EPISODE #92 IN FANFIC

The room is silent as Joan picks up a glass of champagne and starts drinking it

Eileen - Would anyone like to say something?

Meg (angry) - Please tell me this is some kind of joke?

Eileen - No, why would it be a joke?

Meg - This woman is a monster!

Ted - Hey hey hey! That's my sister you're talking about! Show some respect!

Meg looks Ted up and down with a filthy look on her face

Meg - I don't care who she is! This woman murdered my son and rightfully she received a life sentence for it. Now here she is a free woman again and not only that as if that wasn't bad enough! Oh no, just to rub the salt in the wounds even more she is the damn governor too! This is an absolute joke and an outrage!

Bob - Come on Meg, calm down

Meg - No I won't damn well calm down! This woman should still be serving her life sentence. not standing here drinking champagne, celebrating being a governor!

Joan smirks

Meg - And wipe that look off your face Ferguson, it's not impressing anyone!

Joan - It's always funny when you have one of your little rants Morris, I can't help smiling!

Meg - You won't be smiling when I go to the press about this outrage...or when I make a complaint to the authorities

Eileen - That won't do you any good Mrs Morse!

Meg rolls her eyes in irritation

Meg - It's Mrs Morris!

Ted - Mrs Raymond is correct, complaining will do no good. My sister's criminal record has been wiped from history

Meg - That is ridiculous! How can it be wiped?

Eileen - Because I had the power to pardon her and I did and that's the end of it

Meg - This is all wrong...can't you see that? She killed my Marty for god sake!

Eileen - I suggest maybe you should leave now Mrs Morse, you are spoiling the party

Meg - Oh don't worry I'm going!

Meg looks angrily at Joan

Meg - How you can sleep at night I don't know!

Joan - I have no worries there!

Meg - You're not even human, you're a repulsive freak. The women were right when they gave you that nickname

Ted- Come on Morris, out!

Ted tries to manhandle Meg out, she aggressively pushes herself free

Meg - Keep your hands off me! I don't need your help to leave!

Meg marches out

Colleen - Meg wait!

Colleen rushes to leave, pausing to give Joan a dirty look on the way out

Geoff and Bob begin to leave too

Eileen - Oh surely you are not leaving too Mr Moran?

Bob - Yes I am. I agree with Mrs Morris on this

Joan (sarcastic) - Oh and there I was counting on your support Moran!... I thought we were friends, you really hurt my feelings!

Bob ignores her and leaves with Geoff

Ted - Sorry about that ladies and gents! Maybe we can get back to enjoying the party now

Marina is literally shaking with rage

Marina - Not yet you can't! Not until I've said what I need to say

Eileen - Well by all means go ahead, Marina!

The Restaurant

Gemma - Is this true Sandy? Did you make the cancer up?

Richard - Oh she made it up alright and like a mug I fell for it!

Gemma - I'd like to hear it from Sandy if you don't mind Richard

Sandra bows her head

Gemma - WELL? ANSWER ME THEN!

Sandra - YES!......yes it's true

Gemma gets up and collects her coat

Gemma Come on Bertie, we're leaving

Sandra - Oh but sis, I thought maybe we could be friends again like we discussed earlier?

Gemma - After I find out you made up such a sick lie you expect us to be friends? Oh no, I was right to disown you all those years ago. You're bad to the bone!

Sandra-But, please? We are sisters!

Gemma shakes her head

Gemma - As far as I'm concerned I don't have a sister anymore

Sandra - I'm sure you don't mean that if you would only take a moment to calm down...

Gemma - I do mean it, I hope I never see you again

Gemma turns to Bert

Gemma Take me home Bertie!

Bert - Yes love

They leave abruptly

Sandra yells after her

Sandra - WELL GOOD RIDDANCE BITCH! WHO WANTS A BLOODY OLD COW LIKE YOU FOR A SISTER ANYWAY!

The others sit staring at Sandra

Sandra - AND WHAT ARE YOU LOT GAWPING AT?

Vera stands up

Vera - A sick freak, that's who. I knew all among you were round the twist and this only proves how right I was

Vera marches out

Sandra - YES THAT'S RIGHT BENNETT, PISS OFF! I NEVER WANTED YOU HERE ANYWAY

Greg stands up

Greg - Yes well time I was going too, thanks for the meal it was lovely.... I'll try and catch Vera so I can give her a lift home

Greg rushes off

A smirking Janice stands up and stands next to Richard

Sandra - WHY DON'T YOU PISS OFF TOO?

