Bed of Roses (2008) s02e07 Episode Script
Two Bulls in the Paddock
We've applied for an exploration licence.
They buy up old mines, then move in fast so protest groups don't have time to oppose them.
OK.
So, legally, what are we allowed to do? I don't know.
I've lost my way, Min.
- It's more than just forgetfulness.
- Sandy has Alzheimer's.
- Ah Chin very important to Little Chin.
- And I'm not? I just go to Melbourne for a few days.
Talk to them.
They might know what happened to him.
No, I could never sell Myrtle to you.
But I will give her to you.
I never told you why I ended up here, did I? I thought we would eventually get ourselves together.
It has to be her choice.
Are you giving her a choice by not telling her how you feel? - What do you want from me? - Nothing.
Wendy, you are selling us out! This is where she wants to put the mine - right on our doorstep! Wendy! No.
You won't fob me off.
You might have the go ahead for your mining.
But that does not give you the right to keep the community in the dark.
- I'm not keeping anyone in the dark.
- Do you think I haven't researched? I am so aware that gold mining uses cyanide, that could leach into our soil and ground water.
Not our process.
If you'd done your research properly, you'd know that we use a new cyanide-free method.
- We're very pro the environment.
- Oh, really? So, then, you won't be cutting huge holes into our countryside.
Or displacing our flora and fauna? I grew up here too, Louisa.
Why does everyone assume that I wanna destroy my own hometown? Wait.
Where are the detailed maps that we're entitled to? Yes? You still haven't told us where you're putting this gold mine.
There are some er negotiations that need to be locked off before we can detail our location.
- Uh-huh? - Wendy? Where do you want this? I have to go.
Follow me.
Whoa! Sorry.
- Morning.
- Hi.
Hello.
(Sighs) Oh.
Thank you.
- You OK? - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm fine.
I er Oh! I er I had this idea on the way to work.
I was um I was kinda thinking that The Echo could sponsor, like, a primary schools competition.
You know, the kids could draw a comic strip.
You know, something to do with an environmental superhero.
You know, Captain Compost, or whatever.
And we could publish the best one.
And and then I don't know.
Give the schools a prize, or something.
That's a good idea.
I'll consider it mine.
What? Just following a time-honoured tradition.
The boss picks the employee's brains and appropriates the best bits.
Grrr! I lay down in a bed of roses I woke up lying on a bed of nails It's the oldest of tales Lose the wind From your sails I lay down in a bed of roses I woke up lying on a bed of nails.
(Sounds horn) Jerks! They think they own this place.
They sent a letter to the heritage committee by registered post.
Apparently, they want to acquire 400 hectares, - which includes our community garden.
- I knew it.
The strike of the gold deposit is on our broccoli patch.
That gives them the right to destroy everything.
They're not getting the garden.
Of course they're not.
But there'll be a lot of pressure brought to bear.
We can't afford expensive lawyers.
Hm.
We've gotta do something.
I don't care what.
We can't act rashly, Holly.
They've got the money, the power.
- We've just got to be cleverer than they are.
- Your nan's right.
Our noggins are gonna be our best weapons.
The possum should be OK.
Just glad we found it before the cat did.
Poor Daisy.
Daisy does not victimise injured wildlife.
She's an animal, Lorna.
It's a natural instinct.
- Look out! - I'm sorry, Miss Lincoln.
Oh, just shove an old lady out the way (!) - He didn't shove you.
- Erm, Holly.
The boy just made one mistake, Lorna.
Can't you let bygones be bygones? - (Barking) - Look out, Daisy.
Hey! What are you doing? Watch out.
You might hurt her.
You all right, popsicle? Did that horrible, mean girl frighten you? Holly with the lampshade in the museum (!) Oh, Holly.
Wow.
Circa 1929.
It says this is extinct, but I've seen these lizards down at the creek.
Nah.
Not with the speckles.
This is the golden speckled leaping legless lizard.
You would've seen the standard legless.
It's the golden speckles that make this one so rare.
South-east Gibson is its only known habitat in the whole world.
Really? Yeah, well, it's got a whole chapter on it in that book there.
Are you sure it's extinct and not just endangered? (Car horn and dog yelping) Daisy? Daisy? Daisy? Daisy? Oh, my God! No.
She's got nothing in her life except that dog.
Bet it was one of those Chimaera Gold bastards.
Sure you don't want me to drop you at the bus stop? Oh, no.
It's fine.
I have to pick up something for Mum, anyway.
(Catches a sob) I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs Lincoln.
- I wasn't - You did not.
You're such a liar.
I did! I've got the scars on my arse to prove it.
You wanna have a look? Hi, guys.
Oh.
Uh, Rooster.
Do you have any, like, fishing nets or, I don't know - Yeah, yeah.
We've got some.
Should be up on the left.
Second aisle or something.
- Going fishing? - Sort of.
- What are you guys doing later? - Oh, I'm up for anything.
- Oh.
Anything (!) - In your dreams, Rooster! Yes? Is er that it? Do you have any gold paint? - Aw, stop moving, you little bugger! - 41, 42.
There's around 45 golden speckles on it.
You can't really see the other side, though.
- Mm.
ROOSTER: Aw, you little turd! How can something without any legs move so freakin' fast? We should've brought Smithwick.
No way.
I told you - I don't want Sean to know.
He's already been in enough trouble.
The speckles are kind of faded.
We'll just have to guess.
ROOSTER: Gotcha! - Whoo-hoo! Got him in the creek.
- Can I have another look? - Yep.
Rooster, you blabbermouth.
No word of this to anyone.
- Why would I be the one who blabs? - Cos you always blab.
Reet, am I always the one who blabs? - Mm.
- Fair enough, then.
Here comes your mum.
Can you take this back to Sandy for me? - Thanks.
I'll see you guys later.
- Yep.
Not a word to anyone.
See you.
Mum, I've got something amazing to show you.
Hi, Tim.
It's me.
Louisa.
No, no.
Hang on.
Can you Can you just listen to me for a sec? I've got something to show you.
Holly's found something that's so bizarre, it'll make an incredible news story.
And if we're lucky, it could blow Chimaera Gold out of the water.
Yep.
Can you come over, so we can show you what she's found? No, no.
You will really want to see this.
OK.
Dinner? Uh yeah.
Sure.
OK.
Bye.
Ah, Rooster.
- My lady (!) - Ah.
Thank you.
- Catch you later.
- Not if I catch you first.
(Screams and giggles) - Ah.
Tsung Chi.
- Rita! Are you OK? How did you go at Nan Prin Soon? Ah.
It was dead end, babe.
- I still not know how my ancestor died.
- Oh, poor thing.
- Look, you'll find out.
- Little Chin! (Speaks in Chinese language) Welcome back! - (Speaks in Chinese language) - You have luck? - Uh, no luck.
- Tell me all about it.
- It was wild duck chase.
- Oh.
It's good to be kind.
Little Chin very worried.
He's always worried.
He used to be fun.
Life is not for fun.
It's only small part.
You good girl, Rita.
I'm proud of you.
Really? (Knock at door) Holl? Can can you get it? I can't leave here for a minute.
I'm in the bath! Uh Uh, it's open! Come in, Tim! In the kitchen! In here! - Hi.
- Hi.
- Nick.
Nick.
- Well, I can be Tim, if you want.
Milly at the florist said there's never a bad time to give flowers.
Oh, wow.
They're um They're Thank you.
