Richard and Janice are in Richard's dingy hotel room

Richard - I'm sorry darling, I know it's a dump

Janice hugs him

Janice - It doesn't matter. I'm free and we're together and that's the main thing

Richard - I know, but you deserve better than this

Janice - Trust me, Richard, after you have spent time in Blackmoor anything seems like a palace in comparison

Richard - Yes I bet. Well, shall we crack open that bottle of bubbly we bought on the way here?

Janice - Darling I thought you'd never ask!

Richard - I'll get the glasses

Eileen is at Wentworth with Bob in the office

Eileen - As I told Mrs Powell at Blackmoor, you'll really find me an easy enough woman to get on with.....much more pleasant than Mr Dwyer anyway!

Bob - I don't doubt it for a second Mrs Raymond

Eileen -It's like I told Mrs Powell, how an old dinosaur like him survived so long in the job is amazing. I hate to speak ill of the dead but that man really was past his sell-by date!

Bob - Yes well perhaps you'd like a tour of the prison?

Eileen - I'd love one!

Bob - You'll find it's a newer building than blackmoor and much less harsh

Eileen - I noticed that on the way in. The grounds alone are far more pleasant than the bricks and concrete of Blackmoor

Bob - Yes, I think Mrs Powell and the rest of the staff down there deserve a medal for working in such a bleak environment....not to mention the prisoners who are trapped there 24/7

Eileen - Between you and I, I'm putting forward plans for the building of a new, modern, state of the art supermax prison to replace blackmoor

Bob looks shocked

Bob - Really?

Eileen - Oh yes. Old crumbling Victorian buildings aren't my idea of a suitable prison.....especially not one that houses both male and female prisoners. What I have in mind is based on the supermax prisons of the united states. Steel bars, 23 hours a day lockup....real punishment!

Bob - What about Wentworth?

Eileen - Wentworth will remain as it is. The new prison will only house the most dangerous and violent of offenders....like the last resort once they have proved unable to behave in other prisons

Bob - It does not sound very progressive Mrs Raymond

Eileen - Prison is about punishment, Mr Moran. As an ex-military man I would have expected you to know that...now let's take that tour shall we

The laundry

Cassie,, Vicki, Bea, Josie, Sonia and Ailsa are there

Cassie stands looking depressed

Vicki - What's up with you then?

Cassie - If you really must know some stuff has gone missing from my cell. One was something that means a lot to me, a gift from a friend

Bea looks fed up, she marches over to Sonia at the press

Bea - Ok Stevens we've all been waiting patiently, but enough is enough. When are you going to do something about the thief?

Sonia - What do you suggest I do Smith?

Bea - I don't know, you're the top dog. You think of something. This can't carry on, the girls are getting sick of it

Sonia - Relax Smith I'm working on it

Bea - Well try not to take too much bloody longer over it will you

Shanice arrives with her face bandaged up

The women try not to laugh

Ailsa - Good morning Shanice!

Shanice - Shove off Slater!

Ailsa - So I hear you couldn't manage in the kitchen? Can't say it surprises me. They should have enough sense to put me back there where I belong!

Bea - Belt up Slater, no one will ever let you near a kitchen again!

Shanice sulks

Shanice - I was doing well in there anyway. Just because I had one mishap chef has me transferred! He has no patience! Now here I am stuck back in here, it's not fair!

Vicki - Never mind eh Shan, not the end of the world?

Shanice - Isn't it?...well anyway who took my place?

Ailsa - Pam did

Shanice pulls a face

Shanice - That fruitcake? They replaced me with that fruitcake! I'll sue for flaming compo over this you see if I don't!

The women quietly get on with their work

Bea takes Josie into a corner to talk

Bea - You look, awful love

Josie - I'm fine Bea I swear

Bea - Look I'm sorry I got rough with you the other day, it's just this drug-taking has got to stop. I think you know that don't you?

Josie shrugs

Josie - Yeah suppose

Bea -Good girl...we'll soon have you better don't worry

Bernice is in her cell polishing her nails as Vera arrives in the doorway

Vera - Still a lady of leisure I see? You've done nothing but sit and pamper yourself since you arrived here

Bernice - I'm on remand, I don't have to work

Vera - I realise that but don't you get bored sitting around all day doing nothing?

