The new governor is wearing a prisoners uniform

Meg looks at her in shock

Meg - You?

The woman is Sandra

Connie arrives at the kitchen

Ailsa - You took your time getting here?

Connie - Yeah sorry, I had a problem

Ailsa - What sort of problem?

Connie - Nothing important, it doesn't matter

Ailsa - I'm still worried about how skinny you're getting, I have been asking myself why you have got so skinny. You always seem to eat well enough from what I have seen

Connie shrugs

Connie - Yeah I eat fine enough

Ailsa - Is there anything you need to tell me?

Connie - Like what?

Ailsa - Like why you're getting so skinny?

Connie - I told you, I dunno. I'm not that skinny anyway

Ailsa - You are...and I know why too. Leanne was in here just now

The laundry

Kelly is on the press as Cheryl arrives. They have eye contact and Cheryl moves away to the laundry table to start folding. Kelly smirks to herself

The governor's office

Sandra stands behind the desk to address the room

Sandra - I came in undercover to get a good look at how the prison is run. How the officers behave, how the inmates behave. Everything

Meg - The department's idea I suppose?

Sandra shakes her head

Sandra - Entirely my own idea. I like to get a good idea of what I am dealing with. Coming in as a prisoner first seemed like the perfect way to do that. I got to see the prisoners and officers the way they really were

Dwyer delivers a smile

Dwyer - Mrs Clements has worked in the prison service for many years, she knows all there is to know about how prisons work and how to run them

Sandra - That's right. I worked in prisons in Adelaide and Queensland before coming here

Janice - You took a big risk coming in undercover. One of the prisoners could have recognized you. It's not unheard of for prisoners who have served time in prisons in other states to end up in Melbourne

Sandra - Yes it was a risk I grant you. But I am never afraid of taking risks

Dwyer - I will leave you to it Sandra

Sandra smiles

Sandra - Yes thank you, James

Dwyer turns to Bob

Dwyer- Mrs Clements will look after you from here Bob. Good luck in the role of Deputy Governor, the department has every faith in you!

Bob nods his head curtly

Bob - Thank you

Dwyer leaves

Sandra sits behind the desk and Bob and Meg join the rest of the staff on the other side of the desk

Sandra - Now ladies and gents I realize this will seem strange for us all at first

Meg - Yes, just a little bit...

Sandra - Yes, well I hope we can all be professional about it. The first task will be for you all to be fitted with new uniforms. The uniforms are in the storeroom in the east wing corridor. You may all go down and select a comfortable size in a moment

Janice - New uniforms?

Sandra - Yes, these uniforms are black. I don't like Khaki. That might look suitable down at the country club but not as a prison officer's uniform!

Sandra looks at Bob with a smile

Sandra - You may go along with the others to change into a uniform Mr Moran and then a little later on we will sit down and have a proper chat together. Ok everyone you may leave now and go to the storeroom for your new uniforms

Meg - As you wish governor

Sandra - When you bump into all the missing officers please inform them

Meg - We will....what about the women?

Sandra - Ah yes the women. Assemble them all in the rec room for me, please

Meg - You want us to do that before or after we have changed into our new uniforms?

Sandra - After, let the women see you in your new uniforms first, we'll start as we mean to go on

They all begin to leave

Sandra -Mrs Slattery you can stay behind, please

Pat remains behind looking inquisitive

The laundry

Cheryl takes some sheets over to the press and then turns to go again quickly

Kelly - Oh wait, Chez, can we have a word?

Cheryl - What about? You made it pretty clear you can't stand me so I didn't want to be a bother to you anymore

Kelly pretends to look sorry

Kelly - Look I didn't mean any of that

Cheryl - Didn't you? It sounded like you did to me

Kelly - Yeah well I was in a mood wasn't i. I say things I don't mean when I am in a mood

Cheryl looks at her dubiously

Cheryl - You've changed recently Kel, I don't feel like I know you anymore

Kelly - I'm sorry, I really am. I'll try to be like my old self again I swear. I guess maybe the power of being top dog has gone to my head a little bit.....I want us to be friends again I swear

Cheryl softens a bit

Cheryl - Yeah well ok Kel. I know we can all have times where we do or say things we don't mean. I want us to be friends too

Kelly hugs her and smirks

Connie is angry

Connie - That stupid bitch, I told her to keep it to herself!

