Satisfaction (2007) s01e05 Episode Script
Truth
TIPPI: The divine world at the foot of the stairs.
That was her sacred mission.
To unwrap them all.
To help them in so many different ways.
To fuck away the fear.
He smiles too much.
Makes himself small so she can see he's begging for it, just a glimpse.
He tingles from the air around him, catching zephyr winds as they pass.
And he invites her into the sanctuary of his private ecstasy.
And others so shy that she can taste their shame.
Because this is her gift - feeling them out, whatever they need.
Flirtation, submission, humiliation.
Watching every move, breathing with them.
Inhale, exhale.
Don't get me wrong.
I don't come to places like this.
So maybe you're not really here.
This can be anything you want.
Don't say that.
Why are you looking at me like that? It's how I get to know people.
I look into their eyes.
You don't have to know me.
You never have to know me.
Could you cover them up? Just your eyes.
Whatever helps you, Aiden.
Why did you choose this job? It's a secret job.
Anything could happen here.
Only if we want it to.
You're so beautiful.
I knew you would be.
- That's enough.
- Hey, it's OK.
No, this is wrong.
I shouldn't have come here.
No TIPPI: She was offering them everything.
No limits, no taboos.
That was her promise.
To go anywhere with them, willingly, into the dark woods, into secret places and bring them safely home again to themselves.
MAN: Thank you.
Ah she lost me at the bad language.
Is it is it about some kind of sex addict? - Tippi? - No, not a sex addict.
A sex worker.
Huh.
Prostitute.
Do you think a perfect world needs prostitution? I wouldn't know.
This isn't a perfect world.
Mmm, nothing much.
Just downloading music.
Uh, yep.
Yeah, OK.
Which track? Uh, yeah.
OK.
I'll burn it for you.
Yeah.
Hey, can I call you back? Yeah, I have to go.
Um, I'll talk to you later.
What? Well, why are the numbers down? Heather's doing shorter shifts Are we enough or not? Whole point of doing a print-out.
Percentages, comparisons.
Look, could you give that to Nat? Only point in eating Japanese.
People want me, Nick.
That's all I'm offering.
Look in my eyes and tell me that's all I got the other night.
Oh, my wrapping's good - I can laugh at your jokes, vamp it up and then finish off all warm and fuzzy, 'cause that's how you like it, isn't it, Nick? That's not what I got the other night.
No.
You got a free sample.
Next time you pay like everyone else.
Did you enjoy my act? Which one - the other night or this little show right now? Bon.
Bon! Mrs G will be here soon.
Have you stacked the dishwasher? - Bonnie! - What? Can you come here where I don't have to yell? Ah.
What about your homework? Yeah, that's in the dishwasher too.
- Do I look OK? - Don't wear that top.
- Why not? - It looks bad.
I thought it looked OK.
Makes you look trashy.
What?! Well, if you think wearing something so low that half your boobs hang out looks so fantastic, then why do you bother asking me? - Bonnie! - Or is that the point? - Hey! Come back here! - [ Door Slams .]
[ Door Opens .]
- I have to go to work.
- I was hoping you'd gone already.
Can't you just have a drink with me? Just one drink? Don't want to tempt you.
Your body's a temple.
Can we stop the war? I don't know.
Has something changed? Aren't you pregnant anymore? This isn't going away just because you won't deal with it.
I'll make it go away.
- Please - Get off me! It's always you.
You're always the one.
The one who has the job that keeps us going, the one who brought the car.
The one who found the great house you let me live in.
You didn't even need my name on the fucking mortgage! I wanted one thing for me.
The baby was my one thing.
What do you want me to do? I don't want you to be this unhappy.
Just tell me what you want me to do.
Ow! [ Moans .]
- Ow! - How was Raj? I think I can safely skip yoga tomorrow.
We did something called the 'pretzel'.
Sorry.
I just couldn't deal with his enthusiasm tonight.
[ Sighs .]
Why don't you just go home? Because my 14-year-old offspring wants to stick pins in me.
That's the job description.
How much do you think she knows? Well, she hasn't called me on it yet, but she's pissed off at me.
The way I dress, my hair, my shoes.
Maybe you should have a better cover story.
What - you think my night shift at the casino, part-time breast cancer treatment alibi's wearing thin? You must have known this was coming? Since the day she was born.
I just thought I'd quit long before she could understand.
Then your meter's definitely run out.
She'll hate me.
If she knows, she'll hate you a lot more for not telling her.
Mmm.
LAUREN: Ow! Looks OK.
You want me to come up with you? Anyone who gets their rocks off over a bunch of greenery can't be too dangerous.
- [ Intercom Buzzes .]
- MAN: Yeah? Your bunch of basil's on its way.
No way.
Don't you just love the smell of basil? Not tonight.
I'm working.
Yeah, I know.
I paid.
Full price.
- Including extras.
- I decide the extras.
Come in.
Take your shoes off.
I've just got something on the stove.
Does Natalie know about this? No way.
I booked it.
Nice decor.
Is this someone else's apartment? NICK: I'll take that as a compliment.
Look at those.
Perfect tomatoes.
No sprays, no shit.
You know, most people think tomatoes are Italian.
You know, 'cause they cook every bloody thing with them.
But you know where they're actually from? - Thrill me.
- Mexico.
[ Laughs .]
How's that? Spanish explorers thought they were poisonous.
So, what's all this? Some kind of cooking show? - I thought they only did that on TV.
- That's how I cook.
My mum's recipe, you know.
It's very particular.
What am I doing here, Nick.
Well, first, I thought you could cut an onion.
Think about it - what would be the smartest way to cut up an onion? I eat occasionally.
I never cook.
I'll let you know when you've got it right.
I'm chopping an onion, Nick.
