Reception area at the Daniels Corporation
Jane takes Mrs. Mangel's photo album out of her desk drawer and says she thought it might bring back a few memories. Mrs. Mangel murmurs that they're probably best forgotten. Joe, however, says to his mother in surprise:

JOE: Kept it after all these years, have ya? Always out there with your old box brownie, weren't you!

He starts looking at the photos of his childhood. Henry peers over his shoulder and chuckles. Joe then peers at a particular photo and asks Mrs. Mangel if it's of her, with her dress tucked up at the beach! He asks where it was taken, but Mrs. Mangel just retorts:

MRS. MANGEL: How would *I* know?

Jane tells her to have a look, but Mrs. Mangel just says coolly:

MRS. MANGEL: Wasn't someone supposed to *say* something first...?
JANE (warns): Nan...

Henry says he's got things to do, and he heads out. Joe closes the album and says he'd better push off too - there's no point hanging round there. He hands Jane the album and goes to walk out. Mrs. Mangel, however, takes the album from Jane and says to Joe quickly:

MRS. MANGEL: If I remember rightly, that was the year we went to the beach house for the summer. You couldn't've been more than four or five. I don't suppose you remember...?

Joe turns back to look at the photos. Mrs. Mangel points out their old car. Jane says she'll get back to what she was doing, and she suggests to Joe and Mrs. Mangel that they go and sit down. The two of them take seats in the coffee area and Mrs. Mangel indicates a photo and smiles:

MRS. MANGEL: Do you know, that bathing suit cost £8.10!
JOE: Old Amanda, eh...?!

Coffee Shop
The shop door opens and Bronwyn comes in, pushing Jamie in his pram. She tells Henry, who's behind the counter, that they could both do with a fruit juice. Henry beams that she'll need her strength to dance the night away with Henry Ramsay, ace DJ! Bronwyn, however, tells him that she doesn't know... and anyway, Sharon won't need her if she can talk Mrs. Mangel out of the chaperone idea. Henry, looking concerned, says quickly:

HENRY: What about The Duchess? I mean - her word's the law.
BRONWYN: Aunt Edie went back this morning - didn't you know?

Henry appeals to Bronwyn, telling her she can't desert him now. Bronwyn hesitates before giving in! She tells Henry that she'll have a rest after she's taken Des's shopping back: he's invited Penny to dinner tonight.

Reception area at the Daniels Corporation
Joe and Mrs. Mangel are still looking at photos. Joe smiles at one taken on his first day at High School, and Mrs. Mangel muses that it was the last time he was ever neat and tidy! They then turn to a photo taken on Amanda's birthday. Mrs. Mangel sighs:

MRS. MANGEL: You *would* wear those jeans...
JOE: *Everyone* was wearing them. *My* mates, anyway.
MRS. MANGEL (tersely): Huh. Them.
JOE (pointedly): They *were* my *mates*.

Mrs. Mangel indicates another photo taken on Amanda's school speech day. She says:

MRS. MANGEL: It's a pity *you* never went on with your education - you could've *made* something of yourself.
JOE: Like Amanda, eh?
MRS. MANGEL: I wasn't making comparisons.
JOE: Not half, you weren't.
MRS. MANGEL (mutters): Just like your father.
JOE: What?
MRS. MANGEL: Your attitude.
JOE: What's *wrong* with my attitude? Not as good as Amanda's, eh?
MRS. MANGEL: At least I could always count on her. She was reliable-
JOE: Count on her? Yeah - to let you down. Dumping her kid on you like that. [He glances at Jane]

Mrs. Mangel sighs at Joe that all that business with him broke her heart. Joe retorts that she didn't *cry* over him, *did she*? Mrs. Mangel says:

MRS. MANGEL: It was that *crowd* you mixed with. I never knew where you were... what you were up to...
JOE: You coulda stopped me.
MRS. MANGEL: *How*? You never listened.
JOE: *I* never listed? *I* never listened? What about *you*? Whenever I tried talking to you, what'd I get? Nag, nag, nag. No wonder dad left you.

