Erinsborough High
Susan grabs the hip flask and demands to know who owns it. Mal says it's his, but Susan refuses to believe him. She accuses Shona, who denies it. Susan snaps angrily:

SUSAN: Whatever the truth, you've let me down. I happen to *teach* here, Malcolm, and my own son carries on with this kind of behaviour. I think you should just go.

Shona asks about the flask. Susan retorts that it's confiscated. She tells Shona to move back to the main area to wait, and she goes to empty the flask. When she's gone, Shona smiles at Mal that he must really like her to take the blame like that. She rests her head on his shoulder.

No. 30
Darren has turned up at No. 30 to tell Danni enthusiastically that she's looking at the other half of a company that just got the school job! Danni beams that that's fantastic! Darren remarks that he'll finally have some money coming in. Danni comments that he'll need it, what with the interest he has to pay the loan shark. Darren, however, tells her that their mum came up with the money for the loan shark: $13,000. Danni stares at him in disbelief and snaps:

DANNI: I need money too, OK, and I don't see her throwing any in *my* direction.
DARREN: Yeah, but you're doing OK.
DANNI: Yeah, 'cos I'm busting a gut. I've got orders to fill, a shop to stock... and I need material to do that, OK, and that takes money.

Darren suggests that maybe Cheryl will bail for *her*. Danni, however, retorts bitterly that *her* problems don't count in their mother's book.

Erinsborough High
Susan is emptying the hip flask down an outside sink when Mr. McKenna catches her. She tells him quickly that it's not hers. Mr. McKenna remarks that it must belong to one of the students then, and he asks who the drinker is. Susan replies reluctantly that her son, Malcolm, claims it's his, but she thinks he's covering for someone else. Mr. McKenna says:

MCKENNA: And this someone else would be...?
SUSAN (sighs): Shona Munroe.

Neither of them notices that Shona is standing nearby, listening. Mr. McKenna tells Susan that he'll need to speak to Mal and Shona as soon as possible - and he takes the hip flask from Susan as evidence.

No. 30
Danni opens the front door of No. 30 to find Steve George standing on the step. She sighs that it's like rush hour, and she's got a lot of work to do. Steve smiles that that's why he's there: he wants her to make him some clothes. Danni tells him that she hasn't got time to do favours for friends. Steve, however, takes out a wad of cash and smiles that she's the best and he's willing to pay for it. He offers her $1,000 for a complete outfit. Danni stands there looking stunned!

Erinsborough High
Mal is packing up his truck when Shona runs up to him and tells him that McKenna sprung his mum emptying the flask and she told him that she thought it was hers. She adds fearfully:

SHONA: He'll expel me, Mal. This is my final year. How am I supposed to get decent marks if something like this is going on?
MAL (soothes): It's all right - they won't expel you. She had no right to say it was yours; I said it was mine and they can't say it wasn't. All you have to do is stick to your story.

Shona asks Mal to stay and back her up. She adds that if he helps her sort things out with McKenna, she'll come back and say goodbye properly - and show him how much she appreciates his kindness... Mal hesitates before saying:

MAL: Let's go see McKenna.

Holy Roll
Stonie serves Karl and Helen at a table and asks them if they'd happen to know of any guitar players who could play a gig at short notice - his partner for tonight has pulled out. Helen muses:

HELEN (knowingly): *I* know someone round here who plays guitar...

Karl realises that she's talking about him, and he smiles that he reckons he might be willing to substitute; play a few of his favourite songs...! Stonie, however, misinterprets what he's saying and tells him and Helen to make sure they come along tonight!

No. 30
Danni is telling Luke that she can't pass up $1,000 - not *now*. Luke mutters that he bets Steve George doesn't even *want* the clothes. Danni, however, pleads with him not to start fighting again: she needs money to start rolling in and he's willing to pay. Luke sighs that he just doesn't like it. Danni insists:

DANNI: I know what *he* wants and I know what *I* want, OK, and they're not the same thing.
LUKE (darkly): Right - so you're leading him on, letting him think he'll get what he wants, just so you'll get what *you* want.
DANNI (shocked): No, that's not it at *all*.
LUKE: No?
DANNI (insists): No.

