Episode 7685

Extended Summary

Ryder and Chloe are sat outside the Diner, discussing the fact that orders are down so they’re going to be in the red again. Theo appears wanting to know about the challenges. Ryder says he hasn’t done his list yet and decides to go and work at home, with a bemused Chloe going with him. Meanwhile, Dean is continuing trying to climb the stairs but is clearly in pain every step of the way. Ziggy eventually stops him, saying he can do the rest next time.

At the Diner, Irene cautiously puts the finishing touches to Marilyn’s burger. Leah is aghast that she’s actually going to serve her but Irene takes it over. Marilyn checks it, saying she knows Mackenzie didn’t put any vodka in her Bloody Mary, and notes she should know what it tastes like to recommend it. Irene, Leah and Justin all hold their breath as she bites into it, but she finds it delicious. Irene and Leah go outside to talk, leaving Justin to keep an eye on her, much to his delight. They note that being rude to John in hospital was one thing but this is definitely strange and they can’t leave Ryder to handle her. Leah wonders if they should call Alf and Roo, but Irene says they can’t summon them back just because Marilyn’s ordered a burger.

Justin chats to Marilyn about how much she enjoyed the burger. She calls him handsome, then announces she’s going where her instincts tell her. Justin tries to get her to stay but Marilyn tells him not to follow her and strides out, passing Theo. At the caravan park, Chloe tries to get Ryder to come up with ideas. He suggests lip synch or jenga. Chloe says the video was popular because he was humiliated and angry, so tap into that. Marilyn appears and comments on Ryder being in debt, saying she needs him to pay back the loan as soon as. Ryder and Chloe are confused, since she’s always said there’s no rush.

At the surf club, Dean tells Ziggy he’s tired of not being able to go up stairs. Ziggy is confused as he talks about how rehab hasn’t made him better. She offers to take him home to rest but he says that’s the last thing he needs. Ziggy follows him outside where he cautiously explains that he misses being with her and that Logan said climbing stairs would let him know he was ready. He’s bemused that she spoke to Mackenzie about it. They light-heartedly comment on how they can wait.

At the Diner, Justin tries to reassure Leah that nothing bad’s going to happen to Marilyn and Theo notes he didn’t see anything strange. Chloe comes in and mentions seeing Marilyn at the caravan park. Theo complains about Ryder not showing up and records a video saying he’s chickened out again. Ryder gets an alert and sees the video. Marilyn comes past, looking a lot more dressed down than usual. Ryder wonders where she’s going and she says people need to learn to mind their own business.

Ryder meets Chloe and Theo at the park. Theo films them putting both their sets of challenges in the hat, playing showman while Ryder looks weary of the whole thing. Chloe pulls out a chilli-eating contest, one of Theo’s ideas. Ryder complains he doesn’t like chillis and a bemused Chloe points out he owns a Mexican food business. Theo films a rather flamboyant introduction. Ryder and Chloe go to the surf club where Chloe advises him to stock up on gelato. Ryder asks Dean for advice. Dean gives him thirty seconds and he rambles about his family’s money troubles before explaining he has the chance to earn money doing something he doesn’t want to. Dean asks if it’s illegal or if anyone will get hurt. Ryder says only him. Dean advises him to go for it.

At the Diner, Theo convinces Leah to let him have the house to himself, so long as he doesn’t have a party or loud music. Justin comes in and Leah suggests they go to Salt. Marilyn also turns up and says she’s there to check her roster. Irene explains they gave her shifts to Chloe. Marilyn thinks it’s because they thought she’d be dead and accuses them of a lack of loyalty. At the hospital, Dean is sat in his bed. Ziggy notes that visiting hours are over but they don’t have to follow the rules: The bed’s elevated, the handles are sturdy and they’re in the right place if something goes wrong. She closes the curtains.

Theo, Ryder and Chloe have met up at the Morgan house, with Chloe filming as Theo announces whoever eats the most chillis in five minutes will win. Ryder swaps plates just in case Theo rigged them. Chloe announces the start. A few minutes later, Theo is calmly eating while Ryder is upping his gelato. Theo notes people can die doing this and Chloe says she read that too. With seconds to go, Ryder finishes his plate and grabs one from Theo’s, downing that. Chloe tells him he’s won and he runs to the bathroom to throw up. Theo comments that not many people have their ex looking out for them.

At Salt, Justin is eyeing up Marilyn at a nearby table. Irene arrives, having been summoned by him, and explains Leah is still closing up. She goes to sit with Marilyn, pointing out they didn’t know when she’d be out of hospital and this gives her a few days’ paid holiday. She suggests Marilyn stay with her and Jasmine for what Marilyn calls a girls’ staycation. At the Morgan house, Ryder is still in the bathroom and throws up again. Theo shows Chloe the comments they’re getting on the video, which she is bemused he already uploaded. He kisses her but she pulls away, saying they have to get Ryder home and looking rather awkward.