Mrs. Mangel looks at him sharply and he apologises. Tears begin to well- up in Mrs. Mangel's eyes as she says:

MRS. MANGEL: I thought I did the *best* for you. I tried - I really tried - and there you were: your father all over again. But you were such a dear little boy. "I'm Joe," you'd say, when I called you 'Walter'. Standing there with your head up. "I'm Joe."

She looks around for her handkerchief. Joe says gently:

JOE: You never trusted me. You never gave me a *chance*.
MRS. MANGEL: Do you think I don't *know* that now? I've been over and over it in my mind. I was *wrong* about you. I've never been able to bring myself to say it.
JOE: I've put you through hell - I know that. I wanted for years to come home and tell you.
MRS. MANGEL (murmurs): Sorry. Sorry.
JOE: Me too.
MRS. MANGEL (fondly): Oh Joe...

With that, Mrs. Mangel puts her arms around her son, happily.

Reception area at the Daniels Corporation
A short time later, Jane has made some tea for Mrs. Mangel and Joe. Mrs. Mangel says to Joe that there's just one other thing: the business of the firearm... she heard that he'd turned it in. Joe sighs:

JOE: But you still didn't believe I was innocent, did ya?
MRS. MANGEL: It was silly of me. Why would you hand the gun back if you *had* been responsible for the crime?
JOE: Exactly.
MRS. MANGEL: We're all too quick to jump to conclusions, I'm afraid, and then it's so hard to back down.

Joe warns his mum not to bung on the waterworks again. Mrs. Mangel cries:

MRS. MANGEL: I want everything between us out in the open.
JOE (laughs): *Everything*?!

Looking suddenly annoyed, Mrs. Mangel snaps that he's just like his father: every time she tries to have a serious talk, he makes light of it. Joe says quickly:

JOE: Mum. Mum, I'm not dad. I'm me - I'm not going to cop the blame for whatever he did. It's not on. I wasn't laughing at you; I was just having a bit of a joke, OK?
MRS. MANGEL: Then... you think it's true... I've taken out on *you* what I felt about *Len*?

Joe looks at his watch and says he'd better hit the road. He stands up and goes to head out. Mrs. Mangel, however, follows him, telling him that they've got so much to talk about. She asks Jane to organise dinner tonight. Joe tells his mum that he'd love to. With that, he gives both Mrs. Mangel and Jane a kiss and he heads out. When he's gone, Mrs. Mangel looks at Jane happily, saying:

MRS. MANGEL: To think... after all these years...!

No. 26
Helen is in the kitchen with Katie, having made some soup for dinner. Todd and Nick come in, dressed up for the dance tonight. Helen remarks in surprise that it doesn't start until 8:00, but Nick tells her that they're going for a pizza with Henry, Bronwyn and Sharon. Helen looks at the old coat and jeans that he's wearing and suggests that he could wear the clothes she bought him yesterday. Nick, however, insists it'll be OK. Katie chips in:

KATIE: Gran, he doesn't want to look like a dag!

Todd adds that Nick's been trying to get those jeans to look like that for ages! Helen muses that she's just fallen into the generation gap! As the two boys head out, Helen tells Nick that it's going to be a big day in court tomorrow. Nick assures her that they won't be late. Helen just muses that with Henry in charge, *anything* could happen...!

Driveway of No. 32
An old ute pulls up in the driveway of No. 32 and Joe climbs out. Henry is walking along Ramsay Street and he heads up the drive, calling humorously:

HENRY: Hey! You! What are *you* doing here? We don't allow strangers in Ramsay Street!
JOE (climbing out of the ute): Official invite, china!

Henry joins him and asks if it's going all right. Joe smiles that it's so far, so good. Henry then looks at a large roll of carpet on top of the ute and asks Joe interestedly if he's trying to flog it off. Joe explains that he is - he got it from a place he's doing extensions on: they didn't want it. Henry starts examining it and exclaims excitedly that it's the right colour and *everything*! He asks Joe how much he wants for it and he suggests that they go over the road and talk business. Joe replies that they'd better be quick: he doesn't want to get back in the bad books with the old girl!

