Blackmoor

Kelly arrives at her cell to find Marina waiting

Kelly (surprised) - Miss Donovan, what a pleasant surprise... and what can I do for you then?

Marina - I'm here to offer you a partnership, you and me together

Kelly - I'm listening?

Marina - I know you want to be top dog

Kelly - Oh? How did you find that out then?

Marina - I have my ways, Webster....I'm prepared to help you get what you want

Kelly - In return for what?

Marina - In return for you helping me get rid of Powell so I can be governor....then we can get rid of Ferguson too. Run this place together, the pair of us. I'll let you do whatever you want with the women as long as it causes no problems for me. Interested?

Kelly looks to be thinking

Kelly - It's a very good offer miss, but there is just one other condition I want to put to you?

Marina - Go on?

Kelly - You help me get rid of Raymond too

Marina grins

Marina - Come with me, I have someone I think you should meet

Joan is in her cell lying on the bed smoking as Janice arrives

Janice - Joan, I need a word with you

Joan looks disinterested

Joan - Go away, can't you see I'm busy?

Janice - Busy lying there feeling sorry for yourself yes

Joan - How dare you talk to me like that, get out!

Janice - Well it's true, we've all noticed it. All you do is feel sorry for yourself lately

Joan - And with good reason. What have I got to feel happy about? What have I got to look forward to?

Janice - Keep on like this and you won't even be top dog for much longer. Self-pity certainly won't keep you on top around here

Joan doesn't appear to care

Joan - I'm sick of this bloody place. Sick of it all

Janice -- Listen, Joan, I came to warn you about Kelly. You can't trust her you know, she plans to steal top dog from you

Joan - Yes I know

Janice looks surprised

Janice - You know?

Joan - Yes I guessed I'm not stupid I can see through the likes of her

Janice - Well what are you going to do about it?

Joan shrugs

Joan - Who knows?

Janice - Listen Joan I'm doing you a favour here warning you like this. After you dumped me as a partner for her I don't owe you a thing. But I figure we should work together on this, don't you? Together we'd make a good team

Joan rolls her eyes

Joan - I'm so sick of making deals, planning how to keep on top in this dump! What's the damn point to any of it anymore?

Janice - Survival Joan, that's the point. We all have to survive in places like this. Us two would be better off sticking together, both being ex screws

Joan - If Webster wants to be the top dog I won't fight her anymore

Janice - Come on Joan, you don't mean that

Joan - Yes I do, I don't care about being the damn top dog anymore

Janice - You told me to pull myself together when a rat was found in my cell, now it seems its my turn to tell you to pull yourself together

Joan - Just piss off, I won't ask you again

Marina and Kelly are with Dale King

Marina - Kelly meet Dale, Dale meet Kelly

Kelly shakes hands with Dale

Marina - You two should talk

Dale - Why Miss Donovan?

Marina grins

Marina - You both share an enemy, that's why

Kelly - What's your second name Dale?

Dale - King, why?

Kelly gives a knowing smirk

Kelly - I thought so. Miss Donovan is right Dale, we should talk. I recognize your name, you were set up by Janice Raymond, right?

Dale can barely contain his anger

Dale - That's right, I was. I hate her

Kelly - I hate her too. I figure we should work together to get her, don't you Dale?

They share a grin

Marina - I'll leave you to talk

Marina leaves them alone

Colleen and Geoff are in the office

Geoff - Col, I'm concerned about Latham

Colleen - What about her?

Geoff - I have grave concerns about keeping her in isolation much longer, it seems to be getting to her

Colleen sighs with concern

Colleen - Yes Geoff it worries me too believe me. But what can I do? If I let her among the women they will kill her because of her crime

Geoff nods his head

Geoff - Yes I know, it is a worry I agree

Colleen (jokey manner) - Sometimes I wish we could just open the gates and let prisoners like Chrissie go free, that would certainly solve that problem

Geoff laughs

Geoff - Yes I know what you mean Col

Colleen - Anyway Dwyer's replacement is due to visit today

Geoff - Do you have any idea who the person is?

Colleen - Not one, it will be a complete surprise. The department wouldn't tell me much about it, I don't even know if its a man or a woman

Kelly and Dale are talking alone

Kelly - Her little boy Tommy would have been the best way to get at her, but he's gone now.

