The Hungry Bite (Coffee Shop)
Wayne comes into the coffee shop and shuts the door behind him wearily. Stephen is working behind the counter. He's a little surprised to see Wayne: he thought he'd be at the races with Gaby. Wayne explains that he couldn't get the time off, and then asks for his usual. Stephen teases Wayne by saying that Gaby was so excited about the fashion competition he thought she'd have Wayne escorting her in his sunday-best. Wayne plays along but he looks mightily bored with the subject of Gaby. Phoebe hurries out of the kitchen and joins Stephen behind the counter. Wayne enquires why she's still working there. She was only supposed to be doing it for a week. Phoebe cheerily tells him that she was so good she's staying on longer. Wayne takes his food and leaves.

STEPHEN: So why didn't you tell him?
PHOEBE: (pretending she doesn't know what he means) Tell him what?
STEPHEN: About our new arrangement. About 'you here and me at home.'
PHOEBE: (playing coy) Well, maybe I thought he wouldn't be interested.
STEPHEN: (disappointed) You haven't told anyone, have you?
PHOEBE: Well ...
STEPHEN: Why not, for Pete's sake?!
PHOEBE: (shamefaced) I don't know.
STEPHEN: You think they're all gonna say you're a bad mum, don't you? Look, Feeb, these days there are heaps of guys who stay at home while the women go out and work. Besides - how we run our family is our business

He goes back to the counter. Phoebe looks unconvinced.

Racecourse - Fashion Show
'Fashions on the Field' is in full swing. As the next contestant walks up to the stage, Gaby makes a bitchy comment to Annalise about her racy outfit. Pam is amongst the spectators. She is joined by Raymond and Doug.

PAM: Placed your bets?
RAYMOND: Yeah! All we need now is for Chukky to win!
DOUG: (guiltily) Yeah!

Doug wants to go for a drink but Pam and Raymond talk him into staying to watch the show.

COMPERE: Our final entrant ... the charming Jenny Lim.

As Jenny takes the stage, Raymond looks on in shock. Doug takes his chance to sneak off.

RAYMOND: Jenny! What does she think she's doing?!
PAM: Strutting her stuff, Raymond! And doesn't she look great?

Raymond's getting into the spirit now. He smiles and waves at Jenny.

Racecourse - Betting Station
Brad runs into Doug and tells him, bitterly, that the birthday jinx has struck again: Chukka Mental is injured and might have to withdraw from the race. Doug, regretting his foolhardy bet, struggles to hide his delight but Brad doesn't pick up on it. Doug decides to have a look at the horse for himself and they start off for the stables.

Stable
A vet examines Chukky's leg while Lou and Lauren anxiously look on. The vet explains that when Chukky got startled he overreached himself and banged his foot, but there's no permanent injury. As the vet leaves, Doug hurries up to Lou, Lauren and Chukky.

DOUG: (agitated) How is he? Can he race?
LOU: (to Lauren) What do you think?
LAUREN: Well, if the vet thinks he's alright?
LOU: Right. That's good enough for me.
DOUG: Hang on! Are you sure? As a syndicate member, I don't think we should take any risks!
LOU: Mate - that's what the racing games all about! I thought you were a betting man?
DOUG: Not on a horse with a gammy leg!
LOU: His leg's fine!
DOUG: I think we should take a vote on it.
LOU: We just did: Lauren and me: and he's running!

Doug realizes he's beaten and walks away.

The Hungry Bite (Coffee Shop)
Phoebe is showing Stephen which of her library books to return and which to renew. She confesses that their might be a fine. Stephen is annoyed, but holds his tongue. Beth comes into the coffee shop and reluctantly approaches the counter. She tells them that the rent will be late: she won't get paid until Doug comes back from the races. Stephen and Phoebe tell her not to worry about it. Beth's on her way home so Stephen proposes that they leave together. He's taking Hope with him and Beth makes a joke about him being on nappy duty.

PHOEBE (avoiding Beth's gaze) Yeah, that's right.

Stephen encourages Phoebe to tell Beth the whole story about their job swap. Beth is all for it and cheekily suggests that Stephen will be cooking up a storm for the working girls. Stephen isn't sure about that and suddenly doesn't look as enthusiastic. He kisses Phoebe and leaves with Beth.

Fashion Show
It's the moment we've all been waiting for - the judges' final decision.

COMPERE: And the winner is ... Mrs. Jenny Lim.

