No. 28
The first thug warns Des not to try anything or the little lady will get hurt. Des cries:

DES: Listen, mate - she's pregnant.

The thug just retorts that that's even more reason for Des to do as he's told. Des asks what they want him to do. The thug tells him that they want him to open the safe at the bank for them. Des exclaims that he can't: there's a security system which stops him from getting in. The thug points out that Des is the Bank Manager: he *must* be able to get in. Des says:

DES: There are two sets of keys. I've only got one.
THUG: Who's got the other?
DES: The first Teller.
THUG: Then get them off him!
DES: It is against bank procedure. He won't give them to me.

The thug points out to Des that he's the boss; he should tell his Teller to give him the keys or he's out of a job. Des retorts that that will make him suspicious. The thug warns Des that they're not messing around; Brody - the second thug - could snap Des's wife's neck in a second. Des, looking worried, says quickly:

DES: I'll call him. I'll call him.
THUG (warns): If you so much as *hint* that there's anything wrong...
DES: I *won't*.

He then looks at Daphne and asks the thugs if they can't let her go. The first thug nods at Brody, who pushes Daphne onto the couch and warns her that one peep out of her and it'll be her last. Des dials a number on the 'phone and gets through to Mr. Spencer. He asks to speak to Larry. He waits a moment and then says hesitantly:

DES: G'day, Larry. Um... sorry to disturb you at the weekend, mate. I've, um, I've left some personal family papers in the cash safe. It's urgent. Can you meet me at the bank with the keys? ... Yes I know it is irregular, but it's urgent. ... Lar—. [Snaps] Meet me at the bank car park in ten minutes.

With that, Des slams down the 'phone. The first thug tells Des that he should've told his Teller he'd pick the keys up from *his* place; they don't want him nosing round. Des retorts that Larry insisted on coming in. The thug tells him that he'd better talk him out of it, as they don't want anyone else involved. Daphne cries:

DAPHNE: Do you really think you're going to get away with this?
THUG: That's up to your husband. He'd better make sure we do - for *your* sake.

Brody puts the gun against Daphne's head again. Des tells her quietly to just do what they tell her to and he'll do the same. The first thug smiles nastily:

THUG: Sensible fella...

Ramsay Street
Clive is gardening at the end of his driveway when Paul walks up to him, shoves him and growls:

PAUL: You. You were just waiting for some way to get even with me, weren't you.

Clive looks at Paul blankly and asks him what he's going on about. Paul ignores this and goes on that he thought Clive could have stopped to think about what it might do to Susan, but no, he was just keen to hit back at him. He adds bitterly:

PAUL: You've had your revenge. I hope it's sweet and I hope you choke on it.

With that, he marches off. Across the street, Scott is wandering from No. 32 to No. 26 when he sees Des come out of No. 28 with a man. He says g'day, but Des ignores him. The man tells Des to get in the front. Des climbs into the thugs' car and the third thug, the driver, drives them away. Scott wanders over to Clive, who asks who that was with Des. Scott, however, shrugs sadly that it beats *him*; Des and Daphne don't want to know him - they just look straight through him. Clive tells him gently to give it time. Scott cries:

SCOTT: I'm sick and tired of feeling like a leper.
CLIVE: Yeah, well, *I* wouldn't mind being left *alone* sometimes - especially by people like your brother.
SCOTT (looking surprised): *Paul?* I thought I saw him just *talking* to you.
CLIVE: *Talking?* No, he machine- gunned some sort of wild accusation at me. I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to have done.
SCOTT: Don't take too much notice of him - he's going through a pretty rough time at the moment.
CLIVE: Oh, my heart bleeds...

With that, Scott walks off. Clive calls after him and suggests that if he really wants to sort it out with Des and Daphne, he should just go over and apologise. Scott mutters that they won't listen. Clive, however, sighs that he'll never know if he doesn't try. Scott points out that *he* could say the same about Clive and Paul feuding, and he suggests that *they* talk things over; maybe then they wouldn't be at each other's throats.

No. 28
Daphne sits back on the couch and takes several deep breaths as Brody paces the lounge room floor and looks out the window. After a few seconds, he snaps at Daphne to cut it out: she's making him nervous. Daphne asks him suddenly if he wants some coffee. Brody accepts, but warns her not to try anything. Daphne heads over to the kitchen area, picks up the kettle and goes to the sink. She then bends down slowly to the cupboard under the sink and puts her hand on the handle of a frying pan. All of a sudden, Brody grabs her arm and pulls her to her feet. Pulling her arm behind her bank, he snaps at her:

BRODY: You *are* stupid. If you're not worried about *yourself*, at least start thinking about the kid.