Dale - Yes I know. He would have been the perfect way to get at her. I did think about killing her mother?

Kelly shakes her head

Kelly - She'd probably shake your hand if you killed her mother. They don't get on very well, the mother is an old dragon by all accounts

Dale looks thoughtful

Dale - Really? Perhaps she'd be willing to help us get at Jan?

Kelly - Yes maybe she would, could be worth asking her if we can find out how to contact her?

Dale - If anyone would know how we can hurt Jan the most effectively it's bound to be her. She knows the woman better than anyone I would have thought

Janice is with Roo

Roo - What do you want bitch?

Janice - A friendly chat that's all

Roo - I doubt you and I have anything much to say to each other, definitely nothing friendly

Janice - Look Morgan, I know we have a history together, but we are on the same side of the bars now

Roo - Yes, mores the pity

Janice - Look the thing is I figured out you must be planning to be top dog again by now. I know you, you must be bored sitting back like this. You want to be top dog again am I right?

Roo - Of course, you're right sweetie, but what's it to you?

Janice - We could run this place together, the pair of us. Joint top dogs

Roo chuckles and lights a cigarette

Roo - Is that a joke?

Janice - No, why should it be? Think about it Roo, we have always worked against each other but together we'd make a good team.

Roo - I say you're just scared Raymond, you realize you're not in for an easy time here and you want a friend

Janice - I just think we could run this place together that's all

Roo - I hate you, why would I want to work with you?

Janice - Because you need support and you know it. You can't be top dog without it. You know we have something in common Roo

Roo - Like both having two arms and two legs you mean?

Janice - No, more like both losing our sons

Roo reacts with sadness

Roo - Why the bloody hell did you need to bring my son into it?

Janice - Just pointing out we both share something....we both share the pain of losing our child. But not to death, we both know he is out there somewhere alive but we can't see him, be near him. We both know how painful that is...I think its time we stopped fighting each other and became united

Roo looks unsure, Janice has got to her

Janice - Come on Roo, we can make a good team, I know we can

Roo puffs on her fag and looks thoughtful

Kelly is back with Marina

Marina - Good chat with Dale?

Kelly - Useful miss, really useful

Marina - I thought it would be.....

Kelly - Thank you for introducing us

Marina -It was no bother at all....so Webster, do we have a deal? Partners?

Kelly smiles

Kelly - Yes, we have a deal

Marina - A wise choice. Once I'm governor and you're top dog we'll run this place together the way it should be run. I can sense you hate them all the same way I do

Kelly - Yes I do. I've always been too good for this rabble

Marina - I know when a prisoner is a cut above the rest. Peterson was and so are you

Kelly - Well thanks Miss, what a nice thing to say

Marina - Don't get carried away, it doesn't mean I like you. It just means I respect you and recognize you're useful to work with

Kelly - I realize that...I don't like you much either but I respect you

Marina gives Kelly a look

Marina - Try not to be too cheeky ok?

Kelly - Sure...so about Ferguson and Powell, what is your plan for getting rid of them?

Marina - I want you to start a riot, get as many of the women on side as you can. Kill Ferguson in the riot and discredit Colleen as governor. Then she gets fired and that's when I take over as governor

Kelly - A nice idea

Marina - Reckon you can do it?

Kelly nods her head

Kelly - Oh yes, I can do it

Marina - I want us to work fast on this, I am not a patient woman

Kelly - Nor am i. I agree the quicker we do this the better

The rec room

Janice and Roo are sitting together in a corner

Janice - Ferguson won't present us with a problem now. She is losing her grip, too full of self-pity

Roo - Yes I noticed that

Janice - I'm surprised she's hung on to top dog as long as she has

Roo - She's been living off the siege, the women respect her for it. But she has become a bit feeble now

Janice - She has realized she is in her for the rest of her life and its finally sinking in and making her depressed

Roo - I'm in here for the rest of my life too but you won't hear me complain

Janice - Yes and I'm here for 15 years for something I didn't even do thanks to that bitch Webster, never hear me complain either

Roo - Alright, so we work together. How do you suggest we take the top dog position from Ferguson?

Janice is about to reply as Brumby arrives

Janice - You can get lost Brumby, Roo and I are talking

Brumby looks at Roo

Roo - Tucker stays, she's on my side. She works for me and could be useful

Janice doesn't look impressed but nods along

Janice - Ok...

