Original subtitles

TICK, TICK, TICK, TICK...

Damn your devilled eye, Robert bloody Jelly!

THEME MUSIC

How you settling in?

Wh...? Oh. Fine, thank you.

The house should come up well with a bit of a hammer and nail.

Yes, I'm sure it will. Thanks.

No troubles.

Are you going under?

Pretty icy.

I'll survive.

Why would they turn the bloody water off? Why?!

Rupert, get dressed!

Why don't you use the caravan park showers?

No, thanks. I'd rather brush my teeth in orange juice.

How can I pass judgment on anybody?!

I can't even find a pair of matching shoes!

The other one's in the bathroom.

Don't unpack anything else. We'll find a better house than this.

Don't let Mitzi out! I won't.

I just spent 3,500 having steel plates put in it!

I wouldn't tell Mum this now, but this little process of discovery -

well, it's had a few setbacks.

Anyway, I've got this countertheory about families.

Excuse me. (Mitzi mews)

OK.

Rupert, what are you doing?

Nothing. Well, you could DO something.

I'm about to be sitting behind a bench for the first time,

making crucial decisions,

dealing with traumatised victims and hard-nosed criminals.

It's a huge responsibility! Good luck.

You're not getting out of it that easily.

You're coming with me.

I'll sort out this misunderstanding about the house.

You're both coming with me to court. Get dressed!

Maybe families are just a group of individuals

unlucky enough to be joined by circumstance.

And getting to know each other

is the last thing they should even try to attempt.

Are you children listening to me?

From now, I'll be part of your life.

I want you to be part of mine.

That's what being a family's all about! Get dressed!

Do you think we should call someone?

If you and Reg back me, Syd will come on board,

and she's dead in the water!

I'm not stitching the old biddy up.

It's for community's good. We need to speak. Now.

It'll blow over. I'll take care of her.

I'm not a hard man, but if this town wants a bridge,

we'll need to crack a few eggs.

So, how are you getting along?

You mean with the other 2,000 people in the caravan park?

Kevin would be lucky if there was more than five people there.

There were two very good reasons

to leave behind a suburban block and head for the country -

space and privacy.

I have neither, so I'd like my deposit back, thanks.

I'm sorry. My hands are tied.

I've checked it out with the previous owner.

He's very happy with the way things stand.

I'm a lawyer. I'll sue the arse off you.

Oi! Get that out of here!

If I catch you riding that out front, I'll thump you!

Good. I'll have you on assault too.

I'm very busy and I need to be elsewhere.

If you were serious about buying,

you should've had the place checked out more thoroughly.

That's always the risk when you buy at auction.

You misrepresented that property, you advertised falsely

and you concealed facts for me.

Maybe you had on rose-coloured glasses.

I don't care how long it takes - I'll get you on this.

Make sure my contract is null and void

or your life won't be worth living.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get to work.

Welcome to Pearl Bay, Laura.

We could have walked here.

Don't be ridiculous. Look at my shoes.

Focus. Do I look like a magistrate?

You still look a bit crazy.

Take a few more deep breaths, Mum.

Hi there.

We haven't met formally.

I'm Angus. Laura Gibson.

Yeah, I heard. You're a legend.

No-one's ever dished it out to Bob like that before.

I'm usually here by 8:30 but there was a northerly blowing

so I had to come in from Wilsons Point.

I'm always here before 9:00.

What do you reckon? Honestly?

Once this bit drops over my face, could be a bit much.

Hello, Laura. Hi. I'm Karen Miller.

Pleased to meet you. These are your kids. Hi.

Hi. I'm Angus's fiancee, actually.

We're having a break right now.

But I agree giving each other space

is an important part of any relationship.

In her spare time, Karen is actually your police prosecutor.

Yeah, that too. Oh, I see.

We're looking forward to your big debut.

This way, folks.

Does she know who her first case is?

I'm not telling her.

Had a bit of a farewell bash for Harold.

It's worse than your bedroom.

Those old boys really know how to unwind.

I haven't even got a corner to set up!

Nobody's rung me or spoken to me or sent me one scrap of paperwork.

I'll try to rustle up a court list for you.

Can't the clerk do that? Where is everybody?

You?

Yes. Thanks.

A list would be a great start, yes.

Is that it there?