No. 32
Stonie opens the front door to Luke and asks him how he'd like to play Chez Chez tonight. As they head inside, Luke retorts that he said he'd help in a couple of weeks. Stonie tells him that he knocked him out the way he played. Luke points out that they don't have any time to practise, but Stonie persists that all his songs are easy; Luke will pick them up in no time. Luke gives in and sighs:

LUKE: Anything to get my mind off that idiot Steve.

Stonie asks if he's still hanging around like a bad smell. Luke tells him that now he wants Danni to design his clothes. Stonie points out:

STONIE: How obvious! I mean - there's going to be fittings and he's going to be strutting around in his undies, showing off his measurements...

Luke frowns that he hadn't thought of that: *fittings...*? Stonie, however, insists that once Steve sees Luke perform as a rock star, he won't stand a chance: everyone *loves* a rock star!

Erinsborough High
Susan walks over to Mal and Shona and asks Mal what he's doing still there. Mal replies that Shona told him about McKenna; he wanted to tell him what happened. Susan asks Shona how she knew McKenna was looking for her and she 'explains' that some of her friends told her he asked where she was. Mal snaps at Susan that he told her that the hip flask was his and that should be the end of it. Susan retorts:

SUSAN: I know what you *told* me, Malcolm. I don't believe the flask is yours. You insult my intelligence by even suggesting it.

Mal tells his mother to let it go - and leave Shona out of it. Susan just asks Mal for a word. The two of them step to one side and Susan tells Mal quietly that she's glad he and Shona seem to be getting on so well, but it worries her that Shona would rather see him get into trouble than be honest about what she's done. Mal retorts that if it was Shona's flask, McKenna would probably kick her out - and that's not fair in Year 12. At that moment, Mr. McKenna walks over and tells Shona that he's been looking for her everywhere. Susan pleads again with Mal to tell the truth. Mal, however, tells Mr. McKenna:

MAL: The hip flask was mine. I'm sorry - I shouldn't have brought it with me.

Susan closes her eyes in disappointment. At that moment, though, Shona pipes up:

SHONA: That's not true. Thanks, Mal, but this is *my* problem, not yours.

No. 32
Stonie and Luke are playing the blues, Stonie singing actually pretty well! They finish their song and Stonie grins that it's a cinch! Luke, however, comments that it's a bit of a soft song; pub crowds can be a tough bunch. He suggests changing the tempo - and he launches into an upbeat version on his guitar - but Stonie interrupts him and tells him they'll play it the way it's *supposed* to be played. They start rehearsing the original version again.

Erinsborough High
Mal is telling Mr. McKenna curtly that he *can't* suspend Shona - she's in Year 12 and he'll risk her whole year's work if she can't come to school for two weeks. Mr. McKenna retorts:

MCKENNA: I'm also seriously considering if you're the sort of person I should be considering for the school maintenance contract.
MAL: Why?
SUSAN (exclaims): That's a bit harsh.
MCKENNA: It's my decision who gets the contract - and lying about it doesn't score you any points.
MAL: Look, none of this has anything to do with my ability to do the job. Please - I really need that contract.
MCKENNA: Well, you should've thought about that before you lied.

With that, he tells Shona to come with him, and they walk off. Susan looks at Mal in concern.

Erinsborough High
Libby is standing on a balcony outside when Darren walks up to her. She asks him what he's doing there and he tells her he's looking for Mal! He then smiles that he means her! They kiss - and Libby tells Darren the goss that her mum caught Malcolm and Shona together. Darren exclaims:

DARREN: The dirty dog!

He then asks Libby to ditch the lecture and come with him, but she tells him that she can't - she's not supposed to leave the school grounds unless it's an emergency. Darren tells her that it will be if he doesn't get to spend *some* time with her this weekend! They kiss again and walk off together!