I'm not launching a shuttle into space.
Here.
- You're crying.
- [ Sighs .]
- CHLOE: Thanks, Sophia.
- The same time tomorrow, hmm? - I'll let you know.
- OK.
Bye-bye.
Goodnight.
[ Sighs .]
[ Knocks on Door .]
[ Sighs .]
Bon, I know you're up.
Come on, we need to talk.
Here.
My job at the casino My job isn't exactly how I described it.
I don't work at the casino.
I do another job that I couldn't explain to you until I knew you were old enough to understand.
- You lied to me.
- But only to protect you.
OK.
First you need to understand that my job is well paid.
The conditions are good, it's well run.
It's what pays for you to go to a good school and get computers that you want upgraded all the time and phones with cameras.
And the hours are flexible.
I'm home with you most of the time.
It's it's like a hostess.
I offer hospitality.
To men, mostly.
A massage sometimes, I don't know.
What makes them feel good.
[ Sighs .]
It's a bit like a retreat, like a day spa for men who need to unwind, who feel like they need a bit of extra attention and are prepared to pay good money for it.
What do you do for them? Um well, a lot of the men come in for the company.
I mean, someone to talk to.
And I'm good at that.
I'm a people person, aren't I? You know that.
What else do you do? Whatever it takes to make them feel better.
You must think I am so dumb! - Bonnie - [ Door Closes .]
- [ Cries .]
- Bonnie, open the door.
[ Tearfully .]
Bonnie, please, open the door! Sometimes most of the time I have sex with them.
- [ Screams .]
Get out! - Bonnie, please [ Screams .]
Stay away from me! [ Both Sob .]
Finish your dinner.
It's rude to tell your guests how much to eat.
Yeah, but I'm paying, so finish.
You get your kicks in strange ways.
[ Laughs .]
Yeah, that's right.
By making you eat tagliatelle.
How was it? I thought the onions were very well cut.
[ Laughs .]
If you expect me to help with the washing up, you'll be sorry.
How sorry? Hmm? It's a shame we're nearly out of time.
- I'll extend it.
- But we can't.
You have a client in 20 minutes.
But I'm happy to sponge the sauce off your top for you.
Here you go.
Try this for size.
You're serious.
You want to do my laundry.
OK.
Stay like that.
[ Both Laugh .]
[ Bed Vibrates .]
- It's vibrates.
- Yeah.
No! It does! It vibrates! - [ Laughs .]
- Yeah, it's a massage bed.
It's really therapeutic.
Everything in this place looks like a 'Vogue' interior and you have a bed that shakes.
- Yeah, yeah, and it rotates.
- Oh, come on.
Very funny.
- Hey? - Oh, my God.
[ Laughs .]
It does.
It rotates.
That's right.
It rotates.
What's wrong with that? - Nothing.
- Do you know what it's worth? - [ Laughs .]
- It's a bloody good - What's wrong? - Nothing.
It's a classic.
A pimp's bed, Nick.
It's perfect for you.
I can't believe it.
[ Laughs .]
Talking a whole lot of crap, you know that? Oh, come on, Nick.
It's funny.
No, it's not.
It's my bed.
Nick! Nick! I glad you came back.
I brought something.
Oh, a dress.
- Do you like it? - It's beautiful.
- It looks old.
- Would you like to put it on? Sure.
[ Laughs .]
Mostly I get asked to take my clothes off, but for you, Aiden What do you do? What kind of things do you like? - I like to write.
- She liked to write too.
Who? OK.
You can turn around now.
Yes, but your hair You don't like it? Do you want me to put it up? It's alright to want me.
It's OK to touch.
It's just because I miss her.
I know.
I'm sorry.
I can't go further.
I can't do this.
- [ Clears Throat .]
- Take your time.
It's OK.
- Whatever you need.
- No, I won't come back.
I promise.
Aiden, just wait.
Aiden, Aiden, the dress.
Just wait.
- No! - Aiden, that's OK.
I will leave it here for you.
Aiden, you don't have to be alone.
Bon, can I at least see you? We don't have to talk if you don't want to.
No.
Go away.
Want some muesli? No.
Queasy stomach.
A baby will do that.
It's not just the baby.
[ Retches .]
[ Turns on Tap .]
Don't use a tea towel for that.
I know.
Why don't we flip a coin? Heads, baby stays.
Tails, baby gets the chop.
- Don't.
- Isn't that what you want? A clean decision you take no responsibility for.
You get pregnant on a whim.
How am I responsible for what? You didn't discuss it.
You didn't even think about me or where it leaves me.
I did think about you.
I know what this means.
You can still do everything you planned.
The baby's room, the quilt, all the early childhood crap.
Everything - just the way you wanted it.
Once I stagger through the next eight months, everything else will be exactly the same.
Except you're the biological mother and I'm nothing.
What if some guy comes and makes a claim on it? Well, it's not gonna happen.
The father's not gonna turn nasty on us.
How do I know that? All men turn nasty.
Because he's not in a position to become a dad.
Believe me.
No, don't believe me - meet him for yourself.
Then you'll understand.
[ Sobs .]
She hates me.
Well, you know, she was gonna hate you by the time she was 15 anyway.
[ Laughs .]
Everybody makes mistakes.
I taught her that.
But she gonna wanna know the whole story.
Running away from home.
But I did it for her.
Well I did it for us.
She looked at me like I was a monster.
She's my baby.
She's the most important thing in my life and I fucked it up.
- You're a good mum.
- Do you think so? How the hell would I know? But this is one way to find out, huh? If you've done a crap job, you're gonna lose her for good.
But if you've done a good job, she is gonna forgive you for the lot.
- And that's because she loves you.
- [ Sobs .]
You've just gotta wait and see.
Yep.
