Wild Boys (2011) s01e06 Episode Script
Episode 6
Mmm.
Ohhh.
Mmm.
This is delicious.
Mmm.
Pork.
Mutton.
Thanks for sharing your fire with us, Mr McClardy.
- And this stew.
- I welcome the company, boys.
- Safety in numbers.
- Mmm.
Especially with so many bushrangers on the road.
I wouldn't be worrying about bushrangers tonight.
Not when there's a murderous cannibal on the loose.
- Not now, Dan, I'm eating.
- Sorry? - What did you say? - Just ignore him.
Dan's got a twisted sense of humour.
Haven't you heard about that, mate? There's been some interesting discoveries in these parts.
I'm not talking about gold either.
Head here, leg there.
Got teeth marks on 'em too, if you believe the whispers.
Now, the word is that it was an escaped convict.
There were six of 'em broke out of the Adelaide jail, went into the outback, got lost - no food for weeks.
Six of 'em went in there but only one of 'em came out and he put on a few pounds, if you know what I mean.
That'shorrible.
Or practical, depending on how you look at it.
What's the matter, mate? Lost my appetite.
Oh, mate, here.
Look, let me help you.
It would be a shame to waste such tasty nosh.
Oh, it's good.
Two more body parts.
Found this morning in scrub off the Western Road.
Bushrangers? Well, if you believe the bush telegraph, it's an escaped convict, turned cannibal.
Oh, just what a growing town needs.
"Come to Hopetoun, cannibal capital of Australia.
" Well, my men are on the case now.
Damn your men, Fuller - I want you doing what you're being paid to do.
Where's my money? It's not in my purse.
Don't you mean my money? I took it back.
It's my allowance.
Which I give to you to buy bonnets and dresses and pretty ribbons, not to stash away like some squirrel hoarding nuts.
That's right.
I found your little hidey-hole in the stable.
What does it matter if I choose to save my money? I'm not a fool, Emilia, I know you're saving so you can elope with that farrier.
You can't stop me from marrying Conrad.
Oh, for God's sake, Emilia, grow up.
I can stop you doing whatever I please.
Just saying that it's never straightforward with the Chinese, that's all.
A job's a job, I reckon.
Jobs have dried up on the road, Jack.
If the Chinese want to pay us gold to deliver a package to Mudgee Borough, then I'm for it.
Me too.
Could use the money.
Bai guai jing.
A white bone guiguai.
A demon - him responsible for bad luck.
Li Ping, I'm sorry, but I don't see what this has got to do with us delivering a package for you to Mudgee Borough.
A gift for Chow Fat, a wise man.
To help restore my good luck.
Why can't your people take it? Too scared to go on road.
They say bai guai jing will get them.
Come on, Jack.
I don't know.
I don't know - it feels like there's something you're not telling me.
Payment on delivery.
How hard can it be? Yeah.
Take a package, what, 30 miles down the road? Sounds like easy money, Jack.
Nothing is easy with the Chinese, Dan, I told ya.
Me and Emilia could really do with some of that gold.
Yeah, Chow Fat.
Alright, but if this goes bad, it's on your heads, alright? Alright, Lee Ping, you've got yourself a deal.
We'll take your package to Mudgee Borough.
Get the package.
Li Li laile.
Who's this? Li Li, my daughter.
She's the package.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, good people of Hopetoun - I've travelled far and wide, big cities to small towns.
A job? In the pub? I'll beg if I have to.
I can't give you a job, Emilia.
The roo's tail goes to Mrs Connor and the pig slab goes to Miss Catherine.
Why not? Because I do business with diggers and farmers and common traders.
How much of a big-noter would I look if I had the mayor's daughter working under me? I have barely escaped the clutches of an escaped convict cannibal who rather wanted a piece of me.
Excuse me, sir.
McClardy, ma'am, the bearer of medicinal cures and miraculous potions.
Well, this talk of convict cannibals - it's got to stop.
These people are frightened enough.
Just repeating what I'm hearing, ma'am.
Mary, please, I thought you, as an independent woman, would understand.
It's because I'm an independent woman that I have to say no to you, Emilia.
I'm sorry.
I'm after something special.
I think you've come to the right man, sir.
A poison that paralyses - make my prey easier to catch so I don't have to blast them all to pieces.
(WOMEN GASP) For skinning stuffed bush animals.
I have just the thing for you, sir.
From the legendary Yagua tribe of South America.
(CROWD EXCLAIMS) Behold.
The miracle of curare.
Curare.
Ah! So does this mean you're not angry with me anymore? This side of beef's close to spoiling.
I hope you don't mind a few maggots in your meat.
How about when I get back from Mudgee Borough, I'll call by - make up properly.
I knew you couldn't stay angry with me.
To be honest, I'm a little bit worried leaving you alone.
Oh, you're that worried about Mick Scanlon? Mick Scanlon is punching way above his weight where you're concerned.
These are strange times.
Even the Chinese are spooked.
Well, don't need any heroes saving my bacon.
Oh, Mary, it is such tasty bacon.
Jack, don't.
I stink of meat.
And I stink of horse sweat.
Don't hear you complaining.
What's that smell? - What? - Mutton.
Beef, actually.
He's stupid and he's fat and he Li Li's a pretty name, isn't it, for a pretty girl? Oh, don't even think about it.
Hey, my mind's pure, Jack.
It's fixed on business.
We deliver the girl, collect the gold, end of story.
Your mind is many things, but pure is not one of them, Dan.
