No. 24
Patrick emerges from his room and stares at the telephone on the kitchen counter. He walks towards it slowly - and then walks past it before returning to it and picking it up. He dials, STD pips sound and he says:

PATRICK: Er, yeah. Hi, love, it's me.

As the conversation continues, he tells Sarah that he didn't lie to Sam, he was being diplomatic. He then goes on that he's coming home: they need to talk about this face- to- face. He listens and then insists that it was his idea. He continues:

PATRICK: What it comes down to is that I don't want to do the same things to you and Sam that dad did to me and mum.

He listens again before repeating tersely that he's coming back and they'll talk about it when he gets there. He slams down the 'phone, looking antsy.

Lassiter's Complex
Sam is hanging a banner in the Complex when Patrick walks up to him and tells him that he's just 'phoned Sarah. Looking surprised, Sam asks what she said. Patrick tells him that he's going home to see if they can sort things out; he'll stay for the Cup and then go back on Wednesday. He adds that he can't promise how things will go, but at least they're giving it a shot. Sam remarks that it's a start. Patrick goes on:

PATRICK: Something your grandmother said - about history repeating itself: she's right - I know how I felt about *my* father. I'd like you to feel better than that about *me*.
SAM (murmurs): Yeah, well, that makes two of us, eh?

With that, they hug.

No. 28
Libby and Sonny head into No. 28 and Libby goes straight to the 'fridge for food, telling Sonny as she does so that he'd better get into it as by the time he gets back to the shop the 'fridge will be empty! Sonny comments that Mal's so busy working on his board he won't even think about eating. Libby, however, tells him that Mal has got the attention span of a mosquito! Looking surprised, Sonny tells Libby to stop putting her brother down - it's no wonder he's insecure; he's a good bloke and he works hard and the way things have been picking up recently, he *needs* someone like that. He goes on that he's getting a lot of orders from interstate and it's going to take a lot of time when they're ordering sight- unseen. Libby suggests that he put out a brochure - and she knows a way that won't cost a cent!

Chez Chez
A young man walks into the bar and Kev asks if he can help him. The man asks for Lou, but Kev tells him that he's not there at the moment. Cheryl is sitting nearby and asks if she can help. The man, however, says he was told to ask for Lou. Cheryl says she doesn't know when he'll be back. The man looks at her and then says quietly:

MAN: Look, um, how about $20 each way on number 6 in the Cup, eh?
CHERYL (aghast): Excuse me?

The man goes to walk away, but Cheryl growls at him that she hopes he's not under the impression that anybody would be involved in off- course betting there; it's a highly- reputable establishment and no one there would ever dream of doing something so stupid.

No. 30
Lou is with Annalise and Jo at No. 30, talking about plans for the Melbourne Cup celebrations. Annalise tells him that if everything goes to plan, his Mayoral entrance is going to be brilliant!

Karl's surgery
A young woman - Kate Cornwall - a sits down in front of him and hands him a letter of referral from her neurologist in Cairns. She tells him that she's got amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Karl looks at the letter and murmurs that he's very sorry to hear that. Kate explains that she was diagnosed two years ago, so time's running out; she's there because she'd like scripts and painkillers, as her supply is just about finished. Karl comments that he's sure she realises that effective management of ALS involves more than just analgesia. Kate retorts that in her experience there *is* no effective management - so she's decided not to waste the time she has left: she's trying to see something of Australia. Karl asks in concern if the constant travel is good for her; it must exacerbate her fatigue. Kate replies that she can cope with fatigue and she can cope with the pain, but she'd rather not - which is why she's there. Karl suggests that he give her enough drugs for tonight and she make an appointment for tomorrow. Kate shrugs that she guesses he has to check her out. Karl responds that he'd be irresponsible if he didn't; he just wishes he could do more. Kate says:

KATE: Meaning you wish you could persuade me to go home, put my feet up and wait for the Grim Reaper?
KARL: No. No, not at all. It's just that patients like you make me very aware of my limitations.
KATE: Please, don't feel sorry for me. I've read everything ever written about ALS... talked to countless specialists... and the bottom line is I'm going to die. Since everyone else is in the same boat, it's not such a terrible thing.
KARL: The timing, however, is lousy.
KATE (smiles): Yes, I'd have to agree with that.

Chez Chez
Kev comments to Cheryl that as Cup Days go, it shouldn't be that busy anyway: it sounds like everyone's going to the council do. Lou comes in and smiles that everything's looking great for tomorrow! Cheryl grins at him and tells him pointedly that he'll never guess what happened while he was gone: they had someone in there - someone looking suspiciously like an undercover policeman - and he thought that they were taking bets on the Cup! Lou exclaims that that is terrible - he hopes Cheryl sent him packing. He adds that if he'd been there, he'd have told him the same thing. Cheryl glares at him, and he then admits sheepishly that he may have accepted a couple of small bets. Cheryl asks him angrily who put him up to it - before realising that it had to have been her irresponsible little brother. She tells Lou that that money has to be returned - *all* of it.

Outside Chez Chez
It's Melbourne Cup day and Angie is dressed in a top and skirt and a small hat as she stands outside Chez Chez. Cheryl, who's also dressed up and wearing a huge hat, joins her and Angie comments on all the gorgeous outfits. Cheryl tells her that she looks very nice. Angie, however, has an expression on her face that suggests she thinks she's out of place there. Cheryl asks her if she's seen Patrick and Angie points him out across the way. Cheryl approaches Patrick and snaps at him:

CHERYL: How dare you turn my pub into an SP joint?