Yeah.
Would you get back in the car now, please? Sure.
Thanks.
[ Woman Retches .]
Oh, I'm starving.
- Oh.
Did you eat that whole pizza? - She helped.
Oh, no, I don't eat pineapple pizza.
It's sacrilege.
Besides, it's full of micro-organisms from sitting around.
Oh, maybe that's why I just threw it up.
They double in 20 minutes at room temperature.
Why don't you stick to your adult education? What is it this time? Lunar planting 101? I completed permaculture, thank you for your interest, and food handling.
Now I'm back on creative writing.
What kind of things do you write about? All the loonies she meets in here.
Humanity in all its glorious diversity.
That's what I said.
[ Ambient Music Plays on Computer .]
Now I have lungs.
You look pale.
Must be all that E.
coli on the pineapple.
Hey, what was that lamb thing you cooked with lemon and olives and something? It was chicken and I cooked it the night Phil left.
Maybe I won't cook it for Bonnie.
Not that she's eating anything, unless Mrs Giardini cooks it.
She's not talking, except to Mrs Giardini.
You should take it as a compliment if she treats you like crap.
- Why? - 'Cause she feels safe.
She knows you're not gonna piss off on her.
She's right - my kids treat me like a doormat and their father like a god, because he left.
I'm not sure this is making me feel better.
Maybe we'll get Tippi to take you to one of her chant nights.
- No, it's OK.
I'm coming round.
- [ Ambient Music Continues .]
- What is this hipple crap? - [ Turns Music Off .]
This looks interesting.
This has to be you, Chloe.
"The truckers' honey with her long-haul pedigree "and her runaway heart.
" - Isn't that an invasion of privacy? - Yeah, ours.
Hey, go back.
"And her cliched underwear.
" What, my underwear? Doesn't stop her bloody stealing it.
Who's this? "Takes her men with a smart mouth and a firm hand.
" "Down the dark catwalk" Oh, that's Mel.
Oh, great, so I get "the cynical firebrand "who likes her men in a frozen state.
" What the hell does that mean? Better than "the married woman looking for her long-lost whore".
- You reckon? - "Cliched underwear".
This has made me feel really good.
Why are you guys looking at my laptop? - It's private.
- Our lives are kind of private.
Yeah, even if they are cliched.
They're just notes.
It's not real.
They're just kind of hybrids.
- Half real and half just - Yeah, right, Tippi.
- totally made up.
- We'll make a deal, Holly Golightly.
We won't rip your tits off if you tell us who's who.
"Bloodless lips"? Oh, that's easy.
That part's about Melanie.
Apart from the totally made-up bits? Yeah.
I know it would crush you to think that anything you do is ordinary.
I know you think you've got some sort of cosmic agenda.
But no matter which way you cut it, this is just a job, and you are just another sex worker.
I'm not lending you my underwear anymore.
Maybe you should think up a password.
[ Door Opens .]
MAN: Hello? Hello? Hello? Oh! Where's my reception committee? - Mum's not here.
- Ah.
So where's your babysitter? Mrs G is not my babysitter.
She's hanging out washing.
Right.
So, you wanna know how I went? The launch was awesome.
And I was interviewed by 'Rolling Stone'.
Alright, it was a vox pop.
But you're not listening to me anyway.
Oh! Princess - Do you pay for it too? - What? Mum told me what she does.
Right.
Don't worry - it took a lot for her to cough it up, and I'm sick of people lying to me so you better tell me the truth.
Of course I don't pay her, Bonnie.
- How could you think that? - Then why aren't you jealous?! Why don't you make her stop?! How can I, OK? It's not up to me.
And it's not that simple.
- You knew and I didn't.
- That's how your mum wanted it.
I can't tell her what to do.
You could marry her.
If you married her, she wouldn't do it.
- Life isn't like that.
- Yes, it is! If you loved her, you would marry her.
How can you love her and let her do what she does?! It's sick! You just think she's a slut! - Bonnie - And you're just an arsehole.
No, fuck off! Go on! Just fuck off! What's going on here? [ Door Slams .]
That's it for tonight, Nat.
OK, hang on a minute.
This is from your boyfriend.
Too flat to be a bomb.
- Which boyfriend? - Ah, the blue dress.
The man who can't make up his mind.
Where are my keys? Oh.
Thanks.
You're not pregnant, are you? Why? Just because I've got half a brain? You're eating like a horse, not drinking, throwing up, went to the toilet three times in half an hour.
Should I congratulate you or commiserate? Not sure yet, so don't broadcast it.
I'm assuming it's not an immaculate conception.
No.
There's a real father, he just doesn't know about it yet.
Given my situation, my higher intelligence is telling me to terminate.
Take it from me - having kids doesn't take much intelligence.
Yeah.
I'm starting to notice that.
How does Ally feel? She thinks it's a disaster.
[Sighs.]
She's the one who wanted the baby in the first place.
I gave up a pregnancy once.
Don't give up a child for someone else - partners, lovers, whatever sex - they come and go.
But that bond with you kids, that lasts forever.
Try soda water.
For morning sickness.
Soda water and dry biscuits - it helped me.
I'm not signing - it's a 6-week bunny hop between every services club on the south coast, sharing the bill with people who I thought were dead.
I'm gonna test you on all of this later on.
I'm sorry Bonnie gave you such a hard time.
Yeah.
It's OK.
- She's been trained by the best.
- Mmm.
If I had a normal job, maybe I'd want normal things.
I'm lost.
You know, white picket fance, three kids, my man doing the mowing.
[Laughs.]
I've never mowed a lawn in my life, honey.
I didn't say it had to be you.
What's that mean? I don't think I'm the sort of person normal things happen to.
I made my choices a long time ago and that closes the door on a few things.
