Doctor Doctor (2016) s04e10 Episode Script
Ring of Fire
1 I love you, Penny, but you know that already.
Was there anything else from the other night? Did I insult you or No, Hugh.
You seriously don't remember? You're not welcome as a member of our Country Women's Association any longer.
- You can't kick me out.
- You betrayed us all by allowing this abomination to be opened.
I need you.
I need a manager.
You're perfect.
Come on.
You don't have to do this.
- What? - I'm taking you home.
Ajax, put me down! - WOMAN: You let her go! Get off her! - Hayles, it's me or the pole.
Oh, Ajax, grow up.
Everyone can see what's going on.
This little codependent game that you two play I ain't letting it happen anymore.
You're my wife.
Don't tell me you're leaving me.
The head office wants to see me in Melbourne.
- Why? - I don't know.
I'll be gone a few days, though.
What did I say the other night? You told me you loved me.
Right.
- Did you mean it? - [HORN BLARES.]
- Shit.
- [TIRES SCREECH, CRASH.]
Penny? Penny? Yes, ambulance! Yes, it's urgent! Langford slip road, half a K past the new bridge.
Possible casualties.
Please, please.
Can you please call my sister? Because my sister's gonna be going like, "Where's Jackie?" It's okay.
It's okay.
- I'm a doctor! - Oh! I don't know what to do! I didn't know if I should move them.
- PENNY: It's okay.
- [COUGHING.]
Hey.
Can you wiggle your fingers and toes? [CHILD CRYING.]
Good.
Good.
Come on.
Come on back.
Hey, mate.
Hey.
Is that arm hurting you? Is it, mate? Out you go.
Go and get back! - WOMAN: Yeah.
Come on! - Get back! Hey.
PENNY: [GRUNTING.]
Hey.
What's your name? [COUGHS.]
Evan.
Let's get you out of here.
Come on.
Let's go.
Evan! - That's it.
- Evan! Here you are.
Come on.
All right.
Come on.
- Let's go.
- [CHILD CRYING.]
- [COUGHING.]
- It's all right.
- It's all right.
- [SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
Okay.
It's all right, mate.
You're all right.
[BREATHES SHARPLY.]
Okay.
Evan's got significant chest bruising, shallow breathing.
He needs oxygen.
Penny.
Penny.
Oh, shit.
Come on.
It's okay.
Ambos have got it.
It's okay.
Hey.
Hey.
Shit, shit, shit.
Penny? Penny? So, we're gonna put Evan on a care flight to Sydney.
You're gonna go with him.
Okay? Don't worry.
It's just for observation.
- Leah's gonna take you through it.
- PENNY: Hugh.
Don't worry.
They're okay.
They're okay.
[MID-TEMPO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS.]
No, I'm all right.
- I don't want anybody worrying.
- Get up.
All right? Just gonna find myself a nice spot in the sun, and I'll be fine.
Matt, we should probably see about opening up the brewery.
- Yeah.
Right.
- Helen.
Oh, how lovely of you to visit.
I was just thinking about you.
Matt, where are you going? The children very anxious while I was in hospital.
Rod Eagle is applying for a 24-hour license for his Establishment.
Is he? I wouldn't know.
I've been unwell.
And since you're the one I hold responsible for bringing the, um Pretty Titty.
and all its wretched sleaziness to Whyhope, I'm asking that, as mayor, you would do the honorable thing and sign our petition to have the Pretty Titty.
close down permanently.
I'm in.
Where do I sign? HELEN: A last chance, Meryl.
Repair this great wrong or be the woman who destroyed everything that is fine and decent in our town.
She's got a good point, Mum.
She looks so calm and peaceful - when she's asleep.
- Mm.
It's hard to believe it's really her.
- Hi, there.
- [SOFTLY.]
Hey.
So, how are you feeling? You cracked a rib, but, otherwise, all good.
Little bit of bed rest, and you'll be break-dancing - before you know it.
- Hugh.
Yeah? Can you just piss off? HUGH: Uh Okay.
I don't want it to be like this.
I don't want a divorce.
Neither do I, but look at us.
We have to make some changes.
Well, you know the change I want you to make.
What? My job? Well, that's not happening.
[SIGHS.]
You got upset with Meryl, and now we are raising our child in a paddock.
And then you barge into my work and embarrass me in front of everyone.
Yeah, I hate you working there.
If you could just stop and think about your choices sometimes and not just fly off the handle.
This is my choice, Hayles.
And I have thought about it.
I'm just gonna go and see those kids from the accident.
Then you can do my discharge.
I'm not sure you're ready for that.
Oh, I'm more than ready.
Oh, okay.
Okay.
I get it.
This is about what we were saying before the accident the other night.
If you can remember.
Okay.
Look.
I'm confused.
Are you angry that I said I loved you the first time or angry that I didn't say I loved you the second time? I'm not angry.
I'm just alive to the fact that no sooner had you said it, that you'd forgotten you said it at all.
- Well, I haven't forgotten.
- Words.
Just words.
[POPS LIPS.]
Okay.
All right.
Back to bed.
Hi, kids.
Hi! - Hey.
- Hey! Do you remember me? I'm Dr.
Cartwright.
Dr.
Cartwright likes to come to work in her jammies.
- [CHILDREN LAUGH.]
- Isn't she a silly old goose? [LAUGHS.]
Dr.
Knight has been so naughty that I'm giving him a time-out that lasts forever.
[CHILDREN LAUGH.]
Okay.
Okay.
Dr.
Knight better princess carry Dr.
Cartwright back to her bed.
[CHILDREN LAUGH.]
And maybe a spanking.
I was practically arm-wrestled by the CWA to sign that petition this morning.
Smart move, Meryl.
Do you think so? As my dear old mother used to say, "Never let your right hand know what your left hand's doing.
" And she opened a can of beer with her teeth.
Keep the wowsers sweet.
Then you and I work the numbers on council to get my extension approved.
I don't want your extension approved.
- [SCOFFS.]
- [PLATE CLATTERS.]
Thanks to you, I've become a pariah in my own town.
When's that ever bothered you? Having seen the creeps your place attracts.
ROD: Here's the thing, Meryl.
I've been waiting my whole life to get into the adult-entertainment industry, and now it's within my grasp, I am not letting go.
