Jim stirs and lifts his head. He groans as he turns slightly, holding his right thigh. Feebly, he calls, "Des ..." but Des doesn't hear him.

The Robinson residence
Nell is posing again for her portrait. An insect buzzes and Nell looks around for it, frowning.

HELEN: Nell! (no response) Nell! It would help if you stopped waving your arms around.
MRS M: It's not my fault! There's a fly in here somewhere!
HELEN: (resigned) I'll get the spray.
MRS MANGEL: Heavens no! Not with my sinuses!

Helen sits down again.

MRS MANGEL: (wriggling as she settles again) It's like the kitchen at the hotel. I told Paul we need a new screen.
HELEN: (irritated) I'm really not concerned about the hotel kitchen or the screen. Now please, sit still!

With a big sigh, Nell resumes her pose.

MRS MANGEL: I don't know why I should be so concerned anyway) The dedication I showed, the hours of overtime ... The man's a fool.
HELEN: (in a weary tone) Very probably.
MRS MANGEL: Apart from the humiliation he caused me, there's Jane to consider, and it really is so difficult to make ends meet. The way things are heading financially, well, (pauses to instil some drama) the writing could be on the wall.
HELEN: With your talents, you'll find another job.
MRS MANGEL: I doubt it, Mrs Daniels. No. I'm finished. Paul's sent to that.
HELEN: Ah, well, he can be very stubborn when he's peeved.
MRS MANGEL: It's not as though the Robinsons haven't caused me enough heartache. There was Scott's wretched article...

Helen cuts her off.

HELEN: All right, Nell! What do you want me to do?
MRS MANGEL: Talk to Paul. Make him see reason. I'm invaluable to that hotel. They need me.
HELEN: If I talk to him, will you sit still?
MRS MANGEL: I shan't move a muscle. (She takes up her pose, very stiffly)
HELEN: I can't promise anything. You realise that.

They resume work just as the buzzing insect returns. Nell looks around, Helen sighs.

Lassiter's Office
Paul and Gail are discussing the organisation of the Travel Agents Convention. Paul says it's all taking shape, then he thanks Gail for all the extra work. Gail says that it's ok, she's enjoyed it and happy travel agents make for a happy convention. Paul replies that it also makes for good business for the hotel.

Gail says she can almost hear the cash registers ringing in his ears. Paul says to keep the cynicism down then offers a special treat for lunch. He asks if she's got time. Gail says she's working on a Sunday and her diary is not entirely full. Paul says that he's been assured that the lunch is fit for kings, but first he wants to go through the supply list again. Gail assures him that there is no need. Mrs Mangel did a very thorough job before she left. Paul is offhand and says it's what they paid her for.

GAIL: It's what you could still be paying her for, if I could be that blunt.
PAUL: (leans over the desk, smiling) You? Blunt? We are talking about the same Gail Lewis, aren't we?
GAIL: Sorry, Paul. I know it's none of my business ...(She turns to look at a file).
PAUL: (with a lilt) It's none of your business.
GAIL: ... and I know you're not interested in my opinion...
PAUL: (lightly) I'm not interested in your opinion.
GAIL: (earnestly) But I really do think that you should reconsider. She obviously did a damn good job at Lassiters.
PAUL: (straightening up) You know, you'd do a great job at the Diplomatic Corps.
GAIL: Seriously, Paul, I know the woman's a painful busybody and I know she did the wrong thing...

Paul reiterates the reasons that Mrs Mangel was sacked.

GAIL: You're saying I should button my lip and get back to work.
PAUL: Gail, you should button your lip and get back to work.
GAIL: Now how did I know that you were going to say that?

Paul picks up the phone to end the conversation.

In the woodland
Jim reaches his whistle and blows hard. Des hears something, but the birds are making a lot of noise and he thinks that was it. He smiles and begins to run on. A longer blast stops him in his tracks. He turns back as Jim sighs with pain and drops his head to the ground.

Beach
Four bodies are stretched out in the sun as music plays and a small dog bounds across the sand. Its owner is calling it. One of the girls lifts her head and says, "Ok" before lying down again.

Charlene says she is going for a swim in a minute and they all turn over to face the sun. There's some contented, desultory conversation about the beautiful sunshine. Jane says she thinks she has died and gone to Heaven. Mike reminds them that it all ends tomorrow and they'll have to get back into the swing of studying again. Scott murmurs a response.

