No. 32
Mal and Danni are sitting on the couch, Mal commenting to Danni that Ross must have come on pretty strong if her mother was scared. Danni says she's glad she wasn't there; she hopes they lock him up and throw away the key. Mal comments grimly that they won't; he'll be out on bail by now, so let's hope he doesn't rock up again on her birthday. Angie comes in at that moment and smiles that something sounds interesting! Danni, however, retorts that this is private: what happens in her mum's house is her business. Angie, however, explains that she meant Danni's birthday. Danni apologises and explains that it's next week. Angie tells them to leave everything to her; there's nothing she likes better than organising a party - she's got a million ideas! Danni doesn't look overly happy at this!

No. 30
Ren helps Mark into a chair, after a slow walk down Ramsay Street, and he comments that his body's fine; the problem's in his head. Ren points out that his memory is starting to come back, but Mark sighs that he almost wishes it wasn't. He goes on that he can't understand what made it happen: what made him flip? Ren tells him that he had a lot of things on his mind: he'd just given up the priesthood and there were the problems with Lucy. Mark sighs that he wishes he hadn't ruined so many friendships. Ren tells him to try some positive thinking: everything's going to be OK.

Marlene suddenly comes in and asks if Colin's there, as she was hoping to go to a movie. Mark and Ren, however, tell her that she's out. Mark suddenly has a flashback of Marlene snapping at him in the coffee shop about how he alienated the kids when he should have been showing them compassion and helping them out of the pit they were in. Ren stares at him and comments to Marlene that she thinks his memory's playing tricks on him again. Mark comes back to earth and tells Marlene that he owes her an apology - he's remembered the talk he gave at the Youth Centre; the one that undermined all her hard work. Marlene, however, insists that it's water under the bridge; what he has to concentrate on now is getting better. With that, she heads out, leaving Mark to comment to Ren that he doesn't think everyone else will be so willing to forgive.

No. 28
Karl has donned a dinner suit and is lighting candles on the dining table. Romantic music is playing. He suddenly hears the front door and he dashes to open it for Susan. She steps inside, notices Karl's smart dress and the table and smiles that it looks wonderful. She then asks suspiciously what's going on! Karl tells her that she's been doing good works! He guides her to a seat at the table and hands her a menu. He then pours her a glass of wine. Susan asks where the rest of the staff is this evening, and Karl tells her that they're dining elsewhere; the two of them are completely alone. Susan grins:

SUSAN: In that case, I think I know exactly what I'll order.
KARL (nods): Yes, at your service.
SUSAN (naughtily): Oh, I do hope so...!

With that, she pulls Karl towards her and starts kissing him passionately!

No. 30
Mark is having a flashback to when he tried to talk to Hannah but ended up being hit by the car. Ren comes in and, seeing the expression on his face, asks if he had another flashback. Mark tells her that it was about Hannah almost getting run over because of him. Ren suggests that they need to do something to cheer him up - and then she points out that it's his birthday soon, so they can have a big party; it'll be humungous and it'll be her farewell gesture to Ramsay Street. Mark says he doesn't think he's up to that yet. Ren, however, insists that it's exactly what he needs to pull him out of himself. Mark asks what'll happen if no one comes because they hate him; it would be awful.

No. 32
Danni is telling Angie that she *hates* parties. Angie, however, insists that it would be fantastic; she's never thrown a dud party yet. Danni tries to protest that she'd be embarrassed by all the fuss and Angie sighs that it's a real pity; her boys were like that - never wanting a real party. There's suddenly a knock on the front door and she goes to get it. She finds Marlene and Colin standing on the step and they invite her to come to the flicks with her. Angie tells them to come in, adding that she's been trying to convince Danni to let her throw a bit bash for her 19th, but she won't be in it. Looking surprised, Marlene exclaims that Danni *loves* parties - she's rapt about being the centre of attention; she just doesn't like putting people to any trouble. Angie grins at Danni that it won't be any trouble: they'll give her a party she'll never forget! Danni sits there in despair!

No. 28
The next morning, Mal and Danni dash into No. 28 and Mal asks Susan cheerily how she's doing! Susan, however, asks him to keep the decibels down a bit, as she's got a slight headache. Mal asks what the doc's got to say. Susan tells him:

SUSAN: The doc *caused* it!