I er Oh, um Holly er photographed something down at the river and it could help save the community garden.
So, Tim's coming over and, if he thinks they're a good idea, you know, the photos, he um he'll have a look at them and um He's just running a little bit late.
- That's OK.
You do what you need to do for work.
With your boss.
- Over dinner.
- No.
Nick.
It's it's not a date.
It's not what you think.
- Yeah, well.
Anything I say would be irrelevant.
- No, it's not - aargh! - Wait, wait, wait! - Oh, God! - Here.
- Oh, God! - Here.
Just place it on here.
Just put that - Ow! Aren't we meant to put aloe vera on? - No, no, no.
This is an ice pack.
- Or butter.
No, no, no, no, no.
Look.
It'll stop it blistering.
OK? Just stop squirming.
Just hold still.
Hold still.
- Yeah? - Yep.
- What's that? - What? It's lasagne.
How the hell do you ruin lasagne? It looks like soup.
Well, I uh It looked a little bit dry, so I just chucked a couple of eggs in.
Right.
Well, maybe you can find somewhere warm for it, see if it firms up.
If it doesn't, it means the fat content in the meat is too high.
- You'll have to drain off the grease.
- Oh, my God.
I think I'm in love (!) Let's have a look.
Oh, you wuss, Loui.
There's nothing there.
Oh, come on.
There's a scar, for - (Phone rings) Oh, hang on.
I'll just get it.
Hello? Oh, hi.
Tim.
Yeah.
Er, yeah.
Um Can I call you back? It's not really a good Hang on a sec.
Nick! Nick, come on.
Nick, please.
(Door closes) Yeah.
Tim? No, no.
Nothing's wrong.
Hey.
Rooster just called.
There's a party at Marty's later.
You wanna go? No.
Rita, you must stay here.
What if Ah Chin tried to hurt you? Come off it.
I think it's safer.
You know? Plenty of time for parties later.
When we know fate of ancestor.
Now, we must stay together, just you and me.
Fly under the radar? Great idea (!) No, I've got no idea what's wrong with it.
Absolutely none.
If it's not made of words, I can't fix it.
No, stay there.
Louisa? You stay there.
All right? It's um It's getting late and the moment's well and truly lost.
So you and Holly go ahead and eat.
All right? Yeah.
I apologise to you and my car for the shoddy service.
OK.
All right.
Yeah.
I'll see you at work in the morning.
Bye.
Ah! The mobile mechanic.
I was just about to call the opposition.
Anything I can do? Possibly.
After all, it does have an engine.
Going anywhere special? As a matter of fact, yes.
- Louisa's for dinner.
- Pity.
- It's a bit late for that now.
- Oh, I don't know.
She told me to turn up whenever I like.
Yeah, well, this won't be going anywhere tonight.
You can tell that just by looking at it? I can tell a lot of things just by looking at it.
Let me guess.
You're talking about me? - Want a lift to Loui's? - Thank you, Nicholas.
Nicholas.
It's a good name for a chauffeur.
Pity I can't sit in the back, eh? It can be arranged.
Isn't that turn there All right.
Whatever you want.
- It's called polyandry.
We studied it in biology.
- What? It's where one female animal mates with two males.
Mating? Holl, who said anything about mating? Female bandicoots do it.
(Sighs) You know what? Let's stick with your reptile for now.
Look at this.
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.
All right? The golden speckled lizard is listed as presumed extinct.
It's better than extinct, because it's still officially protected in case it ever resurfaces.
Great.
Yeah.
Well, some proof would be nice.
Cos Tim's not gonna publish without it.
So talk him round.
He's into you.
- Holl! - Well, he is.
It's obvious.
Please.
Well, if you mean that we're friends now, yeah, we are.
So, make him publish it.
- Holly! - But Just don't do anything else.
OK? He's not right for you.
Not like Nick is.
Well, yeah.
If you haven't noticed, Nick and I whenever we get together, it I don't know.
It goes pear-shaped.
- Well, what I'd do is - - Holly, please! Shoo, all right? Go! Let me be.
Bed! - Poor woman.
- What? Mrs Bandicoot.
Can you imagine? Two male bandicoots sitting on the couch.
Fighting over one remote.
Sounds like way too much trouble to me.
(Oh, my Lord.
) Give me strength.
Aren't we a bit old to go parking? You're not really good at sticking at things, are you? Oh, mate.
I'd love to sit here and chat all night, but you know I've got this little thing called a career.
I need to be home by breakfast.
- You think you're God's gift to women.
- No.
With respect, you are.
You shouldn't undersell yourself, Nick.
Every woman needs a bloke who can fix a car and give her an uncomplicated hug.
Louisa's no different.
She'd be lost without you.
You're the brother she never had.
Get out.
OK.
I don't suppose you'll tell me which way to walk home.
I guess not.
Where's my phone? Shit! (Floorboards creek) (Knock on window) (Knocks again) NICK: Loui! Oh, my God! - What - I didn't wanna wake Holly.
- What? - I have to talk to you.
What time is it? - Go away! - No! Either you come out here and talk to me now or I'll come in there.
Oh, for God's sake! - Shhh! Just keep quiet.
- Oh, God.
- Come and sit down over here.
- This is ridiculous! I didn't wanna wake Holly.
Come on.
Please.
Just sit down.
You don't have to worry.
Tim didn't even make it.
OK, just sit, wrap up and shut up.
Please.
I know things get weird when we're together.
This will probably sound even weirder.
Do you wonder why? We're out here freezing, like two fools.
I like the fact you drive me crazy.
In a good way.
Loui, I l've been trying to tell you something for the last 10 days.
Maybe maybe for the last 10 years.
Oh, my God.
OK.
What have I done? I've always wanted you.
Ever since we were young.
But I was this this big, clumsy fish out of water and and you were the girl with the beautiful green eyes.
I know I should've told you.
But then Jack came along and And then, after that, things just changed and and time went on and I couldn't find the courage.
What I What I'm trying to What I'm trying to say is that I like being around you.
- Um - And the more I'm around you, the more I want to be around you, Loui.
I want more than that.
I Now Did that feel like kissing your brother? (Cow lows) Hello.
Well, I've woken up to scarier sights.
Well.
Not chatting till you've had the first coffee, eh? I know the feeling.
So, where's the farmhouse, eh? Come on.
Take me to your leader.
Nothing? One-night stands! This way to civilisation, eh? Whoa! (Lows) You need to work on those neediness issues.
(Cow lows) And then that one.
I mean I never thought I would see a golden speckled for real.
Really? You think it is real? It sure looks like it.
It's a bit early, though.
It's not supposed to come out till summer.
It's global warming.
That's what it is.
Throwing eco-systems into disarray.
Viv.
Let's try not to get too carried away.
OK? How do we verify it? I'll go and look for it myself.
I loved catching lizards as a kid.
Oh, my God.
That is a fantastic idea.
Viv? I need you to remake the front page, just in case.
OK? We'll move the factory closure to page three, bump the primary school swimming carnival.
I'll deal with the hysterical parents later.
Can you go now? I mean now, because deadline's at five and Tim'll want proof.
Actually, where is Tim? I don't know.
Um hasn't he called? No.
I haven't heard a word.
It's almost ten.
I'll call him.
(Rings) Oh, God! Don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't plan to see you again.
Ciao.
- Where exactly did you see it? - In the creek.
- In the paddock, near the creek.
- Yeah.
What was it doing? It was, you know, just kind of slithering.
