Exterior shot of Wentworth in daytime

The women are in the showers as Vera arrives in the doorway

Beth is by the sink combing her hair as Vera turns to her

Vera - Hurry up here and get dressed Abbott, you have to come with me to see the governor

Beth - What for Miss Bennett?

Vera - I have no idea, you'll have to come and find out. All I know is Inspector Grace is with him and wants to see you

Beth looks worried

Beth - Inspector Grace?

Vera - Yes that's right, so best not keep him waiting. You know how impatient he can be

Beth returns to combing her hair while looking worried

Exterior shot of Wentworth general

Geoff is sitting on a bed fully dressed with his bag packed as Colleen comes in with the dr and smiles with excitement

Colleen - let's get you home darling

Geoff stands up, he is unsteady on his feet and nearly loses his balance. Colleen rushes to help

Colleen - Careful darling, easy does it

Geoff - I'm alright, no need to fuss over me!

The dr hands Geoff a walking stick

The dr - Some patients find it helps to use one of these at first until they get used to it

Geoff hands the stick back

Geoff - I can manage fine without it, thanks all the same

The dr - There is no shame in using a stick at first Mr Carlson, it's no different to a child learning to ride a bike. They use stabilizers at first

Geoff - No I will be fine without thanks

Colleen - Yes well let's get you home, shall we?

Geoff - Who is looking after Blackmoor while you're here?

Colleen smiles

Colleen - You shouldn't be worrying about that at a time like this Geoff. Blackmoor can manage without me for a day, my priority is you right now

Geoff - Well I'd still like to know

Colleen - Well if you really must know I left Bruce in charge

Geoff - Bruce? Is he really a suitable choice Col?

Colleen - Come on let's just go shall we, we can discuss this outside

They begin to leave. Colleen tries to assist Geoff, he pushes her away

Geoff - I said I can manage Col!

The dr - Good luck Mr Carlson

Geoff nods his head

Geoff - Thank you but I don't need luck, I'll be fine

The governor's office

Vera shows the fretful Beth in

Bob, Toni, and Grace are waiting

Grace - Good morning Mrs Abbott

Beth - Yes good morning inspector....look what has happened? Is it bad news? Has Nigel hurt my family?

Toni gets up from her chair with a smile

Toni - Beth it's good news, you've been cleared of the murder of Brian, Nigel confessed to everything

Beth looks at Grace

Beth - Is that right?

Grace - Yes

Beth looks stunned

Beth - So what happens now?

Grace - You're free to leave

Toni - You're a free woman again Beth, isn't that great?

Beth forces a smile

Beth - Yes, I'm glad it's all over now

Bob - I have given officer Williams permission to take the day off to accompany you home and help you with anything you need

Beth - There is no need for that

Toni - I want to do it, love, you need someone to support you today

Beth - Well as always you're a very kind girl

Bob - Take Mrs Abbott to pack now Miss Williams

Toni - Yes Mr Moran

They begin to leave as Grace speaks

Grace - I'm sorry,...

Beth delivers a smile

Beth - What for? You only did your job. I thought I was guilty myself remember?

The women are lined up for muster as Sandra calls out the allocations

Sandra - Laundry Smith, Battersby, Stevens, Raymond, Tucker, Harris, Young. Kitchen Smart and Filson. Garden Bryant. Cleaning duties Slater

Ailsa pulls a face

Ailsa - Why do I have to do rotten old cleaning duties?

Brumby - Well none of us want you in the laundry with us granny

Bea - Yeah, we want nothing to do with you

Ailsa - So put me in the kitchen then, I love it there

The women roar with laughter and even Sandra can't resist a chuckle, she quickly hides it and pulls herself together

Sandra - Ok shut up all of you!

Ailsa - What's so funny anyway?

Bea - No ones going to let you near the kitchen ever again love

Shirley - Hey Miss, where is Abbott this morning?

Sandra - That's none of your business Harris

Lorna - I'm surprised anyone could notice when she's missing, I mean you hardly notice when she is here

Bea - Yes, she certainly likes to keep herself to herself that one

Shanice - That crazy bitch can stay as far away from me as she likes after what she tried to do to me

Shirley - Well some of us wish she'd succeeded there Battersby!

