Jim is sitting in a chair looking distressed

Jim - What a mess! What a bloody mess

Cheryl - What are we going to do now?

Jim rubs his hand across his forehead

Jim - I wish I knew, Geoff wants another 10 grand now. How am I going to get that when I can't even get the money he already wanted? This really is a mess!

Cheryl - We have to get the police now Jim, this is what we should have done from the start

Jim - I could sell the house...and the car. That would get a considerable amount of the money

Jim shakes his head in despair

Jim - But even then it still wouldn't be enough

Cheryl - Yes and you, Kath, and the twins will be left without a home as well no money. Think about it, will being homeless really help Kath?

Jim (annoyed) - I am trying to work out how to save her life and rescue her from a psychopath right now

Cheryl - I know but selling the house and the car isn't the answer. You said yourself even after that you will still be short, only you'll all be homeless too with no money because you've given it all to Butler. It's simply not the answer and you know it

Jim - Then what is the answer, tell me that?

Cheryl - I already told you plenty of times, we need to get the police involved

Jim looks at Cheryl

Jim - It's dangerous can't you see? Butler made it clear that I mustn't get them involved

Cheryl - It's the only answer. we should have got them involved right from the start. They will know how to deal with this

Jim - Yes and if that bastard finds out they are involved that will be it, he will kill the three of them

Cheryl - There is nothing else we can do now and you know it

Jim nods his head

Jim - Yes I know, of course, I know. There is no way I am ever going to get all of the money he is asking for, I have no idea how he can even think I would be able to

Cheryl - He is greedy and clearly not right in the head, you can't expect him to be reasonable about it. That's why we need help from the police. We tried to handle it ourselves, it didn't work so now its time to accept some help from people who know what they are doing

Wentworth

The governor's office

Sue is doing paperwork as there is a knock at the door

Sue - Come in

Vera enters

Vera - How are you settling in behind that desk?

Sue - Great thanks, it feels good to be here

Vera - I bet....did you tell your husband?

Sue - I did, I phoned him at work. He was thrilled!

Vera - Yes I can imagine he was, think of the salary increase!

Sue - I hate to sound pessimistic, but I can't help wondering now when I will have my first crisis to deal with. it's bound to happen sooner or later

Vera - And when it does you will handle it perfectly well

Sue - You reckon so?

Vera - Yes of course and we will all support you

Sue - Thanks Vera

Suddenly an unknown officer bursts in without knocking

Officer - Governor I'm sorry to burst in like this but there has been a serious incident on C Block! One of the women has been murdered, found with her throat slashed in her cell!

Vera and Sue look shocked

Sue - I think I am just about to find out how I will cope with my first crisis Vera

Vera turns to the officer

Vera - Which Prisoner was it?

Back with Jim and Cheryl

Cheryl - So what are we going to do Jim?

Jim - We're going to get the police in just as you say. I know we have to now, there are no other options left

Cheryl looks relieved

Cheryl -I am glad you realize that now Jim. I feel this is our only hope for getting them all back safely now

Jim - Well I certainly can't raise another £105 grand, it's just not possible...I just hope Geoff isn't having us spied on because if he is and he realizes he will lose it

Cheryl - I can call them now, explain the situation. They will arrange to meet us carefully. They are trained to deal with these types of situations

Suddenly there is a knock at the door

Jim and Cheryl exchange a look

Cheryl - Expecting anyone?

Jim - No...

Cheryl rolls her eyes

Cheryl - I bet it's that stupid old fart Ron again!

Jim sighs

Jim - Yes probably.. I'll go and see what he wants

Jim goes to the door and is shocked by who is there

Helen Smart is there with Alicia

Sue and Vera are shocked

Sue - Shirley Harris? I never thought she was the type who would end up being murdered, she didn't have that many enemies

Vera - Yes I agree, this is strange

Sue picks up her phone

Sue - I suppose I had better inform the police and the next of kin

Officer - Governor that has already been taken care of, I saw to it myself. We can expect Inspector Grace anytime now

Vera rolls her eyes

Vera - Why must it be him all the time?

Sue - And you informed the next of kin too?

Officer - Yes, the mother. I hope you don't mind?

Sue - No of course not, it needed to be done. You showed you are a competent and responsible officer by taking control like that

Vera - How did the mother take it?

Officer - Not well, but then what can you expect? She has just been told her daughter has been murdered. She did mention her granddaughter though, Shirley's little girl Alicia and how upset she was for her losing her mother

Helen and Alicia are sitting in the lounge with Jim and Cheryl

Jim looks stunned

Jim - Dead? Shirley is dead?

Helen - Yes, someone slashed her throat apparently

Jim - My god..... I know we were over, but I still cared about her and never wanted this to happen to her. Does her mother know?

Helen - Yes, it was her mother who called me about half an hour ago to tell me. I have been looking after Alicia these past few weeks you see because old Judith can't cope with her, she is too old and frail now to look after a toddler. The thing is Mr Fletcher, I was only looking after her under the agreement that Shirley would take her back once she got out, but now.....

