No. 22
Paul says to Gail coolly:

PAUL: She has just given him the chance he's been waiting for - to cut me down to size.
GAIL (queries): Now he's working for the Daniels Corporation, why would he want to do *that*?
PAUL (snaps): Because he hates my guts, Gail, that's why. I mean, think about it: he's already tried to destroy my career *once*.
GAIL: Yeah, but *why*?
PAUL: To do his *own* some good. Give a gutter journalist a whiff of-
GAIL: But how did you stop him?
PAUL: I didn't; Rosemary came to the rescue and bought his publishers out.
GAIL: Then why on earth has she still got him working for her?
PAUL: Because she didn't like his tactics but realised that he was a smart cookie, and in the right job he could be very useful to her.

Paul goes on angrily that if Morris goes back and gives a bad report to Rosemary, that's *it*. Gail replies that, OK, it was a mistake to lie to Rosemary - but they've got to show Derek Morris how hard Paul's been working and how efficiently he's been running the Corporation.

No. 24
Henry and Madge are sitting on the couch, Madge commenting that they did try and warn Paul that those costumes would cause trouble. Henry sighs:

HENRY: But not a *lawsuit*, mum.

Madge tells him that it's all in the hands of the courts, now - and Paul won't make an issue of it. She adds that it was very gallant of him to rush to her defence like that. The front door opens at that moment and Harold comes in, wearing his Scouting uniform. Henry leaps up and grins:

HENRY: Where have you been, Harold? The teddy- bears' picnic?!
MADGE (growls): Henry! Harold looks very *nice* in his uniform!

Henry teases Harold:

HENRY: Don't you have to pass a whole heap of tests and stuff before they let you wear the big boys' uniform?!
MADGE (chides): Oh, Henry, Harold's as good as a Scout leader already.

Harold, however, tells Madge that he's still got a lot to learn. Henry grins that he hopes Harold doesn't have to rig a tent to be accepted! Harold sits down and Madge asks him what the course covered today. Harold replies that it was a series of discussions, mainly, but he met some very interesting people: she'd be surprised at the amount of *ladies* that give their time. Henry smiles:

HENRY: Maybe you should go along, mum... keep an eye on things!

Madge, ignoring this, asks Harold what *else* he did. Harold tells her:

HAROLD: Outdoor activities come later, of course, but we spent the most instructive half- hour on flag- flying and knot- tying.

Henry bursts into laughter and exclaims:

HENRY: You're kidding!

Harold tells Henry curtly that knot- tying is one of his very special skills! Henry asks for a demo! Harold replies sincerely:

HAROLD: Certainly - if you think you'll find it instructive.
HENRY (grins): Oh, we *would*!

Scott comes in through the back door at that moment and Henry tells him to sit down, as he's about to witness a demonstration of remarkable skill! With that, he heads out to get some rope from the garage. Harold goes to get changed, leaving a bemused Scott to ask Madge what's going on!

No. 32
Mrs. Mangel is sitting on the couch in the lounge room. Jane covers her lap with a blanket and tells her that she's looking a lot better this afternoon. Mrs. Mangel nods that she thinks she feels well enough to return to work tomorrow - although the last two weeks have been a terrible strain. Jane comments:

JANE: Mrs. Chubb seemed to have perked you up a bit.
MRS. MANGEL: I was delighted to be dealing with a woman of such very high principles - although I don't know if I'm wise in allowing her niece to stay...
JANE: Oh, Sharon will be all right.
MRS. MANGEL: I hope so. I don't want to let Mrs. Chubb down.
JANE: I don't think you'll have any more problems. All Sharon wants to do is play music, have a good time and meet some spunky guys!
MRS. MANGEL (aghast): Jane, that's an *awful* expression!

Mrs. Mangel then says it's not only Sharon; Jane should have heard Bronwyn when Mike was there last night...; if she hadn't felt so poorly, she'd have come out and asked him to leave. Jane comments that Mike was probably just being friendly. Mrs. Mangel, however, says she doesn't think so: Mike and Bronwyn spend hours together when Bronwyn's minding Jamie...; if they weren't so interested in each other, why would they want to spend whole nights together as well? Jane tells her nan that if Bronwyn's interested in *anyone* round there, it's Henry. Mrs. Mangel, however, says:

MRS. MANGEL: No, dear, I think you're mistaken. Bronwyn's very taken with Mike, and I'd say the feeling was mutual. Henry Ramsay, as usual, has missed the boat...

