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PREVIOUSLY.........
Meg is sat in the staffroom with Ann, reading the paper, when she suddenly blurts out: "I don't believe it!"
Ann: What is it?
Meg: You remember Lizzie Birdsworth who used to be in here?
Ann (laughs): How could I forget her?
Meg: She died on tuesday in her sleep. Her family were by her bedside.
Ann: Oh no. It seems to be one after the other lately.
Meg: Poor old Lizzie. She used to get into all sorts of scrapes, but she was quite harmless really.
Ann: Do you think we should tell the women.
Meg: I think we should. There's quite a few that knew her.
Ann: I know its not much consolation, but at least she had a few years on the outside with her family.
Meg: Yes. Do you think I'd be able to go to the funeral, it's in three days time?
Ann: Yes, that should be alright. I'd like to go myself.
Meg: Thank you. I'd better phone a few people and let them know, if they don't already.
Rodney is walking past a cell when he is suddenly stabbed in the back with the knife that Roo used during the fight. He falls to the floor. We don't see the person who stabbed him.
Joyce is talking to Su in the corner of the recroom and tells her that she's going to have to tell the truth. Su says she mustn't. Suddenly Ann appears in the room and says sternly: "The truth about what?" Joyce looks distraught and Su buries her head in her hands............................
EPISODE 765
Ann: Well?
Suddenly Marty comes rushing into the room and tells Ann that Rodney has been found stabbed. He's not dead but the ambulance have been called. Ann goes rushing out and Su breathes a sigh of relief.
Su: You'd better think up some story Joyce. Otherwise I'll see to it that you end up in here with me.
Joyce: You killed her didn't you?
Su: Yes, and you could be done for assisting a murder. If you don't keep your mouth shut that is.
Joyce goes flapping out of the room.
Some of the women are gathered round as Rodney is carried off on a stretcher.
Ann: Could you ladies stand out of the way please.
Kath: Is he going to be alright?
Ann (sternly): I don't know do I?
Chrissie: Well I was in the loo.
Ann: You'll all get a chance to say where you were, although I'm sure nobody will have been anywhere near here when it happened!
It is after lock-up and Kath and Amanda are in their cell.
Amanda: I'm just saying that I think we should let bygones be bygones and make friends.
Kath: Friends? You must be joking.
Amanda: Oh come on Kath, I know you're worried about something. Perhaps I could help.
Kath: You've never been interested in helping me before.
Amanda: Well none of you really gave me a chance. You see I was set up on the outside, I never did those things the police accused me of.
Kath: Why should I believe you?
Amanda: I believe none of the women gave you a fair go either, when you first came here. They couldn't see beyond the fact that you killed your baby.
Kath: What is it you want?
Amanda: Just to be friends, and the less support Roo has the better it will be for everyone.
Kath: OK then, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself, but I don't think the others will be as easy to convince.
Amanda: I will prove myself to them. Maybe I can help with your problem too
Kath: There's nothing you can do there. Merle's run away from her family, and I haven't got a clue where she's gone.
Amanda: That's rough. I'm sure she'll turn up here, anybody could see that you were the person she most looked up to.
Kath: I hope you're right. I'm just afraid she'll end up back in here again
Meg is getting the women out of bed for their showers. Su grabs Roo and tells her she's got to miss breakfast and clean her cell from top to bottom. Then Su tells her to hurry up and have a shower so she can get it done in time. Su goes off with Sheila and Kath, laughing, but Roo grabs Amanda and pulls her into Su's cell, telling Grandma to rack off.
Grandma: Rack off yourself.
Roo: Just piss off you stupid old bat.
Grandma: You'll get yours, just you wait.
Grandma goes.
Roo: Right, now you'd better still be with me or else.
Amanda: I just want a quiet time in here....
Roo pins Amanda to the wall.
Roo: Now you get this. If you don't do what I say, when I say, then your life won't be worth living, get it?
Amanda: I could spy on them for you if you like, and let you know everything they're up to.
Roo: As if they're going to tell you anything.
Amanda: They will if I pretend to be on their side. But they can't suspect that I'm still talking to you. I already know that Kath's worried because Merle's run away from her foster family.
Roo: Big deal. Alright, I'll give you a chance, but you'd better come up with something a bit more interesting than that.
Amanda enters the shower block and tells Su that she's finished with Roo and wants to be friends.
Su: Yeah Kath said.
