No. 28
Doug is snapping that they can't keep giving into the faceless corporations; it's time they stopped being terrorised and dictated to. Pam asks him curtly what he's actually suggesting. Doug declares:
DOUG: Simple. From now on, we do without electricity.
Pam asks him in astonishment if he's gone mad! Gaby asks how they're going to survive without power. Doug insists that they'll get by. Pam asks how they'll do the laundry or take hot showers. Brad, however, smiles that it sounds like fun; like camping out at home. Pam murmurs to Gaby darkly:
PAM: I'll give him 24 hours and that's it.
No. 24
Lou is ranting at Annalise about what sort of mongrel would set fire to car like that - and now they're one car down at the yard and that's not going to be good for business. Annalise points out that he's got other investments; what's the big deal? Lou says quickly that he's not so worried about the car - it's just that he had a present for her in the glovebox. Annalise asks what it was. Lou tells her that it was a beautiful watch, which he got for her 18th birthday. Annalise smiles that it's a while to her birthday - he'll have time to get her something else; and besides, they've got the wedding and honeymoon to look forward to.
Coffee Shop
Gaby is telling Cathy in frustration that Brad and her dad have gone crazy about this getting- back- to- nature thing. She heads out just as Wayne comes in; the two of them glare at, and then ignore, each other. Wayne heads to the counter and orders a coffee. Cathy remarks that he and Gaby obviously hit it off in grand style! She adds that Gaby is a lovely girl, but Wayne remarks grimly:
WAYNE: Could have fooled me.
Cathy then asks him if he's nervous about his first day at Erinsborough High. Wayne says he isn't. Cathy, however, warns him that there are a lot of little devils at the school; he should keep an eye out for Rick, her youngest...
Erinsborough High
Rick is standing at the front of the classroom, grinning that Wayne is going to be like putty in their hands! Debbie asks what they're going to do, and Rick tells her that they'll think of something. He then picks up a sheet of paper from the teacher's desk and suggests that as Wayne won't know who anyone in the class is yet, they could make up someone new and add them to the list. Debbie asks how they're going to do it. Rick grins that they can get to the library computer and print up a new list!
No. 28
Gaby is snapping at Brad that Wayne acts like he *owns* the place. Pam and Doug emerge from the bedroom area, Pam growling that she's going to have to take a cold shower. Doug smiles that it'll be invigorating! Pam retorts that she doesn't *want* to be invigorated - she wants a little bit of comfort in her old age. Brad suddenly exclaims that 'Ride the Wild Surf' is on television tonight. Doug sighs that before television was invented, they used to entertain *themselves*. Pam groans:
PAM: Oh god... he's not going to get out his ukulele, is he?!
She then asks Doug how he's going to keep his tinnies cold - he'll go up the wall if he has to drink warm beer! Doug, however, grins that he won't: he'll get the esky out and put ice in it from the Waterhole - the Bar Manager might bring it home for him if he plays his cards right! Pam asks how they'll keep the food fresh. Doug smiles that they'll buy it as they need it. He adds happily:
DOUG: Living without electricity won't easy, but it'll be fun!
No. 24
Annalise is telling Lou that they should have a really exotic honeymoon - something they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Lou says he'll remember a simple honeymoon just as well. Annalise points out that he said there would be no expense spared. She then apologises for not being able to contribute anything - but she *is* giving up her Tech course and she'll be quitting her job soon. Lou asks in surprise:
LOU: Why?
ANNALISE: Well, being Mrs. Carpenter's going to be a full- time job for me. I don't like doing things in halves, you know!
She goes on that she's been looking at houses too. Lou asks what's wrong with No. 24 and Annalise tells him that it's too small; plus a man in his position should have an upmarket address. Lou doesn't look convinced - and he makes an excuse to get away and go down to the car yard!
