No. 26
Paul tells Rosemary that they've got to save the company's reputation; what else can they do? Rosemary replies that she doesn't know, but she's not going to be blackmailed by the likes of Derek Morris. Helen asks Paul what makes him think his resignation will stop the story being published. Paul retorts:

PAUL: If I'm not involved in the company, there's no real story *to* print, is there? I'm sorry, but I just couldn't handle all this stuff about my private life being dragged up again. I've had enough.

Scott chips in suddenly and reminds Paul that he was telling him that the Robinsons have got to stick together. Paul sighs that you've got to know when to quit. Scott presses:

SCOTT: Listen, listen, I realise I shouldn't be giving you advice, seeing as I, you know, got us into this, but you've gotta tough it out; don't let him see that he's getting to you.

Helen nods that she agrees. Scott tells Paul that Rosemary *needs* him to run things here. Rosemary tells Paul that, in spite of what she's been saying in the last few days, she can't think of a better man for the job. Looking surprised, Paul shrugs and muses:

PAUL: Well, if you want me *that* badly, I guess you got me, haven't you!

Helen smiles at her grandson that he's making the right decision.

No. 32
Derek Morris is sitting in the lounge room at No. 32 with Mrs. Mangel, telling her that he's interested in Paul's recent history. He asks:

MORRIS: Did you know his wife, Terry?
MRS. MANGEL (smiles): She worked for Max Ramsay for a while. Odd, isn't it - a lady plumber!
MORRIS (sighs): But you didn't know her personally?
MRS. MANGEL: No, that was before we moved in here. Of course, I read those dreadful newspaper stories about her criminal associations.

Derek Morris mutters that he pays for first- hand information, not old newspaper stories. He adds that he thinks they're wasting their time; he needs *fresh* facts. Mrs. Mangel says quickly:

MRS. MANGEL: Oh, er, well, um, perhaps there *is* something...
MORRIS: It's his reputation as a businessman we're interested in.
MRS. MANGEL: Well... there was that rather sordid episode with his secretary, Susan Cole.
MORRIS (smiles gleefully): Oh, so he had an affair with his secretary?
MRS. MANGEL: Well, I don't know *all* the details, but they did seem very close.
MORRIS: And how long did this go on for? Did she meet him in his hotel room?
MRS. MANGEL (warns): Mr. Morris, do bear in mind that Paul Robinson pays my weekly wage. If he should discover we're talking like this, my position should be in jeopardy.
MORRIS: You haven't got a worry in the world, Mrs. Mangel: journalistic integrity, you know?

Mrs. Mangel pauses before going on:

MRS. MANGEL: This is in the strictest confidence, but Susan Cole came to Erinsborough as an unwed mother. Her son was the fruit of a liaison with her previous employer.
MORRIS: So she'd had *other* affairs?
MRS. MANGEL: Oh yes - but that didn't matter to Dr. Gibbons: he took her into his home and offered to give the child a name. But then *Paul* stepped in...
MORRIS (smiles nastily and prompts): Go on, Mrs. Mangel, this is exactly what I'm looking for...

Ramsay Street
Des pulls up his car in the driveway of No. 28 and climbs out. Across the street, two men pull up in another car, watching. The first one says to the second one nervously:

FIRST MAN: That must be his place. Let's get out of here before he sees us, eh?
SECOND MAN (calmly): There's no hurry. Let him get inside. Let's make sure we've got the right place.

The two of them watch Des head into the house and then the second man suggests that they take a closer look. The first man drives the car to the end of the cul- de- sac before they turn and head back down the road.

No. 28
Inside No. 28, Daphne and Des hug tightly and Daphne smiles at Des that she's glad he's home. Des asks if he's got time to get changed before dinner. Daphne tells him that she wants to show him something first. She hands him an envelope and tells him to look at who it's addressed to. He reads:

DES: Mr. D.-; oh, *Mrs.* D. Clarke. What does she want?
DAPHNE: Just to say how sorry she is for having caused any trouble, and to say how much she envies me for having married you.
DES: Yeah, well, she had her chance, but she really blew it, eh!
DAPHNE (grins): Des, a man as irresistible as you shouldn't be let out on the streets!

