Two women are led out of a court and loaded into the back of a prison van.

One of the women looks to be in her early 40s, prim and proper, and dressed smartly. She has a cool, calm air about her

The other is much younger, only about 21 or 22. She is distressed, crying. She is clearly scared silly

Inside the van, the two women sit down, the younger one continues to cry while the older one calmly takes a packet of fags out of her pocket

The older lady - Do you smoke?

The younger lady - Yes

The older lady - Here take one

The younger lady reaches out and takes a cigarette from the packet

The younger lady - Thanks

The older lady - What's your name?

The younger lady - Leanne Filson, yours?

The older lady - Sandra love, Sandra Clements

Leanne - What did you do?

Sandra - Just a little bit of credit card fraud love, I got 2 years for that. How about you?

Leanne - I murdered my husband, they just gave me life

Sandra looks shocked

Sandra - Hell love that's rough. life at your age!

Leanne wipes the tears off her face and takes a deep drag on her cigarette

Leanne - He used to beat me and stuff, my lawyer begged for leniency but that old bastard judge didn't care. How will I cope with life?

Sandra - My first piece of advice would be not to show any weakness love. So that means wiping those tears off your face and never crying again in front of an officer or especially a prisoner. If you need to cry try to do it in private if you can

Leanne - You sound like you've been there before?

Sandra - No not really, just what I've heard you know

Leanne - How can you be so calm about it? Aren't you scared?

Sandra - Yes love of course I am, but it's like I told you. The worst thing you can ever do is show fear in front of others

A young, slightly butch-looking woman with short brown cropped hair is waiting at a bus stop, she is around her mid-20s. She checks her watch and looks annoyed

The woman - Come on you bastard, where the hell are ya?

Another lady is waiting too. She is much older in her early 60s with short grey hair

The older woman smiles sympathetically

The older woman - That damn bus is always late!

The younger woman - Tell me about it! Then after you wait for ages two of the bloody things come at once!

The older lady chuckles

The older lady - How very true..... don't think I have ever seen you here before, I am here every morning waiting for a bus

The younger lady - No you wouldn't have seen me before, this is my first morning ever taking this bus

The older woman - I'm afraid the service is very poor

The younger woman - Yes I can see that!....this is really bad for me because it's my first day in a new job and arriving late never creates a good first impression

The older woman - Indeed, that's why I always leave an hour early so I can get to my cleaning job on time

The younger woman - After today I might just have to do the exact same thing too!

The older woman holds out a hand

The older woman - I'm Beth love

The younger lady shakes her hand

The younger lady - Toni

Beth - Pleased to meet you, Toni, I hope that bus gets here soon, wouldn't want you to be too late

Toni - So do i

Toni checks her watch again

A lady in her mid-30s, done up heavily in make-up and wearing shades and a hat and with long blonde curly hair walks up a road and stops outside a house. She checks a piece of paper and then makes her way up the driveway and rings the bell

Toni and Beth are on the bus

Beth - So I do this cleaning job five mornings a week, not that I need to work My husband and I both have handsome pensions. But I like to keep busy

Toni - I totally understand love, I think I'd be the same

Beth - What is this new job of yours? I'm very curious

Beth stops and looks embarrassed

Beth - Oh I'm sorry I don't mean to pry, it's none of my business really. I'm just nosy!

Toni - No it's fine, I don't mind telling you....I'm going to be a prison officer at the Wentworth detention center

Beth - Oh really? Well, how exciting!

Toni - Yes it can be but most of the time it's just damn hard work

Beth - Oh so you're not new to the job?

Toni - Nah, just new to Wentworth. Before that, I was at Barnehurst

Beth - Ah I see...

Toni - Well love this is my stop

Toni gets up

Toni - It was nice to meet you

Beth - Same to you love...maybe I'll see you again at the bus stop

Toni - Yes maybe

Beth - Good luck with your first day, I hope you don't get told off for being late!

Toni - Yes thanks love

Toni steps off the bus

The blonde lady is waiting as the door to the house opens

Helen Smart appears in the doorway

Helen (surprised) - Shirley? Shirley Harris?

Shirley - That's right love...well you did give me your address, said I could call by anytime

Helen - Yes of course Sweetie. Just a surprise that's all, it's been a few years!