Sandra - Ok move off to work ladies! Bryant wait for me at the gate ...Leanne stay behind I want a word

Leanne stays behind as the others start to move off

The women walk up the corridor

Shanice - She thinks she's a cut above the rest of us that Abbott

Lorna - Yeah you're flaming right she does, stuck up cow!

Helen - Hey lay off her will ya, she seems nice enough to me. She just isn't cut out for this place that's all

Shirley - Then she should have thought about that before she murdered her husband then shouldn't she

Helen - Yes well see you later eh gals

Helen turns a corner to head to the kitchen

The women arrive in the laundry

Bea looks at Janice and Sonia

Bea - You two are very quiet this morning

Brumby - Yeah, didn't join in at all out there

Sonia - When I have something to say I say it, right now I have nothing

Bea looks at Janice

Bea - And you Raymond? Unusual for you to be so quiet

Janice shrugs

Janice - Got other things on my mind

Janice then smirks

Janice- Anyway I didn't realize it was mandatory to join in with your pathetic conversations. Frankly, I heard better stuff at playschool

Bea - Ok Raymond get outside, I want a word

Janice- And supposing I don't want one with you?

Bea - Just get outside

Bea tries to drag Janice out, but she pushes her away

Janice - I can walk out by myself thanks

Bea - Get moving then!

They leave

Brumby - Well I wonder what that was all about?

Sandra and Leanne are alone in the corridor

Sandra - I'm sorry I haven't been to see you for a while, I've had so much going on

Leanne - I know Sandra, I'm sorry you lost governor

Sandra - Yes well onwards and upwards! I just want you to know that I still care about you

Leanne - Thanks...

Sandra - If you have any problems or need help with anything I'm still here

Leanne -Thanks I know

Sandra - So please tell me right now if there's anything wrong?

Leanne - Why should there be anything wrong?

Sandra - You don't look very well to me, you look pale

Leanne - I'm fine, nothing's wrong at all

Sandra - Really?

Leanne - Yes really

Sandra - The women aren't giving you a hard time?

Leanne - No....the only one who was giving me a hard time has gone now

Sandra - Who was she?

Leanne - It doesn't matter now, she's gone and that's the main thing

Sandra - Well I hope so...because if it's Battersby again I'll have her

Leanne - Battersby hasn't been near me Miss I swear

They stand in silence for a moment

Sandra begins to play with Leanne's hair

Sandra - You've let your hair get in a state love!...you always had such nice hair

Leanne - Yeah I guess I should wash it, I have been depressed, which makes it hard to be bothered. I don't care about much anymore, I barely care about being alive anymore. Sometimes I think about suicide

Sandra - You mustn't talk like that Jackie, I know you miss Steve but that's no excuse for this kind of attitude

Leanne - Who's Jackie? I'm not Jackie I'm Leanne

Sandra - No daughter of mine is going to give up like this, let me warn you right now Jacqueline

Leanne - Look Helen is waiting for me in the kitchen, I have to go now Miss, ok?

Sandra - Well I haven't finished with you yet young lady! We simply must talk about this appalling attitude of yours....your father will be equally as appalled when I tell him!

Leanne - I have to go and help Helen, sorry

Leanne turns and rushes off looking freaked out

Sandra - GET BACK HERE AT ONCE JACQUELINE!

Leanne ignores her and rushes away

Janice and Bea are alone in the corridor

Janice - Well Smith, what do you want?

Bea - It seems you and I have a common enemy

Janice - Let me guess...Clements right?

Bea - Yes, how did you guess that?

Janice - I'm smart Smith

Bea - Yes well what does she have against you?

Janice - That's between me and her, you may be top dog around here but don't expect me to start telling you stuff just because you want to know

Bea - Look Raymond, we could work together on this. Work as a team to fix her

Janice chuckles

Janice - I don't think so Smith

Bea - Why not?

Janice - I don't like you for a start

Bea - I don't like you either, but we could still put that aside and work together to get rid of Clements

Janice - Well I don't need help from you, I already have help

Bea - From who?

