It's dark as Vern and Marina carry the body wrapped in bin bags through the woods

Vern looks deeply concerned and agitated

Vern - Marina, I'm not sure about this. Maybe we should just go to the police

Marina - No way, if we go to the police I go down for murder. Is that what you want? Come on, we've come too far now, you agreed to help me with this

Vern - I know, but it's not too late to go to the police, it would look better if we just went to them and told them now

Marina - You damn idiot, you think I am going to do life for this? No damn way! That bitch deserved to die and I am not going to do life for her

Vern - We could say it was self defense, say she attacked you

Marina - Forget it you fool!

Vern - When the body gets found, it will make it all ten times worse

Marina - Look, who the hell is going to find it out here in the middle of nowhere? It could be years and years before anyone finds it out here, maybe even never

They arrive by some dense undergrowth and fling the body into it

Marina - Come on help me cover it up properly, it will be safe here, no one will ever find it here.....

Marina and Vern are with Eileen in the Blackmoor office

Marina - So she hasn't turned up for work and no one knows where she is.

Eileen - Surely Ted or Lucy would know?

Vern - No, we asked them. Not a clue. They informed us that Ferguson did not arrive home last night

Eileen - This is so unlike Miss Ferguson, usually she is reliable

Marina - I know, I sure do wonder what got into her to make her behave so irresponsibly

Eileen - It is unacceptable and when she does eventually turn up I do hope she has a good explanation for it

Marina - Well in the meantime I hardly think I need to remind you that until she turns up this place needs an acting governor

Eileen - Oh yes, I was just going to come to that. Of course, you're quite right Marina

Marina smirks

Marina - Far be it for me to tell you my opinions but I do think that the acting governor should be...

Eileen cuts her off

Eileen - No need to go any further Marina, I know exactly what you are going to say and I agree with you

Marina - You do?

Eileen - Of course, there is no one more suitable to step in as acting governor

Marina (delighted) - Then please allow me to say thank you very...

Eileen cuts her off a second time

Eileen - I know you will do a good job of it, Vern, while we wait to hear from old Fergo. Blackmoor run the Colorado way!

Marina looks furious

Marina - You are giving acting governor to Vern?

Eileen - Yes of course, who else would I give it to?

Marina - But I thought...

Eileen - Vern is the best candidate by far!

Marina pouts

Wentworth

Bob is behind his desk as Sue Bailey shows Ros in

Sue - Coulson for you

Bob - Thanks Sue

Sue leaves again

Bob - Sit down Ros

Ros takes a seat and sits with her arms folded across her chest

Bob - We need to talk about what you said yesterday, I hardly got a wink of sleep over it

Ros - Nor did I, Bob, I have been waiting all night wondering what your answer will be. Why you couldn't just give it to me last night I don't know. Leaving me hanging like this was rather cruel

Bob - The answer is no, I'm sorry. There is no way I can help you escape

Ros - Oh but Bob please! Think of our future together. If I stay here there won't be one. Outside we stand a much better chance

Bob - Out of the question I'm sorry!

Ros - If I stay here much longer I think I will go insane

Bob - Then try and behave until your next parole hearing then. that's the best way to get out of here. I am not going to help you escape, no way

Ros - I really thought I could rely on you, you've let me down badly

Bob - I have said all I am prepared to say on the matter. I'll get someone to take you back now

Ros fires a filthy look at Bob

Ros - You bastard!

Vern is sitting behind the Blackmoor desk. Marina is with him looking angry

Marina - That bitch! She should have given me the job!

Vern - Aren't you happy for me?

Marina - Yes of course I am Verny love, it's just I really wanted the job too

Vern - Soon enough, when Ferguson continues to be missing, Eileen will have to appoint me as permanent governor rather than acting

Marina - Yes, cheers for pointing that our Vern! You really know how to rub my nose in it even more!

Vern - Let me finish babe. what I was going to say is that as soon as I become governor for real I will ask for you to be my deputy

Marina cheers up slightly

Marina - Yes, well I suppose that will be better than nothing, thanks Vern

Vern - I think I earnt governor anyway. You were the one who murdered Ferguson, I had no obligation to help you cover it up and you owe me big time for that

Marina - Yes Vern I realize that and of course, I am very grateful for what you did last night

Vern - And so you should be too!