No. 32
In the lounge room, Derek Morris closes his briefcase, telling Mrs. Mangel as he does so that the public has a right to know the calibre of the businessman they're dealing with. Mrs. Mangel comments:

MRS. MANGEL: Susan Cole has gone back to her parents now, and hopefully will dedicate her life to more *motherly* pursuits. I wouldn't like to see her hurt in any way.
MORRIS (insists): Paul Robinson's the *real* villain here. She will appear merely as a victim of circumstances. Susan Cole will be in the story as a fly caught in a very greasy web.
MRS. MANGEL (warily): Do you have to mention her directly? Couldn't you... well, change her name to protect the innocent, as it were?
MORRIS: Come, come, Mrs. Mangel, this is not a schoolboy essay for the Erinsborough News - and you know the old saying: 'you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs'.
MRS. MANGEL (nervously): You *did* promise to keep it confidential.
MORRIS: Yes, of course. You just keep an eye out for the first issue of the magazine. It'll give you a real sense of achievement to know you've played a part in exposing the truth.
MRS. MANGEL: It will *be* the truth, won't it? It won't be sensationalised in any way?
MORRIS: I can assure you that everything I print will be fact. It'll be up to the public to draw their own conclusions.

Mrs. Mangel accepts this reluctantly and sees Derek Morris to the door. As he heads out, he tells her that her cheque will be in Monday's mail.

No. 32
The next morning, Mrs. Mangel is in the lounge room, sorting through some papers, when Jane comes in with a cup of tea for her. She comments to her gran that she hardly touched her breakfast... Mrs. Mangel assures Jane that breakfast looked lovely; she's just not in an eating mood. She goes and sits with Jane on the couch and Jane says:

JANE: If you're still worried about the mortgage, why don't you speak to Paul again? I mean, you've been there long enough to ask for a pay rise.
MRS. MANGEL (tersely): But apparently not long enough to warrant some common courtesy. He was extremely abrupt when I spoke to him last night.
JANE: Well, I guess yesterday wasn't a good time to ask. That reporter really upset him, you know?
MRS. MANGEL (remarks): I'd think he'd welcome the publicity...
JANE: Not from 'Disclosure' he wouldn't: it's some sort of a scandal sheet.
MRS. MANGEL (murmurs): How distasteful.
JANE: Paul practically threw him out of the office. It was really scary. Boy, I hope he never gets that mad with *me*.

Mrs. Mangel sits there looking suddenly concerned.

No. 26
Lucy is sitting on the lounge room floor, looking into a hand mirror and combing her hair. She turns to Scott, who's sitting on the couch, sketching, and asks him if he thinks Charlene will let her borrow some of her jewellery, as she has to look sophisticated! Scott ignores her, and so Lucy leaps onto the couch and grabs his pad. Scott snaps at her:

SCOTT: Nick off, Lucy. Stop being such a bimbo, please.
LUCY (taunts): You're just jealous because *I'm* going to Paris and you're not!

Scott mutters that she sooner she goes, the better! Helen emerges from the bedroom area and tells the two of them to stop arguing. She suggests to Scott that he takes his sketching into the backyard and she suggests to Lucy that she take Bouncer for a walk. As Scott goes to walk out, Lucy says to him:

LUCY: Can I have the picture you did of Bouncer? I know it's not exactly a masterpiece, but Bradley would appreciate it.

Scott hands over a sheet of paper. Lucy then goes and sits down on the couch and sighs at Helen:

LUCY: Gran, I'll be *glad* to go away. Scott doesn't *like* me anymore.
HELEN (gently): Oh darling, he's just upset about Paul. I'm sure he'll miss you very much while you're away.
LUCY: Yeah, well, don't tell him, but *I'll* probably miss *him*, too!