Is that honestly how you see me? You think I'd risk everything for a quick grope in the dark with the lovely Li Li? (SNIGGERS) (SPEAKS CHINESE) What's that all about? I don't think she's too keen on marrying this Chow Fat fella.
Says he's a fat ugly old bloke covered in warts.
It could be worse, Li Li - it could be a fat ugly young bloke and be stuck with him for years.
Shh, shh.
Chaps.
FULLER: Go on.
Drag it out of the water.
What are they doing? Take the track up this way and rejoin at the other side of the river.
Let's go.
Yah.
Shh.
MICK: Maybe she drowned.
It's not like the others.
It's a whole body this time.
Not Independent parts.
Well, there's bruising around the neck.
She was strangled.
What's that on her hands? Some sort of stain.
Opium? Cigars of any type are rare in the colony, but this is even rarer.
If I'm not mistaken, Spanish.
Right boys, go and get the cart.
You found something there, Sergeant? Nothing, sir.
Got our delivery of candles wrong again, Bill - the cheap ones.
Money's tight this month - just trying to pinch a penny for you.
Tallow stinks.
A few pennies pinched won't matter if the smell drives my customers away.
EMILIA: Mary.
(SIGHS) OK, fine.
If you want a job, I'll give you one.
Thank you.
Ruby, can you take Emilia and show her where we keep the mops, rags and buckets? She'll be cleaning the rooms.
Thank you, Mary.
Giving Fife's daughter a job.
Don't think he'll like that.
She won't last more than a day once she's emptied a bedpan or two.
I need to speak to Jack, Mary.
You know where I can find him? So you can bring him in? You have my word I won't arrest him.
Please.
It's a matter of life and death.
Whoa, hold your fire.
But don't put your gun away either.
I'm not here as a trap, Jack.
Why are you here, Mick? I'm here because of this.
It's not just what was scratched in the dirt.
We found a half-smoked cigar, Spanish.
I'm telling you, it all points to Brady.
I'm telling you, Brady's dead.
He's been dead 10 years.
But what if he's not? I shot him Mick, right in his heart.
You saw me do it.
Then explain what we found at the riverbank.
I can't.
But Brady's gone to the devil, I know that much.
Someone murdered that woman.
Well, Mick, that's police business, and you're the trap now.
It's got nothing to do with me.
(BIRDS CALL) (POURING WATER) All this yap, I can hardly hear myself think.
Jack? Are you gonna tell us what Scanlon was in a flap about or are you just gonna let me and Conrad die of curiosity? I'm not that curious.
Came to tell me that a dead man has come back to life.
Dead man? A fella called Brady.
Me and Mick used to ride with him.
- Mick Scanlon? - Mmm.
You used to ride with Scanlon? Yeah, before he was a trap.
10 years ago, we were just a couple of cattle duffers.
Well, not to mention best mates.
Along with Brady.
One night, we got word that Brady was holed up with a prostitute in Lewis Ponds and he was threatening her.
All sorts of things.
Mick and I got on our horses and we rode.
Rode like the wind.
We were too late.
She was dead.
Brady had choked the life out of her.
He went after Mick with a knife, so I shot him.
Right here.
The traps turned up and we took off.
What was that scar on Scanlon's arm? That was meant to be a sign of brotherhood .
.
a sign of unity.
The three of us got on the juice one night and thought it was a good idea.
Turns out, it was just a sign that we were young and dumb.
(JANGLING) (MUFFLED YELL) Shh, or I stick your mates where they sleep.
I shot you.
You're dead! For 10 long years Jack.
Dead as a maggot, festering in that stinking pit of a jail.
I could kill you now.
But I'm not gonna.
Nah, that'd be too easy.
I want to make you suffer, Jack.
Like you and Mick made me suffer.
Suffer so much you'd rather cut your own throat than keep living.
Happy dreams.
DAN: Oh, nice of you to join us, mate - now we've got all the work done.
Help yourself to a cuppa.
It's not long boiled.
Brady was here.
In the camp, during the night.
For me, it was a Turkish belly dancer named Fatima.
No, I didn't dream it, Dan.
He shackled my hands and my feet.
I can still smell his breath.
I saw him.
You saw Brady? He was here in the night.
I saw.
Jack Can't stay here, Dan.
It'll just put you guys in danger.
You know, maybe you should think about laying off the rum for a bit.
Gotta get back to Hopetoun, find Scanlon, get rid of Brady.
- What about Mudgee Borough? - Get her to Mudgee Borough.
You don't need me holding your hand, alright? Yeah, well, if you think we're gonna split the gold evenly, think again! I believe you about Brady.
- MICK: In jail? - 10 years.
Somehow, the mongrel dodged my bullet.
If he had you shackled up, why didn't he stick a knife in your belly? He said he wanted me to suffer.
Said it'd be too easy.
You said anything before about Brady? I'm working hard to make Fuller forget my past.
Well, then, I guess it's up to you and me, then, isn't it, Mick? So what do we do next? We find Brady first.
Still warm.
Can't be gone long.
He'll be back.
Oh, you don't have to make that.
It'll just get mussed anyway.
It's OK.
It's my job.
If you don't mind me asking .
.
you live in a fancy house and your father's all rich and important.
Why are you cleaning rooms in a pub? I'm doing it for love.
Oh Tell me everything! There isn't much to tell.
My father hates the man I'm going to marry.
- Oh! - He's cut off my allowance.
If I want to be with Conrad, I'm going to have to earn my own dowry.
Oh, that's so romantic.
You'd make a lot more money doing what I do.
