Tricky Business (2012) s01e01 Episode Script
Episode 1
He's speeding up.
Get closer.
Oh, OK.
Rick! What? Later.
Stay focused.
Rick! Don't worry, we're fine.
I've thought of everything, OK? It's all part of the plan.
Plan? Yeah, you ready for this? We're gonna follow him till he's nearly at work keeping out of sight and, uh Oh, OK.
This wasn't part of the plan, was it? Actually, you know what? This could be better.
Better than the plan where you'd thought of everything? Sometimes you've just got to play what's in front of you.
It's a footballing thing.
What are you doing? Aren't we meant to be keeping out of sight? We don't need to now.
What are we doing, Rick? We are getting ready to pounce.
What do you mean, pounce? In the petrol station? Are you crazy? He's left the keys in the ignition.
Don't look! Just trust me, alright? So when he goes in to pay, bingo, you're on.
We have to get Emma to school and I promised Mum I'd take Dad in for his test.
I don't have time for this.
Are you chicken? I'm not chicken.
I just I didn't expect to be Action Woman today, that's all.
Well? Kate, get in.
Take it! Hey! That's my car! Bastards! Call the cops.
Somebody call the cops.
Now? Now? OK.
Hi, Class 7B.
I'm Emma's mum.
And this is Rick.
And we're mercantile agents.
Sounds a bit suss, doesn't it? Surveillance, skip tracing.
A bit of process serving, some debt collecting.
And repossessions.
Well, this is ridiculous.
You can't just steal my bloody car! Mate, you've missed four payments.
You're kidding me.
We've called, we've written, heard nothing.
I'm hanging on by my fingernails and you just swoop in here We've asked you to call us and sent a warning notice And? And? And? Aargh! Yeah, I know you guys.
I know all your tricks.
Mate, unfortunately you bought a car you can't pay for.
There's no trick about it.
We operate under a strict code of ethics governed by a national body.
Mum Chillax, OK? Loosen up.
It's important information.
Stop it.
Stop it.
How's that? Looser? Don't.
I'm loose, OK? I'm loose.
Half the time it's pretty straightforward.
I mean, if you don't have the means to pay a debt, you've got too much of something else.
Makes sense, really.
But if we can help, we try to help.
Just call me Mr Helpful.
Look, you've got 21 days till it's auctioned.
So if you come up with the arrears and our costs, you can get it back.
Yeah, dead easy.
Thanks.
Well, you've got an income, right? You're not getting divorced? Whatever you're spending your spare cash on - gambling, girls, grog you've just got to pull back on that and make this a priority.
I hope someone wrecks your day, sunshine.
Hey.
Nice! He stopped for petrol.
That isn't breakfast, is it? No.
Does your mother know about this? I got you one too.
Uh, no.
No, thanks.
Hang on a minute.
Sorry.
What are they? RF antennas.
I've got an idea, and if it works, I'll tell you what it is.
Righto.
How'd you go yesterday with that credit card? Minnesota Smith? Minnesota? Minnesota.
Yeah.
How'd she even come up with that name? Yeah, look, small problem.
I can't find her.
She's not anywhere.
Now, I'm happy to keep plugging away if you think she's worth it, but Chad, our clients keep coming back to us 'cause they know we don't give up on the hard ones.
Right? Let's go.
Before you head off, I'll get you to dig up the files from '08 and '09.
I think I just saw Jason Green.
Who? Oh, he's on the run.
Ripped off a super fund, I think.
Yeah, righto.
Any news? I'm getting a tattoo on Saturday.
Oh.
Congratulations.
Don't tell Mum.
She'll see it one day.
Not where I'm putting it.
This is from the car we just repo'd.
Look up the address and send it all back.
Where's Rick? Still out.
Hey, I photoshopped Miss Highfield's head onto a dragon.
Like it? After the maths test, Sophie and me are gonna stick them all over the bathroom.
Oh, God.
Where did I go wrong? Don't worry.
It's not your fault she's a terrible teacher.
Hey, guys.
Babe, you almost gave me a heart attack just freezing like that, but, uh, well done.
Well, I saw one of those white collar scammers in the tyre bay.
I got him.
Jason Green.
According to this, the cops think he's still in Chile.
20 minutes ago he was at the service station in Austinmer.
Yeah, this guy embezzled millions.
Am I still on Emma duty? Yeah, do you mind? No.
Hey, kiddo.
You ready to go? Yep.
So, circumference? 2piR.
Area? PiR squared You are gonna rule this test.
I know.
Hey, Kate.
Did you know there's a finder's fee on this guy? Really? Yeah, it says here the cops will give us 25 grand if we know where he is.
Oh, cool! And you know, right? I know where he was.
Tell them.
Claim it.
Take us all shopping.
Well, how are you gonna find him again? Go back to the servo, ask if he bought anything, find out if he used his credit card and if he's a regular customer, then you could stake the place out.
Can you stay with him until he's admitted? Where are you going? Down to the boat.
We're doing safety checks this morning.
One of us has to be there, otherwise we won't leave next week.
Hmm.
He looks good, doesn't he? Colonoscopies do wonders for the waist line.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
She moans and groans when she has to drink that awful stuff but when it's someone else Stop complaining.
Go get the all clear.
I don't need the all clear.
Yes, you do.
I'm not having you mess up a trip we've been planning for five years.
We're sailing up to the Whitsundays, not round the Horn.
Call me if there's a problem.
OK.
See you.
Bye.
Now, you cannot sneeze at the chance of 25 grand, Katie.
It hasn't been that good a month, has it? Oh, we're OK.
Come on, Dad.
Let's go.
Yeah, and is Rick pulling his weight? Yep.
Wasn't much use making him a partner if he's not going to share the load.
He does.
Occasionally I do some field work and sometimes he does the books.
Life's good at the moment, really.
Good.
Come on, let's go.
No, hang on a minute.
If you don't want to go now, I'll call Lily and she can come get you.
Coming.
Thank you.
I'd feel safer with an Indian cab driver than your sister at the wheel.
Easy.
What about you and Rick away from work? That's good too.
Hmm.