Erinsborough High
Rick and Debbie run into the classroom, Rick telling everyone that Mr. Duncan is coming. He places a sheet of paper on the teacher's desk. Wayne walks in and introduces himself to the class, telling them that he'll be taking them for Physics, Chemistry and Physical Education, so they'll be seeing quite a lot of him. He then suggests he find out who *they* all are, and he looks at the class list. He calls out Rick's name first and Rick puts his hand up and says that's him. Wayne then looks down and calls out the next name: Brown. No one answers. Wayne says:
WAYNE: Robert Brown. Does anyone know where he is?
DEBBIE: Um... no sir.
Wayne looks at Rick, who tells him:
RICK: I'd rather not say, sir.
WAYNE: Come on - out with it.
RICK: Well, last time I saw him he was hanging out near the lockers, looking pretty suss.
DEBBIE (chips in): He's a bit of a troublemaker, sir.
WAYNE (to Rick): What do you mean, 'suss'?
RICK: Well, maybe you should check that out for yourself.
WAYNE: Maybe I'd better. Excuse me for a minute.
With that, Wayne leaves the classroom and the students all burst out laughing, Rick grinning at Debbie that this is going to be easier than he thought!
No. 28
Pam emerges from the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel. She snaps that the water was absolutely *freezing*. Doug says he's a builder: he can make the switch to electricity- free living a totally painless experience. Gaby asks him what he's got in mind. Doug declares:
DOUG: Solar heating!
BRAD (smiles): Yeah!
DOUG: I can install it myself. Yeah... maybe I can whack up a windmill in the back yard?!
With that, he heads out to work. Pam is looking in her bank book, but curses. Gaby asks what's wrong. Pam says she was going to pay the stupid bill herself, but she hasn't got enough.
Erinsborough High
Rick is enthusing to Debbie that there is going to be no limit to what they can do with Wayne! Unfortunately for him, he isn't aware that Wayne is in the corridor and listening to Rick as he goes on:
RICK: I bet he's running around the school right now asking every kid if their name's Bobby Brown!
In the corridor, a bemused expression crosses Wayne's face.
Carpenter's Cars
Lou is replacing the current offers on cars with cards advertising slashed prices and Benito asks what's going on. Lou tells him that it's time to get serious; time to get some cold cash rolling in, and they have to create a new interest and get the buyers queuing up to hand over their money. Benito asks what's brought *this* on. Lou admits that he's been slacking off; in fact he's been a downright bludger - but from now on, his commitment is to the yard, 100%. Benito says *he's* getting the hang of this selling business - he's just taken another big cash deposit. He takes some notes out of his pocket and says he'll whack it in the bank. Lou, however, stops him and says quickly that they've got to cram the yard with cars and he's got his eye on a few vehicles that will make them a very nice profit. With that, he grabs the cash!
Erinsborough High
The students are throwing paper balls at each other. The lookout at the door suddenly calls that Wayne is coming and everyone quickly sits down. Wayne walks in and Rick asks him if he found Bobby. Wayne replies that he did. Rick, looking surprised, says:
RICK: Really?
WAYNE: Yeah. Poor lad's not well; not well at all. In fact, he's got appendicitis.
DEBBIE (confused): Appendicitis?
WAYNE: Yeah. We've rushed him off to hospital and he'll be off for a couple of weeks - so what I'd like you all to do is summarise the first five chapters of your Physics books and we'll send him the notes so he won't fall behind.
RICK (protests): But sir...
WAYNE: I think it's the *least* you can do, don't you? So you can all start tonight - one hour a day for the rest of the week ought to do it.
As the students open their books, Wayne walks over to Rick's desk and remarks that it's a funny coincidence about his name: Bobby Brown's a rap singer. He adds that everyone knows his music - and *his* favourite is 'Two Can Play That Game'; he never gets tired of it...
Office of Carpenter's Cars
Lou is telling Annalise that he hasn't got much more to do there, then he'll come home. Annalise says:
ANNALISE: I just wanted to come and tell you that you're the sweetest, most generous guy I've ever met. It's true: you gave me this beautiful ring... I haven't bought a *thing* for you, yet.
