The mini-bus pulls up outside the building and Spike and Graham Lang are stood waiting as Colleen and the other two officers get out and let the women out

Colleen - Ok you lot line up

Brumby has eye contact with Spike and attempts to smile at her, Spike is stony-faced in response

Isolation

Ian - I had a meeting with Mr Murphy last night, he told me all about your rackets and he has brought me in on it. Now all I have to do is get you out of here but so far I am having no luck with the governor

Ruth - That stupid bitch? I expected her to be a pushover

Ian - So did I but the problem is that her hands are tied by department orders

Ruth - I see...in that case you had better arrange for Dwyer to come over and see me today

Ian - Mr Dwyer? But he is a busy man Ballinger, he won't drop everything and come running over just because I, a junior officer, tells him to

Ruth laughs

Ruth - You just tell him that Ballinger wants to see him and it's urgent. Tell him if he doesn't come he's going to be very sorry indeed. That should get him over here

Ian - I'll try

Ruth - You'll do more than try boy, you'll succeed. You don't want Mr Murphy or myself to get angry, do you?

Ian looks intimidated and turns to go

Ruth - Oh and one other thing Henderson

Ian turns back around

Ruth - The names Mrs Ballinger to you, not Ballinger. Never ever Ballinger, remember that boy. I've seen to it that people end up floating in the Yarra for less than that. Respect Henderson, that's what I expect

Ian nods his head nervously

Ian - Yes Mrs Ballinger, I'm sorry

Ruth nods her head in satisfaction

Ruth - I'll let it go this time, I'm not one to hold a grudge. Just make sure it doesn't happen again

Ian - Yes Mrs Ballinger...

Ian stands looking nervous, they stand in awkward silence

Ruth - You may go...make sure you get Dwyer over here

Ian - Yes Mrs Ballinger, I'm on to it right away

Ian rushes out

Graham is addressing the group

Graham - Myself and Miss Marsh will be helping out today also. We like to take a hands-on approach at the department. Now I am a fairly easy-going man, I have nothing against having a bit of a laugh and a bit of fun as we do the work. That doesn't mean I'm a soft touch though, I expect us all to work hard to get the work done and to behave. Furthermore, I must inform you all that Mr Dwyer will be calling by later to inspect the property, now I don't need to tell you all how important it is that you behave impeccably in front of him and show him the utmost respect....now anyone has any questions?

Colleen - I would like to know how many days you estimate we will be needed here?

Graham looks thoughtful

Graham - I'd say there's a good weeks worth at least

Colleen looks horrified

Colleen - That's just terrific

Graham turns to Spike

Graham - Would you like to say a few words to the women Margaret?

Spike smiles

Spike - I'd just like to say welcome, its lovely to see you all here and let's have fun and get the job done shall we

Meg is in the staffroom as Marty comes in, his head is bandaged up

Meg - How's the head?

Marty - Still hurts a lot

Meg - Are you sure you were ready to come back?

Marty - Yes mum, I'm fine honestly. The Dr gave me some strong painkillers

Marty pours a coffee and sits down

Marty - Any news on Latham?

Meg - By all accounts, she is just laying on her bed at Ingleside staring into space, no one can get through to her

Marty - How terrible, I wonder what set her off?

Meg - Yes I wonder....you wouldn't know anything about it I suppose?

Marty - What sort of a question is that mum? Why would I know anything?

Meg - It's just that you were hardly happy to see Latham here were you?

Marty - At first no, I wasn't but I accepted it in the end

Meg - Did you? Did you really?

Marty - Hey what is this mum?

Meg gets the pieces of the ripped photo out of her pocket and lays them on the table

Meg - This photo that Latham treasured got destroyed just like that bear that she treasured also got destroyed. The bear that Colleen told me Latham accused you of destroying...now what do you have to say about it?

Marty looks incredulous

Ian is on the phone in reception

Ian - Mr Dwyer, it is Officer Henderson from Wentworth

...In his office, Dwyer is putting his jacket on while looking at his watch and looking annoyed

Dwyer -Yes what is it, boy? I have a lot to do today

Ian - It's about Mrs Ballinger Sir...you know Ruth Ballinger, the prisoner in isolation?