Bernice - Not half as bored as I would be if I joined that bunch of halfwits in the laundry and had to listen to their idiotic conversations for hours at a time

Vera - Point taken! You could always work in the garden though, there's only Bryant out there and she tends to get on with her work quietly

Bernice looks offended

Bernice - Me gardening? Getting all dirty?.....ruining my lovely hands! Oh, that would never do Miss Bennett! It might be suitable for menials like Bryant but not for someone like me!

Vera smirks

Vera - Think we're a cut above the rest do we?

Bernice - Well yes of course

Vera - This place will soon cut you down to size!

Bernice - I really don't plan to be here for very long!

Vera - Yes well we'll see won't we! But you can rest assured if and when you do get convicted and sentenced I'll be here waiting to roll out the red carpet for you.....it will lead straight to the laundry!....and Smith and Stevens will be there waiting to greet you and show you what to do

Bernice - Well that will be something to look forward to if and when I do get convicted won't it. Until such a time, the less I have to do with that bunch of morons the better!

Bernice returns to polishing her nails

Tina is in her cell with a magazine as Vera arrives in the doorway

Vera - Another one who doesn't want to work I see?

Tina - I'm on remand so I don't have to

Vera chuckles

Vera - Yes that's exactly what Daniels said to me just now....you and her would get on well it seems

Tina - I'm nothing like her, I just don't see why I should volunteer to work when I can make the most of having a break. I worked my fingers to the bone on the outside just to keep a roof over my head and food in my fridge. You tell me why the hell shouldn't I enjoy a rest while I can Miss Bennett?

Vera - Oh alright! No need to go overboard. Just enjoy it while you can, once you're convicted you will be expected to work!

Tina - I might get off on a suspended sentence!

Vera - Fat chance! You assaulted a police officer. that's the type of thing the courts take a very dim view on Tate!

Tina - Surely not more serious than an act of arson in which two people died? Looks like Bernice and I could be here for a while together, what do you reckon Miss Bennett?

Tina grins slyly...

, Some time has passed and Tina is still relaxing with a magazine. At this point, she appears bored and gets up to switch her kettle on

Vicki arrives with the laundry skip

Vicki - G'day

Tina looks at her

Tina - Oh it's you, Spid told me you were in here

Vicki - Did she? That was nice of her

Tina - I kept meaning to come and say hello

Vicki - Sweet....so tell me, how cosy did you get with my girlfriend after you stole her from me?

Tina - I did not steal her from you, you know full well we offered for you to be involved!

Vicki - Yes and you know full well how disgusted I was about it

Tina - That's your problem, not mine

Vicki - Well it was nice chatting, I'd best be off now before Stevens sends out a search party

Tina - Hey listen before you go, have you had much to do with Mrs Daniels?

Vicki - Bernice? Yes a little, why?

Tina shrugs

Tina - Oh just wondered

Vicki - Listen what is this? Spid came in asking about her and now you're in here and asking too

Tina - Well I knew her on the outside too you know, I was a regular at the club. Pretty rough how she kicked you out without pay on your first night as a bartender

Vicki - Yeah, she's a bitch

Tina - I bet that made you angry?

Vicki -At the time yes but I've moved on from it now

Tina - So you don't want revenge on her then?

Vicki - No, as I say moved on now

Tina - Pity that cos I could help you get her you know

Vicki - Cheers but no thanks

Vicki leaves the cell

Vicki arrives at Bernice's cell with a grin

Vicki - Did you get the stuff I asked for?

Bernice gives her an angry glare

Bernice - Yes I got your damn stuff for you

Vicki Great, let's have it then!

Tina is in the corridor outside and stops to listen

Bernice - How you sleep at night knowing you're a blackmailing piece of filth I don't know

Vicki - How you sleep at night knowing you're an arsonist, murdering piece of filth I don't know

Bernice - Look I told you, I did not even set that place alight!

Vicki - We both know you did, why else would you be so worried about me going to the police with my information?