Charlene tells them off, saying they came there for some peace and relaxation, whereupon Jane says it's too hot to relax. Charlene agrees and, sitting up, says she'll race them to the water. The two girls race off, giggling, as the boys raise heads and dark glasses to watch them go. Mike comments that there are worse ways to spend a Sunday, and Scott agrees. Mike says they need to keep an eye on their clothes if they go for a swim, and they remember the last time ... when the clothes went missing.

SCOTT: You know how Gran's always going on about two wrongs don't make a right?
MIKE: Yeah.

Scott proposes that they should do something to Charlene, just to get even. Mike agrees.

Woodland
Des slithers down the slope and reaches Jim, asking him what happened. Jim explains that they ran him off the road, and it's his leg - he thinks it's broken. He wants Des to go for help, but Des says he can't leave him. He touches Jim's leg and Jim yells. Des decides he needs a splint and picks up a conveniently straight branch that is right by them. Jin says there's no time for all that. Des needs to get an ambulance. They remember that there's a phone box. After Des checks that Jim has food and water, he says he'll be back as soon as he can, and goes off.

The Des Res
Daphne, dressed in those ubiquitous blue dungarees with a pale yellow top, answers the door and Helen marches in.

HELEN: That woman is unbelievable!

As Daphne closes the door, she walks to the settee, pauses, and emits a huge, "Phew!!!" before sitting down.

DAPHNE: You're talking about Mrs Mangel, I take it? (She walks across to the settee and sits down with a light giggle).
HELEN: Oh, yes. As a subject for art work, she's a terrific subject for photography. Honestly, she fidgets, she complains, and that voice drones on and on and on like a bandsaw. (She puts her head down and wipes a hand across her face.)
DAPHNE: (busy with some sewing) Steady on, Helen!
HELEN: Oh, I'm sorry, I just couldn't take it any longer.
DAPHNE: You just walked out?
HELEN: I politely explained that I had another appointment.

Daphne stands to show Helen her sewing, a rather shapeless dress with short sleeves in a pale green material with a darker green pattern that looks like something from ... (Suffice it to say that it looks awful!). Helen looks at the pattern. Daphne asks if she likes it, and Helen, still looking at the pattern, says that yes, she does. Very smart.

DAPHNE: It's a lot cheaper than buying them. Anyway, half of them look like tents.

(I wish you could see Helen's face and hear her tone as she replies!)

HELEN: Yes. It was difficult to find anything flattering, I remember. Still, you've got a long way to go yet.
DAPHNE: You think I'm jumping the gun?
HELEN: No, not if it makes you happy. Though they do say that 'maternity is an eternity'
DAPHNE: (gives a little laugh and sits down again) Glad you came over, Helen. I'm feeling a bit flat today, especially with Des out doing his Tarzan impression.
HELEN: (looking thoughtful) Ye-es. He and Jim were certainly keyed up this morning, weren't they. I wonder who will win.
DAPHNE: Does it matter? One of them's gonna be nursing a bruised ego. (She smiles) I'm making Des a Pavlova, just in case.
HELEN: (slight laugh) I'm making Jim some macaroni cheese.
DAPHNE: Well, whatever the outcome, at least we'll eat well!

The Beach
The two girls leave the water and race up the beach, laughing. They pick up their towels and we hear Mike say that they are coming. Scott climbs out of a deep-ish hole that they've dug in the sand. Charlene asks what it is and Scott replies that it's a hole. Charlene says that's obvious, but what is it for? Scott replies that it's the boys' business and Mike agrees, adding that it's a surprise, to which Scott adds that it's going to be unreal.

Jane asks what is unreal about digging a hole in the sand. Mike suggests that the girls might like to go to the shop, and adds that there's some money in his shorts. Scott agrees and suggests that they take their time. The girls are suspicious and Charlene says they not going till the boys have told them what's going on. The boys deny that there is anything going on. Mike adds that they'd be too chicken. "To do what?" Scott tells her to forget it.

Charlene asks what to do, get in the hole? Scott says yes, but ... so Jane asks what happens then? Scott says he's already told them - it's just a waste of time.

CHARLENE: Anything you guys can do, I can do too.
JANE: You tell 'em, Charlene.
SCOTT: All right, big mouth. Hop in.

Charlene jumps down into the hole, which is about hip deep, sits with her arms along the top and asks, "Now what?