Helen pauses and bows her head

Helen - I can't look after her forever, Shirley won't be coming back now, Judith can't handle her. so...

Jim nods his head

Jim - So you think I should look after her!

Helen - Well you are her father!

Jim - I hardly know the kid thanks to Shirley. She kept her from me. I'm nothing more than a glorified stranger to her

Helen - Well now is your chance to get to know her. You are her father and she should be with you

Jim - And so you think you can just dump her on me right now with no warning? Do you think that's fair?

Helen - Maybe not, but it's hardly fair to expect me to care for someone else's kid indefinitely. I have my own life and I'm hardly the motherly type. Like I say I didn't mind when I thought that Shirley was coming for her eventually, but now..... She's your responsibility, not mine

Jim smiles and tries to keep his cool

Jim - Look Helen, can't you hold onto her just a little bit longer? Of course, I realize she is my responsibility and I will step up and accept it, but now is a really bad time. I have a problem I need to deal with, I can't deal with Alicia right now as well. Just hold on to her for say another week or so, please?

Helen - No way sweetie! I know that trick, first, it will be a week then it will be another week and another...

Jim - It won't Helen, I promise

Helen - Sorry Sweetie, she's all yours right now. Her stuff is in the car, I'll go and get it

Helen leaves, leaving Jim and Cheryl alone with Alicia

Alicia scowls at them

Alicia - Where is my mummy? I haven't seen her for ages and I miss her!

Jim looks at Cheryl

Jim - This is just great isn't it! This is the last thing we need right now

Inspector Grace is with Sue and Vera, puffing away on a fag as usual

Grace - Did Harris have any known enemies?

Vera - I can't say I noticed no

Sue - Nor did i. This is why it's such a shock that she is dead

Grace - Well I'll have to interview the women on C Block. No point putting it off, I may as well start right away

Sue - Yes, of course, you can use the interview room. Vera go and get the c block women together

Vera - Yes Sue

Vera leaves the room

Sue and Grace are left alone

Se - The sad thing is Harris had a little girl. A little girl who has now lost her mother. By all accounts, the grandmother is old and frail so it makes you wonder who will look after the poor kid now doesn't it...

Helen returns with two suitcases

Helen - All her stuff is in here

Jim - Listen Smart, I think you're being bloody unreasonable here

Helen - Oh really Mr Fletcher and whys that?

Cheryl - Because Jim has explained to you that he has other problems to deal with right now

Helen - We all have problems, Cheryl, I have had a problem for the past months, dealing with someone else's little brat. Frankly, Shirley and Judith have been a pain in the behind, the pair of them expecting me to help out, and never mind I have my own life and don't even like children very much!

Jim - Is it really too much to ask that you hang on to her until I have resolved my current problems?

Helen - Sorry but yes it is, I have been lumbered with the kid for too long now, enough is enough...well goodbye!

Helen begins to leave as Jim runs out with her

Jim - Hold on a second!

Helen - I have said all I am going to say...

Jim - You haven't told her about her mother yet, have you?

Helen - No, you're her father, you tell her

Jim - You're being a bitch Smart, I always used to think you were one of the nicer more reasonable of the women when you were at Wentworth

Helen - I am as nice and as reasonable as the next person Mr Fletcher, but I can be pushed to my limits just as much as anyone can. I am expected to look after someone else child and I am telling you it's not on! It's not like I was ever even that close to Harris, we shared a cell at Barnhurst for six months and got on well, that's all, but I made the mistake of giving her my address when I was released and telling her she was welcome anytime. I never should have done that because then she proved to be a total nuisance! The woman was even on the run from the law when she turned up at my door asking for a place to hide out with no concern for the trouble I could have been in if the cops had ever found out I hid her

Jim - Well she could be a selfish bitch, i know that. She hid the fact I even had a daughter from me for three years

Helen - And as I say now is your chance to bond with her...she's all yours. Shirley is gone for good, Judith can't look after her and all she has left is you...now goodbye!

Helen leaves

Jim returns to Cheryl and Alicia

Jim - What am I going to do now? I need to focus on getting Kath home safe, I can't deal with this right now

Cheryl - We'll just have to cope somehow

Jim - On top of looking after the twins?

Cheryl - Well perhaps Ron will help out, or even Miss Bennett?

Jim sits beside Alicia

Jim - Hello darling, remember me? I'm your daddy!

Alicia scowls at Jim

Alicia - I don't have a daddy! Where is Auntie Helen?

Jim - Auntie Helen had to leave, you will be staying here with me

Alicia - Where is mummy?

Jim - I'm afraid mummy isn't here!

Alicia - I WANT MUMMY OR AUNTIE HELEN!