He's been having a lot of sleepovers, according to Emma.
Dad.
Hope you're quiet, that's all.
Dad! She's your daughter.
You don't want her scarred for life.
When you were little, your mother and I used to go out to the garage.
Can you stop talking now? OK, I don't need to hear this.
Mr Christie? Hey.
We will continue this conversation in a couple of hours.
No, we won't.
And what do you do, Mr Christie? I am a mercantile agent, currently inactive.
Retired.
Yeah.
Still licensed.
Mercantile agent? Bit like your job, actually.
Yeah, we spend all day looking up arseholes.
Wollongong Gastroenterology.
Minnesota speaking.
Mm-hm.
Yep.
Yeah, what time was that one? OK.
Wow.
She's pretty.
So, you've got the letter of demand? Uh, yes, it's somewhere.
Details of credit card debt for Minnesota Smith.
Thank you.
Alright, so I've got who we are and what she owes and Methods of payment? Was it on the template? Yep.
Yeah, right, right, right.
So you go in, and step one? Uh "Hey, I'm Chad.
" No.
Oh, I'm not Chad.
I need a false name? No, no.
Who is she? Sorry.
Establish identity.
Tick.
Then before I give her the letter I have to tell her who I am? But not in front of others.
Right, so I have to get her on her own? Yes, but you can't make it obvious.
Like, you can't just go in and, uh, say, "Look, I've got this gravely serious news "and I need to talk to you in private" because all her mates are gonna be like, "Whoa, what's Minnesota done?" And you've embarrassed her.
And that's against the code of ethics.
So I can never tell someone who I am in front of other people? Look, the point is, you've got to be smooth and unobtrusive, right? You just glide in, deliver the letter.
You are Mr Ordinary.
The rest of the office shouldn't even notice you're there.
Why are you still here? You should have left already.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Sorry.
Just two minutes.
Can you hurry up, please? Yeah.
Hey, Em get off OK? Yeah, I just locked her in the boot of the car.
Very funny.
Shouldn't you be doing surveillance on that insurance claim in Fairy Meadow? All in good time.
I just wanted to talk to you about dinner tonight.
Alright, great.
Um I'll get you to pick up a chicken on the way home.
Emma's after a roast.
Yep, no probs, but then you and I are going out.
No.
I booked a table at Dune's.
What? Really? Wow.
I mean, first, can we afford it? Well, I thought it'd be a nice surprise.
Secondly, we've got to get the BAS statement ready and calculate the super and the payroll tax.
And now I've got to fit in chasing down a finder's fee.
A couple of hours for a nice dinner.
Just you and me.
Alright? Why? Because today is going to be such a good day.
Why? I'll tell you at dinner tonight.
No.
No, no, no, no.
No, no.
Now, you No, no, no.
Rick, I'm You're really worrying me now, OK? You don't have to worry.
What have you planned? Why have you started planning things? You never used to plan things.
For God's sake, relax.
Just tell me now.
Not then, now.
What's going on? I'm going.
See you tonight.
Please? What's that? What? The box in your pocket.
A box.
A box of what? It's mine.
What is it, Rick? For you.
Obviously.
When I said mine I mean, I bought it for you.
It was meant for tonight, but now that's stuffed, so What do you reckon? Will you marry me? Oh! You stallion! Where the hell is this from? Well? I thought this was what you wanted.
We've never talked about marriage.
You can't just No.
Sorry.
No.
Not like this.
No way.
Right, I'm just gonna head off, then.
Are you crazy? Oh, don't even start! Well, then, what's the problem? All I hear is what a fantastic guy he is, you've been sleeping with him for a year, he practically lives over at your place.
We have not moved in together.
When was the last time he spent two nights in a row at his place? That's not the point.
On top of all that, you've told me you love him.
Of course I love him.
Do you think I'd keep saying "Yes, stay over" if I didn't love him? So? Is that my scarf? Don't change the subject.
Anyway, no.
It's mine.
You gave it to me.
When? Anyway, it works better on me.
You agreed.
No, I didn't.
You want to know what I think? You don't want to say yes because it was his idea and he hadn't let you make the decision.
You've always got to make the decision.
In any relationship you have, you've got to be in control.
And all that inappropriate controlliness means that you could lose the man you love and the man your daughter loves.
And that is just so the wrong choice.
I've gotta go.
What? Where? To find Jason Green.
Now? In the middle of a serious conversation about the rest of your life? Yes! And that is still my scarf.
Wollongong Gastroenterology.
Minnesota speaking.
Yep, we can do that.
OK, thank you.
Hi.
Hey.
Minnesota Smith? I'm sorry, you are? Uh, well, we actually haven't been introduced.
Have you got an appointment, sir? Uh, no, no, no, it's fine.
I just need to have a quick word with Minnesota.
About what? Nothing urgent.
Um, maybe if we could, um, find somewhere private? Why? No reason.
So why should I go? I just need some time, just the two of us.
I've heard that before.
It won't take long.
And that, sadly.
Um Look, if if I if we could just, um go Later, maybe.
We do deal with a few out-and-out crooks, but by and large it's ordinary, stressed-out people who have just got themselves into a pickle.
Like when you tried to tile the bathroom? Exactly.
A decision that was meant to save us lots of money ended up costing us $1,500.
Same.
And that's all it is most of the time, just good people making a bad decision.
Usually followed by a worse one.
Don't hang up! Have you called him? I'm working.
No, you're not.
This is way more important.
Call him now and tell him No.
Kate, if you want this guy, you're gonna have to swallow some pride.
Don't tell me I have to do something, OK? You'd rather lose him? Can we finish this later? Why? Why not now? Why not just talk it through? Because he's here.
Kate What's he doing here? Who's there? Rick.
Where are you? In town.
But Rick's at Fairy Meadow.
No, he's not.
Well, I'm sure there's a reason.
I mean, it's bound to be something to do with Mwah.
Hey, Kate.
Hey.
How's things? Good.
Look sorry I snapped this morning.
Oh You know me.
Anyway, I I was wondering if dinner's still on.
It's up to you.
You make all the decisions.
OK.
Well, let's.