Well, thankfully, council will have the final say.
You're the mayor.
I made you the mayor, and I can take it away again.
[SNAPS FINGERS.]
Just like that.
See what I'm saying? You play nice.
Now, if, uh, you don't want that Any pain here? Mnh-mnh.
HUGH: What about here? Okay.
What are you doing? Checking for scapular injury.
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
If you want to get out of here, if you want to go home, I have to do this.
Where's Penny? Is she all right? - I want to see her.
- Dr.
Knight is with her at the moment in a purely medical role.
Just show me where she is.
Jarrod! No! S-Sorry.
You can't just go in there.
I want to see her now.
No! Penny.
You all right? Uh, just a little bruising and a cracked rib.
- What happened? - Mm.
Well, the cops think the other driver fell asleep at the wheel, swerved to the wrong side of the road.
Really nothing Penny could have done about it.
Anyway, she's good to go.
Can you go home and get me some clothes? I really want to get out of here.
Sure.
The head office have offered me a job in Broome.
The manager there has left, and they want me to start as soon as possible.
Monday.
- That's great.
- Mm.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well done.
So you need to start thinking about when you can join me.
- Jarrod.
- Meryl.
The whole town is up in arms because of Rod Eagle's girly bar.
Uh-huh.
Now, most of the outrage is directed at me, but my greater concern is what impact it has on you and your workforce.
I'm not really sure it's my problem, Meryl.
Well, I rather think that it is your problem.
The whole reason the bar is there is because Whyhope Mining has Rod Eagle's vote on council.
- Mm-hmm.
- Now, if he's shot down, I'm afraid you'll say goodbye to his support.
That's my successor's problem.
I've got a new job.
Penny and I are leaving town.
Are you? - Thanks.
- WOMAN: Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Thanks.
Bar's not gonna close anyway, Meryl.
You think the bar's a permanent fixture? Yeah, as long as there's 5,000 miners in town.
- WOMAN: Your change.
- JARROD: I like you, Meryl, but Penny's my wife, and I am not gonna leave her around your son any longer than necessary.
Can you tell me what you were thinking when you got me this? I was being considerate about your busted rib.
Okay.
Well, I want to check in on the kids from the accident.
- Then we can go home.
- Mm-hmm.
Have you given any more thought about quitting your job and moving to Broome with me? - On Monday? - Mm-hmm.
No.
I can't just up and leave everyone in the lurch.
I have patients here that I've had for years.
Isn't that what locums are for? Yes, but I'm not just the doctor here I'm the administrator.
There's so much I would need to do before I could leave.
They'll find someone else.
That's their job.
You're not irreplaceable.
I mean, your time here has run its course.
You know that.
You always do this.
What do I always do? You turn things inside out trying to find a reason not to do something that's right for you when you should just be committing and jumping in.
Okay.
Well, I'll think about it.
Don't think about it.
Just do it.
Okay.
I'll lodge a request with the agency to find a locum.
I'm in.
Good decision.
I'm being spontaneous.
Good.
How's it feel? Horrible.
I don't know who I am.
You're gonna be fine.
I'll join you as soon as I can, but I'm not leaving here until I find a replacement.
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay? You do what you need to do here, and I'll come pick you up in an hour, okay? Hey.
We're gonna go home.
We're gonna make plans.
[LAUGHING.]
Okay.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
And let us be mindful always that those same bright stars light up our path to righteousness as we ask his blessing to put a good shift in for the punters.
Amen.
TOGETHER: Amen.
CHERRY: [CRYING.]
Cherry, is everything all right? Sorry, Hayles.
Just, bastard's not coughing up his child support.
Selfish prick.
Men can be thoughtless.
[SCOFFS.]
Yeah, but you're so lucky, Hayles.
I mean, you said Ajax has never even stolen a car.
No.
He's cheated on you, right? Don't tell me he cooks.
Two-minute noodles and popcorn.
- [SIGHS.]
- Shit, Hayles.
He's a keeper.
Yeah, but don't let that fool you.
Once a prick, always a prick.
That's it.
Come on, kids.
We're going.
Who are you again? Some guy you met on an app.
What are the chances? Hey.
Can you guys take care of the kids for me? - Uh, something wrong? - Yeah.
Look, Hayley's outgrown me.
- No, she hasn't.
- AJAX: Yes, she has.
Every time we argue and stuff, she's just, like, so fast on her feet with the comebacks and stuff.
- Well, it's a skill.
- AJAX: Yeah.
She's coming at me with, like, words, and I'm just like, "Blah, blah, blah, blah.
" Okay.
I'm gonna stop you right there, Ajax.
That's, like, every guy who ever lived.
Well, I'm gonna do something about it, so if you can look after the kids, that's gonna be great.
Well, you know I'm rubbish with kids.
[LAUGHS.]
Yeah, the schoolteacher.
Right.
So, yeah? Thanks.
Hi, kids.
[CHUCKLES.]
No.
This is unacceptable.
You'll leave the hospital mired in crisis.
How do you expect us to find a replacement for you by Monday, I think it is.
- [WHIMPERS.]
- I understand this won't be easy for you, but I'm asking you as my friends to support me in this next chapter of my life.
Sometimes in life, things go beyond mere personal convenience.
And sometimes you can only do what is right for you in that particular moment.
I've lodged a request for a locum.
- KEN: [SIGHS.]
- And I'm doing whatever I can - to source my replacement.
- KEN: No.
I refuse to be dragged along on this roller-coaster ride of the emotions.
Leave.
Go.
Is it on? Is it off? Who's sleeping with who? It's like one of those wildlife documentaries.
No sooner do you invest in some cute little mite, then something big comes along and eats it.
That went well.
There we go.
So, I'm going home now, so I want you to take extra-special care in looking after yourselves, okay? You promise? Promise? Good girl.
And, Phoenix, you remind Dr.
Knight to keep a close eye on this arm.
All right? Good boy.
Okay.
Bye-bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
[LAUGHS.]
It's funny, isn't it? What? What's funny? Just the Penny Cartwright that I know doesn't just marry some bloke after 2 days' notice, toss everything aside, and then bail to the other side of the country.
Is that your final word? Hopefully.
