Lassiter's Park
Finn is exercising at the outdoor gym area. Elly jogs into scene but sees him, and turns around again. However, he notices her and stops her to invite her to the Bonza Barbie this afternoon, or dinner this evening. Elly brushes him off, saying she's just going to have a quiet day.

FINN: Please tell me you're not upset about this job business.
ELLY: Finn -
FINN: I've done nothing wrong. I don't want it to come between us.
ELLY: Like I said, I just want to take things slowly.
FINN: Fair enough. As long as we're good, yeah?
ELLY: Yeah. We're good. Have a great workout.

No 28
Toadie is querying the necessity of Ben's research into carburettors, given the advances of fuel injection technology. Ben's loving the apprenticeship; there's more theory involved than he thought, but it's "way better than school".

SUSAN: Oh, I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

Susan says she's pleased to see Ben applying himself, even if she did wish he'd finished his VCE first. Elly comes in with Toadie's post, having just seen Sonya; she's also asked Elly to give Toadie a mail redirection form. Toadie seethes silently, and Susan tries to give him some chores to keep him busy. But he says he has to go into the office, despite it being Saturday.

As Susan reassigns said chores to Elly, Toadie opens one of the envelopes, and seems upset by its contents.

Erinsborough Backpackers
Tyler is leaving to go and catch up with Aaron - just as Xanthe comes to catch up with Piper, despite technically being banned from the backpackers'.

XANTHE: What's it like going out with an older guy?
PIPER: You know that age is just a number to us.
XANTHE: Yeah, I know. But it must make some things different.
PIPER: Only to other people. Why? Why the sudden interest?

Xanthe goes quiet, just as T-Bone starts playing loud music from inside. Piper goes in and tells him to turn it down. T-Bone is keen for her to come and hang with them, but she's too busy writing her essay on political powers in the Asia-Pacific region. T-Bone declares his expertise in this area, and Piper promises she'll come to him if she gets stuck.

T-BONE: You can come to me for anything!
XANTHE: Pretty sure her boyfriend wouldn't approve of that!
T-BONE: Who? Dopey? That's if he can string two words together.

Wrongfooted by the emergence of T-Bone's nastier side, Piper tries to end the conversation. But T-Bone starts talking about a road trip he was going to invite her on.

PIPER: This isn't going to happen. Ever. Okay?

T-Bone grins as Piper and Xanthe leave.

Rebecchi Law (incorporating Brand Enthusiasm)
Aaron is disappointed that Tyler isn't coming to the Bonza Barbie event, but Tyler explains he and Ben are driving to Daylesford for their training course.

AARON: Who's gonna be my cheer squad then, huh?
TYLER: What about your team's newest recruit?
AARON: I told you - I am not taking David.
TYLER: Why not?
AARON: Because he has just come out, and the timing is all wrong.
TYLER: So, don't rush into anything. Just take it slow. Is there any other reason you're holding back?
AARON: Okay. Assuming the timing was right - he's still a doctor!
TYLER: Meaning?
AARON: Well, he's smart and he's educated. And I'm not - I'm just me.
TYLER: Apparently that's what he likes - you!
AARON: Yeah, he does now. But as soon as the novelty wears off, he'll realise that he can do better.
TYLER: Bro, me and Pipes all wrong on paper. But we work. It could be the same for you guys.
AARON: No. It's just easier this way. Cos then he gets to go out and have fun, and he gets to explore all there is to explore. And I'll just avoid getting my heart broken.

Toadie comes in, and seems displeased that Aaron is there. He grouchily tells the brothers that if they want to socialise, to do it at Harold's, as he has a lot of work to do. They exchange a surprised glance.

Erinsborough Hospital
David is talking to Jack.

DAVID: I wanted you to know it's now official. I'm out.
JACK: I'm glad you feel comfortable enough to be your true self.
DAVID: It's strange to think that when I confessed to you, I thought it was this big secret - like the truth would change everything. Surprisingly, it's been no big deal. Mostly.
JACK: And your family?
DAVID: Well, Mum's still having a hard time, but she's trying to get her head around it. And that's all I can ask for.
JACK: I guess you could say that I went through something slightly similar when I decided to be a priest.
DAVID: Yeah?
JACK: Well let's just say not all of my family was understanding. But, I know that I made the right decision.
DAVID: The biggest issue for me is Aaron. I worked up the courage to tell him I liked him, and he - sorry. Is this still priest-friendly?
JACK: Ah, we're not at a church!
DAVID: It's just - I really thought there was something there. That he liked me too. Now I don't know what to think.