I'll meet you there.
Great.
I've got something to tell you.
Where are you? At the surveillance job.
In Fairy Meadow? Yeah, just out in the burbs outside a red brick house ready to spring into action if there's any signs of life.
Oh! I've gotta go.
I'll call you back later, OK? OK.
What? Crap.
Jason Green.
Are you kidding me? Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.
Crap, crap, crap.
I can't talk right now.
I'm chasing 25 grand.
Shit! Dick! What? Excuse me! Kate Christie from Sapphire, yeah? Do you mind? This is my car.
Look, I didn't want to stay in view.
He could have the street covered, you never know.
Anyway, it's not like we're total strangers, are we? I think our paths might have crossed occasionally.
The odd conference, pitching for the same work now and then.
Matt Sloane.
The mobile merc.
Yep.
Now, we'd better sort this out, 'cause as far as I can tell, we've both seen Jason, we've both followed him, we both know where he lives, but there's only one finder's fee.
I saw him first.
And you've got a written record of when and where you first saw him? Have you? Yep.
Well, I'll get you to send that to me.
Then I'll send mine to you and No, no, no, no, no.
You can ask me to send it to you.
Oh, really? Ask you? Then I'll consider it and I'll Ask, get, whatever - same thing.
No.
One's rude, one's polite.
I don't have time for a lecture on manners, OK? Just forget it.
Let's face it, it'll all depend on what the feds think, anyway.
Yeah, hi.
It's Kate Christie here.
Yeah, South Coast Unit, thanks.
I'm just wondering if Inspector Duff is available.
Yep.
This is how I understand it.
That's the existing line, that's the land we have and that's where the station Sweetheart.
Thanks for bringing the missus.
No worries.
Darling.
Mwah.
Champagne's over there, darling.
So, are you ready to know how it feels to back a winner? You bet.
You're not still planning to blow it all on weddings and honeymoons, I hope? Well, probably.
If I'm allowed to.
Love is blind, I suppose.
Oh, rubbish.
If love is blind, why did they invent lingerie? Ah, nearly time.
Phil, Harley If I can just take a second, I just want to thank each and every one of you for coming on board this venture.
With one announcement in a few seconds, our precious 100 acres will have tripled in value at the very least.
To fast trains and faster profits.
The State Government today made a major announcement on infrastructure.
In a complete backflip, the government declared it will permanently scrap all plans to build a fast train service between Sydney and Melbourne.
George Amaretti, the minister for transport, said the $2 billion it would have cost would be better spent improving existing services, and this decision is final.
So the fast train which would have had stops outside Wollongong, Canberra and Albury, is now off the agenda.
Kate, I know you're screening me and if you don't stop it I will have to pass judgement.
Next time, pick up.
Bombed out, huh? How did you know? She posts on my news feed.
Except I know her as Minnie.
Awesome profile pic too.
I spend all week after this chick and it turns out she's your friend? No, no, I've never met her.
Some friends are friends, some aren't.
You know what it's like.
But she wouldn't have posted that if you'd just sprung her.
"Minnie has just finished work and is looking forward "to feeling the sand between her toes.
" I owe you big time, Lil.
Lucky me.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Wait! Wait! Minnie, just wait! It must have been around half eight when I first saw him.
You can see here it was 8:37 when I first noticed the target on Bridge Street.
I wrote down his licence plate, even though at that point I was uncertain of his identity I was actually already working, but I did immediately identify Jason I followed him to an office building at the mall Then I had to take my father in for a colonoscopy And he did come out at 11:21 .
.
which I forgot to get him from.
That's gonna go down well.
Then I remembered the coffee cup.
She obviously hasn't Guys, enough! Same day, same morning.
It's a dead heat.
You'll just have to split it.
Until we arrest him, none of this to anyone.
Well, he's in there.
It won't be a hard arrest.
We'll let him run for a while, see where he leads us.
A while? What's a while? It's an unspecified period of time.
Thanks for your help.
Let's put out an APB Your dad OK? It's nothing serious, I hope.
It's a routine check? I think so, yep.
Thanks.
Dammit! Sorry.
I'm so sorry! Ah, it's alright.
I know you're busy.
It's easy to forget your father had an important medical procedure.
I've got a bit on my mind, but that's no excuse.
I'm really sorry, Dad.
It's OK.
Did you find, er, what's-his-name? Sort of.
Oh, good girl.
Did you finish the safety check? Oh, yes.
Thank you.
Are you gonna ask? Ask? Oh! Oh, don't worry about it.
No, forget it.
What? How how it went? Yes! Yeah, I will be fine.
What happened? Oh, they found some little polypy things that they're gonna run tests on and they're sure they're benign.
What? And Tell her everything.
For God's sake.
Oh, the doctor just said that we'd probably be becoming very good friends over the next few years.
What does that mean? It means we need to take special care of him.
Does not.
I'm as strong as ever.
There is nothing wrong.
Absolutely nothing.
Come on.
Yeah.
Don't worry about me.
You've got enough to worry about.
In the car.
Jim Are you getting in? No, I'm driving.
Mwah.
Stunning.
Shh.
I'm sure you're exaggerating.
Oh, Brooke Goodman.
OK, so she's not unattractive.
Look, I'm sure he has plenty of friends.
Who he picks up from the hairdresser's? Possibly.
OK, so he's giving her a lift.
And a kiss.
Eugh.
Not good.
Rage.
Dump him.
What a jerk.
How can he propose and then do this? I don't know.
I don't know what to believe anymore.
We all have setbacks, Rick.
But you saw the Cabinet papers.
It was signed off, it was in the bag, it was happening.
I know.
I know.
Everything carries risk with it.
People change their minds, especially politicians.
But at least you bought the land, you didn't just trouser everyone's money.
Yeah, well, it's not gonna be worth much without a train station on it.
I know.
Still, no-one's gonna put you in cement boots over it.
What? The final investor, when I needed the last $100,000 quickly, I went to Mario Mcguire.
Did they ever find the bloke that ripped him off at the races? No.
No, Mario just told the cops he was no longer living in Australia.
Nice turn of phrase, when you think about it.