Marina - I can't stress strongly enough how important it is to keep what happened between us Vern

Vern - Do you take me for some kind of idiot? I am well aware of how important it is thank you!

Marina - I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you!

Vern - I could go down with you. Helping conceal a crime is a serious offense, especially murder!

Marina - Yes true, we are in this together

Vern - What on earth we will do if the body is ever discovered I do not know

Marina - Relax, who will find it there? We picked a great spot!

Vern - I guess so, lets hope so anyway

Marina - Well should the body ever get discovered there is no shortage of people to frame for it anyway. Let's face it the old bitch Fergo had hundreds of enemies

Vern - You would seriously frame some poor bugger for it?

Marina- Sure, if it meant we save our own necks then why not!

Vern - You really are incorrigible!

Marina - Mrs Morris would be the best choice to frame

Vern - Speaking of Mrs Morris, I would like to see her later. I have something important to tell her

Marina looks intrigued

At Wentworth, the women are in the laundry

Sasha is on the press

Ros is sulking in a corner as Spider walks across to her

Spider - What's up with you today Coulson?

Ros - Mind your own business, Simpson!

Vera arrives in the room with a big smile on her face

Vera (cheerful) - Good morning ladies!

Sasha - Good morning Miss Bennett, may I say that you seem to be in a good mood today

Vera - Yes I am, I have good news...fantastic news in fact!

Judy - Is it about Cassie?

Vera nods her head with delight

Vera - Yes, she's woken up, she's going to be alright

Judy - Hell that's great news. I am relieved to hear it and I know Bea would be too

Suddenly Bob talks from the doorway

Bob - I'm glad you mentioned Smith, Bryant

The women look over to Bob

Bob - Sorry to break up your happy little moment Miss Bennett, but I need to talk to the women about Smith

Judy - Gee well what about her Mr Moran?

Bob looks grim

Bob -I think you know what Bryant, about her disappearance. We have searched the prison for her and no sign so we can only assume she has escaped

Spider - Good riddance to the bitch if she has!

Ros - I second that!

Bob - I needn't tell you all how serious this is. So if any of you know something I strongly advise you to step forward now and tell me

Silence

Bob - I mean it ladies, its a very serious offense to assist an escapee

Judy - Well gee I'd sure like to help ya out Mr Moran but I don't know a thing, sorry

Bob looks dubiously at Judy

Bob then looks around the room at the others

Bob - Well if anyone does decide they have anything to tell me, my door is open anytime. Do not hesitate to ask to see me. Ok that will be all...Miss Bennett come with me, please

Vera leaves the laundry with Bob

The women are left alone again

Ros - I don't know why that fool thinks that Smith would have told any of us anything, I know she certainly didn't say anything to me

Martha - Yes, she didn't say a thing to any of us. She simply vanished

Judy and Sasha share a knowing smile

Bob and Vera are in the office

Bob - I wanted to talk to you about Cassie, Vera

Vera smiles with joy

Vera - Yes, great news isn't it. I was really starting to think she wouldn't wake up but she did. I have never felt this happy about anything

Bob smiles

Bob - The good news doesn't end there

Vera - Oh?

Bob - The department is offering McDonald early parole, due to the trauma she suffered, they are calling it compensation. Plus her record here has not been that bad and she is only a petty offender so all in all it was felt that an early release would be suitable

Vera looks ever happier

Vera - That's great news! I can't wait to tell her, she will be thrilled

Bob - There is only one condition for this to take place

Vera - Is there? Why does there always have to be a damn catch!

Bob - Relax, it's no big deal. All they are asking is that Cassie has a stable place to live

Vera - Well I guess maybe her adoptive family would have her back but I am not sure. She doesn't appear to be very close to them

Bob - And what about you, would you have her?