Raymond and Pam rush over to congratulate Jenny. Annalise and Gaby graciously accept defeat, but Gaby can't keep her claws out of Annalise, sarcastically pointing out the judges chose someone who was fully dressed. Pam tries to rein Gaby in but she won't relent. Raymond breaks it up by reminding them that the race is just about to start. They all hurry off.

Trackside
Doug, Lou, Lauren and Brad are already in their seats. Doug is a nervous wreck, rolling and unrolling his race programme. Lou tells him to stop worrying: Chukky's fit as a fiddle. Lauren announces that the odds on Chukky are shortening: people are betting on him. Pam and the rest arrive and take their seats. Lou borrows Raymond's binoculars. Everyone is agog with anticipation of the race.

PAM: See, Dougie ... what did I tell you? You don't have to place a big bet: you get just as excited with a little one!

Doug painfully forces a grin. Lou spots that the red light's on. The race is about to begin.

And they're off! Chukka Mental takes an early lead. Everyone one's on their feet, cheering him on; Lauren is beaming with pride; Doug is urging Chukky to win through gritted teeth. As the horses come round the bend, Chukky is still in the lead but the others are gaining - at the last furlong, two other horses have pulled level with Chukky - the finishing post is in sight ... and it's too close to be sure! Doug prays that he's won.

ANNOUNCER: Yes, the winner is 'Sez You', followed by Fool's Gold ...
LOU: Third! Third! Yes!!
ANNOUNCER: ... third is Chukka Mental.

Doug sinks into his seat. Everyone else is jumping for joy. Raymond jubilantly announces that the champagne's on him. They all head off to celebrate, no one noticing that Doug doesn't follow. He just sits there looking like someone's kicked him in the guts.

No. 30 - Lounge
Lisa sits on the couch with Daniel on her lap. Stephen comes into the room with tea and cakes.

LISA: I usually pop in and see Phoebe after dropping Tara off at playgroup. I didn't know you had this arrangement going on a permanent basis.
STEPHEN: (wryly) Well, you'll just have to have tea with me instead; besides, I deserve a break after all that ironing.
LISA: I know exactly how you feel.

Stephen explains that he doesn't mind the work - it's just taken him a while to get into the swing of things. He complains that Hope's demanding more and more of his attention but Phoebe would go crazy if he didn't get the housework done as well. Lisa (playing Stephen like a fiddle) commiserates with him over their status as put-upon stay-at-home 'mums'. She observes that Phoebe "likes being Boss Lady."

STEPHEN: You know what she made me do this morning?
LISA: What?
STEPHEN: Take her library books back.
LISA: There you go. What did I tell you? You've got to put your foot down!
STEPHEN: (thoughtfully) Yeah - you're right. I will.

No. 28
Pam, Doug and Brad arrive at home. Brad is reveling in his win - 200 dollars. He asks when Chukky's running again but Pam cautions him that sometimes you lose; he should ask his father. She asks Doug exactly how he fared. He avoids giving her a straight answer but eventually confesses that he's "a bit down." Neither Pam nor Brad notices the bitter look on Doug's face. Someone knocks on the door and Doug answers it. Beth has come to get her wages. Doug comes up with a quick excuse: he hasn't had time to make up the pay packets. Is it alright if he brings it round later?
Pam intervenes, telling Doug to just give her the cash. But Doug protests that it has to be done properly - with a pay slip. Beth tells him she needs the money for her rent. He assures her that she'll get it today. Exit Beth, leaving Doug looking like a hunted man. He takes a seat next to Brad on the couch and whispers a request for a loan. He confesses that the money he picked up this morning is all gone: he bet it on Chukka Mental to win. Now he needs cash to pay Beth. Brad is so astonished, his usual tact and delicacy desert him.

BRAD: 5000 bucks?!! Mum is gonna spit it when she finds out! She is gonna kill you!
DOUG: Yeah, not if she doesn't find out. Now come on - give me a break.

The Waterhole
Annalise serves a bottle of bubbly to the rest of the race-goers, minus Jenny. Wayne saunters over from the end of the bar, where he's been enjoying a beer, and announces that the bubbly's on him. Lou thanks him and says that he should have been there. Gaby looks at Wayne sheepishly then looks away. He just gives her the faintest glance. Lauren asks Lou how much he won. "350 smackeroos!" he replies. Gaby goes over to Wayne at the bar and tells him he would have enjoyed the races. She shyly suggests that that they go together some other time. He agrees. She looks cautiously hopeful.