Dwyer (short-tempered) - Yes! Yes! Of course, I know lad! What about her?

Ian - She wants to see you today. She says it is very urgent

Dwyer - I can't come today, it's impossible

Ian - She says you will be very sorry if you don't come, Sir

Dwyer is fuming

Dwyer - Are you threatening me boy?

Ian - No, no I'm not. I'm merely passing on her message Sir, that is what she told me to say to you, I think she meant it too Sir. I'm sorry...

Dwyer - Tell her I'll come over later when I'm ready

Ian - So you will come today?

Dwyer is red in the face with anger

Dwyer - Yes I'll come today! But she'll have to wait, I have an important appointment first!

Dwyer slams the phone down. Ian looks pleased

Back with Meg and Marty

Marty - Are you serious mum? I can't believe you'd think that?

Meg looks upset

Meg - I don't want to think it, Marty, believe me, but I just can't see who else would want to destroy the bear

Marty - One of the women? It could have been any one of them. C'mon mum you can't seriously think it's me?

Meg - Colleen said that Latham seemed quite sure that it was you?

Marty - So she was paranoid then..or she knew it was one of the women and knew she couldn't lag so she tried to say it was me? I don't know

Meg - It's ok Marty, I know you didn't do it, I just wanted to hear you say it to put my mind at ease..forgive me?

Marty - I've forgotten about it already

Meg smiles, Marty smiles back

Marty - I just hope Colleen will forget it too, she has been funny with me lately

Meg - I'll talk to Colleen don't worry

Ian is back in isolation

Ian - He says he'll come today Mrs Ballinger...but he was to attend an appointment first

Ruth - Excellent..good work Henderson. Now tell me is it true that a prisoner called Rebecca Kean is currently an inmate here?

Ian - It is yes....why?

Ruth - No reason especially. It's just I knew her at Blackmoor. How lovely that she is here, I will be most pleased to see her again... it's always nice to see old friends wouldn't you agree Henderson?

Ian - Yes well I suppose it is Mrs Ballinger...well I'll leave you in peace

Ian leaves

Ruth smirks and talks to herself

Ruth - Yes it will be most delightful to see Kean again

At the project, Colleen is inside supervising Mandy and two other unknown prisoners as they paint walls

Mandy looks annoyed

Mandy - How come the others get to do the garden and I am cooped up inside?

Colleen - Stop moaning and get on with it Slater

Mandy - I was hoping for some fresh air that's all, I like gardening too, always used to do my grans garden for her as a kid, it's not fair!

Colleen rolls her eyes and lights a cigarette as Graham enters carrying two mugs of tea

Graham - Thought you might like this Mrs Powell

Colleen - Thank you...I've been waiting for a decent cuppa all morning

Mandy - Hey where's ours then?

Graham - You'll get yours on your allocated breaks girl..now get on with it!

Mandy - And I thought you said you'd muck in and help? Ain't seeing much of that going on! Should have bloody well guessed you were lying! Can't trust a word any of you lot say!

Graham and Colleen look at each other and Colleen rolls her eyes, they both laugh

Outside Brumby and Roo are doing the garden while an officer supervises them. Spike is in another part of the garden with Gina Balzano, digging a hole

Spike - This is where we will be building a pond, Gina! Exciting isn't it

Gina looks blase

Gina - Yeah if you say so

Spike - This was Graham's idea, he loves water features and he feels that having one will make the place seem more welcoming and a place where the girls can come to think, there will be a water fountain too, a small one of course...

.....Roo glances over from across the garden

Roo - Look at poor old Gina, looks like Marsh is boring her to death

Brumby - Spike's just excited that's all, I would be too if this was my project. I mean she's better off than us ain't she, at least she's free

Roo glances at the mute officer supervising them then leans in to whisper

Roo - We could be free too if you fancy it, Tucker?

Brumby - How?

Roo - It's simple....your mate Marsh could help us

Brumby - You're mad she never would

roo - Remember I said I would tell you what I wanted you to do when we got here? Now is the time to tell you...

