onto her side of the road.

KIT

What about the boys? Scott, Robbie and Henry, has anyone called them?

TONY

No.

KIT

Can I have a phone?

TONY

Kit, I can do that.

KIT

No, it’s fine. I’ll do it.

KIM

Kit, maybe you should just let Tony do it.

KIT

No, there my brothers and I’d like to speak to them. Can I have a phone please?

KIM hands KIT his phone. KIT dials the number.

KIT

Robbie, it’s Kit.

Yeah, I did. A little boy.

Thank you.

Listen, something’s happened.

Mum’s been in a car accident.

Yeah.

She’s dead Robbie

No, we just found out.

Yeah, she was on her way here.

I’m going to call them next?

She’s OK, considering.

TONY walks out the room. SALLY and ALF are in the corridor.

SALLY

Tony, if there’s anything that we can do?

ALF

Mate, just so you know, you’re not alone in all of this.

RACHEL helps wheel in the TRUCK DRIVER followed by JACK.

TONY

Who’s that? That’s him, isn’t it? That’s the truck driver.

JACK

Hey, leave him alone.

TONY

He’s alive.

JACK

Leave him alone. Go and sit down now please.

TONY

He’s alive and, and.

Later, SALLY, MATILDA, RIC, KIT, the baby and KIM are in the room.

MATILDA

Where’s Tony?

SALLY

Aw, he’s gone to get some fresh air. Mr. Stewart’s gone to let Irene and Colleen know what’s happened.

NURSE KING walks in.

NURSE KING

Kit, I’ve spoken to the little one and they’re happy to take your little one for a while.

KIT

No, it’s fine, thank you.

NURSE KING

It’s been a big day. You should really get some rest.

KIT

Actually, I’d like to leave. Can we get my things together please?

NURSE KING

That’s not a good idea. You’ve just been through an extremely difficult labour and birth. I don’t think you’re ready to go home yet.

KIM

Kit, at least let the doctor check you first.

KIT

I don’t need a doctor. I need to go home and start organising the funeral.

MATILDA

Kit, don’t worry about that.

KIM

We can do that later on.

KIT

Mum said she always wanted to be buried next to nan in Adelaide and that’s not going to happen if I’m sitting around here.

KIM

Kit, Kit, just slow down a sec.

KIT

I’m going home, OK. That’s what I want. You can help me with the baby or I’ll do it on my own.

KIM

Just relax, OK.

THE ROCKET CLUB

The phone rings. AMY answers it.

AMY

Hello, Rocket Club. Amy speaking.

MARTHA

Hi Amy. It’s Martha. Listen, I just found out a close friend of the family died today.

AMY

Oh, god. I’m really sorry.

MARTHA

Anyway, I need to hang out with the family for a while, so I might be late back to the club. Can you let Cam know?

AMY

Yeah, yeah, no problem.

MARTHA

Thanks Amy. Bye.

AMY puts the phone down. CAM walks in.

CAM

What did I miss?

AMY

Just some dodgy promotion.

CAM

Have you heard from Martha? She was meant to be back by now.

AMY

No.

CAM

G’day Lou. How are you?

CAM walks over to LOU.

LOU

Ah, not too bad. I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with that little cutie I saw last week.

CAM

Aw, that’s a happy coincidence mate because she’s looking forward to reacquainting herself with you. How about we start off with a drink?

LOU

Sounds like a plan.

THE HUNTER/HOLDEN HOUSE

TONY, KIT carrying the baby, KIM, MATILDA, RIC and SALLY walk in. They look at the cake on the table. KIT hands the baby to KIM. KIT starts searching through a drawer.

KIM

Kit, what are you doing?

KIT

I need to start getting organised. I want to ring the cemetery that my nan’s buried in and see if there’s a place there for mum and then ring the funeral home and make arrangements.

SALLY

I know all that stuff needs to be done, but maybe not right now.