Alicia gets up and runs out of the room

Cheryl - I'll go after her

Cheryl runs off after Alicia

Jim sits looking stressed

Helen is with a frail elderly lady

Helen - I feel bad about doing this Judith, I really do. But I can't look after her anymore I have my own life

Judith - I understand dear, we asked enough of you as it was...she's my granddaughter, I should be looking after her and believe me I would be if I could. But I am not well

Helen - I know, I understand. Jim is a good man, I know he will look after her

Judith - Well I hope so, I will have to drop by when I can to see Alicia and make sure he is looking after her. Thank you for giving me the address

Helen - You're her grandmother, of course, you have a right to know the address

Judith starts to cry

Judith - I just can't believe my daughter is dead, my darling Shirley! Who would want to murder my Shirley?

Helen - I'm sure the police will get to the bottom of it, sweetie

Judith - Well even if they do it won't bring my daughter back will it! I just can't make sense of it in my head, I never thought my own daughter would die before me, it's not the way it's supposed to be!

Helen comforts Judith as she cries

Grace is back with Sue and Vera in the office

Grace - I've found the culprit

Sue - Really? That was quick

Grace - Yes well it wasn't too hard to extract a confession from her, given how stupid she is

Vera - Who was it then?

Grace - Janet Williams

Sue and Vera look surprised

Vera - Williams? Did she say why she did it?

Grace - Oh yes.....it was an argument over cigarettes that caused it. Williams felt that Harris had pinched her packet of ciggies, she demanded them back from Harris, Harris denied taking them and refused to hand them back so Williams killed her

Vera shakes her head with disbelief

Vera - Murdered over a packet of cigarettes! That is unbelievable

Sue - Yes, a life lost over something so trivial

Grace - I know, it's shocking, isn't it? The value of life means nothing to some of these women

Vera - Well what can you expect from an animal like Williams? She is one of the biggest pieces of scum I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with and believe me I have dealt with plenty of scum in this place. People like Williams should just be put to death and be done with it

Grace - Well I agree, if ever there was a case for bringing the death penalty back to Melbourne then Williams is a prime example

GATESLAM

PART 2

Blackmoor

Joan is in her office with Vern

Vern - Any news on when we can expect Mrs Morris back?

Joan - No, I have rung her flatmate Miss Bennett a couple of times. all she tells me is Morris has gone away and she has no idea when she will be back

Vern - This is really bad, as deputy I must tell you I expect better from my officers

Joan - I expect better too. We can both agree on that. Frankly, I never felt Morris was suitable to be here anyway and she should be sent back to Wentworth at the earliest possible time

Vern - I am afraid I cannot agree, I feel after going AWOL in such an unacceptable way she should simply be fired from the service for good

Joan smirks

Joan - Oh but I suppose we have to find it in our hearts to have some compassion for her, I mean let's remember that her wedding day was a miserable disaster!

Vern - Well of course I feel sorry for her over that, but it's still no excuse for this. We need to get a replacement in because we are short-staffed

Joan - I would like Eileen's daughter Janice here, but so far Eileen point-blank refuses my requests to transfer her here. That is a great shame as I strongly believe that Janice would be a great asset to this place

Cheryl is sitting down with Alicia

Cheryl - You see the thing is mummy isn't coming back, because.....well you see......well you know when people talk about a place in the sky called heaven? Well you see she's gone up there now!

Alicia smacks Cheryl in the face

Alicia - YOU LIAR! MY MUMMY ISN'T IN HEAVEN!

Cheryl - You little bitch! You do not hit me or anyone else ever you understand!

Alicia - I don't like you or that man, I just want my mummy

Cheryl - Listen, sweetheart, she isn't coming back. Now I know it's hard for you to understand but she went to a better place I promise you. Heaven is a nice place it really is, she is happy there and she is watching over you

Alicia - I HATE YOU, YOU'RE A LIAR!

Alicia runs out of the room

Vern is with Marina in the Blackmoor staff room

Marina - How was your meeting with Ferguson?

Vern - Quite pleasant really, we both seem to agree about Mrs Morris anyway, her absence is unacceptable

Marina - Pleasant? Now don't be going soft Vern. Remember we are working on getting rid of Ferguson

Vern - Yes I know, but until we can get something to work with there is nothing we can do. So far the tapes haven't come up with anything useful so I may as well keep a pleasant relationship with her, let her think I am on her side

Marina - I am getting impatient, I hope something comes up soon. Are you sure she talks to herself?

Vern - Oh yes, quite sure. She will do it again sooner or later

Marina - In the meantime I am just about sick of her and I want rid of her

Vern - What is happening about Clifford?

Marina - What do you mean what is happening? The man is dead and gone and that's it

Vern - Yes but I mean what about the python? I thought you said you might be facing some charges over that?

Marina - Oh Thorne said something about negligence charges and some crap about how I was supposed to have a license, but not heard a peep from him since. So perhaps they have decided not to bother taking it further!

Vern - You are lucky then if that's what has happened. They could have charged you and then you would have been in trouble

Marina - Let's not talk about it no more Verny! It breaks my heart and upsets me too much to think of what happened to my dear sweet Cliffy! It was a horrid sick accident, that python was never meant to kill my Cliffy!