No. 26
It's evening- time and Philip is staring at the TV. Hannah and Helen join him and Hannah comments that he's watching the film that Jen likes. Philip immediately turns the TV off. Hannah suggests that they tape it for her and give it to her when she comes back. She adds uncertainly:

HANNAH: She *is* coming back, isn't she?

Helen assures her that of course she is - when she's ready. Philip tells Hannah to go to bed - she's got activities day tomorrow. She reluctantly heads off to her room. When she's gone, Helen tells Philip that Hannah understands how anxious he is about Jen. Philip retorts that he's frustrated with himself that he didn't say anything to Jen earlier: he should have made her see what she was doing to herself - and to him. He then murmurs:

PHILIP: Maybe this separation is just what we need to sort ourselves out...

No. 24
Marlene is feeding Colonel Parker. Annalise tells Flakey that she's got him a show - but it's not much: it's in the coffee shop. Jo beams that that's fantastic! Flakey, however, grumbles that he used to wow them by the millions. Annalise tells him that he has to take what he can get. Flakey asks when it is and Annalise replies that it's tomorrow. Flakey gets up and goes to have a cigar and a good soak in preparation. When he's gone, Marlene snaps that that man gets more difficult by the minute. Jo sighs at Annalise that he'll come good and show the *real* Flakey before too long; she *knows* he will. Annalise doesn't look convinced.

No. 28
Susan arrives home with groceries, saying to Karl that she thought she'd stock the cupboards before she goes away. Karl is ironing and Susan asks him what he's doing. Karl tells her that he thought he'd get her favourite things ready for Africa, as she's been so busy. Susan smiles at him, gratefully. Karl goes on that he also found some time to pop into the library and picked up some books on Africa. Susan, however, says she's not going anywhere until she's organised Billy's exam situation: she and Andrew are meeting with him tomorrow to discuss it. Karl comments sarcastically that it was good of her to tell him - he could have been there.

Erinsborough High
The next day, Andrew Watson sets his class to work in pairs. Hannah sits down with Zoe - just as Lance asks her if she'll be his partner. Hannah says she's right. Zoe gets up to go and sit with someone else, but Hannah suggests to Lance that *he* go and sit with Robert Dong or something; any partner will do. Lance gets up and joins another girl. When he's gone, Zoe asks Hannah if she and Lance have had another fight. Hannah shrugs that she just feels like hanging out with her friends for a while.

Holy Roll
Annalise and Sam are with Angie in the kitchen as Angie enthuses that her whole family grew up loving Flakey: he was the best! Sam murmurs:

SAM: Let's hope he still is, eh?

Angie starts running through the food she's prepared. She and Annalise then head out onto the shop floor, where Annalise directs Sam to put a banner up. Philip comes in, still wincing from his bike accident, and Sam shows him a poster of Flakey and asks if he remembers him. Philip muses:

PHILIP: Is he still alive?!

He then comments that Debbie and Michael used to think that he was great fun - back in the days when there *was* such a thing... Sam asks what's up and Philip explains that it's problems at home: Luke's back and he hasn't contacted them, and Jen's ditched her exams and wandered off into the wild blue yonder, looking for him. Sam asks shiftily how she found out he was back. Philip explains that Ren called. Sam mutters to himself:

SAM: Idiot.
PHILIP: Yeah, I'll say. The whole year's down the toilet if she doesn't get her act together - and our relationship's right behind it...

Community Garden
Luke emerges from the bus, asking angrily why people can't leave him alone. Sam points out that they *care* about him - and Jen's his *sister*. Luke demands:

LUKE: What's *your* excuse?
SAM (angrily): Hey - *you* approached *me*, remember? Look, what is your story anyway? I mean, you come home from Japan, stay in a bus just a stone's throw away from everyone you know, and then expect no one else to get involved.
LUKE (snaps): Look, I've got enough on my plate without having to weep bucketfuls for my sister.
SAM: Yeah, well, she's thrown her plate away for *you*, mate, and she's even jeopardised her relationship with Phil. Or don't you care about that? Maybe you don't care about *anything*?

Luke just glares him furiously and then walks away.

No. 24
Flakey is practising his magic act in front of Marlene and Jo. He goes to pull something out of a large top hat - and finds Colonel Parker in there! He winces and snaps that the stupid thing nipped him. He then sighs that this is stupid: he's going to get egg on his face. Jo pleads with him to do the balloon thing and knock them dead. Flakey starts twisting long thin balloons into shape.

Community Garden
On the top of the bus, Sam apologises to Luke for yelling at him before, saying he just doesn't think he's being fair. Luke coughs suddenly, and Sam asks him if he's OK, as he sounds a bit sick. Luke just mutters:

LUKE: Ta.

Sam looks around and remarks pointedly:

SAM: I wonder why...

He then goes on that he wonders how *Jen's* feeling: no one knows where she is. Luke retorts that Jen can look after herself. Sam shrugs that Luke's obviously pretty comfy where he is; why should he care? Luke just mutters at him to go away. Sam turns to go - but then turns back and tells Luke that he hopes he sees sense before it's too late - for everyone.

Erinsborough High
Billy is in the classroom with Susan and Andrew Watson, who's telling him that he's tried pushing, but it might be a little late for him to do his exams orally; but Miss. Teschendorff and his other teachers are prepared to give him extra time or his own pet scribe. Billy exclaims coldly that having a scribe would make him feel retarded or something. Mr. Watson exclaims that it looks like it's the extra time, then. He then comments that maybe for next year, Billy should be reducing the number of subjects which require masses of reading and writing and balancing them with mathematical and practical subjects. Billy snaps:

BILLY: But I *hate* Maths; and prac subjects are for dropouts. Dropouts and dyslexics, that is...