No 28
Susan and Elly are talking about Finn, and how Elly confronted him over manipulating the job interview. She says she can't decide whether or not she believes him. Unbeknown to either of them, Xanthe has turned up at the front door and is listening from outside.

ELLY: It's like every time I start to trust Finn, something happens. And then I just end up lost again. I never know if he's being straight up with me.
SUSAN: This is not a new situation for you.
ELLY: No. But you have good instincts. And you think he's been doing the wrong thing. Why?
SUSAN: Well, I've got no proof. It's just the timing of the complaint against Wayne.
ELLY: And how he had you removed from the interview panel.
SUSAN: Yeah. It makes me suspect that Finn has an agenda.
ELLY: What now?
SUSAN: Well, professionally I'll keep a very close eye on him at school.
ELLY: But personally, what should I do?
SUSAN: Elly, I can't tell you what to do. That's got to be your decision based on your judgement.
ELLY: That's what I'm trying to say. I don't trust my own judgement right now.
SUSAN: Then I think you're right to put the brakes on. I think you need to be very wary of Finn.

Outside, Xanthe looks worried.

Erinsborough Backpackers
T-Bone and his goons are playing dodgeball outside the backpackers', slamming the ball into the wall of the shed. Tyler arrives; he's on the phone to Amy, apparently asking her to come and fix something. He's annoyed to find T-Bone causing a nuisance, but T-Bone says that Piper appreciates his fondness for dodgeball.

T-BONE: She enjoys things with a little more worldly flavour. Might ask her to join us.
TYLER: Just leave her alone, okay?
T-BONE: I'm just looking out for a friend. Don't want her to get bored.
TYLER: She's not your friend.
T-BONE: We've got more in common than you two.
TYLER: You've known her for, what, five minutes? And you think you've got her figured out?
T-BONE: I'll tell you what I do know. It won't be long before she sees how little you have to offer. And when she realises that she's picked a loser, it's bye-bye.

Tyler snaps and knocks the ball out of T-Bone's hand. T-Bone and his goons just laugh, and Tyler walks off, obviously affected by T-Bone's remarks.

Lassiter's Complex
David runs into Aaron. He's looking for prize donations for the spinal unit fundraiser stall at the Bonza Barbie, and wonders if Toadie would donate a free legal consult. But Aaron warns David that Toadie's in a bad mood, so probably wouldn't.

DAVID: There's actually another reason I wanted to see you.
AARON: Yeah, I'll do it.
DAVID: ... You will?
AARON: Yeah, I'll donate a one-hour strategy meeting with Brand Enthusiasm!

This is clearly not what David was hoping to talk about, but the conversation tails off and it's clear Aaron isn't going to say anything else. So...

DAVID: Can we talk about us?

Before Aaron can answer, Xanthe dives in for a free consult of her own, dragging David aside.

XANTHE: So, just for research - say someone had a really complex aneurysm that couldn't be operated on, and they were totally stressed out. Would that make it more dangerous?
DAVID: Sorry - whose research?
XANTHE: Mine. But it's not for me. It's for school - a school project. A biology assignment.
DAVID: Well it depends on the case, but I'd say yes - increased heart rate and blood pressure could contribute to something going wrong.

David realises Aaron has vanished, and walks off himself. Xanthe sends a text to Finn, telling him to meet her at Harold's ASAP.

Harold's Café
David explains to Jack how he's just tried but failed to tell Aaron how he feels. David thinks he needs to be more assertive, and feels out of his league.

JACK: You and me both, mate.

Shane, who has been earwigging, intervenes.

SHANE: Men, women, doesn't matter. There's only one way to win them over.
DAVID and JACK: ...
SHANE: Sorry, I'm Shane Rebecchi. New owner, fledgling brewster and love guru at your service.

He shakes hands with David and Jack.

SHANE: I was building sets for the Bourke Amateur Theatre Group when I first laid eyes on my missus. I knew Dipi was the one straight away, but she wasn't so sure. Tried everything. Grand gestures, big gifts...
DAVID: What did it in the end?
SHANE: The truth. I told her she was the most amazing Rizzo from Grease I'd ever seen. And, bam, we had a date the next day. You've got to go back to basics. Flattery will get you everywhere.
DAVID: Flattery. Are you sure?
SHANE: Positive. We're all human. We love a compliment. Provided it's sincere, of course.

David thanks Shane, and goes on his way.

Erinsborough Backpackers
Tyler and Piper are now both being annoyed by T-Bone's loud music; Piper remarks that she thought he was OK at first but has gone off him.

