It is morning time and Ann has her staff gathered in the governor's office.

Ann looks grim

Ann - I have called you here to tell you that I am quitting as governor of Wentworth.

Everyone looks shocked except for Janice who tries hard to hide her glee

Ann - I haven't yet informed the department, I felt you all had a right to know first before I officially quit

Meg - By why Ann? You're a fantastic governor, Wentworth needs you

Ann - I have my reasons, personal problems...ok well that's all I had to say.

Everyone begins to move out but Meg stays behind

Meg - What is this about Ann? Why are you quitting?

Marty, Rodney, and Janice are in the staffroom

Rodney looks smug

Rodney - Shame about the governor going eh, wonder who will take her place

Janice - Bound to be offered to me, I was after all meant to be taking over as governor originally until the department changed their mind

Marty - Well I hope Mrs Reynolds changes her mind and stays, shes a good governor

Janice - I can be a good governor too?

Marty- Yes no offense meant to you Janice, I just hope Mrs Reynolds stays that's all

Janice shrugs

Janice - It looked to me like she had pretty much made up her mind

Marty - Well I have a feeling mum is determined to try and change it

Rodney - Hey Marty, what happened with Delia old son?

Marty - Delia has gone to prison for stalking me

Rodney - Really? Wow, I always knew she was a nutcase. Which prison did they send her to?

Marty - I don't know and I don't care. I think Grace said something about sending her to a different state so that no one will know her. Frankly, I don't care if I never see her again

Marty finishes his coffee and leaves the room

Rodney and Janice are left behind

Rodney - So you reckon you're next in line for the governorship if Reynolds really does go?

Janice - Yes, like I said it was offered to me before so why not again?

Rodney - Well you have my full support, Miss Raymond. Mrs Reynolds is a nice enough lady but she is way too soft, I bet you'd run things a lot better here

Janice - Thank you Mr Adams, it's nice to have your vote of confidence

Ann's office

Ann - So grace is no closer to catching this person and I've had enough

Meg - Oh but Ann you can't let them beat you like this

Ann - Look Meg I love my job but it is still just a job, is it worth risking my life just to hang on to a job?

Meg - That's if the person would really carry through with killing you, they could just be bluffing to scare you

Ann - They did nearly succeed in killing me Meg remember?

Meg - And you're sure it's the same person?

Ann - They claim to be so I have to assume it is, as does Grace

Meg - Well I still think you should fight this Ann, don't give in to this person

The infirmary.

Kath is there with Sister Hall who is examining some test results. Marty arrives

Sister Hall - You certainly are pregnant Maxwell

Kath - I knew it

Marty looks worried.

Vera is with Dwyer

Dwyer - You can't be serious Miss Bennett? After everything that went on under your administration, you expect the department to have you back?

Vera - As an officer Mr Dwyer that's all, of course, I wouldn't expect to be a governor again, not yet anyway

Dwyer - Not yet? Not ever more likely!

Vera is close to tears

Vera - Look please Mr Dwyer, does my excellent record with the department for so many years not mean anything at all? So I messed up a bit towards the end but we all make mistakes

Dwyer - It depends a great deal on what those mistakes are Miss Bennett and I'm afraid that the mistakes i witnessed at Wentworth on the day of the bomb blast, and of course not forgetting the wretched bomb blast itself, were very serious mistakes and I'm sorry but as far as the department is concerned your days in the prison service are over for good

Dwyer returns to his paperwork

Dwyer - G'day Miss Bennett

Vera runs out in tears

Sister Hall is with Ann

Ann (shocked) - Pregnant?

Sister Hall - Yes there is absolutely no doubt about it

Ann - Did she say anything about who the father is?

Sister Hall - No she was very cagey about that I'm afraid, it was like getting blood out of a stone

Kath is with Marty in her cell

Kath - See I told you I was pregnant, I told you I wasn't lying

Marty - Yeah well I'm sorry I doubted you but can you blame me? I was just shocked that's all, I know you're not a liar

Kath - Yes ok I know. So where do we go from here?

Marty - Are you sure it's mine?

