MUGSHOTS - KATH/RITA/ROO

The dining room.

Rita, Cheryl, and Ida are sat together

Rita - So I reckon we should organize a surprise party for her for after work.

Cheryl - Yeah she needs cheering up. She was telling me about that friend of hers. Merle is it?

Rita nods

Cheryl - She seems pretty down about it.

Rita - Yeah, she's pretty close to Merle, I hope we can get her back

Ida - She did kill someone though!!

Rita - I know Ida but Kath thinks she was set up by that slimy bastard Adams

Cheryl - You reckon that's likely?

Rita - Yeah I do

Meg appears in the room and Rita gets out of her seat

Rita - Morning Mrs. M

Meg - Morning Connors, how are you feeling today?

Rita - On top of the world!! Hey listen we want to throw a surprise party after work for Kath, it's her birthday you see, you reckon Miss Bennett would let us?

Meg - Oh I doubt it, Rita, I'm sorry. It's a nice idea but Miss Bennett doesn't really approve of parties

Rita - Yeah well that's where you come in see. We heard you were pretty friendly with her in the old days, we reckon if anyone can talk her round you can

Meg looks dubious

Rita - Oh c'mon Mrs. M what ya say? Can't hurt to have a go, can it?

Meg - Well ok I'll try but I can't promise anything ok

Rita lets out a loud cheer

Rita - Hey good on ya Mrs. M!

Vera's office

Vera is sitting behind her desk when there is a loud urgent knock at the door

Vera - Come in

Rodney charges in in a panic

Rodney - Governor I must leave for an hour or so, something very urgent has come up

Vera (annoyed) - Oh really Mr. Adams, forgot to turn the iron off this morning did you! This isn't a social club where you can pop in and out whenever you like!

Rodney (angry) - Look I have a relative in hospital and they have taken a turn for the worse damn it. I need to go just for an hour or so and I'll be back later!

Vera - This is the first I've heard about this!

Rodney - Yeah well I don't broadcast my private affairs all around Wentworth, so can I go?

Vera - Yes ok, but you will have to make up the time you miss

Rodney - Ok fine

Rodney rushes off nearly bumping into Meg who is coming in

Rodney - Sorry Mrs. Morris!

He rushes off

meg - Gosh what's got into him?

Vera - Oh something about a sick relative, I hope it's not some cock and bull story just to slip out for an hour or so, if it's one thing I can't tolerate its slackers

Meg - Well as a matter of fact I did bump into him at Wentworth General the other day, he said he was visiting a relative then so maybe it's true?

Vera - Hmmm well maybe. So what can I do for you, Meg?

Meg - The women want to throw a surprise birthday party for Maxwell

Vera raises an eyebrow

Vera - Oh do they indeed!

Meg - yes and I know how you feel about prisoners having parties Vera but c'mon can it really do any harm to let them let off a bit of steam every now and then

vera - I can see they've sent you to plead their case for them! Why couldn't they ask me themselves?!

Meg grins

Meg - I think they thought I might have more luck at talking you around

Vera tuts and shakes her head

Meg - So what do you say then, Vera. Can I tell them they have your permission?

Vera - Oh alright! They can have a party for Maxwell but you can warn them from me any funny business and there will be trouble and I mean it!

Meg smiles

The kitchen

Chrissie is hanging around by some trays of food acting suspiciously

Lizzie is chatting to Jason

Marty enters the room

Marty - Are the breakfasts ready for solitary and maternity Mr. Stephens?

Jason (pointing to the trays) - Yes over there

Marty - You may as well deliver them with me Latham....perhaps we can have a chat

Chrissie - Yeah sure

Marty and Chrissie leave with the trays

They walk along in silence for a moment, both looking uncomfortable

Marty - So I saw you had a visit from Derek and Elizabeth this morning?

Chrissie - Yeah that's right

Marty - Pretty low of you to go telling tales to mum like that

Chrissie - What did you expect me to do? Sit back and let you stop me from seeing my little girl forever?

Marty - I just don't think you're fit to be a mother Latham

Chrissie - Bull! You just want to punish me for killing your father, it's about revenge. Don't bleeding try to pretend you have Elizabeth's best interests at heart

Marty - So maybe that's true, can you blame me?

Chrissie - Look Mrs. Morris forgave me, why can't you?