Don't run.
Be straight.
You'll be fine.
You still have to go to dinner with him.
And do what? Pretend I didn't see anything? Are you kidding? You put on that new dress and look a million dollars, girl.
Look sexy as, intelligent, witty Give him the perfect dream wife and lover.
And then, remember, he's paying, so order the best.
And then when he walks in and sees how fantastic you look, you throw your wine in his face.
And I tell him I've changed the locks and we're finished and why are you such a jerk? Yeah! Hello.
Bad time? No, no.
Hmm.
This this is Matt Sloane.
Hello.
Hey.
This is my sister Lily.
She's here part-time.
Nice to meet you.
Matt's also a merc agent.
Yeah, freelance.
Who's here to? Join forces.
On the Jason Green thing.
Look, if we want to get paid, he's gotta be arrested, right? The feds, they're gonna let him run forever.
So you and I have got to keep him under surveillance.
Just till he gets up to no good.
And then we tip off the cops, he'll get locked up, fingerprinted, that'll trigger an ID, and bingo, the money's ours.
And how do we fund that sort of operation? 24/7 surveillance, open-ended? Who did this? Our probationary agent.
He says if it works, he'll tell us what it is.
Well, if it works, he'll be breaking about 14 sections of the Crimes Act.
With the right software, this'll be a homemade mobile phone tower.
It's a phone tap, basically.
What do you think the Association would say about that? 'Cause I'm not sure that's 100% ethical, is it? Whoa.
Is that a threat? Nah, I'm just wondering.
Mr Sloane, you march in here unannounced, want me to drop everything to help you with your plans.
Us.
To help you get half of what you don't deserve anyway.
Then you carry on about ethics.
No, I'm sorry.
You're on your own.
Good evening.
Mario's Pizza.
How can I help you? Oh, hey, it does work.
Wow.
That's impressive.
Home.
Change.
Accessorise.
Dinner.
Hey.
Just a beer, thanks.
Alright, no problem.
Glad you could spare the time, Rick.
Look, Mario, I'm sorry.
Alright? I had no idea this was gonna happen.
Have you had much experience with debt? Actually, Mario, funnily enough, I have.
Really? You mean you've been in this sort of situation before? Not quite like this, no.
It's been more on the side of collecting.
Ah.
Good.
You'll understand, then.
Tricky business, debt.
We all owe someone something.
But how we acknowledge that and how we pay for it, well, that that shows character.
For example, in this situation, if you were me Well, you wouldn't want to hear any crap about a totally unexpected change in government policy.
The fact is, you gave me $100,000 and I guaranteed, at the very least, you wouldn't lose a cent.
And if you sold the land next week, divided the proceeds among the investors, I'd get, what do you reckon? $35,000? Maybe $40,000.
Then what do you think that'd do for my reputation? Look, Rick, I've been asking around.
You're about as square as a butter box.
You've got a nice girl, sweet kid.
And you and your little family don't need a guy like me in your life, eh? Ah.
And the way to get me out of your life is to pay me back my 100 grand.
Yeah, well, if I had it, I would.
Ah.
What should I do, you reckon? Throw it back? Or cut its head off and gut it? Hello, parentals.
Hello! We've got Em tonight.
Kate and Rick are heading out.
Hope that's OK.
Yes, of course it is, darling.
Thank you.
Yeah.
She needs help with homework too.
You good with history? My old teacher maintained that I didn't know my arse from my elbow.
Jim! After that colonoscopy, I beg to differ.
What's a colonoscopy? Ah, well, let's put it this way, it's got nothing to do with your elbow.
She'll just Google it.
Why don't you watch some TV first, then we'll have dinner, then we'll do homework.
Yeah.
Don't you start.
I didn't say anything.
Gilligan, tell Lily what I promised to do.
He's gonna cut back on red meat, he's gonna eat more wholegrain food, as long as we all stop worrying, especially me.
Face your problems and everything will be fine.
I've always believed in that.
You have reached your destination.
Please select a new destination.
My thoughts exactly.
For a new journey, select a new destination.
I know.
Yep.
For a new journey OK.
I got it the first time, alright? Sorry, sorry.
Hi.
Thank you.
Sometimes a debtor can work off a debt.
You know, perhaps you've got a job, say, that, you know, I could do that would normally cost you 100 grand.
Can you get your hands on a firearm? No.
Didn't think so.
Forget it, then.
What's your next plan? Good evening, ma'am.
Table for Taylor? Yes, this way.
Be back with the menus.
Thank you.
Shh.
What's your most expensive champagne? Excuse me.
Is that the only way out? There's no other window or chimney or anything? Fancy bumping into you here.
Of all places.
It was the ATM withdrawals on the statement, right? And you know about the hours, don't you? 9am to 9pm are reasonable hours of contact and after 9pm is generally considered harassment.
And, oh, dear, is that the time? You know, we can make exceptions.
Mmm.
For shiftworkers, which I'm not.
No, you work for a temp agency.
I figured that much out.
I work when I want, where I want.
Casual's the way to go.
Easy to pick up, easy to ditch.
So So if you give me that letter now you could lose your licence and end up back on that dole queue.
Just answer me this, though.
I am talking to Miss Minnesota Smith, yes? You are.
Thank you.
As a friend.
Are we friends? Maybe.
Well, can I just say, friend you really need to sharpen up at your job.
In other categories, you're not too bad.
Mario, these are the business accounts.
The money's not really mine.
Left to the , you can get home Now it's a much safe place, then it was a couple hours ago.
You see, if you look hard enough, it's amazing what you find.
'Hi, you've got Rick, but I'm not here, please leave a message.
' I'm sorry, ma'am but you card've been declined.
What? This card Here.
Try this.
What? Okay, you've bet three debt now.
Car maybe goods to the value.
Nice to be in business with you, Rick.
- Are you okay? - Yeah.
This is episode perfect.
See, the thing is - it doesn't matter how much you owes someone and it had can be squared as long as both parties agreed with the deal.
I owe Rick.
For the happiest of my life.
So Thank you.
You're welcome.
Ew Hey, guys, please.
Look at the camera.
You get used to them.