- That's not so romantic.
- Nonsense! It's good practice that'll benefit your future husband.
- No, I couldn't! - It's not that bad! Most of the men are nice enough.
Best of all, you get to dress up! (HUMS) Uh I bet you your young man would pay good money to see you in this.
And he's not the only one.
MARY: Emilia, where are you? Emilia, you haven't come across a tortoiseshell hair comb in your cleaning, have you? - I can't find it anywhere.
- Um, no.
Sorry, Mary.
(GIGGLES) (SNIFFS) You know, I'm sure it won't be so bad, being married to this Zhao Fa fellow.
I don't love Zhao Fa.
I love Chen Ming.
- Who? - Chen Ming.
Chen Ming? Who's Chen Ming? A boy from camp.
And he loves me.
But father hate him, say he not good enough.
And he refuse us marry.
- That's not fair.
- Love not fair.
What's with the tears? She's in love with someone else.
- Uh-huh.
- What are we going to do? We do what we get paid to do, mate.
We deliver the package.
She's not a package, Dan.
She's a girl.
OK.
That's not going to be the last time that a girl turns on waterworks to try and get whatever she wants from you, OK? Girls do that stuff to me all the time, mate.
Now, what I've found that helps is when that dam bursts, just cast your mind somewhere else.
Somewhere like what? Cricket helps for me.
Uh, Dan Ah.
(SCREAMS) Hey, hey, hey.
(WHIMPERS INDISTINCTLY) It's McLardy.
Hey, it's OK.
It's alright! (COUGHS AND RETCHES) - You right there, Dan? - Oh.
I knew McLardy's food tasted funny.
"Pork," I said.
"Mutton," he reckons.
I'll give him mutton.
You don't really think it was bits of people in that stew? You saw inside that sack, Conrad.
Those pieces, they're just chopped and cleaved into juicy prime cuts for the pot.
I don't feel too flash.
(LAUGHS) Yeah, go and laugh.
You had it too.
Actually, I only ate the carrots and the spuds.
I don't know.
I thought the meat looked a little bit strange.
(COUGHS, VOMITS) (VOMITS) Just like old times, waiting for unsuspecting cattle.
Not much has changed for you, Jack.
Instead of cattle, it's an unsuspecting carriage.
Mind you, I can see the attraction.
Back when we were mates, life was simple.
Not like the traps were organised.
Not much has changed, has it? Everything's changed, Jack.
I wear the uniform now.
Just 'cause you wear a uniform doesn't make you any better.
I sleep in a real bed, I walk down the main street in the middle of the day.
I walk down the main street whenever I want.
I drink in the pub.
(LAUGHS) You drink in Mary's pub.
Yeah, because she's happy to serve me, 'cause I make sure she's safe.
Safe from the likes of me? I got respect.
I don't spend my days running.
(RUSTLING) (GUNSHOT) (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) Why'd you bring him here? I couldn't very well drag him up the main street at Hopetoun, could I? Tried to pull it out and he screamed like a girl.
Sergeant, I'd like it known that I do not know this man.
I have had no dealings with him, be they professional, personal or nefarious.
What have you got there? Oh, it's a new invention for the delivery of fluids directly into the body.
How does it work? (SCREAMS) Just give me one good reason why I shouldn't arrest you for that.
Can you count to five, please, Sergeant? One, two Three, four, five.
Can't feel any pain.
(LAUGHS) It's called curare - deadly poison from South America.
Only in large doses.
It's small and nips it.
Just deadens feeling.
Paralyses the muscle.
Only for a short time.
I can't move my legs.
It's miraculous.
Well, a miracle that may be, but it's still not going to help us find Brady.
I'm at a loss, Jack.
I don't know where to next.
The girl he murdered - who was she? A local, from the goldfields, maybe.
She'd been eating opium - brown stains on her hands.
Brown stains.
She might have worked at the tannery.
Nearest tannery is Mudgee Borough.
Ah, stay here.
You'll only slow me down.
I'm burning up.
My guts is really sore.
Oh, I'll be damned if I'm not running a fever.
When we get to Mudgee Borough .
.
I'm just going to head straight for the doc.
Shh, shh.
What? What is it? Go and check it out, Conrad.
What?Why me? Look at me.
(YELLS) Ming! Lili! Lili.
Lili! Whatwhat are you doing here? I have no money.
My gold claim is worthless.
II have nothing to offer you, only my heart.
Oh, as if I wasn't sick enough.
Mudgee Borough is a couple of miles down the track.
I'm just going to head ahead.
I need to go and see a doctor.
Just let Lili say her goodbyes and then you bring her in, OK? Just remember why we're doing this, Conrad - the gold, Amelia.
- You go out digging? - Yeah.
- How'd you go? - Yeah, good.
- Many people out that way? - A little.
Thanks.
Just give me one sec.
- Where's Mary? - She's taking Tom to school.
Seen Keenan hanging around? No.
But I've seen him sniffing around one of your blokes.
Sergeant Scanlon.
I saw them this morning out the back of the main street having a little chinwag.
Conrad.
It's Harry, actually.
But you canyou can call me anything you want.
How much? No, I'm not! You look real pretty in that.
- Why don't you take it off? - No! (SCREAMS) MAN: What's happened? (GROANS) What's going on? Nothing I can't handle.
Out, out, out.
This isn't what it looks like.
I was just trying this on.
He attacked me.
He's dead.
I didn't mean to.
He was coming at me, he tripped, he fell! It was an accident.
He surprised me.
I understand, I understand.
Hush now.