Do you seriously want me to whisk you away for a white wedding just to prove a point to Bonnie? No.
No.
But it's interesting that you never wanted to.
Because I thought we were alright.
I thought we didn't need all that bullshit.
I don't know what I need.
I'm on overload - with Bonnie, with my life.
I think I need a break.
- You're having one.
- I mean from us.
With everything else that's going on right now it's just too much.
Us? Me? I've got to put Bonnie first.
I've just got enough problems to deal with right now.
[ Softly .]
Yeah.
I can see that.
[ Laughs .]
Just didn't know I was another problem.
[ Loud Rock Music Plays .]
Bonnie! - I know you can hear me.
- [ Knocks on Door .]
[ Turns Music Off .]
It's too late for all this noise.
- I'm old enough to stay up late.
- Not on a school night, you're not.
It's time to sleep.
Go on.
[ Sighs .]
My mother's a prostitute.
So was Mary Magdalene.
Look it up in the Bible.
Don't you care? Oh, Bonnie.
I've known your mother a long time.
She's a good woman.
That's why I work for her.
And she's smart, don't you think? Some women are smart enough to get paid for what some men think they should get for free.
So who's the smarter sex, huh? I didn't ask to get sent to an expensive school.
But you like it there, don't you? Stop worrying.
Everything will be alright.
Goodnight.
- ALLY: He's client? - Yeah.
[Laughs.]
You've got to be kidding me.
He's mentaslly deficient.
No, he isn't.
He's actually very sweet.
And totally harmless.
ALLY: You call that not mentally deficient? Well, it's just what he's into.
He's a big baby.
[ Laughs .]
Definitely not the sort of guy who's going to cause trouble for us later.
It's not as bad as you thought, is it? It's worse.
It's far worse.
I thought you were insane before, but you're completely certifiable.
Trying to impregnate yourself with that? But it's too late.
No, it's not.
I don't need a baby that bad.
- Are you telling me to get rid of it? - Or get rid of me.
Your choice.
What are we talking about here a holiday? You know I don't have many girls I can count on.
Look, I'm sorry, Nat.
I don't know - as long as it takes.
Bonne's completely freaked out.
I don't want to lose her.
I don't know what to do.
I know when I found out what Dad was up to, it did my head in.
You still wanted to work in the business.
Hell, no.
I wanted to be a model.
Dad said I wasn't pretty enough and that I should just get over it.
- He's such a prick.
- Mm-hm.
Working here was meant to be temporary.
Oh, God, Nat - the idea of Bonnie going down that path I can't.
I've worked too hard for that to happen.
Mrs G didn't come.
That's because I cancelled her for a while.
- Why? - Because I'm gonna be here instead.
What about your work? I'm not doing it anymore.
Bon, my job isn't always easy and I don't always enjoy it - it's just a job.
But I did it because I want to give you as much as I can.
A nice home, a good education.
But most of all, I want you to be happy.
So there's no point me doing something that makes you unhappy.
Will you find something else? We'll be OK for a while.
And I want you know that Josh and I are having a break as well.
What?! Why are you doing that? I didn't mean that you should go rid of him.
It's got nothing to do with you, Bon.
I wanted you to know that Josh is out of the picture for now.
So it looks like it's just you and me.
Wow.
Sounds like fun.
So, here I am with the big decisions again.
- Not my fault.
- It never is.
I need a feasibility study, like with the house.
One potential human being.
What can he feasibly bring to my life? And what will you take away? He? You better hope it's not a boy.
Do you know? Of course not.
Being born a man's a big enough handicap without being born to an imbecile.
- Alex is not an imbecile.
- He sure did look like one.
- Don't you know any decent men? - No.
What if you had a son? I'd make damn sure I kept him away from the rest of them.
I'd isolate him - do everything I could to give him half a chance of overcoming his bloody DNA.
- You can't be serious, Ally.
- Yes, I can.
You know, the chances of me having a boy are 50/50.
You don't even know whether you're keeping it.
No.
But I do know what I don't want.
I've heard an awful lot about how you feel - overlooked, disempowered, stifled.
And now I can add 'fucked in the head' to the list.
You have not once asked me how I feel.
Not even if I'm OK.
You have offered no support or love.
This is fucked.
- You should leave.
- What? I want you out of my house.
Now.
"This man had paid his hush money three times over "and he was ready to show himself at last.
" So what would he be like? Perhaps like her voyeur.
Don't move.
[ Gasps and Laughs .]
Maybe he'd be more like the feather man.
OK, baby, eat my peach.
Or perhaps he'd be another all day sucker.
[ Moans .]
But as if turned out, all this man wanted to do was fuck with her head.
I know you're missing someone.
Yes.
The woman in the blue dress.
- It's a poem.
- What is? A Thomas Hardy poem.
A woman in an air-blue dress.
[ Recites .]
"Woman much missed "How you call to me, call to me" You want me to be her? He wasn't quite sure if she was an apparition or if she'd actually come back.
This dress is part of her.
You're part of her.
Your skin is her skin.
Your eyes are wrong, but your mouth's the same.
You even smile the same way.
Who was she? Your wife? She was my first love.
She was my last love.
[ Cries .]
She was your mother.
- What? - I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Look at the picture.
Can't you see? She's the one who gave you away.
You were her baby.
Um who are you? I'm your father.
[ Cries .]
No, no, no, no, no.
Look, Tippi, I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
No, get out.
Get out! You're a creep! And a liar! Get out! [ Cries .]
I'm your father.
[ Sobs .]
Oh, my God! "I'm your father," he said.
"And that's who he was.
"At last she has found her first taboo.
" Thank you, Tippi.
[ Scoffs .]
Sorry, I just didn't find it credible.
Especially the sex stuff.