Yeah, well, it's more like a snake than a lizard.
It moves at really fast speeds.
No wonder you couldn't catch it.
Come on, you golden speckled leaping legless thing.
You can't hide from me.
Mighty Mathieson.
Lizard catcher! I thought somebody must have tidied that lizard right up into the bin.
Mr Wollstonecraft.
Hi.
Erm I think I was in the middle of something.
What what do I do with this? - Oh, that's a teabag.
- Oh! Would you like me to make you a cup of tea? Aw, thank you.
That'd be lovely.
- There you go.
- (Chuckles) - Are you OK? - Mm.
Great, yeah.
Oh, my God! See? Look.
The 8th of August, 1867.
"Former miner Ah Chin and Valda Lee daughter of well-known Indigo butcher Johnny Lee, chose to be married on the 8th day of the 8th month, a date which is auspicious in the Chinese calendar.
" See? Ah Chin lived! Look, Rita.
Short hair! Pigtail we find could belong to him.
Looks like your ancestor had a happy ending, young fella.
Ha-ha! Whoo! Babe! This is awesome! Now we can plan our future.
Sorry.
Didn't even sight it.
Saw a few standard legless, but no golden speckled.
- Really? - Uh-uh.
I don't think you can publish.
You know, the golden speckles in the photographs could be just tricks of the light.
- Even red clay.
- Maybe we shouldn't publish.
- But, Louisa.
I've just remade the front page.
- Yeah, I appreciate that, Viv.
Excuse me.
- No sign of Tim? - No.
I've tried to call his mobile.
He's not even picking up.
I've just checked his house.
He's not there.
And yesterday's mail is still in the box.
It's like he never went home.
Oh, I er I've just um I'll l'll be back soon.
- Thank you.
- Pleasure.
Louisa! Should I take the lizard off the front page? Uh, what lizard? Vivien? What lizard? Nick? Loui! Oh.
Er, hi.
I er I need to talk to you about last night.
Erm, but not the good bit, which was well Which was very good.
But, you know.
I don't need to tell you that.
You were there.
It's just You haven't seen Tim, have you? - Seen him? - Yeah.
Isn't that his car outside? Oh, yeah.
I saw him on the road.
Broken down, bonnet up.
Gave him a lift.
Brought the car in, fixed it up.
She's sweet.
Ready to go.
Right.
Was he OK when you left him? Well, I didn't give him a physical, but he was all right.
- He was OK when you dropped him off.
- Yeah.
His normal, smart-arse self.
- Because he's missing.
- Missing? - He's not showed up for work and no-one's heard from him.
- We're on a deadline and I need him.
He's all right.
He's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself.
But can you tell me why, whenever we are together, the conversation is always about him? Please, Nick.
This is serious.
I have a job to do.
What?! Oh, of course.
No tie (!) Time's running out to remake the front page.
Someone's got to make a decision about the lizard.
Oh! Bloody lizard! It's bad news.
If that speckled thing turns out to be true, economic disaster for all of us.
For all of us? But not for you, surely, Gavin.
No idea how big my overdraft is.
I know I make success look so easy, but The truth is, Vivien, underneath, it's a hard slog.
Gavin, you should be thinking about your blood pressure.
You know what they say.
Yesterday's history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift.
That's why they call it the present.
(Phone rings) Rainbow Echo.
Yes.
Divien Vixen.
Um, Vivien Dixon speaking.
Can I can I help you? Vivien.
- Viv! - Oh.
Louisa.
I've made up my mind.
We're running with the lizard story.
We are? Are you sure? - Even though we don't have proof.
- Look.
I've got a strategy.
I'll write an editorial to go with the photos.
What if this lizard still exists, yeah? This could be a major scientific discovery.
We can't possibly let go of a rare creature's habitat until we know if it really exists, all right? They'll have to do another environmental impact statement.
What do you think? Lt'll hold them up, at least.
Of course.
Um, but Some people think if we stop the mine the local economy will suffer.
Have you been sniffing the white-out, Vivien? Huh? Oh.
I'm sorry.
You're right.
I lost my senses.
I'll start remaking that front page right now.
Erm, I suppose Tim'll just have to read about it in the morning.
Like everyone else.
Yeah.
Tim! Darling.
- Are you all right? - Never better.
Well But - You look appalling.
- Good.
That's the look I was aiming for.
No, darling.
Hop in.
I'll give you a lift.
Thanks.
But I'm almost there.
All fixed.
And - You got a lot of calls.
- Yeah.
So I see.
Most of them from Louisa.
OK, and is the price of gold really worth potentially destroying a rare creature's habitat? No apostrophe in "creatures".
- Apostrophe - In "creatures".
Finished.
And sent.
Oh, my God! Congratulations! Oh, right.
Well that was a great team effort.
Hey.
Let's have a glass of champagne to celebrate.
Um, actually, I should be going.
I've gotta feed Iris and get changed.
I've got um a dinner date tonight.
Oh, my God! Oh, no.
I mean I mean Yeah.
That No, that's great, Vivien.
That's um Well, anyway.
Thank you.
Thanks for all your hard work.
It's my pleasure.
Tim! - Tim.
- Well, the prodigal returns.
You look like you're on your way home.
- Can I explain tomorrow? - I suppose so.
I'm sorry, Louisa.
There's no excuse for not contacting you.
No, there there isn't.
I don't know how else to say this, but when I woke up this morning, I was completely lost.
Lost? Yeah.
- Are you all right? - I'm sorry.
It's been a shit of a day and, quite frankly, I'd rather forget it.
I'll have to ask you to trust me.
Good.
Can you er catch me up on the paper? Sure.
One chicken cashew, light on onion.
What would you like, Gavin? Er, the grilled steak, two eggs and chips.
No salad, please.
Something a bit different.
The editorial should've been run past me.
I'm sorry, Gavin, but there just wasn't time.
It's OK, Vivien.
It's Louisa I've got the beef with, not you.
You see, as president of the Chamber of Commerce, I strongly support the mine and the prosperity that it'll bring.
Yes.
But to whom? Lt'll be all housing estates and big shopping malls, Gavin.
And you know what is inevitable? A hardware superstore.
I've thought about that.
But I'm sure that I can count on the loyalty of the locals.
Really? Even if they can't count on yours? I don't like to be harsh, Gavin.
But the community does not want this mine.
I just worry they're gonna punish you and your store.
What? I knew I left that somewhere.
Rooster.
Your dinner.
And now, I eat Rita.
He's lost it.
Dude You have first invitation to engagement party.
(Laughs) We'll have it in pub with DJ or hot local band - it will be awesome night.
I will put it on MySpace.
No.
May be too risky.
You spread the word.
Eh? - Yeah.
Sure.
Cool, mate.
- Congratulations.
We will be married on Like Ah Chin.
OK? But you didn't even ask me.
Thank you.
You know, if this lizard turns up, we should take it to lunch.
If the lizard shows up, I'll marry it.
It was very clever, writing that editorial.
Why didn't I think of that? Oh, hang on.
I'm the boss.
Maybe I did.
No, no, no.
You don't get your mitts on that one, matey.
No, no, no.
I'd better get going.
Oh.
What's this? Oh.
I don't know.
It's some kind of environmental superhero.
I always get the undies wrong.
(Giggles) Well, I'm kidding about the undies.
- Well it's good.
- No, it isn't.
Yes, it is.
Hey, wanna put it on computer? You can draw directly onto mine.
I've got CorelDRAW.