Janice - Again that's not your business

Bea looks angry

Bea - Listen, Raymond, you've been having a pretty easy time of it in here considering what you were before. I can set the women on you like a pack of wild dingoes if I ask them to

Janice laughs

Janice - Nice try Smith, I don't scare that easily

Janice returns to the laundry, laughing as she goes

Beth is in her cell, wearing her civvies, packing with Toni

Toni - It must be a relief for you, you must feel happy today?

Beth - Relief yes, happy no

Toni - But now the truths out, you know you didn't kill Brian

Beth forces a smile again

Beth - Yes it's a weight lifted off me to know I didn't take my Brian's life from him...I haven't slept easy at night since I've thought I did. But it doesn't alter the fact he's gone does it?

Toni - No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so thoughtless

Beth shakes her head

Beth - You have nothing to be sorry for

Toni - Yes well let's go shall we if you're ready?

Beth nods her head

Beth - I'm ready

She picks up her box

Beth - But before we go there's one thing I want to do......

....The women are busy in the laundry as Beth and Toni arrive in the doorway

Toni- Ladies, Beth has something she wants to say to you

The women look at Beth

Beth - I'm getting out today, I've been cleared of murder

Brumby - Yeah? Who did it then?

Beth - My son in law

Shanice chuckles

Shanice - What a bleeding charming family you must have!

Bea - Oh belt up Battersby

Beth - Well I just wanted to come and say goodbye. Look I know I never really made any friends here, I never made much of an effort to join in with you all. You must all think I am some frightful snob or something

Shanice - Yeah, just a bit...

Bea - Look Battersby, I won't ask you again...shut up!

Shanice goes quiet with a sneer

Beth - Well I just want you to know I'm not a snob. I was just so caught up in my own grief and my own despair that I forgot about trying to make friends and make my time here better. I was short-sighted in that respect

Bea - Yeah well none of us exactly gave you much support either did we love, it works both ways. Maybe there should have been a bit more effort on both sides

Beth - I didn't expect you to support me really. I mean it's a pretty unbelievable thing for anyone to believe. Just as I was starting to come to terms with it I find that I was innocent all along

Shirley - What will you do now?

Beth - I don't know....try and get on with my life I guess. What else can I do?

Bea - Well good luck eh love

Beth - Thanks Bea, I wish you all luck too.....you're all better than you think you are you know, you all deserve something better from life than a place like this

Bea - Not me love, I won't get out again now

Beth - Well that's a very big shame, you're an intelligent woman Bea, and you know it

Bea bows her head

Beth glances at Shanice

Beth - I can't lie, I don't like you very much

Bea and the others laugh while Shanice looks furious

Shirley - Join the club, Beth! None of us like Shan much

Beth - Yes well anyway, I wanted to say I may not like you but I'm sorry for what I did to you. I was asleep when I did it

Shanice - Yeah well you've said sorry ain't ya, so now you can go and good flaming riddance I say!

Shanice returns to her folding

Toni - We need to go now

Beth nods her head

Beth - Yes I know, I said what I wanted to say......good luck to all of you

Bea - Good luck to you too

Beth and Toni leave

Bea shakes her head with a smile

Bea - Strange that I hardly ever spoke to her when she was here and now she's leaving i think I might miss her

Lorna - Yeah I know what you mean..she was always just there wasn't she. Reading her book in a corner of the rec room or listening to the radio in her cell as you passed by

Shirley - She'd always smile and say hello or good morning when she saw you

Bea - Yeah, she kept herself to herself but she was inoffensive unlike some in here

Shanice - Yeah well I won't miss that crazy old bitch! She tried to kill me!

Shirley - And it's a real pity she didn't succeed isn't it Shan!

Helen and Leanne are in the kitchen with a middle-aged camp-looking, male chef. Leanne is daydreaming

Chef - Please pay attention to your work girl! I don't know why they keep sending you in here, you are no help to me...I have a good mind to complain to the governor, ask to have you moved elsewhere. Really I have!

Helen - Can't you see the poor kids upset about something?

Chef - It's, not my problem is it Smart! I have to prepare shepherd's pie for 70 people!