Lassiters Office
A cold collation (lunch) is spread on the desk and a bottle of Chardonnay reposes in the ice bucket. Paul takes it and offers some to Gail. She looks at the spread.

GAIL: Paul there is so much, I don't know where to start.
PAUL: Yeah. He got a little carried away, didn't he. I asked him for an intimate lunch for two.
GAIL: Intimate?
PAUL: (trying to cover his lapse) Intimate as in ... er ... small. Private and discreet.
GAIL: (looks coy) Oh. That kind of intimate...
PAUL: A ham salad?
GAIL: Mmm. (she sits down, holding her rather large glass of wine) You're not used to this, are you?
PAUL: Mm?

Gail suggests that he isn't used to being alone with a girl like this without planning more.

PAUL: Gail, we're friends. That's the way we wanted it, isn't it?
GAIL: It must be a .. errr ... novel experience for you.
PAUL: Terrific! I organise this fabulous lunch and that's the thanks I get!
GAIL: Oh, you know I'm only teasing! Jeremy had virtually no sense of humour, and I'm indulging myself.
PAUL: (Handing her a heaped plate of coleslaw). Well, indulge yourself with that instead.

Gail sits back and munches as Paul serves himself. She says it's nice, and Paul replies that it is the chef's special dressing, but he won't tell him what is in it. Gail says that she means being with him, being good company, being friends. Paul, smiling, agrees. She asks if he ever gets lonely, and he hedges by saying, "Doesn't everyone?" Gail says that isn't what she asked. He admits that he does, sometimes and she says, "Me, too."

PAUL: then maybe this arrangement has a future after all. (Gail looks puzzled) Well, two bitter and twisted human beings throw all caution to the winds (puts down his plate and is on his knees by her chair) and enter into a mad, passionate (pause for effect) friendship!
GAIL: (laughs and picks up her glass). To a passionate friendship.
PAUL: (raises his) Hear, hear.

They clink glasses.

Woodland
Jim is tying the branch to his injured leg with what looks like a very new triangular bandage, using a very neat reef knot. He takes the half-empty bottle of water and takes a drink before willing Des to hurry.

Meanwhile, Des has reached the now-vandalised phone box. He drops the useless receiver, exclaiming, "Mongrels!" and slams the door. The shattered glass tinkles to the ground.

The Beach
With Bouncer looking on, Charlene has been buried up to her neck in the sand, and says she thinks she now knows how Marie Antionette must have felt. She says the sand weighs a ton. Jane asks what happens next. It's a bit childish to bury someone in the sand. Scott says to Mike, "What do you reckon, Mike. We can do a lot more childish things than that?"

Scott tells the imprisoned Charlene that this is because she and Kelly went off with their clothes while they were skinny dipping. Jane says they can't just leave her there. Scott and Mike agree there is more they can do. He reaches for a blue plastic box and takes out a sandwich. A honey sandwich. He opens it out and smears the honey all over her face. Charlene screams for Jane to do something, but Mike prevents Jane by holding her arm. Charlene is furious.

Scott then says they haven't fed Bouncer yet and encourages the puppy to lick Charlene's well-honey'd face. Now even Jane is laughing.

Woodland
Des is running, looking very tired. He's back at the car, where the bonnet is now up and the tyres flat: the vandals' handiwork. He checks the engine, then straightens up, looking around.

The Beach
The quartet is leaving the beach, Jane anxiously asking Charlene, who is wrapped in a large green towel, if she is ok.

CHARLENE: Do I look ok?
JANE: You look as though you want to kill someone.
CHARLENE: Good, because that's just what I would like to do.

They climb into the car as the boys approach.

MIKE: Where's Bouncer?
SCOTT: Oh, I dunno. Probably lying under a tree somewhere sleeping off lunch, I guess.
MIKE: Yeah, I reckon all that licking must have taken a lot out of him.
SCOTT: laughs.
CHARLENE: (in his face). No-one thinks you're funny, Scott. Just get in the car and drive.
SCOTT: Ah, come on. You got me back.
CHARLENE: Well I'd rather be dunked than covered in sand and honey.
SCOTT: What's the matter? Can't you take a joke?
CHARLENE: (shouting). I am tired and filthy and I wanna go home NOW!
SCOTT: Suit y'self.
MIKE: (holding Bouncer) She's pretty fired up, mate.
SCOTT: laughs.

In the car, Jane tells Charlene not to let them get to her, as it is just what they want. She asks her back to her place for lunch and then she'll feel a lot better. Charlene says she'll feel better all right... "Just you wait."