MAN: Tippi? It's true.
It's my life.
That was her sacred mission.
To unwrap them all.
To help them in so many different ways.
To fuck away the fear.
He smiles too much.
Makes himself small so she can see he's begging for it, just a glimpse.
He tingles from the air around him, catching zephyr winds as they pass.
And he invites her into the sanctuary of his private ecstasy.
And others so shy that she can taste their shame.
Because this is her gift - feeling them out, whatever they need.
Flirtation, submission, humiliation.
Watching every move, breathing with them.
Inhale, exhale.
Don't get me wrong.
I don't come to places like this.
So maybe you're not really here.
This can be anything you want.
Don't say that.
Why are you looking at me like that? It's how I get to know people.
I look into their eyes.
You don't have to know me.
You never have to know me.
Could you cover them up? Just your eyes.
Whatever helps you, Aiden.
Why did you choose this job? It's a secret job.
Anything could happen here.
Only if we want it to.
You're so beautiful.
I knew you would be.
- That's enough.
- Hey, it's OK.
No, this is wrong.
I shouldn't have come here.
No TIPPI: She was offering them everything.
No limits, no taboos.
That was her promise.
To go anywhere with them, willingly, into the dark woods, into secret places and bring them safely home again to themselves.
MAN: Thank you.
Ah she lost me at the bad language.
Is it is it about some kind of sex addict? - Tippi? - No, not a sex addict.
A sex worker.
Huh.
Prostitute.
Do you think a perfect world needs prostitution? I wouldn't know.
This isn't a perfect world.
Mmm, nothing much.
Just downloading music.
Uh, yep.
Yeah, OK.
Which track? Uh, yeah.
OK.
I'll burn it for you.
Yeah.
Hey, can I call you back? Yeah, I have to go.
Um, I'll talk to you later.
What? Well, why are the numbers down? Heather's doing shorter shifts Are we enough or not? Whole point of doing a print-out.
Percentages, comparisons.
Look, could you give that to Nat? Only point in eating Japanese.
People want me, Nick.
That's all I'm offering.
Look in my eyes and tell me that's all I got the other night.
Oh, my wrapping's good - I can laugh at your jokes, vamp it up and then finish off all warm and fuzzy, 'cause that's how you like it, isn't it, Nick? That's not what I got the other night.
No.
You got a free sample.
Next time you pay like everyone else.
Did you enjoy my act? Which one - the other night or this little show right now? Bon.
Bon! Mrs G will be here soon.
Have you stacked the dishwasher? - Bonnie! - What? Can you come here where I don't have to yell? Ah.
What about your homework? Yeah, that's in the dishwasher too.
- Do I look OK? - Don't wear that top.
- Why not? - It looks bad.
I thought it looked OK.
Makes you look trashy.
What?! Well, if you think wearing something so low that half your boobs hang out looks so fantastic, then why do you bother asking me? - Bonnie! - Or is that the point? - Hey! Come back here! - [ Door Slams .]
[ Door Opens .]
- I have to go to work.
- I was hoping you'd gone already.
Can't you just have a drink with me? Just one drink? Don't want to tempt you.
Your body's a temple.
Can we stop the war? I don't know.
Has something changed? Aren't you pregnant anymore? This isn't going away just because you won't deal with it.
I'll make it go away.
- Please - Get off me! It's always you.
You're always the one.
The one who has the job that keeps us going, the one who brought the car.
The one who found the great house you let me live in.
You didn't even need my name on the fucking mortgage! I wanted one thing for me.
The baby was my one thing.
What do you want me to do? I don't want you to be this unhappy.
Just tell me what you want me to do.
Ow! [ Moans .]
- Ow! - How was Raj? I think I can safely skip yoga tomorrow.
We did something called the 'pretzel'.
Sorry.
I just couldn't deal with his enthusiasm tonight.
[ Sighs .]
Why don't you just go home? Because my 14-year-old offspring wants to stick pins in me.
That's the job description.
How much do you think she knows? Well, she hasn't called me on it yet, but she's pissed off at me.
The way I dress, my hair, my shoes.
Maybe you should have a better cover story.
What - you think my night shift at the casino, part-time breast cancer treatment alibi's wearing thin? You must have known this was coming? Since the day she was born.
I just thought I'd quit long before she could understand.
Then your meter's definitely run out.
She'll hate me.
If she knows, she'll hate you a lot more for not telling her.
Mmm.
LAUREN: Ow! Looks OK.
You want me to come up with you? Anyone who gets their rocks off over a bunch of greenery can't be too dangerous.
- [ Intercom Buzzes .]
- MAN: Yeah? Your bunch of basil's on its way.
No way.
Don't you just love the smell of basil? Not tonight.
I'm working.
Yeah, I know.
I paid.
Full price.
- Including extras.
- I decide the extras.
Come in.
Take your shoes off.
I've just got something on the stove.
Does Natalie know about this? No way.
I booked it.
Nice decor.
Is this someone else's apartment? NICK: I'll take that as a compliment.
Look at those.
Perfect tomatoes.
No sprays, no shit.
You know, most people think tomatoes are Italian.
You know, 'cause they cook every bloody thing with them.
But you know where they're actually from? - Thrill me.
- Mexico.
[ Laughs .]
How's that? Spanish explorers thought they were poisonous.
So, what's all this? Some kind of cooking show? - I thought they only did that on TV.
- That's how I cook.
My mum's recipe, you know.
It's very particular.
What am I doing here, Nick.
Well, first, I thought you could cut an onion.
Think about it - what would be the smartest way to cut up an onion? I eat occasionally.
I never cook.
I'll let you know when you've got it right.
I'm chopping an onion, Nick.
I'm not launching a shuttle into space.
Here.
- You're crying.
