Vera smiles at Cassie

Vera - I owe you an explanation for why I've been such a bitch to you...you see I've had years now to come to terms with my daughter being dead, years to program myself to think of her being dead, so when you told me you were alive......well after all these years it was a shock

Vera pauses for a second

Vera - It was such a big shock finding out that you had been alive all along, that the thing I had spent so long coming to terms with in my head was nothing more than one big, horrible lie. You had been out there all those years and I didn't even know it....well I just didn't know how to deal with it

Cassie - Yeah, I can understand that

Vera - I know I dealt with it wrong, I was cruel to you and I'm sorry

Cassie - It's ok, I understand. I honestly do understand...

Vera - I still keep trying to get my head around all the things I should have been there for but missed out on...there must have been so many things...things like seeing you take your first steps, speak your first words....your first day at school and so much more

Cassie - I wish you had been there for them too believe me

Vera - How long have you known you were adopted?

Cassie - Not long, only the past year. My adoptive parents finally sat me down and told me and it came as a shock to me too I can tell you. It was hard for me too to come to terms with finding out I had been lied to all those years too, thinking the parents I had were my real parents only to find out there were not

Vera - Yes it must have been hard for you

Cassie - Yes it was at first, I spent many nights crying myself to sleep. But I eventually came to terms with it and that is when I knew I had to find you...

Vera - And when you did find me I bet it left you wishing you hadn't bothered after the way I've treated you

Cassie - I really do understand why you have been the way you have been, I don't hold it against you....the question is where do we go from here?

Vera - let's take it a step at a time, see how things go

Cassie - Can I call you mum?

Vera looks unsure

Vera - Yes ok, but only in private. It has to be Miss Bennett at all times in front of the women

Cassie - Yes, of course, I wouldn't want that lot knowing the truth

Vera - Look I'd better get on with my rounds now before the other officers wonder where I am

Cassie - When can we talk again?

Vera- I don't know but soon...as soon as I can find some time to spare

Cassie nods her head

Cassie - Ok mum.....

Vera - I can't promise you anything here, all I can promise is that I want to try my best to have some sort of relationship with you but it is not going to be easy for me

Cassie - It won't be easy for either of us mum

Vera - Yes well I'll see you later

Vera leaves the cell

Left alone Cassie looks tearful and happy

Geoff is sitting wincing with pain as Peter tries to dig the bullet out of his arm

Peter looks queasy

Peter - I don't think I can do this Mr Renner, it's making me feel sick!

Geoff is red in the face with rage

Geoff - HOW DO YOU THINK IT MAKES ME FEEL BOY?... JUST GET ON WITH IT!

Peter - Yes Mr Renner, I'm sorry

Geoff - You will be if you keep on like this, you are going to have to lift your game boy, I expect a lot from my men and right now you're letting me down big time

Peter - Yes Mr Renner

Geoff - When we have finished here we will have another little job to do

Peter - What sort of little job?

Geoff - You'll find out once you've completed the task at hand, now hurry up will you!

Sandra is sitting in Toni's lounge watching tv with her feet up as the doorbell goes

She answers to find Janice at the door

Sandra - Janice dear, how nice to see you...Tone's not here right now I'm afraid, she's at work

Janice - It's not Tone I came to see, it's you

Sandra - Oh really? I can't imagine us two have much to say to each other

Janice - Well I have at least one thing to say to you, so let's talk inside shall we

Janice pushes past Sandra into the flat

Janice stands and examines the wallpaper

Janice - What horrible wallpaper! Did Tone choose this herself?

Sandra - Well no, I picked it, but I knew she would love it!

Janice - She hates it, Vera overheard her telling you so

Sandra - Well that's Vera all over isn't it, interfering in other people's affairs and listening in to private conversations when she has no business to

Janice - She is concerned about Tone and so am i

Sandra - What is there to be concerned about? She is fine

Janice - With you taking over her life I doubt she is fine

Sandra - Oh just get out, I doubt Tone will want you here when she gets back, she still hates you because of her miscarriage in case you've forgotten that

Janice - I haven't forgotten, but I still care about her whether she wants me to or not and I am warning you I am keeping an eye on you, you got that? I am watching this situation very very closely because I care about Tone

Sandra - Watch me all you like...I am watching you too, watching and waiting for my moment when I can pay you back for stealing my husband

Janice laughs

Janice - I didn't steal him you stupid deluded cow! He came running to me, running to me to get away from you because he couldn't stand you anymore

Sandra - Nonsense, you're a husband stealing bitch and you got your claws into my Richard!