Woodland
Jim is lying flat on his back as Des arrives back with him. Exhausted, he falls to his knees by Jim's side. He explains what has happened to the phone and to the car, adding that he came straight back to Jim as there was nothing he could do. Jim reaches for the map and shows Des the nearest way to the main road - ten kms through the bush. Des sounds horrified, but Jim says that by the road, it's 30 kms. Des agrees and Jim asks him to hurry. Des packs the bags under Jim's head, takes the map and says he'll be as quick as he can. A weary Jim thanks him.

Mangel Residence
A showered and tidy Charlene is sipping a drink while Jane says that one day, she might look back on this and decide it was funny. Charlene gives her 'a look' and Jane says she doesn't mean funny, exactly, but ... Charlene interrupts, saying the boys thought they were soo clever... Jane says hey, she played a joke on them and they got her back. Charlene is not appeased. She scratches her head saying she'll have to wash it again when she gets home, but 'They'll get theirs."

Mrs Mangel comes in with a laden basket.

MRS MANGEL: Charlene. Jane, you might have told me you were expecting a guest for lunch. (brushes 'crumbs' from the sofa where Charlene is sitting) And you know how I feel about you carting food into the living room.
JANE: It was only a sandwich, Nan.
CHARLENE: (gets to her feet and picks up her bag) Maybe I should go, Jane. Thanks for lunch - and the shower.
JANE: By-bye.

Charlene, after a glance at Mrs Mangel, leaves.

MRS MANGEL: Lunch and shower? What is this? A ladies refuge? What's wrong with the Mitchells own shower?
JANE: Charlene had a shower here when we came home from the beach. It's no big deal, Nan.
MRS MANGEL: It would be if you had to pay for the hot water. We had an electricity bill just last week. And I suppose you used the last of the bread. Well, it's just as well that I've brought some more.
JANE: I do pay board, Nan.
MRS MANGEL: A drop in the bucket. Our financial situation is critical, Jane. (She opens the basket wider) Do you know how much these few things cost? Over $20! The corner shop's got so expensive. I just can't keep up with our overheads.
JANE: Well, then I'll write to Mum.
MRS MANGEL: You'll do nothing of the sort. I'm not a charity case.
JANE: Well neither am I. You've looked after me all this time. That wasn't charity, was it?
MRS MANGEL: No-o.
JANE: Well, then, it's only fair that Mum helps now.
MRS MANGEL: It's not for discussion, Jane. You will not involve your mother, and that is final.

She stalks out of the room, leaving Jane looking after her, still holding the two plates with the unfinished sandwiches on them.

The Des Res
Daphne is sewing the green tent dress. Mike and Scott come in and Daphne gets up and goes to the kitchen. She asks if they have finished washing the car and how it was at the beach. The boys lean on the counter and Scott says it was the best. They laugh and Daphne says she knows that sneaky look on their faces and asks Scott what happened. He tries to hedge off by saying that it is a long story, but Mike tells him not to be modest, but to tell Daff what he did.

As they poke straws into the cartons of drink, and as they sip, Scott tells her what happened. Daphne thinks it was awful and Charlene must be furious. They agree that she was. They explain that this is how they got so soaked. There was a tussle and she almost tried to drown them.

They move to the couch and sit down. Daphne says it's lucky that it wasn't Des she was trying to drown. She's just found out that he can't swim. She says he's so embarrassed he's kept it a secret all this time and it's about time that someone gave him a few lessons. Scott suggests that it is a tough assignment and Daphne agrees, saying that's why she thought it might be good coming from a friend.

She asks, "How about it Mike?" and he says he doesn't mind. Daphne thanks him, but what they have to do now is be tactful, as they know how sensitive Des is. She says he is going to be pretty tired tonight, that's for sure.

Woodland
Des is standing at the edge of a fast-flowing, rock-strewn river. He obviously ought not to be there, as he says, "Damn" and reaches in his joggers for the map. The camera pans out and we see that it is a wide river, with Des looking very small on the other side. He puts the map back in his pocket and walks to the rocky edge of bank, while the camera focuses for a moment on his feet, then a head and shoulders shot as he looks carefully where he is going. It pans out and we see that he is trying to pick a way across via the rocks and stones. He slips and ends up in the water, struggling to find a hand grip on the slippery rock. The camera pulls back and we see the fast-flowing river and no sign of Des.