They hug

Helen - Come in then!

Shirley - I thought you'd never ask!

They go inside

Meg is in her office with Vera and Janice

Meg - We should have two new prisoners arriving shortly

Vera - What do we know about them?

Meg - One of them is on for fraud, the other one is in for life for murder. Leanne Filson, she's only 21

Vera - They just get younger and younger don't they. In for life at age 21!

Janice - She'll need watching

Meg - Well by all accounts she was a victim of domestic violence and asked the courts for leniency. She didn't get any

Janice - I ought to tell you, governor, the new officer hasn't arrived yet

Meg looks annoyed

Meg - Dear me, she is late isn't she

Janice - Yes but if I know Tone she'll have a good reason. She is usually a very good timekeeper

Vera - Yes that's true, she was never late once when she worked at Barnehurst

Meg - Oh so you both know her already?

Janice - Yes, I worked alongside her at Barnehurst, and Vera was governor

Helen and Shirley are sitting having a beer together

Helen - So how are you? What have you been doing?

Shirley - I can't complain Hel. Not been doing very much of interest mind

Helen - Where is little Alicia?

Shirley - Being looked after by her gran right now. I'm back in Melbourne to finally let her father know he has a daughter

Helen - I thought you wanted to keep it a secret from him?

Shirley -- Yeah well changed my mind ain't i. The poor bloke deserves to know and Alicia needs a decent father

Helen - How do you think he will feel? I mean you have kept it from him for over three years

Shirley shrugs

Shirley - I really have no idea, but he's a decent enough sort of a bloke

Helen - You never told me who he was? Was he someone I knew? I'm so curious

Shirley - Gee I'd love to tell ya Hel but it's a secret...I just need a place to stay for a while if you'll have me

Helen - Gee I dunno honey, I'd love to help out but I wouldn't want any trouble

Shirley - What makes you think there would be any trouble?

Helen - Because something tells me you aren't telling me the whole story here. There's something else isn't there? The first thing I thought when I opened the door is why is she wearing shades and a hat? The sun isn't even out today so the only conclusion I could find is you want to hide your face

Shirley - Struth Hel, can't put anything past you can I? Ok I'll tell you...I'm on the run from the law

Helen - And you want to stay here? No way sweetie!

Shirley - Oh please Hel! This is the only place I can go where I won't be found and it should hopefully only be for a short while

Helen - Why? Where are you planning to go after that

Shirley - On the run with my daughter and her father, of course, I'm hoping he will step up and accept his responsibilities

The police van pulls into Wentworth where Meg and Vera are waiting. At the same time, Toni walks up and joins them

Janice - G'day Tone! You're a bit late, I don't think the governor is too impressed

Toni - It's not my fault, it's the damn bus

Sandra and Leanne step out, Leanne seems calmer now but still scared

Janice - Ok you two, inside on the double

They move off inside

Sandra whispers to Leanne

Sandra - Remember what I said, don't show fear. So far you're doing well

Leanne nods her head

Janice - Move along in silence, please!

They arrive at the reception

Janice turns to Sandra

Janice - You!...get on the white line

Sandra - I suppose a please would be too much to ask for?

Janice - Yes you suppose right..now move unless you want to be on a charge on your first day?

Sandra moves onto the line

Janice examines the charge sheet

Janice - You're name is Sandra Marie Clements and you are sentenced to 2 years for credit card fraud, is that correct?

Sandra - Yes, that's correct

Vera arrives at Meg's office with Toni

Vera - This is the new officer Toni Williams

Meg looks at her watch

Meg - Ah yes, a little late aren't we?

Toni - Yes, look I am sorry about that I really am, it was the damn bus running late

Meg - In that case, may I suggest you leave a little earlier in the future to allow yourself some extra time to get here? It's better to be safe than sorry

Toni -Yes no worries, I will

Meg looks satisfied

Meg - Miss Bennett will take you to get fitted with a uniform Miss Williams

Leanne is on the white line

Janice - Your name is Leanne June Filson and you have been sentenced to life with a minimum of 15 years on a charge of murder, is that correct?

Leanne - Yes...but he abused me I swear to it!