Amanda: Well what do you think?
Su: I'll think about it.
Amanda: I am genuine you know. I was set up on the outside.
Su: I said I'll think about it.
Amanda goes into the shower.
Kath: What do you think?
Su: I don't know, I just don't trust her.
Kath: She seemed pretty genuine last night.
Sheila: I think it's all bull. She's as guilty as sin.
Su: I haven't made my mind up yet, but I'll be keeping an eye on her.
Meg brings Chrissie and Karen to Ann's office. Ann breaks the news to them about Lizzie dying. They are both shocked and want to go to the funeral, but Ann says it's out of the question. She can arrange for flowers to be sent though. Then Ann asks them both how they feel about their new sentences: Karen shrugs her shoulders but Chrissie is visibly fuming. After they go, Ann tells Meg to keep an eye on them both. Then she tells her that Inspector Grace will be in shortly to question some of the women.
Su tells Roo to get out of her cell now, she can finish cleaning it after work. Roo leaves in a huff, then Joyce and Marty enter to do a cell search.
Grandma: What are you buggers looking for then?
Joyce: As if you didn't know.
Su: I suppose you're after the murder weapon. Well you won't find it in here.
Marty: I don't suppose we will, but it isn't a murder weapon. He's going to be alright.
Su (sarcastically): Great!
Inspector Grace is questioning Chrissie.
Grace: You were heard by Officer Slattery saying that you were going to kill that Adams bastard.
Chrissie: Well it's just words innit. He got me extra time.
Grace: So you decided to get your own back by sticking a knife in his back.
Chrissie: No! Oh God you're not going to pin that on me as well are you? I was in the loo when it happened.
Grace: On your own?
Chrissie: Well I didn't take someone to hold my hand for me.
Grace: Oh take her back to her cell.
Chrissie is taken out.
Ann: Do you think it could have been her?
Grace: I think it could have been any one of them. He didn't exactly make himself very popular did he - with the inmates or the staff!
Ann: You're not suggesting it could have been a member of staff.
Grace: I'm not suggesting anything Mrs. Reynolds. Yet! But we need to find that knife so we can look for fingerprints.
Ann: The officers have done a thorough cell search but nothing has been found.
Grace (impatiently): Then I suggest they do another one, because at the moment it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Chrissie is in the laundry, telling the others about Lizzie. Most of them don't remember her.
Sheila: She sounds like a character all right.
Chrissie: Yeah she was. Poor old Lizzie.
Lorna: I knew her for years, but I bet they won't let me go to the funeral.
Chrissie: Well you can't really blame Mrs. Reynolds. Not with all this going on.
Lorna: Thank God I'm getting out of here in a few days.
Chrissie: Well count yourself lucky. I don't know when the hell I'm getting out of here now.
Ann comes into the staffroom to find Meg.
Meg: How's the Inspector getting on?
Ann: He's not. He's gone home until we can do our jobs properly.
Meg: He said that?
Ann: Not in so many words. Oh, damn this place, I've really had enough of it.
Meg: You need a holiday.
Ann: The chance would be a fine thing.
Meg: You do look run down, perhaps you should take some time off.
Ann: I could just see the department approving that. Anyway I'm alright, it's just been one thing after another lately.
Meg: You can say that again, and to top it off poor Lizzie dying.
Ann: Oh, I'm sorry Meg but I won't be able to go to the funeral tomorrow. You will pass on my condolenses to the family won't you?
Meg: Yes of course.
Meg and Tristian arrive at the church yard ready for Lizzie's funeral and are greeted by the Charltons: Arthur, Dianne, Mike, Michelle and Kevin. Ellen and Josie are also there. They are all visibly upset about Lizzie's death, Josie is crying.
Ellen: I'm just glad we visited her again before she died.
Arthur: It meant the world to her.
Meg sees Erica arrive and goes over to her.
Meg: Hello Erica.
Erica: Hello Meg. This is becoming quite a habit.
Meg: Yes. Not a very nice one though.
Erica: I was only thinking of Lizzie the other day. Do you remember when she was first released and she did everything in her power to get herself arrested again?
Meg (chuckles): Yes. I don't know what would have happened if her family hadn't turned up when they did.
Tristian: I didn't know Lizzie, but I feel like I did.