- [ Sighs .]
- CHLOE: Thanks, Sophia.
- The same time tomorrow, hmm? - I'll let you know.
- OK.
Bye-bye.
Goodnight.
[ Sighs .]
[ Knocks on Door .]
[ Sighs .]
Bon, I know you're up.
Come on, we need to talk.
Here.
My job at the casino My job isn't exactly how I described it.
I don't work at the casino.
I do another job that I couldn't explain to you until I knew you were old enough to understand.
- You lied to me.
- But only to protect you.
OK.
First you need to understand that my job is well paid.
The conditions are good, it's well run.
It's what pays for you to go to a good school and get computers that you want upgraded all the time and phones with cameras.
And the hours are flexible.
I'm home with you most of the time.
It's it's like a hostess.
I offer hospitality.
To men, mostly.
A massage sometimes, I don't know.
What makes them feel good.
[ Sighs .]
It's a bit like a retreat, like a day spa for men who need to unwind, who feel like they need a bit of extra attention and are prepared to pay good money for it.
What do you do for them? Um well, a lot of the men come in for the company.
I mean, someone to talk to.
And I'm good at that.
I'm a people person, aren't I? You know that.
What else do you do? Whatever it takes to make them feel better.
You must think I am so dumb! - Bonnie - [ Door Closes .]
- [ Cries .]
- Bonnie, open the door.
[ Tearfully .]
Bonnie, please, open the door! Sometimes most of the time I have sex with them.
- [ Screams .]
Get out! - Bonnie, please [ Screams .]
Stay away from me! [ Both Sob .]
Finish your dinner.
It's rude to tell your guests how much to eat.
Yeah, but I'm paying, so finish.
You get your kicks in strange ways.
[ Laughs .]
Yeah, that's right.
By making you eat tagliatelle.
How was it? I thought the onions were very well cut.
[ Laughs .]
If you expect me to help with the washing up, you'll be sorry.
How sorry? Hmm? It's a shame we're nearly out of time.
- I'll extend it.
- But we can't.
You have a client in 20 minutes.
But I'm happy to sponge the sauce off your top for you.
Here you go.
Try this for size.
You're serious.
You want to do my laundry.
OK.
Stay like that.
[ Both Laugh .]
[ Bed Vibrates .]
- It's vibrates.
- Yeah.
No! It does! It vibrates! - [ Laughs .]
- Yeah, it's a massage bed.
It's really therapeutic.
Everything in this place looks like a 'Vogue' interior and you have a bed that shakes.
- Yeah, yeah, and it rotates.
- Oh, come on.
Very funny.
- Hey? - Oh, my God.
[ Laughs .]
It does.
It rotates.
That's right.
It rotates.
What's wrong with that? - Nothing.
- Do you know what it's worth? - [ Laughs .]
- It's a bloody good - What's wrong? - Nothing.
It's a classic.
A pimp's bed, Nick.
It's perfect for you.
I can't believe it.
[ Laughs .]
Talking a whole lot of crap, you know that? Oh, come on, Nick.
It's funny.
No, it's not.
It's my bed.
Nick! Nick! I glad you came back.
I brought something.
Oh, a dress.
- Do you like it? - It's beautiful.
- It looks old.
- Would you like to put it on? Sure.
[ Laughs .]
Mostly I get asked to take my clothes off, but for you, Aiden What do you do? What kind of things do you like? - I like to write.
- She liked to write too.
Who? OK.
You can turn around now.
Yes, but your hair You don't like it? Do you want me to put it up? It's alright to want me.
It's OK to touch.
It's just because I miss her.
I know.
I'm sorry.
I can't go further.
I can't do this.
- [ Clears Throat .]
- Take your time.
It's OK.
- Whatever you need.
- No, I won't come back.
I promise.
Aiden, just wait.
Aiden, Aiden, the dress.
Just wait.
- No! - Aiden, that's OK.
I will leave it here for you.
Aiden, you don't have to be alone.
Bon, can I at least see you? We don't have to talk if you don't want to.
No.
Go away.
Want some muesli? No.
Queasy stomach.
A baby will do that.
It's not just the baby.
[ Retches .]
[ Turns on Tap .]
Don't use a tea towel for that.
I know.
Why don't we flip a coin? Heads, baby stays.
Tails, baby gets the chop.
- Don't.
- Isn't that what you want? A clean decision you take no responsibility for.
You get pregnant on a whim.
How am I responsible for what? You didn't discuss it.
You didn't even think about me or where it leaves me.
I did think about you.
I know what this means.
You can still do everything you planned.
The baby's room, the quilt, all the early childhood crap.
Everything - just the way you wanted it.
Once I stagger through the next eight months, everything else will be exactly the same.
Except you're the biological mother and I'm nothing.
What if some guy comes and makes a claim on it? Well, it's not gonna happen.
The father's not gonna turn nasty on us.
How do I know that? All men turn nasty.
Because he's not in a position to become a dad.
Believe me.
No, don't believe me - meet him for yourself.
Then you'll understand.
[ Sobs .]
She hates me.
Well, you know, she was gonna hate you by the time she was 15 anyway.
[ Laughs .]
Everybody makes mistakes.
I taught her that.
But she gonna wanna know the whole story.
Running away from home.
But I did it for her.
Well I did it for us.
She looked at me like I was a monster.
She's my baby.
She's the most important thing in my life and I fucked it up.
- You're a good mum.
- Do you think so? How the hell would I know? But this is one way to find out, huh? If you've done a crap job, you're gonna lose her for good.
But if you've done a good job, she is gonna forgive you for the lot.
- And that's because she loves you.
- [ Sobs .]
You've just gotta wait and see.
Yep.
Yeah.
Would you get back in the car now, please? Sure.