Ailsa - So you admit it then?

Connie - Yeah sure....not that it's any of your business

Ailsa - Darling it is my business, I'm your gran

Connie - As far as I'm concerned you're nothing to me now and you can bloody well keep out of this

Ailsa - How can I keep out of it? I'm worried about you

Connie - No need to be, I'm perfectly fine

Ailsa- No you're not, you have an eating disorder

Connie laughs

Connie - You do over exaggerate. All I'm doing is getting nice and slim so I can be a model

Ailsa - You're making yourself ill child, that's what you're doing. I already lost one granddaughter, I don't want to lose another

Connie (aggressive) - Yeah and who was to blame for the loss of your first daughter eh!

Ailsa looks upset

Pat is standing in front of Sandra

Sandra smiles at her

Sandra - Now Mrs Slattery, please allow me to explain to you about the standard of officers I expect in my prison. I expect officers who can maintain discipline and control, who can stay calm under pressure. Officers who are 100% competent at the job. Failure of any kind is unacceptable. Weak links simply cannot be tolerated, I am sure you appreciate this Mrs Slattery?

Pat nods her head and looks vacant

Pat - Yes of course Mrs Clements

Sandra - So it is with regret that I must tell you you're sacked Mrs Slattery

Pat looks outraged

Pat - Sacked?

Sandra - Yes, I'm sorry. From what I have seen of your performance here I am far from impressed. I think it's time you looked into a new line of work...something less demanding perhaps? How you have lasted here as long as you have is frankly quite a miracle really

Pat looks upset

Meg, Janice, Bob, Matt, and others are in the staffroom in new black uniforms

Bob - I'm so sorry Meg, you must feel cheated to not even make deputy

Meg - It's ok Bob, I don't blame you if that's what you're thinking

Bob - I had no idea about any of this I promise you

Meg - None of us did....but I don't know why I am even surprised. This is typical of the department

Matt - But making you both think you were in line for the governorship when you weren't is cruel

Meg - Oh the department doesn't care about that, they enjoy pulling these types of stunts I think. Years ago I and two other officers thought we were candidates for the governorship and the department had hired Mrs Reynolds all along

Janice -Yes I think I remember hearing something about that at the time

Meg - Yes well where the department is concerned nothing ever changes

Vera arrives in the room still in khaki

She looks at the others with surprise

Vera - What on earth?

Meg - I'll let someone else fill you in Vera, right now I have to get the women assembled in the rec room

Bob - I'll come with you

Meg and Bob leave the room

Vera looks at the others looking intrigued

Pat is crying in the staff toilets as the also Khaki wearing Toni enters

Toni looks surprised to find Pat in tears

Toni (concerned) - Pat? What's wrong?

Pat - I've been sacked

Toni - Sacked? Who by?

Pat - The new governor! Oh, how am I going to tell my husband? What am I going to do? It's not easy to find a new job at my age

Toni comforts Pat

The rec room

The women are gathered around with Meg and Bob

Cheryl - What's with the new uniforms?

Meg - The new governor brought them in, Gibson

The women look shocked

Kelly - New governor? We all thought you were in line for it Mrs Morris!

Meg bows her head to examine the floor

Kelly looks at Bob

Kelly - A new officers to I see? What's the name?

Bob - Moran...Bob Moran. I'm the new deputy governor

Kelly - My my, it's all change isn't it

Bob - Yes, and you're name?

Kelly - I'm Webster, Kelly Webster. Top dog among the women

Bob - I see....well I don't know what sort of regime you're all used to here but i don't stand for any nonsense. I'm always fair but anyone who breaks the rules will be dealt with

Kelly - That's fair enough Mr Moran....so who is the new governor?

Sandra arrives in the room (still in her prisoner's uniform) - I am...

The women all look at her and Kelly begins to laugh, the others join in

Kelly - Yeah good one Sandra! I never knew you had such a sense of humor!

