Geoff's hideout

Kath, Meg, and Bob are sitting together, tied and gagged

An angry-looking Geoff paces back and forth, looking at his watch

Geoff - I knew I shouldn't have trusted that little bastard! He's gone and done a runner with the money! Well if he has any sense he'll have got as far away as he can because if I ever see him again he's dead...I should have put a bullet in him when I had the chance!

Geoff picks a chair up and smashes it across the floor

Kath, Meg, and Bob look startled

Geoff - Well not to worry, old Jimmy boy will just have to get me some more money now won't he! It's not my fault Pete turned out to be a thieving little toad! I put my trust in him and he deceived me! I was stupid, I should never have trusted that piece of crap!

Toni - Put the phone down Jan, I don't want the police involved

Sandra looks relieved

Sandra - Oh thank you, darling!

Janice - But you have to involve them Tone! Look at what she did to you!

Toni - I know....I would rather she just packed her bags and left rather than involve the police

Toni looks at Sandra

Toni - Just go to your room and pack a bag and leave and we'll forget this ever happened

Sandra - Now come on, can't we discuss this?

Janice - You heard her Clements, go and pack

Sandra - I can't believe you are willing to throw me out on the street like this, I have nowhere to go. I never thought you were that heartless

Vera - After what you did to her you should count yourself lucky. If you did that to me I would involve the police without a moment's hesitation

Sandra - Oh but look all I was doing was disciplining her you see? She showed an unacceptable level of disrespect towards me

Toni - If you don't go and pack right now I will change my mind and Jan can phone the police after all

Jan picks the phone up again

Janice - Yes, I am only too happy to do that for you Tone....whats it to be Clements?

Sandra - What a heartless trio of witches you are! Well, you needn't worry, I will go and pack right now! I just wonder how you can live with yourselves knowing you are throwing me out onto the streets

Sandra storms off to the bedroom

Cheryl is looking after the twins

Cheryl - You could have killed them, do you know that?

Alicia stands head bowed

Cheryl - Well? You have nothing to say?

Alicia - They were crying, I had to make them stop

Cheryl - I think we need to have a word with your granny about this

Judith is sitting in a deck chair in Kath and Jim's back garden in the late evening sunshine

A couple of cars quietly pull up outside Geoff's hideout. They turn their engines off

Grace and Jim are sitting in one of the cars

Grace - Well this is it, a pretty good choice of location if you're going to take hostages. Miles from anywhere

Jim - I just hope we aren't too late, I hope they are still alive

Grace - I doubt Butler would kill them

Jim - You never know how he might react to Peter not returning

Grace - Come on let's get out as quietly as we can

Toni, Vera, and Janice are sitting around in the kitchen

Janice - Are you alright Tone?

Toni - Yes, I'll be ok now. I dread to think how much longer she would have left me in there if you two hadn't turned up when you did

Vera - The woman's a nutcase, she should be locked up!

Toni - I do hope she won't be too much longer packing, I want her out of here!

Janice - Did you want to resign from Wentworth?

Toni (shocked) - Resign? No way, I love my job!

Vera - Jan and I thought so!

Toni - Why would you think I wanted to resign?

Janice - Because Clements handed in your notice for you to Sue love

Toni looks angry

Toni - Damn her! How dare she! I don't want to leave my job!

Janice - Don't worry love, we'll talk to Sue about it tomorrow, it will be ok

Toni - Well I hope so...

Suddenly they hear a loud thud in the bedroom and Sandra crying out

They all rush to the bedroom

Cheryl arrives in the garden with Alicia

Judith - You were right, this garden is lovely. I can see the Kath person likes to care for her garden!

Cheryl - We need to talk about Alicia!

Judith - Yes finally! I have been saying so for the past few days!....would you please bring me a fresh mug of tea first though?

Cheryl - I just caught Alicia smothering Kath's baby twins with a pillow. Luckily I got there in time to save them, but if I hadn't it doesn't bear thinking about

Judith - Don't be silly, I'm sure little Alicia wasn't doing that, were you my darling?

Alicia shakes her head

Alicia - I was just trying to stop them from crying that's all!

Judith - See? You got it wrong! As if my little princess would do such a thing, really!

Cheryl - I know what I saw, she was holding a pillow over their faces

Judith chuckles

Judith - Well even if she was she didn't mean any harm by it, she is just a harmless little girl!

Cheryl - I don't think you understand the seriousness of this Mrs Harris! We could have had two dead babies on our hands today. That would have been a lovely thing for Jim and Kath to come home too wouldn't it!

Judith - Oh stop overreacting!

