George is making himself comfortable in Shanice's bed as she runs in

George - About time Shanny!

Shanice picks his clothes up and throws them at him

Shanice - Get dressed George, you will have to leave now I'm sorry

George - But why? I was promised a night of hot steamy sex Shan!

Shanice - Yeah well there's been a change of plan sorry. I have to deal with a family crisis now

George - YOU BLOODY BITCH! YOU DAMN TEASE! I BET YOU ENJOY DOING THIS TO MEN RIGHT? LEADING THEM ON AND THEN LETTING THEM DOWN AT THE LAST MINUTE

Shanice - JUST GET DRESSED QUICKLY AND SLING YOUR HOOK WILL YA!

Marina and Clifford are back in the lounge

Marina pours herself a whisky

Marina - Want one?

Clifford nods his head

Clifford - Yes, after what you just told me I think I need one

Marina - Yes it did seem to rather shake you up eh?

Clifford - Are you surprised? Of course, it shook me up?

Marina - You know how much I hate those two

Clifford - Doesn't mean killing them is right...how are you planning on doing it anyway?

Marina - It's simple...those two bitches become trapped with Strangler...

Clifford - Strangler?....

Marina - Yes, that's his name....so anyway they are trapped in a room and Strangler has escaped from his tank....he is hungry and aggressive.....he attacks and kills them in a horrific accident. Frontpage news and I get a slap on the wrist for being careless. I turn the tears on a bit and no one thinks it was anything other than a shocking, unfortunate accident

Clifford - You've flipped!

Marina - I have not flipped you, moron!

Clifford - No, you have indeed flipped. This is the most insane thing I have ever heard

Marina It's the perfect way to do it, can't you see that?

Clifford - And you expect me to stand by and let you do it?

Marina - Yes, you are my fiance, there are certain things I expect from my future husband. Sean understood that bless his soul, I hope you do too

Clifford looks troubled

Clifford - But it's murder, Marina. It's murder and it's wrong...it's evil

Marina - So what will you do? Ruin it for me?

Clifford - I just don't know if I can stand by and let you end two peoples lives

Marina - But what they did to me...

Clifford - Nothing they did could ever justify killing them, it's just wrong no matter what

Marina - What a pathetic wimp and weakling you are Clifford, sometimes I wonder why I am engaged to you

Clifford - I just need the night to think about this, try and come to terms with it

Marina - Well I advise you to hurry up you fool...oh and you're sleeping on the sofa tonight!

Marina storms out of the room slamming the door behind her

Shanice's front door opens and a half-dressed George flies out, pushed by Shanice, and trips over

Shanice - SEEYA AROUND EH!

George - YOU LOUSY BITCH! DON'T EVER COME NEAR ME AGAIN, YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE!

Shanice slams the door shut

Sandra runs down the stairs, doing up the last button on her blouse as she does so

Sandra - I'll make a move shall I! Leave you and your son to it!

Shanice suddenly grabs Sandra by the hair making her scream

Shanice -YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING CLEMENTS! YOU ARE NOT STEPPING FOOT OUTSIDE THIS HOUSE, I'LL BE CALLING FOR THE PIGS OVER THIS!

Shanice drags Sandra along by her hair

Sandra - YOU'RE HURTING ME BATTERSBY!

Shanice - YES THAT'S RIGHT, I AM!

Sandra - YOU'D BETTER STOP THIS RIGHT NOW IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU

Shanice - GIVE IT UP CLEMENTS, WE AREN'T IN WENTWORTH ANYMORE

Shanice throws Sandra onto the sofa

Shanice - EXPLAIN!

Sandra - Explain what?

Shanice sits beside her and leans in close to her face

Shanice - Explain why you were in bed with my fifteen-year-old son!

Kyle arrives

Kyle - Ma calm down, please!

Shanice - Don't tell me to calm down! Not after this! How long has it been going on?

Kyle - Just a few days ma I swear

Shanice - You expect me to believe that?

Sandra - It's true

Shanice slaps her in the face

Shanice - QUIET! I WANT TO HEAR IT FROM MY KYLE! TELL THE TRUTH BOY, DON'T BE AFRAID OF HER

Kyle -That is the truth

Shanice - I bet you picked him up when he came to Wentworth to visit me? Oh, you filthy peado!

Shanice runs over to Kyle and hugs him

Shanice - Did she force you into it, baby? You can tell me

Kyle - She never ma, honest

Sandra stands up

Sandra - That's right, the boy wanted it as much as I did. And now if you'll excuse me it's time I made a move. Can't sit here all night

Sandra tries to leave as Shanice grabs her and slaps her in the face a second time

Shanice - I told you, Clements, you ain't leaving this house! The police will be coming for you as soon as I call em

Sandra - Oh I can't wait to see the police either and lay assault charges on you, Battersby!