Car Park behind the Pacific Bank
Des is pacing the car park behind the bank, waiting for Larry. A car pulls up suddenly and Des walks over to it. He looks at Larry and snaps at him that he took his time. He then holds out his hand and demands the keys. Larry frowns:

LARRY: You said it was family papers you were after.
DES (tersely): That's right.
LARRY: Well, then I don't understand why you need *my* keys. The document safe only has one key and *you've* got it.
DES: Yeah, well, um, I left the papers in the cash safe on Friday by accident.

He then snaps at Larry and asks him if he's going to give him the keys or are they going to stand around there and argue all day? Larry climbs out of the car and tells Des that he'll come with him. Des says quickly that there's no need, but Larry insists that Des knows bank policy. He adds that if he comes in with Des, it'll save Des having to return the keys to him later. Des insists curtly that it's no problem. He then sighs:

DES: Look, I've got a lot of family papers to go through. Take me a while. Personal stuff. I'd rather be on my own.
LARRY: Mr. Clarke, I really shouldn't let these keys out of my possession.
DES (growls): I'll take responsibility.
LARRY: I'll have to notify Head Office on Monday.
DES (taking the keys): Yeah, you do that. I'll give these back to you later.

With that, Larry gets back into his car reluctantly and drives off. The thug and the driver watch Des head towards the bank's back door.

No. 26
Paul is sitting at the kitchen table as Scott pours himself an orange juice and tells his brother that Clive wouldn't do a thing like that. Paul retorts that Clive hates his guts, but Scott just repeats that he wouldn't do a lousy thing like *that*. Paul mutters:

PAUL: Why not? *You* did.

He then apologises, saying he didn't mean to bring that all up again. Scott sits down at the table and asks if Rosemary managed to soften up Derek Morris at lunch. Paul replies that she tried, but she probably can't do anything until Monday anyway - not that he thinks she's got much of a chance. There's suddenly a knock at the back door and Clive comes in. He tells Paul that it's time they had a talk. Scott heads out to help Jim in the yard, leaving Clive to say to Paul:

CLIVE: Look, I know this isn't any easier for you than it is for me, but you seem to have some sort of bee in your bonnet about something I'm supposed to have done. Whatever it is, I didn't do it. If it's something that would hurt Susan and Sam, you should *know* that.
PAUL (sighs): All right, all right, I might've been jumping to conclusions.
CLIVE: Pole- vaulting!
PAUL: Maybe - but you *were* the logical choice.
CLIVE: Because I want your guts for garters? I've been thinking about that. Look, I really admire the way Helen and Rosemary have sorted out *their* problem.
PAUL: They're mother and daughter: they've got a lot of reasons to *want* to, haven't they.
CLIVE: Yeah, but hate's bad for the system. I always thought of myself as a peacemaker, but suddenly there I was, full of hate, wanting to hurt you.
PAUL (growls): Yeah, well, don't you worry - I *was* hurt. I loved her too, you know, Clive.
CLIVE: I don't want to argue the pros and cons of that. I'm a doctor and I'm treating myself. Hatred is making me sick inside and I want to stop it. I don't think I can unless you're prepared to come to the party.
PAUL: Bury the hatchet, you mean?
CLIVE: Yeah - and not in my head.

Paul hesitates before saying:

PAUL: Look, I don't think we'll ever be best of friends...
CLIVE: I'm not suggesting intimacy - just stability.

He then holds out his hand - and Paul shakes it!

No. 28
Daphne is sitting on the couch while Brody sits in an armchair. Daphne stands up suddenly and Brody asks her curtly where she's going. Daphne says she wants a magazine. Brody picks one up from the coffee table and throws it to her. The doorbell rings suddenly. Daphne looks at the door, but Brody orders her to ignore it.

The front step of No. 28
Harold and Madge are standing on the step outside, and Madge remarks that it's odd that there's no answer, because Daphne did *invite* them. Harold suggests that she and Des may have popped out for a while, but Madge comments that they couldn't have gone far because the car's there. She suggests that they'd better come back later. Harold points out that they could have forgotten the invite. Madge, however, remarks that that's not like Daphne - she thinks Daphne wanted to make up for the unpleasantness at dinner last night and wanted Harold to know that his money would be safe with Des...