Marty - Are you even sorry? Because to me, you don't seem it

Chrissie - I am sorry, I really am but it was such a long time ago. I have to live with what I did but I can't pay for it forever, life goes on... and I tell ya another thing Mr. Jackson I never bleeding sent that card. Mrs. Morris believes me on that too

Marty - Yeah well I know that wasn't you now. But don't think everything's ok between us. I can't just forget the way mum can, I wish I could but I can't

Chrissie - Well that's your bleeding problem, I've tried to be nice. Just don't get any more idea's about trying to keep Elizabeth from me

Marty - I'm sure you'd go running to mum again wouldn't you

They stare at each other for a moment and then continue in silence

The laundry.

Margo's on the press. Roo, Vicki, and Spider are folding and Cheryl's loading the washers

Rita comes in carrying her mop and bucket?

Rita - Where's Kath?

Margo - I sent her out on skip

Rita - Good

Rita goes over to Spider

Rita - Can you get me some booze for the party?

Spider has a look of contempt

Spider - Booze for that bitch? Forget it

Rita - Look I'll pay you a good price

Spider - You won't pay me nothing Connors, I wouldn't spit on that bitch if she was on fire!

Rita - You're all heart!

Vicki - C'mon Spid, Kath's ok ya know

Spider chuckles

Vicki - Look she is, she helped me out when Tucker told everyone about me....what do you say, do it for me if you won't do it for her?

Margo - Yeah and money is money..even if it is for Maxwell!

Rita - Yer listen to Gaffney Simpson!

Spider (annoyed) - Oh ok!

Spider leaves

Rita spots Roo smirking at her

Rita - Yeah what can I do for you?

Roo shrugs

Roo - just wondered how you're feeling this morning? You looked pretty rotten last night. Still, it was nice of Mcpherson here to help you up, wasn't it?

Rita looks angry but turns and leaves with the sound of Roo laughing as she goes

Margo watches her go too

Margo - Right girls get your orders in

Roo - Got the stuff have ya?

Margo - Yeah of course I've got the stuff, you know Simpson Roo, she always gets what I need

Vicki - Spid's great!

Chrissie and Marty arrive at solitary and Marty unlocks the door to Brumby's cell

Marty - Against the wall Tucker

Brumby ignores him and instead dashes over to him

Marty - I said against the wall

Brumby - Listen I never sent that card or the note ok, it wasn't me

Chrissie - So it was her was it! I might have bleeding well known!

Brumby - Keep out of this Latham it's got nothing to do with you

Chrissie - Nothing to do with me? It has everything to do with me you rotten bitch! I was the one who got accused of sending them when it was you!

Brumby - It wasn't me! Look I swear it wasn't me Mr. Jackson, why would I do that?

Marty ignores her and turns to Chrissie

Marty - Put the tray down and let's go

Chrissie - Suits me, the stink in here is getting to me

Marty - Yeah I know what you mean

Brumby - I dunno what your problem is?

Chrissie - We all know what you did Tucker. Killing those poor little kids, you're scum!

Brumby turns to Marty

Brumby - You gonna let her talk to me like that?

Marty - For once I actually agree with her

Brumby - It was an accident!!

Marty and Chrissie leave, Chrissie has a sly grin on her face

Chrissie - Enjoy your breakfast Tucker...might be your last eh

Marty - Ok Latham that's enough

Marty locks the door and they walk away. Chrissie is smirking

Marty - What's that smirk for?

Chrissie - You'll find out... Any second now I reckon

Brumby screams out loud and there is a sound of a plate smashing to the floor. Chrissie laughs with delight as Marty races to open the hatch

Brumby is sat on the bed crying, her breakfast and the smashed plate all across the floor, right in the middle of it a stinking great big dead rat.

Margo rushes down the corridor checking it's all clear before going into her cell and pushing the wardrobe away from the wall, where she retrieves a stash of drugs. She pushes the wardrobe back and turns around to find Delia stood watching

Delia holds out her hand

Delia - You should be more careful Gaffney... Hand them over

Margo hands them overlooking annoyed

Delia studies them

Delia - Impressive stash Gaffney

Margo - Just take me to the governor, I know you're going to so let's quit playing games and go shall we.

Delia takes a large chunk from the supply and hands the rest back

Delia - Now who said anything about the governor? You can keep your drugs and I'll keep quiet about it

Delia slips the drugs into her pocket

Delia - I'll keep these

Margo smirks

Margo - Well well well, fancy that. You're a dark horse Miss Stout, there i was thinking you were a goody-two-shoes butter wouldn't melt type and it turns out you have a habit to feed. I suppose from now on you will want a free supply every time right?