No. 24
Harold has tied a rope around Henry's wrists, and he sits back and smiles that, if he says so himself, that is an extremely complex knot! He then tells Henry to go ahead and untie it - although he's set himself an extremely difficult assignment! As Scott and Madge watch, Henry uses his teeth to pull on one end of the piece of rope and undo the knot in two seconds! Harold, looking disappointed, murmurs:

HAROLD: Well, of course, it *is* some time since I've tried that one.

Henry grins at Harold that tying his shoelaces is his limit! He adds that it's good job Harold doesn't have to tie up the sandwiches at the Coffee Shop, or he'd be out of business quick- smart! Madge sighs at Harold to get rid of the rope and do something less juvenile. Harold, however, retorts:

HAROLD: There is nothing juvenile about this, Madge. The importance of knots is... it can be *lifesaving* sometimes.
HENRY: Not the way *you* tie them, Baloo!

Harold mutters that he's going to prove to them once and for all that he can do this. Henry holds out his wrists again and tells Harold that he bets there's no knot Harold can use that *he* can't get out of. He adds that they'll have to have a bet on it! Harold, however, retorts that Henry knows his views on gambling. Scott chips in to ask what if the bet doesn't involve money. Harold asks him what he has in mind. Scott suggests:

SCOTT: How about the loser does the washing- up for two weeks?
MADGE: *Now* you're talking!

Harold nods that he's agreeable: Henry could do with the experience! He then ties the rope around Henry's wrists and pulls it tight, declaring:

HAROLD: There! That should do it, I think!

He adds with a smile:

HAROLD: Now, Mr. Houdini - go for your life.
HENRY: You'd better get out your apron, bucko - you're gonna *need* it!

With that, Henry starts trying to untie the knot!

No. 24
It's evening- time, and Henry is still trying to untie the knot as Madge serves dinner! Madge asks him impatiently to please give up, but Henry retorts that there's no way. Harold grins:

HAROLD: I don't think I'll be needing that apron after all!

Everyone except Henry sits down and Madge warns Henry that she doesn't want good food wasted. Henry, however, points out that they didn't set a time limit on this bet. He takes his seat and Harold offers to help him eat. Henry, however, insists curtly that he can manage. He just about picks up a fork with his fingers and manoeuvres some food to his mouth!

No. 22
Jane is at No. 22, and Paul thanks her for turning up on a Sunday night. He goes on that they really have to get their act together before Derek Morris arrives. Jane remarks that if he's arriving tomorrow morning, it doesn't give them much time. Gail tells her that she and Paul have been at the office all afternoon, but they've still got things to do. Jane asks if they'd like her to pick Mr. Morris up from the airport, but Paul explains that he's arranged for a Home James limo to pick him up and take him straight to Lassiter's. Gail comments:

GAIL: Someone should be there. I think we should get on the right side of him from the minute he lands.
PAUL (retorts): Gail, that won't cut any ice with Derek Morris. As far as *I'm* concerned, this is strictly business: no fuss, no frills. He gets picked up from the airport, taken to Lassiter's, I've booked for a room for him and that's it.
JANE: What exactly will he be doing?
PAUL: Basically snooping. Well, checking out how we run Lassiter's and the Corporation and doing his damnedest to find fault.
JANE: Pity about the lawsuit...
PAUL: Yeah. I think we'll keep that under wraps, eh?
GAIL (quickly): Oh no we don't. We made that mistake with Rosemary in the first place. Besides, he's bound to find out: five minutes with Mrs. Mangel and he'll know the lot.

Gail then apologises quickly to Jane! Jane just smiles and says her nan's decided that she's well enough to go back to work, so maybe Gail's right. Paul gives in and sighs that he can just imagine what sort of meal Morris is going to make out of *that* little episode. There's suddenly a knock on the front door and Gail goes to get it. She comes back a few seconds later with Scott. Paul smiles:

PAUL: You visiting, little brother, or are you just getting away from Harold?
SCOTT: No, no, the newlyweds are in bed, actually. Henry's... Henry's sort of tied- up at the moment!

Gail says she'll make some fresh coffee, and Paul goes to give her a hand. Scott sits down with Jane and she asks him how the articles are going. Scott tells her that they're publishing his article on the family history tomorrow. Jane, looking impressed, asks what's next. Scott replies that he's doing a series on community services - the local police, and stuff like that; and he's teed- up this interview with Sergeant Greerley, who's going to show him around and give him a rundown on how a small suburban police station operates. Jane remarks that it sounds interesting. She then says:

JANE: Scott, I wonder. While you're there, you could do me a really big favour...

