No. 24
Madge is sitting on the couch, wearing hew new negligee. Harold is wearing his dressing gown. He puts some romantic music on the stereo, then turns to Madge and says in a wicked tone:

HAROLD: Right now, my little Jezebel?
MADGE: Delilah, thank you. Jezebel came to a bad end!
HAROLD: He he he! So did Delilah!
MADGE: At least she brought the house down!

Harold moves to the couch and takes Madge in his arms. She pulls away suddenly and says:

MADGE: Harold... where's Reverend Richards?
HAROLD: Junior choir. I checked.
MADGE: Good!

With that, the two of them start kissing passionately - completely unaware of Henry and Bronwyn rocking up outside the front door, Henry grinning:

HENRY: Boy, are *they* in for a surprise!

Henry realises he can't find his key, so he knocks on the door. Inside, Madge groans that she doesn't believe this! She tells Harold not to answer. Harold asks:

HAROLD: But what if it's important?
MADGE: Harold, *we* are important.

Harold stands up, though, and says it could be the police or the ambulance with a wrong address. He adds that he'll deal with it very, very promptly. Madge sighs and says she'll be waiting for him in the bedroom. She dashes in there. Harold opens the door and Henry and Bronwyn burst in. Looking less than delighted, Harold murmurs:

HAROLD: Goodness me...

Henry says excitedly that it's good to be home - he's famished! He asks where Madge is, but Harold tells him that she's gone to bed! Henry enthuses that Narrabri is some place - and he can ride a horse now! Harold says quickly:

HAROLD: I'm sure you had a wonderful time... *wonderful* time... and you can tell me all about it in the morning. After breakfast.

With that, Harold heads quickly to his and Madge's room, leaving Henry and Bronwyn looking bemused!

Le restaurant
Todd and Melissa are sitting at a table, Melissa telling Todd that her dad's normally there to translate the menu; she hopes she can manage. Todd smiles:

TODD: The coq au vin's nice - that's chicken in red wine - and then there's the Chateaubriand - that's, um, that's steak.

Melissa looks impressed! She then notices that neither of those are on the menu, though, and she suggests that maybe they're on a separate *lunch* menu. Todd, looking suddenly uncertain, tells her that there's plenty to choose from. Melissa suggests that they could always ask the waiter, but Todd tells her that his friend, Clive, reckons these French waiters are snobs! Melissa tells Todd that her menu doesn't have prices. Todd just insists that she can order anything she wants. She asks for vol-au-vents for the entrée and duck for the main course. A waiter comes over and Todd orders the meals in French - successfully! The waiter then asks if they'd like wine. Todd looks surprised that he can speak English! The waiter goes on that they have several non-alcoholic selections, and he suggests a red. Todd says:

TODD: Merci!

The waiter walks off and Todd and Melissa smile at each other.

No. 30
Sharon and Matt are sitting in the lounge room, listening to music. Hilary comes in and asks flatly if they've finished their homework. Matt replies that they finished hours ago. Sharon then tells Hilary that 'The Wizard of Oz' is on in a minute, and she asks her if she wants to watch it with them. Hilary, however, says she's not in the mood; she'll just go to her room and read. Matt then asks:

MATT: School library tomorrow?
HILARY: I shan't be going to work tomorrow, if that's what you want to know.
MATT: You'll feel better in the morning, eh?
HILARY: I simply need another day at home. Goodnight.

With that, Hilary heads off to her room, leaving Sharon to mutter that she *hates* this. Matt says there's got to be *something* they can do.

No. 32
Kerry is sitting in the lounge room, doing some handicrafts, when Joe comes in with Henry and Bronwyn. Kerry smiles and asks when they got in. Bronwyn explains that it was about half an hour ago. Henry adds that Madge and Harold flaked out so they thought they'd trek on over and annoy her and Joe! Bronwyn looks at the new furniture and admires it. Henry comments that business must be booming - and he's raring to go. Joe, however, tells him:

JOE: Yeah, well, just hold your horses, mate, because the whole thing is a screaming mess.
HENRY: What... what's happened?