Oh, other than Overalls really aren't your thing, are they? - Still no sign of Ajax.
- Mm.
Must be out on the razzle-dazzle somewhere.
They could have been ours in another life.
I'm good with what it is.
I want everything to be different to how it was before.
That can be arranged.
I mean the two of us figuring out what we plan on doing with, like, the whole rest of our lives.
Shit.
I don't want something this good to end up being just whatever.
[ELIZA LAUGHS.]
You all right, Mum? Mm.
Thanks for asking.
I fear I'm losing my touch.
[SCOFFS.]
Hardly.
I'm reviled in the town that I love.
My friends shun me in the street.
And apparently I'm turning Whyhope into the red-light district of the Central West.
Seriously? But the thing I worry about most is you.
You're unsettled.
'Cause Whyhope is limited in what it has to offer someone with your talent.
Yes, well, it's a little more complicated than that.
Well, whatever the reason, you've wasted opportunities, and you've let your destiny stand idle.
You know, I have had responsibilities.
MERYL: I know.
So I'm willing to do what I did with your firstborn.
I'll raise Eliza in your absence so you're free to pursue your career.
We're Knights.
We refuse to let circumstances define us.
We come back twice as hard.
Why do you think in the SES we tell people that they need a survival plan in a bushfire? Why? Because when you're in the middle of a ring of fire you're unable to devise a coherent plan of action.
I'm not surprised.
It's all about motor function.
It's just I duck my head.
That branch doesn't hit me.
Raise my arm up here, and those embers don't get in my face.
It's all about being in the here and the now, not in 5 minutes' time.
Adrenaline doesn't kick in, you won't be around in 5 minutes' time anyway.
So, right now, with Hugh, you know and your history you are right in the middle of this ring of fire.
You're trying to find a way out.
I'm the one with the survival plan.
I know you are.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[YAWNS.]
Tell me if this is weird, but I may never wear clothes again.
Mm.
I'd be happy enough if I never had to wear shoes.
[SIGHS.]
- WOMAN: There you go.
- Thanks, babe.
- WOMAN: No worries.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How you doing? [CHUCKLES.]
Aren't you two divorced yet? - I'm not sure.
- I don't know.
- Are we? - Are we? Hurry up and make a decision.
I have.
Feels good.
Are we divorced? We both signed something.
What are you doing? Shoes on the table bad luck.
Portuguese folklore.
I recommend that you join me.
With your permission, I am committing us to adventure without shoes.
- Barefoot adventure? - Without shoes.
I'll research beers.
You can pen sci-fi erotica.
And where are we doing this exactly? Anywhere we want to go that isn't Whyhope.
You've never wanted to travel.
I know, but you always have.
And you need to.
You're right.
I am a man of possibilities.
And what about the brewery? Well, it'll still be here when we get back.
Let's call it our post-divorce honeymoon.
KEN: But we still need a locum.
Well, there can't be nobody.
No responses.
Nobody wants to come and work with us.
Must have heard we're staffed by people with no concept of loyalty.
- Dr.
Knight? - Well [CRYING.]
Hey, little mate.
You feeling okay? Do you mind if I take a look at this arm? He's missing our mum.
Yeah, 'course you are.
His swelling's serious.
- Is this hurting? - [GROANING.]
Could be ACS.
Okay.
We're gonna prep for surgery.
Yep.
That's very good.
I thought you might want to know I had to perform an emergency fasciotomy to relieve pressure off the arteries.
Compartment syndrome? He could have lost his arm.
Was anyone monitoring the swelling? Didn't anybody say that he was in pain? Yeah.
He was being monitored.
That's how we saved the arm.
I'm sorry.
That was unnecessary.
I know.
You're invested in these kids.
I get it.
So, um, departure plans all going to plan? Yes.
As soon as we've found my replacement.
Uh about that.
- Position's been filled.
- Hmm? I told Ken that I'm prepared to sign a 3-year contract to become hospital administrator.
What? I thought long and hard about it.
My roots are here.
My family's here.
I have a child to raise.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
That's so like you.
[CHUCKLES.]
Sorry.
How am I the bad guy here? I'm the one who's stepping up.
You're the one who's quitting.
So this is some kind of guilt-trip exercise to stop me from leaving.
No, but if you're feeling guilty about going, maybe you need to think about your life choices.
Oh, my Gosh! Oh, my God.
He's doing it deliberately.
- BETTY: What? - Taking the moral high ground! How does that make me look?! Okay.
Is it possible that Hugh's deciding to stay on here for all the right reasons? Okay.
Probably not.
He's being manipulative, like always.
BETTY: And you're angry because you feel like he's challenging the fact that you really do want to leave? Yeah, of course he is.
So if you got down on bended knee and he begged you to stay, you'd still choose to go? Yes.
Wow.
Okay.
Then that is exactly what you need to do.
I know.
Because he is never gonna change.
Correct.
So you need to cut the thread that has tied you to Hugh all this time finally and irrevocably.
- Yes.
- And make a lifetime commitment to the husband that you love.
Yes.
But not knowing what you're getting from Hugh kind of means you know exactly what you're getting.
I thought we'd just agreed you were cutting the thread? Yeah, we had.
I'm just clarifying.
Decision's made, Penny.
No backsliding.
[SIGHS.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS, DANCE MUSIC PLAYS.]
MAN: Whoo! - Meryl? - I'm not here to judge you.
But you working here, I'm concerned for you.
I'm surviving perfectly well.
Thank you.
For now, yes.
I know you see this as a place for fine young women to choose and celebrate their physical grace and athleticism.
Yes.
MERYL: And I'm sure they're lovely girls.
- Yes.
- But a business with a 24-hour license - You know what that means? - Yes.
No.
What? Special arrangements after midnight, additional services.
Rod didn't mention? No.
Oh, he's probably trying to ease you into it.
Mm.
Still, if you're comfortable with that, I'll say no more.
Meryl.
Is Ajax all right? Um, as far as I know.
Mm, did he stay at the homestead last night? Maybe Maybe he was at Matt's.
Not to my knowledge.
Yeah, riding through the fire Here's something, now Keep it, keep it going now [BRETT SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
HAYLEY: Hey! Brett! No, no, no, no.
You take that back.