Janice - Just be careful how you treat Toni, I really mean what I say. I will be keeping an eye on you and I will be looking out for Tone's best interests....having you living with her is not in her best interests, it wouldn't be in any one's best interests

Janice leaves

Sandra watches her go with a filthy look on her face

Geoff's arm is bandaged up

Geoff - Well you did a decent enough job, in the end, Pete, once you stopped bleating on like an old woman anyway

Peter - I think you're great Mr Renner, I wouldn't be able to handle the pain as well as you did just now. You're awesome Mr Renner!

Geoff looks unimpressed by the arse licking compliments

Geoff - When you've been in the military you learn how to handle pain....pain is all in the mind anyway

Peter - I'm a real wimp, I cry like a baby even if I get a wasp sting!

Geoff - In that case, you'd better work hard not to make me angry again hadn't you, because believe me, Pete, if you make me angry once more you will experience more pain than you could ever handle

Peter sits looking terrified as Geoff grins at him

Geoff - Follow me, it is now time to perform our next chore

Geoff walks out into the hallway and Peter follows somewhat reluctantly

Geoff collects a spade from the broom cupboard

Peter - What are we going to do with that Mr Renner?

Geoff - You'll find out in a second won't you!

They go outside to the car where the woman is lying dead across her steering wheel

Peter - Who the hell is she?

Geoff chuckles

Geoff - Just the poor hapless bitch who was doing her good deed for the day, .little did she realize it would be her last one ever!

Peter - Well why did you kill her?

Geoff - Because I need a car, boy! Mine was stolen..... Mine was stolen so I decided to steal hers. It's unfortunate I know but it couldn't be helped

Peter looks confused

Peter - Stolen?...stolen by who?

Geoff - Enough with the questions boy! Help me lift her out and then you can start digging

Peter - You want me to dig a grave?

Geoff (sarcastic) - You catch on real quick boy, well done!

Peter - Why do I have to do it?

Geoff - Because my arm is injured remember....and besides, you work for me and that means you do everything I tell you to do when I tell you to do it.....SO GET MOVING BOY BEFORE I LOSE MY TEMPER!

Peter flies into action

Peter - Yes Mr Renner!...sorry Mr Renner

Geoff - And stop saying sorry all the time, it's getting on my nerves boy!

Toni is back home with Sandra

Sandra - How was the prison when you left?

Toni - Oh quiet

Sandra - So no problems for me to deal with tomorrow?

Toni - No, nothing

Sandra - Excellent, it's always good when the women behave

Toni - What will you do about Simpson attacking Webster?

Sandra (jokey manner) - Give her a medal?........no seriously now, I am not sure but she will need to stay in solitary for a while

Toni - Webster is bound to want revenge on Simpson

Sandra nods her head

Sandra - Yes we will need to keep an eye on that, the last thing we need is Webster adding another body to her list

Toni - Well I think I will go and have a nice long bath now, I need a long hot soak

Toni begins to leave the room

Sandra - Oh before you go I need to tell you something

Toni - Oh yes?

Sandra - Yes Jan came around

Toni looks surprised

Toni - Jan? What for?

Sandra - To warn me she is keeping an eye on me to make sure I don't do anything to harm you..it's Vera filling her head with ideas I'm sure of it

Toni rolls her eyes

Toni - I want Jan to stay out of my life, I will tell her as much next time I see her

Sandra - Oh Tone, I wouldn't want you to argue with her over me, really!

Toni - No, she needs to be told. I don't want her interfering in my life

Sandra - Go on, go and have your bath now, I will prepare a nice meal while you're in there

Toni smiles

Toni - Well that will be nice

Sandra - And maybe we can discuss your new kitchen too when you come out!