TONY

You don’t have to do this by yourself Kit. We wouldn’t mind being involved in the decision making.

KIT

No offence Tony, but I think it’s better if I do it. I don’t want anything overlooked and if we divide it up it’s going to get messy.

KIM

But like Rachel said, you need to get some rest.

KIT

I’ve had a baby. I’m not an invalid.

KIM

Yeah, but you know what she means. You don’t want to overdo it.

KIT

I’m going to sit in the lounge and make some phone calls. That’s not exactly overdoing it, is it?

THE BEACH

JACK and MARTHA walk along the beach.

JACK

No matter how many of those things I turn up to do I don’t think I will ever get used to it. It’s so surreal. Busted glass, twisted metal and then you get over to the drivers window and it’s someone you know. I can live with that, it’s part of my job, but dad didn’t need to see it. When his car pulled up, I just wanted to get him out of there and I wasn’t fast enough.

MARTHA

There is nothing you could have done to stop Tony from seeing that. It was just bad timing.

JACK

I never seen him like this Martha. Not even when mum died.

THE HUNTER/HOLDEN HOUSE

KIT sits on the couch with the baby whilst she is on the phone. TONY, KIM, MATILDA, RIC and SALLY sit around the table.

KIT

Yeah, I’m told that she’s buried there.

No, I don’t have a plot number.

Yeah, you do.

OK, well the reason I’m calling is my mum just died.

Yeah, OK, thank you.

You do, great.

Yeah, I can do that.

Thank you.

Bye.

KIT hangs up.

KIT

That was the cemetery where nan’s buried. They have a place for mum. All I have to do is confirm it. I’ll just ring the travel agent now and book the flights. Actually, I should probably ring the boys first.

MATILDA

Would you just stop it.

KIT

What?

MATILDA

Mum’s dead.

KIT

Yeah, I know that.

MATILDA

It doesn’t feel like it.

SALLY

Em, Matty, everyone.

MATILDA

She hasn’t even cried yet. She’s too busy organising everything.

KIT

Well who else is going to do it Matilda. The boys. They’re not here. What about you? Do you want to do it?

MATILDA

We can do it together, but we don’t have to do it now.

KIT

Yes, we do.

MATILDA

No we don’t.

RIC

Guys.

MATILDA

And the only reason that you’re doing this is because you can’t handle what you’re feeling.

KIT

You have no idea how I’m feeling.

MATILDA

You’re not feeling everything, that’s the point.

KIT

I’m just not being self indulgent. Mum’s the only thing that matters right now and if you grew up a little bit, maybe.

TONY

Oh, would you two just give it a damm rest OK. Today’s been bad enough as it is. Do you think your mother would have wanted this?

TONY walks out the house.

THE HOSPITAL

The TRUCK DRIVER lies in bed. TONY stands over him. The TRUCK DRIVER wakes up.

TRUCK DRIVER

Who are you?

TONY

You know what you’ve done?

TRUCK DRIVER

Sorry.

TONY

You’ve torn the heart out of our family.

TRUCK DRIVER

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

TONY

There’s a little boy in there that’s never going to know his grandmother and five orphaned kids. Have you any idea what you’ve done?

TRUCK DRIVER

I didn’t, I didn’t know somebody had.

TONY

Yeah, Beth. Beth Hunter was her name and you have killed her.

TRUCK DRIVER

They didn’t tell me. I didn’t know. It was an accident. I’m so sorry. Oh my god.

TONY walks out the room and past RACHEL.

RACHEL

Tony.

THE ROCKET CLUB

MARTHA and CAM are there.

CAM

Martha, where the hell have you been?

MARTHA

I left a message with Amy.

CAM

I didn’t get your message. All I know was that Lou Baines was here and you weren’t.

MARTHA

I called.

CAM

Look he waited for you and when you didn’t show he was filthy.

MARTHA

I am sorry Cam, OK.

CAM

Sorry? The deal could be dead. Lou may never want to put money in this place now. What was so damm important that you couldn’t be here?