No. 24
Henry is in the kitchen, still struggling with the knot! Madge emerges from her bedroom and sighs:

MADGE: Oh Henry, you're not *still* at it?!
HENRY: I'm not beaten yet!
MADGE: Oh, don't be such a sore loser! I'll get Harold to come out and untie you.
HENRY: NO!
MADGE (shrugs): Suit yourself.

With that, Madge heads back to bed. Henry makes his way over to the kitchen drawer and takes out a knife - just as Scott comes in and gasps:

SCOTT: Hey! That's cheating!

Henry puts down the knife and Scott goes to head off to bed. Henry calls after him and Scott turns back and agrees to untie him. He starts struggling with the knot, but concludes eventually that it won't budge. He gives up and says:

SCOTT: You know what? I might have a nice big breakfast tomorrow - I've got a pretty heavy schedule actually. Yeah. You won't mind a few extra dishes, will you?!

Henry doesn't laugh, though, and he sighs at Scott to just cut the rope. Scott picks up the knife - just as Harold emerges from the bedroom. He looks at what's happening and chuckles:

HAROLD: Well, well, well, well!

Scott removes the rope from Henry's wrists and then turns to Harold and tells him that it looks like he's won! Harold smiles that it does, doesn't it! He then tells Henry in delight:

HAROLD: Your mother wants another glass of water. You don't mind if I use a fresh glass, do you? Eh?!

No. 24
The next morning, Scott, Madge, Harold and Henry are having breakfast and Madge asks Scott what he's got on today. He tells her that he's got an interview at the police station - and Jane's asked him to check out whether her Uncle Joe handed that gun in. Henry says:

HENRY: I doubt it - he reckons it isn't *his*. Anyway, they're not going to tell you something like that in a *fit*.

Scott just shrugs that it won't hurt to ask. With that, everyone stands up to head off to work.

Office of the Daniels Corporation
Paul and Gail are both sorting through files of figures. Gail comments that Rosemary's going to be impressed with the figures for the company she was interested in, and Paul nods that they're sound enough. Jane comes in and tells Paul and Gail that the modelling agency were just on the 'phone, calling about her appointment. Paul groans:

PAUL: Oh no... that's *today*, isn't it?

Jane, however, tells him that they got lucky: the agency has postponed it for a while. A look of relief crosses Paul's face, and he starts fussing around over files again. He sits down at his desk and Gail tells him that they have to keep a nice cool, calm, pleasant and united front: if Morris realises they're not fazed by his visit, he's not going to think they've got something to hide. At that moment, the outside door bangs and a few seconds later, a man appears in the office doorway. It's Derek Morris. He says:

MORRIS: Er... it is *usual* to leave the reception area unattended?

Gail turns to him quickly and introduces herself and Jane. Jane tells Morris that it's nice to meet him. Paul stands up from his desk and says to Morris coolly:

PAUL: It's been a long time.
MORRIS: *Too* long, it seems.
PAUL: Jane, will you get Mr. Morris a cup of coffee? He's had a long flight.
MORRIS (smirks): I'm not here to socialise; my instructions are to find out just how big a mess you've made of this place, Robinson.

Paul glares at him.

Office of the Daniels Corporation
A short time later, Derek Morris has taken Paul's seat. Gail and Paul are sitting opposite him and Jane is standing behind them. Morris asks Gail if *she* compiled the Udagawa concept, but Gail replies that it's entirely Paul's idea and presentation. Morris remarks:

MORRIS: Really? Well, I'll need to see the entire file from the first transaction to accept that. [To Jane] Fetch it for me will you, doll?

Jane goes to get the file from the cabinet in reception. Morris then asks Paul and Gail where the Lassiter's ledgers are. Paul replies that he thought they'd deal with those separately, but Morris retorts that he wants them *now*. Gail goes to get them from reception. Left alone with Morris, Paul says:

PAUL: Look, don't you think it would be more practical to tour the complex and see it in operation and *then* go through the books?
MORRIS: Well, yes, I'm sure everything's running very smoothly *today* - you'd make *sure* of that.

Jane comes back in and hands Morris a file. He asks her if she takes shorthand and she nods that she does. Morris tells her:

MORRIS: Keep your nights free - I might have to call on your services.

Gail comes back in as an annoyed- looking Paul stands up and snaps:

PAUL: Look, do you think we can discuss one project at a time?
MORRIS: I'm not here to 'discuss' *anything*. Now, as far as I'm concerned, you're suspended - so why don't you just toddle off home and stay there, eh?