Vera looks surprised by the question

Vera - Oh I don't know. Of course, I'd love to have her, she is my daughter. But it may be a bit too much too soon. We still don't know each other that well yet

Bob - But it would be the perfect opportunity for you to bond

Vera - But I live with Meg remember, I am not sure how she would feel about me bringing an ex-prisoner into her home

At Blackmoor Marina is with Geoff in his cell

Marina - I thought I would warn you first before Vern makes the official announcement, Ferguson is away and Vern is acting governor

Geoff - I am sure that will go down a treat among this rabble. They all fear him more than they fear Ferguson

Marina - Yes well between you and I, I have a feeling that Ferguson may never come back so they may have to get used to Vern

Geoff -Why wouldn't she come back?

Marina - I have no idea, it's just a feeling I have

Geoff - Well Ferguson or Schofield, it makes no difference to me. I can handle them both

Marina - The really good news is that I stand a much better chance of making deputy now with Schofield as governor

Meg is with Vern in the office

Vern - I wanted a little chat Mrs Morris

Meg - Oh? What about?

Vern - As acting governor, I get to decide who I have on my staff and who gets a transfer. Frankly, you are top of my list as a possible candidate for a transfer to a less demanding prison

Meg - But why for god sake? I am coping just fine here

Vern - Are you really?

Meg - Yes, of course, I am

Vern - I am not so sure. Butler for example, can you deal with him being around?

Meg - Of course, I can!

Vern looks unsure

Vern - Well I suppose we will give it a go for a while, see how you manage. But I feel its only fair to warn you that I will be keeping my eyes on you and if at any point I feel I need to transfer you back to Wentworth I will

Meg(dirty look) - Yes well if that's all I would like to get on now

Vern - Yes that's all

Meg stands up

Meg - Where is Ferguson anyway?

Vern shrugs

Vern - No one knows....and I doubt they care either. All I care about is the fact that I am now acting governor of this prison and that means I will run things my way

Vern gives a little smirk

Vern - And any deadwood will be out that door faster than a tornado!

Meg gives him one last look before marching out of the office

Lucy and Marina are in the staff room

Lucy - So I have no idea where she is and nor does Father!

Marina - Yes, it sure is a mystery. Old Eileen wasn't too happy about it either

Lucy - I don't care if Auntie Joan never comes back, I have never liked her much anyway!

Marina - You are a wise judge of character young Lucy!

Lucy - Yes well it's true what they say right! You can choose your friends but you can't choose your family. When I was a little girl I felt like Matilda to Auntie Joan's big bad Miss Trunchball!

Marina - You mean Joan abused you?

Lucy - Oh yes, she was frightfully mean to me for years! I have never recovered from it

Ted speaks from the doorway suddenly, startling both Lucy and Marina

Ted - That is a damn wicked lie girl and you know it! Joan was always nothing else but decent to you, she loves kids

Lucy - Father, I didn't know you were there!

Ted - Oh I know that, you wouldn't dare make up such lies about your aunt in front of me would you

Lucy - Father I am sorry!

Ted - So you should be you little brat! I am worried silly about my sister and all you can do is sit there and make up lies about her!

Lucy - I just didn't think!

Ted - I do not know where she has got to, I hope she calls or arrives back soon!

Marina - I suspect you are the only one who feels that way Mr Ferguson

Ted - I suggest you shut your mouth at once Officer Donovan! I did not ask for your input!

Marina - May I ask why you are here anyway?

Ted - As head of the department I felt it was my duty to pay a visit, see how the place is managing without my sister

Marina grins at Ted

Marina - The place is managing just fine without her, I assure you

Ted gives Marina a filthy look

Geoff is alone in his cell as Meg arrives at the gate

Geoff - Well well well, I didn't expect a visit from you

Meg - I have something to say to you

Geoff - Getting brave are you? We both know that you have been avoiding me

Meg - I have but that will stop right now. I am no longer going to let you intimidate me, Butler

Geoff - Yeah sure!

Meg - I mean it...I will tell you something else as well

Geoff - Well if you must, but make it quick will you. I have bricks to count!