- Is he really dead? - No deader than he deserves.
- What's going to happen? - Shh.
It's all going to be alright.
I'm here now and I'm going to take care of everything.
(LILI AND MING SPEAK CANTONESE) No, I won'tgive up! I won't let you go.
Ilove you.
(SPEAKS CANTONESE) I love you.
(SPEAKS MANDARIN) Here, this Go on, both of you.
I'll square it with your father.
I don't know how, but I'll do it.
What? Thank you.
Just go on, quick! Before Dan gets back.
Go on! Put it down, McClarty.
Drop it, or I'll have to shoot you.
If it's money you're after, this won't end happy.
Business is as dead as mutton.
Wouldn't bring up death or mutton either, given what's in the sack! What are you doing? Hey.
Hey! Conrad, what's going on? He's the cannibal Dan's been talking about.
What? No, I am not a cannibal! Are you saying there's no body parts in there? Yes! No! Yes! But they're nothing to do with me.
I'm paid to get rid of them.
Paid by who? The doc.
Here.
In Mudgee Borough.
I've never actually been bled before.
Are you sure this is going to break the fever? Drop the knife or I'll put a bullet through your eye! He's the cannibal, Dan.
Alright, alright! Hand.
A monster! He was going to cut me up.
He's not a monster, Dan.
He's a doctor.
- Yeah, he cuts up his patients.
- Only the dead ones, Conrad! - McClarty, what's going on? - Sorry, Doc, it's a misunderstanding.
The doc here pays McClarty to get rid of the bodies after he's finished with the dissections.
By dumping them in the bush? I pay McClarty to bury the remains respectfully.
It's not my fault.
Since I done my back in, I can't work a shovel.
So there was no cannibal? (LAUGHS) You're bleeding there.
So your stewreally was mutton.
Actually, no.
It was possum with a bit of wombat.
I'm sorry to gawk.
You're the second man I've seenwith a scar like that.
Where did you see the other one? Here in Mudgee Borough.
What's that? Go to Gunpowder's hut.
It means Scanlon is there.
You tell him Brady's gone after Mary.
MAN: Another whiskey, ma'am - hot.
You know Jack Keenan, don't you? Sorry, who are you? Just an old mate.
Ruby.
Jack.
Where's Mary? I'm not sure I think she went up to her bedroom.
Mary?! (GRUNTS) Horrible feeling - aint it? It's like your soul's imprisoned in some wretched deep black hole and can't get out.
You know that's how I felt day after day after day for 10 long years.
The only thing that made it bearable was dreaming of this moment.
You broke my heart, Jack.
So it is only fair and reasonable that I get to break yours.
(MUFFLED GROANS) (MUFFLED SCREAMS) Hey, Jack, are you watching? (MUFFLED GRUNTS) She's pretty, Jack.
Not for much longer, mate.
MAN: Jack! (HORSE WHINNIES) Jack! Mary! I'll be back in a bit.
Don't you move now.
Ruby, where's Jack? - I dunno.
- I know he's here.
- Where's Jack? - I don't know.
- Where's Mary? - Get your hands off me.
We've got company.
We might have to finish up our business sooner than I intended.
(MUFFLED SCREAMS) JACK: Wait Mary! .
.
I'll pay.
(MUFFLED SCREAMS) I'll pay you.
Mary! Gold stash.
Gold.
Stash? You have a stash? Where? Talk fast.
Where's your stash? (GRUNTS) (YELLS) After I've killed you, Jack .
.
I'm going to hang you up with the rest of the stinking dead meat.
FULLER: Scanlon? Scanlon? Fuller's here.
Disappear, Jack.
What happened here? Fell with him.
He's our killer.
Where's Keenan? Haven't seen him.
Think again, sergeant.
You were seen talking with him this morning.
Your snitch got it wrong, sir.
Hmm.
Jack! He's dead.
He can't hurt you anymore.
Who was he? He was a ghost.
Someone from my past.
FULLER: Spread out and search.
You better go.
- I'm so sorry.
- Just go, Jack.
So you've figured out what you're going to say, lover boy? I'm just going to tell him how it is - Uh-huh.
- Make him see reason.
- Good luck with that.
- Li Ping.
Your daughter doesn't love Chow Fat, she loves Chen Ming.
You may be her father and all that but you're not God.
I believe she has the right to marry whoever she wants.
You agree? - No.
- Yes.
I mean yes, yes.
(SPEAKS CANTONESE) Bai Gu Jing is dead.
I struck a new vein of gold this morning it seems luck has returned.
Lili and Chen Ming? The gods smile on this union.
I am happy.
You have done well.
So our payment then? (SPEAKS CANTONESE) My wife she tells me she is pregnant.
(LAUGHS) Congratulations, Li Ping.
That is good luck.
I already have 10 children - that's very bad luck! Well, there's something I've got to do.
I'll see you later? Let's get drunk.
You just read my mind.
Psst! Are you feeling better after your ordeal? Yes, I am.
Thank you for taking care of things at Mary's.
My pleasure.
It is not easy to know who to trust in this town, which is why I'm so grateful to know that I can trust you.
You see a man is dead and I can only continue to protect your liberty .
.
and your reputation if you agree to help me do something very special.
And what would that be? I'm going to catch Jack Keenan and his gang.
And you're going to help me.
Hey! I've been thinking about you - about us.
About how all the money in the world isn't going to make any difference.
We love each other - that's enough.
Who cares what your father says or the people in town think? I reckon we hang it all and run away together today - now! Oh, Conrad, you can be so naive about the world sometimes.