...A car pulls up on the street and Dwyer gets out

Marty is with Kath

Kath - I'm so glad to see you I've missed you. I was worried about you when I heard Latham had hit you over the head

Marty - I'm fine Kath

Kath - Now I want to talk about my escape, I want to know how you are getting on with planning it?

Marty - Be fair Kath, I haven't had a chance to plan anything yet, I've been laid up with this head wound

Kath - I know and that's fair enough, but now that you're better I trust you are going to begin making plans?...you do have a plan in mind don't you?

Marty - Yes of course...but you will have to be patient, things take time

Kath gives Marty a hug

Kath - I can be as patient as anyone...but not for too long. Remember what I said I will abort this baby if we're not going to have a future together, the three of us abroad

Marty - I never thought you'd blackmail me like this and use an unborn child in this way Kath. I've seen a side to you I can't say I like too much

Kath - I'm only doing what I have to to make you realise you have a future with me and your child

Graham and Spike are showing an agitated looking Dwyer around

Spike - So we thought this room here would be ideal for the group therapy sessions...

Graham - Yes and as you can see it is a good-sized room, we need a big room like this for the group therapy...

Dwyer - yes excellent, very good. I can see you have it all worked out. I am confident the department's money will be put to good use...now I'm sorry to seem rude but I really must dash now

Graham - But we hoped you'd stay a while longer...

Spike - Yes and you still haven't had a proper look at the garden, it's very big and we plan to make full use of it...

Graham smiles proudly

Graham - We are going to build a rather exciting water feature...

Dwyer - Yes very good....I'm sure it will be excellent. Perhaps I can take a look at it next time! Now I really must be off

Dwyer rushes out and Spike and Graham look at each other curiously, Spike shrugs

Graham - Just a moment Mr Dwyer, I'll see you out!

Graham dashes off after Dwyer

Roo and Brumby are working in the garden as Colleen brings Mandy and the others out with a tray of tea and biscuits

Colleen - Ok you lot. break time

Roo - About bloody time!

Roo and Brumby collect a mug of tea and a handful of biscuits and sit together on the grass. Mandy comes to join them

Mandy - You two are lucky being out here, I'm stuck in there painting!

Roo - Piss off Slater! Tucker and I are talking privately!

Mandy- Planning something you mean?

Roo - No I mean talking privately, Brumby has a problem she wants to discuss

Mandy - Time of the month is it?

Roo - Yeah something like that

Mandy - I know you two are up to something, you needn't try to fool me

Mandy gets up and moves away

Brumby - See Roo, she is on to us anyway. Best forget the whole thing

Roo - No way Tucker!.. I ain't going back to that dump and if you have any sense you'll want the same. Think about it tucker, we could both be free today

Brumby - But look Roo, Spike won't help us

Roo - She will if you ask 'er, shes your mate remember

Brumby - She was my mate before we fell out

Roo - So makeup..tell her how much you miss her, turn on the waterworks a bit

Brumby - She still wouldn't help us

Roo - Then you had better make her hadn't you! Either you do it or I will kill you and you know what I am capable of... I'll ruin things for Spike too

Brumby - You're a bitch Roo, why don't you leave her alone?

Roo - I am happy to leave her alone Tucker.....once she helps us escape!

Dwyer arrives at Wentworth where Meg is in reception

Meg - Mr Dwyer, we weren't expecting you...

Dwyer - I want to see Ballinger

Meg - Ballinger? But...

Dwyer - NOW PLEASE MORRIS!

Meg - Of course... I'll take you up

GATESLAM

PART2

Isolation

Meg and Dwyer arrive. Ruth acts surprised

Ruth - Mr Dwyer...what a pleasant surprise, I wasn't expecting you

Dwyer - You may leave us alone Mrs Morris

Meg - But I think I should...

Dwyer - That wasn't a request it was an order....return to your work on reception

Meg looks angry

Meg - Yes of course Mr Dwyer

Meg leaves. Ruth pours out two cups of coffee and offers one to Dwyer

Dwyer knocks it out of her hands sending it flying

Dwyer - I didn't come here for coffee!

Ruth - Suit yourself, I was merely trying to be civilized that's all

Dwyer - You civilized! That's a joke if ever I heard one

Ruth smirks

Ruth - So to what do I owe this pleasure?.... I'm sure you didn't come all this way just to insult me?