The chef pokes his watch in Helen's face and taps it

Chef - The clock is tick tock tick tock tick-tocking away you see, hmmm? I ask of you, how do I prepare lunch for 70 people when my staff is not pulling their weight,hmmmmmmm?

The chef throws his head back and rubs his hand across his head

Chef - Ugh! it's simply intolerable! I told that Clements woman that the girl is useless in here...and I was right! Maybe Mr Moran will be more reasonable when I have a word with him...and I will be having a word you mark my words!

The chef prances off into the cool room with his clipboard

Helen - Just ignore him eh honey

Leanne nods her head

Helen - Wanna talk about it?

Leanne - Talk about what?

Helen - Whatevers bugging you love

Leanne - No I'm fine, I just want to get on with the work so that chef won't moan again

Helen - Oh let him moan all he likes. You don't look well love, maybe you should speak to a screw about it. You look like you should be in your cell resting

Leanne shakes her head

Leanne - I'm perfectly alright, nothing wrong with me

GATESLAM

PART 2

Toni pulls into the driveway to Beth and Brian's house

Toni - Well here we are Beth home at last

Beth sits and stares at the house

Beth - I don't want to go inside

Toni - Don't be silly, it's your home

Beth - It's a house now that's all, it's not a home anymore without Brian

Toni - What do you want to do then Beth?

Beth - Take me to see Rachel and my grandkids...if it's not too much bother of course?

Toni - Of course, it isn't love. You must be dying to see them after all these weeks

Beth - Oh I am

Colleen and Geoff are in their flat. Geoff is sitting on the sofa as Colleen brings Geoff a cup of tea and a sandwich. She lays them out on the coffee table in front of Geoff

Colleen - Here get that inside you, it will be much better than that awful hospital food and weak tea

Geoff pushes it away

Geoff - I'd rather have a beer

Colleen - Are you sure that's wise?

Geoff - Why would it be a problem Colleen? You think the beer will harm my prosthetic leg, do you?

Colleen - No of course not, it's just a drink won't help matters

Geoff - I don't expect it to help, I haven't had a nice ice cold beer since this happened, I've been craving one, what's the big deal?

Colleen -Ok ok relax, I'll get you one

Geoff - Thank you

The laundry

The women are working as Meg arrives

Meg - Steven's, your brothers here to see me

Sonia smiles

Sonia - My brother? Well what a pleasant surprise, I've not seen him in years

Sonia leaves the laundry with Meg

Bea watches them go with a suspicious look on her face

Bea - I don't remember Stevens ever mentioning a brother before

Janice - Maybe she felt it was none of your business Smith

Bea gives Janice a look before bringing the press down on a pile of sheets

The kitchen

Helen is with chef in the cool room

Helen - All I'm saying is lay off the kid will ya, she doesn't seem well to me

Chef - Nonsense Smart, she's a malingerer nothing more

Helen - I think you're wrong

Chef - And I think we need to get lunch ready for 70 people, have you even begun to peel the potatoes yet?

Helen - Well no not yet, I wanted to talk to you about Leanne first

Chef - Oh this is outrageous! I ask you, how in God's name will we get the lunch ready on time? I may as well give up and go home

Suddenly there is an almighty crash in the kitchen

Chef - What on earth?...

Helen and chef rush into the main kitchen to find Leanne on the floor with a pan of peeled spuds across the floor

Chef - What are you doing girl!

Chef rushes over and slips on the spilled water, he falls on his bum on the floor

Helen goes to Leanne's aid and helps her up

Helen - What happened love?

Leanne - I was just getting the potatoes ready and I came over all faint

Helen - I knew you weren't well. I'm taking you to see the sister and no arguments this time

Helen leads Leanne out as chef sits on the floor

Chef - Yes that's it! No one helps me up eh, just leave me here like the poor neglected soul I am

Helen - I'll just drop Leanne off with the sister and I'll be right back sweetie

Chef - Yes that's it! Just swan off out of here as you please, never mind the lunch!

Helen and Leanne are gone

Chef struggles to his feet and wipes himself down. He looks sorry for himself

Chef - No one ever listens to me! No one cares about my feelings!