Ohhh.
Mmm.
This is delicious.
Mmm.
Pork.
Mutton.
Thanks for sharing your fire with us, Mr McClardy.
- And this stew.
- I welcome the company, boys.
- Safety in numbers.
- Mmm.
Especially with so many bushrangers on the road.
I wouldn't be worrying about bushrangers tonight.
Not when there's a murderous cannibal on the loose.
- Not now, Dan, I'm eating.
- Sorry? - What did you say? - Just ignore him.
Dan's got a twisted sense of humour.
Haven't you heard about that, mate? There's been some interesting discoveries in these parts.
I'm not talking about gold either.
Head here, leg there.
Got teeth marks on 'em too, if you believe the whispers.
Now, the word is that it was an escaped convict.
There were six of 'em broke out of the Adelaide jail, went into the outback, got lost - no food for weeks.
Six of 'em went in there but only one of 'em came out and he put on a few pounds, if you know what I mean.
That'shorrible.
Or practical, depending on how you look at it.
What's the matter, mate? Lost my appetite.
Oh, mate, here.
Look, let me help you.
It would be a shame to waste such tasty nosh.
Oh, it's good.
Two more body parts.
Found this morning in scrub off the Western Road.
Bushrangers? Well, if you believe the bush telegraph, it's an escaped convict, turned cannibal.
Oh, just what a growing town needs.
"Come to Hopetoun, cannibal capital of Australia.
" Well, my men are on the case now.
Damn your men, Fuller - I want you doing what you're being paid to do.
Where's my money? It's not in my purse.
Don't you mean my money? I took it back.
It's my allowance.
Which I give to you to buy bonnets and dresses and pretty ribbons, not to stash away like some squirrel hoarding nuts.
That's right.
I found your little hidey-hole in the stable.
What does it matter if I choose to save my money? I'm not a fool, Emilia, I know you're saving so you can elope with that farrier.
You can't stop me from marrying Conrad.
Oh, for God's sake, Emilia, grow up.
I can stop you doing whatever I please.
Just saying that it's never straightforward with the Chinese, that's all.
A job's a job, I reckon.
Jobs have dried up on the road, Jack.
If the Chinese want to pay us gold to deliver a package to Mudgee Borough, then I'm for it.
Me too.
Could use the money.
Bai guai jing.
A white bone guiguai.
A demon - him responsible for bad luck.
Li Ping, I'm sorry, but I don't see what this has got to do with us delivering a package for you to Mudgee Borough.
A gift for Chow Fat, a wise man.
To help restore my good luck.
Why can't your people take it? Too scared to go on road.
They say bai guai jing will get them.
Come on, Jack.
I don't know.
I don't know - it feels like there's something you're not telling me.
Payment on delivery.
How hard can it be? Yeah.
Take a package, what, 30 miles down the road? Sounds like easy money, Jack.
Nothing is easy with the Chinese, Dan, I told ya.
Me and Emilia could really do with some of that gold.
Yeah, Chow Fat.
Alright, but if this goes bad, it's on your heads, alright? Alright, Lee Ping, you've got yourself a deal.
We'll take your package to Mudgee Borough.
Get the package.
Li Li laile.
Who's this? Li Li, my daughter.
She's the package.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, good people of Hopetoun - I've travelled far and wide, big cities to small towns.
A job? In the pub? I'll beg if I have to.
I can't give you a job, Emilia.
The roo's tail goes to Mrs Connor and the pig slab goes to Miss Catherine.
Why not? Because I do business with diggers and farmers and common traders.
How much of a big-noter would I look if I had the mayor's daughter working under me? I have barely escaped the clutches of an escaped convict cannibal who rather wanted a piece of me.
Excuse me, sir.
McClardy, ma'am, the bearer of medicinal cures and miraculous potions.
Well, this talk of convict cannibals - it's got to stop.
These people are frightened enough.
Just repeating what I'm hearing, ma'am.
Mary, please, I thought you, as an independent woman, would understand.
It's because I'm an independent woman that I have to say no to you, Emilia.
I'm sorry.
I'm after something special.
I think you've come to the right man, sir.
A poison that paralyses - make my prey easier to catch so I don't have to blast them all to pieces.
(WOMEN GASP) For skinning stuffed bush animals.
I have just the thing for you, sir.
From the legendary Yagua tribe of South America.
(CROWD EXCLAIMS) Behold.
The miracle of curare.
Curare.
Ah! So does this mean you're not angry with me anymore? This side of beef's close to spoiling.
I hope you don't mind a few maggots in your meat.
How about when I get back from Mudgee Borough, I'll call by - make up properly.
I knew you couldn't stay angry with me.
To be honest, I'm a little bit worried leaving you alone.
Oh, you're that worried about Mick Scanlon? Mick Scanlon is punching way above his weight where you're concerned.
These are strange times.
Even the Chinese are spooked.
Well, don't need any heroes saving my bacon.
Oh, Mary, it is such tasty bacon.
Jack, don't.
I stink of meat.
And I stink of horse sweat.
Don't hear you complaining.
What's that smell? - What? - Mutton.
Beef, actually.
He's stupid and he's fat and he Li Li's a pretty name, isn't it, for a pretty girl? Oh, don't even think about it.
Hey, my mind's pure, Jack.
It's fixed on business.
We deliver the girl, collect the gold, end of story.
Your mind is many things, but pure is not one of them, Dan.