Take that back.
I would like you to put that in your wallet and leave.
[BRETT GROANS.]
This is not the kind of club that you think it is.
There are no additional services.
And as long as I'm in charge, there won't be any.
BRETT: Whatever.
Yes, but think what would have happened to our reputation if I let him get away with doing that.
CHERRY: There was 10 different ways I could have spent that money, and none of them were for me.
Leave it.
She's not worth it.
[GASPS.]
Please don't let this come between us.
We've become such good pals.
We were before you started pushing all that holier-than-thou crap.
You know what, lady? You're no better than us just because you keep your kit on.
I know I'm not.
But do you really want to earn your money like that? [CHERRY SCOFFS.]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[HORN BLARES.]
[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
- MAN #2: Inside! - MAN #1: Inside! - How's it look? - WOMAN: All right, Mum.
- HELEN: [CHUCKLES.]
- MAN #3: Over here! - A little slack.
Come on, now.
- MAN #4: Here, hit it.
[MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
Good riddance, I say.
[SIREN CHIRPING, RADIO CHATTER.]
ROD: What do you say, Meryl? Was she just too rare an angel to survive this ugly world? Maybe it's for the best.
Ajax.
Oh! Ohh! Where have you been? I've been so worried.
No, I'm good.
I'm really good.
Fire's really made a mess of that place.
Ajax, come with me.
- [SLURPING.]
- HAYLEY: Ajax Swear to me that you had nothing to do with setting fire to the Pretty Titty.
Hayles, this is a menu.
Swear.
Tell me, what were you doing here in the first place? And where have you been all this time? Been hanging out with Jim.
He always said if I needed to talk, I could.
But Jim's Not on the farm, he's not.
He's everywhere you look.
Well, what did he say? He said the only thing I ought to be is a farmer and a dad.
Everyone laughs 'cause I didn't finish school.
But I'm gonna finish school.
I'm gonna go to ag college, devote myself to working on the farm.
And you're absolutely certain that you didn't set fire to the Pretty Titty? [LAUGHS.]
No.
Oh, I'm so proud of you! It's the Parable of the Lost Sheep, except you were the sheep that was lost and now you've been found.
Well, we don't have sheep.
I'm talking big picture, Ajax.
To have lost your life's dream for the sake of a cheese toastie and a faulty socket.
There's a lot we don't understand.
Where one dream dies, another one blossoms.
Rod, you're about to collect a handsome insurance payout.
Glen, I know you're always keen for new opportunities.
The proposal is that you jointly purchase the cemetery business and its plots from Ajax.
That all right with you, son? Awesome.
MERYL: Of course it is.
There's money to be made in interments, and you're never gonna run out of customers.
Besides, Ajax has other plans.
Ajax has his destiny.
[CREAKING.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
So, you've just got to clear out your desk at the clinic, right? That won't take long.
Betty's collecting me.
Okay.
Well, I, uh, rescued your charger from the car, then.
Oh.
Thank you.
Great.
Look, I've got to sign off on a survey at the mine.
Um, then I'll head back home, pick up the bags, and you just head straight to the airport.
Sure.
Anything we miss will just get sent on.
So, when the accident happened, I was on the phone to Hugh.
Why were you doing that? He told me he loved me.
I wanted to know if he meant it.
Jesus Christ, Penny.
Why do you tell me this shit? I don't want to hide anything from you.
Well, maybe it's best sometimes you do.
Do you want me to make this decision for you? What decision? Whether we have a marriage.
Of course we do.
On your terms, which involves sneaky midnight chats with your ex.
I mean, what kind of a prick is he, anyway? Jarrod, I'm coming with you.
You are my survival plan.
I'm not gonna tell you what to do, okay? But here's your choice.
We can draw a line under all this crap and start afresh in W.
A.
, or you can stay here in Whyhope, same old shit it's always been.
There'll be a ticket for you at the airport.
Either way, I am on that plane, and I won't be coming back here.
It's your call.
- You don't want to help, Ken? - I don't.
I'm registering my disapproval at this calamitous decision.
Hugh, no.
This is not about you.
What was I gonna say? Something sneaky and underhand designed to feed any doubts you think Penny might still have - about leaving.
- Right.
That'll do.
Which she doesn't, by the way.
And Jarrod's at the airport, and quite frankly, I don't even know why she's still here.
Traitor.
Okay.
[SIGHS.]
I need to call a taxi.
No, look.
It's okay.
I'll drive you.
Oh, I don't know about that.
[SIGHS.]
No time.
I love you.
Let's go.
Did you mean it when you said you loved me? Or were you just drunk? Yes, I meant it, and, yes, I was drunk.
Why do you tell me this stuff? Why can't you just keep it to yourself? Because I keep it to myself every day, and then, occasionally, I get drunk, and it just pops out.
Anyway, we said it would never work between us.
[SIGHS.]
PENNY: I can't spend my life with you.
Why would I want to spend my life with you? You're never gonna change.
No, I'm not.
Jarrod doesn't play games.
He's a down-the-line, straightforward, honest man.
Yeah, he is.
You don't even know the meaning of the word "dependable.
" No, I don't.
You keep wanting to put me on the spot, but what about you? How do you feel about me? I love you.
Right.
Good to know.
Why is it that, whatever you do, you always leave it to the very last minute? Whatever you do, it's always too late.
[SIGHS.]
Just looking for a protector God never reached out in time There's love that is a savior But that ain't no love of mine My love, it kills me slowly Slowly I could die And when she sleeps, she hears the blues Sees shades of black and white Run, run, run away Run, run, run away Got to stay cool, you hot, hot head Count to 1,000 before you sleep in bed Read the news Pass the time Drink the juice Feeling fine Got to stay cool, you hot, hot head Count to 1,000 before you sleep in bed Read the news Pass the time Drink the juice Feeling fine At least you're not boring No one ever wants to feel this sad Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh Just looking for a protector God never reached out in time There's love that is a savior But that ain't no love of mine My love, it kills me slowly Slowly I could die And when she sleeps, she hears the blues Sees shades of black and white Just looking for a protector God never reached out in time There's love that is a savior But that ain't no love of mine My love, it kills me slowly Slowly I could die And when she sleeps, she hears the blues Sees shades of black and white [MID-TEMPO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS.]