Other people start arriving, amongst them is Judy Bryant. She goes over to Meg, Erica and Tristian, and they say their hello's. Then Doreen Burns arrives and joins in the reunion, she and Judy have a long hug and get emotional over Lizzie. Meg, Erica and Tristian then go inside, leaving Doreen and Judy alone.
Doreen: I wish Bea could have been here.
Judy: I'm sure she is in spirit love. She's probably up there laughing with Lizzie now.
Doreen (starts crying): You, Bea and Lizzie were the best mates I ever had. There's been no-one like you all since.
Judy: We certainly made a good team.
Suddenly a voice behind them says: "Now what's with all this morbid talk Judy Bryant?" It is Helen Smart.
Judy: Helen you old devil. I didn't think you'd be here.
Helen: Hey, I loved Lizzie as much as the next person.
Doreen: How are you Helen?
Helen: Yeah, pretty good thanks. Jees its been a long time, we'll all have to have a good get together afterwards.
Judy: Sounds great. We can have a good piss up and remember Lizzie in the way she'd have wanted.
Doreen: Hey do you remember when she used to make her home made grog?
Judy: Remember it? I can still taste it!
Roo tries to speak to Amanda as she is entering the dining room, and asks her if she's found out anything yet.
Amanda: Give me time, I've got to get them to trust me first, and they never will if they see me talking to you.
Roo: Well don't take forever about it. I want to know who stabbed Rodney.
Amanda: I thought it was you.
Roo: Well it wasn't, and whoever done it has got my knife.
Amanda notices Su and Sheila looking at her and walks away from Roo, saying loudly: "Just leave me alone Morgan."
Roo shouts after her: "You'll get yours Spencer".
Su (to Sheila): What do you make of that?
Sheila: Dunno. She seems on the level though.
Su shouts to Amanda, who has just got her meal: "Oy Spencer, there's a seat here."
Amanda sits down.
Su: OK we'll give you a go, but if you double cross us then you'll be very sorry, ok?
Amanda: OK, but I'd never do that. I just want a quiet life in here that's all.
Sheila: Don't we all!
Lizzie's funeral is about to start when an older looking Susie Driscoll walks in. Judy notices her and waves her over.
Judy: Susie, how are you love? You look great.
Susie: Hello Judy, Doreen, Helen. I'm fine thanks, I was shocked to hear about poor Lizzie. She was always really good to me.
Doreen: Hiya Susie. Yeah Lizzie was really special alright.
Doreen's eyes fill up with tears and Judy comforts her. Erica notices Susie and smiles at her.
The priest starts talking.
Roo ushers Brenda over to her table and tells her that she's not sure if she trusts Amanda or not. Brenda tells her she doesn't want any more trouble but Roo warns her she'll get it if she walks out on her now. Brenda tells her she's sorry, and moves to another table. Roo is fuming. Su calls Roo over to scrape all of their plates, then she leaves the dining room chuckling. Roo gives Brenda an evil look.
Lizzie is being buried now, and Meg is looking solemn. Doreen starts crying and buries her head in Judy's coat, Judy is filling up herself. The family are all visibly upset, especially Ellen and Josie, and the Charlton kids. Afterwards, Arthur invites them all back to his. Susie says she has to get back to the farm but everybody else does.
Judy (to Susie): You keep in touch, do you hear?
Susie: I will. Bye Judy.
Erica: You are looking very well Susie. The farm must be agreeing with you.
Susie: That, and my new fiance Robert.
Helen: Susie that's wonderful news. When do you tie the knot?
Susie: Next month, you can all come if you like.
Judy: We'll be there, that's great news love.
Doreen: How's Joanne?
Susie: She's really good, but Robert's got his own farm so I don't work for her anymore. I still see her loads though.
Judy: Well send her our love.
Susie: Will do. Bye everyone.
Everyone says bye to Susie as she goes off.
Doreen: Gee it was good to see Susie looking so well.
Helen: Yeah it sure was.
Brenda walks into her cell when she is hit on the head from behind. She is knocked out cold. Then we see a knife slash her across the face.
Arthur raises a toast to Lizzie at his house. Everybody has a drink and something to eat. Then they all start reminiscing about Lizzie.
Ellen: Do you remember when we had that surprise birthday for her?
Doreen: Yeah, she thought everyone had forgot.
Josie: Poor Gran.
Ellen: Oh she soon cheered up when she realised what everyone had been planning.
Judy (chuckling): She thought she was drunk, and it was non-alcoholic wine.