It's the day, when you'll pay to them.
Get closer.
Oh, OK.
Rick! What? Later.
Stay focused.
Rick! Don't worry, we're fine.
I've thought of everything, OK? It's all part of the plan.
Plan? Yeah, you ready for this? We're gonna follow him till he's nearly at work keeping out of sight and, uh Oh, OK.
This wasn't part of the plan, was it? Actually, you know what? This could be better.
Better than the plan where you'd thought of everything? Sometimes you've just got to play what's in front of you.
It's a footballing thing.
What are you doing? Aren't we meant to be keeping out of sight? We don't need to now.
What are we doing, Rick? We are getting ready to pounce.
What do you mean, pounce? In the petrol station? Are you crazy? He's left the keys in the ignition.
Don't look! Just trust me, alright? So when he goes in to pay, bingo, you're on.
We have to get Emma to school and I promised Mum I'd take Dad in for his test.
I don't have time for this.
Are you chicken? I'm not chicken.
I just I didn't expect to be Action Woman today, that's all.
Well? Kate, get in.
Take it! Hey! That's my car! Bastards! Call the cops.
Somebody call the cops.
Now? Now? OK.
Hi, Class 7B.
I'm Emma's mum.
And this is Rick.
And we're mercantile agents.
Sounds a bit suss, doesn't it? Surveillance, skip tracing.
A bit of process serving, some debt collecting.
And repossessions.
Well, this is ridiculous.
You can't just steal my bloody car! Mate, you've missed four payments.
You're kidding me.
We've called, we've written, heard nothing.
I'm hanging on by my fingernails and you just swoop in here We've asked you to call us and sent a warning notice And? And? And? Aargh! Yeah, I know you guys.
I know all your tricks.
Mate, unfortunately you bought a car you can't pay for.
There's no trick about it.
We operate under a strict code of ethics governed by a national body.
Mum Chillax, OK? Loosen up.
It's important information.
Stop it.
Stop it.
How's that? Looser? Don't.
I'm loose, OK? I'm loose.
Half the time it's pretty straightforward.
I mean, if you don't have the means to pay a debt, you've got too much of something else.
Makes sense, really.
But if we can help, we try to help.
Just call me Mr Helpful.
Look, you've got 21 days till it's auctioned.
So if you come up with the arrears and our costs, you can get it back.
Yeah, dead easy.
Thanks.
Well, you've got an income, right? You're not getting divorced? Whatever you're spending your spare cash on - gambling, girls, grog you've just got to pull back on that and make this a priority.
I hope someone wrecks your day, sunshine.
Hey.
Nice! He stopped for petrol.
That isn't breakfast, is it? No.
Does your mother know about this? I got you one too.
Uh, no.
No, thanks.
Hang on a minute.
Sorry.
What are they? RF antennas.
I've got an idea, and if it works, I'll tell you what it is.
Righto.
How'd you go yesterday with that credit card? Minnesota Smith? Minnesota? Minnesota.
Yeah.
How'd she even come up with that name? Yeah, look, small problem.
I can't find her.
She's not anywhere.
Now, I'm happy to keep plugging away if you think she's worth it, but Chad, our clients keep coming back to us 'cause they know we don't give up on the hard ones.
Right? Let's go.
Before you head off, I'll get you to dig up the files from '08 and '09.
I think I just saw Jason Green.
Who? Oh, he's on the run.
Ripped off a super fund, I think.
Yeah, righto.
Any news? I'm getting a tattoo on Saturday.
Oh.
Congratulations.
Don't tell Mum.
She'll see it one day.
Not where I'm putting it.
This is from the car we just repo'd.
Look up the address and send it all back.
Where's Rick? Still out.
Hey, I photoshopped Miss Highfield's head onto a dragon.
Like it? After the maths test, Sophie and me are gonna stick them all over the bathroom.
Oh, God.
Where did I go wrong? Don't worry.
It's not your fault she's a terrible teacher.
Hey, guys.
Babe, you almost gave me a heart attack just freezing like that, but, uh, well done.
Well, I saw one of those white collar scammers in the tyre bay.
I got him.
Jason Green.
According to this, the cops think he's still in Chile.
20 minutes ago he was at the service station in Austinmer.
Yeah, this guy embezzled millions.
Am I still on Emma duty? Yeah, do you mind? No.
Hey, kiddo.
You ready to go? Yep.
So, circumference? 2piR.
Area? PiR squared You are gonna rule this test.
I know.
Hey, Kate.
Did you know there's a finder's fee on this guy? Really? Yeah, it says here the cops will give us 25 grand if we know where he is.
Oh, cool! And you know, right? I know where he was.
Tell them.
Claim it.
Take us all shopping.
Well, how are you gonna find him again? Go back to the servo, ask if he bought anything, find out if he used his credit card and if he's a regular customer, then you could stake the place out.
Can you stay with him until he's admitted? Where are you going? Down to the boat.
We're doing safety checks this morning.
One of us has to be there, otherwise we won't leave next week.
Hmm.
He looks good, doesn't he? Colonoscopies do wonders for the waist line.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
She moans and groans when she has to drink that awful stuff but when it's someone else Stop complaining.
Go get the all clear.
I don't need the all clear.
Yes, you do.
I'm not having you mess up a trip we've been planning for five years.
We're sailing up to the Whitsundays, not round the Horn.
Call me if there's a problem.
OK.
See you.
Bye.
Now, you cannot sneeze at the chance of 25 grand, Katie.
It hasn't been that good a month, has it? Oh, we're OK.
Come on, Dad.
Let's go.
Yeah, and is Rick pulling his weight? Yep.
Wasn't much use making him a partner if he's not going to share the load.
He does.
Occasionally I do some field work and sometimes he does the books.
Life's good at the moment, really.
Good.
Come on, let's go.
No, hang on a minute.
If you don't want to go now, I'll call Lily and she can come get you.
Coming.
Thank you.
I'd feel safer with an Indian cab driver than your sister at the wheel.
Easy.
What about you and Rick away from work? That's good too.
Hmm.
He's been having a lot of sleepovers, according to Emma.