Was there anything else from the other night? Did I insult you or No, Hugh.
You seriously don't remember? You're not welcome as a member of our Country Women's Association any longer.
- You can't kick me out.
- You betrayed us all by allowing this abomination to be opened.
I need you.
I need a manager.
You're perfect.
Come on.
You don't have to do this.
- What? - I'm taking you home.
Ajax, put me down! - WOMAN: You let her go! Get off her! - Hayles, it's me or the pole.
Oh, Ajax, grow up.
Everyone can see what's going on.
This little codependent game that you two play I ain't letting it happen anymore.
You're my wife.
Don't tell me you're leaving me.
The head office wants to see me in Melbourne.
- Why? - I don't know.
I'll be gone a few days, though.
What did I say the other night? You told me you loved me.
Right.
- Did you mean it? - [HORN BLARES.]
- Shit.
- [TIRES SCREECH, CRASH.]
Penny? Penny? Yes, ambulance! Yes, it's urgent! Langford slip road, half a K past the new bridge.
Possible casualties.
Please, please.
Can you please call my sister? Because my sister's gonna be going like, "Where's Jackie?" It's okay.
It's okay.
- I'm a doctor! - Oh! I don't know what to do! I didn't know if I should move them.
- PENNY: It's okay.
- [COUGHING.]
Hey.
Can you wiggle your fingers and toes? [CHILD CRYING.]
Good.
Good.
Come on.
Come on back.
Hey, mate.
Hey.
Is that arm hurting you? Is it, mate? Out you go.
Go and get back! - WOMAN: Yeah.
Come on! - Get back! Hey.
PENNY: [GRUNTING.]
Hey.
What's your name? [COUGHS.]
Evan.
Let's get you out of here.
Come on.
Let's go.
Evan! - That's it.
- Evan! Here you are.
Come on.
All right.
Come on.
- Let's go.
- [CHILD CRYING.]
- [COUGHING.]
- It's all right.
- It's all right.
- [SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
Okay.
It's all right, mate.
You're all right.
[BREATHES SHARPLY.]
Okay.
Evan's got significant chest bruising, shallow breathing.
He needs oxygen.
Penny.
Penny.
Oh, shit.
Come on.
It's okay.
Ambos have got it.
It's okay.
Hey.
Hey.
Shit, shit, shit.
Penny? Penny? So, we're gonna put Evan on a care flight to Sydney.
You're gonna go with him.
Okay? Don't worry.
It's just for observation.
- Leah's gonna take you through it.
- PENNY: Hugh.
Don't worry.
They're okay.
They're okay.
[MID-TEMPO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS.]
No, I'm all right.
- I don't want anybody worrying.
- Get up.
All right? Just gonna find myself a nice spot in the sun, and I'll be fine.
Matt, we should probably see about opening up the brewery.
- Yeah.
Right.
- Helen.
Oh, how lovely of you to visit.
I was just thinking about you.
Matt, where are you going? The children very anxious while I was in hospital.
Rod Eagle is applying for a 24-hour license for his Establishment.
Is he? I wouldn't know.
I've been unwell.
And since you're the one I hold responsible for bringing the, um Pretty Titty.
and all its wretched sleaziness to Whyhope, I'm asking that, as mayor, you would do the honorable thing and sign our petition to have the Pretty Titty.
close down permanently.
I'm in.
Where do I sign? HELEN: A last chance, Meryl.
Repair this great wrong or be the woman who destroyed everything that is fine and decent in our town.
She's got a good point, Mum.
She looks so calm and peaceful - when she's asleep.
- Mm.
It's hard to believe it's really her.
- Hi, there.
- [SOFTLY.]
Hey.
So, how are you feeling? You cracked a rib, but, otherwise, all good.
Little bit of bed rest, and you'll be break-dancing - before you know it.
- Hugh.
Yeah? Can you just piss off? HUGH: Uh Okay.
I don't want it to be like this.
I don't want a divorce.
Neither do I, but look at us.
We have to make some changes.
Well, you know the change I want you to make.
What? My job? Well, that's not happening.
[SIGHS.]
You got upset with Meryl, and now we are raising our child in a paddock.
And then you barge into my work and embarrass me in front of everyone.
Yeah, I hate you working there.
If you could just stop and think about your choices sometimes and not just fly off the handle.
This is my choice, Hayles.
And I have thought about it.
I'm just gonna go and see those kids from the accident.
Then you can do my discharge.
I'm not sure you're ready for that.
Oh, I'm more than ready.
Oh, okay.
Okay.
I get it.
This is about what we were saying before the accident the other night.
If you can remember.
Okay.
Look.
I'm confused.
Are you angry that I said I loved you the first time or angry that I didn't say I loved you the second time? I'm not angry.
I'm just alive to the fact that no sooner had you said it, that you'd forgotten you said it at all.
- Well, I haven't forgotten.
- Words.
Just words.
[POPS LIPS.]
Okay.
All right.
Back to bed.
Hi, kids.
Hi! - Hey.
- Hey! Do you remember me? I'm Dr.
Cartwright.
Dr.
Cartwright likes to come to work in her jammies.
- [CHILDREN LAUGH.]
- Isn't she a silly old goose? [LAUGHS.]
Dr.
Knight has been so naughty that I'm giving him a time-out that lasts forever.
[CHILDREN LAUGH.]
Okay.
Okay.
Dr.
Knight better princess carry Dr.
Cartwright back to her bed.
[CHILDREN LAUGH.]
And maybe a spanking.
I was practically arm-wrestled by the CWA to sign that petition this morning.
Smart move, Meryl.
Do you think so? As my dear old mother used to say, "Never let your right hand know what your left hand's doing.
" And she opened a can of beer with her teeth.
Keep the wowsers sweet.
Then you and I work the numbers on council to get my extension approved.
I don't want your extension approved.
- [SCOFFS.]
- [PLATE CLATTERS.]
Thanks to you, I've become a pariah in my own town.
When's that ever bothered you? Having seen the creeps your place attracts.
ROD: Here's the thing, Meryl.
I've been waiting my whole life to get into the adult-entertainment industry, and now it's within my grasp, I am not letting go.