Meg - I know there is something going on between you and Donovan. I have seen you together having cozy little meetings, most intriguing. I intend to find out what it is you are up to because I can bet that whatever it is it can only mean trouble for this place. I'll find out what it is and expose you both!

Geoff grins

Geoff - You mean you'll try!

Meg - I'll do more than try, I'll surely succeed!

Geoff - I wish you all the best of luck Megsy!...are you sure you don't want to come in for a while and keep me company? There is plenty of room in the bed for two!

Meg leaves looking disgusted and Geoff smirks to himself

Meg bumps into Marina further along the landing

Marina - You ok there Mrs Morris? You look dreadfully wound up about something!

Meg (snappy) - I'm fine!

Marina - Well pardon me for asking!

Meg - I have work to do if you don't mind, no time to stand for a chat!

Marina - Oh before you rush off, did Vern have a chat with you as he wanted?

Meg - Yes he did, I suppose he told you what it was he wanted to say to me?

Marina - Of course, he did, Verny tells me everything

Meg - Agree with him do you?

Marina - Yes I sure do, he asked me to keep a special eye on you as well to see how you're coping. I am to report any signs of stress to him right away. That means that whenever you are around Butler I will keep a very special eye on you

Meg - I WISH YOU LOT WOULD KEEP OFF MY BACK! I CAN COPE PERFECTLY FINE IN HERE DAMN IT!

Meg storms past and Marina grins to herself...

.......Sometime later Marina arrives at a cell.

A nervous-looking prisoner is inside

The prisoner is Peter Wright

Marina - Afternoon Wright!

Peter - Afternoon Miss!

Marina - Looking a bit nervous there young man!

Peter - Last time I was in prison the men were unkind to me, they don't like rapists much

Marina - I can't blame them, son, I am not keen on the filthy little weasels myself

Peter - But your job is to protect me right?

Marina - Yes correct, that is why you are on the protection wing

Peter - And I will stay here?

Marina - I believe so yes, so you may relax

Peter breathes a sigh of relief

Peter - Thank you, miss!

Marina - There will be someone I will want you to meet later though!

Peter (hint of concern) - Who?

Marina - Now that would be telling, wouldn't it! You'll find out in good time and it will be a nice surprise for you!

Peter looks worried

Marina - I will now leave you in peace for a while but I will be back later and you can count on it!

Marina strolls off

GATESLAM

PART 2

Marina is back with Geoff again

Geoff - I had dear old Megsy here earlier, threatening me if you can believe that!

Marina - Oh yeah?

Geoff - Yes, well it seems the old girl is more observant than we think. It appears she has spotted our secret meetings and knows something is going on between us. She warned me that she intends to find out

Marina smirks

Marina - Cheeky bitch! She may find she is not around long enough to do that

Geoff - Got a few tricks up your sleeve have you?

Marina - Of course. Blackmoor is no place for someone like her, she will soon be transferred back to Wentworth where she belongs

Geoff - Oh you spoil my fun! I am enjoying having her around to torment!

Marina - I know, but once she is gone maybe you will find someone else to torment instead!

Geoff - Got anyone in mind have you?

Marina (playful)- I might have, you'll just have to be patient. Maybe if you're a good boy you'll find out in good time. Who would you like to torment the most?

Geoff - It would have to be either Meg, Jim, or Kath. But if it couldn't be them, then I suppose that double-crossing little weasel Wright would have to do

Marina - That is very interesting news, maybe soon you will get your wish

Geoff chuckles and Marina chuckles too

Marina - It's just like we discussed Geoff. Us two work together, we do each other favours. We make a great team!

Geoff - We certainly do

They kiss

At Wentworth, the women are at lunch

Marie Winter is sitting alone as Spider joins her

Spider - Mind if I sit here?

Marie shrugs

Marie - Suppose not

Spider - I wondered what your plans are?

Marie - Who said I had any?

Spider - I know you, you are bound to want to fight Sasha for top dog

Marie - Maybe I do, maybe I don't. What's it to you anyway?

Spider - Just wanted to tell you that you have my support if you do want to go for it

Marie - Ta love, that's nice to know!