Dad.
Hope you're quiet, that's all.
Dad! She's your daughter.
You don't want her scarred for life.
When you were little, your mother and I used to go out to the garage.
Can you stop talking now? OK, I don't need to hear this.
Mr Christie? Hey.
We will continue this conversation in a couple of hours.
No, we won't.
And what do you do, Mr Christie? I am a mercantile agent, currently inactive.
Retired.
Yeah.
Still licensed.
Mercantile agent? Bit like your job, actually.
Yeah, we spend all day looking up arseholes.
Wollongong Gastroenterology.
Minnesota speaking.
Mm-hm.
Yep.
Yeah, what time was that one? OK.
Wow.
She's pretty.
So, you've got the letter of demand? Uh, yes, it's somewhere.
Details of credit card debt for Minnesota Smith.
Thank you.
Alright, so I've got who we are and what she owes and Methods of payment? Was it on the template? Yep.
Yeah, right, right, right.
So you go in, and step one? Uh "Hey, I'm Chad.
" No.
Oh, I'm not Chad.
I need a false name? No, no.
Who is she? Sorry.
Establish identity.
Tick.
Then before I give her the letter I have to tell her who I am? But not in front of others.
Right, so I have to get her on her own? Yes, but you can't make it obvious.
Like, you can't just go in and, uh, say, "Look, I've got this gravely serious news "and I need to talk to you in private" because all her mates are gonna be like, "Whoa, what's Minnesota done?" And you've embarrassed her.
And that's against the code of ethics.
So I can never tell someone who I am in front of other people? Look, the point is, you've got to be smooth and unobtrusive, right? You just glide in, deliver the letter.
You are Mr Ordinary.
The rest of the office shouldn't even notice you're there.
Why are you still here? You should have left already.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Sorry.
Just two minutes.
Can you hurry up, please? Yeah.
Hey, Em get off OK? Yeah, I just locked her in the boot of the car.
Very funny.
Shouldn't you be doing surveillance on that insurance claim in Fairy Meadow? All in good time.
I just wanted to talk to you about dinner tonight.
Alright, great.
Um I'll get you to pick up a chicken on the way home.
Emma's after a roast.
Yep, no probs, but then you and I are going out.
No.
I booked a table at Dune's.
What? Really? Wow.
I mean, first, can we afford it? Well, I thought it'd be a nice surprise.
Secondly, we've got to get the BAS statement ready and calculate the super and the payroll tax.
And now I've got to fit in chasing down a finder's fee.
A couple of hours for a nice dinner.
Just you and me.
Alright? Why? Because today is going to be such a good day.
Why? I'll tell you at dinner tonight.
No.
No, no, no, no.
No, no.
Now, you No, no, no.
Rick, I'm You're really worrying me now, OK? You don't have to worry.
What have you planned? Why have you started planning things? You never used to plan things.
For God's sake, relax.
Just tell me now.
Not then, now.
What's going on? I'm going.
See you tonight.
Please? What's that? What? The box in your pocket.
A box.
A box of what? It's mine.
What is it, Rick? For you.
Obviously.
When I said mine I mean, I bought it for you.
It was meant for tonight, but now that's stuffed, so What do you reckon? Will you marry me? Oh! You stallion! Where the hell is this from? Well? I thought this was what you wanted.
We've never talked about marriage.
You can't just No.
Sorry.
No.
Not like this.
No way.
Right, I'm just gonna head off, then.
Are you crazy? Oh, don't even start! Well, then, what's the problem? All I hear is what a fantastic guy he is, you've been sleeping with him for a year, he practically lives over at your place.
We have not moved in together.
When was the last time he spent two nights in a row at his place? That's not the point.
On top of all that, you've told me you love him.
Of course I love him.
Do you think I'd keep saying "Yes, stay over" if I didn't love him? So? Is that my scarf? Don't change the subject.
Anyway, no.
It's mine.
You gave it to me.
When? Anyway, it works better on me.
You agreed.
No, I didn't.
You want to know what I think? You don't want to say yes because it was his idea and he hadn't let you make the decision.
You've always got to make the decision.
In any relationship you have, you've got to be in control.
And all that inappropriate controlliness means that you could lose the man you love and the man your daughter loves.
And that is just so the wrong choice.
I've gotta go.
What? Where? To find Jason Green.
Now? In the middle of a serious conversation about the rest of your life? Yes! And that is still my scarf.
Wollongong Gastroenterology.
Minnesota speaking.
Yep, we can do that.
OK, thank you.
Hi.
Hey.
Minnesota Smith? I'm sorry, you are? Uh, well, we actually haven't been introduced.
Have you got an appointment, sir? Uh, no, no, no, it's fine.
I just need to have a quick word with Minnesota.
About what? Nothing urgent.
Um, maybe if we could, um, find somewhere private? Why? No reason.
So why should I go? I just need some time, just the two of us.
I've heard that before.
It won't take long.
And that, sadly.
Um Look, if if I if we could just, um go Later, maybe.
We do deal with a few out-and-out crooks, but by and large it's ordinary, stressed-out people who have just got themselves into a pickle.
Like when you tried to tile the bathroom? Exactly.
A decision that was meant to save us lots of money ended up costing us $1,500.
Same.
And that's all it is most of the time, just good people making a bad decision.
Usually followed by a worse one.
Don't hang up! Have you called him? I'm working.
No, you're not.
This is way more important.
Call him now and tell him No.
Kate, if you want this guy, you're gonna have to swallow some pride.
Don't tell me I have to do something, OK? You'd rather lose him? Can we finish this later? Why? Why not now? Why not just talk it through? Because he's here.
Kate What's he doing here? Who's there? Rick.
Where are you? In town.
But Rick's at Fairy Meadow.
No, he's not.
Well, I'm sure there's a reason.
I mean, it's bound to be something to do with Mwah.
Hey, Kate.
Hey.
How's things? Good.
Look sorry I snapped this morning.
Oh You know me.
Anyway, I I was wondering if dinner's still on.
It's up to you.
You make all the decisions.
OK.
Well, let's.
I'll meet you there.
Great.
I've got something to tell you.
