Christine's Hotel Room
While Dennis and Christine argue, Henry tries to get his stuff together and leave, but Dennis growls at him to stay put.

DENNIS: Twenty-five hours on an aeroplane, just to give my wife a surprise. Who gets a surprise? The old man of course!

The actor playing Dennis is dreadfully OTT. Henry stammers that Dennis has got the wrong idea, and Christine tells her hubby that he's making an ass of himself, but Dennis continues on his tirade.

Mrs. Mangel sneaks up to "deliver towels", eavesdropping on them from the hallway. Inside, Dennis still can't believe that Christine picked up a toy boy, "talk about cradle snatchers!" Henry attempts to take Helen's portrait and escape, but Dennis then assumes that Henry is one of Christine's "starving artists". Christine tells Dennis to zip it, and poor Henry begs for his shirt back, but Dennis just won't shut up. Dennis is SO hammy - I think he was Babe in a former life.

Paul's Office
Helen is going through last minute instructions with Paul for the art show, but Paul tells his Gran to chill. He thinks that everything will run like clockwork and that his Gran is a shoe-in to win. Paul lets Helen know that he's bringing Gail along, which makes Helen smile. She's pleased Paul is with such a lovely girl, but Paul insists that they're just friends. Ah, that old chestnut. Helen is all set to leave when she remembers she has to ring Chris...

Christine's Hotel Room
Helen's call goes unanswered as we're treated to more thrilling marital bickering between Dennis and Christine. Dennis badgers Henry about what kind of artist he is, taking a peek at Helen's portrait in the process.

DENNIS: (eyes widening) Holy smoke! I always thought you'd go for guys with talent... boy are you slipping!

Looks like Mrs. Mangel has another recruit for her 'Helen's paintings are abominations' club.

Paul's Office
Helen figures that Henry and Christine must have already left for the gallery, and leaves the office to get ready herself... but not before bumping into Mrs. Mangel. Helen thinks that she's come by to complain some more, but Mrs. Mangel is reporting the altercation in Christine's room to Paul. Helen and Paul are aghast to learn that Mr and Mrs. Wilton are fighting because of Henry, news that Mrs. Mangel delights in informing them.

Christine's Hotel Room
Zzzzzz... more marital woes. Oh noes. I want to reach through the TV and throttle Dennis... Paul, Helen and Mrs. Mangel arrive in the hallway and Helen calls out for Christine. Henry replies instead and informs them that Dennis won't let him out. Helen frets about getting her painting out safely and pleads with Paul to open the door. But Paul can't intrude on his guests - he'll only unlock the door if worst comes to worst.

#26
Madge has brought the catering over while Jim and Scott finish getting ready. Scott asks about Charlene, but Madge informs him that Miss Minogue is cleaning her room and can't come out to play. While Scott departs to the kitchen, Madge confides her worries to Jim about how serious Scott and Charlene are getting. "I think they're in love. Can they be at that age?" Jim shares her concern. Madge thinks that Scott is great, but she wants Charlene to experience life a bit more and see other boys. Jim thinks that moving on could be a good idea for both kids. Checking her watch, Madge wonders what's keeping Helen.

Christine's Hotel Room
Bickering Americans, that's what. Helen calls out for them to open the door, but Dennis rudely tells her to go away... then the room falls silent. Paul wants to go back to the office but Helen is desperate to rescue her portrait. Mrs. Mangel keeps making snide remarks, so Paul sends her off to finish her work. But when Paul convinces Helen to return to the office to make some calls, Mrs. Mangel doubles back to eavesdrop some more.

It turns out that Christine is giving Dennis the silent treatment. I wish Dennis would follow her lead. He tells her that he's not leaving till he gets the truth. Henry tells Dennis the short version of what went on, but Dennis doesn't really buy it. He then insults "Henry's" portrait by calling the subject ugly, which makes Mrs. Mangel angry outside. She uses her keys to unlock the door and confront Dennis. Karate chop him in the voice box, Mrs. M! Sadly, she doesn't cause him bodily harm, but instead, she removes the portrait from the room. Henry gives chase but Dennis stops him - he wants Henry to continue his 'explanation'. This man is so, so painful. I think I hate him more than Evan Hancock.

Paul's Office/Christine's Hotel Room
Helen finishes a one-way call to the Gallery, assuring them that the portrait will be hung on time. Paul tells his Gran to give Christine's room another ring.

Thankfully, Christine answers this time but I have trouble hearing because Dennis won't shut his fat gob. Christine lets Helen know that the housekeeper retrieved the painting and it's fine.