The Hungry Bite (Coffee Shop)
Lisa and Daniel have dropped in to see Phoebe. Lisa tells her that she already called for her at home and saw Stephen. She describes, with a note of pity in her voice, how busy he was with his housework. She congratulates Phoebe on finding such a helpful man, and slyly warns her that she should watch out for lonely, bored single mums if she wants to keep hold of him. She'd love a man like that. Daniel starts to cry and Lisa takes this as her cue to leave. She exits the coffee shop just as Beth enters. Phoebe glares after her.

No. 28 - Lounge
Doug's on the phone to his foreman, trying to explain that the men's wages aren't ready because he couldn't get to bank on time. He apologizes and promises it won't happen again. He tells the foreman to tell the men they'll get paid first thing in the morning ... with a small bonus for their trouble. Pam comes out of the (open) door of the master bedroom. Now that she has emerged from behind the mystical blanket of silence that prevents soap characters from hearing what is being said loudly in the next room, Doug has to wind up the conversation. He tells the foreman he'll sort IT out first thing in the morning. Pam asks him if there's a problem so he makes up a story about insufficient supplies. He decides that he's going down there right now, and he's out the door before Pam can protest.

The Hungry Bite (Coffee Shop)
Brad's holding two 50 dollar notes in front of Beth.

BETH: (surprised) A hundred dollars?!
BRAD: Yeah ... Dad was having a bit of trouble getting the wages organized, so I thought you might need it.
BETH: But I can't take YOUR money.
BRAD: Sure you can! I won it at the races; besides, it's on loan anyway. You can pay me back tomorrow when Dad's been to the bank.

Beth reluctantly takes the money, thanking Brad and explaining that she's promised the rent to Stephen and Phoebe. Brad invites her to a celebration at the Water Hole. "Maybe later" she says - right now she has to do something. As Brad gets up to leave she calls him back. She thanks him again, wishes him a happy birthday and kisses him on the cheek. He gives her a wink and leaves.

The Waterhole
Doug sits at the bar with a look of gnawing anxiety on his face. He's immune to the jollity of the celebration that's in full swing behind him. Stephen has now joined the party, and Lou is teasing him about being "up to his arms in soap suds all day." Raymond opines that a man should be the bread winner, prompting Wayne to tell Stephen to "leave the babies to the winner." The women are gasping in semi-serious disapproval and Lou is egging Wayne on when Phoebe arrives. She asks Stephen where Hope is, and he tells her she's with Helen. While Lauren goes to the bar to get Phoebe a drink, the teasing continues. Lou invites Phoebe to join the "Breadwinners", and Wayne compliments her on tricking Stephen into dealing with the dirty nappies. Stephen's starting to look a little less amused.

Lauren joins Doug at the bar. She asks him why he's not celebrating, and points out that the syndicate has already made back nearly a quarter of its investment in Chukky. Lou steps over and tells Doug to join the party; and seeing as he's one of the lucky owners, he can buy the drinks! Lou rejoins the party and Lauren goes to get Phoebe's drink. Doug just bitterly shakes his head at this heaping of insult onto injury.

The Waterhole - Later
Phoebe's ready to go but Stephen tries to talk her into one more drink. She complains that she wants to collect Hope, and her feet are hurting after working all day.

STEPHEN: Well you wanted to run the shop.
PHOEBE: (embarrassed) Yes - I KNOW.

As they're leaving, Brad comes in. Stephen excuses himself to Brad with a sarcastic comment about Phoebe having "a tough day at the office." Brad greets everyone, then joins Annalise behind the bar. She tells him that they've been busy, then asks him if he can smell gas.

BRAD: Gas? No, why?
ANNALISE: Oh, I just thought I smelled it before. It seems worse now.
BRAD: Well what did maintenance say?
ANNALISE: (guiltily) I haven't told them.
BRAD: Well you should have done; straight away. Go and see Gabby now.
ANNALISE: Okay.

[He leaves the bar. She goes to dry some glasses]

BRAD: NOW!
ANNALISE: Keep your shirt on!

Just as Annalise is about to follow Brad's order, Wayne appears at the bar and orders two beers and a glass of wine. Annalise hesitates but takes the order.

Meanwhile, Doug and Raymond have been discussing Chukka Mental at a table apart from the others. Raymond says that after today's performance, he wishes he had a stake in the syndicate. Doug sees his opportunity and does a bit of salesman patter on Raymond. For reasons he'd rather not discuss, he'd be willing to sell his share to Raymond - the price: 5000 dollars. Raymond nods thoughtfully.