PIPER: He's a creep.
TYLER: Has he been hassling you?
PIPER: Him and the rest.
TYLER: What? Who else?
PIPER: Do you want a list?
TYLER: There's a list?!
PIPER: Where do I start? So Hans, the German - he asked me to go skiing with him. And to 'show him my valley'. I think it was a language issue. Then Ryan, the guy from Texas, blatantly asked me back to his bunk. I said no, obviously.
TYLER: Obviously.
PIPER: Obviously. Oh, even Antonio had a crack at me.
TYLER: I thought he was gay?
PIPER: He's fluid. Mm. Tried to get us as a package!
TYLER: ... Why are you acting like this is no big deal?
PIPER: Cos it's not.
TYLER: A bunch of guys have been hitting on you and that's okay?
PIPER: Did the everyday sexism movement just pass you by? Ty, this isn't news - women get harassed every day. And as much as I'd like to punch those guys, they're guests, and I work here. So I can't.
TYLER: Maybe I shouldn't go to Daylesford for this course tonight.
PIPER: Have I given you the impression that I needed your protection?
TYLER: I'm not trying to smother you. I just don't like the idea of leaving you here alone if T-Bone's around.
PIPER: And I don't like the idea of me being the reason that you don't get to do this course. Ty, I can take care of myself.

Tyler doesn't look convinced.

Harold's Café
Finn meets up with Xanthe, who tells him that she heard Susan and Elly talking about him.

XANTHE: I think Susan's trying to break you and Elly up.
FINN: What exactly did she say?
XANTHE: She said that she'd keep an eye on you at school, and that Miss Conway should consider putting the brakes on things with you. You know, the funny thing is, Miss Conway was actually buying into it. Which I don't understand, because I thought you guys were totally loved up.
FINN: We're taking things slow. That's what she wants.

Xanthe says she only said anything because she thinks he and Elly deserve to be together; she was worried about Finn's aneurysm, and didn't want him to face more unexpected stress from Susan's attempt to break them up.

FINN: Thanks for looking out for me. I thought Elly was on my side too. But I guess not.
ELLY: Okay. Well, then, we need to think of a way to get Miss C back onside.
FINN: Look, you've done enough. And I'm extremely grateful for everything. I've got to take it from here, okay? I could go for one of those XanCan specials, though.

Xanthe heads off to oblige. Finn looks worried and maybe a bit angry.

Rebecchi Law (incorporating Brand Enthusiasm)
A still-grouchy Toadie is annoyed that Aaron isn't working on a letter he's asked for, instead spending his time creating a voucher for the prize donation he's giving to David. He asks for Toadie's opinion on the Brand Enthusiasm logo.

TOADIE: I think you're focusing on the wrong things.
AARON: Yeah, okay. I see. I guess the whole shape could do with a bit of a revamp.
TOADIE: No, no. The issue's not the logo. Can you remind me again, just what is Brand Enthusiasm?
AARON: It's event management. It's an online PR firm.
TOADIE: And when did you last book a paying gig?
AARON: Yeah, I've had a bit of a slow patch.
TOADIE: Pretty much since you started.
AARON: No, that's not true. I managed Angus. And Maddie.
TOADIE: And they both left.
AARON: I did all the gigs at The Waterhole. I organised the spinal unit launch.
TOADIE: All few and far between. And most of them for free! It's like you think that sheer enthusiasm is going to make Brand Enthusiasm a thing!
AARON: No - I just need to jump on more marketing opportunities. Hey, if I can get more promos like this, my business is going to take off.
TOADIE: You know there's no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? It doesn't exist.
AARON: What's your point?
TOADIE: The point is, your business may never take off. So perhaps you should focus on the things that pay the bills, instead of chasing rainbows.

Aaron looks upset.

Erinsborough Backpackers
T-Bone and his douchebag friends are still playing loud music. Tyler and Ben are just about to head off to Daylesford, but Tyler sees red and gets into a scuffle with T-Bone, to try and get him to turn the music off. Tyler eventually wrests T-Bone's phone from him and turns it off.

TYLER: Now get out of here.
T-BONE: You can't kick me out!
TYLER: I'm in charge when Leo's not here. So go. Grab your stuff and don't come back.
T-BONE: You're making a mistake.
TYLER: If I see you here again, I'll call the cops.

T-Bone angrily kicks over a table and marches off. Piper emerges.

T-BONE: Give us a call when you're ready to trade up.

As T-Bone leaves, Piper demands to know what happened, and is furious to learn that Tyler kicked T-Bone out - saying Leo's business will suffer if he starts throwing people out for no reason.

TYLER: He's bad news, okay? Leo will understand.
PIPER: (...) Not if you just start hulking out at any guy who dares look at me!
TYLER: It wasn't about you.
PIPER: Really?! Seriously, Ty, the way you're acting, T-Bone's right - just stop it with the whole meathead routine!