No. 32
Inside, in the lounge room, Mrs. Mangel is commenting to Bronwyn that it's a good thing they're all going out; at least she and Joe will get some peace and quiet. Jane comes in and Mrs. Mangel asks her about dinner. Jane says:

JANE: Smells great, nan. Uncle Joe will love it!
MRS. MANGEL: *You* I'm talking about. All this rushing around, working all day... modelling at night... Do you think it's wise?
JANE: It's only for a couple of days.
MRS. MANGEL: But you were so keen to get to know your uncle again. Now he's going to be here, off you go.
JANE: It's *you* he's coming to see.

Sharon walks in at that moment, wearing a very prim lavender dress, and Mrs. Mangel smiles that she *does* look nice. Bronwyn muses:

BRONWYN: Great choice, Mrs. Mangel. Aunt Edie couldn't've done better herself!

Mrs. Mangel tells Sharon that she's going to be the Belle of the Ball. Sharon, however, retorts that everyone's going to laugh themselves stupid, and she cries:

SHARON: Can't I wear something *else*, Mrs. Mangel? *Anything* but this.
MRS. MANGEL (sternly): We paid good money for that frock, Sharon.
SHARON: *Please*?
MRS. MANGEL: It's go in that or not at all. Take your pick.

Jane tells Sharon that it's not that bad. Sharon mutters that if she has to go in it she will. She has a knowing smirk on her face, though...

Erinsborough High
Henry climbs down a ladder after setting up a glitterball in the school hall. There are lights flashing and a DJ deck set up on the stage. Bronwyn walks over and Henry asks her if she's ready for some Ramsay rock 'n' roll! Bronwyn, however, replies that after all the pizza, she can hardly stand up! Henry walks off to go and continue setting up. Nick joins Bronwyn and asks her if she's seen Sharon, as she went into the toilets twenty minutes ago. Bronwyn sighs:

BRONWYN: What's she up to *now*...?

A teenage boy walks past and taunts Nick:

BOY: Got yourself a babysitter, hey, Nicky boy?

He walks off again and Bronwyn asks Nick who *that* was. Nick replies that it was Bruce Zadro - another loser from school. Sharon walks over suddenly, having changed from the prim dress into a pink top and flowery skirt with high heels. Bruce Zadro stares at her. Bronwyn groans in disbelief! Sharon smiles at Henry and tells him that she's ready to rage! With that, Henry starts up the music! Nick begins to dance and a few seconds later a couple of girls joins him - but he then spots Sharon and he walks over to her and asks her if she wants to dance. The floor soon fills up. Bruce Zadro watches Sharon and Nick dancing together. Henry is rocking behind the DJ desk! Bronwyn watches the goings- on with a smile on her face. Henry grabs her for a dance, but the two of them stop and watch as the dancefloor begins to clears and everyone starts watching Sharon and Nick's routine.

No. 32
Joe and Mrs. Mangel walk into the lounge room with tea things, Joe telling his mother that she's done all right for herself, as it couldn't have been easy with the divorce and all. He adds that he couldn't believe it when his dad wrote. Mrs. Mangel says in surprise:

MRS. MANGEL: I didn't know you kept in touch.
JOE: Oh, I got a card from him once: let me know where he was.
MRS. MANGEL (coolly): That's more than *I* ever heard.
JOE: Yeah. Must've been pretty rough.
MRS. MANGEL: A single life may have its disadvantages, but it doesn't break your heart the way a marriage does.

Joe then asks his mother if she's ever been *tempted* to marry again. Mrs. Mangel says hesitantly:

MRS. MANGEL: There was *one* gentleman - a Mr. Worthington. We met at bowls, but, er, nothing came of it.
JOE: Why not?
MRS. MANGEL (chastises): Drink your tea! You ask more questions now than you ever did as a child!
JOE: I'm just curious!
MRS. MANGEL: Curiosity killed the cat.
JOE: I'm game! What happened?
MRS. MANGEL (admonishes): Oh really, Joe!
JOE: *You* were the one who wanted to be *honest*!
MRS. MANGEL: Oh, you wouldn't understand. It's all right for the young, I suppose, but all this business about love... Huh! For a dependable friendship, give me the company of a dog.