Bernice - It just wouldn't look good for me that's all, I can't afford anything to make things look bad for me. The police would love to pin this on me and what you have to tell them to them would be just what they need to incriminate me more

Vicki - You just keep the stuff coming as and when I want and I won't breathe a word to anyone

Tina is listening intently

Richard and Janice are in their hotel room when there is a knock at the door

Richard - That will be him now

Janice - Oh my, I'm so nervous. I hope he likes me

Richard - He will quit worrying

Richard answers the door to Darren

Richard - Come in son

Darren enters

Richard - Well this is Janice

Darren holds out a hand

Darren - Pleased to meet you Janice

Janice - Pleased to meet you too. I want us all to get on

Darren - I'm sure we will....you have to be a better woman for my dad than that monster Sandra anyway

Janice - I couldn't have put it better myself

Richard - I propose we all go out for a nice lunch now

Janice - Yes I'd love to

Exterior shot of a university campus

Sandra is in what appears to be the student halls

Sandra knocks at the door of a room and a teenage boy around 18 or 19 answers

The boy - Oh hi Mrs Clements

Sandra - Hi Troy, how delightful to see you. Is my Darren there, please?

Troy - No I'm afraid not Mrs Clements. he went out

Sandra looks disappointed

Sandra - Oh dear, any idea when he'll be back?

Troy - No none I'm sorry....you're welcome to come in and wait for him though?

Sandra - Yes ok then, thanks Troy

Troy lets her into the room

Richard, Janice and Darren are at lunch. Darren plays with his food and looks troubled

Richard - Are you ok son? You've barely touched your meal

Darren shrugs

Darren - Just not hungry that's all

Richard turns to Janice

Richard - Will you be ok sitting here alone for a while while I take Darren outside for a quick walk?

Janice nods her head

Janice- Yes sure, no worries

Richard - Come on Darren, let's go outside for a walk

Darren - Why?

Richard - Because I want to talk to you, that's why...

.....They are outside walking

Darren - Its rude to leave poor Janice by herself

Richard - She'll be fine for a few minutes. I want to know what's bothering you

Darren - Who says anythings bothering me?

Richard - It's pretty obvious from the way you're behaving

Darren - Well it's nothing dad I swear

Richard - It's Sandra, isn't it? I know what she's done to you you know. You think I don't know but I do

Darren looks alarmed

Darren - What do you know dad?

Richard - Just how much this thing with the letters has hurt you. You trusted her and she betrayed you, lied to you

Darren sighs with relief

Darren - Yes that's about right dad

Richard - Well son all I can say is let's try to focus on the future now. We both see her for what she is and we've cut her out of our lives for good. The longer you let her stay on your mind the longer she will win. Do you understand?

Darren nods his head

Darren - Yes dad

Richard - Do you like Janice?

Darren - Yes she seems lovely

Richard smiles with delight

Richard - Yes, she is

The visitor's room

Bea is there with Thelma

Thelma - I have some news for you, Bea. I wanted to come sooner but I didn't get the chance

Bea - What sort of news? Is it about Chloe?

Thelma - Yes, there's been a new development...

......Bernice is sitting across the room with Mick

Bernice looks annoyed

Bernice - How nice of you to come at last

Mick - Look Bernie I'm sorry but I had to deal with the mess the fire has caused. This is the first chance I got

Bernice - Yes well at least you're here now....but why didn't you bring Marcus with you?

Mick - Bernie love I have some bad news

Mick pauses looking sheepish

Bernice - Yes what is it?

Mick - I'm sorry but he says he won't represent you this time

Bernice - But he has been our lawyer for years!

Mick - Yes but this time he doesn't want to get involved

Bernice - Terrific! He's one of the best, we really need him if I'm to get off this

Mick - He likes winning you know that, he says he won't take on cases that he feels will lose and he feels this case will not be a win for him. He feels you will go down for sure

Bernice - How dare he, the cheek of the man!

Mick - Be fair love, the evidence was pretty conclusive

Bernice - Well you need to find me another lawyer, a bloody good one and quick!