Joe explains that, for a start, Harold put weed-killer in the insecticide spray and didn't even tell him - so *he* was out there working his arms off, and behind him, gardens were carking it left, right and centre; and meanwhile, the caterpillars and bugs have never had it so good! He continues that that's just for openers: while the gardens have been curling up and dying on him, some mongrel's been undercutting them; they've been picking out their customers, giving them cheaper prices and stealing their jobs. Henry frowns:

HENRY: Who'd be doing *that*?
JOE: That's just the thing, mate: we can't find out; it's very mysterious.

Henry stares at him, looking worried.

Le restaurant
Melissa and Todd are talking about planning their careers, Melissa saying she wants to work in the United States. A woman walks up to the table suddenly with a basket of roses, saying:

WOMAN: A rose for mademoiselle?
TODD: Yes, thank you!

Todd goes to reach for his wallet, but Melissa stops him and tells him that he shouldn't; the dinner's costing him heaps already. Todd turns the woman down, and she walks away, looking disappointed. He's realised his wallet is missing, though. The waiter returns to the table and offers dessert. Todd asks for the soufflé. The waiter says that will take twenty minutes. Melissa asks for plain ice-cream with chocolate toffee. The waiter walks off. Todd then says to Melissa:

TODD: So whereabouts in America do you want to work?
MELISSA: Oh, New York - but *everybody* wants to work in New York.

As Melissa continues talking, Todd tries surreptitiously feeling around for his wallet, looking worried.

Le restaurant
A short time later, Melissa is sitting alone at the table. Todd rejoins her and she asks him who he was ringing. Todd explains that it was his Uncle Jim. Melissa asks what for, and Todd explains in embarrassment:

TODD: I've left my wallet at home.
MELISSA (nervously): Haven't you got any money?
TODD: Yeah, sure - $5 in change.

Melissa reaches down to her handbag and takes out her purse. She counts out $16 and Todd exclaims that he figures they'll need about another $60. Melissa asks what they're going to do. The waiter walks over and offers Todd more coffee. He accepts. As the waiter pours it, he asks Todd and Melissa if they enjoyed the meal. Todd says it was very nice. Melissa adds that it was lovely. The waiter walks away and Melissa says to Todd:

MELISSA: I'll have to 'phone dad.
TODD (quickly): No!
MELISSA: What *else* can we do?
TODD: Look, maybe they'll let me go home and get my wallet.
MELISSA: I doubt it...
TODD (shrugs): It's worth a try.

Todd calls to the waiter, who walks over. He explains meekly:

TODD: I seem to have left my wallet at home.
WAITER: Pardon, monsieur?
TODD (squirming): I've left my wallet at home. Can I please go home and get it?
WAITER: I will speak to the maître d', monsieur, to see what can be done.

The waiter gives Todd a look and walks off. A few moments later, the maître d' walks over and says:

MAÎTRE D': Concerning your bill...
TODD: Um, yeah, you see-
MAÎTRE D': The pill has already been paid, monsieur.
TODD (surprised): Paid?
MAÎTRE D': A Monsieur Jarrett 'phoned earlier and he said that it was to be put on his account. That has already been done, Monsieur.

Looks of huge relief cross Todd and Melissa's faces and Todd asks Melissa if she wants some more ice-cream!

No. 24
Madge is in the kitchen. Harold stands behind her and he wraps his arms around her, nuzzles her neck and grins slyly:

HAROLD: My little Jezebel!
MADGE: Oh ho... Casanova!
HAROLD: Really?
MADGE: Oh yes - *really*!
HAROLD: Oh ho ho... at my age, too!

Henry and Bronwyn emerge from their room and Madge welcomes them back. She adds that there's some mail for them, and she points it out on the dresser. Harold says he'd better get going; get those joggers' breakfasts bouncing around the Coffee Shop! Henry smiles:

HENRY: Yes, I've been hearing all about you! Don't go slipping any of that high-protein diet to the weight-watchers!
HAROLD (blankly): What's *that* supposed to mean?
HENRY: Oh... something to do with insecticide and weed-killer!

Harold says he's sorry about that - he's already apologised to Joe. Henry assures him that all is forgiven - although he *would* like to know who's been undercutting them. With that, Harold heads out. Bronwyn hands Henry the letter from Erinsborough Community Radio. Henry opens it and reads it. After several seconds, Bronwyn asks what it says. Henry's face drops. It then brightens and he beams:

HENRY: They love the audition tape and they want to use me on the air!