- Used it before? - No.
Great.
There's still something she doesn't know.
Come, I'll show you.
- (Sobs) - Rita? Rita! Rita.
It's no good? I'm fine, Mum.
It's my fault.
Your heart is sad.
It's no right.
Love will not grow from that.
I push you to be with Chinese man.
To make ME happy.
Not you.
(Speaks in Chinese language) You are happy is all I want! - The town? - Uh-huh.
(Laughs) Oh, my - Yep? - Yeah.
But what is that? That was part of its um Paw.
(Sorry.
) Um, I'd better go.
Louisa? I uh I can't, Tim.
It's it's just things are a bit tricky right now.
Tricky.
You mean er with Nick.
I've um - I've just got a lot going on.
- It's OK.
I can wait.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- Yeah.
I'll be here.
I promise.
God! Promise me you'll stay with me while I tell her? She's gonna freak out.
She'd rather know the truth.
No.
No, don't tell me this.
This can't be true.
It is.
I painted golden speckles on the normal lizard.
She didn't mean to cause any harm, Mrs Atherton.
Oh Something was telling me it wasn't true, but I ignored that because it was you.
Because I believe you.
Aren't I the sucker? I had to do something.
No-one else was.
- No, that's not true.
- Yes, it is! Actually, Holly, it isn't.
Holl, I've put the entire weight of the paper behind this.
All hell will break loose when I print this retraction.
- You can't print a retraction.
- What? - That lizard will give us more time.
- Holly the lizard doesn't exist! The lizard's a fake! So? Chimaera Gold lied to us right from the start.
Right, and one lie justifies the other, does it? - Mum, they're arseholes! - Holly, that's beside the point.
You are asking me to perpetuate your lie.
That's fraudulent.
Just don't print a retraction and no-one will know.
Stop telling me what to do.
I'm so disappointed in you.
I've seen her angry.
I've just never seen her so quiet.
Mum's right.
How could I be so stupid? Hey.
Hey, come here.
Sit down.
Look.
It it could have been much worse.
Or better.
It just depends on what your point of view is.
How? Well what if the golden speckled leaping legless lizard had originally become extinct because it mutated this virus that that killed the whole species? And the virus is on the verge of of infecting another species because it would pick up the golden flecks that would be left behind when the lizard would shed its skin.
If children or prospectors picked up these flecks, the prospectors would take it back to their mining companies and kill all of them.
Which would be good.
The children would take it to their parents and kill all of them which would be bad.
It would give me heaps of business, which would be good.
- You're such an idiot.
- Yeah.
And I'm your idiot.
And you're mine.
You're taking this whole thing so seriously.
OK? Where is this alleged lizard? I wanna see it.
- They couldn't catch it.
- That's very convenient.
What are you implying, Wendy? That these photographs don't prove a thing.
They don't have to.
It'll be up to the appropriate experts to provide the proof.
In the meantime, you and your mining friends will have to stop drilling.
Sometimes I wonder why I gave you this job.
I created a monster.
Steady on! We have to print it as we see it, Wendy.
You know that.
And it's not like it's the end of the mine.
Hopefully not.
But our explorations will have to be put on hold while the DSE investigates this miraculous sighting.
I resent being pigeon-holed as the bad guy.
Gavin's not happy about this either.
Contrary, Wendy.
I'm withdrawing my support.
I've realised that making a commitment to my community is more important than making a buck.
(Coughs) I'd love one.
This is yours.
Skinny milk and two sweetener tablets.
That was wonderful what you said to Wendy.
I'm proud of you, Gavin.
Thank you, Vivien.
So.
How was the library? Did you get a lot done? I'm sorry.
I didn't I didn't mean to trick you with the pictures.
It was stupid and selfish.
But I I just Sometimes I get so mad about things, I can't think about anyone else.
I didn't mean to compromise anyone.
Especially you.
It's OK.
I know what you were trying to do.
What's gonna happen now? I guess you're gonna have to print a retraction.
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
But I do know I'm gonna have to break your genetic code.
Cos you're way too much like your mum.
- Come on.
Help me.
- I'll do it.
We're here today to farewell Daisy.
Love of Lorna's life.
Lorna has chosen to use a bio-degradable ecopod, which will dissolve in the earth and enrich it with nutrients.
Lorna, now, if you would like to say a few words.
Thank you, Sean.
I know Daisy was often a nuisance.
And I know you all put up with her for my sake.
And I think you for that from the bottom of my heart.
Lorna would be grateful if we honoured Daisy's life with a minute's silence, as we one by one place our floral tributes onto the ecopod.
Sorry we're late.
- Ta.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! I just heard the DSE's coming tomorrow.
If they can find the lizard, we're home and hosed.
Oh.
OK.
Great.
- What? - No, nothing.
- Great.
- And listen.
Speaking of finding things.
I saw Tim walking into town the other day.
- Walking? - Well, stumbling would be more apt.
The poor fellow looked like he'd been dragged through a combine harvester.
Whoa.
- I won't be long.
- OK.
- Hello.
- Oh! Oh, Tim.
Hi.
Marg told me she saw you the other day.
Oh, that.
The bedraggled, walking along the highway thing.
- Yeah.
You said you were lost.
- Loui? - Nick.
Hi.
- Tim.
Nick.
Maybe you could explain to Louisa why I had to walk 30 kilometres back to town.
We took a drive to the bush after your place.
And I er left him there to commune with nature.
What? Why? Because he wanted to keep me away from you.
- Jump in if I'm misinterpreting.
- Wait a minute.
I asked you if you knew where he was.
And you didn't say anything.
We were on a deadline.
And Anything could've happened to him.
Yeah.
Actually, I was stalked.
By a cow with low self-esteem.
No, wait a minute.
This isn't funny.
You told me you were having an emotional crisis.
No, no, no, no.
I told you I was lost.
You jumped to conclusions.
But what kind of a person are you? We were on a deadline.
- And you made me feel sorry for you.
- I know.
I shouldn't have.
But I didn't want him to win.
- To what? - Mate.
- You were never gonna win.
Let me just clarify something.
Are we talking about winning me? - Loui, it's a compliment.
- No, it isn't! Oh, my So this has nothing to do with me.
This is about you two.
- You're over-reacting.
- No! I'm not.
But I am now.
- Oh, no.
Louisa, come on.
- Loui! Step away from the car.
You guys Mum? Mum! (Sighs) Bandicoots! Mum! The Wentworth Regional News is looking at buying the Echo.
Part of the restructure would mean me going back Melbourne as manager.
Come with you? What, to Melbourne? What are you gonna do about him, Louisa? - Or do you need jumper leads? - Sorry? Oh, for heaven's sake! Here are the points.
Nick, Tim - you don't need a list.
- Are you talking about Holly's photo? - Yeah.
She did a good job.
Didn't she? Very good likeness.
- Oh, my God.
Did you know about this? - No.
If you're involved in some way, Louisa, not only will you lose your job, you'll lose the roof over your head.
- I think we're in trouble, Viv.
- Tim's asked her to go with him.
- He's leaving.
- Yeah, well if that's what she wants.
- I don't want her to go.
- Well, life doesn't always go the way we the way we want it to.
Were you at any stage told that this photograph was not real? I lay down in a bed of roses I woke up lying on a bed of nails It's the oldest of tales Lose the wind From your sails I lay down in a bed of roses And I woke up lying on a bed of nails I lay down in a bed of roses And I woke up lying on a bed of nails I lay down in a bed of roses And I woke up lying on a bed of nails.