Ramsay Street
The car containing the two men who were watching Des pulls up in the street. A third man is sitting in the back seat and one of the men in the front points out to where Des and Daphne - with Paul standing watching - are washing Des's car outside No. 28. Over by the car, Des comments that the car- washing is thirsty work. Daphne tells him warmly that there are a couple of cans in the 'fridge. She goes to get them, leaving Paul to remark to Des:

PAUL: Having kids obviously agrees with her. You should *keep* her in that condition, mate!
DES (grins): Yeah, we should put the Clarkes into mass production!
PAUL (laughs): What a frightening thought!

With that, Paul walks off. Jane dashes over to him as he heads for No. 26. Over in the car, the three men were about to approach Des, now that he's on his own, but are stopped by Jane's appearance. Jane says to Paul:

JANE: I hope nan didn't add to your problems when she came to see you last night. She's had a bit of a shock.
PAUL: Why? What's the problem?
JANE: Well, she got a letter from the bank and the house payments have gone up. It's going to be a bit of a struggle for her to keep the house now that granddad's gone.
PAUL: I see. Yeah, well, I *was* a bit short with her last night when she asked for that raise - but she's doing such a good job at the hotel. Look, why don't you tell her to come and see me at the office on Monday and we'll work something out.

Jane thanks Paul gratefully and heads off back to No. 32.

No. 32
Mrs. Mangel is sitting in the lounge room at No. 32, reading the Erinsborough News, when Jane comes in and tells her that she just saw Paul: he admitted that she's been doing a great job at Lassiter's, and if she goes and sees him on Monday, he'll speak to her about a pay rise. Mrs. Mangel nods nervously that that's very kind, she's sure...

Ramsay Street
Out in the parked car, the three men are about to approach Des, who's now by himself, when they stop again as Clive approaches him. One of the men suggests that they open the bonnet and pretend they've got something wrong with the car.

No. 26
Paul sits down with Jim and Helen in the lounge room and sighs that there must be *some* way they can make Derek Morris change his mind. Helen sighs that she hopes he's right, but it seems to her that this Morris fellow is the type to be even more determined if Paul brought pressure to bear. Rosemary joins them from the kitchen and says:

ROSEMARY: You can all relax for the time being: I've just spoken to our Mr. Morris on the 'phone. He's accepted an invitation to lunch at Lassiter's.
JIM (exclaims): You're not going to try and buy him off with a business lunch, surely?
PAUL: No, I think we can try something a little more subtle than that - like, um, arsenic in the Vichyssoise!
ROSEMARY (smiles): I think I've got an idea that's a little more to his taste, Paul!

She then tells Paul that she'd like him to come with her - but he's going to have to keep quiet. Paul shrugs:

PAUL: OK - you're the boss.
ROSEMARY: Yes, I am - and it's time you saw the boss in action. You just might learn a few tricks!

Ramsay Street
Clive is standing with Des by Des's car, outside No. 28, as Des says he reckons he'll get stuck into the mowing now. Lucy is further down the street, straining to hold Bouncer from running away! Des looks at Bouncer and then comments to Clive:

DES: You know, Mike really misses that silly mutt. If Daph wasn't pregnant, I'd go out and buy him another one.
CLIVE: Buy him another one anyway - dogs are great with kids.
DES: Nah - pups are just as much trouble as babies!

He then looks across to where the three men are apparently working on their car engine, and he says to Clive that he wonders if they need a hand. He heads over to ask them. Over by the car, one of the men spots Des approaching and mutters:

MAN: Oh wonderful - *now* look who's coming.

One of the other men says *he'll* do all the talking. He then leans into the engine and pulls a cable out. Des joins them and asks if they need any help. The man with the cable, however, tells him that it's OK: it looks like the wire's come off the starter motor. Des accepts this and leaves them to it. He rejoins Clive and muses that he might leave the mowing for a while: he's earned a sandwich and a nice cold beer! He invites Clive to join him. Over at the car, the third of the three men mutters:

MAN: Now he's taken old carrot- top inside with him. Doesn't he *spend* any time alone with his wife?