Pacific Bank
Des is turning the combination lock to open the safe. The thug orders him to speed it up. Des continues turning the wheel back and forth and the door eventually opens. The thug orders him to ignore the shrapnel and open the note safe. He adds that there's not much time: if his mate hasn't heard from him in half an hour, he'd hate to think what he'd do to Des's wife...

No. 24
In the kitchen at No. 24, Madge says to Harold in concern that she hopes everything's all right: Daphne *is* pregnant. Harold muses that she did say *afternoon* tea, didn't she. Madge nods that she did, but she told them to come any time they liked. Henry joins them and announces that he's going to the shops as there's a few things he needs. He adds quickly:

HENRY: It's all right, mum, I will be *paying* for anything I buy, not just pocketing anything that takes my fancy.

With that, he heads out. When he's gone, Harold smiles at Madge that it's nice to be alone. He then tells her that she's going to have to learn to trust Henry; he thinks he's making a real effort. He adds:

HAROLD: I know the things I said before he came home, but I was wrong. He's paid for his mistake and now we've got to learn to give him a fair go. Besides, I *like* the boy. There's a lot of his mother in him. I think he's going to make it.

Ramsay Street
Henry is walking down the street when Clive drives Bertha down the driveway of No. 22. He stops and calls out:

CLIVE: Hello Henry Mitchell!
HENRY (blankly): Do I know you?
CLIVE: We've met. It was a while ago now: you wanted me to deliver a message for your mother.
HENRY: Oh yeah - Clive! G'day! Charlene's been telling me all about you!
CLIVE: Don't you believe a word of it!

Clive then asks Henry where he's going. He replies that he's off to the shops. Clive tells him to hop in and he'll give him a lift!

No. 24
Madge joins Harold in the lounge room and puts down two mugs on the table. As she sits down, she tells Harold that she's really beginning to enjoy that herbal tea. Harold replies that it's much better for you: no tannin and no caffeine. Madge adds that she doesn't know that she could become a dedicated vegetarian, though: she does enjoy a nice roast on a Sunday. Harold insists:

HAROLD: To each his own, Madge. I never try to force my convictions upon anyone else.
MADGE (smiles): You know, you've made quite a hit with the kids - Charlene and Henry both like you very much.
HAROLD (muses): I don't think I'm exactly Charlene's favourite person at the moment - not since I aired my views about you not giving Henry any more money.
MADGE: Yes, well, she does tend to fly off the handle if anyone utters a word of criticism against Henry, but she'll come round now that she sees you two are getting on so well.
HAROLD: Am... And how about *us*? How are *we* getting on?
MADGE: Hm?
HAROLD: How are you finding me after all these years? I'm not exactly the lad I *used* to be, eh?!
MADGE: Well, I'm not the girl *I* used to be, either!
HAROLD (warmly): You've matured very gracefully, Madge. All the potential I saw in the young Madge Ramsay has been realised. You're a very beautiful person - in every way.
MADGE (looking embarrassed): Thank you, Harold. It's a long time since anyone's said anything so flattering to me.
HAROLD (quickly): It's not just flattery - I hope you know that.
MADGE: Yes, of course.
HAROLD (gently): You haven't answered my question. How do you feel about me?
MADGE: Well, you're a very charming man, Harold - just as charming as you were all those years ago.
HAROLD: And yet you married Fred Mitchell...
MADGE (grimly): Yes... and lived to regret it.
HAROLD: *I* proposed to you once. Do you remember?
MADGE: Oh, of course I do. No woman ever forgets a proposal.
HAROLD: I was very disappointed when you refused me.
MADGE: I very nearly *accepted*.
HAROLD (looking surprised): Really?
MADGE: Oh yes, you had a very narrow escape, believe me!
HAROLD (insists): But I didn't *want* to escape. I still *don't*.

The conversation is interrupted by a knock at the front door. Madge comments that it's probably Daphne, and she goes to answer it. It's Scott standing on the step, though, and Madge's face drops. Scott asks if Charlene is home. Madge retorts that she isn't - and if she were, she wouldn't want to talk to him, and if she did, *she* wouldn't allow it. She then closes the door in Scott's face. She mutters:

MADGE: The cheek of him showing his face around here.

Harold insists that Scott just made a silly mistake - it's just part of being young. Madge retorts that he can go and be young somewhere else! She sits down again and smiles:

MADGE: Anyway - where were we?
HAROLD (looking put- out at Madge's attitude towards Scott): Herbal teas - the fascinating range of them.

Madge's face drops.

Car Park behind the Pacific Bank
Wheels, the car driver, watches as Bertha pulls up across the way from where he's waiting for Des and the thug.