No. 30 - Lounge
Phoebe comes into the lounge and joins Stephen on the couch. Hope's asleep at last. Phoebe suggests a cup of tea. Stephen says he'd love one. Phoebe meant for HIM to make HER a cup of tea. Stephen protests, half-jokingly, that he's been working hard too, including taking her library books back. Phoebe reminds him that he had time to make a cup of tea for Lisa. Stephen's still treating the conversation as humorous banter, and asks Phoebe if she's begrudging him an afternoon tea break. Phoebe tells him that she doesn't think Lisa should come round so often now that she's not at home. Stephen laughingly asks her to explain what difference that makes. Phoebe's had enough and tries to storm off but Stephen insists he wants to talk about Lisa. Phoebe changes the subject by demanding to know where her coat is. Stephen protests that it's his job to tidy things away. Phoebe is just about to scold him when she remembers that she left it at the pub. Stephen playing the martyr, insists on going to retrieve it and sarcastically tells her to put her feet up. Exit Stephen.

The Waterhole
Gaby tells Annalise that she's going to the office now, and asks her to bring the takings over when she's finished. Annalise is only half-listening. Gaby impatiently repeats the request. After the abuse that Gaby heaped on her at the fashion show, Annalise is ready for some payback. She tells Gaby that one of the judges asked her out. Gaby asks if he's "kinky" and "into lingerie."

"Don't mind if he is!" replies Annalise, tartly. As Gaby is about to leave, Annalise remembers about the gas leak and tries to tell her. But Gaby thinks it's going to be another salvo in the verbal cat-fight, and she refuses to let Annalise speak.

GABY: You might find prancing about like a stripper terribly amusing, but I'm afraid I found your behaviour just plain embarrassing.
ANNALISE: Alright! Just forget it!

Gaby departs and Beth enters, with a gift for Brad. Brad thanks her with a kiss on the cheek. Lauren squeezes behind them on her way back to the table and glances jealously at Beth. Meanwhile, Doug and Raymond are concluding their deal. Raymond has agreed to 5000 dollars and promises to give Doug the money in the morning. Raymond leaves the party, accompanied by Lauren. A relieved Doug accepts a drink from Lou, who compliments him on his newly high spirits. Doug, slightly drunk by now, jubilantly explains that he's got a new lease in life.

No. 28 - Kitchen / Lounge
Pam's had a long day. "At LAST" she sighs as she finishes making a hot drink and prepares to relax. On the way to the bedroom she drags Doug's jacket off the couch. Betting slips spill out of the pocket and on to the floor. She returns them to the jacket pocket and puts the jacket back where she found it. Grim-faced, she sits on the other couch and glares at the jacket, waiting.

The Waterhole
Brad and Annalise are behind the bar. Annalise complains that she can still smell gas. She thinks it's coming from the plant room. Brad asks if Gaby told maintenance, and Annalise confesses that she "didn't get a chance to tell her." Brad is annoyed with her, but decides to go and check it out himself. Stephen comes in. Lou jokes that he's escaped from custody, but now it's his round!

DOUG: Mine's a double!

Doug and Lou are having a merry old time, but Annalise tells the party she wants them all out by the time she gets back. Annalise leaves the pub by the front door. Stephen explains why he came back. Beth tells him that Brad will know where Phoebe's coat is. She goes to the plant room to ask Brad about it. Lou tells Stephen to join them - the night's still young.

DOUG: Mine's a double!

The Waterhole - Plant Room
Brad is in a room full of heavy machinery. He cautiously examines one of the machines. Beth comes in and asks him about Phoebe's coat. He tells her it's probably under the bar. Beth notices the smell of gas and asks if it's a leak. Brad can't see tell where it's coming from. He decides to leave it to the experts. They leave the room and he shuts the door behind them.

Outside Lassiter's Office
Gaby, accompanied by Annalise, locks the office door, having finished storing the takings from the pub. They walk from the office, in the direction of the Waterhole

GABY: You going back to the bar?
ANNALISE: Yes, I have to finish the glasses.
GABY: Just make sure Dad and Lou go home, will you; I know those two - they'll stay all night if we let them. And I DON'T want to lose the license!
ANNALISE: It's okay, I've already told them to clear off!

The girls are just a few yards away from the Water Hole entrance. With no warning, an enormous fireball rips out of the pub roof. Gaby and Annalise dive for cover. Explosions obliterate the front of the pub, glass and wood hurtling through the air. Flaming fragments fall from the night sky.