Where are you? At the surveillance job.
In Fairy Meadow? Yeah, just out in the burbs outside a red brick house ready to spring into action if there's any signs of life.
Oh! I've gotta go.
I'll call you back later, OK? OK.
What? Crap.
Jason Green.
Are you kidding me? Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.
Crap, crap, crap.
I can't talk right now.
I'm chasing 25 grand.
Shit! Dick! What? Excuse me! Kate Christie from Sapphire, yeah? Do you mind? This is my car.
Look, I didn't want to stay in view.
He could have the street covered, you never know.
Anyway, it's not like we're total strangers, are we? I think our paths might have crossed occasionally.
The odd conference, pitching for the same work now and then.
Matt Sloane.
The mobile merc.
Yep.
Now, we'd better sort this out, 'cause as far as I can tell, we've both seen Jason, we've both followed him, we both know where he lives, but there's only one finder's fee.
I saw him first.
And you've got a written record of when and where you first saw him? Have you? Yep.
Well, I'll get you to send that to me.
Then I'll send mine to you and No, no, no, no, no.
You can ask me to send it to you.
Oh, really? Ask you? Then I'll consider it and I'll Ask, get, whatever - same thing.
No.
One's rude, one's polite.
I don't have time for a lecture on manners, OK? Just forget it.
Let's face it, it'll all depend on what the feds think, anyway.
Yeah, hi.
It's Kate Christie here.
Yeah, South Coast Unit, thanks.
I'm just wondering if Inspector Duff is available.
Yep.
This is how I understand it.
That's the existing line, that's the land we have and that's where the station Sweetheart.
Thanks for bringing the missus.
No worries.
Darling.
Mwah.
Champagne's over there, darling.
So, are you ready to know how it feels to back a winner? You bet.
You're not still planning to blow it all on weddings and honeymoons, I hope? Well, probably.
If I'm allowed to.
Love is blind, I suppose.
Oh, rubbish.
If love is blind, why did they invent lingerie? Ah, nearly time.
Phil, Harley If I can just take a second, I just want to thank each and every one of you for coming on board this venture.
With one announcement in a few seconds, our precious 100 acres will have tripled in value at the very least.
To fast trains and faster profits.
The State Government today made a major announcement on infrastructure.
In a complete backflip, the government declared it will permanently scrap all plans to build a fast train service between Sydney and Melbourne.
George Amaretti, the minister for transport, said the $2 billion it would have cost would be better spent improving existing services, and this decision is final.
So the fast train which would have had stops outside Wollongong, Canberra and Albury, is now off the agenda.
Kate, I know you're screening me and if you don't stop it I will have to pass judgement.
Next time, pick up.
Bombed out, huh? How did you know? She posts on my news feed.
Except I know her as Minnie.
Awesome profile pic too.
I spend all week after this chick and it turns out she's your friend? No, no, I've never met her.
Some friends are friends, some aren't.
You know what it's like.
But she wouldn't have posted that if you'd just sprung her.
"Minnie has just finished work and is looking forward "to feeling the sand between her toes.
" I owe you big time, Lil.
Lucky me.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Wait! Wait! Minnie, just wait! It must have been around half eight when I first saw him.
You can see here it was 8:37 when I first noticed the target on Bridge Street.
I wrote down his licence plate, even though at that point I was uncertain of his identity I was actually already working, but I did immediately identify Jason I followed him to an office building at the mall Then I had to take my father in for a colonoscopy And he did come out at 11:21 .
.
which I forgot to get him from.
That's gonna go down well.
Then I remembered the coffee cup.
She obviously hasn't Guys, enough! Same day, same morning.
It's a dead heat.
You'll just have to split it.
Until we arrest him, none of this to anyone.
Well, he's in there.
It won't be a hard arrest.
We'll let him run for a while, see where he leads us.
A while? What's a while? It's an unspecified period of time.
Thanks for your help.
Let's put out an APB Your dad OK? It's nothing serious, I hope.
It's a routine check? I think so, yep.
Thanks.
Dammit! Sorry.
I'm so sorry! Ah, it's alright.
I know you're busy.
It's easy to forget your father had an important medical procedure.
I've got a bit on my mind, but that's no excuse.
I'm really sorry, Dad.
It's OK.
Did you find, er, what's-his-name? Sort of.
Oh, good girl.
Did you finish the safety check? Oh, yes.
Thank you.
Are you gonna ask? Ask? Oh! Oh, don't worry about it.
No, forget it.
What? How how it went? Yes! Yeah, I will be fine.
What happened? Oh, they found some little polypy things that they're gonna run tests on and they're sure they're benign.
What? And Tell her everything.
For God's sake.
Oh, the doctor just said that we'd probably be becoming very good friends over the next few years.
What does that mean? It means we need to take special care of him.
Does not.
I'm as strong as ever.
There is nothing wrong.
Absolutely nothing.
Come on.
Yeah.
Don't worry about me.
You've got enough to worry about.
In the car.
Jim Are you getting in? No, I'm driving.
Mwah.
Stunning.
Shh.
I'm sure you're exaggerating.
Oh, Brooke Goodman.
OK, so she's not unattractive.
Look, I'm sure he has plenty of friends.
Who he picks up from the hairdresser's? Possibly.
OK, so he's giving her a lift.
And a kiss.
Eugh.
Not good.
Rage.
Dump him.
What a jerk.
How can he propose and then do this? I don't know.
I don't know what to believe anymore.
We all have setbacks, Rick.
But you saw the Cabinet papers.
It was signed off, it was in the bag, it was happening.
I know.
I know.
Everything carries risk with it.
People change their minds, especially politicians.
But at least you bought the land, you didn't just trouser everyone's money.
Yeah, well, it's not gonna be worth much without a train station on it.
I know.
Still, no-one's gonna put you in cement boots over it.
What? The final investor, when I needed the last $100,000 quickly, I went to Mario Mcguire.
Did they ever find the bloke that ripped him off at the races? No.
No, Mario just told the cops he was no longer living in Australia.
Nice turn of phrase, when you think about it.
Don't run.
Be straight.
You'll be fine.