Dwyer - You know damn well why I'm here and let me tell you I don't like being summoned, not by you or anyone..I don't like being threatened either

Ruth - Now whose threatening? I simply wanted a little chat that's all and I had to get you to come somehow

Dwyer looks suspicious

Dwyer - A chat? About what?

Ruth - About the department's order that I remain in isolation, of course, I want it revoked right away

Dwyer - You must be joking!

Ruth - I most certainly am not!

Dwyer - You can forget it, Ballinger! You are far too much of a liability to be allowed among the prisoners

Ruth - Oh dear me....in that case, I will have to tell Grace our little secret. I hope you like scrubbing toilets Dwyer? ... because I'm afraid that's the only job you'll be able to get once I'm finished...oh I tell a lie. You will have a choice at least, a choice between scrubbing toilets and emptying rubbish bins that is

Dwyer is fuming

Spike is back in the garden and Brumby approaches

Brumby - G'day Spike

Spike - Hello Brumby...

Brumby - Nice place you got here, I know you'll make a good go at it. Pleased for ya

Spike - Thank you. Now if you don't mind brumby I would like to press on with the work

Brumby - But I hoped we could chat? I miss ya, Spike? Hows are things with Mr Jackson?

Spike - I don't want to talk to you Brumby

Spike picks up a spade and starts digging

Brumby glances over at Roo who is watching intently with an evil expression on her face

Brumby whispers to Spike

Brumby - Help me and Roo escape yeah?

Spike - WHAT?

Brumby - Shuuush! Keep your voice down!...look do me this one small favour will you? For old times sake?

Spike looks at Brumby with disgust

Spike - You never change do you?

Brumby - It's not me it's Roo....she says she's going to hurt me, kill me if you don't help us escape, you know what she's capable of...she's threatening to ruin things for you too

Spike - So tell the screws they will protect you if she's threatening you

Brumby - Get real Spike! you know damn well that I can't lag!

Spike - And you know damn well I can't help you escape...I don't know why I'm surprised though this is typical of you isn't it

Brumby turns on the waterworks

brumby - Oh please Spike... I did you enough favours when you first came to Blackmoor, you were like a frightened rabbit then and if I hadn't taken you under my wing you would have been destroyed in that place and you know it..please Spike I'm begging you, you know what Morgan will do to me. Just this one last favour and you'll never see me again...please I'm so scared of Roo and you should be too!

Spike looks concerned

Dwyer is in the governor's office with Pat

Dwyer - I want Ballinger released from isolation today

Pat looks shocked

Pat - But I thought?...

Dwyer - Change of plan. I want her released

Pat - I'll get onto it right away Sir

Spike and Graham are making sandwiches in the kitchen

Colleen comes in

Colleen - Will the lunch be much longer? The women are beginning to complain?

Graham - No not too much longer Mrs Powell, 10 minutes or so

Colleen nods and leaves again

Spike - I was thinking of creating a nice rockery around the pond what do you think?

Graham - Yes that would be superb

Spike - We need to buy plants and soil and stuff, maybe after lunch I could take a couple of the women to a garden centre in the car to pick things up?

Graham looks stunned

Graham - I don't think that is a very good idea, Margaret! Far too big a security risk

Spike - yes fair enough....such a shame though. I really could build a lovely rockery this afternoon, I'm in the mood now

Graham - Well if you did go I'd have to come too, I couldn't let you go alone

Spike - Fair enough..so we're going?

Graham - Yes, the more I think about it the more I am warming to the idea of building a rockery. Plus this is our ideal chance to show Mr Dwyer we can be trusted with responsibilities Margaret

Spike smiles

Spike - I thought exactly the same thing, we really do have to prove ourselves to Dwyer and the department ...and what better way than to show we can take prisoner's on shopping excursions and be trusted with them

The dining room

The women are at lunch. Cheryl, Kath and Vicki are sitting at one table and Pauline, Reb and Helen at another. Bea is absent

Reb - Where is Bea?

Helen - In our cell, she refused to come for lunch saying she wasn't hungry, I'm really worried about her, Lizzie's death is hitting her hard