Number 26
Philip, Julie, Helen and Michael are in the kitchen. Julie and Philip are arguing about Michael having to leave; Philip lists the reasons why Michael needs to leave and says that they'd all agreed and he's puzzled as to why he's being made out to be the bad guy.
Helen agrees with Philip and says that it will be beneficial for both Danni and Michael. Philip tries to talk about Michael's education, but Julie interrupts, arguing that Michael leaving is just Cheryl getting her own way.
JULIE: The woman wins the lottery and she thinks she can do what she likes! ...and it seems she can the way you cave in every time!
Philip and Julie end up in a stand up argument over it.
JULIE: If Cheryl wants to keep Danni away from Michael, good! But that's her problem! As far as I'm concerned, Michael doesn't have to go anywhere.
Helen jumps in, saying she doesn't want Michael to leave either. Julie carries on triumphantly, declaring that she's happy for Michael to work full time at the newsagency, as she's happy to give him a second chance. Philip supposes that she means that *he's* not willing to give Michael a second chance.
JULIE: ...well, you're the one trying to get him to leave.
PHILIP: I'm trying to do what's best for him! What's best for everyone, but especially Michael!
MICHAEL: ...do I get a say in this?
Michael steps forward, after having watched the scene around him, and sarcastically points out that nobody has bothered to ask him what he wants to do. Philip and Julie both concede the point but Michael says that there's no point because nobody ever listens. Michael brings up Philip's suggestion of the army and how ludicrous it is. Philip is defensive as he explains his justification, but Julie just looks incredulous.
Michael stalks off, shooting daggers at all three of them, telling them that he's going to be the one who decides what he's going to do with his life.
Number 28
Gaby is hunting through a drawer and muttering about Doug. When he arrives home, she's about to bawl him out but then she spots that he's on crutches - the cement truck ran over his foot and broke his toe! As Doug settles in to rant about those responsible, Gaby brings up the topic of his illegal beer being at the Waterhole.
Gaby is not impressed, telling him that they could've lost their licence. Doug winces and tries to make a quick exit, whilst saying that nobody found out.
GABY: Think yourself lucky they didn't, else I would personally break all of your toes!
Number 30
Dave is cooking for the Coffee Shop, and Rick makes a sarcastic comment about checking with Annalise first because he's just a bloke and men don't know anything. He and Mark rant about how men were only put on the planet for women to kick around! Dave seems unimpressed, but Rick continues about how Gaby ripped into him earlier when he was only trying to use his initiative, and Mark joins in gleefully - although Dave points out that what Rick was doing was illegal!
MARK: But Dad, that's not the point - you give women a bit of power these days, there's no stopping them. You've seen Annalise!
DAVE: Annalise? Yeah! Great girl! You're lucky to have her.
MARK: I thought so too, but now I'm not too sure.
DAVE: Unbelievable, the pair of you.
Mark and Rick continue grumbling about women and how the men need to look after each other.
Lassiter's Manager's Office
Gaby is laying into Rick in front of Annalise, berating him for being a trainee who was angling for the bar manager's position. Annalise points out that it wasn't loyal of him, given that he knew she was taking over.
GABY: I'm beginning to wonder if we should even keep you on at all.
Gaby says that the only thing that saved him is that he's the 'face of Lassiter's' - but even that won't save him next time! Rick says there won't be a next time. Gaby tells him that Annalise is the bar manager and she's been told to keep a very close eye on him - and when Annalise clicks, Rick should jump! Rick does not look happy at all!
Number 26
Philip can't believe that Julie offered Michael a full time position at the newsagency. Julie says she was just trying to show faith in him. Philip says that they'd agreed that Michael's first priority was to finish his education.
JULIE: How could we agree on anything when you didn't even discuss it with me?
PHILIP: I DID!
Julie says that Philip has already mapped out Michael's future.
PHILIP: Well, he is *my* son, Julie!
JULIE: Oh. And I'm not really his mother, is that what you're trying to say?
Philip protests and says that they need to have united front, so if she has any ideas she should be discussing them with Philip first. Julie points out that he didn't show her the same courtesy with his army idea. Philip looks a little abashed, especially when Helen agrees - and Philip admits that Cheryl came up with the idea.
JULIE: Cheryl! What is it with that woman?! I'm surprised she didn't convince you to pack him off to the Foreign Legion!
Philip is annoyed about Julie and Cheryl constantly fighting and storms out for his appointment with Gaby.
Julie is furious and Helen tells her there's no point in brooding about it. Julie says she likes to brood! She then immediately tells Helen that she's right, and rips off her apron and puts on her coat. Helen tries to stop her but to no avail.
JULIE: She might think she can manipulate Philip but I'm not going to sit around and let her walk all over me!