Toni forces a smile

Toni - Yes, that will be great

Toni walks away rolling her eyes as she goes

Vera arrives back at Meg's place and makes her way to her bedroom where she begins to get changed out of her uniform. But pauses and looks at something. It's a photo of her mother on top of a chest of drawers. She goes over and picks it up and stares at it, deep in thought.....

......Vera arrives home to a dark house carrying bags of shopping and puts them down on the table

Her mother is sitting on the sofa in the darkness

Vera - Hello mum

She bends over to kiss her mother on the cheek

Mother - You're late!

Vera - I shop Thursdays, you know that...it's so dark in here!

Vera goes to open the curtains

Mother - I couldn't get off the sofa all day, my legs were giving me trouble

Vera - Well they will if you sit there all day!

Mother - Just how am I supposed to get about?...nobody knows the pain!

Vera - Dr Millers coming over later...he'll give you something

Mother - Oh nothing helps, but you don't care!

Vera picks up a tray from the nearby table and forces a smile

Vera - Was lunch ok?

Mother - I managed to eat it

Vera - Then let me get in a part-time nurse

Mother (outraged)- I'm not having any stranger in this house, Vera, it's a daughter's duty to look after her mother!

Vera begins to walk away

Mother - I think of all those years bringing you up by myself, giving you the best education I could, trouble I had, but you never heard me complain! No one wants you when you're old and sick, not even your own daughter!

Vera - I just thought a nurse would make things easier for you

Mother - Yes, so you can wipe your hands of me, next thing is you'll be wanting to put me in a home

Vera - I won't!

Mother - Stuck in here all day!...No one to talk to!... I see you for a few hours and all you do is pick on me!.. Think I enjoy the pain? Think I like being sick? .....

Vera makes her way into the lounge with the photo. She picks up a bottle of whisky and sits down in a chair with the photo in her lap. She unscrews the lid and starts drinking

Toni enters the kitchen in a dressing gown, with her hair wrapped up in a towel

Sandra is dishing up a meal

Sandra - What good timing, just in time for me to dish up

Toni - It looks delicious

Sandra - Thanks love...Nice bath?

Toni - Yes, very relaxing. Just what I needed after a day at Wentworth

Sandra - Take a seat at the table love, I'll bring it over

Toni - Ok, I can't wait for this, I am starving

Toni goes to the fridge and looks around for something and looks confused

Sandra - Looking for something?

Toni - Yes where are my cans of fosters? I had about 8 cans in here last night, now they are all gone

Sandra - Oh I tipped them down the sink love

Toni - You did what?

Sandra - You drink far too much and it's not good for you

Toni looks angry

Toni - I do not drink too much, I enjoy a few cans after a day at work that's all. It helps me unwind

Sandra - But You do it every night, it's not good for you. It's clearly a nasty habit you've got into and it's up to me to look after you love

Toni - You had no right to pour my beer away, no right at all!

Sandra - Sit down love, let's eat our food before it gets cold

Toni sits at the table looking angry

Vera is drinking straight from the bottle while staring at the photo of her mother in her lap...

.....Mother is running back to her seat as Vera enters the room

Vera - It's nice to see you on your feet again

Mother - He's quite a good Dr, why can't you get yourself a man like that?

Vera sighs

Vera - Oh don't start that again

Mother - You're starting to look like a shriveled-up old prune!....No man would look twice at you!

Vera - Well whose faults that? I've been looking after you for twelve years! When have I had a chance to even meet a man?

Mother - Oh that's right, blame me!....well just look at where you work, a prison! Why can't you get yourself a decent job?... You're getting old and hard before your years Vera

Vera - Look lay off mum, just lay off!.....

.......Vera is in tears as she stares at the photo of her mother

Vera - Nothing I did was ever good enough for you was it? I tried my best to please you, to look after you, and nothing was ever good enough. You were so cruel to me, why mum? I wish I understood why you treated me the way you did. You enjoyed hurting me, didn't you? I know you did. You took my daughter from me, told me she had died, you saw how heartbroken I was and you did it anyway. You knew I wanted to keep her and you convinced me she was dead. Why would you do that mum, why? All I want to know is why I want to understand why you wanted to hurt me so much?