Well, thankfully, council will have the final say.
You're the mayor.
I made you the mayor, and I can take it away again.
[SNAPS FINGERS.]
Just like that.
See what I'm saying? You play nice.
Now, if, uh, you don't want that Any pain here? Mnh-mnh.
HUGH: What about here? Okay.
What are you doing? Checking for scapular injury.
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
If you want to get out of here, if you want to go home, I have to do this.
Where's Penny? Is she all right? - I want to see her.
- Dr.
Knight is with her at the moment in a purely medical role.
Just show me where she is.
Jarrod! No! S-Sorry.
You can't just go in there.
I want to see her now.
No! Penny.
You all right? Uh, just a little bruising and a cracked rib.
- What happened? - Mm.
Well, the cops think the other driver fell asleep at the wheel, swerved to the wrong side of the road.
Really nothing Penny could have done about it.
Anyway, she's good to go.
Can you go home and get me some clothes? I really want to get out of here.
Sure.
The head office have offered me a job in Broome.
The manager there has left, and they want me to start as soon as possible.
Monday.
- That's great.
- Mm.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well done.
So you need to start thinking about when you can join me.
- Jarrod.
- Meryl.
The whole town is up in arms because of Rod Eagle's girly bar.
Uh-huh.
Now, most of the outrage is directed at me, but my greater concern is what impact it has on you and your workforce.
I'm not really sure it's my problem, Meryl.
Well, I rather think that it is your problem.
The whole reason the bar is there is because Whyhope Mining has Rod Eagle's vote on council.
- Mm-hmm.
- Now, if he's shot down, I'm afraid you'll say goodbye to his support.
That's my successor's problem.
I've got a new job.
Penny and I are leaving town.
Are you? - Thanks.
- WOMAN: Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Thanks.
Bar's not gonna close anyway, Meryl.
You think the bar's a permanent fixture? Yeah, as long as there's 5,000 miners in town.
- WOMAN: Your change.
- JARROD: I like you, Meryl, but Penny's my wife, and I am not gonna leave her around your son any longer than necessary.
Can you tell me what you were thinking when you got me this? I was being considerate about your busted rib.
Okay.
Well, I want to check in on the kids from the accident.
- Then we can go home.
- Mm-hmm.
Have you given any more thought about quitting your job and moving to Broome with me? - On Monday? - Mm-hmm.
No.
I can't just up and leave everyone in the lurch.
I have patients here that I've had for years.
Isn't that what locums are for? Yes, but I'm not just the doctor here I'm the administrator.
There's so much I would need to do before I could leave.
They'll find someone else.
That's their job.
You're not irreplaceable.
I mean, your time here has run its course.
You know that.
You always do this.
What do I always do? You turn things inside out trying to find a reason not to do something that's right for you when you should just be committing and jumping in.
Okay.
Well, I'll think about it.
Don't think about it.
Just do it.
Okay.
I'll lodge a request with the agency to find a locum.
I'm in.
Good decision.
I'm being spontaneous.
Good.
How's it feel? Horrible.
I don't know who I am.
You're gonna be fine.
I'll join you as soon as I can, but I'm not leaving here until I find a replacement.
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay? You do what you need to do here, and I'll come pick you up in an hour, okay? Hey.
We're gonna go home.
We're gonna make plans.
[LAUGHING.]
Okay.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
And let us be mindful always that those same bright stars light up our path to righteousness as we ask his blessing to put a good shift in for the punters.
Amen.
TOGETHER: Amen.
CHERRY: [CRYING.]
Cherry, is everything all right? Sorry, Hayles.
Just, bastard's not coughing up his child support.
Selfish prick.
Men can be thoughtless.
[SCOFFS.]
Yeah, but you're so lucky, Hayles.
I mean, you said Ajax has never even stolen a car.
No.
He's cheated on you, right? Don't tell me he cooks.
Two-minute noodles and popcorn.
- [SIGHS.]
- Shit, Hayles.
He's a keeper.
Yeah, but don't let that fool you.
Once a prick, always a prick.
That's it.
Come on, kids.
We're going.
Who are you again? Some guy you met on an app.
What are the chances? Hey.
Can you guys take care of the kids for me? - Uh, something wrong? - Yeah.
Look, Hayley's outgrown me.
- No, she hasn't.
- AJAX: Yes, she has.
Every time we argue and stuff, she's just, like, so fast on her feet with the comebacks and stuff.
- Well, it's a skill.
- AJAX: Yeah.
She's coming at me with, like, words, and I'm just like, "Blah, blah, blah, blah.
" Okay.
I'm gonna stop you right there, Ajax.
That's, like, every guy who ever lived.
Well, I'm gonna do something about it, so if you can look after the kids, that's gonna be great.
Well, you know I'm rubbish with kids.
[LAUGHS.]
Yeah, the schoolteacher.
Right.
So, yeah? Thanks.
Hi, kids.
[CHUCKLES.]
No.
This is unacceptable.
You'll leave the hospital mired in crisis.
How do you expect us to find a replacement for you by Monday, I think it is.
- [WHIMPERS.]
- I understand this won't be easy for you, but I'm asking you as my friends to support me in this next chapter of my life.
Sometimes in life, things go beyond mere personal convenience.
And sometimes you can only do what is right for you in that particular moment.
I've lodged a request for a locum.
- KEN: [SIGHS.]
- And I'm doing whatever I can - to source my replacement.
- KEN: No.
I refuse to be dragged along on this roller-coaster ride of the emotions.
Leave.
Go.
Is it on? Is it off? Who's sleeping with who? It's like one of those wildlife documentaries.
No sooner do you invest in some cute little mite, then something big comes along and eats it.
That went well.
There we go.
So, I'm going home now, so I want you to take extra-special care in looking after yourselves, okay? You promise? Promise? Good girl.
And, Phoenix, you remind Dr.
Knight to keep a close eye on this arm.
All right? Good boy.
Okay.
Bye-bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
[LAUGHS.]
It's funny, isn't it? What? What's funny? Just the Penny Cartwright that I know doesn't just marry some bloke after 2 days' notice, toss everything aside, and then bail to the other side of the country.
Is that your final word? Hopefully.
Oh, other than Overalls really aren't your thing, are they? - Still no sign of Ajax.