The Coffee Shop
Mark is serving Rick, and Rick is moaning about Annalise and Gaby. Doug hobbles in on his crutches and Rick starts to blame him, before recognising that he's injured. Doug pretends that Gaby is the perpetrator and Rick is immediately concerned.
RICK: You're not serious? What's she going to do to me?!
They wind Rick up for a moment or two before revealing that a cement truck ran over his foot. Rick asks what happened with Gaby and Doug says that being injured seemed to derail her, and he thinks about keeping some of the plaster for when he's next in Pam's bad books! Mark tells him to quit whilst he's ahead.
Number 24
Cheryl, Lou, Brett and Julie are in the living room, and Julie is ranting about how Cheryl is dictating their lives, and although Philip might be easily persuaded, she isn't.
CHERYL: Julie, what exactly is your problem?
Julie tells her that she doesn't have the right to decide Michael's future, and she should keep her nose out of their affairs.
JULIE: Do us all a favour and take your opinions and stick them where they fit!
Cheryl explodes at this, ranting back at Julie about her storming into her home and yelling abuse at Cheryl in front of her family.
CHERYL: And why? Oh, because of your own inadequacies as a parent!
JULIE: My what? What did you say?
LOU: Now come on, this is not getting us anywhere!
JULIE: You take that back, Cheryl!
CHERYL: If the cap fits, Jules!
Julie explodes and Lou drags her away, propelling her out of the door.
Number 24 - Outside
Lou bustles Julie down the steps as Julie tries to get him to let go, but he won't let her go back and insult Cheryl further. Lou tells her that if she's got a grievance there are other ways of handling it - and as Julie and Lou are arguing, Dave comes into view, and he's performing some meditation moves on the front lawn to 30.
JULIE: Lou, let go of me, I'm not some criminal!
Julie spots Dave and is massively embarrassed.
JULIE: I'll never forgive you for this, what will he think of me?
LOU: (loudly, waving) MORNING, DAVE!
Lou says that Dave will think that Julie's a complete loony who has bitten off more than she can chew - and he'd be right!
Number 24
Cheryl is ranting about Julie. Brett tries to calm her down, conceding that Julie was over the top, but that all of this aggravation can't be good for the baby.
CHERYL: How come you get to be right all of the time? Anyway, I think this baby would want me to stand up to Julie Martin!
The two laugh.
Number 28
Michael is helping Doug out by carrying in his tools. They have a heart to heart chat, with Michael telling Doug about the army and Danni. Michael says that he's got to leave Erinsborough which wouldn't be so bad if he had something to look forward to. Doug asks what sort of thing he wants to do, and he talks about an apprentice he had through the Brosnon Centre - based around a camel ranch in South Australia - which supports ex- offenders.
Michael isn't impressed at this, but Doug extols the virtues of it, explaining that he can do his exams at the local school and learn a trade at the same time. Michael looks pleased and says he'll look into it.
Lassiter's Manager's Office
Gaby and Philip are chatting happily about the applicants for her maternity leave cover. Philip was surprised that she's not beating the applicants off with a stick, but she can't find anyone suitable because they're all over qualified, under qualified or not keen on long hours.
GABY: So what I was wondering was...
PHILIP: Could I recommend someone?
GABY: Well, I was hoping you might go one better.
PHILIP: (puzzled, then shocked) ...ME?!
Gaby reminds him that he did promise he'd pitch in if they were ever in a tight spot. Gaby admits that it's not great timing, but Gaby pleads - and Philip says that he'll let her know; he needs to talk to Julie first. Gaby tells him that she's really appreciative, and he makes a mock throttling action with his hands!
Helen enters as Philip leaves. He asks if Julie's still on her high horse, and Helen says he wouldn't want to know!
Helen asks if Gaby's had chance to consider the Artist's Tour proposals. Gaby has but wants to broaden the scope from just being outback tours to being local tours as well - day trips and weekends. Gaby says that Helen shouldn't worry, she'd have input - and she could even be an artist in residence from time to time. Helen looks stunned. Gaby says that she should mull it over and get back to her as soon as possible.
The Waterhole
Annalise asks Rick how it's going, as she wants everything to be perfect - and she muses that she could be the best bar manager in Erinsborough! Annalise spots a messy table and takes Rick to task over it, telling him that two people with four glasses means that he didn't clear up after their first round.
ANNALISE: Y'know, you were a lot more thorough when you were trying to steal this job from me! I'm not going to let you slack off.
Rick cleans the table whilst Annalise inspects the bar. She finds several dirty glasses and is very unhappy, telling him to clean them.
ANNALISE: Rick, I thought you wanted this job.
RICK: (under his breath) Yeah, so did I(!)
ANNALISE: What was that?
RICK: Ummm. ...I- I- I do. I do want this job. I love it. I love... You?
Number 26 - Outside
Helen and Brett are doing qi gong.
Brett points out that Helen hasn't signed anything with Gaby, so she could take the idea elsewhere. Helen says she was thinking of asking Rosemary because if she funded them, Helen might retain some sort of control.