Thanks.
[ Woman Retches .]
Oh, I'm starving.
- Oh.
Did you eat that whole pizza? - She helped.
Oh, no, I don't eat pineapple pizza.
It's sacrilege.
Besides, it's full of micro-organisms from sitting around.
Oh, maybe that's why I just threw it up.
They double in 20 minutes at room temperature.
Why don't you stick to your adult education? What is it this time? Lunar planting 101? I completed permaculture, thank you for your interest, and food handling.
Now I'm back on creative writing.
What kind of things do you write about? All the loonies she meets in here.
Humanity in all its glorious diversity.
That's what I said.
[ Ambient Music Plays on Computer .]
Now I have lungs.
You look pale.
Must be all that E.
coli on the pineapple.
Hey, what was that lamb thing you cooked with lemon and olives and something? It was chicken and I cooked it the night Phil left.
Maybe I won't cook it for Bonnie.
Not that she's eating anything, unless Mrs Giardini cooks it.
She's not talking, except to Mrs Giardini.
You should take it as a compliment if she treats you like crap.
- Why? - 'Cause she feels safe.
She knows you're not gonna piss off on her.
She's right - my kids treat me like a doormat and their father like a god, because he left.
I'm not sure this is making me feel better.
Maybe we'll get Tippi to take you to one of her chant nights.
- No, it's OK.
I'm coming round.
- [ Ambient Music Continues .]
- What is this hipple crap? - [ Turns Music Off .]
This looks interesting.
This has to be you, Chloe.
"The truckers' honey with her long-haul pedigree "and her runaway heart.
" - Isn't that an invasion of privacy? - Yeah, ours.
Hey, go back.
"And her cliched underwear.
" What, my underwear? Doesn't stop her bloody stealing it.
Who's this? "Takes her men with a smart mouth and a firm hand.
" "Down the dark catwalk" Oh, that's Mel.
Oh, great, so I get "the cynical firebrand "who likes her men in a frozen state.
" What the hell does that mean? Better than "the married woman looking for her long-lost whore".
- You reckon? - "Cliched underwear".
This has made me feel really good.
Why are you guys looking at my laptop? - It's private.
- Our lives are kind of private.
Yeah, even if they are cliched.
They're just notes.
It's not real.
They're just kind of hybrids.
- Half real and half just - Yeah, right, Tippi.
- totally made up.
- We'll make a deal, Holly Golightly.
We won't rip your tits off if you tell us who's who.
"Bloodless lips"? Oh, that's easy.
That part's about Melanie.
Apart from the totally made-up bits? Yeah.
I know it would crush you to think that anything you do is ordinary.
I know you think you've got some sort of cosmic agenda.
But no matter which way you cut it, this is just a job, and you are just another sex worker.
I'm not lending you my underwear anymore.
Maybe you should think up a password.
[ Door Opens .]
MAN: Hello? Hello? Hello? Oh! Where's my reception committee? - Mum's not here.
- Ah.
So where's your babysitter? Mrs G is not my babysitter.
She's hanging out washing.
Right.
So, you wanna know how I went? The launch was awesome.
And I was interviewed by 'Rolling Stone'.
Alright, it was a vox pop.
But you're not listening to me anyway.
Oh! Princess - Do you pay for it too? - What? Mum told me what she does.
Right.
Don't worry - it took a lot for her to cough it up, and I'm sick of people lying to me so you better tell me the truth.
Of course I don't pay her, Bonnie.
- How could you think that? - Then why aren't you jealous?! Why don't you make her stop?! How can I, OK? It's not up to me.
And it's not that simple.
- You knew and I didn't.
- That's how your mum wanted it.
I can't tell her what to do.
You could marry her.
If you married her, she wouldn't do it.
- Life isn't like that.
- Yes, it is! If you loved her, you would marry her.
How can you love her and let her do what she does?! It's sick! You just think she's a slut! - Bonnie - And you're just an arsehole.
No, fuck off! Go on! Just fuck off! What's going on here? [ Door Slams .]
That's it for tonight, Nat.
OK, hang on a minute.
This is from your boyfriend.
Too flat to be a bomb.
- Which boyfriend? - Ah, the blue dress.
The man who can't make up his mind.
Where are my keys? Oh.
Thanks.
You're not pregnant, are you? Why? Just because I've got half a brain? You're eating like a horse, not drinking, throwing up, went to the toilet three times in half an hour.
Should I congratulate you or commiserate? Not sure yet, so don't broadcast it.
I'm assuming it's not an immaculate conception.
No.
There's a real father, he just doesn't know about it yet.
Given my situation, my higher intelligence is telling me to terminate.
Take it from me - having kids doesn't take much intelligence.
Yeah.
I'm starting to notice that.
How does Ally feel? She thinks it's a disaster.
[Sighs.]
She's the one who wanted the baby in the first place.
I gave up a pregnancy once.
Don't give up a child for someone else - partners, lovers, whatever sex - they come and go.
But that bond with you kids, that lasts forever.
Try soda water.
For morning sickness.
Soda water and dry biscuits - it helped me.
I'm not signing - it's a 6-week bunny hop between every services club on the south coast, sharing the bill with people who I thought were dead.
I'm gonna test you on all of this later on.
I'm sorry Bonnie gave you such a hard time.
Yeah.
It's OK.
- She's been trained by the best.
- Mmm.
If I had a normal job, maybe I'd want normal things.
I'm lost.
You know, white picket fance, three kids, my man doing the mowing.
[Laughs.]
I've never mowed a lawn in my life, honey.
I didn't say it had to be you.
What's that mean? I don't think I'm the sort of person normal things happen to.
I made my choices a long time ago and that closes the door on a few things.
Do you seriously want me to whisk you away for a white wedding just to prove a point to Bonnie? No.