Susan points out that he's always enjoyed doing things with his hands: metalwork and woodwork. Billy mutters that just because he enjoys them it doesn't mean he wants to *do* them. Mr. Watson suggests they take a tour of the workrooms later. Billy reluctantly agrees.

No. 24
Flakey is playing a kazoo as a string of fake sausages emerges from his large hat, as if they were a snake! Jo claps, saying she *knew* he could still do it! Colonel Parker rubs himself against Flakey's leg, but Flakey kicks him away, snapping at him to get out of it. Flakey then tells Jo that he'll be happier if he knows everything's ready at the coffee shop, and he suggests to her that she go down there and supervise, and *he'll* run through things again from the top. He pushes her to the door. When she's gone, he pours himself a glass of scotch and downs it in one as Colonel Parker watches him.

Holy Roll
Annalise asks Jo if she's sure His Majesty is up to this. Jo insists that he's been hard at it since this morning. Annalise comments that she'd have been happier if Jo had been there to keep the wheels turning.

On the other side of the shop, Susan is telling Karl that Andrew thought Billy could try Graphics or Woodwork... that kind of thing. Karl asks coolly what *Billy* thought of this. Susan explains that he and Andrew discussed it at some length and Andrew gave Billy a tour of the workrooms. Karl mutters that Billy is dyslexic, not stupid; prac subjects are OK if you can't handle the *real* ones. Susan murmurs:

SUSAN: That's where he gets it from, is it?
KARL: I'm sorry?
SUSAN (quickly): Nothing.

Karl insists that he just thinks they should let Billy do what he *wants* to do. Susan says she agrees: they should let him do Woodwork; he wants to give it a try. Karl retorts that he knows Billy likes doing the subjects he does *now*. Susan sighs and asks Karl to do what she and Andrew are doing: just give Billy the option. Karl says coolly that he would like a say - he *is* Billy's *father*.

Erinsborough High
Andrew is trying to operate the video, but is struggling. He asks if anyone knows how to work it and Zoe runs up to help. Lance takes the opportunity to talk to Hannah, commenting that he didn't see her at lunch again. Hannah replies that she had things to do. Lance asks if she can meet him after school. Hannah, however, retorts that they're *always* meeting: after school... before school... during school... Lance points out that they like each other - lots. Hannah tells him that he's the only face she's seen in weeks; she'd like to look at someone else for a change. Lance snaps that she's sick of him and she hasn't even got the guts to say it. He adds angrily:

LANCE: Well, I tell you what: I'm sick of you, too.

No. 26
Helen hands Philip an orange as he comments that he's starting to wish he'd gone *with* Jen. Helen remarks that it seems to her that Jen *wanted* this time away. Hannah comes in, looking glum, and goes to head to her room. Helen asks if she had a good day at school. Hannah turns and sighs that it's all her stupid fault: she just wants to hang out with her friends for a while, but Lance is acting like she wants to break up forever. Helen remarks that he obviously didn't understand what she meant. Hannah asks if she should call him. Helen suggests taking him out for a milkshake. Hannah nods that she'll invite him somewhere where they can talk; somewhere quiet. Philip says quickly:

PHILIP: Somewhere public!

Holy Roll
Lance is saying to Hannah that he still reckons Flakey should be behind bars. Hannah shrugs that he was pretty scary at the garden, but maybe he's an OK clown? Lance then tells her that he's glad she called; she wants to spend time with her friends - that's fair. They shake hands.

A short distance away, Annalise asks Jo in concern where Flakey is. Jo says he probably got carried away with his act and forgot the time. She heads off to go and check on him.

No. 24
Flakey is made up and wearing his clown outfit as he slurs drunkenly while he looks for his mouth spray. He murmurs that he has to keep his strength up - and he needs all the strength he can get... He heads for the scotch, but Jo comes in before he can grab it and asks if he's ready. Flakey nods:

FLAKEY: The late, great Flakey strikes again! Skiddley- doo- roo!

He and Jo head out.

Holy Roll
Annalise is announcing Flakey's appearance to several children and their parents. Everyone applauds as Flakey emerges from the kitchen and says loudly:

FLAKEY: Skiddley- doo- roo!

Some of the children stare and start crying or put their hands over their ears! Flakey e tries to make a balloon animal, but it bursts, causing more tears at the noise. Flakey slurs that he'll have another go; it probably won't work either, but what the hell? Annalise asks Jo in concern what he's doing. Jo shrugs that he was better than this at rehearsal. Angie mutters that he's drunk. She tells Jo to get him out of her shop while it has half a reputation left. Jo walks up to Flakey and pleads with him to stop. Flakey turns to her - and then collapses towards her, so that they both end up on the floor.

No. 28
Karl arrives home to find a wooden candle holder on the table. He asks Billy and Susan if they're expecting a power failure! Susan explains that Billy made it - this afternoon, on the school lathe. Karl looks at Billy and asks him if this is really the subject he wants to do for the whole of next year. Billy shrugs that he thinks so. Karl says:

KARL: So it's an easy option for you.
SUSAN (warns): Karl...
BILLY (snaps at Karl): Well, maybe it is, but what *else* am I supposed to do, huh?
KARL (insists): You're supposed to do whatever you *want* to do. Don't let this dyslexia thing get in the way.
BILLY (angrily): You don't understand, do you, dad? I know as well as you do Woodwork's not a brainy subject, but at least it's something I can *do*.

He walks off, leaving Karl to sigh heavily.