Paul glares at Morris and then walks out. Gail goes after him. Left alone with Jane, Morris says he might have a go at that coffee now. He stands up and, walking round behind Jane, pats her on the behind as he says:

MORRIS: How about a little something to go *with* it, eh? I *like* sweet things...

Jane marches out as Gail comes back in and demands of Morris if it was really necessary to say that to Paul. Morris retorts:

MORRIS: Just acting on Rosemary's instructions, my dear.
GAIL: He knows the Australian end of the Daniels Corporation inside out. He could save you a lot of time and trouble.
MORRIS (sitting back down, says smarmily): *I'm* in charge here now. I'd try and *remember* that, if I were you...

Lassiter's complex
Scott is sitting outside the Coffee Shop, having some lunch, when Jane goes to march past. Scott stops her and asks her if she's got a minute, but Jane retorts that she hasn't really: that Derek Morris character has got them all running around like mad things. She goes to walk off. Scott, however, says quickly:

SCOTT: Wait a second. I got lucky down the police station: dad's mate - a Sergeant Mooney, right - was on duty. I got him to check the Miscellaneous Property book: it seems that a certain Joseph Mangel handed in a pistol last week.

Jane exclaims that that's great! Scott adds:

SCOTT: They did a computer check and there seems to be no connection between him and the gun, so he's clean: your Uncle Joe has got no criminal record whatsoever.

Coffee Shop
Harold hands Mrs. Mangel - who's sitting at a table - a glass of water and tells her that it's good to see her back at work and looking so much better. Jane comes in and asks Harold urgently for a takeaway coffee and two lamingtons. Harold replies that there are no lamingtons but Sharon's out the back, filling a fresh sponge. Jane nods that that will do fine. Harold goes to get the cake. Jane sits down at the table with Mrs. Mangel and says:

JANE: Nan, I have got some terrific news: Uncle Joe had no connection with that gun whatsoever. He handed it in as soon as he left *our* place.
MRS. MANGEL (looking taken aback): Are you certain?
JANE: Absolutely. And he hasn't got any sort of a criminal record at all. He's innocent.
MRS. MANGEL (nods): I must say that I'm very relieved to hear it.
JANE (looking surprised): Is that *all*? Nan, after all these years of thinking he was guilty, surely you want to tell him you're sorry?
MRS. MANGEL: I *am* sorry - but it's too late now, Jane; too many years... too much water under the bridge.
JANE: But nan, he's your *son*.
MRS. MANGEL: It was *his* decision to walk out.
JANE: But surely you want to talk to him?
MRS. MANGEL: No. No, not now. We're strangers... and always will be.

Jane stares at Mrs. Mangel in disappointment.

Reception area/Office of the Daniels Corporation
Madge and Henry walk into the reception area from outside. Gail emerges from the office and Madge comments to her that she wanted to see them urgently. Henry asks if it's about the lawsuit. Gail nods that it is, but there's no need to panic: Mr. Morris just wants to hear what happened first- hand. Madge asks what Morris is *like*. Gail muses:

GAIL: Oh, his manner's a bit abrasive. The important thing is to keep calm. Just answer his questions as briefly and politely as you can and everything will be fine, OK?

With that, Gail opens the office door and escorts Madge and Henry in. She introduces them to Derek Morris who says to Henry tersely:

MORRIS: You're the bartender who assaulted one of our customers.
HENRY: He was insulting my mother.
MORRIS (retorts): We don't pay people to play Happy Families at our expense, Mr. Ramsay.

Morris then looks at a file in front of him and says:

MORRIS: According to *this*, you insulted Mr. Hughes and then knocked him to the ground.
HENRY: That's not true. I did shove him, but he *fell*.
MORRIS: Yes. Well. Your job is to *serve* the customers, not *attack* them. You're fired.

Madge looks at Henry in astonishment before the turning to Morris and snapping:

MADGE: Bob Hughes was rotten drunk, and it's not part of our job to accept abuse and foul language. And if it wasn't for those ridiculous costumes we had to wear, none of this would've happened.
MORRIS (coolly): Are you saying you disagree with company policy, Mrs. Bishop?
MADGE: On *this* particular subject, yes - and I don't think you've got any right to fire Henry: if he hadn't tried to throw Bob Hughes out, I'd've done it myself.
MORRIS: Like mother, like son, and equally unsuitable.
MADGE (snaps): I am damn *good* at my job.
MORRIS (retorts): You no longer *have* a job. You're fired *too*, Mrs. Bishop.

Henry and Madge stand there looking flabbergasted.