Kath - Yes I'm afraid so Marty, I'm sorry I know this is difficult for you

Marty - I don't want Margaret knowing, this could ruin everything. On the other hand, if it is my kid I can't just ignore that

Marty looks deeply troubled

Marty - Oh hell Kath this is a mess, I don't know what to do

Kath comforts him

Kath - It's ok Marty, we'll sort this out somehow

Ann is in the staffroom with Colleen, Rodney, Janice, Meg, and a handful of other officers

Ann - I see a few of the officers are absent, I trust you will give them the news when you see them

Janice - What is this news governor?

Ann (slightly frosty) - I was about to get to that Miss Raymond if you care to be patient

Janice pulls a face

Ann - Sister Hall has just informed me that one of the prisoners is pregnant...it's Kath Maxwell

Rodney reacts to this news

Colleen - Pregnant? How?

Ann - I don't know yet, I fully intend to find out from Maxwell. Of course, I don't need to remind you of all the risks attached to pregnant inmates, we must all be extra vigilant around Maxwell if we wish to ensure the safety of herself and her unborn child

Meg - Yes of course

Ann - Oh and before you go there was one other thing...I have decided not to hand in my notice after all

Janice looks furious, Meg looks relieved.

Kath has the women gathered in the rec room

Kath - I have you all here to make an important announcement... I'm stepping down as top dog

Everyone looks surprised, especially Cheryl

Cheryl - Why Kath?

Kath - I have my reasons....now I have a name to put forward to replace me but it will be up to you lot to vote for her

Kath looks at Cheryl and smiles

Kath - If you're up for it I'd like to put you forward for the job?

Cheryl looks surprised

Ann and Meg are walking along a corridor

Ann - Find Maxwell and bring her to my office please Meg

Meg nods

Meg - I'm so glad you changed your mind Ann what made you change it?

Ann - It was just what you said Meg, you're right why should I let this person win?

Meg - Well I'm glad, I'll go and find Maxwell

Ann carries on down the corridor and Rodney dashes over

Rodney - Governor about Maxwell

Ann - What about her?

Rodney - She has it in for me you know, anything she may tell you about me is a lie

Ann - Oh really? What sort of thing Mr Adams? That you're the father of the child perhaps?

Rodney - Yes something like that. If she does she's lying Mrs Reynolds I swear

Ann - let's see what Maxwell has to say first shall we Mr Adams

Ann gives Rodney a hostile look and carries on down the corridor

The rec room

Kath - She has proven she is strong, she has proven she doesn't mind drugs. I can't think of a better candidate to take over just now can you?

Margo - I could take over

Kath - Oh yes Gaffney, how could I forget you? Does anyone want Gaffney as top dog? Let's hear from you now

The room is silent. Margo sulks.

Kath - SO let's see a show of hands all those for Cheryl?

Most of the room put their hands up including Kath

Kath - And all those against?

Margo and a few others put their hands up

Kath - that settles it then, you're the new top dog Cheryl, congratulations

Kath leaves the room and Cheryl follows her out

Cheryl - Why are you stepping down Kath?

Kath - If I tell you can you promise to keep it to yourself? I don't want the whole of H Block knowing

Cheryl - Sure...

Kath - I'm pregnant and I have to look after the baby, that means no aggro and that means no top dog

Cheryl looks stunned

Vera is in the pub drowning her sorrows when Dan enters. He glances over and recognizes her and approaches her

Dan - Vera isn't it? Meg's friend?

Vera looks at him

Vera (slurred speech) - Do I know you?

Dan - I'm a friend of Ann's. I was in here the night she took you back to her place

Vera - Yeah well I don't remember you sorry

Dan chuckles

Dan - That's fine, I wouldn't expect you to the amount you'd put away that night.....so can I be a gentleman and buy you a drink?

Vera - Well that's very kind of you, thank you.

She finishes her drink and slams the empty glass on the counter

Vera - I'll have a scotch and soda, please!

Kath arrives back at her cell and is grabbed from behind and a hand put over her mouth. Rodney presses her up against the wall.

Rodney - Don't make a sound ok, I'm going to remove my hand and we can talk calmly?