MARTHA

Beth died in a car accident today. That’s Jack’s dad’s partner. I had to be there.

CAM

Martha, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I promise you, I didn’t know. Martha, wait.

MARTHA

Get out of my way. I need to get changed.

THE HUNTER/HOLDEN HOUSE

SALLY, RIC, RACHE, MATILDA and JACK sit around the table. KIT sits on the couch. KIM walks out of the bedroom.

KIT

Why couldn’t I just shut up about the funeral. If Tony hadn’t been through enough today.

RACHEL

Hey, I’m not even sure what he was doing there.

KIT

I’m an idiot.

SALLY

It’s been a big day for both of you.

KIT

Matilda, I’m sorry. I thought I was handling it so you didn’t have to, but I think you’re right. I didn’t want to let myself cry, because if I start, what if I can’t stop.

KIT starts crying. MATILDA comforts her. TONY walks in. TONY opens the fridge. JACK walk over to him.

JACK

Hey, are you alright dad?

TONY

No, not really.

TONY shuts the fridge.

TONY

I almost did a really stupid thing Jack.

THE ROCKET CLUB

MARTHA walks off the stage. CAM is there.

CAM

Martha, I really am sorry. I should have known you’d have a good reason. Anyway, I want you to have a couple of days off. Go to the funeral and do what you need to do.

MARTHA

Really?

CAM

Of course. Look, I know how important family is and if you need some extra cash for whatever, just ask.

MARTHA

Really. That’s so sweet. Thank you. Better get back to it.

MARTHA walks away. CINDY walks over to CAM.

CINDY

Do you really think you should be letting her go? I mean, Lou Baines is due back in a couple of days.

CAM

I’ll just have to put him off.

CINDY

Cam, we need this guy.

CAM

You’re preaching to the converted. We need her to get him. Lou Baines likes to be entertained. He has very specific tastes.

MARTHA is dancing.

THE HUNTER/HOLDEN HOUSE

KIM and RACHEL walk out the house. SALLY, RIC, JACK and KIT are in the living room.

SALLY

We’ll see you tomorrow.

JACK

See you guys.

SALLY and RIC walk out. JACK walks through to the kitchen where TONY and MATILDA sit at the table. MATILDA walks through and sits beside KIT on the couch. The baby starts crying.

KIT

The baby needs a feed. Poor little guy. How’s this for a first day?

MATILDA

Well he has heaps of people that love him. That’s all that matters.

KIT

Do you want to keep me company?

MATILDA

You know, he still needs a name.

MATILDA and KIT walk into the bedrooms. JACK brings TONY a glass of orange juice.

JACK

How are you feeling now?

TONY

Pretty stupid.

JACK

Well at least nothing happened.

TONY

I could have. I don’t even know how I got there, you know. I wanted to hurt him mate. Wanted to make him pay so badly.

JACK

But you didn’t and that’s the main thing.

TONY

No, that would have been too easy for him. He’s going to have to live with this for the rest of his life like we are. If that’s enough, I don’t know and then I started thinking about the guy that killed your mum. What I would have done for half an hour in a room with mate.

JACK

Dad, don’t think like that.

TONY

Jack, that is all I can think about. You know, has he suffered like we have over the years. The guy in the hospital, is he going to suffer like those girls in there. I’ve lived through this one Jack and now I’ve got to go through it all over again and there’s not a damm thing I can do about it.

TONY sits at the table. JACK walks in.

JACK

I’m going to hit the sack. Listen, dad, I don’t know whether this is the right time, but I’m not sure there ever is going to be a right time.

JACK puts a bag of BETH’S belongings in front of TONY.

JACK

Night.

JACK walks away. TONY empties the bag on the table. He opens BETH’S wallet. There are two pictures, one of BETH and TONY and the other of SCOTT, HENRY, ROBBIE, MATILDA and KIT. TONY starts crying. He picks up BETH’S necklace.