- Mm.
Must be out on the razzle-dazzle somewhere.
They could have been ours in another life.
I'm good with what it is.
I want everything to be different to how it was before.
That can be arranged.
I mean the two of us figuring out what we plan on doing with, like, the whole rest of our lives.
Shit.
I don't want something this good to end up being just whatever.
[ELIZA LAUGHS.]
You all right, Mum? Mm.
Thanks for asking.
I fear I'm losing my touch.
[SCOFFS.]
Hardly.
I'm reviled in the town that I love.
My friends shun me in the street.
And apparently I'm turning Whyhope into the red-light district of the Central West.
Seriously? But the thing I worry about most is you.
You're unsettled.
'Cause Whyhope is limited in what it has to offer someone with your talent.
Yes, well, it's a little more complicated than that.
Well, whatever the reason, you've wasted opportunities, and you've let your destiny stand idle.
You know, I have had responsibilities.
MERYL: I know.
So I'm willing to do what I did with your firstborn.
I'll raise Eliza in your absence so you're free to pursue your career.
We're Knights.
We refuse to let circumstances define us.
We come back twice as hard.
Why do you think in the SES we tell people that they need a survival plan in a bushfire? Why? Because when you're in the middle of a ring of fire you're unable to devise a coherent plan of action.
I'm not surprised.
It's all about motor function.
It's just I duck my head.
That branch doesn't hit me.
Raise my arm up here, and those embers don't get in my face.
It's all about being in the here and the now, not in 5 minutes' time.
Adrenaline doesn't kick in, you won't be around in 5 minutes' time anyway.
So, right now, with Hugh, you know and your history you are right in the middle of this ring of fire.
You're trying to find a way out.
I'm the one with the survival plan.
I know you are.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[YAWNS.]
Tell me if this is weird, but I may never wear clothes again.
Mm.
I'd be happy enough if I never had to wear shoes.
[SIGHS.]
- WOMAN: There you go.
- Thanks, babe.
- WOMAN: No worries.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How you doing? [CHUCKLES.]
Aren't you two divorced yet? - I'm not sure.
- I don't know.
- Are we? - Are we? Hurry up and make a decision.
I have.
Feels good.
Are we divorced? We both signed something.
What are you doing? Shoes on the table bad luck.
Portuguese folklore.
I recommend that you join me.
With your permission, I am committing us to adventure without shoes.
- Barefoot adventure? - Without shoes.
I'll research beers.
You can pen sci-fi erotica.
And where are we doing this exactly? Anywhere we want to go that isn't Whyhope.
You've never wanted to travel.
I know, but you always have.
And you need to.
You're right.
I am a man of possibilities.
And what about the brewery? Well, it'll still be here when we get back.
Let's call it our post-divorce honeymoon.
KEN: But we still need a locum.
Well, there can't be nobody.
No responses.
Nobody wants to come and work with us.
Must have heard we're staffed by people with no concept of loyalty.
- Dr.
Knight? - Well [CRYING.]
Hey, little mate.
You feeling okay? Do you mind if I take a look at this arm? He's missing our mum.
Yeah, 'course you are.
His swelling's serious.
- Is this hurting? - [GROANING.]
Could be ACS.
Okay.
We're gonna prep for surgery.
Yep.
That's very good.
I thought you might want to know I had to perform an emergency fasciotomy to relieve pressure off the arteries.
Compartment syndrome? He could have lost his arm.
Was anyone monitoring the swelling? Didn't anybody say that he was in pain? Yeah.
He was being monitored.
That's how we saved the arm.
I'm sorry.
That was unnecessary.
I know.
You're invested in these kids.
I get it.
So, um, departure plans all going to plan? Yes.
As soon as we've found my replacement.
Uh about that.
- Position's been filled.
- Hmm? I told Ken that I'm prepared to sign a 3-year contract to become hospital administrator.
What? I thought long and hard about it.
My roots are here.
My family's here.
I have a child to raise.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
That's so like you.
[CHUCKLES.]
Sorry.
How am I the bad guy here? I'm the one who's stepping up.
You're the one who's quitting.
So this is some kind of guilt-trip exercise to stop me from leaving.
No, but if you're feeling guilty about going, maybe you need to think about your life choices.
Oh, my Gosh! Oh, my God.
He's doing it deliberately.
- BETTY: What? - Taking the moral high ground! How does that make me look?! Okay.
Is it possible that Hugh's deciding to stay on here for all the right reasons? Okay.
Probably not.
He's being manipulative, like always.
BETTY: And you're angry because you feel like he's challenging the fact that you really do want to leave? Yeah, of course he is.
So if you got down on bended knee and he begged you to stay, you'd still choose to go? Yes.
Wow.
Okay.
Then that is exactly what you need to do.
I know.
Because he is never gonna change.
Correct.
So you need to cut the thread that has tied you to Hugh all this time finally and irrevocably.
- Yes.
- And make a lifetime commitment to the husband that you love.
Yes.
But not knowing what you're getting from Hugh kind of means you know exactly what you're getting.
I thought we'd just agreed you were cutting the thread? Yeah, we had.
I'm just clarifying.
Decision's made, Penny.
No backsliding.
[SIGHS.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS, DANCE MUSIC PLAYS.]
MAN: Whoo! - Meryl? - I'm not here to judge you.
But you working here, I'm concerned for you.
I'm surviving perfectly well.
Thank you.
For now, yes.
I know you see this as a place for fine young women to choose and celebrate their physical grace and athleticism.
Yes.
MERYL: And I'm sure they're lovely girls.
- Yes.
- But a business with a 24-hour license - You know what that means? - Yes.
No.
What? Special arrangements after midnight, additional services.
Rod didn't mention? No.
Oh, he's probably trying to ease you into it.
Mm.
Still, if you're comfortable with that, I'll say no more.
Meryl.
Is Ajax all right? Um, as far as I know.
Mm, did he stay at the homestead last night? Maybe Maybe he was at Matt's.
Not to my knowledge.
Yeah, riding through the fire Here's something, now Keep it, keep it going now [BRETT SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
HAYLEY: Hey! Brett! No, no, no, no.
You take that back.
Take that back.
I would like you to put that in your wallet and leave.