Cheryl - I don't think I am overreacting! I think this is very serious. I think she wanted to kill them

Judith - Now you're going too far with it! That is a ludicrous suggestion!

Cheryl - You didn't see the look on her face, in her eyes. I did and it scared me

Judith - Are you making this up? I bet you are because you want Alicia out of the way, don't you. You hope I will take her to live with me. Well, these types of wicked lies are just unacceptable!

Alicia is crying

Alicia - Am I in trouble nanny? I never did anything wrong I swear!

Judith - Of course, you aren't in trouble princess!

Judith hugs Alicia

Judith - My darling, I won't listen to these lies the nasty lady is saying. Don't worry my princess!

Cheryl looks angry

Toni, Vera, and Janice arrive at the bedroom to find Sandra sitting on the floor clutching her head

Toni - What happened? We heard a thud!

Sandra - Oh Tone! I fell and hit my head!

Toni - Well how did that happen?

Sandra shakes her head and looks distressed

Sandra - I don't know! I just came over all faint, all dizzy.....oh I don't feel well Tone! I think it's the stress!

Janice and Vera look at each other, both rolling their eyes

Sandra - Please don't make me leave Tone! I can't stand it! I'm sorry for what I did but give me one more chance, please! I swear from now on I will behave myself

Toni shakes her head

Toni - Sandra I'm sorry, but locking me in the pantry was beyond the pale. I take no pleasure in asking you to leave but it's what I have to do, I really am sorry but you'll be ok. There are plenty of nice hotels you can stay in

Sandra starts to wail and cry

Sandra - Hotels? Oh, I can't stay on my own in a hotel, I will hate it! Please Tone, don't turf me out! I need you, we're mates remember!

Toni - Sandra, I really am sorry but...

Sandra - Look I am not well! I came over so dizzy just now

Sandra clutches her head

Sandra - I have a terrible headache!...look at least let me stay tonight, please! I will leave tomorrow I promise, but I am just not well enough to leave tonight. I feel so dizzy I would crash my car if I tried to drive it!

Toni - No, look I don't think I can let you stay another night

Sandra - But it's just one night! What difference does it make? I am asking you to show some compassion to a sick woman

Vera - Don't listen to this rubbish Tone! There is nothing wrong with her! It's all an act

Sandra -It is no act, I feel so ill tonight. I need a glass of water Tone, please!

Grace, Jim, and the police crew are stealthily walking around the outside of the property checking it out. Jim is with Grace

Jim - What do we do now?

Grace - I think we should try to enter, quietly

Inside Geoff sits beside Bob

Geoff - Of course, I will have to kill one of you soon just to send out a message. I reckon it will have to be you Bob, my old mate. The clock is ticking for you I'm afraid

Bob looks alarmed

Geoff - Oh but don't worry, when the time comes it will be quick and painless I promise. My aim is impeccable

Grace, Jim, and the officers are at the kitchen door that Bob entered the property through

Grace talks to one of his officers

Grace - Ok son, try the door. Be as quiet and as careful as you can

Officer - Yes Mr Grace

The officer tries the door and it opens

Officer -Shall I go in Sir?

Grace - Ok but be careful for god sake

The officer nods his head and creeps inside where he immediately walks into some boxes and trips over them, sending them flying with a loud bang and tripping over himself

Geoff hears the sound and is immediately at attention, ready. He grabs his gun

Geoff - What the devil was that? It sounded like it came from the kitchen

In the kitchen, Grace helps the officer up off the floor

Grace - You bloody idiot! Didn't I tell you to be careful son! Butler is bound to have heard that!

Officer - I didn't know the boxes were there Sir, I'm sorry!

Jim - What the hell do we do now?

Grace - We will have to persevere, there is no other option. You never know we could be lucky, Butler could have popped out for a while or he could be asleep

Jim - If he was asleep that noise would have woken him up for sure

They begin to creep towards the door to the rest of the house as suddenly Geoff bursts in firing shots randomly

Grace - RETREAT! RETREAT!

They all back away back out of the house as Geoff slams the door shut and locks it

Grace - Was anyone hit?

One of the officers is clutching his arm

Officer - Yes, the bastard got me in the arm Sir

Grace - Ok son, just try and stop the blood flow. We'll get you to the hospital as quickly as we can

Jim grabs Grace and shakes him urgently

Jim - Now what do we do? He's in there with my wife and this is going to send him over the edge!

GATESLAM

PART 2

Sandra is sitting on the sofa as Toni brings her a glass of water

Toni - Here you go

Sandra - Oh thanks Tone, I need this!

Toni - You can stay tonight but I want you out tomorrow

Sandra - Thanks love! I knew you had compassion!