No. 30
Luke is sitting on the couch, looking furious, as Danni takes Steve's measurements. There's suddenly a knock at the door, which Luke reluctantly goes to answer. He finds Stonie standing on the step and he heads inside. Looking at Steve, he murmurs to Luke that he could've told him so. He then tells him that they've got to go to the pub for the soundcheck. He calls over to Danni to come with them, but Danni sighs that she hasn't finished there yet. Steve says smugly:

STEVE: Can't rush the job, mate. Designer's got to be satisfied.

Danni insists that she'll be there as soon as she can.

Chez Chez
Sometime later, Luke is muttering to Stonie that he should be at home until that creep leaves. He goes to walk out, but Stonie grabs him and tells him that he can't back out now. Luke retorts that he can't even remember the songs - but Stonie tells him to get a grip, because they're on. The two of them head up onto the small stage and Stonie introduces himself and Luke to the small crowd that's gathered. Only Karl - sitting by the bar - claps. Stonie suggests to Luke quietly that maybe they should play something with a bit of grunt to it. They begin playing a rock number.

No. 30
Standing with Steve in the lounge room, Danni tells him that she suggests linen for the pants and jacket, or a cotton/wool mix - and silk for the shirts. Steve smiles:

STEVE: Whatever you say, sweetheart - you're the boss.

He tries to put his hands on her, but she backs away and reminds him that they were talking about fabric. She adds that that's enough for tonight - she's really got to get going to the pub. Steve suggests:

STEVE: We could always stay here and swap measurements.

Danni, however, insists that she wants to go to the pub. Steve tells her that he'll drive her. He adds that it'll be fun: he hasn't seen Luke do anything worthwhile yet...

Chez Chez
Stonie and Luke are finishing their slower blues number as Danni and Steve walk in and sit down - but Luke begins to struggle at the sight of Steve and keeps hitting the wrong chord. Steve comments to Danni that someone needs to tell Luke that practice makes perfect. Danni sits there looking worried. Luke stands on stage, a furious look on his face.

Erinsborough High
Mal and Shona are making out in a darkened classroom when Susan hears some noise and comes in. Shona tries to hide behind a desk, but Susan refuses to believe that Mal is in there on his own and so Shona gives in and stands up. Susan stares at her son and gasps:

SUSAN: I don't believe what I'm seeing. Have you completely lost your mind? You're behaving like an out- of- control fifteen- year- old.
MAL: I'm sorry.
SUSAN: No you're not, Malcolm. That's what you said before, and here you are in almost exactly the same situation. Don't insult me by apologising when you don't really mean it. [To Shona] And *you*, madam - aren't you in *enough* trouble for one day?
SHONA (meekly): Yes, Mrs. Kennedy.

Susan orders Shona to go before she tells Mr. McKenna about her latest triumph. She then sighs that this weekend has turned into a nightmare: not just with him, but Libby - she's gone missing with Darren. She tells Mal to go home, and she adds that with any luck Libby will turn up before McKenna decides to call the police.

Chez Chez
Steve hands Danni a drink and sits down. He tells her that it should liven her up - 'cos the *music* sure ain't doing it. Danni says she doesn't understand why no one's listening to them. Steve tells her that they're playing muzac: it's fine as background, but it's not worth passing up a good conversation for. Danni tells him that Stonie won't let Luke play anything else. Steve suggests that perhaps Stonie knows what's Luke's limits are. Danni doesn't respond. Steve then proposes a toast:

STEVE: Here's to a fantastic designer and to what's becoming a fantastic friendship.

Luke glares at them from the stage as they clink glasses. All of a sudden, he switches into full- on electric guitar mode and begins rocking the place with an awesome solo to finish the number they're playing! When he and Stonie finish, those gathered in the bar cheer! Danni runs over to Luke and hugs him as she beams that he was wonderful! Stonie takes the opportunity to taunt Steve:

STONIE: Looks like the best man won, 'Slick'.
STEVE (tersely): Well, it's not over yet, 'mate' - and you're *looking* at the best man.

Stonie just laughs at Steve and walks off. Steve stands there looking annoyed.