Danni asks her if she had a good time and Susan beams that Karl cooked dinner - and the way the table was set was *so* romantic! Mal grins that there was lots of wine, eh? Susan smiles that his father certainly hasn't lost his touch! Karl is playing his guitar and Mal smiles that his father is always saying how good he is but he never seems to get through a whole song without mucking it up; and if he's so good, how come he never wants to play in public? Susan tells him that he's basically very shy. Karl joins them and Mal says he's just had an idea!

No. 30
Mark almost tips over in his wheelchair as he tries to reach a CD on the table in the corner of the lounge room. Ren dashes in and helps him. He snaps that he's sick of the wheelchair, and he's sick of hobbling around on a walker like he's 90. Ren tells him to stop feeling so sorry for himself; they should start planning the party and pull him out of it. She adds that she's spoken to quite a few people and they said they'd love to come; they're willing to give him another chance. Mark murmurs that he's so embarrassed. Ren tells him that he's got to stop brooding: he can't change the past, but he *can* change the future if he wants to.

Lassiter's complex
Mal catches up with Karl and asks him if he can have a word with him for a tick. He adds that it's nice that he and his mum had such a nice time last night. He then goes on that he heard his dad playing guitar this morning and he's really good. Karl shrugs that he needs a bit of practice. Mal tells him that he'll have plenty of time for that. Karl nods that he'll have the rest of his life. Mal, however, smiles that he's entered him in the local Talent Quest: he'll be able to play in front of thousands!

No. 32
As they head into the lounge room, Marlene and Angie are talking about Elvis. Marlene tells Angie that she's become a member of the Eternal Elvis fan club. Angie suggests that maybe *she* should join and Marlene nods that that mightn't be a bad idea, as she's nominating for President and she'll need all the votes she can get. Changing the subject, Angie comments that she thinks Colin is an awfully nice man, but doesn't Marlene think he's a bit stuffy? Marlene shrugs that that's just the way he is: she knows that he's different from most people, but they can't all be the same - and he's really a self- taught man: all those bits and pieces of knowledge he's got, he's learnt them from a book here and a course there; she thinks it's very admirable. Angie smiles that it certainly puts *her* to shame! She then comments that they'd better start organising Danni's party. Marlene tells her that she was talking to Ren the other day and she'd like to give *Mark* a birthday party. Angie suggests that maybe they could combine them. Danni comes in at that moment and Marlene asks her if she minds if they combine the parties. Danni says she just wanted a cool DJ and a few people. Marlene assures her that there'll be no more than a hundred. Danni looks aghast! Angie suggests they have a live band, but Danni insists that she wants a DJ. Marlene comments that they could have both! She then asks Angie if she's given any thought to the *theme* of the party. Angie beams that they could go for Country and Western! Danni's face again drops in despair!

No. 24
It's evening- time and Marlene is trying some sculpted food Colin has made. She tastes some and remarks that he's a talented chef. Colin tells her:

COLIN: Tonight I am inspired: I make ambrosia for a Goddess!

Annalise is sitting at the kitchen table, poring over some books, and she sighs that the two of them should listen to themselves. Marlene asks her if she's having difficulty working out her finances. Annalise tells her that *she'll* survive, but she doesn't know if AnnaJo will. The 'phone rings and Annalise answers it. Sam comes on and she asks him how long he'll be. She listens and then snaps at him that he promised they'd go out for dinner. The two of them start arguing, Annalise growling that she's sick to death of The Lemmings.

No. 28
Mal heads into No. 28 and asks Karl what song he's going to perform for the quest. Karl, however, says:

KARL: Look, I have a fairly unique playing style. I'm not sure the judges would understand it.

Mal remarks that it sounds like he's turning chicken. Karl tells him that he *does* have a problem: he and Susan need to spend some quality time together; he'll have to pull out of the Quest for now. Mal comments that it sounds a bit suss to him! He asks why he and his mum can't have their quality time *after* the Quest. Karl retorts that he thinks they should have it *now* - and he adds that Mal had no right to enter him in the Quest in the first place. The front door opens suddenly and Susan bursts in, rushing over and saying excitedly:

SUSAN: Karl, Karl, Karl, you aren't going to believe what has happened!

Karl asks what it is. Susan goes on eagerly:

SUSAN: The woman... the woman who was to be Brett's chaperone on the trip to Africa. Well, she's had to pull out because of illness.
KARL: Slow down, will you?!
SUSAN: No, no, wait, listen, listen! They have asked if I'd like to go in her place.
KARL (frowns): *You*?!
SUSAN: Yes! Isn't it wonderful? I'm going to Africa!

Mal beams at his father that there goes his quality time, so he can stay in the Quest! Karl stands hugging Susan and looking nonplussed!