Piper storms back indoors.

Rebecchi Law (incorporating Brand Enthusiasm)
Aaron gives David his voucher for the free Brand Enthusiasm strategy meeting. But David has taken Shane's advice to heart, and is in full-on flattery mode.

DAVID: This looks amazing. I really appreciate it.
AARON: You're welcome.
DAVID: ... Of course, everything you do looks so good. Including that shirt. It really highlights your... neck.
AARON: ... Oh, okay. Thanks, I guess.

Aaron bends over to retrieve something from a shelf.

DAVID: And those shorts! Snug, aren't they?
AARON: ... Are you saying that they're too tight?
DAVID: No, not at all! I meant they're just tight enough! Everything fits. I mean, you wear them with such enthusiasm. Brand Enthusiasm!
AARON: Yeah - no, it's alright, I get it.
DAVID: You do?
AARON: Yeah. I'm just Aaron the clown, aren't I?
DAVID: What?
AARON: I'm just a piece of meat.
DAVID: No!
AARON: Yeah. I'm all enthusiasm, but I'm no actual success.
DAVID: That's not what I'm getting at at all.
AARON: Yeah, maybe Toadie was right. I should probably give this up.

David tries to convince Aaron to keep going with Brand Enthusiasm, offering to find him some contacts in the wellbeing industry.

AARON: You'd do that?
DAVID: Maybe we could discuss it over dinner.
AARON: ... Maybe not.
DAVID: Come on! I'm paying, and... you eat so well!
AARON: I think it's best if we don't confuse things. Come on, David - I thought I was clear before. You and I, we're at different stages. You need to date other people.
DAVID: That's not what I want!
AARON: I'm sorry. But I'm not going to change my mind.

David looks hurt, and leaves.

Harold's Café
Xanthe seeks advice from Jack. She explains that a friend has confided a secret in her which is 'pretty heavy'.

XANTHE: The problem is is that this person is being targeted by people close to him. Or her. And I just feel like, if these people knew how much they were affecting him - or her - then they would just back off.
JACK: Look - holding in someone's secret is always hard. And especially when you think other people should know the truth.
XANTHE: Well, you have to. You're bound by God. Can't say anything or you'll be -

Xanthe impersonates a lightning bolt and makes an explosion sound!

XANTHE: But I'm not. Maybe it's better for everyone if I just tell?
JACK: Is this person's secret making you uncomfortable? Is it dangerous or illegal?
XANTHE: No. Nothing like that, I promise.
JACK: Then I would just encourage this person to seek professional help. Or they could speak to an adult, like your gran.
XANTHE: For now, I'm the only person they've got.

Xanthe asks how she can help without betraying their trust, but Jack says there are no easy answers to such situations.

XANTHE: Thanks, Father J. And just so we're clear, this convo never happened, okay?

Erinsborough Backpackers
Ben encourages Tyler to talk to Piper to smooth things over, before they leave for Daylesford.

TYLER: T-Bone. What kind of a name is that, anyway?
PIPER: ...
TYLER: Okay. I probably let what you said get to me. And it could have been one of the reasons why I kicked him out.
PIPER: One of the reasons?
TYLER: Okay. The main reason.
PIPER: Okay. Well, thank you for admitting that you stuffed up. But Ty, you can't use me as an excuse.
TYLER: It's not an excuse. It's how I feel.
PIPER: Yeah, but, Ty - okay, just listen to me. I don't want or expect you to look after me, okay?
TYLER: But I want to protect you.
PIPER: Yeah, but you don't - look, just go and learn about carburettors, okay? I'll be fine, and we'll talk when you get back.

Tyler and Ben head off, but Piper still looks upset. T-Bone emerges, having packed his bags to leave.

T-BONE: He took his time. Thought he'd never leave.
PIPER: You should be gone by now.
T-BONE: With things unresolved between us?
PIPER: T-Bone...
T-BONE: I've seen the way you've been looking at me.
PIPER: With disdain?
T-BONE: Is that Australian for lust? I love learning about new cultures.

He approaches Piper, and she's very uncomfortable, darting out of the way.

PIPER: Back off, okay? Just don't come near me or this place again.
T-BONE: You'll regret that.

Piper walks away, looking shaken.

Must-See Neighbours
- Aaron launches the Bonza Barbie Bash, to the delight of Amy, Piper and assembled extras
- Mishti, Yashvi and Kirsha are excited too - as are Elly and Leo
- But the promo turns dramatic, with Piper looking worried...
- Yashvi in the driver's seat of a car...
- Sonya looking upset
- Toadie looking angry
- And Piper looking terrified