Joe takes his wallet out of his back pocket and shows a photo inside to Mrs. Mangel. She looks at the people pictured and says:

MRS. MANGEL: Who are *they*?
JOE: My wife and son. *Ex*- wife. Married for three years; she left me for someone else, took the kid with her. Haven't seen him since.
MRS. MANGEL (fondly): A grandson...
JOE: Yeah. He'd be nine now. I *do understand*, mum. I know how it hurts.
MRS. MANGEL: Oh Joe...
JOE: Oh, what can you do? One thing's for certain: I'm never getting married again. Once bitten, twice shy.

The front door bangs suddenly and Jane comes in. She asks how dinner was and Joe smiles that it was great. Mrs. Mangel pours her some tea. Joe comments to Jane that modelling must be hard yakka. Jane tells him that they just had a hair and make- up test tonight, but after a long day at the office... Mrs. Mangel tells Jane she does too much: all this to- ing and fro- ing and late nights... she needs her sleep. Jane says:

JANE: Don't worry, nan - as soon as I've had this cup of tea I'm going straight to bed. You just try and stop me!

Erinsborough High
Henry announces the next song and starts the record. Bruce Zadro approaches Sharon and asks her for a dance, but she ignores him. Nick asks Sharon if she's OK. Zadro says to Sharon:

ZADRO: Look, you're wasting your time.
NICK (snaps): Get lost, Zadro.
ZADRO : Who's talking to *you*?
SHARON: Buzz off, Bruce.

Nick takes an angry step towards Zadro. He mutters:

ZADRO: You'll keep, Page.

No. 26
Helen is sitting on the couch when Katie runs out of her room, looking upset. She runs over to Helen, tears in her eyes. Helen asks her in concern if she's had a bad dream. She sobs:

KATIE: A horrible place. A dungeon. Aunty Beverly was locked up. Nick too. I couldn't get them out.
HELEN (giving Katie a cuddle): Oh darling... that must've been awful.

She then assures Katie that Beverly is in bed safe and sound and Nick's enjoying himself at the school dance, so it was only a dream. Katie says:

KATIE: It could happen, though. What if Aunty Beverly *does* get put in jail?

Helen assures Katie that the hearing will clear Beverly of all the charges. Katie cries that Nick has to go to court tomorrow. Helen tells her that as long as he stays out of trouble, everything should be all right.

Erinsborough High
Sharon is dancing with Nick. The record that's playing comes to an end and Sharon walks over to where Todd's standing at the side of the hall. He asks her if she wants to dance, but Sharon tells him that Nick's just gone to get a couple of drinks and will be back in a sec. Bruce Zadro walks over suddenly and says to Sharon:

ZADRO: Waiting for me? Come on - now's your chance.

Sharon doesn't respond. Zadro presses:

ZADRO: What's wrong? I'm not good enough for you, eh?

Nick has grabbed the drinks and is heading back over towards Sharon as Todd pushes Zadro and tells him curtly that Sharon doesn't want to dance. Zadro snaps at Todd to rack off. Nick walks over and orders Zadro to leave Todd alone. Zadro puts his arm round Sharon and tells Nick that she's dancing with *him* now. Sharon, however, retorts that she's dancing with *Nick*. Zadro growls:

ZADRO: Yeah? The way *you're* dressed, you don't look too fussy.
NICK (growls): Why don't you go home, Zadro?
ZADRO: Make me.
SHARON: Just leave, Bruce.
ZADRO: Then *you* come *with* me.

Zadro puts his arm round Sharon again, but Nick shoves him and tells him to let her go. The two of them suddenly launch into a fight and start struggling with each other on the floor. Sharon yells at them to stop it. Two adults walk over quickly and break the two of them. They lead Bruce Zadro out of the hall. Nick stands up but has his hand over his left eye. Bronwyn and Henry walk over and Bronwyn asks Nick if he's OK. Nick replies that he is. Sharon tells him to show her his eye. Nick tries to protest, but Sharon orders:

SHARON: Show me your eye.

Nick reluctantly removes his hand to reveal that it's bloodied and bruised. Bronwyn exclaims:

BRONWYN: What's it going to look like *tomorrow*? Everyone will know you've been fighting.
NICK: So what?
BRONWYN: Nick, you've got to get up in *court* looking like that. What are they going to think?

Nick stands there looking suddenly worried.