One of the other men just tells him to keep his shirt on: they'll get there...

Lassiter's restaurant
Derek Morris is sitting with Rosemary and Paul at a table in the restaurant. Rosemary invites him to order now, adding that she can assure him that the food's excellent. Morris replies that he's sure it *is*: it's much nicer than the *usual* interview lunch... Rosemary goes on:

ROSEMARY: Does 'Disclosure' pay you an adequate expense allowance? I hear that salaries are rather *small* in the publishing business.
MORRIS: I haven't *drawn* a salary or expenses yet. There's no point: I own the magazine.
ROSEMARY (raising her eyebrows): You *own* 'Disclosure'?
MORRIS: Yeah, well, what there is of it. Of course, the equipment and space is all rented - but we're only small now; once we get going, the sky's the limit.
ROSEMARY: Then you understand better than most how important a good reputation is to a new business...
MORRIS (smiles): Nice try, Miss. Daniels, but I intend to make my reputation by examining the reputation of *others*.
ROSEMARY: Then you're not a serious journalist...?
MORRIS: Oh, I'm *very* serious - about making money. You see, businessmen, just like housewives, like to read scandal - and if it involves a competitor, so much the better.
ROSEMARY: But what you've got's already a matter of public record. Why would anyone pay to read old news?
MORRIS: Because I've got a new angle. How does *this* sound? "While it is not the business of this magazine to discuss Mr. Robinson's ethics, we ask: would you deal with a man who drove his wife to suicide and broke up the engagement of his secretary to a rising young doctor? The fact that this secretary, Miss. Susan Cole—"

He breaks off as Paul leaps up and lunges at him, warning him coldly to shut up about Susan. He goes on angrily:

PAUL: If Susan's name appears *once* in your filthy rag, you're going to be doing your next article from a hospital bed. Have you got me?

Rosemary tells Paul quickly that he's got some detail to finalise on the Wodonga property. As Paul goes to leave, he points a finger at Morris and snarls:

PAUL: If you doubt me, Morris, just try me.

With that, he walks out. Morris tells Rosemary that there's no need to apologise: that'll make a nice little addition to the story. Rosemary, however, retorts:

ROSEMARY: Oh, I had no intention of apologising, Mr. Morris; in fact, I back Paul one hundred per- cent, even if he *is* a bit over- enthusiastic.
MORRIS: It's nice to see an employer so loyal - but then he *is* a relative, isn't he...
ROSEMARY: I'm loyal to Paul because he does a good job. He's loyal to me because I pay him well and I leave him a free hand to get on with it. Now, I could do the same for *you*...
MORRIS (grins): Are you bribing me not to publish?
ROSEMARY: Not at all. You're obviously a man with a talent for investigation. You'd do *well* in the Daniels Corporation. You'd have security and an excellent salary. Interested?

Morris sits there thoughtfully.

No. 28
Clive and Des stand up from the dinner table, Clive telling Daphne that *she* cooked so he and Des will clear. Daphne smiles that him that they're going to miss him when he moves from Ramsay Street. Clive, however, points out that he's only going to live behind the surgery, not the darkest depths of Africa - and there's no point him rattling round that house on his own anymore. Daphne remarks:

DAPHNE: You really miss not having Susan and Sam around, don't you...
CLIVE (shrugs): Maybe if I'd got my act together sooner they would've stayed. Susan really wanted a stable home.

He then declares that it's time he put all those years of training to use: new adventures in the art of medicine! With that, he says he'd better get going, as he has work to do in the yard. Daphne insists that he can stay for a few more minutes, can't he? - and she offers him a slice of homemade cheesecake. Clive murmurs to Des:

CLIVE: Now that's an offer I can't refuse!