Patrick smiles that he was merely providing a service for her customers. Cheryl retorts that he can kindly provide it right back: every last cent of it. She tells him she wants him and the money out of her sight before she calls the police.

Chez Chez
Philip walks into the bar and asks Lou why Patrick is giving everybody their money back. Lou glances at Cheryl and Philip gets his drift. Across the bar, Angie joins Annalise and Jo and smiles that they looks stunning. Sam joins them with drinks and he comments to Marlene that she looks tired. Marlene explains that she spent last night in the shop as she thought Colonel Parker might find his way back there, but he didn't - he's just sort of disappeared off the face of the earth.

No. 28
Libby is taking photos of surfboards in the lounge room when Karl emerges from the bedroom area and gets caught in the flash. Sonny comes in with another board and Karl asks what's going on. Libby tells him that by the time he gets back from work, it'll all be gone. She pushes him out of the house as he warns her not to break anything. Libby takes some more photos.

Chez Chez
The pub is full. Lou calls for everyone's attention and tells them that Cheryl will be passing amongst them with a hat for the sweep draw, after which all invited guests are asked to trot along to the council hospitality tent, where they'll be holding the 'Fabulous Fashions on the Field' as one of the highlights of the afternoon. Angie looks away, downcast. Cheryl begins to hand the hat around. Lou joins Annalise and asks if everything is set for his grand entrance. Annalise tells him that it is - as long as he doesn't fall off!

Grounds of the Lassiter's Complex
A while later, a band of pipers and drummers marches across the grounds, playing 'Scotland the Brave'! Marlene is looking around to see if there's a 'plane flying over as she thought Lou might skydive in for his big entrance! Angie, however, suddenly notices Lou riding in on a horse and as everyone claps, he beams:

LOU: Thank you, thank you, loyal subjects!

He then addresses the crowd and says:

LOU: And now, good citizens of Erinsborough, let the Melbourne Cup celebrations begin!

Karl's surgery
Kate has returned to the surgery, where Karl tells her that he's spoken to her neurologist and the neurologist agrees that all this travel isn't good for her. Kate shrugs that she disagrees: it's her decision. Karl tells her that with a condition like hers, the state of mind is a very important factor. Kate retorts that her will to live is every bit as strong as his; she's not suicidal and she's not even particularly depressed; she feels like she's actually doing something rather than waiting to die. She demands:

KATE: Now, do I get my painkillers?
KARL: Course you do - when you've heard me out.

Karl asks her again how long she's staying in Erinsborough. Kate replies that she didn't say - but she's staying in the local hotel, which is quite comfortable. Karl comments that she'll be there long enough to do some physiotherapy then - and perhaps one or two sessions of hydrotherapy? Kate gives in - but warns him not to suggest a macrobiotic diet! Karl laughs that he thinks she's entitled to eat and drink what she likes - in moderation! Kate smiles:

KATE: Of course! The only thing I want immoderately is life - like Jennet.
KARL (blankly): Jennet?
KATE: 'The Lady's Not for Burning'?
KARL (shrugs): No...
KATE: Never mind! Don't suppose you get time to read anything except medical journals!
KARL: Not much, no!
KATE: Jennet Jourdemayne was a young witch; well, people *called* her a witch - really she just had a very advanced interest in science. But it does seem for a time - in the play, that is - that she's going to burn at the stake. Fortunately, it doesn't happen.
KARL (intrigued): And you see her as some sort of alter ego?
KATE: Silly, isn't it, since I'm clearly not going to share her luck...

With that, Kate suggests that she should make another appointment, as she guesses Karl will want to review her progress. Karl nods that he'd like to, yes.

No. 28
Sonny and Libby are looking at the photos Libby has taken, but Sonny asks how they get them into a brochure. Libby tells him that his brother's got a computer with a scanner, so they wave it over the photos and that puts them into the computer, then they can colour them, add any text and backgrounds they want and then print it all up and voila: a full- colour brochure with as many copies as they want. Sonny beams:

SONNY: Wow, a super- intelligent genius!
LIBBY (grins): Of course. I thought that's why you liked me so much!
SONNY: Well, yeah - that and other stuff...!

They start kissing passionately!

Council tent in the grounds of Lassiter's
A man hands Lou an envelope and tells him that they have a result. Lou stands up and asks for everyone's attention. He says he's going to announce the winner of the 'Fashions on the Field' competition. He looks in the envelope and then says:

LOU: And the winner is... I think I'd better assure you I've had absolutely nothing to do with this, and no money changed hands! 'Cos the winner is Cheryl Stark!

Everyone applauds and Cheryl joins Lou on the stage. Angie stands there looking downcast at her comparative rags. She quietly makes her way out of the tent.

Elsewhere in the tent, Mark walks up to Patrick and Philip with a tray of food, which he tells them is crocodile savoury mince! Patrick grins that it's shades of Camp Drumbeat. Lou joins Jo and Annalise and congratulates them, saying everything's going very smoothly. Jo, however, suddenly realises that she tied the horse - Mr. Edwina - up outside but didn't leave any water. She dashes outside to deal with it.

Grounds of Lassiter's
Jo approaches Mr. Edwina and pats him on the shoulder, saying she'll get him a drink. Mr. Edwina suddenly rears up, though. He's tied to one of the tent poles and the tent begins to shake. Those inside are sent flying. The tent then starts to collapse with everyone inside it...