Janice - I'm going home with Richard...are you ready to go darling?

Richard - Ye love I am

Sandra shakes her head

Sandra - Oh no I won't let you steal my husband Raymond!....don't go with her please Richard, we can work this out surely?

Richard - No chance. This time it's over for good and I'm going back to Janice

Sandra attempts to attack Janice

Sandra - I WON'T LET YOU STEAL MY HUSBAND!

Richard restrains Sandra

Richard - Keep your filthy hands off her you hear me?

Janice picks up the huge cake

Janice - It's your birthday and you'll cry if I want you to...so, have some cake

Janice throws the cake into Sandra's face

Richard and Janice leave together holding hands

Toni remains behind

Toni - I think we need to get you cleared up don't we Mrs Clements, you look a real mess there

Marina glares angrily at Eileen and Ted

Marina - I thought I was going to be governor, not this bitch!

Ted - Well you thought wrong

Marina - You promised it to me

Eileen - We didn't promise you anything

Marina - Yes you did!...you know you did!

Eileen shakes her head and pretends to be confused

Eileen - I'm sorry if I gave you that impression, believe me, you must have misunderstood me

Marina shakes her head

Marina - Oh no!..no, we made an agreement. I arranged...

Marina pauses and glances around the room

Eileen - You arranged what Marina, go ahead?

Marina - Nothing

Eileen - Yes that's right, nothing...

Marina - I want a word with you outside now Raymond!

Eileen - Make it a bit more polite and maybe you will get what you want, being so downright rude won't get you far Donovan

Marina walks across to whisper in Eileen's ear

Marina - Cut the crap bitch! Just get your bitch arse outside now. We both know about the arrangement we had together and I am in no mood to play games

The others look at them looking intrigued

Clifford - What is going on here Marina?

Marina - Nothing darling. Eileen and I just need a word in private that's all

Marina and Eileen leave the room

Joan finishes her champagne and gets a fresh glass

Joan - I like a party that goes with a bang

A waiter hands Toni a towel

Toni - Thanks love...come on Sandra let's get you cleaned up

Toni attempts to clean the cake off of Sandra's face but she snatches the towel from her

Sandra - I am quite capable of doing it myself thank you!

Sandra begins to clean herself up

Toni - You'd better come and stay at mine tonight

Sandra - No thank you, I will go home to my husband

Toni - It didn't seem like he wants you home

Sandra - Well that's tough because it's my home and I am going back whether he likes it or not

Toni - At least allow me to give you a lift then,

Sandra - Yes that will be helpful, I expect Richard took the car

They begin to leave

Waiter - Oh I'm afraid you can't leave until the bill has been paid, madam

Sandra looks alarmed

Sandra - Nonsense, surely Richard paid the bill?

The waiter - I'm afraid not, he left clear instructions that we were to ask you for the bill

Sandra - Oh that...BASTARD!

Toni - Listen, I think it would be a good idea to calm down, don't you?

Sandra - How am I supposed to calm down you stupid cow? He has left me a bill i can't pay, i have no cash on me and i left my plastic at home

Toni - I am sure we can sort this out

Sandra - You have the cash to pay do you?

Toni - Well no...

Sandra - Then how exactly do you suggest we will sort this out?

They both look at the waiter looking fretful

Marina and Eileen are alone in a corridor

Eileen - Well? Say what you want to say

Marina - You know damn well about the arrangement we had. I was to be governor of the new prison if I could arrange a riot and fire at the old dump to help get it closed and this place built, I did everything you asked of me. I expect my governorship now in return

Eileen - You'll be a senior officer and be grateful for it!

Marina - I will not! Unless you make me governor right now I will tell the police all about our arrangement

Eileen - Will you?

Marina - Yes, and then you'll be in your own damn prison on the wrong side of the bars

Eileen- And you'll be in the cell next door!