No.
But it's interesting that you never wanted to.
Because I thought we were alright.
I thought we didn't need all that bullshit.
I don't know what I need.
I'm on overload - with Bonnie, with my life.
I think I need a break.
- You're having one.
- I mean from us.
With everything else that's going on right now it's just too much.
Us? Me? I've got to put Bonnie first.
I've just got enough problems to deal with right now.
[ Softly .]
Yeah.
I can see that.
[ Laughs .]
Just didn't know I was another problem.
[ Loud Rock Music Plays .]
Bonnie! - I know you can hear me.
- [ Knocks on Door .]
[ Turns Music Off .]
It's too late for all this noise.
- I'm old enough to stay up late.
- Not on a school night, you're not.
It's time to sleep.
Go on.
[ Sighs .]
My mother's a prostitute.
So was Mary Magdalene.
Look it up in the Bible.
Don't you care? Oh, Bonnie.
I've known your mother a long time.
She's a good woman.
That's why I work for her.
And she's smart, don't you think? Some women are smart enough to get paid for what some men think they should get for free.
So who's the smarter sex, huh? I didn't ask to get sent to an expensive school.
But you like it there, don't you? Stop worrying.
Everything will be alright.
Goodnight.
- ALLY: He's client? - Yeah.
[Laughs.]
You've got to be kidding me.
He's mentaslly deficient.
No, he isn't.
He's actually very sweet.
And totally harmless.
ALLY: You call that not mentally deficient? Well, it's just what he's into.
He's a big baby.
[ Laughs .]
Definitely not the sort of guy who's going to cause trouble for us later.
It's not as bad as you thought, is it? It's worse.
It's far worse.
I thought you were insane before, but you're completely certifiable.
Trying to impregnate yourself with that? But it's too late.
No, it's not.
I don't need a baby that bad.
- Are you telling me to get rid of it? - Or get rid of me.
Your choice.
What are we talking about here a holiday? You know I don't have many girls I can count on.
Look, I'm sorry, Nat.
I don't know - as long as it takes.
Bonne's completely freaked out.
I don't want to lose her.
I don't know what to do.
I know when I found out what Dad was up to, it did my head in.
You still wanted to work in the business.
Hell, no.
I wanted to be a model.
Dad said I wasn't pretty enough and that I should just get over it.
- He's such a prick.
- Mm-hm.
Working here was meant to be temporary.
Oh, God, Nat - the idea of Bonnie going down that path I can't.
I've worked too hard for that to happen.
Mrs G didn't come.
That's because I cancelled her for a while.
- Why? - Because I'm gonna be here instead.
What about your work? I'm not doing it anymore.
Bon, my job isn't always easy and I don't always enjoy it - it's just a job.
But I did it because I want to give you as much as I can.
A nice home, a good education.
But most of all, I want you to be happy.
So there's no point me doing something that makes you unhappy.
Will you find something else? We'll be OK for a while.
And I want you know that Josh and I are having a break as well.
What?! Why are you doing that? I didn't mean that you should go rid of him.
It's got nothing to do with you, Bon.
I wanted you to know that Josh is out of the picture for now.
So it looks like it's just you and me.
Wow.
Sounds like fun.
So, here I am with the big decisions again.
- Not my fault.
- It never is.
I need a feasibility study, like with the house.
One potential human being.
What can he feasibly bring to my life? And what will you take away? He? You better hope it's not a boy.
Do you know? Of course not.
Being born a man's a big enough handicap without being born to an imbecile.
- Alex is not an imbecile.
- He sure did look like one.
- Don't you know any decent men? - No.
What if you had a son? I'd make damn sure I kept him away from the rest of them.
I'd isolate him - do everything I could to give him half a chance of overcoming his bloody DNA.
- You can't be serious, Ally.
- Yes, I can.
You know, the chances of me having a boy are 50/50.
You don't even know whether you're keeping it.
No.
But I do know what I don't want.
I've heard an awful lot about how you feel - overlooked, disempowered, stifled.
And now I can add 'fucked in the head' to the list.
You have not once asked me how I feel.
Not even if I'm OK.
You have offered no support or love.
This is fucked.
- You should leave.
- What? I want you out of my house.
Now.
"This man had paid his hush money three times over "and he was ready to show himself at last.
" So what would he be like? Perhaps like her voyeur.
Don't move.
[ Gasps and Laughs .]
Maybe he'd be more like the feather man.
OK, baby, eat my peach.
Or perhaps he'd be another all day sucker.
[ Moans .]
But as if turned out, all this man wanted to do was fuck with her head.
I know you're missing someone.
Yes.
The woman in the blue dress.
- It's a poem.
- What is? A Thomas Hardy poem.
A woman in an air-blue dress.
[ Recites .]
"Woman much missed "How you call to me, call to me" You want me to be her? He wasn't quite sure if she was an apparition or if she'd actually come back.
This dress is part of her.
You're part of her.
Your skin is her skin.
Your eyes are wrong, but your mouth's the same.
You even smile the same way.
Who was she? Your wife? She was my first love.
She was my last love.
[ Cries .]
She was your mother.
- What? - I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Look at the picture.
Can't you see? She's the one who gave you away.
You were her baby.
Um who are you? I'm your father.
[ Cries .]
No, no, no, no, no.
Look, Tippi, I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
No, get out.
Get out! You're a creep! And a liar! Get out! [ Cries .]
I'm your father.
[ Sobs .]
Oh, my God! "I'm your father," he said.
"And that's who he was.
"At last she has found her first taboo.
" Thank you, Tippi.
[ Scoffs .]
Sorry, I just didn't find it credible.
Especially the sex stuff.
MAN: Tippi? It's true.
It's my life.