Office of the Robinson Corporation
Paul and Gail are telling Jane that she'll basically be doing everything Gail does. Jane replies that she'll give it her best shot - although it'll be weird sitting at Gail's desk and seeing a strange man sitting at *hers*. Gail tells her that Kevin will be back from the bank soon, so she'll be able to meet him. With that, Jane heads out to the reception area and takes a couple of files out of one of the cabinets. Kevin comes in suddenly and demands to know what she's doing. Jane retorts that she's updating some files.

KEVIN (curtly): This is *my office* and that's confidential. Have you got an explanation?
JANE (tersely): It may be your office *now*, but those are *my files*, and if I'd known you were moving in here, I would've sorted them out before I left.

Kevin, realising that she's Jane, apologises. He then comments that it must have been a shock for her to come back and find that he'd taken over from her. Jane replies that it wasn't a *shock*, but she's surprised Paul didn't 'phone to let her know. Kevin remarks that he probably would've, but with the pressure he's under, he probably didn't get round to it. Jane asks what pressure that is, but Kevin, remarks that he probably shouldn't say any more, and he suggests that Paul will tell her about it when he's ready.

No. 24
Henry is snapping at Madge and Harold that they practically had it in the bag if Madge had kept her cool for another thirty seconds. Madge, however, retorts that she knows she shouldn't have lost her temper, but what did he expect her to do with Helen Daniels starting in on her like that? Harold chips in that they mustn't let the Robinsons see that they're upset; they must rise above it. Madge nods that she agrees; she won't let herself be provoked; it's the right thing to do and it'll irritate the hell out of the Robinsons! Harold sighs heavily and heads off to work, leaving Henry to say curtly to Madge:

HENRY: It would have been just *so* terrific: ever since I was a little kid I wanted to ride on that big old fire engine with Donald and Goofy and now I'm not going.
MADGE: Henry, just look on the bright side.
HENRY: *What* bright side?
MADGE: *We* may not be going - but neither are the Robinsons...

No. 26
Katie is crying at Jim and Helen that it's just not *fair*. Beverly comes in and Jim remarks that she's back early. She explains that she wanted to make sure she was there when Todd came home - and she was dying to know how the interview went. Helen muses that the words 'total fiasco' spring to mind. Katie explains about how Pam Lucas caught everyone fighting, and she adds that now she'll *never* get to go to Disneyland. Helen, putting her arms round the girl, comments that it's all history now - thanks to Madge Bishop and her family. Beverly suggests to Katie that she get back to school. She heads, out, leaving Helen to smile sadly that Katie had her heart set on that trip.

JIM: Well no one can say the Robinsons didn't do their best for her.

No. 32
Joe opens the front door to find Kerry on the step. He remarks coolly that he didn't think they were going to see her there anymore. Kerry retorts that she just thought she'd drop by for a minute; see how things are going. Joe heads into the lounge room and Kerry follows him, saying tersely that she thought they could be grown-up enough to be friends.

JOE (retorts): Yeah? Don't you think we should ask *Des* about that first?
KERRY (snaps): How many times do I have to say this? There's nothing going on between me and Des. I care about *you*. It's just awkward while Noelene's here.

Joe mutters that she'll be glad, then, to hear that Noelene's not there anymore: she's left to take a job in Darwin. Kerry remarks that that was a bit sudden, wasn't it? Joe, however, snaps:

JOE: The fact is, Kerry, she's gone; vamoose. It's just you and me again. If you care about me so much, what are you gonna do about it?

Kerry hesitates before murmuring that this is all a bit sudden. Joe retorts:

JOE: Look, you know how I feel about you - but anyone can see that you don't know how you feel about *me*. Well, until you make up your mind, I don't see any more point in you coming over on these stupid little visits. You know where I am, though, if you decide somethin' important.

Kerry stares at him. He mutters:

JOE: You just leave me alone.

With that, Kerry shakes her head sadly and marches out.

Office of the Robinson Corporation
Kevin is working on the office computer as Paul tells Jane that they're faced with a major structural repair bill. Jane sighs that she wishes Paul had told her earlier, rather than her dragging it out of him. She asks what they're going to do, but Paul sighs that it's not going to be easy raising that sort of money. Gail comes in suddenly and asks Jane if she wants to join her for lunch at the Coffee Shop. Jane accepts and the two women head out. When they've gone, Paul mutters at Kevin in annoyance:

PAUL: I could've done *without* that. Now I've got Jane thinking I can't *trust* her.
KEVIN: Sorry - it slipped out; I assumed you already would've told her.