Sandra doesn't laugh

Nor do Bob or Meg

Meg - It's true ladies. Mrs. Clements came in undercover

The women look stunned, especially Leanne

Cheryl - But you never once gave any clues or hints Sandra, as far as we were all concerned you were one of us

Sandra- Of course, I didn't give any clues, that's the whole point of being undercover. I wanted to get to know you all properly. Figure out what you were all about....figure out who the troublemakers are

Sandra glances at Kelly

Leanne - This is all such a shock Sandra! I can't believe it

Sandra - As of now you will all address me as Mrs Clements, not Sandra.....and that includes you, Filson. Do we understand each other?

Leanne - Yes Mrs Clements, I'm sorry

Sandra - It's not a problem Filson, I realize you were used to seeing me as Sandra your cellmate. But the fact is now I'm Mrs Clements the governor

Kelly -And can i ask what you intend to do as governor Mrs Clements?

Sandra - Along with Mr Moran i intend to run a tight ship here. I feel things are a touch sloppy here at times. Things happen that just should not happen and I intend to put a stop to that.....

Sandra turns to Bob and Meg

Sandra - Mrs Morris please accompany me to my office for a chat. Mr Moran please go to solitary and get Maxwell and Cunningham so I can see them in my office. Don't tell the prisoners about me Mr Moran I want to see the looks on their faces when they come in and see me

Sandra grins

Sandra - Especially Cunningham!

....A moment later Sandra and Meg are alone in the governor's office

Sandra - I wanted to talk to you first

Meg - I'm listening...

Sandra - I hope your nose hasn't been put out of joint too much by this?

Meg - I'll live. Nothing that happens here upsets me much anymore

Sandra - It must be a disappointment for you though?

Meg - Yes but I'll be professional about it and get on with my job as usual

Sandra - Glad to hear it...Now don't take this the wrong way but there is something I feel I need to address about how you do your job

Meg - Oh?

Sandra - Yes well from what I can see you're reasonably competent but a little too soft in my opinion. I had to let Mrs Slattery go today...

Meg cuts her off

Meg - You had to let Pat go?

Sandra - yes I'm afraid I did

Meg -But why for heaven's sake! She is a damn good officer and we need as many of them as we can get

Sandra - I think to describe her as a good officer is pushing it a bit. But anyway I did not wish to discuss that. What I wished to do was issue you with a warning. Call it a nice friendly word of advice if you like

Meg - Go on...

Sandra - You need to start being a bit tougher with the women. Stop letting them get away with too much. If I don't see an improvement within the next few months you can expect to be following Slattery out of the door

Meg looks outraged

Meg - Is that all?

Sandra - Yes that's all...I just wanted to warn you that I don't tolerate wishy-washy people at the best of times. least of all when they are a member of my staff. You may return to work

Meg (angry) - Yes governor

Meg storms out of the office

Bob enters Kath's solitary cell

Kath (surprised) - Bob! What are you doing here?

Bob - I'm the new deputy governor

Kath looks delighted

Kath - Really? That's great news

Kath looks at the uniform

Kath - Black?

Bob - Yes, the new governor wanted to change from Khaki

Kath - Is it Mrs Morris?

Bob - No, I'm not supposed to tell you who it is but it's Sandra Clements

Kath looks shocked

Kath - Sandra?

Bob - Yes but keep it to yourself that I told you. I have to take you and Cunningham to see her now and you're not supposed to know

Kath - I'll act surprised when I see her I promise

Bob looks concerned

Bob - Listen, Kath, why are you in here? Meg told me you struck a member of staff? I don't like to see you in trouble Kath

Kath - I'm not coping with being back in here... I could lose Scott too

Bob - Yes I know... I'll do all I can to help you like I always do

Kath hugs him and smiles

Kath - I know you will Bob

Bob - We'll have to discuss this more later, I had better get Cunningham and take you both down

They step out into the corridor and Bob opens the hatch in the next door

Bob - Against the wall Cunningham

Louise does as she is told

Bob unlocks the door

Louise - Who are you?

Bob - I'm Mr Moran, the new deputy governor Cunningham

Louise - Black uniform?

Bob - Yes thats right...now move out, please. I have to take you to see the new governor

Louise moves out to the corridor to join Kath

Bob - let's go

Louise - Gonna tell me who she is?