Mick - I'm working on it

Bernice - Well make sure you work on it damn fast Mick! This is a dreadful place full of dreadful women, the sooner I get out the better!.....

.....Back with Bea and Thelma

Thelma - So this girl Rebecca had an attack of conscience and owned up her part in the whole affair

Bea - And she says a black boy was behind it?

Thelma - Yes but with a woman pulling the strings...a woman in Melbourne

Bea - Yes well I already know who that woman is

Thelma looks surprised

Thelma - You do?

Bea - Yes I do

Thelma - Well who the hell is it then?

Bea - Never mind, I will deal with her

Thelma - I'd like to know Bea...I'm sure Donald would too

Bea looks at her bitterly

Bea - Donald and you aren't entirely blameless in this yourselves

Thelma - And care to tell me how you came to that conclusion?

Bea - It's simple. If you had believed Chloe from the start she might not ave felt the need to come here to Melbourne. Then maybe she wouldn't have ended up on remand for leaving the state and she wouldn't have tried to kill herself

Thelma - I think that is more than a little unfair Bea, to be frank

Bea - Well I didn't expect you to agree with it!

Thelma - Donald and I feel bad enough about it without you making it worse....but frankly we had good reason to think she was lying. The story seemed far fetched and she had been on drugs in the past. Don't you think we feel bad about it now that the truth is out?

Bea softens a bit

Bea - Yeah ok ok...I guess most people wouldn't have believed Chloe

Thelma - Frankly no I don't think they would have indeed

Bea- I believed her though! Long before now, I believed her

Thelma - I know you did, I guess you're wiser than Donald and i

Bea - I just had faith in her that's all

Darren arrives back at his halls of residence and is halfway through the door of his room as he finds Sandra waiting

Sandra - There you are dear. Troy let me in to wait for you....been out anywhere nice?

Darren looks angry

GATESLAM

PART 2

Back with Darren and Sandra. Darren is still standing with the door open

Sandra - Close the door then dear, so we can talk privately

Darren - Get out!

Sandra - Not until we have had a talk, now close the door

Darren does so with an angry sigh

Sandra smiles and looks around the room

Sandra - Such a small space, how Troy and you can bear being cramped in here together I don't know

Darren - It was even more crowded when I hid Leanne here for you

Sandra - Yes dear, I imagine it was

Sandra stands up and runs a finger across the top of a wardrobe. She examines her finger and runs it down her trousers with disgust

Sandra - You need to dust more my darling!

Darren - Look stop wasting time, get to the point and get out

Sandra - I really don't like the way you're talking to me but I'll let it go because I realise how upset you are...

Darren - You're damn right I'm upset. How could you do it?

Sandra - To spare you from that brute of a man. He drinks and gets violent, it's horrible and I wanted to spare you the pain

Darren - The only horrible thing is how you can stand there and lie like that!

Sandra - I want us to makeup, I hate falling out like this

Darren - We will never make up! I want nothing to do with you ever again

Sandra - I'm sure you don't mean that!

Darren - I'm sure I do

Sandra sighs

Sandra - Stubborn! That's what you are. Just like Jacqueline!

Darren - I'll tell you another thing, I'm thinking of confessing to the things I've done.....the things I've done for you

Sandra looks panic-stricken

Sandra - You don't mean that! You're not thinking straight

Darren - Yes I am... I need to unburden myself

Sandra - And what about me? You'll drag me down with you?

Darren - I don't know...I haven't decided yet whether to tell them about you or not

Sandra - There is no evidence of my involvement! You will only be harming yourself and no one else! I will deny my involvement and they can't prove a thing!

Darren opens his door again

Darren - Please leave now and don't come back

Sandra - You're being very foolish turning your back on me like this

Sandra leaves

Blackmoor

Roo is in the rec room with Brumby by her side

Roo - So Raymond may not be around anymore but it doesn't change a thing. I'm still the top dog around here now, it just means I'm doing it alone without Raymond...anyone thinks they can challenge me for the top dog?

No one replies

Roo - Great, so as of now I expect your total compliance with me ladies!

Brumby - Congratulations Roo!