Kath nods

Rodney removes his hand

Rodney - I know about the baby Kath...now I want to know what you are going to tell Reynolds about it?

Kath - Scared I might tell her who the father is huh?

Rodney - Well it is me, isn't it? I mean who else could it be?

Kath - I have been with other men aside from you Adams

Rodney looks surprised

Rodney - Who have you been with?

Kath laughs

Kath - Oh you'd really like to know wouldn't you

Rodney - You're talking crap, I know I'm the father. The point is I don't want you to tell the governor that.

Kath - Who should I say it is then?

Rodney - Mr Jackson? One of the men from blackmoor? You're smart Kath you can think of something

Kath - and why should I protect you?

Rodney places a hand over her stomach

Rodney - You wouldn't be protecting me, you'd be protecting the littlun

Kath looks sickened as she realizes what Rodney is implying

They hear footsteps outside and then voices

Meg's voice - Have you seen Maxwell anywhere?

Marty's voice - No I'm just going to find her now

Meg's voice - I'm meant to be taking her to the governor

Marty's voice - I can do that if you like?

Meg's voice - Oh would you? thanks

Rodney hides behind the door as Kath pulls herself together. Marty arrives

Marty - there you are, I've been looking everywhere for you

Kath - Oh?

Marty - Yeah.....I wanted to talk again about the baby?

Kath - Not now Mr Jackson it's not a good time

Marty - I just want you to know I will do the right thing and support this baby if it's mine like you say it is. I won't shirk my responsibilities....I don't know what I'll tell Margaret though....anyway I have to take you to see Mrs Reynolds

They begin to leave the cell and Kath glances at Rodney behind the door as she leaves

The rec room.

The women are gathered around Cheryl

Vicki - So why has Kath stepped down Cheryl?

Cheryl shrugs

Cheryl - She told me it's for personal reasons that's all I know. Now ladies I pretty much plan to carry on running things the way Kath was, the drugs can stay

Everyone looks pleased

Cheryl - I personally think a prison needs drugs or something to keep everyone happy. I see no problem with perhaps a bit of cocaine as well

Vicki - Really? Kath was not keen on coke?

Cheryl - Well she elected me as top dog and I say coke is fine.....I draw the line at heroin though, that's a nasty bastard of a drug

Brumby - Yeah fair enough..I saw what the smack did to me mate Spike

Cheryl turns to Spider

Cheryl - I trust you will co-operate with me as you did with Kath?

Spider shrugs

Spider - Yeah sure

The pub

Vera is drunk and ranting

Vera - I had a perfect record! For years...well accept when Smith and her pack set me up to be drunk on duty! Other than that, not a foot wrong in years! I make one or two mistakes and that's it I'm out. Well, he's a bastard, Dwyer! The lot of them, their all bastards

Dan looks bored

Dan - I know it's rough Vera but I'm sure you can find something else to do?

Vera - Like what? The prison service was all I knew

Vera finishes her drink

Vera - You having another? It's my round now

Dan - I think you've had enough Vera, maybe I should get you home?

Vera - Enough? I haven't had enough, I've barely even started

The governor's office

Kath is standing in front of Ann

Ann - I needn't tell you how shocked I am about this Maxwell. Now I'd like to know who the father is?

Kath shrugs

Kath - Can't remember

Ann - Is it Mr Adams? If it is I want to know and I want to know now

Kath - I think it was one of the blackmoor men

Ann (taken aback) - Who? Not Wilson?

Kath - Could have been, I don't quite remember

Ann sighs

Ann - I can see I'm going to get nowhere here, but don't think this matter is closed Maxwell, I will talk to you again about this. Mr Jackson, you may take her back now

They turn to leave

Ann - Oh and Maxwell...

Kath turns back

Ann - I trust you will be stepping down as top dog?

Kath - Already done it. Gibson took over

Kath leaves with Marty. They walk up the corridor

Marty - Thanks for keeping quiet in there

Kath - I wouldn't worry about me keeping quiet Marty... I'd worry about Rodney

Marty looks at her confused

Rodney is in the staffroom when Marty runs in and grabs hold of him by the jacket

Marty - Ok you low life, Maxwell told me you were hiding behind the door before

Rodney -- Hey steady on old boy! So I know your little secret, that's ok, isn't it? Now we know something about each other, and there was me thinking you were straight. I'm shocked

Marty - I just want to know what you intend to do about it?