They buy up old mines, then move in fast so protest groups don't have time to oppose them.
OK.
So, legally, what are we allowed to do? I don't know.
I've lost my way, Min.
- It's more than just forgetfulness.
- Sandy has Alzheimer's.
- Ah Chin very important to Little Chin.
- And I'm not? I just go to Melbourne for a few days.
Talk to them.
They might know what happened to him.
No, I could never sell Myrtle to you.
But I will give her to you.
I never told you why I ended up here, did I? I thought we would eventually get ourselves together.
It has to be her choice.
Are you giving her a choice by not telling her how you feel? - What do you want from me? - Nothing.
Wendy, you are selling us out! This is where she wants to put the mine - right on our doorstep! Wendy! No.
You won't fob me off.
You might have the go ahead for your mining.
But that does not give you the right to keep the community in the dark.
- I'm not keeping anyone in the dark.
- Do you think I haven't researched? I am so aware that gold mining uses cyanide, that could leach into our soil and ground water.
Not our process.
If you'd done your research properly, you'd know that we use a new cyanide-free method.
- We're very pro the environment.
- Oh, really? So, then, you won't be cutting huge holes into our countryside.
Or displacing our flora and fauna? I grew up here too, Louisa.
Why does everyone assume that I wanna destroy my own hometown? Wait.
Where are the detailed maps that we're entitled to? Yes? You still haven't told us where you're putting this gold mine.
There are some er negotiations that need to be locked off before we can detail our location.
- Uh-huh? - Wendy? Where do you want this? I have to go.
Follow me.
Whoa! Sorry.
- Morning.
- Hi.
Hello.
(Sighs) Oh.
Thank you.
- You OK? - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm fine.
I er Oh! I er I had this idea on the way to work.
I was um I was kinda thinking that The Echo could sponsor, like, a primary schools competition.
You know, the kids could draw a comic strip.
You know, something to do with an environmental superhero.
You know, Captain Compost, or whatever.
And we could publish the best one.
And and then I don't know.
Give the schools a prize, or something.
That's a good idea.
I'll consider it mine.
What? Just following a time-honoured tradition.
The boss picks the employee's brains and appropriates the best bits.
Grrr! I lay down in a bed of roses I woke up lying on a bed of nails It's the oldest of tales Lose the wind From your sails I lay down in a bed of roses I woke up lying on a bed of nails.
(Sounds horn) Jerks! They think they own this place.
They sent a letter to the heritage committee by registered post.
Apparently, they want to acquire 400 hectares, - which includes our community garden.
- I knew it.
The strike of the gold deposit is on our broccoli patch.
That gives them the right to destroy everything.
They're not getting the garden.
Of course they're not.
But there'll be a lot of pressure brought to bear.
We can't afford expensive lawyers.
Hm.
We've gotta do something.
I don't care what.
We can't act rashly, Holly.
They've got the money, the power.
- We've just got to be cleverer than they are.
- Your nan's right.
Our noggins are gonna be our best weapons.
The possum should be OK.
Just glad we found it before the cat did.
Poor Daisy.
Daisy does not victimise injured wildlife.
She's an animal, Lorna.
It's a natural instinct.
- Look out! - I'm sorry, Miss Lincoln.
Oh, just shove an old lady out the way (!) - He didn't shove you.
- Erm, Holly.
The boy just made one mistake, Lorna.
Can't you let bygones be bygones? - (Barking) - Look out, Daisy.
Hey! What are you doing? Watch out.
You might hurt her.
You all right, popsicle? Did that horrible, mean girl frighten you? Holly with the lampshade in the museum (!) Oh, Holly.
Wow.
Circa 1929.
It says this is extinct, but I've seen these lizards down at the creek.
Nah.
Not with the speckles.
This is the golden speckled leaping legless lizard.
You would've seen the standard legless.
It's the golden speckles that make this one so rare.
South-east Gibson is its only known habitat in the whole world.
Really? Yeah, well, it's got a whole chapter on it in that book there.
Are you sure it's extinct and not just endangered? (Car horn and dog yelping) Daisy? Daisy? Daisy? Daisy? Oh, my God! No.
She's got nothing in her life except that dog.
Bet it was one of those Chimaera Gold bastards.
Sure you don't want me to drop you at the bus stop? Oh, no.
It's fine.
I have to pick up something for Mum, anyway.
(Catches a sob) I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs Lincoln.
- I wasn't - You did not.
You're such a liar.
I did! I've got the scars on my arse to prove it.
You wanna have a look? Hi, guys.
Oh.
Uh, Rooster.
Do you have any, like, fishing nets or, I don't know - Yeah, yeah.
We've got some.
Should be up on the left.
Second aisle or something.
- Going fishing? - Sort of.
- What are you guys doing later? - Oh, I'm up for anything.
- Oh.
Anything (!) - In your dreams, Rooster! Yes? Is er that it? Do you have any gold paint? - Aw, stop moving, you little bugger! - 41, 42.
There's around 45 golden speckles on it.
You can't really see the other side, though.
- Mm.
ROOSTER: Aw, you little turd! How can something without any legs move so freakin' fast? We should've brought Smithwick.
No way.
I told you - I don't want Sean to know.
He's already been in enough trouble.
The speckles are kind of faded.
We'll just have to guess.
ROOSTER: Gotcha! - Whoo-hoo! Got him in the creek.
- Can I have another look? - Yep.
Rooster, you blabbermouth.
No word of this to anyone.
- Why would I be the one who blabs? - Cos you always blab.
Reet, am I always the one who blabs? - Mm.
- Fair enough, then.
Here comes your mum.
Can you take this back to Sandy for me? - Thanks.
I'll see you guys later.
- Yep.
Not a word to anyone.
See you.
Mum, I've got something amazing to show you.
Hi, Tim.
It's me.
Louisa.
No, no.
Hang on.
Can you Can you just listen to me for a sec? I've got something to show you.
Holly's found something that's so bizarre, it'll make an incredible news story.
And if we're lucky, it could blow Chimaera Gold out of the water.
Yep.
Can you come over, so we can show you what she's found? No, no.
You will really want to see this.
OK.
Dinner? Uh yeah.
Sure.
OK.
Bye.
Ah, Rooster.
- My lady (!) - Ah.
Thank you.
- Catch you later.
- Not if I catch you first.
(Screams and giggles) - Ah.
Tsung Chi.
- Rita! Are you OK? How did you go at Nan Prin Soon? Ah.
It was dead end, babe.
- I still not know how my ancestor died.
- Oh, poor thing.
- Look, you'll find out.
- Little Chin! (Speaks in Chinese language) Welcome back! - (Speaks in Chinese language) - You have luck? - Uh, no luck.
- Tell me all about it.
- It was wild duck chase.
- Oh.
It's good to be kind.
Little Chin very worried.
He's always worried.
He used to be fun.
Life is not for fun.
It's only small part.
You good girl, Rita.
I'm proud of you.
Really? (Knock at door) Holl? Can can you get it? I can't leave here for a minute.
I'm in the bath! Uh Uh, it's open! Come in, Tim! In the kitchen! In here! - Hi.
- Hi.
- Nick.
Nick.
- Well, I can be Tim, if you want.
Milly at the florist said there's never a bad time to give flowers.
Oh, wow.
They're um They're Thank you.
I er Oh, um Holly er photographed something down at the river and it could help save the community garden.