Bronwyn gives him a hug of delight! Henry adds that he has to go and see Ted Morrow, the station manager, for an interview!

Back yard of No. 32
Kerry heads down the back steps and joins Joe at a table in the back yard. He says:

JOE: No joy?
KERRY: Lassiter's crèche is completely booked out.
JOE: Ah, not to worry, love. Business will pick up - you'll see.

Kerry looks at the pad in front of Joe and asks what he's doing. Joe explains that he's re-rostering their five remaining clients; they've got two days' work if they spin it out, and they'll give them a real good deal. Kerry, looking thoughtful, says there must be *someone* who can take Sky. Joe sighs that even if they find someone, if their rates are anything like Mrs. Kirkwood's, she's going to blow all her dough on childcare. Kerry comments that it's a vicious circle: she needs to work to help pay their debts, but she *can't* work because it costs too much. Joe grins:

JOE: Cheaper to stay at home! If only we could get someone to pay you for it, we'd be laughing!

Kerry exclaims suddenly:

KERRY: Joe! That's it!
JOE: What's it?
KERRY: You're brilliant! You're wonderful!
JOE: Go on! Tell me! I need the confidence!
KERRY: I'll start my *own* child-caring service, that's what I'll do.
JOE (uncertainly): Eh?
KERRY: I'll mind kids *here*. That way I can stay at home, have plenty of time with Sky and earn money.
JOE (grins): Another great idea of mine!

Kerry goes on that it'll probably be best if they start off with *one* child and see how they go. She then smiles at Joe that they make a good team!

Erinsborough High School grounds
Nick is sitting alone on a bench. Matt joins him and asks him why he's sitting there when the guys are in the quad. Nick just retorts that maybe that's *why*: because the guys are in the quad. Matt hesitates. He then asks:

MATT: What's the problem, Nick?
NICK (curtly): What's the problem? The one right at this very minute?
MATT: Yeah.
NICK: Well the problem right at this minute is a motormouth.

At that moment, Sharon joins them and Nick mutters:

NICK: Correction - *two* motormouths.

Sharon asks Nick if they can talk, but Nick just snaps at her to beat it. Sharon looks upset. She walks off. When she's gone, Matt snaps at Nick that that was pathetic; does he get off on putting people down? He then spots Mr. Muir approaching, and he joins him and asks if he can have a word - about Hilary. Mr. Muir hesitates, then tells Matt to come to his office.

No. 24

Henry is in the kitchen, practicing his patter for his new radio show on 'Radio Breadknife', the station on the cutting edge! Madge comes in through the back door, suddenly, and Henry quickly breaks off and asks what she's doing home. Madge explains that she's there for lunch - although she's also wondering how he got on with his interview. Henry grins that he's been offered a spot on a show called 'Billboard'. He adds that it's only as a casual announcer, but it's a foot on the escalator. He then tells Madge:

HENRY: Ronald Reagan started on radio!

Madge asks what exactly 'Billboard' is. Henry explains that it details community events around Erinsborough. Madge asks warily if it's *paid* work. Henry admits that it isn't exactly. Madge sighs:

MADGE: Oh Henry. You were supposed to be spending the next six months proving to Gordon Davies that you're responsible enough to be married.

Henry insists that he *is* being responsible: Ted Morrow promised that if it works out, he'll be permanent. Madge asks grimly *when* that will be. She adds that his business is in trouble; she thought he'd be busy getting *that* back on the rails - and she goes on:

MADGE: Love, I don't want to be a wet blanket, *really* I don't, but *someone's* got to say this.
HENRY (insists): Mum, it's all going to work out fine. It is. Look, things might be a bit tight for a little while, but the future looks sweet - honest! I am going to be B-I-G big! Once this golden voice hits the airwaves, there'll be no stopping me!

Madge doesn't look convinced.

No. 30
Sharon is sitting on the couch, looking upset. There's a knock on the front door and she goes to answer it. She finds Bronwyn on the step and the sisters hug happily! Sharon asks how dad and Henry are and Bronwyn smiles that they got on much better than she thought: dad even had Henry out mustering! Sharon asks distantly:

SHARON: What about *you*? Did you love being back on the farm? The smell of sheep-dip? Wheat fields after rain? Sometimes I miss it so much...
BRONWYN: It convinced me that I really do want to be a vet - which means I'm going to have to study extra hard for these exams.