Shanice - Did you buy him the Cologne?

Sandra - Sure, it was a nice gift. I wanted to make sure he would smell nice ready for when I got my hands on his smooth young boy body. I've lusted over him for weeks and he didn't disappoint me! He was worth the wait!

Shanice - YOU NONCE! YOU SICK FREAK, I'LL KILL YOU

Shanice violently attacks Sandra and gets her hands around her throat

They fight and struggle as Kyle runs in to break it up

Kyle - MA STOP IT!... JUST LET HER GO MA PLEASE!

Shanice lets go and calms down

Kyle - Let her go ma, please

Shanice - Ok...ok I'll let her go. But only because you asked me too darling, not for her sake

Sandra - Attempted murder is a serious crime, Battersby!

Shanice - Get out Clements before I change my mind again and finish the job

Sandra - I'll forget this ever happened for Kyle's sake, but don't you dare lay a hand on me ever again! Next time I won't be so lenient over it

Sandra leaves and Shanice and Kyle are left alone

Kyle - I was so scared ma, I thought you were gonna kill her

Shanice looks him dead in the eyes, she is the most serious she has ever been

Shanice -So did i. I wanted to. No one lays their hands on my son and gets away with it...I know she manipulated you into it

Kyle - I wanted it ma honest, she never manipulated me

Shanice grabs him by the scruff of the neck

Shanice - Get out to the ute boy!

Kyle - Where are we going?

Shanice - Where do you think? To the cops of course!

A nice looking house

A candlelit room

Willie and Gordon sat having a candlelight supper

Gordon - This meal is delicious

Willie - I can't take all the credit, I got the recipe from my friend Mrs Bucket!

Willie drinks some wine and smiles at Gordon

Willie - About that contract, are you ready to sign yet? I've waited patiently for weeks for you to make a decision

Gordon sighs

Gordon - I'm sorry love, I know you must think me a dithering old fool and you'd be right. It's just it's such a lot of money

Willie - But you can trust me, dear, I promise you

Gordon - I know, but.....well it's just such a lot of money as I say

Willie - Sometimes in life we have to take a gamble or it gets awfully dull don't you agree?

Gordon -Well, yes I suppose...just give me one more day to think it over ok?

Willie sighs with annoyance

Willie - Well ok, but I will need an answer by tomorrow night, I can't wait any longer after that Gordon, I really can't. I've already waited long enough

Gordon - I know and I am grateful for your patience

Willie - I'm only being so patient because it's you because I love you. I wouldn't do it for anyone else dear

Gordon - Thanks love, it means a lot

Willie - More wine dear?

Shanice pulls up outside the police station

Shanice - Right my boy, come on!

Kyle - Ma please, there is no need for this

Shanice - Yes there is! We need to put that dirty nonce away where she belongs!

A bored-looking desk sergeant is sat doing his crossword as Shanice and Kyle arrive at the desk

Shanice - Excuse me!

The desk sergeant raises a hand to pause Shanice

Desk sergeant - One second please, I just need to get this word and I'm almost there!

Shanice rolls her eyes

Shanice - Never mind about your flaming crossword! We have an emergency here, I need to report a serious crime!

Desk sergeant grimaces

Desk sergeant - Oh blow! That wasn't the right word, I was so sure it was!

Shanice - HELLO! I AM FLAMING WAITING ERE!

Desk sergeant - Fire away madam I am all ears now

Shanice - ABOUT FLAMING TIME! I NEED TO REPORT A SERIOUS CRIME...MY SON HAS BEEN SODOMISED!.... HE HAS BEEN RAPED!

Colleen and Geoff are watching tv as the doorbell goes

Colleen sighs

Colleen - Oh just as I was getting relaxed and comfortable for the evening!

Geoff - I'll get it, love

Geoff goes to answer

Meg is at the door

Shanice and Kyle are waiting in a room as Inspector Rouse enters, looking as scruffy as usual. He has a cigar dangling out of his mouth

He takes a seat

Rouse - Evening... Mrs. Battersby is it?

Shanice - Yes and this is my boy Kyle

Rouse - You claim your son was raped?

Kyle - I wasn't raped!

Shanice - Leave the talking to me, ok darling...

Rouse - So what happened?

Shanice - Well it's too awful really, not sure I can bear to go over it all again

Shanice weeps

Rouse - Yeah well let's try shall we, otherwise I won't be able to do much to help

Meg is sitting with Colleen and Geoff

Meg - I'm sorry to call so late but I needed to talk to you both

Colleen - What's the matter, Meg?