Bob - You'll find out soon enough

They move off

The laundry

Kelly - Well she kept that little surprise well hidden, I had no idea

Cheryl - I don't think any of us did

Kelly looks at Leanne

Kelly - Maybe one of us did, eh Leanne?

They all look at Leanne

Leanne shakes her head

Leanne - I had no idea, she didn't tell me any of this

Kelly - Come on you expect us to believe that? You did share a cell with her.....maybe you were her little spy?

Leanne - Look I swear she didn't say anything about it to me and I certainly wasn't her spy

Cheryl - I believe you, Lee

Kelly - I'm not so sure I do and if I find out you were in on it I'll get ya

Cheryl - Lay off her Kel. Just because they shared a cell doesn't mean she knew about it

Bob arrives outside the office with Kath and Louise

Louise (to Kath) - I don't know why he is being so cagey about it anyway, it's bound to be Mrs Morris, isn't it!

Bob knocks on the door and enters

Bob - The prisoners from solitary are here to see you

Sandra nods her head but doesn't speak

Kath and Louise enter the room. Louise stops dead in her tracks looking shocked

Sandra smiles at her

Sandra - Hello Cunningham, how was your stay in solitary?

Louise -Is this some kind of joke?

Sandra chuckles

Sandra - No joke Cunningham

Bob stands there observing and Sandra glances at him

Sandra - Thank you Mr Moran, i can take it from here. Please wait outside

Bob - Yes Governor

Bob leaves looking pissed off

Sandra - Now I want a chat with my two biggest troublemakers...and tell you both what the score is from now on

Kath and Louise look unsettled

GATESLAM

PART 2

Kath and Louise are standing in front of Sandra

Sandra looks at Louise

Sandra - See that patch of wall space by the door?

Louise - Yeah?

Sandra - Go and stand facing it and put your hands on your head. Stay there until I call you over here

Louise looks surprised and outraged

Louise - What? You gotta be kidding? That was a punishment I got in infants' school!

Sandra - You still behave like an infant so you will be treated like one!...do it quickly, please

Louise marches over to the wall faces it and puts her hands on her head

Sandra - Now Maxwell I have not known you as long as the others but my first impressions are not good. You have been back barely five minutes and you have been in solitary for violence against one of my staff

Kath - Look I went to that stupid bitch for help...

Sandra cuts her off

Sandra - I'm not interested in your excuses Maxwell. I won't tolerate assaults on my staff ever, do I make myself clear?

Kath - Yes...

Sandra - Yes what?

Kath - Yes Mrs Clements

Sandra - I had a quick look at your file and the amount of time you have spent in solitary in the past is appalling. I will certainly be keeping a close eye on you Maxwell. Clearly quite the troublemaker it would appear!.... Now you can wait outside. Mr Moran will take you back to join the other women for now but I warn you any more problems and its straight back to solitary

Kath - Mrs Clements please, I must talk to you about my son...

Sandra - Not interested Maxwell! That's between yourself and social welfare, not my concern

Kath turns to leave

Sandra - Oh and by the way...

Kath looks back around

Sandra - I know all about the relationship with Fletcher, the whole department knows He has been fired because of it

Kath looks bitter

Kath - Yes I know....a good man loses his job because of the departments stupid rules

Sandra - You know? How do you know?

Kath - I saw him, he came to tell me

Sandra - Who let him see you?

Kath - Miss Bennett, why? I assumed he had permission

Sandra - He did not have permission as far as i'm aware. In any case, it's not something I will allow as governor. You will not be allowed visits with Fletcher from now on so I do hope you made the most of the ones you did have

Kath (agitated) - But I must!

Sandra loses her temper

Sandra - YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED VISITS WITH HIM AND THAT IS FINAL!

Kath - But I need him to help me get Scott back

Sandra - I have no more to say on this....wait outside with Mr Moran

Kath leaves looking distressed

Sandra glances at Kelly, still stood facing the wall

Sandra - Over here Cunningham

Louise turns away from the wall and walks over to stand in front of Sandra

Kath is in the corridor with Bob

Kath - That bitch! She says she won't let me see Jim anymore! How will I get Scott back?

Bob - I'll help Kath, I said I would

Kath is tearful

Kath - I can't lose him too. I shouldn't even be back in here

Bob hugs her