Marina - No I won't? They're bound to reward me for the information

Eileen - My god woman, do you have a brain in your head? You really haven't thought this through, have you? If you tell the police about our arrangement you will be putting yourself in the shit too

Marina - I'll just say you arranged it with the prisoners then, I won't tell them about my part in it

Eileen - Won't work, the prisoners will tell the police what I want them to say. They will say you were behind the riot... which you were...I will say I knew nothing about it. Really Marina you will only be hurting yourself if you choose to pursue this course of action, you can't beat me I'm a powerful politician

Marina - You're a damn bitch! A duplicitous bitch!

Eileen - Just accept things as they are. Joan will be governor and you'll be a senior officer

Marina - And that bitch will have the time of her life lording it over me, I'd rather quit

Eileen Suit yourself

Marina - At least let me have a transfer to Wentworth or somewhere so that I don't have to face her!

Eileen shakes her head in mock sorrow

Eileen - No can do, it's either Blackmoor or the dole queue Marina, make up your mind

Marina - I need to think about it

Eileen - That's fine, but don't take too long about it

Marina re-enters the room

Marina - Come on Clifford, we're leaving!

Clifford - But I was enjoying myself

Marina - TAKE ME HOME NOW!

Clifford jumps with fright

Clifford - Yes dear!

They begin to leave as Joan steps in front of Marina

Joan - See you here in your uniform at 8 am tomorrow morning sharp

Marina Sorry to disappoint you Ferguson but I might not be here, I might quit

Joan - You won't quit and we both know that the prison service is your life...so see you at 8 am sharp!

Vern - There will be a staff induction tomorrow Miss Donovan, it's important for you to be there

Clifford smiles pleasantly at Vern

Clifford - Thanks for that marvelous tour of this awesome building Mr Schofield

Marina grabs Clifford and drags him out

Marina - MOVE CLIFFORD!....TAKE ME HOME!

There is a huge pile of dishes in the restaurant kitchen. Sandra and Toni are up to their elbows in suds, busy washing up

Sandra is seething

Sandra - Some birthday this turned out to be! He planned the whole damn thing! He planned it to make me suffer!

Toni - Well it was a pretty rotten thing you did to him

Sandra - You'll be wearing this washing-up water in a minute if you don't watch what you say, Williams!

Toni - Excuse me I'll have you know I am doing you a big favour helping you with this, I could have left you alone to deal with it if I wanted to, so I'd be a bit less aggressive and a bit more grateful if I were you!

Sandra softens a bit

Sandra - Yes I'm sorry, it was kind of you to help me I know that

Richard and Janice are back at Sandra and Richard's home locking and bolting the door from the inside

Richard - I'd like to see her try to get in now! This will do until I get the locks changed tomorrow

Janice - You sure showed her tonight, it was absolutely wonderful. I am proud of you

Richard takes her in his arms and hugs her

Richard - I feel such a fool for being taken in by her lies in the first place

Janice - You made sure she paid for it tonight, nothing to feel foolish about after that. It was awesome, the look on her face

They both laugh

Richard - You will stay the night won't you?

Janice - If you want me to?

Richard - Of course I do, I wouldn't say it if I didn't

Janice nods her head

Janice - Then I'd love to stay

Richard - I'm so sorry I left you to go back to that cow

Janice - It's ok, I forgive you

Richard - You're a great woman Janice

They kiss

Meg, Bob, Colleen, and Geoff are at Meg's flat where Bob brings a tray of coffee into the lounge from the kitchen

Bob - I made us all a nice cup of coffee

Colleen - -Thanks Bob

Meg gets up and grabs a bottle of whisky

Meg - Stuff the lousy coffee, it's this stuff I need right now

Colleen - Come on Meg, that won't help

Meg - Then tell me what will damn it?...my god I thought it was all over when that judge gave Ferguson life. I thought yes that's it now, she can't do any more damage now. I won't have to see that awful smirk of hers ever again....and then tonight!...

Meg shakes her head and pours a glass of whisky

Meg - There she was, smirking at me again. Free to cause misery again as she pleases. Tell me how can a murderer be pardoned and given a governorship? It's just totally insane, I can't make sense of it in my head

Geoff - She has Mrs. Raymond on her side, she is a powerful woman

Colleen - And let's not forget her brother too

Meg - Well damn them, damn the lot of them!

Meg examines the carpet and starts to sob

Meg - They don't care that Marty lost his life because of that bitch.....they might as well all dance over his grave!