Delia snaps

Delia - Who says I have a habit to feed? Maybe these are for someone else!

Margo - Yeah sure love.....well I guess we both share a secret about each other now eh

margo leaves with a cocky swagger.

Jason and Lizzie are busy in the kitchen

Lizzie - So got a girlfriend ave ya Jas?

Jason - No

Lizzie - Oh a good-looking young lad like you? I bet the girls must all be fighting over you!

Jason laughs

Marty and Chrissie enter, Chrissie is carrying a bag

Marty - I should report you but I'll let it go this time

Chrissie - I thought you'd be dying to report me for it? Use it against me?

Marty - Well maybe on this occasion I can understand. I'm not exactly Tucker's biggest fan myself. Just get rid of it and make sure you clean yourself up afterward

Marty leaves

Lizzie (glancing at the bag) - What ya got in there Chris?

Chrissie laughs

Chrissie - A dead rat Lizzie, I put it in that bitch Tuckers breakfast

Jason - A dead rat! In the kitchen! Get rid of it right away! It shouldn't be in a kitchen around food!

Chrissie - Oh relax spunky! I'm gonna take it out to the bins right away ok!

Chrissie leaves for the bins as Rita comes in

Lizzie - G'day Rita

Rita - G'day. Did you hear about the party?

Lizzie - Yeah, I like a good party

Rita - So you'll be coming?

Lizzie - Yeah. Kath shared her scotch with me the other night, reckon she's a bit of alright

Lizzie laughs and Rita joins in

Rita - Good on ya, should be a good afternoon

Rita leans in close to whisper

Rita- Between me and you Lizzie there's something in my bucket to help the afternoon go with a swing

She sneakily shows Lizzie bottles hidden in the bucket

Lizzie looks delighted

Lizzie - YOU BEAUTY!

Jason - What's going on here? What's all the shouting about?

Rita - Sorry stud, it was my fault, actually, I wanted a quick word

Rita puts an arm around Jason and leads him away

Rita - What I wanted to ask you was can you spare us a few bits and bobs from the kitchen? You see we're having a little bit of a party later on

Jason looks thoughtful

Jason - Well I suppose I could put a few things aside for you

Rita - You're a top bloke Jason!

Chrissie comes back in

Jason - Did you get rid of it?

Chrissie - Yeah

Chrissie goes to the sink to scrub her hands and Lizzie marches overlooking angry

Lizzie - What ya been doing to that poor little kid Chrissie?

Chrissie - Nothing she don't deserve Lizzie. Bleeding hell she's killed two kids and you still want to defend her? She's scum

Lizzie - The poor kid probably feels rotten about it

Rita has overheard

Rita - And so she should, I'm with Latham on this one. Tuckers just scum

Chrissie - You're only saying that cos Tucker was the one who told Roo about your brother Connors. Roo reckons that was the only decent thing Tucker ever did

Chrissie giggles

Chrissie - She's probably right there too!

Rita - Shut up Latham

Chrissie - Yeah and what will you do if I don't?

Rita - You'll find out

Chrissie - You're nothing around here anymore Connors, Roo has beaten you three times already and you still think you're something special?

Rita flies across the room and grabs Chrissie

Rita - Listen blondie maybe Roo got the better of me but I can promise you if it came to a fight between you and me I'd beat the crap out of ya. Cancer or no cancer I can still beat gobby little sluts like you

Jason rushes over

Jason - Please you two pack this up

Rita lets go of Chrissie and turns to leave

Chrissie picks up a dirty bowl of washing up water out of the sink and throws it at Rita but misses and it ends up all over Jason instead

Delia is sweating and looking nervous as she arrives in reception in her jacket.

Pat Slattery is behind the desk

Delia signs out

Delia - I'm off now Pat, be back later

Pat - ok Delia, see you later

Delia is just leaving as Vera arrives

Vera - MISS STOUT! COME BACK HERE AT ONCE!

Delia comes back in

Delia - Yes Miss Bennett?

Vera looks at Delia and Pat in a fury

Vera - Why did you allow Miss Stout to leave without conducting a body search Mrs. Slattery?

Pat - Oh c'mon Miss Bennett, we don't bother with all that here. Mrs. Reynolds...