So, Tim's coming over and, if he thinks they're a good idea, you know, the photos, he um he'll have a look at them and um He's just running a little bit late.
- That's OK.
You do what you need to do for work.
With your boss.
- Over dinner.
- No.
Nick.
It's it's not a date.
It's not what you think.
- Yeah, well.
Anything I say would be irrelevant.
- No, it's not - aargh! - Wait, wait, wait! - Oh, God! - Here.
- Oh, God! - Here.
Just place it on here.
Just put that - Ow! Aren't we meant to put aloe vera on? - No, no, no.
This is an ice pack.
- Or butter.
No, no, no, no, no.
Look.
It'll stop it blistering.
OK? Just stop squirming.
Just hold still.
Hold still.
- Yeah? - Yep.
- What's that? - What? It's lasagne.
How the hell do you ruin lasagne? It looks like soup.
Well, I uh It looked a little bit dry, so I just chucked a couple of eggs in.
Right.
Well, maybe you can find somewhere warm for it, see if it firms up.
If it doesn't, it means the fat content in the meat is too high.
- You'll have to drain off the grease.
- Oh, my God.
I think I'm in love (!) Let's have a look.
Oh, you wuss, Loui.
There's nothing there.
Oh, come on.
There's a scar, for - (Phone rings) Oh, hang on.
I'll just get it.
Hello? Oh, hi.
Tim.
Yeah.
Er, yeah.
Um Can I call you back? It's not really a good Hang on a sec.
Nick! Nick, come on.
Nick, please.
(Door closes) Yeah.
Tim? No, no.
Nothing's wrong.
Hey.
Rooster just called.
There's a party at Marty's later.
You wanna go? No.
Rita, you must stay here.
What if Ah Chin tried to hurt you? Come off it.
I think it's safer.
You know? Plenty of time for parties later.
When we know fate of ancestor.
Now, we must stay together, just you and me.
Fly under the radar? Great idea (!) No, I've got no idea what's wrong with it.
Absolutely none.
If it's not made of words, I can't fix it.
No, stay there.
Louisa? You stay there.
All right? It's um It's getting late and the moment's well and truly lost.
So you and Holly go ahead and eat.
All right? Yeah.
I apologise to you and my car for the shoddy service.
OK.
All right.
Yeah.
I'll see you at work in the morning.
Bye.
Ah! The mobile mechanic.
I was just about to call the opposition.
Anything I can do? Possibly.
After all, it does have an engine.
Going anywhere special? As a matter of fact, yes.
- Louisa's for dinner.
- Pity.
- It's a bit late for that now.
- Oh, I don't know.
She told me to turn up whenever I like.
Yeah, well, this won't be going anywhere tonight.
You can tell that just by looking at it? I can tell a lot of things just by looking at it.
Let me guess.
You're talking about me? - Want a lift to Loui's? - Thank you, Nicholas.
Nicholas.
It's a good name for a chauffeur.
Pity I can't sit in the back, eh? It can be arranged.
Isn't that turn there All right.
Whatever you want.
- It's called polyandry.
We studied it in biology.
- What? It's where one female animal mates with two males.
Mating? Holl, who said anything about mating? Female bandicoots do it.
(Sighs) You know what? Let's stick with your reptile for now.
Look at this.
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.
All right? The golden speckled lizard is listed as presumed extinct.
It's better than extinct, because it's still officially protected in case it ever resurfaces.
Great.
Yeah.
Well, some proof would be nice.
Cos Tim's not gonna publish without it.
So talk him round.
He's into you.
- Holl! - Well, he is.
It's obvious.
Please.
Well, if you mean that we're friends now, yeah, we are.
So, make him publish it.
- Holly! - But Just don't do anything else.
OK? He's not right for you.
Not like Nick is.
Well, yeah.
If you haven't noticed, Nick and I whenever we get together, it I don't know.
It goes pear-shaped.
- Well, what I'd do is - - Holly, please! Shoo, all right? Go! Let me be.
Bed! - Poor woman.
- What? Mrs Bandicoot.
Can you imagine? Two male bandicoots sitting on the couch.
Fighting over one remote.
Sounds like way too much trouble to me.
(Oh, my Lord.
) Give me strength.
Aren't we a bit old to go parking? You're not really good at sticking at things, are you? Oh, mate.
I'd love to sit here and chat all night, but you know I've got this little thing called a career.
I need to be home by breakfast.
- You think you're God's gift to women.
- No.
With respect, you are.
You shouldn't undersell yourself, Nick.
Every woman needs a bloke who can fix a car and give her an uncomplicated hug.
Louisa's no different.
She'd be lost without you.
You're the brother she never had.
Get out.
OK.
I don't suppose you'll tell me which way to walk home.
I guess not.
Where's my phone? Shit! (Floorboards creek) (Knock on window) (Knocks again) NICK: Loui! Oh, my God! - What - I didn't wanna wake Holly.
- What? - I have to talk to you.
What time is it? - Go away! - No! Either you come out here and talk to me now or I'll come in there.
Oh, for God's sake! - Shhh! Just keep quiet.
- Oh, God.
- Come and sit down over here.
- This is ridiculous! I didn't wanna wake Holly.
Come on.
Please.
Just sit down.
You don't have to worry.
Tim didn't even make it.
OK, just sit, wrap up and shut up.
Please.
I know things get weird when we're together.
This will probably sound even weirder.
Do you wonder why? We're out here freezing, like two fools.
I like the fact you drive me crazy.
In a good way.
Loui, I l've been trying to tell you something for the last 10 days.
Maybe maybe for the last 10 years.
Oh, my God.
OK.
What have I done? I've always wanted you.
Ever since we were young.
But I was this this big, clumsy fish out of water and and you were the girl with the beautiful green eyes.
I know I should've told you.
But then Jack came along and And then, after that, things just changed and and time went on and I couldn't find the courage.
What I What I'm trying to What I'm trying to say is that I like being around you.
- Um - And the more I'm around you, the more I want to be around you, Loui.
I want more than that.
I Now Did that feel like kissing your brother? (Cow lows) Hello.
Well, I've woken up to scarier sights.
Well.
Not chatting till you've had the first coffee, eh? I know the feeling.
So, where's the farmhouse, eh? Come on.
Take me to your leader.
Nothing? One-night stands! This way to civilisation, eh? Whoa! (Lows) You need to work on those neediness issues.
(Cow lows) And then that one.
I mean I never thought I would see a golden speckled for real.
Really? You think it is real? It sure looks like it.
It's a bit early, though.
It's not supposed to come out till summer.
It's global warming.
That's what it is.
Throwing eco-systems into disarray.
Viv.
Let's try not to get too carried away.
OK? How do we verify it? I'll go and look for it myself.
I loved catching lizards as a kid.
Oh, my God.
That is a fantastic idea.
Viv? I need you to remake the front page, just in case.
OK? We'll move the factory closure to page three, bump the primary school swimming carnival.
I'll deal with the hysterical parents later.
Can you go now? I mean now, because deadline's at five and Tim'll want proof.
Actually, where is Tim? I don't know.
Um hasn't he called? No.
I haven't heard a word.
It's almost ten.
I'll call him.
(Rings) Oh, God! Don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't plan to see you again.
Ciao.
- Where exactly did you see it? - In the creek.
- In the paddock, near the creek.
- Yeah.
What was it doing? It was, you know, just kind of slithering.
Yeah, well, it's more like a snake than a lizard.
It moves at really fast speeds.