Is that honestly how you see me? You think I'd risk everything for a quick grope in the dark with the lovely Li Li? (SNIGGERS) (SPEAKS CHINESE) What's that all about? I don't think she's too keen on marrying this Chow Fat fella.
Says he's a fat ugly old bloke covered in warts.
It could be worse, Li Li - it could be a fat ugly young bloke and be stuck with him for years.
Shh, shh.
Chaps.
FULLER: Go on.
Drag it out of the water.
What are they doing? Take the track up this way and rejoin at the other side of the river.
Let's go.
Yah.
Shh.
MICK: Maybe she drowned.
It's not like the others.
It's a whole body this time.
Not Independent parts.
Well, there's bruising around the neck.
She was strangled.
What's that on her hands? Some sort of stain.
Opium? Cigars of any type are rare in the colony, but this is even rarer.
If I'm not mistaken, Spanish.
Right boys, go and get the cart.
You found something there, Sergeant? Nothing, sir.
Got our delivery of candles wrong again, Bill - the cheap ones.
Money's tight this month - just trying to pinch a penny for you.
Tallow stinks.
A few pennies pinched won't matter if the smell drives my customers away.
EMILIA: Mary.
(SIGHS) OK, fine.
If you want a job, I'll give you one.
Thank you.
Ruby, can you take Emilia and show her where we keep the mops, rags and buckets? She'll be cleaning the rooms.
Thank you, Mary.
Giving Fife's daughter a job.
Don't think he'll like that.
She won't last more than a day once she's emptied a bedpan or two.
I need to speak to Jack, Mary.
You know where I can find him? So you can bring him in? You have my word I won't arrest him.
Please.
It's a matter of life and death.
Whoa, hold your fire.
But don't put your gun away either.
I'm not here as a trap, Jack.
Why are you here, Mick? I'm here because of this.
It's not just what was scratched in the dirt.
We found a half-smoked cigar, Spanish.
I'm telling you, it all points to Brady.
I'm telling you, Brady's dead.
He's been dead 10 years.
But what if he's not? I shot him Mick, right in his heart.
You saw me do it.
Then explain what we found at the riverbank.
I can't.
But Brady's gone to the devil, I know that much.
Someone murdered that woman.
Well, Mick, that's police business, and you're the trap now.
It's got nothing to do with me.
(BIRDS CALL) (POURING WATER) All this yap, I can hardly hear myself think.
Jack? Are you gonna tell us what Scanlon was in a flap about or are you just gonna let me and Conrad die of curiosity? I'm not that curious.
Came to tell me that a dead man has come back to life.
Dead man? A fella called Brady.
Me and Mick used to ride with him.
- Mick Scanlon? - Mmm.
You used to ride with Scanlon? Yeah, before he was a trap.
10 years ago, we were just a couple of cattle duffers.
Well, not to mention best mates.
Along with Brady.
One night, we got word that Brady was holed up with a prostitute in Lewis Ponds and he was threatening her.
All sorts of things.
Mick and I got on our horses and we rode.
Rode like the wind.
We were too late.
She was dead.
Brady had choked the life out of her.
He went after Mick with a knife, so I shot him.
Right here.
The traps turned up and we took off.
What was that scar on Scanlon's arm? That was meant to be a sign of brotherhood .
.
a sign of unity.
The three of us got on the juice one night and thought it was a good idea.
Turns out, it was just a sign that we were young and dumb.
(JANGLING) (MUFFLED YELL) Shh, or I stick your mates where they sleep.
I shot you.
You're dead! For 10 long years Jack.
Dead as a maggot, festering in that stinking pit of a jail.
I could kill you now.
But I'm not gonna.
Nah, that'd be too easy.
I want to make you suffer, Jack.
Like you and Mick made me suffer.
Suffer so much you'd rather cut your own throat than keep living.
Happy dreams.
DAN: Oh, nice of you to join us, mate - now we've got all the work done.
Help yourself to a cuppa.
It's not long boiled.
Brady was here.
In the camp, during the night.
For me, it was a Turkish belly dancer named Fatima.
No, I didn't dream it, Dan.
He shackled my hands and my feet.
I can still smell his breath.
I saw him.
You saw Brady? He was here in the night.
I saw.
Jack Can't stay here, Dan.
It'll just put you guys in danger.
You know, maybe you should think about laying off the rum for a bit.
Gotta get back to Hopetoun, find Scanlon, get rid of Brady.
- What about Mudgee Borough? - Get her to Mudgee Borough.
You don't need me holding your hand, alright? Yeah, well, if you think we're gonna split the gold evenly, think again! I believe you about Brady.
- MICK: In jail? - 10 years.
Somehow, the mongrel dodged my bullet.
If he had you shackled up, why didn't he stick a knife in your belly? He said he wanted me to suffer.
Said it'd be too easy.
You said anything before about Brady? I'm working hard to make Fuller forget my past.
Well, then, I guess it's up to you and me, then, isn't it, Mick? So what do we do next? We find Brady first.
Still warm.
Can't be gone long.
He'll be back.
Oh, you don't have to make that.
It'll just get mussed anyway.
It's OK.
It's my job.
If you don't mind me asking .
.
you live in a fancy house and your father's all rich and important.
Why are you cleaning rooms in a pub? I'm doing it for love.
Oh Tell me everything! There isn't much to tell.
My father hates the man I'm going to marry.
- Oh! - He's cut off my allowance.
If I want to be with Conrad, I'm going to have to earn my own dowry.
Oh, that's so romantic.
You'd make a lot more money doing what I do.
- That's not so romantic.