Vera and Janice stand looking annoyed

Toni -Vera and Jan told me you handed in my resignation for me. I am going to try and undo the damage you've caused tomorrow

Sandra - Yes I'm sorry about that

Toni - And so you damn well should be!

Janice - Can we have a word with you alone please Tone? Vera and I have something to say

Toni - Yes ok

They leave the lounge leaving Sandra alone

Grace stands and yells

Grace - MY NAME IS INSPECTOR GRACE, I AM HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS SITUATION...WHY DON'T YOU COME TO THE WINDOW AND TALK TO ME? I ONLY WANT TO TALK AND SEE IF WE CAN RESOLVE THIS

No response

Jim looks worried sick

Grace - COME ON MR RENNER! TALK TO US! WE HAVE BACKUP COMING SOON IT REALLY WOULD MAKE THINGS BETTER IF YOU TALK TO US!

Geoff opens a window and fires a few shots, they all duck behind the cars for cover

Geoff - I'M DISAPPOINTED IN YOU JIM ME OLD MATE! I THOUGHT I MADE IT CLEAR THAT YOU WEREN'T TO GET THE POLICE INVOLVED!

Grace - MR FLETCHER ONLY DID WHAT HE FELT HE HAD TO DO, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT CAN'T YOU?

Geoff - I SUPPOSE THAT LITTLE RAT WRIGHT TOLD YOU WHERE I WAS? IF I EVER SEE HIM AGAIN HE'S HISTORY!

Grace - HOW ABOUT TELLING US WHAT STATE THE HOSTAGES ARE IN GEOFF?

Geoff - THE NAMES KURT THESE DAYS, NOT GEOFF!

Grace - ARE THE HOSTAGES OK? WE NEED TO KNOW

Geoff chuckles

Geoff - Well they are alive if that's what you mean!For now anyway!

Toni, Vera, and Janice are in the kitchen

Vera - I think you're mad letting her stay another night after what she did to you

Toni - It's just one more night, I made it clear she has to leave tomorrow

Janice - She won't have any intention to leave tomorrow this is all an attempt to get you to change your mind for good

Toni - Well I won't, tomorrow she is out

Vera - You need to make her leave tonight

Toni - Look she says she isn't well

Vera - And you believe her? Come on Tone its a blatant lie, just like how she lied to Richard about having terminal cancer

Toni - Look I know it's probably a lie...

Janice cuts her off

Janice - It's definitely a lie, there is no probably about it

Toni - Yes well I have to give her the benefit of the doubt just in case. My conscience tells me so, I mean if she really is ill and I make her go and something happens to her how will I live with myself?

Janice - This is just what she's counting on and it's working! She knows what a kind heart you have and she's taking full advantage

Toni - Come on it's only one more night, how much harm could she do?

Vera - Plenty if she puts her mind to it I'm sure

Toni - You're both overreacting. It's sweet how you are so worried about me, its great t know you care so much, but all I am doing is allowing her to stay one more night that's all. Tomorrow she leaves

Vera - Well I think one of us should stay here with you

Janice - Yes I agree, after what she did to you I am not prepared to leave you here alone with her

Toni - Well ok, if one of you wants to stay then so be it but you will have to use the sofa bed

Grace - CAN WE AT LEAST TALK TO THE HOSTAGES KURT? WE NEED TO KNOW THEY ARE OK

Geoff - I'D LOVE TO HELP YOU OUT HERE BUT THEY ARE A BIT TIED UP RIGHT NOW!

Grace - THEN UNTIE THEM?... COME ON AT LEAST UNTIE ONE OF THEM JUST FOR A MINUTE OR SO

Geoff - I'LL THINK ABOUT IT

Grace - WHY DON'T YOU LET THEM GO NOW? THIS IS OVER, CAN'T YOU SEE?

Geoff - NO ONES GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL I GET MY MONEY!

Grace - BUT THIS IS ALL OVER, THE MONEY WON'T BE ANY USE TO YOU NOW. EVEN IF YOU GET THE MONEY YOU WILL BE GOING STRAIGHT TO PRISON

Geoff - NOT IF YOU HELP ME LEAVE THE COUNTRY I WON'T!...AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL DO IF YOU WANT THE HOSTAGES TO LIVE!

Wentworth

Spider is in the shower room washing her hands at the sink. She turns to leave and Kelly is standing in the doorway

Kelly - G'day Simpson!

Spider looks scared

Back at the house, Grace looks frustrated

Grace - LOOK THAT IS OUT OF THE QUESTION RENNER, YOU MAY AS WELL GIVE THIS UP RIGHT NOW

Geoff - OH DEAR, THEN IT SEEMS THE HOSTAGES HAVE A PROBLEM DOESN'T IT! IF I'M GOING TO LEAVE HERE IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR YOU CAN BE SURE THEY WILL BE LEAVING IN BODY BAGS!