No wonder you couldn't catch it.
Come on, you golden speckled leaping legless thing.
You can't hide from me.
Mighty Mathieson.
Lizard catcher! I thought somebody must have tidied that lizard right up into the bin.
Mr Wollstonecraft.
Hi.
Erm I think I was in the middle of something.
What what do I do with this? - Oh, that's a teabag.
- Oh! Would you like me to make you a cup of tea? Aw, thank you.
That'd be lovely.
- There you go.
- (Chuckles) - Are you OK? - Mm.
Great, yeah.
Oh, my God! See? Look.
The 8th of August, 1867.
"Former miner Ah Chin and Valda Lee daughter of well-known Indigo butcher Johnny Lee, chose to be married on the 8th day of the 8th month, a date which is auspicious in the Chinese calendar.
" See? Ah Chin lived! Look, Rita.
Short hair! Pigtail we find could belong to him.
Looks like your ancestor had a happy ending, young fella.
Ha-ha! Whoo! Babe! This is awesome! Now we can plan our future.
Sorry.
Didn't even sight it.
Saw a few standard legless, but no golden speckled.
- Really? - Uh-uh.
I don't think you can publish.
You know, the golden speckles in the photographs could be just tricks of the light.
- Even red clay.
- Maybe we shouldn't publish.
- But, Louisa.
I've just remade the front page.
- Yeah, I appreciate that, Viv.
Excuse me.
- No sign of Tim? - No.
I've tried to call his mobile.
He's not even picking up.
I've just checked his house.
He's not there.
And yesterday's mail is still in the box.
It's like he never went home.
Oh, I er I've just um I'll l'll be back soon.
- Thank you.
- Pleasure.
Louisa! Should I take the lizard off the front page? Uh, what lizard? Vivien? What lizard? Nick? Loui! Oh.
Er, hi.
I er I need to talk to you about last night.
Erm, but not the good bit, which was well Which was very good.
But, you know.
I don't need to tell you that.
You were there.
It's just You haven't seen Tim, have you? - Seen him? - Yeah.
Isn't that his car outside? Oh, yeah.
I saw him on the road.
Broken down, bonnet up.
Gave him a lift.
Brought the car in, fixed it up.
She's sweet.
Ready to go.
Right.
Was he OK when you left him? Well, I didn't give him a physical, but he was all right.
- He was OK when you dropped him off.
- Yeah.
His normal, smart-arse self.
- Because he's missing.
- Missing? - He's not showed up for work and no-one's heard from him.
- We're on a deadline and I need him.
He's all right.
He's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself.
But can you tell me why, whenever we are together, the conversation is always about him? Please, Nick.
This is serious.
I have a job to do.
What?! Oh, of course.
No tie (!) Time's running out to remake the front page.
Someone's got to make a decision about the lizard.
Oh! Bloody lizard! It's bad news.
If that speckled thing turns out to be true, economic disaster for all of us.
For all of us? But not for you, surely, Gavin.
No idea how big my overdraft is.
I know I make success look so easy, but The truth is, Vivien, underneath, it's a hard slog.
Gavin, you should be thinking about your blood pressure.
You know what they say.
Yesterday's history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift.
That's why they call it the present.
(Phone rings) Rainbow Echo.
Yes.
Divien Vixen.
Um, Vivien Dixon speaking.
Can I can I help you? Vivien.
- Viv! - Oh.
Louisa.
I've made up my mind.
We're running with the lizard story.
We are? Are you sure? - Even though we don't have proof.
- Look.
I've got a strategy.
I'll write an editorial to go with the photos.
What if this lizard still exists, yeah? This could be a major scientific discovery.
We can't possibly let go of a rare creature's habitat until we know if it really exists, all right? They'll have to do another environmental impact statement.
What do you think? Lt'll hold them up, at least.
Of course.
Um, but Some people think if we stop the mine the local economy will suffer.
Have you been sniffing the white-out, Vivien? Huh? Oh.
I'm sorry.
You're right.
I lost my senses.
I'll start remaking that front page right now.
Erm, I suppose Tim'll just have to read about it in the morning.
Like everyone else.
Yeah.
Tim! Darling.
- Are you all right? - Never better.
Well But - You look appalling.
- Good.
That's the look I was aiming for.
No, darling.
Hop in.
I'll give you a lift.
Thanks.
But I'm almost there.
All fixed.
And - You got a lot of calls.
- Yeah.
So I see.
Most of them from Louisa.
OK, and is the price of gold really worth potentially destroying a rare creature's habitat? No apostrophe in "creatures".
- Apostrophe - In "creatures".
Finished.
And sent.
Oh, my God! Congratulations! Oh, right.
Well that was a great team effort.
Hey.
Let's have a glass of champagne to celebrate.
Um, actually, I should be going.
I've gotta feed Iris and get changed.
I've got um a dinner date tonight.
Oh, my God! Oh, no.
I mean I mean Yeah.
That No, that's great, Vivien.
That's um Well, anyway.
Thank you.
Thanks for all your hard work.
It's my pleasure.
Tim! - Tim.
- Well, the prodigal returns.
You look like you're on your way home.
- Can I explain tomorrow? - I suppose so.
I'm sorry, Louisa.
There's no excuse for not contacting you.
No, there there isn't.
I don't know how else to say this, but when I woke up this morning, I was completely lost.
Lost? Yeah.
- Are you all right? - I'm sorry.
It's been a shit of a day and, quite frankly, I'd rather forget it.
I'll have to ask you to trust me.
Good.
Can you er catch me up on the paper? Sure.
One chicken cashew, light on onion.
What would you like, Gavin? Er, the grilled steak, two eggs and chips.
No salad, please.
Something a bit different.
The editorial should've been run past me.
I'm sorry, Gavin, but there just wasn't time.
It's OK, Vivien.
It's Louisa I've got the beef with, not you.
You see, as president of the Chamber of Commerce, I strongly support the mine and the prosperity that it'll bring.
Yes.
But to whom? Lt'll be all housing estates and big shopping malls, Gavin.
And you know what is inevitable? A hardware superstore.
I've thought about that.
But I'm sure that I can count on the loyalty of the locals.
Really? Even if they can't count on yours? I don't like to be harsh, Gavin.
But the community does not want this mine.
I just worry they're gonna punish you and your store.
What? I knew I left that somewhere.
Rooster.
Your dinner.
And now, I eat Rita.
He's lost it.
Dude You have first invitation to engagement party.
(Laughs) We'll have it in pub with DJ or hot local band - it will be awesome night.
I will put it on MySpace.
No.
May be too risky.
You spread the word.
Eh? - Yeah.
Sure.
Cool, mate.
- Congratulations.
We will be married on Like Ah Chin.
OK? But you didn't even ask me.
Thank you.
You know, if this lizard turns up, we should take it to lunch.
If the lizard shows up, I'll marry it.
It was very clever, writing that editorial.
Why didn't I think of that? Oh, hang on.
I'm the boss.
Maybe I did.
No, no, no.
You don't get your mitts on that one, matey.
No, no, no.
I'd better get going.
Oh.
What's this? Oh.
I don't know.
It's some kind of environmental superhero.
I always get the undies wrong.
(Giggles) Well, I'm kidding about the undies.
- Well it's good.
- No, it isn't.
Yes, it is.
Hey, wanna put it on computer? You can draw directly onto mine.
I've got CorelDRAW.
- Used it before? - No.
Great.
There's still something she doesn't know.