Dave approaches and says he spotted them doing qi gong and asks to join in - but Helen takes a bit of a turn, talking about side- effects. Dave asks what they're for and Brett says it's the medication she's taking for her glaucoma. Dave says he has a herbal remedy for it that'll fix Helen up in no time - and she says she'll try anything!
The Coffee Shop
Doug is raving about the chutney and Mark says that they've had lots of enquiries about it being sold. Doug asks if Mark could cater for a special meal for him and Pam - something like a candlelit dinner for their anniversary. Mark suggests breakfast in bed - champagne and lobster - and Doug agrees.
MARK: I've got to hand it to you, Dougie, you're the last of the great romantics, mate!
Number 30
Brett is visiting Dave to get the herbs but Dave offers him some seeds instead. Brett is baffled, thinking it'll take ages for them to grow and wants to buy some from somewhere else. Dave flusters and then offers some of his own! He says to take it as a tea, and it'll calm her down.
BRETT: What's it called?
DAVE: Well, it goes by a few names.
Dave sidesteps the question and tells Brett that after a few cups, Helen will be back to her old self.
The Coffee Shop
Annalise is making a shopping list whilst Mark works around her - and when he asks what it's for, she says it's for Doug. They have an argument about whether Doug was asking for the Coffee Shop's services or Mark's services, and Annalise points out that Mark's her employee. He protests that he's her boyfriend, which she says is irrelevant!
MARK: When I called you Little Hitler, I was being too kind to you!
ANNALISE: You called me what?
Annalise remarks that Mark likes strong women, and that's why he likes her!
Number 24
Michael is telling Brett all about the Brosnon Centre and is showing him a brochure. He's raving about getting away from it all - up until Brett jokingly mentions that Danni will be miles away too, and Michael looks contemplative.
Number 24 - Outside
Cheryl is watering the garden with a hose, and Julie approaches her.
JULIE: Cheryl? Things seemed to get a little out of hand this morning, didn't they?
CHERYL: Philip told you to come over and apologise, did he?
Julie says they should leave the men out of it, but Cheryl remarks that she was glad Lou was home to hear Julie yelling abuse and lies at her. Julie looks uncomfortable and says that there was no need for him to act the way he did. Cheryl says she gave him great cause and she'd heard all she needed to at that point - and as she turns, she sprays the hose across Julie's feet and legs.
JULIE: Cheryl! Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to hear more, because I haven't even started on your failings as a parent.
CHERYL: What's that supposed to mean?
JULIE: If you want to pack your kids off to the defence forces to learn a little discipline, then that's fine, but leave my kids out of it!
Cheryl is outraged at Julie - of all people - questioning her abilities as a parent, and Julie tells her that if she had any integrity, she'd question them herself!
CHERYL: All right, Julie - if it's war you want, you've got it!
She sprays Julie with the hose again! Julie is fuming.
The Coffee Shop
Lou is talking to Dave whilst having a coffee.
LOU: Believe me, Dave, I'm not a violent man - but if you knew Julie Martin, you'd understand.
Annalise asks what happened and Dave says that Lou got Julie in a headlock and dragged her kicking and screaming back to her house! Annalise sounds entertained.
MARK: Why?
LOU: Because she was just being Julie.
Lou compliments Mark's coffee and after he leaves, Mark asks Annalise if she's going to take credit for the coffee too!
DAVE: What's wrong with this neighbourhood? All these bad vibes. What's wrong with you two?
Mark tells him about Doug and Annalise muscling in to take the credit. Annalise feels that Mark is trying to cut her out - it's her establishment and her employee. Dave tells them both off, saying that if they're in love, it shouldn't matter who gets the credit.
Ramsay Street
Julie is walking away, saying there's no point in continuing the conversation as Cheryl wouldn't know the truth if it jumped up and bit her. Cheryl follows her, shouting the odds about Julie's own failings as a parent - she brings up Debbie being thrown out of the Waterhole, and Julie turns and counters with Darren being thrown out of every institution he's ever been in.
Cheryl brings up the topic of Paul, saying that he ripped off the family business and put the blame on Philip. Julie has stormed into her car whilst Cheryl rants, and Cheryl leans in through the window asking Julie what she'd have done without Cheryl then.
CHERYL: I saved Lassiter's for you while your precious family was falling apart.
JULIE: I'm not going to listen to another word of this! If you don't get off my property, I don't know what I'll do!
CHERYL: You'll what, Julie? You don't like it when the shoe's on the other foot, do you?
Julie has started the car. Cheryl stalks away. Julie pulls down the visor and a spider drops out - and Julie screams, slamming her foot on the accelerator. The car lurches backwards just as Cheryl is behind it, and it knocks her heavily to the ground.
Michael appears and rushes over to help but Cheryl seems to be unresponsive on the ground.