Meg - Nothings the matter as such. It's just...well I wanted to ask you both if you'd reconsider coming back to Blackmoor

Colleen looks surprised

Meg - Now I know how you feel about it Colleen, but I'm working there now with Ferguson. I asked to go there

Colleen looks even more surprised

Colleen - You are working there? Oh for heaven's sake Meg, why would you torture yourself like this? Do yourself a favour and ask to go back to Wentworth

Meg - Being around her isn't easy, but I have to do it. It's the only way I can work on making sure she gets her comeuppance. But I can't do it alone, I need help from you

Colleen - How do you think Geoff and I can help?

Meg - Just by doing the same thing I am. Stay near her, keep an eye on her, wait for anything we can use against her. Three of us is better than one

Colleen - You're mad

Meg - No, think about it, she is bound to slip up eventually and we have a better chance of nailing her if there are three of us

Colleen - Yes but you'd be better off keeping as far away from her as you can. Being around the woman who killed your son is going to do you a lot of harm eventually

Meg - So I should just accept what has happened, should I?

Colleen - I'm not saying that Meg, but why the hell would you work alongside her, it must be hard seeing her every day

Meg - Of course, it is, but I am merely following an old and famous piece of advice

Colleen - And that is?.....

Meg - Keep your friends close, and keep your enemies even closer

Rouse lets out a cloud of cigar smoke

Shanice - So that's all there is to it Inspector. I found them in bed together. My Kyle is only fifteen!

Rouse - Aha...well of course if what you say is true than Mrs Clements is in serious trouble. Fifteen is underage and it's as simple as that

Shanice - Yes, precisely!...hey what do you flaming well mean if what I say is true? You think I am making it up do ya?

Rouse - We have to explore the allegation from all angles, Mrs. Battersby. Innocent until proven guilty after all

Shanice - Well I told ya the truth and my word should be enough!

Rouse looks at Kyle

Rouse - What do you have to say on the matter young fella?

Kyle bows his head and shrugs

Shanice - Go on boy, tell the inspector the truth

Kyle - Ma is making the whole thing up Sir...

Rouse - Oh?....

Shanice - WHAT?...

Kyle - Ma I'm sorry but I can't go along with this lie. You want to run her life and its not right ma

Kyle looks at Rouse

Kyle - Ma was in prison with Mrs Clements Sir...I mean Clements was one of her warders. Ma hates her... she says that Mrs Clements bullied her and made her life hell. She has been obsessed with getting revenge...... This is her idea to get her revenge on Clements, Sir

Rouse - So you are saying Mrs Clements never touched you?

Kyle - Yeah Sir that's right. She never came near me

Shanice - WHAT YOU PLAYING AT BOY! WHY ARE YOU LYING!

Kyle - Ma I'm sorry but I can't let you do this to an innocent woman, it ain't right!

Shanice - LOOK BOY I'M WARNING YOU, TELL THE INSPECTOR THE TRUTH!

Kyle - This is the truth, you know that

Rouse -Making up this kind of lie is a serious offense Mrs Battersby

Shanice - Can't you see Kyle is obviously scared of her, that is why he is protecting her like this

Rouse - Yes well we'll investigate of course, but if Kyle says nothing happened then it's hard for us to do much about it

Kyle - I do say nothing happened Sir, absolutely

Shanice looks distressed

Shanice - I can't believe this is happening, she's brainwashed you, that's what she's done!

Colleen and Geoff are alone again

Colleen - I think Meg's mad, I never had her down as a masochist

Geoff - She has a point though, the best way to beat the enemy is by keeping them close by, watching them...I think we should go back and help her

Colleen - I thought you would say that...but let's face it, Geoff, you want to go back anyway don't you?

Geoff - Yes Col, I do. I miss it. Let's face it, we aren't finding new jobs quickly and we both need to work. Being prison officers is in our blood, Can you honestly tell me you'd be satisfied doing something else? We'd both be bored with a more normal job within weeks

Colleen looks thoughtful

Colleen - But I'm sick of Ferguson, sick of Donovan....the way they always come out laughing

Geoff - So let's go back and help Meg fix Ferguson...and when we're through with her we can work on Donovan too. It's not right she got away with starting that riot

Colleen - I don't know

Geoff - Think of the prisoners if nothing else. They need screws like us around to make sure they don't come to too much harm. Imagine what it would be like for them without the screws who care about their welfare?