Everyone starts laughing.
Helen: I remember every time Bea needed a diversion for something, Lizzie would pretend to have one of her turns.
Judy: And then nobody believed her when it was the real thing.
Doreen: Ew, do you remember when she had to have the kiss of life from old vinegar tits?
Judy: I bet she could taste vinegar for weeks after that.
They all start laughing, even Meg has a chuckle. Luckily Erica is talking to Arthur.
Helen: So who's your fella Mrs. Morris? He looks rather tasty.
Judy: Still man mad I see.
Doreen: No just mad, ay Helen?
Helen: Excuse me.
Meg: Tristian's just a friend.
Tristian is over talking to the priest.
Helen: A very good one though, I bet.
Meg (smiles): Well we'll have to wait and see.
Judy: That could be two weddings coming up. I'd better buy a new frock - or should that be a tent?
They all laugh at Judy's awful joke.
Judy: Actually, I have an announcement of my own to make.
Doreen: You haven't found yourself a girlfriend at last?
Judy: I have, and she's beautiful. Actually I have a proposition to put to Mrs. Reynolds later. I was hoping she'd be here today.
Meg: She was a bit snowed under. She said to say hello to everybody.
Helen: So when do we meet her then?
Judy: Drinks round mine tonight?
Meg: Why doesn't everybody come round to mine this evening for drinks and a few nibbles.
Judy: Sounds great.
Ellen: Oh, me and Josie won't be able to make it. We fly back to America later today.
Meg: Oh that's a shame.
Ellen: Actually we must be going now. It's getting quite late.
Ellen and Josie say their goodbyes and leave, promising to stay in touch.
Doreen: What happened with your music career then Jude?
Judy: It just wasn't for me. Sheila wanted to do one thing and I wanted another, and in the end I just gave it up.
Doreen: So what are you doing for work now?
Judy: Well actually that's what I wanted to talk to Mrs. Reynolds about. Do you think she'll be round yours tonight Mrs. Morris?
Meg: I can invite her if you like. It will probably do her good actually, she's been very run down lately.
Ann is in her office doing paperwork, and getting stressed, when Marty enters and announces that Brenda has been found unconcious with her face slashed, she's now in the prison hospital. Ann slams her pen down on the table and says she wants to speak to all of the women in the recroom immediately.
The women are in the recroom getting rowdy. Marty tries to shut them up.
Chrissie: So the slasher strikes again then?
Su: Know anything about it Morgan?
Roo: Why should I?
Su: Well you were pretty sour with her earlier.
Sheila: Yeah, and you had a knife.
Roo: I dropped it remember?
Su: You could have picked it up again.
Roo: Well I didn't.
Ann walks in and shouts at them to be quiet.
Ann: I take it the person who is responsible for these attacks isn't going to come forward now.
The prisoners remain silent.
Ann: Fine, well in that case you'll all suffer until the culprit owns up.
There are groans from the women.
Ann: Silence! There will be no priveliges for any prisoner.
Su: For how long?
Ann: Until I say so. Lock up will be an hour earlier, and all recreation time will be spent in cells. That will be all.
Ann walks out and Marty tells them to get back to work.
Sheila: You'd better own up Morgan.
Roo: It wasn't me.
Sheila: Yeah yeah. Brenda ran out on you so you slashed her, same as you did with Rodney.
Roo: Shut up or you'll be sorry.
Su: No-one will be sorry unless I say they are.
Back at the Charltons, Arthur gives a speech about what Lizzie meant to him and his family, and how he was glad he found her so she could have a good few years on the outside. Everyone raises a toast, then Erica leaves and says she'll see Meg at hers later. The others start to make a move too.
Su is talking to Sheila and Kath by the press in the laundry.
Kath: We've got to get Roo to own up, what if Merle turns up here to see me? She could run away again and we'll never find her.
Sheila: I'm sure Mrs. Reynolds would make an exception there.
Kath: I'm not so sure, she was pretty mad. I've never seen her quite like that before, I think she's losing it.
Sheila: That's all we need.
Su: I'm not so sure it was Roo you know.
Kath: But it must have been her, she had the knife outside.
Su: Yeah but she dropped it, and I don't remember seeing it after the fight
Kath: You mean somebody else could have picked it up?
Su: Yep. And I'm going to find out who.