Kevin then asks about the parcel of company land at Elliott Park: if Paul got it rezoned, it could solve all his problems. Paul, however, points out that the council keeps knocking him back. Kevin says he happens to have a contact with the council - he could put it through for them, as long as there was something in it for *him*...

PAUL: Something like a bribe, you mean?
KEVIN: Well, that's not the word I'd choose to use, but, um, you got the basic idea, yeah.
PAUL: Well that's too bad, because I don't work that way.
KEVIN: Look, it's no wonder you're not getting anywhere, because everybody else *does*; it's a way of life these days. You either accept it and go along with it, or go under. But look, it's up to you. I guess it just depends on how much you want to keep your business...

No. 32
Katie and Toby come in and join Joe in the lounge room. Toby announces that he's got a new magic trick to show off. He goes to get the equipment for the trick, leaving Joe to laugh at Katie that the trick can't be any more funny than the interview this morning! Katie, however, retorts that it's not funny: the Bishops ruined *everything*. Toby comes back in with glass of water, which he sips from. He then puts it down on the coffee table and covers it with a large blue handkerchief. He then says the 'cosmic incantation', he waves his hand over the glass and then removes the handkerchief to reveal that the glass is now full of a purple-coloured liquid! Joe exclaims that that's not bad! He leaves the room, and Katie asks Toby how he did it. Toby says he doesn't think he should tell her, but Katie points out that she *is* his official assistant and his official girlfriend! Toby then explains that he uses special crystals which he hides in the handkerchief and which then fall into the water, turning it purple. Katie asks if the crystals are dangerous. Toby replies that you can buy as much as you want at the chemist's shop. Katie then comments that she's got an idea...

No. 26
Jim comes in the back door with Todd, and smiles that they're home! Beverly gives Todd a hug, but he pulls away quickly and goes to get a glass of water. Jim reminds him to hug Helen as well. He does so but then says he's going to unpack his stuff. As he heads to his room, ignoring his bags, Jim reminds him that he ought to *take* his stuff. Todd picks up the bags and walks off. Left alone with Jim and Helen, Beverly remarks:

BEVERLY: That boy is not with us.
JIM (muses): Been that way ever since he got off the bus.

Ramsay Street
Kerry is playing with Sky and Jamie in the front garden of No. 28 when Katie and Toby walk past. She calls out to ask them what they're up to. The two kids immediately start acting suspiciously, and Toby says quickly that they've been shopping, getting stuff for the bathroom, like soap. He then asks Kerry if she knows if there's anyone home at the Bishops'. Kerry replies that she doesn't think so. Toby says they'd better get the stuff they bought home. They walk off, leaving Kerry with an amused expression on her face.

Reception area at the Robinson Corporation
Jane emerges from the office and asks Kevin to type an urgent letter for Gail. Kevin, however, says he thought the plan was that *she'd* look after Gail's workload. Jane retorts that, as she understands it, it was never part of Gail's workload to type her own letters.

KEVIN: You're not Gail, you're her assistant: there is a difference.
JANE: Normally I'd do it, but I have two equally urgent letters to type up and I could do with some help. It never occurred to me that this would be beneath you.
KEVIN (shrugs): I've got more important things to do, simple as that.

Jane pauses before then asking:

JANE: What if I *instructed* you to do it?
KEVIN (raising his eyebrows): You think you're in a position to *do* that?
JANE: I would've thought an Acting Assistant Manager would be in a position to give instructions to a secretary, yes.
KEVIN (retorts): You're only Acting Assistant Manager because Paul felt sorry for you and wanted to give you something to do. As for me, I'm more of a business consultant and assistant to Paul - on which basis that makes me senior to you; so, I really don't think I want to be typing your letters. Do you?
JANE (sarcastically): Kevin, I don't know *what* came over me. For a moment I thought we were *working* together.

With that, Jane marches back into the office.

No. 24/Back yard of No. 24
Madge and Henry arrive home and Madge asks Henry to bring the clothes in while she thinks about dinner. Henry, however, sighs that he's just lugged all Scott's clothes down to the railway station. He heads outside, though, and starts unpegging the clothes. All of a sudden, he becomes aware of the pool and stares at it in astonishment. The water has turned purple!

No. 24
A short time later, Madge is tenderising some steaks when Henry comes in slowly and announces that he's brought the washing in. He then asks his mother warily if she's been out in the back yard this afternoon. Madge retorts that she hasn't been out since she hung the washing out this morning. Henry suggests:

HENRY: It might be an idea if you just sort of go on out there now, though.
MADGE (suspiciously): What are you on about?
HENRY: I just think you should go out, have a look around, check out for example the, er, swimming pool...
MADGE (demands): What's the *matter* with the swimming pool?
HENRY: I'm not saying anything! I just think you should go out and have a look. If I say anything, I know I'm gonna get the blame for it somehow and it's got nothing to do with me.