Pacific Bank
Inside the bank, the thug is emptying cash from the safe into a holdall. While his back is turned, Des surreptitiously uses a switch on the wall to direct the close- circuit camera on the ceiling towards the safe. The thug tells Des suddenly to give him a hand and hold the bag. Des does as he's told. When the bag is full, Des snaps at the thug:

DES: OK, you've got it. Now, ring your mate and tell him to get out of my house.
THUG: Not 'til we're well clear of here. You might have some funny ideas about setting off alarms of calling the cops, mightn't you.
DES: Not while you've got my wife.
THUG: Well, I'm not taking any chances. After you.

He indicates the doorway.

Outside Pacific Bank
Wheels, the driver, looks at his watch.

Over on the other side of the car park, Henry climbs out of Bertha, saying to Clive as he does so:

HENRY: Sure it was rough - I don't reckon *anyone* does time easy - but I survived.
CLIVE: Pretty well, by the looks of it.
HENRY: I know it's going to take a while for people to trust me - especially mum - but one thing I'm sure of: I'm not going to do *anything* that will land me back inside again. That's one holiday I don't want to repeat!

Clive then asks Henry how long he'll be, as he'll give him a lift back. Henry, however, tells him not to bother, as it's nice to be able to roam around and go where he likes - plus there are pretty girls everywhere and he didn't see many of *them* inside! All of a sudden, he glances across at Wheels, sitting waiting for Des and the thug, and he comments to Clive:

HENRY: Well, well, well.
CLIVE: What's up?
HENRY: An old friend of mine.
CLIVE: From inside?
HENRY: Missed out on my first chance of parole thanks to him: got me into a brawl.
CLIVE: Why?
HENRY: I'd caught him cheating at cards. Figured he'd got a score to settle. I reckon *I've* got one now.
CLIVE: Hey, listen, you just said you didn't want to get into any trouble. This is *asking* for it.
HENRY: I don't think he'll go running to the cops. The poor bloke looks hungry. I just wanna give him a knuckle sandwich for old times' sake.
CLIVE (warily): Look, come on, forget it - put that all behind you, huh?
HENRY: I *will* - after I've settled *this one*...

In the car, Wheels is looking round at the bank and doesn't notice Henry appear suddenly at his window. Henry growls:

HENRY: Lift a stone and look what crawls out.

Wheels stares at him nervously. Henry goes on that it really stuck in his craw when Wheels got out before him - he didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. He suggests to Wheels that he get out of the car so he can do it now. Wheels orders him to push off. Henry pulls him out of the car, though, growling:

HENRY: That's no way to treat an old mate - especially one with an IOU to pay off.
WHEELS (warily): An IOU?
HENRY: Yeah - IOU a punch in the mouth.

Wheels tries to shake himself free and he orders Henry to get lost. He adds:

WHEELS: If you don't want to get involved, just get the hell out of it.
HENRY (realisation dawning): You're pulling a job, aren't you.

He takes a step back and Wheels climbs quickly back into the car. The thug emerges from the bank at that moment, and goes to climb into the car's passenger seat. Henry runs round behind him, though, and pushes the door onto the thug's arm. He then grabs the bag of bank notes and yells at Clive that it's a robbery: he's got to call the cops. Clive runs towards the bank as the robbers' car speeds off.

Pacific Bank
Inside the bank, Clive calls for Des. He looks around the main counter area then leaps over the counter and heads into Des's office, where he finds Des out cold on the floor. He checks him over quickly and then runs to the 'phone and calls the police.

A park
Henry is running through a park, being chased by the thug. He reaches a pond and throws the bag into it, taunting the thug:

HENRY: You want it? Go get it.

The thug glares at him. He then punches Henry in the stomach, growling:

THUG: You stupid bloody idiot.

He runs into the water and retrieves the bag - but as he makes his way back to the shore, Henry dashes into the water and punches him. The thug falls into the water - just as the sound of sirens can be heard approaching...

Pacific Bank
In his office, Des begins to come round, and he calls for Daphne. Clive tells him that he's OK, although he's got a lump on his head the size of an ostrich egg. Des becomes aware of the police sirens and he cries in horror that the thieves have got Daphne: they're holding her hostage; there's no telling *what* they're going to do to her.

No. 28
Brody is pacing the lounge room floor at No. 28 as Daphne sits on the couch. The two of them suddenly hear cars and sirens approaching. Brody grabs Daphne, lifts her to her feet and pulls her head back, growling:

BRODY: If that has got anything to do with *us*, you'd better start praying right now...