Come, I'll show you.
- (Sobs) - Rita? Rita! Rita.
It's no good? I'm fine, Mum.
It's my fault.
Your heart is sad.
It's no right.
Love will not grow from that.
I push you to be with Chinese man.
To make ME happy.
Not you.
(Speaks in Chinese language) You are happy is all I want! - The town? - Uh-huh.
(Laughs) Oh, my - Yep? - Yeah.
But what is that? That was part of its um Paw.
(Sorry.
) Um, I'd better go.
Louisa? I uh I can't, Tim.
It's it's just things are a bit tricky right now.
Tricky.
You mean er with Nick.
I've um - I've just got a lot going on.
- It's OK.
I can wait.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- Yeah.
I'll be here.
I promise.
God! Promise me you'll stay with me while I tell her? She's gonna freak out.
She'd rather know the truth.
No.
No, don't tell me this.
This can't be true.
It is.
I painted golden speckles on the normal lizard.
She didn't mean to cause any harm, Mrs Atherton.
Oh Something was telling me it wasn't true, but I ignored that because it was you.
Because I believe you.
Aren't I the sucker? I had to do something.
No-one else was.
- No, that's not true.
- Yes, it is! Actually, Holly, it isn't.
Holl, I've put the entire weight of the paper behind this.
All hell will break loose when I print this retraction.
- You can't print a retraction.
- What? - That lizard will give us more time.
- Holly the lizard doesn't exist! The lizard's a fake! So? Chimaera Gold lied to us right from the start.
Right, and one lie justifies the other, does it? - Mum, they're arseholes! - Holly, that's beside the point.
You are asking me to perpetuate your lie.
That's fraudulent.
Just don't print a retraction and no-one will know.
Stop telling me what to do.
I'm so disappointed in you.
I've seen her angry.
I've just never seen her so quiet.
Mum's right.
How could I be so stupid? Hey.
Hey, come here.
Sit down.
Look.
It it could have been much worse.
Or better.
It just depends on what your point of view is.
How? Well what if the golden speckled leaping legless lizard had originally become extinct because it mutated this virus that that killed the whole species? And the virus is on the verge of of infecting another species because it would pick up the golden flecks that would be left behind when the lizard would shed its skin.
If children or prospectors picked up these flecks, the prospectors would take it back to their mining companies and kill all of them.
Which would be good.
The children would take it to their parents and kill all of them which would be bad.
It would give me heaps of business, which would be good.
- You're such an idiot.
- Yeah.
And I'm your idiot.
And you're mine.
You're taking this whole thing so seriously.
OK? Where is this alleged lizard? I wanna see it.
- They couldn't catch it.
- That's very convenient.
What are you implying, Wendy? That these photographs don't prove a thing.
They don't have to.
It'll be up to the appropriate experts to provide the proof.
In the meantime, you and your mining friends will have to stop drilling.
Sometimes I wonder why I gave you this job.
I created a monster.
Steady on! We have to print it as we see it, Wendy.
You know that.
And it's not like it's the end of the mine.
Hopefully not.
But our explorations will have to be put on hold while the DSE investigates this miraculous sighting.
I resent being pigeon-holed as the bad guy.
Gavin's not happy about this either.
Contrary, Wendy.
I'm withdrawing my support.
I've realised that making a commitment to my community is more important than making a buck.
(Coughs) I'd love one.
This is yours.
Skinny milk and two sweetener tablets.
That was wonderful what you said to Wendy.
I'm proud of you, Gavin.
Thank you, Vivien.
So.
How was the library? Did you get a lot done? I'm sorry.
I didn't I didn't mean to trick you with the pictures.
It was stupid and selfish.
But I I just Sometimes I get so mad about things, I can't think about anyone else.
I didn't mean to compromise anyone.
Especially you.
It's OK.
I know what you were trying to do.
What's gonna happen now? I guess you're gonna have to print a retraction.
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
But I do know I'm gonna have to break your genetic code.
Cos you're way too much like your mum.
- Come on.
Help me.
- I'll do it.
We're here today to farewell Daisy.
Love of Lorna's life.
Lorna has chosen to use a bio-degradable ecopod, which will dissolve in the earth and enrich it with nutrients.
Lorna, now, if you would like to say a few words.
Thank you, Sean.
I know Daisy was often a nuisance.
And I know you all put up with her for my sake.
And I think you for that from the bottom of my heart.
Lorna would be grateful if we honoured Daisy's life with a minute's silence, as we one by one place our floral tributes onto the ecopod.
Sorry we're late.
- Ta.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! I just heard the DSE's coming tomorrow.
If they can find the lizard, we're home and hosed.
Oh.
OK.
Great.
- What? - No, nothing.
- Great.
- And listen.
Speaking of finding things.
I saw Tim walking into town the other day.
- Walking? - Well, stumbling would be more apt.
The poor fellow looked like he'd been dragged through a combine harvester.
Whoa.
- I won't be long.
- OK.
- Hello.
- Oh! Oh, Tim.
Hi.
Marg told me she saw you the other day.
Oh, that.
The bedraggled, walking along the highway thing.
- Yeah.
You said you were lost.
- Loui? - Nick.
Hi.
- Tim.
Nick.
Maybe you could explain to Louisa why I had to walk 30 kilometres back to town.
We took a drive to the bush after your place.
And I er left him there to commune with nature.
What? Why? Because he wanted to keep me away from you.
- Jump in if I'm misinterpreting.
- Wait a minute.
I asked you if you knew where he was.
And you didn't say anything.
We were on a deadline.
And Anything could've happened to him.
Yeah.
Actually, I was stalked.
By a cow with low self-esteem.
No, wait a minute.
This isn't funny.
You told me you were having an emotional crisis.
No, no, no, no.
I told you I was lost.
You jumped to conclusions.
But what kind of a person are you? We were on a deadline.
- And you made me feel sorry for you.
- I know.
I shouldn't have.
But I didn't want him to win.
- To what? - Mate.
- You were never gonna win.
Let me just clarify something.
Are we talking about winning me? - Loui, it's a compliment.
- No, it isn't! Oh, my So this has nothing to do with me.
This is about you two.
- You're over-reacting.
- No! I'm not.
But I am now.
- Oh, no.
Louisa, come on.
- Loui! Step away from the car.
You guys Mum? Mum! (Sighs) Bandicoots! Mum! The Wentworth Regional News is looking at buying the Echo.
Part of the restructure would mean me going back Melbourne as manager.
Come with you? What, to Melbourne? What are you gonna do about him, Louisa? - Or do you need jumper leads? - Sorry? Oh, for heaven's sake! Here are the points.
Nick, Tim - you don't need a list.
- Are you talking about Holly's photo? - Yeah.
She did a good job.
Didn't she? Very good likeness.
- Oh, my God.
Did you know about this? - No.
If you're involved in some way, Louisa, not only will you lose your job, you'll lose the roof over your head.
- I think we're in trouble, Viv.
- Tim's asked her to go with him.
- He's leaving.
- Yeah, well if that's what she wants.
- I don't want her to go.
- Well, life doesn't always go the way we the way we want it to.
Were you at any stage told that this photograph was not real? I lay down in a bed of roses I woke up lying on a bed of nails It's the oldest of tales Lose the wind From your sails I lay down in a bed of roses And I woke up lying on a bed of nails I lay down in a bed of roses And I woke up lying on a bed of nails I lay down in a bed of roses And I woke up lying on a bed of nails.