[BRETT GROANS.]
This is not the kind of club that you think it is.
There are no additional services.
And as long as I'm in charge, there won't be any.
BRETT: Whatever.
Yes, but think what would have happened to our reputation if I let him get away with doing that.
CHERRY: There was 10 different ways I could have spent that money, and none of them were for me.
Leave it.
She's not worth it.
[GASPS.]
Please don't let this come between us.
We've become such good pals.
We were before you started pushing all that holier-than-thou crap.
You know what, lady? You're no better than us just because you keep your kit on.
I know I'm not.
But do you really want to earn your money like that? [CHERRY SCOFFS.]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[HORN BLARES.]
[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
- MAN #2: Inside! - MAN #1: Inside! - How's it look? - WOMAN: All right, Mum.
- HELEN: [CHUCKLES.]
- MAN #3: Over here! - A little slack.
Come on, now.
- MAN #4: Here, hit it.
[MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY.]
Good riddance, I say.
[SIREN CHIRPING, RADIO CHATTER.]
ROD: What do you say, Meryl? Was she just too rare an angel to survive this ugly world? Maybe it's for the best.
Ajax.
Oh! Ohh! Where have you been? I've been so worried.
No, I'm good.
I'm really good.
Fire's really made a mess of that place.
Ajax, come with me.
- [SLURPING.]
- HAYLEY: Ajax Swear to me that you had nothing to do with setting fire to the Pretty Titty.
Hayles, this is a menu.
Swear.
Tell me, what were you doing here in the first place? And where have you been all this time? Been hanging out with Jim.
He always said if I needed to talk, I could.
But Jim's Not on the farm, he's not.
He's everywhere you look.
Well, what did he say? He said the only thing I ought to be is a farmer and a dad.
Everyone laughs 'cause I didn't finish school.
But I'm gonna finish school.
I'm gonna go to ag college, devote myself to working on the farm.
And you're absolutely certain that you didn't set fire to the Pretty Titty? [LAUGHS.]
No.
Oh, I'm so proud of you! It's the Parable of the Lost Sheep, except you were the sheep that was lost and now you've been found.
Well, we don't have sheep.
I'm talking big picture, Ajax.
To have lost your life's dream for the sake of a cheese toastie and a faulty socket.
There's a lot we don't understand.
Where one dream dies, another one blossoms.
Rod, you're about to collect a handsome insurance payout.
Glen, I know you're always keen for new opportunities.
The proposal is that you jointly purchase the cemetery business and its plots from Ajax.
That all right with you, son? Awesome.
MERYL: Of course it is.
There's money to be made in interments, and you're never gonna run out of customers.
Besides, Ajax has other plans.
Ajax has his destiny.
[CREAKING.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
So, you've just got to clear out your desk at the clinic, right? That won't take long.
Betty's collecting me.
Okay.
Well, I, uh, rescued your charger from the car, then.
Oh.
Thank you.
Great.
Look, I've got to sign off on a survey at the mine.
Um, then I'll head back home, pick up the bags, and you just head straight to the airport.
Sure.
Anything we miss will just get sent on.
So, when the accident happened, I was on the phone to Hugh.
Why were you doing that? He told me he loved me.
I wanted to know if he meant it.
Jesus Christ, Penny.
Why do you tell me this shit? I don't want to hide anything from you.
Well, maybe it's best sometimes you do.
Do you want me to make this decision for you? What decision? Whether we have a marriage.
Of course we do.
On your terms, which involves sneaky midnight chats with your ex.
I mean, what kind of a prick is he, anyway? Jarrod, I'm coming with you.
You are my survival plan.
I'm not gonna tell you what to do, okay? But here's your choice.
We can draw a line under all this crap and start afresh in W.
A.
, or you can stay here in Whyhope, same old shit it's always been.
There'll be a ticket for you at the airport.
Either way, I am on that plane, and I won't be coming back here.
It's your call.
- You don't want to help, Ken? - I don't.
I'm registering my disapproval at this calamitous decision.
Hugh, no.
This is not about you.
What was I gonna say? Something sneaky and underhand designed to feed any doubts you think Penny might still have - about leaving.
- Right.
That'll do.
Which she doesn't, by the way.
And Jarrod's at the airport, and quite frankly, I don't even know why she's still here.
Traitor.
Okay.
[SIGHS.]
I need to call a taxi.
No, look.
It's okay.
I'll drive you.
Oh, I don't know about that.
[SIGHS.]
No time.
I love you.
Let's go.
Did you mean it when you said you loved me? Or were you just drunk? Yes, I meant it, and, yes, I was drunk.
Why do you tell me this stuff? Why can't you just keep it to yourself? Because I keep it to myself every day, and then, occasionally, I get drunk, and it just pops out.
Anyway, we said it would never work between us.
[SIGHS.]
PENNY: I can't spend my life with you.
Why would I want to spend my life with you? You're never gonna change.
No, I'm not.
Jarrod doesn't play games.
He's a down-the-line, straightforward, honest man.
Yeah, he is.
You don't even know the meaning of the word "dependable.
" No, I don't.
You keep wanting to put me on the spot, but what about you? How do you feel about me? I love you.
Right.
Good to know.
Why is it that, whatever you do, you always leave it to the very last minute? Whatever you do, it's always too late.
[SIGHS.]
Just looking for a protector God never reached out in time There's love that is a savior But that ain't no love of mine My love, it kills me slowly Slowly I could die And when she sleeps, she hears the blues Sees shades of black and white Run, run, run away Run, run, run away Got to stay cool, you hot, hot head Count to 1,000 before you sleep in bed Read the news Pass the time Drink the juice Feeling fine Got to stay cool, you hot, hot head Count to 1,000 before you sleep in bed Read the news Pass the time Drink the juice Feeling fine At least you're not boring No one ever wants to feel this sad Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh Just looking for a protector God never reached out in time There's love that is a savior But that ain't no love of mine My love, it kills me slowly Slowly I could die And when she sleeps, she hears the blues Sees shades of black and white Just looking for a protector God never reached out in time There's love that is a savior But that ain't no love of mine My love, it kills me slowly Slowly I could die And when she sleeps, she hears the blues Sees shades of black and white [MID-TEMPO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS.]