Madge mutters that this had better not be one of his jokes. With that, she heads outside. A few seconds later she walks back in, a furious look on her face. Henry starts to repeat that it wasn't him: he wouldn't know how to turn the water that colour even if he *wanted* to. Madge, however, growls:

MADGE (snaps): You know who's behind this, don't you? The Robinsons, for goodness' sake - and they're going to learn you can't play tricks like that on Madge Ramsay.
HENRY (corrects): Bishop.
MADGE (roars): On *me*. Nobody does that to *me* and gets away with it.

Madge goes on that up until now it's just been game-playing; from now on, it's *war*.

Office/Reception area of the Robinson Corporation
Jane tells Paul that she has to go to the hotel reception and Paul asks her to send Kevin in. Jane heads out into the reception area and tells Kevin that Paul wants him. Kevin asks her if she's going to the Coffee Shop, as he's feeling a little peckish. Jane, however, retorts that she's going to main reception, to check some accounts.

KEVIN: I didn't realise accounting was one of your many talents.
JANE (mutters): I *can manage* basic accountancy - well enough to have *you* summed up...

With that, Jane heads out. Kevin goes and joins Paul, who tells him that he's been thinking about what Kevin was suggesting before. He then asks:

PAUL: How much would we be talking about to make sure the re-zoning *does* go through?
KEVIN: Well, because the guy's a friend of mine, I'd say about 10 Gs would do it.

Paul comments that it would certainly be worth an investment at that level, considering what the sale of the land would realise. He then hisses:

PAUL: Are you sure you can get this deal pushed through?
KEVIN: It's no problem - you just say the word.
PAUL: I don't like it; I don't like it at *all* - but as you said, that's the way things get done these days, and I guess we have to compete, don't we. OK - go on: set it up.

As Kevin turns to leave the office, Paul calls after him:

PAUL: I'm relying on you on this one. You see, my whole business is at stake here.
KEVIN: Look, it's no problem. You've looked after me since I've been here and I'm happy to return the favour any way I can.

Coffee Shop
Todd is sitting at a table, dunking a straw in a milkshake, a distant, dreamy look on his face! Kerry walks in and tells him that it's good to see him back, but he doesn't respond. Kerry joins her father at the counter, and Harold tells her that Todd has been away with the pixies ever since he's been in there. Kerry muses that that's teenagers, she guesses! Harold then comments that he didn't expect to see her. Kerry explains that she needs to talk to him. The two of them sit down at a table and Kerry explains:

KERRY: It's about Joe: he's pretty much given me an ultimatum: either I accept his marriage proposal or we stop seeing each other.
HAROLD (looking surprised): Oh.
KERRY: ...and I'm really confused as to what I want.

Harold pauses before telling Kerry that she knows he said he'd support her decision - but it's an enormous commitment. Kerry replies that she doesn't want to *lose* Joe. Harold, however, points out that she hasn't exactly been constant with her relationships and neither has Joe: he's already walked out on *one* wife and child. Kerry explains that Noelene dumped *him* - and she thinks that's half the problem *now*: he wants to be absolutely sure it's not going to happen again. She tells Harold that she'd never hurt Joe willingly, but 'forever' seems like such a very long time. Harold adds that there are always the children to consider as well. He then says:

HAROLD: Why don't you suggest to Joe that you keep seeing each other for another, I don't know... three or four months; spend that time getting to know each other a little better - sort of building a solid basis for your relationship; and then, if you want to still get married, then fine: you can do it with happy hearts.

Kerry smiles that that's good advice.

Office of the Robinson Corporation
Jane walks into the office and asks Paul hesitantly if she can have a word with him for a moment. She closes the door and then explains that it's about Kevin: the two of them have a real problem working together. Paul smiles that she has to give the guy a chance. Jane, however, replies that it's a case of instant loathe, and she doesn't think it's going to change. She goes on:

JANE: I've been thinking about it all day, and if *he's* going to be staying here then I'm afraid *I can't*.
PAUL (frowns): What are you saying: either he goes or you do?
JANE: Yes.
PAUL (appeals): Jane, don't *do* this to me - not now; not with all the problems we've got. Come on, you are one of the best people we've got - *and* you're our friend. Gail and I *need* you at the moment, eh?
JANE: *I* don't want to go either, but if *he's staying* here, *I can't*.
PAUL: Well look, I'm sorry that you feel so strongly about that, Jane. You see, you have no idea how much I'd hate to lose either one of you - but if I'm forced to decide - and particularly with the way things are at the moment - I'm afraid it's *you* that's gotta go.

Jane stares at Paul in shock.