Helen is relieved for a nanosecond before the penny drops. "Mrs. Mangel has my painting!" Helen rushes out while Paul makes a quick phone call. To the portrait police?

Ext: Lassiter's
Mrs. Mangel runs with Mrs. Mangel before being blocked by Helen on the bridge. Helen demands that Nell hand the portrait over, but Mrs. Mangel doesn't want to subject herself to even more ridicule. Helen then tries a different tact, telling Mrs. Mangel how much Christine loves the portrait and wants it for her New York exhibition. Helen recycles Christine's words about Mrs. Mangel being a strong, pioneer-woman.

HELEN: I wanted the world to know of our self-sacrificing, courageous womanhood - of which you are such a shining example.
MRS M: (the flattery winning her over) I have had my trials...

Reeling Mrs. Mangel in even more, Helen insists that the portrait cannot go unseen by America. Can Nell really let her nation down? Mrs. Mangel looks like she's about to give in. Helen, can you please go and talk some sense into Dennis?

Christine's Hotel Room
Speaking of the bane of my existence...

Dennis has FINALLY accepted that Christine wasn't cheating on him. Christine admits that she liked the attention from Henry, but only because she was missing Dennis so much. Really?! Yeesh. Dennis and Christine reaffirm their love and get all OTP4EVA!!11 once more. The two stand up to reveal that Henry has fallen asleep on the bed. Aw. Christine covers him with a blankie and heads off to the Gallery with Dennis the Menace.

Gallery
Helen lets Madge, Jim and Scott know that she got the portrait up just in time. Scott ducks home to collect his Gran's fancy clothes (because she's still in her day wear). The adults grab a drink just as Mrs. Mangel appears (Paul gave her the night off).

HELEN: (to Madge & Jim) She won't be any trouble.
MRS M: Drinking already Mrs. Daniels? I do hope that my trust in you hasn't been misplaced.
HELEN: Everything is under control, Nell.
MADGE: Well, you should be very proud that your portrait's attracting so much attention, Mrs. Mangel.
MRS M: 'Pride go'eth before a fall' as the good book says. You should bear that in mind, Mrs. Mitchell, when you next see your son.
MADGE: I beg your pardon?
MRS M: Gigolo is the term I believe...

Mrs. Mangel walks off leaving Madge to fret, but Helen assures her that it's nothing to worry about. Paul grabs Helen, letting her know that the Gallery owners want a word.

#24
Scott pays a sneaky visit to see Charlene before getting his Gran's clothes. They bemoan the fact that everyone wants them apart. Scott again suggests that Charlene ask out Warren Murphy on a few dates, but Charlene is uneasy about using him. Scott soon convinces her that it's a good idea and tells her he'll spread the word to Warren's mates about how Charlene dropped him.

Kylie's accent is so bogan! I love it!

Gallery
Paul finds Helen alone waiting for Scott. He lets her know that everyone loves her portrait. Madge swaps places with Paul on the praise patrol, just as Scott flies in with Helen's outfit, claiming that he got "held up". Helen rushes off to change while Madge figures out that Scott was sidetracked by Charlene. Scott doesn't think it's fair that Charlene was made to stay at home. Feeling guilty, Madge tells Scott that he can take Charlene to the after party at his house, much to Scott's delight.

#26
Paul tells Helen that Gail couldn't stay, but she wants to buy the watercolour of Jim's roses if no one else claims it. Dennis the Menace declares that Gail has good taste. I sure wish Helen did - her outfit is a polka-dot nightmare! Mrs. Mangel wonders when Christine will be taking her portrait to America. Christine explains that she hasn't made her final decision yet. Helen saves Christine from further grief by whisking her away for a chat. Charlene bounds in with Scott and thanks her mum for letting her come. Madge asks if Henry is home, but Charlene admits that she hasn't seen him since lunchtime.

Christine's Hotel Room
Sleeping Beauty eventually stirs from his slumber and tentatively calls out to see if anyone else is there. With the coast clear, he ducks into the bathroom for his shirt and finally escapes from the room.

#26
Mrs. Mangel has sought out Christine again to pester her about the portrait, but Christine uses her initiative this time and makes her own escape. She finds Helen in the kitchen, where she proceeds to break her heart by gently telling her that she won't be taking any of her art overseas. Christine likes Helen's paintings, but she doesn't think that there's anything "uniquely Helen Daniels" about them. Hurt as she is, Helen tries to take the setback gracefully. But when Christine goes back into the lounge, Helen's bottom lip quivers. Tearfully picking up a paintbrush, she proceeds to snap it in half. Aww.