Vera - I am not Mrs. Reynolds! I made it quite clear when I arrived here that all staff and visitors should be searched when arriving and leaving the prison! See to it at once, please!

Vera marches off and Pat gets up

Pat - Sorry Delia

Pat begins to search an anxious Delia when the phone rings. Pat does a half-arsed job

Pat - Well you seem fine to me...go on you get off now

Delia rushes off as Pat answers the phone

Jason is standing in only his underwear in the kitchen. Kath is there with her trolley and Rita is stuffing Jason's soaking wet clothes in amongst the laundry While Chrissie and Lizzie keep nit at the doorway

Rita - Get this to the laundry and dry it as quick as you can

Kath - Sure

Kath leaves with the trolley in a rush

Jason is stood there looking agitated. He has a fit athletic body and a nice tan

Chrissie - I'm sorry Jason, it was meant for Connors I swear

Jason - I just hope Kath can get it dried and back here fast before Miss Bennett finds out! If she sees me like this I'm fired!

Lizzie - Why it wasn't your fault

Chrissie - yeah it was my fault and I'll swear to it I promise. Gawd I feel bad enough as it is

Rita - So you bloody well should Latham

Chrissie - Yeah well it wasn't entirely my fault, I was provoked ya know

Rita and Chrissie stare each other out

Lizzie - Oh Gawd Bennetts coming!

Jason - Oh hell!

Rita - Quick in here!

Rita rushes Jason into the cool room

Lizzie and Chrissie pretend to be busy cooking as Vera enters

Lizzie begins to sing

Lizzie - ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME, LET ME HIDE MYSELF IN THEE!!

Vera - BIRDSWORTH!! That's enough of that racket!

Lizzie - Oh G'day Miss Bennett! Sorry didn't see you there, we were having a nice old natter weren't we Chrissie?

Chrissie nods

Vera - Oh is that so?

Lizzie - Yeah it's great being on kitchen duty. What can we do for you then Miss Bennett? a sandwich or a cuppa maybe?

Vera - No thank you Birdsworth, I came to see how that new cook is getting on. Where is he?

Lizzie - Young Jason what a nice young chap he is

Vera strolls around the kitchen and opens a cupboard

Lizzie - Well ya won't find him in there Miss Bennett

Lizzie roars with laughter and Chrissie joins in

Vera - Shut up the pair of you! Where is he?

Chrissie - I think he had to go and see to a delivery in the loading bay Miss Bennett

Vera - A delivery?

Lizzie nods her head vigorously

Lizzie - Yeah that's right a delivery

Vera finds a puddle of water on the floor

Vera - What on earth is this?

Chrissie - Oh that was me, Miss Bennett! Butterfingers, I dropped a bowl of water!

Vera - Well clean it up before someone slips on it, Latham!

Vera storms out

Lizzie rushes to the cool room

Lizzie - You can come out the coast is clear now

Jason and Rita emerge, Jason is shivering

Rita - Guess what girls....we've got ourselves a stripper for the party!

Chrissie squeals with delight

Exterior shot of an office block.

Inside Dwyer is sitting at a desk as the internal phone rings

Dwyer - Yes?

Female voice - Miss Raymond is here to see you Sir

Dwyer - Very well send her in

Dwyer hangs up and sits back in his seat as there is a knock at the door

Dwyer - Come in

Janice walks in

Dwyer - Take a seat, Janice

Janice - Thank you

Janice sits down as Dwyer gets his whisky out and pours himself a glass

Dwyer - Would you like one?

Janice - I'd love one thanks

Dwyer pours another glass and hands it over

Dwyer - So you wanted to see me?

Janice - Yes, I have important news for you

Dwyer - I'm listening

Janice - Miss Bennett is homeless and she is using that ridiculous reward flat that Reynolds set up at Wentworth as a temporary home

Dwyer - You're joking?

Janice shakes her head in mock sadness

Janice - I only wish I was Sir. She is homeless and in debt, she was staying with me for a while but she had to leave. Between you and I, I think she drinks too. I smelt whisky on her breath the other day

Dwyer - This is outrageous! The woman's only just off probation for that incident at Barnehurst! I was willing to give her a second chance because of her excellent record up until that point. She assured me it was a one-off and would never happen again, I trusted her.

Janice - Oh well you can't be too hard on her Sir, I mean the poor woman's a mess. She's lonely, an alcoholic, in debt. Aside from her job what else does she have in life?

Dwyer - That may be so but I expect the best from my governors!