Benito comes in as Annalise says she'd like to buy Lou something really special... but she's a little bit short at the moment, so she was wondering if he could... Lou takes his wallet out of his pocket and, hiding it from Benito, hands Annalise some of the cash Benito took earlier as a deposit on one of the cars. Annalise takes it and walks off, leaving Benito to remark to Lou that he doesn't know what Annalise sees in him! He then says he needs to look through the books and he asks where they are. Lou says they're at home: he thought he'd give them the once- over. Benito points out that accountancy is *his* domain. Lou says he'll bring the books back tomorrow, then Benito can look over them to his heart's content. He looks worried, though.
No. 28
The house is lit by candles. Doug comes in and grins that the place looks wonderful - who says they need electricity?! He then asks what's for dinner and Pam shrugs that it's sandwiches, she supposes; how is she supposed to cook without power? Doug points out that they have a gas stove - it doesn't need electricity! Pam points out that she needs to see what she's doing. Doug insists that there's enough light - and she's just been too reliant on modern technology. He then sighs that if it's up to him cook, *he'll* cook; give him twenty minutes and he'll whip up a meal - pancakes. Brad, however, snaps suddenly:
BRAD: That does it! Look, I can handle cold showers and no telly and even no lights, but if we have to survive on dad's pancakes, that is where I draw the line!
With that, he heads out.
No. 24
Annalise shows off a new frilly outfit to Lou, who smiles that she's absolutely, breathtakingly gorgeous. Annalise smiles back that that's great - because it's her present to him: as soon as she saw it, she knew he'd love her in it. Lou says he wishes he had time to sit there and watch her wear it, but he has to see his accountant mate: he needs some help with the books and his mate is very 'creative'. Annalise asks him what time he'll be back, but Lou says he's afraid he thinks it'll be an all- night session. He kisses Annalise goodbye and heads out. As soon as he's gone, Annalise goes to the 'phone and dials a number. When the call is answered, she says:
ANNALISE: Hi, it's me. ... Yeah, he's just gone. I've got the house to myself, so why don't you come over? ... OK, I'll be waiting. Bye!
She hangs up, looking pleased with herself.
Coffee Shop
Lou walks into the Coffee Shop. Doug is in there and Cathy's in the kitchen. Lou asks her if she's got any quiches, but Cathy tells him that Doug's got the last one - although tomorrow's batch is in the oven; if they're cooked, he can have one of those. Doug asks Lou if Annalise isn't good in the kitchen. Lou, though, explains that he's at a mate's place, working on some finances, and they got a bit peckish. Doug asks if there's trouble. Lou tells Doug quietly that it's the car yard - he doesn't want Cathy to overhear. Doug then changes the subject and offers his congratulations on Lou's engagement, adding that he can't wait to meet Annalise. Lou smiles that she's pretty demanding, but she's worth it. A look of annoyance suddenly crosses his face and he mutters that he's left the stock sheets at home; he'll have to go back for them.
No. 26
Brad has turned up at No. 26 and he tells Wayne that he was hoping he could borrow something, as they're neighbours. Wayne asks if he needs a cup of sugar. Brad replies:
BRAD: Oh no, no, we've got all the sugar we need - but I *could* use some electricity.
Wayne gives him a bemused look!
No. 28
A short time later, Brad is uncurling a long extension cord. He heads into his room and a few second later turns his stereo on loudly! Doug arrives home with quiche. Gaby complains to him that it isn't fair: Brad's got electricity and they haven't. Pam adds angrily that they can't go on like this. Doug declares suddenly:
DOUG: I've got it - no worries, hun; it's the answer to all our problems.
He goes on that he doesn't know he didn't think of it before: they'll get a generator. Pam groans and buries her head in her hands!
No. 24
Lou bursts into No. 24 and calls:
LOU: Honey - I'm back!
Annalise is on the couch with Cliff, and the two of them stand up, looking taken aback. Lou stares at them in astonishment.