Brumby - What's going on Roo?

Roo - Janice and I are working together now to be joint top dog

Brumby - Gee, since when have you two been mates?

Janice - Since today

Brumby - Will Ferguson be easy to take top dog from? She's pretty tough

Roo and Janice grin

Roo - Not as tough as Janice and I together

Brumby = I still can't believe you two are working together

Janice - Well believe it because it's happening

Roo - Go and see what Joan's up to for us will ya Tucker? Come back and tell us

Brumby - Sure...

Brumby leaves the rec room

Janice - Are you sure we can trust that little bitch?

Roo - Yeah, Tucker and I have an understanding. She won't let me down

Joan is in her cell lying on the bed as Brumby passes outside and stops to look

Joan looks at her

Joan - What do you want Tucker?

Brumby shrugs

Brumby - Nothing, was just passing

Joan - Well carry on by then

Brumby - Sure

Brumby leaves again

Kelly has a gang together which includes Auntie Harriet and Footy. They are huddled together in Kelly's cell

Brumby is passing and spots them

She hides outside to listen

Kelly talks quietly

Kelly - Donovan wants a riot....she wants Ferguson dead and Powell discredited so much that she will lose her job and Donovan will be the new governor

Auntie Harriet looks horrified

Auntie Harriet - Bloody hell, that bitch as governor?

Brumby strains to hear, she looks frustrated, she can't catch what they are saying

Kelly - Look Harriet, it will be ok I promise. She'll look after us lot because we are on her side. I'm going to be her partner, I'll make sure you lot are looked after well just so long as you stick with me. It's the other bitches in here that will have something to worry about once Donovan and I get our protection racket up and running. You lot will be the ones collecting the money if you're prepared to stick with me?

Some of them look unsure

Footy - Yeah but gee Kel, Donovan is real mean

Kelly - And like I already said, you will be protected as long as you stick with me, got it?

Footy and the others nod their heads, somewhat reluctantly

Brumby hears the voices of Marina and Bruce and rushes off out of sight.....

...Marina and Bruce are walking along a corridor

Marina - With any luck Kelly has her troops ready now

Bruce - Are you sure you can trust her?

Marina - Yes...and if I can't then she's dead anyway

They turn a corner and arrive at Kelly's cell

Marina looks at the group

Marina - Glad to see you've got your workforce in place, Webster....at least I trust you have?

Kelly - Yes I have Marina....the only problem is a few of them are scared at the idea of you being governor. I assured them they will be safe as long as they stick by us, isn't that right?

Marina - Yes that's right ladies, you will be totally safe. The same can't be said for the rest of the women though

Auntie Harriet - Yeah well when do you want us to start this riot Miss?

Marina - Tomorrow if you can?

Kelly looks at her gang and then at Marina

Kelly - Tomorrow it is

Marina turns to Bruce

Marina - See Brucie? We are cooking with gas now at last

Brumby arrives back at the rec room

Roo - You took your time?

Brumby - Sorry I got held up

Janice - Did you find Ferguson?

Brumby - Yes I found her

Roo -And?

Brumby - She was just in her cell lying on the bed smoking, she seemed in a very bad mood

Janice - Was she alone?

Brumby - Yeah she was alone

Roo - Nows as good a time as any don't you think

Janice - Yes I do...c'mon time we paid her a visit

Roo and Janice get out of their seats and begin to leave the rec room

Brumby - What are you going to do?

Roo smirks

Roo - Watch and see

The three of them leave the rec room

Colleen is in her office as there is a knock at the door

Colleen - Come in

Geoff enters

Geoff - The new head of department is here

A woman enters the office, the woman is Eileen Raymond

GATESLAM

PART 2

Back with Colleen, Geoff, and Eileen

Geoff pulls over a chair for Eileen

Eileen - Thank you Mr...Carlton was it?

Geoff - Carlson ma'am

Eileen - Yes of course, please forgive me

Colleen - I must say it's a pleasant surprise to have a woman. There has been a lot of men over the years

Eileen - Yes I know

Colleen - As sad as Dwyer's death was I do hope we can take the opportunity for some reforms now. Dwyer was never very receptive to that idea

Eileen - Yes well criminals are criminals we cannot forget that!