Joyce tells Jim that she can't leave Wentworth but fears she may get the sack anyway. He asks her what's wrong and she tells him how stupid she's been He tells her that she mustn't say a word to anyone else or she could end up behind bars herself. He makes Joyce promise to keep quiet about it.
Meg's little get together is underway. Judy has arrived with her girlfriend, Charlotte Baker: she is a confident woman in her thirties with long dark hair, and quite pretty. Judy introduces her to the others: Meg, Doreen, Helen, Erica and Tristian. Meg announces that Ann has phoned to say she'll be late as she has a meeting with Janet from the department.
Meg: Have you heard about the Helmslough position yet, Erica?
Erica: No, but I'm banking on getting it. I don't quite know what I'll do if I don't.
Doreen: It's a shame Lizzie isn't here to give you a reference. She always said that you were the best governor Wentworth ever had.
Meg: It's a good job Ann isn't here yet.
Erica: Oh I don't think she'd be offended, she hasn't done a bad job since I left.
Meg (firmly): Ann has done a damn good job. There are times when I just don't know how she's carried on with all she's been up against.
Erica (in annoyance): Better than me then?
Meg: I didn't say that.
Erica: You didn't have to Meg. I'm sorry, I thought we were friends.
Meg: We are, but I'm Ann's friend too.
Tristian: I'm sure Meg didn't mean anything by it.
Erica: I know what she meant, and I don't think I can stay. I'll see you later - Doreen, Judy, Helen, it's been nice catching up with you again.
Erica leaves in a huff, and Meg can't quite believe it.
Tristian: Don't worry, she'll get over it.
Meg: I really don't know what took her.
Helen (hastily changing the subject): So Charlotte, what attracted you to the old Jude?
Judy (laughs): Leave the poor girl alone, and less of the old, ay!
Charlotte: It's alright Judy. I guess it was her warm nature and her sense of humour.
Judy: And there was me thinking it was for my stunning body and my Californian tan.
This breaks the atmosphere and they all laugh.
Meg: How about you Doreen, any man on the scene?
Doreen: Not at the moment. I'm working a live-in nanny, so there isn't much time for men.
Meg: That's wonderful news, you've always wanted to work with children haven't you?
Doreen: Yeah, and little Billy's gorgeous. As far as men goes, I haven't really loved any man properly since Kevin.
Judy: You'll meet someone love. Hell, if I can do it then anybody can - even Helen!
Helen: Hey cheeky. Actually I'm off men altogether at the moment, I'm concentrating on my new business.
Doreen: I can imagine.
Helen: I bet you can honey.
Meg: I won't ask then.
Roo enters her cell to find that somebody has filled her bed with rotten food from the garbage in the kitchen. Marty enters and tells her to get it cleaned up. Roo is fuming.
The conversation at Meg's has turned to Lizzie again.
Doreen: Me and Lizzie were going to live together once, you know. Until she found her family.
Helen: You and Bea were her family too you know.
Doreen: I really miss Bea too. I'm glad we had a bit of time together in Sydney...
Doreen realises what she has said, and looks at Meg.
Meg: I never heard a thing.
Doreen: Jees you're a good sport Mrs. Morris. Lizzie always said you were the best screw in Wentworth.
Helen: Oh I dunno. What did happen to Steve Faulker?
Judy: Not that kind of screw Helen.
Suddenly there's a knock at the door and Meg lets Ann in. Ann is obviously angry about something, but says her hello's.
Meg: How did your meeting with Walsh go?
Ann: Badly!
Meg: Well Judy has got a proposition for you that may cheer you up.
Ann: I'm sorry Judy but you'll have to speak to somebody else about it.
Judy: But I really need to see the governor.
Ann: As I said, you'll have to speak to somebody else. I'm no longer the governor.
Meg (in shock): What?
Ann: As I said, I'm no longer governor of Wentworth. I've just been fired....................................
CAST
Ann Reynolds
Meg Morris
Joyce Pringle
Marty Jackson
Rodney Adams
Su O'Leary
Kath Maxwell
Chrissie Latham
Sheila Blake
Roo Morgan
Amanda Spencer
Grandma Chubb
Karen Miller
Tristian Matthews
Erica Davidson
Brenda
Judy Bryant
Doreen Burns
Helen Smart
Charlotte Baker
Susie Driscoll
Detective Inspector Grace
Jim Barry
Lorna Young
Ellen Huntley
Josie Huntley
© 2006 'Tiggs' for On The Inside
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