Colleen puffs on her fag

Colleen - Ok, let's go back...but only to help Meg and for the prisoners...and because I want to see Ferguson and Donovan pay. Otherwise, I would never go back

GATESLAM

PART 2

Exterior shot of Blackmoor in daylight

Inside Vern and Joan are walking through a cell block as male prisoners are herded past single file

They arrive at the box, the young male inmate who Vern caught sweeping and put in there remains in there, sat on the stool. A bucket full of his waste can be seen on the floor of the box

Vern - On your feet for the governor

The inmate jumps up and immediately begins to beg tearfully

Inmate - Please miss, can I be let out now miss, please?

Joan ignores him and addresses Vern

Joan - Why is this prisoner in there?

Vern - I found it sweeping floors without permission. This is a trick some of them use to try and stay out of cells longer. Then it argued with me so it had to be given the box!

Joan - Yes I see

Joan looks at the inmate

Joan - Good morning

Inmate - Morning...

Joan - Name and number?

Inmate - Johnson, 2,5....er...

Vern - COME ON BOY HURRY UP! NAME AND NUMBER FOR THE GOVERNOR!

The inmate jumps with fright

inmate - I'm sorry Sir...please can I be let out now Sir?

Vern - NAME AND NUMBER BOY!

Inmate - Johnson.....2...5........

Vern - IT'S FORGOTTEN ITS NUMBER HASN'T IT!

Johnson - Yes Sir, please Sir I am sorry

Vern - IT WAS MADE CLEAR TO IT THAT IT IS TO REMEMBER ITS NUMBER!

Johnson is crying

Johnson - I'm sorry Sir, I tried to remember. I tried so hard. I'm sure soon I will remember my number

Vern - It needs longer in the box Joan, the only way to help it learn to memorize its number

Joan - Yes I agree

Vern - Up to you how much longer, but if it were me I would keep it here another 3 days!

Joan - Yes, three days it is

Johnson - No Miss, please! I'm going nuts in here Miss!

Vern - IT WILL SHUT UP RIGHT NOW BEFORE IT GETS THE STRAP!

Johnson - The strap?

Vern - Yes the leather prison strap, I bought a few over with me from Colorado

Even Joan looks surprised

Joan - Oh I don't think we can use straps on our prisoners Vern

Vern -Why not? Corporal punishment is an effective tool! We use it in Colorado

Joan - Yes but this isn't Colorado and its not really something we do here

Vern - Well Mrs Raymond thinks it's a good idea and she told me I can use it if I want...

Vern looks at Johnson

Vern - SO IT HAS BEEN WARNED HASN'T IT!

Johnson trembles with fear

Male inmates are still being herded past single file, hands behind their backs

Lucy is supervising

Lucy - Hurry up and get to the dining room men!

Stud passes by her and pauses

Stud - You're a real cutie, wanna come to my cell later?

Lucy - Get moving, you're holding up the line!

Stud - Make me cutie!

Stud brings his hands out from behind his back and touches Lucy's breasts

Vern charges over and forces Stud to the ground. He pins him down and takes a can out of his pocket and sprays him in the face and eyes

Stud howls in pain

Stud - YOU BASTARD!

Vern - IT WAS MADE CLEAR THAT THE PRISONER MUST KEEP IT'S HANDS BEHIND IT'S BACK AT ALL TIMES WHEN MOVING AROUND!

A windowless staff room, brightly lit and clinical

Marina is standing by the microwave waiting for something to finish as Meg arrives

Marina - Morning Mrs Morris

Meg (cold) - Morning

Marina - I'm glad I've seen you alone, I wanted a private word

Meg - Oh?

Marina - Yes...about Ferguson you see

Meg - Go on?....

Marina - I know you hate her, I heard about what she did to your son. My guess is you're here to make her pay, am I right?

Meg - Maybe, what's it to you?

Marina - I hate her too, maybe we can work together to get her. What do you say?

Meg looks at her coldly

Meg - I say forget it, after what you did to Colleen

Marina - I didn't do anything to Powell

Meg - Yes you did, she told me about it. Colleen is a good friend of mine so you can forget any sort of partnership with me

Marina - Go to hell then!

The male inmates are stood around watching

Stud is tied to a gate with his arms tied above his head and his trousers lowered to his knees

Vern- EVERYONE LOOK HERE NOW!...... THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO AN INMATE WHEN IT CAN'T OBEY SIMPLE RULES!

Vern unrolls the fearsome-looking leather strap he has in his hand

Vern - IT WILL COUNT THEM ALOUD!

Vern delivers a heavy stroke to Stud's butt

Stud grimaces in pain

Vern - HOW MANY'S THAT?

Stud - That's one Sir!

Another hard stroke

Stud - two Sir!

Another

Stud cries in pain

Stud - THREE SIR!......

The beating continues