Colleen - Well I know, but...

Eileen cuts her off with a smile

Eileen - Relax Mrs. Powell, I am not saying I am not open to looking into the possibility of some reforms. My daughter is a prisoner, here in this very prison no less

Colleen looks surprised

Colleen - Is she?

Eileen - Oh yes, Janice

Colleen and Geoff look surprised

Colleen - Janice is your daughter?

Eileen - Yes, so you see I have more interest in prisoners' welfare than you might think..how is my Janice anyway? I haven't seen her for months much to my shame. I kept meaning to come but things always got in the way. The life of a politician is a very busy one

Colleen - Oh well you know, she is managing as well as can be expected I suppose

Geoff - I'd say a little better than can be expected considering her ex screw status

Colleen - Yes, that's certainly true

Eileen - I'd love to see her if I can?

Colleen - Yes of course...go and find her will you Geoff

Geoff - Certainly

Geoff leaves the office. Colleen and Eileen are left alone

Eileen smiles at Colleen

Eileen - I am so excited about this, I have had my eye on Dwyer's position for a long time

Colleen - Oh really?

Eileen - Yes....being minister for public transport is as dull as dishwater you know. People complaining nonstop about the fares, who needs it?

Colleen - Yes I can imagine

Eileen - This will be much more challenging and exciting

Colleen - So did you know Mr. Dwyer?

Eileen - We exchanged pleasantries in parliament but other than that not really. We were like ships that pass in the night....sadly I must say that no one really liked him very much. Politicians generally aren't popular with the general public but we form close friendships with each other, well none of us could say we became close to Mr Dwyer

Colleen looks amused

Joan is in her cell as Roo, Janice and Brumby arrive in the room, they slam the door shut and stand in front of Joan

Joan sits up startled

Joan - What is this?

Roo - The time has come for you to step down as the top dog

Janice - Yeah, Roo and I are taking over together

Joan - Oh get lost! Stop wasting my time

Roo turns to Brumby

Roo - Stand and keep nit

Brumby smirks and opens the door, she stands in the doorway

Janice and Roo attack Joan

The three of them fight

Joan - YOU PAIR OF BASTARDS!

Joan puts up a good fight but they overpower her and give her a brutal beating

The rec room

Kelly, Footy, Auntie Harriet, and others are there

Kelly - I wonder where Morgan and Raymond are right now?

Auntie Harriet - Ferguson too?

Kelly -None of those bitches have any idea what's going to hit them tomorrow

They share a laugh

Brumby arrives in the doorway

Kelly - Get lost Tucker, we don't want you in here

Brumby - You can't make me leave, you ain't top dog

Kelly - I will be soon enough...now get out before I set my gals on you

Brumby smirks

Roo and Janice drag a badly beaten Joan into the room, they let her go and she falls to the floor

The women look at her in shock

Roo - Fergusons stepping down as top dog. Janice and I are taking over together, now any objections?

Kelly looks shocked and angry

Kelly - Yeah too right I object!

Janice - You know the game around here Webster. Whoever can beat the top dog in a fight becomes the new top dog...or top dogs in this case. That would be Roo and i

Kelly sneers

Kelly - How weak! You have to be top dog together because you both know you'd be too weak on your own

Roo - Rubbish, it's simply we believe we will be a more powerful force working together

Janice - Yes and there are no rules to say that there can't be two top dogs running this place

Roo - Two great minds working together to control you lot

Kelly - Great minds? That's pushing it a bit, you are both a pair of fools

Janice - Fools are we? We'll see about that

Brumby is in the doorway

Brumby - SCREW!

Roo - Ok gals, you know what to do

Kelly - Don't help her!

Roo - Do it!

The girls stand around Joan and block her from view so that the screw won't notice her laid out beaten on the floor

Janice - You keep quiet down there ok Ferguson

Geoff arrives and looks suspicious

Geoff - What's going on here ladies? Why are you all standing around like this?

Roo - Oh we're just playing a game Mr Carlson, have to pass the time don't we

Geoff looks at Janice

Geoff - Come with me please Raymond, the governor wants to see you

Janice leaves with Geoff

Roo waits until she has gone and then looks at Joan

Roo - let's get her back to her cell

The women begin to lift Joan up, she groans