Rodney - Whether I intend to grass you up or not? Nah it's ok I'll keep your secret if you'll keep mine. I know you were in cahoots with Maxwell to get at me, I think all that should stop here don't you agree?

Rodney looks smug

Kath is alone in her cell as Rodney arrives

Rodney - He really thinks he's the father doesn't he? You didn't tell him about me at all?

Kath - I don't want him to know about you I want him to think it's his

Rodney - Why? I know it can't be to protect me

Kath - Call me a pathetic bitch if you like, I probably am but I have fallen for him and I want something I can hold over him so maybe he will stay with me. I need a man in my life, I have needs damn it

Rodney - What about me? I've offered to be your man time and time again?

Kath - I feel nothing for you, but Marty is different

Rodney - But the fact is I could be the father couldn't I? Not Mr Jackson?

Kath shrugs

Kath - Sure it could be either one of you, I really have no idea which one

Rodney - You're a devious bitch Kath,

Kath - You plan on telling him do you? I doubt he will believe much of what comes out of your mouth]

Rodney - Nah it suits me fine for him to think it's his, it gives me something to hold over him myself doesn't it. I just wish you'd see sense about me, Kath, why keep fighting me?

Kath - After what you did to Merle what do you expect?

Rodney - Oh damn it, Kath, she was only holding you back, I did you a favour can't you see that?

Kath - Yeah well I don't much care to go over it all again Rodney. I'm never going to love you, you need to accept that

Dan helps Vera into Meg's and puts her on the sofa

Dan - Well now you're home safely, it's time I was off, you'll be ok on your own? You just need sleep

Vera - No don't go! Stay...I want you to stay!

Dan - But I have to go Vera I have things to do

Vera is tearful

Vera - Everyone hates me...you hate me everyone hates me

Dan - Of course, I don't hate you

Vera - I don't blame you anyway, I'm a rotten dried up old cow...no man would look at me now, I'm an old drunk

Dan - You're an attractive lady Vera, don't sell yourself short, you just have to believe in yourself more that's all

Vera shakes her head

Vera - no you're just saying that to make me feel better

Dan plants a kiss on her lips

Dan - I'm not, I like you

Vera kisses him back. They kiss

GATESLAM

PART 2

The rehab center.

Inside Joan is getting ready to go out while Spike mops on the bed.

Joan - What's wrong Spike?

Spike - Still no sign of Marty. He promised to come and see me

Joan - There must be a reason he hasn't come in Spike. He must love you a lot to pay to put you through rehab

Spike - yes I suppose

Joan slips her jacket on

Joan - Look you can say no if you want to but you're welcome to come along and see Shane with me? That's if you want to, it's up to you

Spike - I don't know Joan. I'm happy to share a room with you but I don't know about socializing with you and your family. It would feel a bit....odd

Joan - it's fine, understand. I just thought it would be better for you than moping around here, the next therapy session isn't until later, you have a couple of hours with nothing to do

Spike - Will they mind if I come? You have permission to go I don't

Joan laughs

Joan - This isn't prison Spike, you can go out whenever you like as long as it doesn't clash with any of the therapy sessions and as long as you don't come back high or bring any gear back...

Spike - Yeah well perhaps a few hours away from here would do me some good then

The governor's office

Colleen is there with Ann

Colleen - Meg told me you decided to stay on here, I'm glad Ann. Don't let this bastard grind you down, I'm sure whoever it is the cops will catch them soon

Ann - Thanks Colleen.....how is Latham today?

Colleen - She seems ok today. I really don't think a transfer to Ingleside is necessary

Ann looks dubious

Ann - Perhaps she does seem fine today but this is what keeps happening with Latham, shes calm for a while and then goes crazy again.

Colleen - I know but I don't want to see her in that place

Ann - You seem to be showing a lot of concern for Latham Colleen, would I be right to guess that your own family loss would have something to do with it?