Janice - Well you've had your trial now and been sentenced, if you feel the sentence is wrong it's your prerogative to appeal. Now let's move off to the showers shall we

Vera and Toni are in the staffroom where Vera is measuring her up for a uniform

Toni - So how long has Jan been here?

Vera - About six months

Toni - It's good to see you both again

Vera smiles

Vera - Thank you, Toni, it's good to see you again too

Leanne, Sandra, and Janice are in the showers

Janice -Undress and get in the showers, hurry up!

Leanne - Do you have to stand there while we do it?

Janice - Yes I do, sorry about that!

Leanne begins to undress and a lot of nasty scars are revealed on her back

Janice - Wait for a second, how did you get all those?

Leanne - My husband did them, I tried to tell the judge but he didn't care

Leanne begins to cry and Sandra hugs her

Janice - Oh for heaven's sake stop that and get in the bloody shower the pair of you! I haven't got all-day

Sandra - Can't you see she's upset?

Janice - It's not my problem, I have a job to do and it has to be done within a certain time I'm sure you understand

Janice grabs the still crying Leanne and shoves her in the shower, she slips and falls banging her forehead on the wall as she does

Sandra - Look what you've done! There was no need to be so tough, you've hurt her now!

Sandra rushes to help Leanne up

Sandra - Are you alright?'

Leanne nods

Leanne - It's just a little bump that's all

Janice - I'll say it one more time! Hurry up the pair of you

Sandra - Ok ok, keep your hair on! I can see patience isn't your strong point

Janice - Right that does it! I've had more than enough of your cheek Clements. As of now, you're on a charge!

The women are in the laundry as Matt brings Jenny in

Matt - Find Hartley some work Webster

Kelly - No worries

Matt leaves again

Kelly - Ok you can join Cheryl doing the folding

Jenny joins Cheryl

Jenny - Hi Cheryl...

Cheryl ignores her

Jenny - I said hi

Cheryl - I heard you. After what you did to Ann don't expect a friendly welcome from me

Cheryl turns away and Jenny looks upset as Vera arrives with Toni, now in a uniform

Vera - Ladies, this is officer Williams, transferred from Barnehurst

Kelly looks at her with disdain

Kelly - Yes we've met before, you remember me I'm sure?

Toni looks equally as unimpressed to see Kelly

Toni - Webster, how did I know that one day we'd meet again?

Kelly - Well it's a small world ain't it....even smaller still in the penal system

Janice arrives at a two-bed dorm with Sandra and Leanne

Janice - You two will be sharing. I'll leave you to unpack for a while and settle in, you won't be expected to work on your first day but you will tomorrow when you will be allocated to your work areas. Someone will be along later to take you to the dining room when the bell goes

Janice turns to leave

Sandra - Hey wait a minute! When do we meet the governor?

Janice - All in good time Clements I assure you, She will certainly get around to you when she is ready

Janice leaves

Sandra and Leanne are alone

Leanne - I'm glad I'm sharing with you

Sandra - Yes at least that's something isn't it

Leanne - I feel so foolish for crying like that, I know you advised me not to

Sandra smiles kindly

Sandra - It's hardly surprising with bitches like her around

Leanne - I hope they aren't all like Miss Raymond

Sandra - I'm sure they're not love

Leanne - You only have two years in here, I have at least 15 to look forward to

Sandra - Oh but you'll appeal surely?

Leanne - Maybe, I dunno. I don't know if I can put myself through all that again. The judge didn't care about why I killed him. why would it be any different next time? They are all a pack of bastards

Sandra chuckles

Sandra - Yes I suppose they are really

Beth is in a jewelry shop with a young salesman, looking at watches

Beth - What I want is something very special, very expensive and I want it engraved with his name on it

Salesman- Well we have this watch here, this one is $5000 and the best we currently have

Beth - Yes I think that's a perfect choice!

Salesman - Of course, it costs extra with the engraving, that's on top of the $5000

Beth - Money isn't an issue, I have plenty of savings

Salesman - He must be very special to spend this much on

Beth beams with joy

Beth - Oh my Brian is very special indeed. We will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary soon you see. 40 wonderful years together and two wonderful children and three grandchildren and we've barely so much as raised our voices at each other in 40 whole years, it's been the perfect marriage

Salesman - Well that is lovely

GATESLAM

PART 2

Blackmoor

The women are in the rec room as Colleen arrives to speak to them

Colleen - Attention please ladies

Everyone looks at Colleen

Colleen - Today two prisoners escaped and a third is dead

Bea - So poor Sally didn't survive the drop into the courtyard then?