Office of the Daniels Corporation
Paul is sitting at his desk when there's a knock on the door and Rosemary comes in. Paul mutters at her immediately:

PAUL: It's bad enough that he should write about Terry - I mean, *she* can't be *heard* anymore; but Susan... she is trying to start a new life for herself and this could ruin it for her.

Rosemary tells Paul that she offered Morris a job. Paul, looking shocked, exclaims that he's scum. Rosemary, however, insists that Derek Morris is an intuitive, intelligent young man: the Daniels Corporation could use him to its advantage. Paul sighs at Rosemary that he obviously misjudged her: he didn't think she'd be prepared to hire a guttersnipe like Morris. Rosemary smiles that he's an opportunist, not a criminal - and anyway, he turned her down, which is a pity because she'll have to think of some *other* way round him. Paul warns:

PAUL: You'd have spent the whole time looking over your shoulder, waiting for the knife.
ROSEMARY: Paul, I know a man like Morris can be unpleasant, but anyone clever enough to find out about you and Susan would have his uses.
PAUL: That didn't take any talent, Rosemary. Whoever told him was obviously trying to get at *me*. I'd give a lot to find out who it was, too.

A look of realisation dawns suddenly and he exclaims:

PAUL: Wait on, I know *exactly* who it was. I just didn't think he'd go this far, that's all.

With that, he leaps up from his desk.

Ramsay Street
Two of the men are still poring over the car engine. One of them mutters that he can't take much more of this: the tension's getting to him. All of a sudden, the second man spots Clive emerging from No. 28 and running across to where Helen is walking down the street. They exchange greetings and Clive asks if things are better at home. Helen smiles:

HELEN: Much! I finally gathered my courage and faced Rosemary.
CLIVE: Good for you! That wouldn't have been easy...
HELEN: No - it wasn't very pleasant for *either* of us. I don't know if things will ever be the same again, but at least she knows I didn't *try* to hurt her.
CLIVE: Yeah, it's painful when you both love the same person.
HELEN: Yes - like you and Paul...
CLIVE: Well, we've never been *mates*, but I don't enjoy being enemies, either. The sting's gone out of it, somehow: I just don't feel like hating him anymore
HELEN (smiles): Why don't you *tell* him that? You'll probably find he feels the same way!
CLIVE: Yeah, I might just do that. It'll be good to clear the air before I move out.
HELEN: Good thinking - and when you *do* move, you won't be a stranger, will you?
CLIVE: Never!

With that, Helen heads off to the shops, passing the three men as she does so. One of the men closes the car bonnet and says they'd better get going before somebody *else* turns up. He says to one of the other men:

MAN: You go in the back, I'll take the front.

Turning to the third man - the driver - he adds:

MAN: Wheels, you stay in the car and be ready, all right?

No. 28
Daphne and Des are doing the washing- and drying- up when the doorbell rings. Daphne asks Des to get it, as she's all soapy! Des puts down the plate he's holding and heads to the door. He finds one of the men from the car standing there, and he smiles cheerfully and asks if the car is still crook. The man replies that they fixed it. He then says:

MAN: You Des Clarke?
DES: Yeah.
MAN: You're the manager at the local Pacific Bank, yeah?
DES (nods): Yeah.
MAN: Good, 'cos we've got business to discuss - at the bank.
DES: The bank's *closed* today. If it's business, Mr., erm—
MAN (coolly): Yeah, yeah, as I said, it *is* business - and we're going to take care of it *right now*.
DES (retorts): Today's Saturday. I don't work on Saturday. Call me on Monday.

With that, Des goes to close the door. Daphne calls out suddenly. Des turns to look at her and finds another man standing there, holding a gun to her head. He warns coldly:

DES: You let her go.

The first man walks into the house as Des demands:

DES: What's going on here? Leave my wife alone.

The man from the front door retorts:

MAN: Yeah, we'll leave her alone, pal, just as soon as you do as you're told. You don't want her hurt, now, do you?

Des and Daphne both stand there looking worried.