Bronwyn then asks Sharon how come she's homesick - it usually means she's depressed. Sharon cries:

SHARON: Nick's dropped me just like 'that'. I don't even know what I'm supposed to have done.
BRONWYN (sympathetically): Sharon...
SHARON: I don't know what's going on - he won't tell me.
BRONWYN: Is there someone else?
SHARON: No. No, I'm sure there's not. He's just changed with *everyone*: he's mean, he's bad-tempered and aggressive. He's treating me like dirt.
BRONWYN: Well, if *that's* his attitude, maybe you're better off without him?
SHARON: I know you're right, Bronny. It still hurts, though. It really hurts.

Sharon breaks down in tears, and Bronwyn puts a comforting arm around her.

No. 26
Todd and Melissa arrive home from school and head into the kitchen, where Nick's standing looking annoyed. He tells Todd curtly that they've got gardening this afternoon; he's not doing it all by himself. Melissa says she'd better get home. Todd assures her that she doesn't have to - they've got plenty of time to do the gardening. Melissa, however, says she should. She heads out. When she's gone, Todd demands of Nick:

TODD: Why'd you have to act like such a jerk?

Nick ignores him and just retorts that he'll get the tools.

No. 30
Hilary is sitting playing the piano when there's a knock on the front door. She gets up and answers it - and finds Mr. Muir standing on the step. He holds out a bunch of flowers and tells her:

MR MUIR: A small token of esteem. I heard you weren't feeling well.

Hilary takes the flowers, looking embarrassed. She invites him in, looking wary. The two of them head into the lounge room and Hilary comments that the flowers are very nice. Mr. Muir takes an envelope out of his jacket pocket and says it should have been *with* them. Hilary opens the envelope and takes out a card, which she reads. She then comments:

HILARY: Alfred Lord Tennyson.
MR MUIR: I was very sorry to hear you'd been so distressed.
HILARY: I'd rather not talk about it.
MR MUIR: No - please. You see, I was rather sorry that it didn't occur to *me* to write such a letter. The sentiments it expressed... they happen to be *my* sentiments.

Hilary looks at Mr. Muir nervously. She then asks:

HILARY: Is this because of what I said to you at the Coffee Shop?
MR MUIR: You mean am I feeling sorry for you? No. I mean it. I do.

A hint of a smile crosses Hilary's face.

Driveway of No. 32/Ramsay Street
Joe and Kerry are unpacking Joe's ute, Joe saying as they do so that there's no talking to Henry today: all this DJ bizzo... his brain's on the airwaves already! Kerry points out that he *is* a natural. Joe, however, retorts that that doesn't matter: their business is on the skids, and it doesn't make it any easier with Henry going out and having a love affair with his tonsils!

Across the street, Todd and Nick are walking along with a wheelbarrow and other equipment. Todd spots Joe and Kerry and stops Nick nervously. Nick just asks him sourly if he's scared or something. Joe spots them suddenly and calls out in a friendly tone:

JOE: Where you two jokers off to?
TODD: Um-
NICK: We're doing some gardening for Mr. Franklin.
JOE (aghast): *Gordon* Franklin?
NICK: Yeah, that's right.

With that, Nick and Todd walk off. Joe and Kerry dash down the street after them, Joe yelling:

JOE: Hey! You're not the little mongrels stealing my business, are you?
NICK (retorts): No, we've got our *own* business. No law against that.
JOE: Look, having your own business is one thing, but sneaking behind my back is something different.

Todd says quickly that they don't want any trouble. Nick, however, tells Joe:

NICK: If you and Henry hadn't been slacking-off in the first place, none of your customers would've *given* us the business.
JOE (angrily): You cheeky little-

Kerry warns Joe to calm down, but Joe snaps that there's no way - he's going teach the kid some manners. He glares at Nick and snaps:

JOE: You're pinching the bread out of our mouths.

He lunges towards Nick, but Nick grabs a shovel out of the wheelbarrow and, holding it in front of him threateningly, snarls:

NICK: You come any closer, mate, I'll smash your face in.

Joe stops in astonishment. Todd grabs Nick, looking worried.