You still have to go to dinner with him.
And do what? Pretend I didn't see anything? Are you kidding? You put on that new dress and look a million dollars, girl.
Look sexy as, intelligent, witty Give him the perfect dream wife and lover.
And then, remember, he's paying, so order the best.
And then when he walks in and sees how fantastic you look, you throw your wine in his face.
And I tell him I've changed the locks and we're finished and why are you such a jerk? Yeah! Hello.
Bad time? No, no.
Hmm.
This this is Matt Sloane.
Hello.
Hey.
This is my sister Lily.
She's here part-time.
Nice to meet you.
Matt's also a merc agent.
Yeah, freelance.
Who's here to? Join forces.
On the Jason Green thing.
Look, if we want to get paid, he's gotta be arrested, right? The feds, they're gonna let him run forever.
So you and I have got to keep him under surveillance.
Just till he gets up to no good.
And then we tip off the cops, he'll get locked up, fingerprinted, that'll trigger an ID, and bingo, the money's ours.
And how do we fund that sort of operation? 24/7 surveillance, open-ended? Who did this? Our probationary agent.
He says if it works, he'll tell us what it is.
Well, if it works, he'll be breaking about 14 sections of the Crimes Act.
With the right software, this'll be a homemade mobile phone tower.
It's a phone tap, basically.
What do you think the Association would say about that? 'Cause I'm not sure that's 100% ethical, is it? Whoa.
Is that a threat? Nah, I'm just wondering.
Mr Sloane, you march in here unannounced, want me to drop everything to help you with your plans.
Us.
To help you get half of what you don't deserve anyway.
Then you carry on about ethics.
No, I'm sorry.
You're on your own.
Good evening.
Mario's Pizza.
How can I help you? Oh, hey, it does work.
Wow.
That's impressive.
Home.
Change.
Accessorise.
Dinner.
Hey.
Just a beer, thanks.
Alright, no problem.
Glad you could spare the time, Rick.
Look, Mario, I'm sorry.
Alright? I had no idea this was gonna happen.
Have you had much experience with debt? Actually, Mario, funnily enough, I have.
Really? You mean you've been in this sort of situation before? Not quite like this, no.
It's been more on the side of collecting.
Ah.
Good.
You'll understand, then.
Tricky business, debt.
We all owe someone something.
But how we acknowledge that and how we pay for it, well, that that shows character.
For example, in this situation, if you were me Well, you wouldn't want to hear any crap about a totally unexpected change in government policy.
The fact is, you gave me $100,000 and I guaranteed, at the very least, you wouldn't lose a cent.
And if you sold the land next week, divided the proceeds among the investors, I'd get, what do you reckon? $35,000? Maybe $40,000.
Then what do you think that'd do for my reputation? Look, Rick, I've been asking around.
You're about as square as a butter box.
You've got a nice girl, sweet kid.
And you and your little family don't need a guy like me in your life, eh? Ah.
And the way to get me out of your life is to pay me back my 100 grand.
Yeah, well, if I had it, I would.
Ah.
What should I do, you reckon? Throw it back? Or cut its head off and gut it? Hello, parentals.
Hello! We've got Em tonight.
Kate and Rick are heading out.
Hope that's OK.
Yes, of course it is, darling.
Thank you.
Yeah.
She needs help with homework too.
You good with history? My old teacher maintained that I didn't know my arse from my elbow.
Jim! After that colonoscopy, I beg to differ.
What's a colonoscopy? Ah, well, let's put it this way, it's got nothing to do with your elbow.
She'll just Google it.
Why don't you watch some TV first, then we'll have dinner, then we'll do homework.
Yeah.
Don't you start.
I didn't say anything.
Gilligan, tell Lily what I promised to do.
He's gonna cut back on red meat, he's gonna eat more wholegrain food, as long as we all stop worrying, especially me.
Face your problems and everything will be fine.
I've always believed in that.
You have reached your destination.
Please select a new destination.
My thoughts exactly.
For a new journey, select a new destination.
I know.
Yep.
For a new journey OK.
I got it the first time, alright? Sorry, sorry.
Hi.
Thank you.
Sometimes a debtor can work off a debt.
You know, perhaps you've got a job, say, that, you know, I could do that would normally cost you 100 grand.
Can you get your hands on a firearm? No.
Didn't think so.
Forget it, then.
What's your next plan? Good evening, ma'am.
Table for Taylor? Yes, this way.
Be back with the menus.
Thank you.
Shh.
What's your most expensive champagne? Excuse me.
Is that the only way out? There's no other window or chimney or anything? Fancy bumping into you here.
Of all places.
It was the ATM withdrawals on the statement, right? And you know about the hours, don't you? 9am to 9pm are reasonable hours of contact and after 9pm is generally considered harassment.
And, oh, dear, is that the time? You know, we can make exceptions.
Mmm.
For shiftworkers, which I'm not.
No, you work for a temp agency.
I figured that much out.
I work when I want, where I want.
Casual's the way to go.
Easy to pick up, easy to ditch.
So So if you give me that letter now you could lose your licence and end up back on that dole queue.
Just answer me this, though.
I am talking to Miss Minnesota Smith, yes? You are.
Thank you.
As a friend.
Are we friends? Maybe.
Well, can I just say, friend you really need to sharpen up at your job.
In other categories, you're not too bad.
Mario, these are the business accounts.
The money's not really mine.
Left to the , you can get home Now it's a much safe place, then it was a couple hours ago.
You see, if you look hard enough, it's amazing what you find.
'Hi, you've got Rick, but I'm not here, please leave a message.
' I'm sorry, ma'am but you card've been declined.
What? This card Here.
Try this.
What? Okay, you've bet three debt now.
Car maybe goods to the value.
Nice to be in business with you, Rick.
- Are you okay? - Yeah.
This is episode perfect.
See, the thing is - it doesn't matter how much you owes someone and it had can be squared as long as both parties agreed with the deal.
I owe Rick.
For the happiest of my life.
So Thank you.
You're welcome.
Ew Hey, guys, please.
Look at the camera.
You get used to them.
It's the day, when you'll pay to them.