- Nonsense! It's good practice that'll benefit your future husband.
- No, I couldn't! - It's not that bad! Most of the men are nice enough.
Best of all, you get to dress up! (HUMS) Uh I bet you your young man would pay good money to see you in this.
And he's not the only one.
MARY: Emilia, where are you? Emilia, you haven't come across a tortoiseshell hair comb in your cleaning, have you? - I can't find it anywhere.
- Um, no.
Sorry, Mary.
(GIGGLES) (SNIFFS) You know, I'm sure it won't be so bad, being married to this Zhao Fa fellow.
I don't love Zhao Fa.
I love Chen Ming.
- Who? - Chen Ming.
Chen Ming? Who's Chen Ming? A boy from camp.
And he loves me.
But father hate him, say he not good enough.
And he refuse us marry.
- That's not fair.
- Love not fair.
What's with the tears? She's in love with someone else.
- Uh-huh.
- What are we going to do? We do what we get paid to do, mate.
We deliver the package.
She's not a package, Dan.
She's a girl.
OK.
That's not going to be the last time that a girl turns on waterworks to try and get whatever she wants from you, OK? Girls do that stuff to me all the time, mate.
Now, what I've found that helps is when that dam bursts, just cast your mind somewhere else.
Somewhere like what? Cricket helps for me.
Uh, Dan Ah.
(SCREAMS) Hey, hey, hey.
(WHIMPERS INDISTINCTLY) It's McLardy.
Hey, it's OK.
It's alright! (COUGHS AND RETCHES) - You right there, Dan? - Oh.
I knew McLardy's food tasted funny.
"Pork," I said.
"Mutton," he reckons.
I'll give him mutton.
You don't really think it was bits of people in that stew? You saw inside that sack, Conrad.
Those pieces, they're just chopped and cleaved into juicy prime cuts for the pot.
I don't feel too flash.
(LAUGHS) Yeah, go and laugh.
You had it too.
Actually, I only ate the carrots and the spuds.
I don't know.
I thought the meat looked a little bit strange.
(COUGHS, VOMITS) (VOMITS) Just like old times, waiting for unsuspecting cattle.
Not much has changed for you, Jack.
Instead of cattle, it's an unsuspecting carriage.
Mind you, I can see the attraction.
Back when we were mates, life was simple.
Not like the traps were organised.
Not much has changed, has it? Everything's changed, Jack.
I wear the uniform now.
Just 'cause you wear a uniform doesn't make you any better.
I sleep in a real bed, I walk down the main street in the middle of the day.
I walk down the main street whenever I want.
I drink in the pub.
(LAUGHS) You drink in Mary's pub.
Yeah, because she's happy to serve me, 'cause I make sure she's safe.
Safe from the likes of me? I got respect.
I don't spend my days running.
(RUSTLING) (GUNSHOT) (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) Why'd you bring him here? I couldn't very well drag him up the main street at Hopetoun, could I? Tried to pull it out and he screamed like a girl.
Sergeant, I'd like it known that I do not know this man.
I have had no dealings with him, be they professional, personal or nefarious.
What have you got there? Oh, it's a new invention for the delivery of fluids directly into the body.
How does it work? (SCREAMS) Just give me one good reason why I shouldn't arrest you for that.
Can you count to five, please, Sergeant? One, two Three, four, five.
Can't feel any pain.
(LAUGHS) It's called curare - deadly poison from South America.
Only in large doses.
It's small and nips it.
Just deadens feeling.
Paralyses the muscle.
Only for a short time.
I can't move my legs.
It's miraculous.
Well, a miracle that may be, but it's still not going to help us find Brady.
I'm at a loss, Jack.
I don't know where to next.
The girl he murdered - who was she? A local, from the goldfields, maybe.
She'd been eating opium - brown stains on her hands.
Brown stains.
She might have worked at the tannery.
Nearest tannery is Mudgee Borough.
Ah, stay here.
You'll only slow me down.
I'm burning up.
My guts is really sore.
Oh, I'll be damned if I'm not running a fever.
When we get to Mudgee Borough .
.
I'm just going to head straight for the doc.
Shh, shh.
What? What is it? Go and check it out, Conrad.
What?Why me? Look at me.
(YELLS) Ming! Lili! Lili.
Lili! Whatwhat are you doing here? I have no money.
My gold claim is worthless.
II have nothing to offer you, only my heart.
Oh, as if I wasn't sick enough.
Mudgee Borough is a couple of miles down the track.
I'm just going to head ahead.
I need to go and see a doctor.
Just let Lili say her goodbyes and then you bring her in, OK? Just remember why we're doing this, Conrad - the gold, Amelia.
- You go out digging? - Yeah.
- How'd you go? - Yeah, good.
- Many people out that way? - A little.
Thanks.
Just give me one sec.
- Where's Mary? - She's taking Tom to school.
Seen Keenan hanging around? No.
But I've seen him sniffing around one of your blokes.
Sergeant Scanlon.
I saw them this morning out the back of the main street having a little chinwag.
Conrad.
It's Harry, actually.
But you canyou can call me anything you want.
How much? No, I'm not! You look real pretty in that.
- Why don't you take it off? - No! (SCREAMS) MAN: What's happened? (GROANS) What's going on? Nothing I can't handle.
Out, out, out.
This isn't what it looks like.
I was just trying this on.
He attacked me.
He's dead.
I didn't mean to.
He was coming at me, he tripped, he fell! It was an accident.
He surprised me.
I understand, I understand.
Hush now.
- Is he really dead? - No deader than he deserves.