Colleen tries to comfort Meg

Colleen - Getting upset like this won't help

Meg - Then you tell me what will help? You tell me that?

Colleen is stuck for words

Meg - That woman took away the most precious thing in my life and she should be paying for it, She should still be serving her life sentence, not a free woman with a governorship

Bob - We know Meg, we all agree with you, we all know how you feel

Meg is aggressive

Meg - No you don't! How could you? It wasn't your son she killed!

Colleen - But I know what losing my children feels like remember?

Meg - Yes I'm sorry

The front door opens and Greg and Vera enter

Greg (surprised) - Oh hello, I wasn't expecting you back from the party this early

Bob looks at his watch

Bob - You're a little early home from the restaurant to

Greg and Colleen speak at the same time

Greg - Well it was a complete disaster/Colleen - The damn party turned into a total disaster

They both pause

Greg - You go first, what happened at the party?

Toni pulls up outside Sandra's in her car and Sandra gets out of the car and tears up the driveway

Toni gets out and runs after her

Toni - MRS CLEMENTS!....MRS CLEMENTS PLEASE! TRY AND KEEP CALM!

Sandra - OH SHOVE OFF WILLIAMS!

Sandra turns her key in the lock and the door won't budge, she begins to push and kick the door

Sandra - OPEN UP RICHARD!.....COME ON NOW!

Sandra slams her fist on the door over and over

Sandra - OPEN THIS DOOR NOW YOU BASTARD!

The bedroom window opens and Janice peers down

Janice - Hello Sandra!

Sandra - SEND HIM TO THE WINDOW! I WANT TO SPEAK TO HIM!

Janice - He doesn't want to speak to you I'm so sorry

Sandra - OH THAT COWARD! TOO SCARED TO FACE ME!

Janice - He realizes you need your stuff so he packed it for you like the nice thoughtful man he is, I'll just get it for you!

Janice disappears back into the room

Sandra Oh that bastard! He's determined to crucify me!

Janice reappears and begins to throw black bags down

Janice - All your stuff is packed in the bags darling!

Sandra - I DEMAND YOU SEND RICHARD TO THE WINDOW RIGHT NOW!

Janice - Demand all you like but he ain't coming to talk to you

Sandra - WELL LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING RAYMOND...LET ME TELL YOU THAT I DON'T WANT YOU SLEEPING IN MY BED WITH MY HUSBAND DO YOU HEAR ME?

Janice chuckles

Sandra - WELL ANSWER ME THEN?!

Janice - How will you stop me, darling?

Sandra - WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU I'LL KILL YOU

Janice - Yeah right, you know I can beat the crap out of you, even Kath Maxwell can!

Toni - Look Jan, can't you see the state she's in? You're just making things worse here by tormenting her like this

Janice - I can see you're doing your good Samaritan bit Tone, well good luck to you... with her to look after you'll need all the luck you can get!...now if you'll excuse me Richard is waiting in bed for me to come and warm him up!

Janice laughs and slams the window shut and pulls the curtains shut

Sandra - Do you know what I'm going to do?

Toni - No, what's that?

Sandra - I'll kill them both! That's what I will do!

Sandra laughs and nods her head

Sandra - Yes, I will kill them both with my own bare hands!

Toni - Come on, shall we collect your stuff up now?

Toni begins to gather the bags together

Toni - You'll have to come home to mine and no arguments.

Sandra - This is my home, right here!

Toni - I know but you can't get in tonight so you have to come to mine for the night

Toni starts to gently guide Sandra towards the car

Sandra - I'LL KILL THEM!...... I'LL KILL THE PAIR OF THEM!

Toni - Please Mrs Clements, it's very late, you have to stop shouting now, people are trying to sleep

Sandra - DAMN THEM ALL! WHO CARES ABOUT SLEEP AT A TIME LIKE THIS!

Toni - Mrs Clements come on please, you wouldn't want the police to get called out, would you?

Sandra lowers her voice to almost a whisper

Sandra - I'll kill them the first chance I get! Just you watch!

Toni - Yes I'm sure you will....but in the meantime, let's get you back to mine so you can sleep

Sandra nods her head

Sandra - A good idea, I need all my strength ready for the task at hand!

Toni guides Sandra to the car