Colleen - No Smith, she did not

Bea can barely hide her smirk

Colleen - So if anyone knows anything about this I suggest you speak up now

Bea (sarcastic) - What exactly do you expect any of us to know about it Mrs Powell?

Colleen - Oh I don't know, how they arranged it maybe? where they were going perhaps?

Bea - Marie would hardly broadcast that to any of us. I can't speak for the others but I for one knew nothing about it

Colleen looks around the room

Colleen - And what about the rest of you?

Joan, Roo, and Margo stand silent but look angry

Kate speaks out

Kate - Look at it this way Mrs Powell, you got rid of three of your worst-behaved inmates today, all three of them were troublemakers

Bea chuckles

Bea - Gord for once we actually agree on something doc!

At Wentworth Leanne and Sandra are in their cell as a bell rings loudly and Leanne nearly jumps out of her skin

Leanne - What the hell was that?

Sandra - Relax, it's probably the bell for lunch

Vera arrives

Vera - I've come to take you both to the dining room

Sandra puts an arm around Leanne's shoulder as they follow Vera out

Sandra - See I told you? Only the lunch bell

Leanne - This place scares me I can't help it

Sandra - You'll get used to it in time I'm sure

The dining room

The women are sitting around chatting as Vera arrives with Sandra and Leanne then it all goes quiet

Vera - Ok ladies, these two are new here

Leanne tries to stop herself from trembling as Sandra leads her across the room to join the queue

Kelly calls out from her table

Kelly - When you get ya tucker come and join us

Sandra - Thanks we will

Jenny is in her cell as Vera arrives

Vera- Not going t lunch Hartley?

Jenny - I'm not hungry Miss Bennett...and anyway I can't face the others they all hate me

Vera - I'm sure they don't

Jenny - Cheryl does

Vera - Yes well that was a pretty lousy thing you did to Mrs Reynolds you know

Jenny - Yes and don't you think I feel bad enough already? But I did the right thing in the end didn't I?

Vera - I know and I don't judge you, Jenny. God knows we all make mistakes

Jenny - Thanks, Miss Bennett!

Vera smiles kindly

The dining room

Sandra and Leanne are sitting with Kelly, Louise, and Cheryl. Leanne has her head bowed barely touching her food

Kelly - You're very quiet there Leanne

Sandra - She is very nervous right now

Kelly - That's understandable at first. But the best way to overcome it is to chat and make friends, be sociable you know?

Cheryl - Yes and not eating won't help your situation either

Leanne pushes her plate away

Leanne - I'm not hungry that's all. Anyway, it looks like something a dog ate and then threw back up again and it tastes even worse!

The others laugh

Louise - Yup, you're right there love!

Ailsa has heard from her table and calls out

Ailsa - OI YA CHEEKY LITTLE MADAM! I HEARD THAT! WELL IF YOU THINK YOU CAN DO ANY BETTER BLOODY WELL GO AHEAD AND TRY!

Leanne looks confused

Cheryl - She's the head cook love, you just insulted her cooking

Leanne looks embarrassed

She turns around to look at Ailsa

Leanne - Oh I am sorry!

Ailsa - SO YA BLEEDING WELL SHOULD BE!

Leanne - Oh I didn't mean to offend anyone, honest

Cheryl pats her on the hand

Cheryl - Don't worry about it love. Ailsa is highly strung at the best of times

Beth is walking up the driveway of a nice posh-looking house. She puts her key in the door, opens it, and walks in

Beth - HI LOVE I'M HOME!

A man around the same age as her is sitting in a big lounge room as she walks in

The man - You're later than usual love, I wondered where you got to

Beth - I had some business to take care of that's all

The man - Anything interesting?

Beth - Just to do with our anniversary party on Saturday that's all

The man - 40 years eh, where did the time go?

Beth hugs him - I've loved every minute of it Brian

Brian - I have to love

Beth - And Saturday night is going to be a party to remember