Vera smashes the photo across the floor

Vera - WHY DID YOU HATE ME SO MUCH YOU BITCH!

Vera lays back in her chair and carries on drinking

Vera - I just want to understand why that's all

Vera is crying

Toni is playing with her food

Sandra - You're not eating much love

Toni - I've lost my appetite

Sandra - Oh don't tell me you're still sulking over your beer?

Toni - You had no right to pour it away, the least you could do is apologize

Sandra - Oh you're so immature Jacqueline, really! No wonder Steve has left you if you carry on like this!

Toni (confused) - What?

Sandra - You heard me my girl and I am not in the habit of repeating myself! Face it, Steve married a woman, not a little girl so can you blame him for throwing you out Jacqui? I certainly can't when you behave like this...

Toni - What is wrong with you I'm not your daughter! Your daughter is dead, I'm Toni!

Sandra - All I did was try and prevent you from drinking too much Jacqueline, can't you see that? I had your best interests at heart as any good mother would!

Toni - Are you listening to me?

Sandra - No the question is are you listening to me? While you're staying in my flat the least you can do is abide by my rules and the first rule is I do not want you drinking alcohol

Toni - Your flat? This is my flat you crazy bitch!..

Sandra grabs Toni's wrists and twists them

Toni - OW!... LET GO, YOU'RE HURTING ME

Sandra is red in the face with rage

Sandra - YES THAT'S RIGHT I AM BECAUSE YOU NEED TEACHING A LESSON, MY GIRL!..... IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU SHOWED YOUR MOTHER SOME RESPECT JACQUELINE! I WON'T BE SPOKEN TO LIKE THAT BY MY OWN DAUGHTER, NOT EVER!

Toni - I AM NOT YOUR DAUGHTER!

Sandra - Get to your room, I am sick of the sight of you!

Toni - I want you to pack your things and get out right now! This is my flat and I've had enough of this

Sandra - GET TO YOUR ROOM NOW!

Toni - PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET OUT!

Sandra slaps her in the face

Sandra - YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO YOUR MOTHER LIKE THAT, I WARNED YOU ALREADY

Toni - You're sick, do you know that! You're one sick bitch

Toni runs out of the room and into her bedroom, slamming the door

Sandra - AND SLAMMING DOORS WILL NOT GET YOU ANYWHERE EITHER!.... MAKE SURE YOU STAY IN THERE UNTIL YOU HAVE LEARNT YOUR LESSON!

Vera is dialing a number...

.....Jim, Bob, and Cheryl are sitting around as the phone rings

Jim runs to answer

Jim - Hello?

Vera is on the other end drunk

Vera - Jim it's me, Vera...I need to know more about what Meg told you....did she say when she would be coming home? I miss her, I need her home

Jim - Look Vera I'm sorry, she didn't say when she'd be back

Vera is distressed

Vera - But she must have said something?

Jim - She didn't I'm sorry

Vera - But I miss her, I need a friend right now

Jim is irritated

Jim -Look Vera I'm sorry but I am waiting for an important call so I need to get off the line now

Vera - Please don't go, Jim, stay and talk. I need to talk to someone

Jim - I have to go, Vera, I'm sorry

Jim puts the phone down

Vera is tearful and unsteady on her feet

Vera - I wanted you to stay!.... I wanted you to stay and talk!

Vera walks across the room and drops back into her seat and picks up the bottle of whisky

Back with Jim, Bob, and Cheryl

Jim - It was just Vera ringing to ask about Meg again

Cheryl - I thought....well I hoped...

Cheryl bows her head

Cheryl - Well you know

Jim - Yes, I hoped that too

Bob - He will ring again soon, he is bound too

Jim - Why is he taking so long? This is killing me...maybe he won't ring again. Maybe that's it, I'll never see Kath again

Cheryl - Oh god, please don't say that. It doesn't bear thinking about

Bob shakes his head

Bob - He'll ring again, he wants his money remember. It's just a matter of waiting that's all

Jim - Well I'm just about sick of waiting...I'm sick of sitting around here feeling so helpless

GATESLAM

PART 2