- What's going to happen? - Shh.
It's all going to be alright.
I'm here now and I'm going to take care of everything.
(LILI AND MING SPEAK CANTONESE) No, I won'tgive up! I won't let you go.
Ilove you.
(SPEAKS CANTONESE) I love you.
(SPEAKS MANDARIN) Here, this Go on, both of you.
I'll square it with your father.
I don't know how, but I'll do it.
What? Thank you.
Just go on, quick! Before Dan gets back.
Go on! Put it down, McClarty.
Drop it, or I'll have to shoot you.
If it's money you're after, this won't end happy.
Business is as dead as mutton.
Wouldn't bring up death or mutton either, given what's in the sack! What are you doing? Hey.
Hey! Conrad, what's going on? He's the cannibal Dan's been talking about.
What? No, I am not a cannibal! Are you saying there's no body parts in there? Yes! No! Yes! But they're nothing to do with me.
I'm paid to get rid of them.
Paid by who? The doc.
Here.
In Mudgee Borough.
I've never actually been bled before.
Are you sure this is going to break the fever? Drop the knife or I'll put a bullet through your eye! He's the cannibal, Dan.
Alright, alright! Hand.
A monster! He was going to cut me up.
He's not a monster, Dan.
He's a doctor.
- Yeah, he cuts up his patients.
- Only the dead ones, Conrad! - McClarty, what's going on? - Sorry, Doc, it's a misunderstanding.
The doc here pays McClarty to get rid of the bodies after he's finished with the dissections.
By dumping them in the bush? I pay McClarty to bury the remains respectfully.
It's not my fault.
Since I done my back in, I can't work a shovel.
So there was no cannibal? (LAUGHS) You're bleeding there.
So your stewreally was mutton.
Actually, no.
It was possum with a bit of wombat.
I'm sorry to gawk.
You're the second man I've seenwith a scar like that.
Where did you see the other one? Here in Mudgee Borough.
What's that? Go to Gunpowder's hut.
It means Scanlon is there.
You tell him Brady's gone after Mary.
MAN: Another whiskey, ma'am - hot.
You know Jack Keenan, don't you? Sorry, who are you? Just an old mate.
Ruby.
Jack.
Where's Mary? I'm not sure I think she went up to her bedroom.
Mary?! (GRUNTS) Horrible feeling - aint it? It's like your soul's imprisoned in some wretched deep black hole and can't get out.
You know that's how I felt day after day after day for 10 long years.
The only thing that made it bearable was dreaming of this moment.
You broke my heart, Jack.
So it is only fair and reasonable that I get to break yours.
(MUFFLED GROANS) (MUFFLED SCREAMS) Hey, Jack, are you watching? (MUFFLED GRUNTS) She's pretty, Jack.
Not for much longer, mate.
MAN: Jack! (HORSE WHINNIES) Jack! Mary! I'll be back in a bit.
Don't you move now.
Ruby, where's Jack? - I dunno.
- I know he's here.
- Where's Jack? - I don't know.
- Where's Mary? - Get your hands off me.
We've got company.
We might have to finish up our business sooner than I intended.
(MUFFLED SCREAMS) JACK: Wait Mary! .
.
I'll pay.
(MUFFLED SCREAMS) I'll pay you.
Mary! Gold stash.
Gold.
Stash? You have a stash? Where? Talk fast.
Where's your stash? (GRUNTS) (YELLS) After I've killed you, Jack .
.
I'm going to hang you up with the rest of the stinking dead meat.
FULLER: Scanlon? Scanlon? Fuller's here.
Disappear, Jack.
What happened here? Fell with him.
He's our killer.
Where's Keenan? Haven't seen him.
Think again, sergeant.
You were seen talking with him this morning.
Your snitch got it wrong, sir.
Hmm.
Jack! He's dead.
He can't hurt you anymore.
Who was he? He was a ghost.
Someone from my past.
FULLER: Spread out and search.
You better go.
- I'm so sorry.
- Just go, Jack.
So you've figured out what you're going to say, lover boy? I'm just going to tell him how it is - Uh-huh.
- Make him see reason.
- Good luck with that.
- Li Ping.
Your daughter doesn't love Chow Fat, she loves Chen Ming.
You may be her father and all that but you're not God.
I believe she has the right to marry whoever she wants.
You agree? - No.
- Yes.
I mean yes, yes.
(SPEAKS CANTONESE) Bai Gu Jing is dead.
I struck a new vein of gold this morning it seems luck has returned.
Lili and Chen Ming? The gods smile on this union.
I am happy.
You have done well.
So our payment then? (SPEAKS CANTONESE) My wife she tells me she is pregnant.
(LAUGHS) Congratulations, Li Ping.
That is good luck.
I already have 10 children - that's very bad luck! Well, there's something I've got to do.
I'll see you later? Let's get drunk.
You just read my mind.
Psst! Are you feeling better after your ordeal? Yes, I am.
Thank you for taking care of things at Mary's.
My pleasure.
It is not easy to know who to trust in this town, which is why I'm so grateful to know that I can trust you.
You see a man is dead and I can only continue to protect your liberty .
.
and your reputation if you agree to help me do something very special.
And what would that be? I'm going to catch Jack Keenan and his gang.
And you're going to help me.
Hey! I've been thinking about you - about us.
About how all the money in the world isn't going to make any difference.
We love each other - that's enough.
Who cares what your father says or the people in town think? I reckon we hang it all and run away together today - now! Oh, Conrad, you can be so naive about the world sometimes.