Grace - LOOK BE REASONABLE HERE MR RENNER! WHAT WILL KILLING THEM ACHIEVE?

Geoff - NOT MUCH BUT IT WILL MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!... BESIDES BLAME JIM, HE WAS THE ONE WHO BETRAYED ME! ARE YOU HEARING THIS JIMMY BOY? YOUR WIFE HAS TO DIE, BOB AND MEG HAVE TO DIE, AND ITS ALL YOUR FAULT!

Jim talks quietly to Grace

Jim - Let me talk to him

Grace - I don't think that's a good idea, it might make things worse

Jim - Well you're hardly having much luck now are you. Come on, let me have a go

Grace looks unsure but sighs and nods his head

Grace - Ok but just be bloody careful will you.

Jim - I will.....

Spider smiles

Spider - Gee Kel, how about you say something next time eh. You gave me a fright stood there like that

Kelly - Oh I'm sorry darling! How thoughtless of me, I wouldn't want to scare anyone!

Spider - Yeah well perhaps I'll see you in the Recroom later then eh...

Spider tries to leave as Kelly stops her

Kelly - Where do you think you're going, Rose?

Spider - Well I thought I'd go to the Recroom? No point hanging around here all night

Kelly shakes her head

Kelly - You're not going anywhere until you tell me why you attacked me. Then once you've done that I will decide what I'm going to do to you

Jim stands up

Jim - GEOFF, ITS ME JIM. CAN WE TALK?

Geoff - SURE, FIRE AWAY! I ALWAYS HAVE TIME FOR MY OLD MATES!

Jim - DON'T YOU THINK THIS HAS GONE FAR ENOUGH NOW?

Geoff - I MADE IT CLEAR TO YOU WHAT MY TERMS WERE, YOU DISOBEYED ME!

Jim - WHY DON'T YOU LET THE HOSTAGES GO? HAVE ME IN THEIR PLACE

Grace looks shocked

Grace - What do you think you're playing at Fletcher?

Jim - COME ON GEOFF, IT'S ME YOU WANT RIGHT? IT'S ME YOU HATE, IT'S ME YOU WANT TO HURT...SO HAVE ME, ACCEPT A SWAP, LET THE OTHERS GO AND I'LL TAKE THEIR PLACE

Geoff - NICE IDEA JIM! NOT SURE I CAN OBLIGE THOUGH

Jim - COME ON, THIS IS BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO HURT THE REST OF THEM, I KNOW YOU DON'T. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ME YOU WANT TO HURT, WELL NOW I'M OFFERING MYSELF TO YOU ON A PLATE

Grace is furious

Grace - You're well out of line here Fletcher! You had no business offering yourself to him as a hostage!

Jim turns to talk to Grace

Jim - I'd rather it was me in there than the rest of them

Jim looks back towards the house

Jim - COME ON GEOFF, WHAT DO YOU SAY? YOU WANT ME. HERE I AM

Inside, the house, Geoff looks like he is thinking about it

Spider looks terrified

Spider - Kel look, I didn't attack you. Whoever did it set me up

Kelly - And you really expect me to believe that?

Spider - Well why not? Ask yourself what motive I would have to attack you? You and I have barely ever spoken to each other, I have no reason to hate you do i

Kelly - Well that's true enough I suppose, but then you are the sort of bitch who would do it for the money if someone paid you

Spider - That's not the case either. and I can tell you something else, if I had done it I wouldn't be stupid enough to leave the weapon in my cell. I'm not that dumb, I would have disposed of it better than that. Can't you see someone set me up, it's so bloody obvious

Kelly looks like she is starting to believe Spider for the first time

Kelly - Well who would set you up then?

Spider shrugs

Spider - Gee I dunno

Kelly - You must have some idea who you're enemies are

Spider - Well I think it was Vic but I'm not sure

Kelly - Well we can find out who it was and fix them together, can't we. This person, whoever they are, wronged us both so we will take our revenge as a team right?

Spider nods her head nervously

Spider -Yeah of course Kel!

Kelly strokes Spiders hair

Kelly - Very wise!....mind you if I ever find out you're lying to me and it was you all along I will kill you, only this time it will be slower and even more painful because you lied to me

Kelly stares at Spider for a moment and then smiles

Kelly - So you reckon McPherson did it?

Spider - Well yeah, I ain't sure but yeah. Because we fell out and i reckon she wanted to make me pay for it