No, no, no - the one under the... under the doll.

I don't think a three-day swell forecast will help you very much.

If I'd seen this, I would've headed to Wilsons Point first off.

BEER CANS CLATTER

I should warn you, I like a little more order in my work

than you're used to.

I hope it won't interfere with your surfing!

Don't worry. The best waves are always gone by 9:00.

The only problem's Surf Comp Week in Port Deakin.

Is there someone who fills in?

Nah. Harold just went fishing, so we're even.

Could you get me another list from wherever they come from?! Now?!

You only have to ask.

Angus, I like my coffee strong, freshly plunged, just a dash of milk.

Yeah, so do I - only I prefer espresso.

MAN: G'day, Angus.

G'day, all. What's the damage?

Not as bad as when Mr Walker left.

Had to steam-clean it twice and it still never come good.

I'm Trevor. That's my dad. He... fixes things.

(Whispers) You might need this.

Thanks, son.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

Do you have to do that now?

You want to make a call?

Sure, I can hang five.

No, can you go away and come back outside court hours?

Yeah, but I couldn't fit you in till next month.

Um... you seen much of the area? 'Cause I could show you around.

I manage the caravan park.

I know you haven't got a hubby here with you...

He's been delayed. Mine's in the slammer.

My wife, that is, not my husband.

So if you're in need of any company...

POP! I'm a man on my own.

Extending a hand of friendship.

There's nothing wrong with that - that's all I mean.

ANGUS: Now, about those lists...

Mum, breathe in for me again.

Forget it. Forget the lists.

Forget the hammering.

Could everyone just go? Please? Now?

RUPERT: Me too? Rupert!

Come on!

(Breathes deeply)

Sunshine.

Warm... sand.

Ahhh...

Rolling ocean.

Ahhh...

If you get lost, call a recess. That's what Harold used to do.

I don't think that will be necessary.

ANGUS: All rise.

Good morning.

MUTTERING

Get up! She's my mother.

Get up!!

(Whispers) What am I doing wrong?

You've got them confused.

Tell them to sit down. Alright.

Please sit down.

(Types)

Harold had it disconnected.

I don't even know if we've got a lead.

Here we go.

Read this. There's been a bit of a change in the line-up.

Harold Fitzwalter!

Harold Fitzwalter.

That name sounds familiar.

You pathetic old fool! Look...!

Knock it off, Cynthia.

ANGUS: Harold Peregrine Fitzwalter, you are charged

that on the 6th of November at Pearl Bay, you intentionally caused damage

to the Robert James Jelly Facilities Block,

located in the Robert James Jelly Reserve, to the value of 9,763.

Uh... you are charged also that at the same time and location,

you were... drunk in a public place.

(Whispers) What's this all about?

Ask her. The one in the uniform.

What's this all about, Constable?

Before we start, can I just sneak in a little introduction?

All of us in Pearl Bay

would like to welcome Mrs Laura Gibson as our new magistrate.

APPLAUSE

Thank you.

It's Ms Gibson, actually.

Gee, that's hard to say.

Well, Your Worship, the evidence will be that at 1:05am this morning,

Harold, um... I mean, the defendant...

..blew up the facilities block in the reserve

using a homemade explosive device.

It exploded and everything was wrecked,

including all internal fittings, and a water main burst,

causing ongoing damage to the water supply

for the whole Pearl Bay region.

(Whispers) Angus!

This man is the former magistrate, am I right?

Yeah. It's Harold.

Thank you, Constable.

I, um... I think I'd like to call a recess.

Why didn't anyone say I'd be hearing charges against my predecessor?!

Somebody's got to do it!

Why me? On my first day!

I don't even know the etiquette of this job!

When I sit down, stand up, leave the room, what to say to anybody...

Do you mind? I can't hear myself.

Don't worry. This isn't corporate law.

You've done this a million times but I want to get it right.

Alright?! Yeah, alright.

Bit of a crowd out there.

How many do you normally get? None.

Let's go over this one more time.

I walk in, you do your thing, they rise,

I sit - I tell them to sit.

"Please be seated." Of course. That sounds much better.

(Exhales)

Mr Fitzwalter, you've heard the charges against you.

Do you understand them? Throw the book at him!

Excuse me! Lock him away!

(Clinks glass) Steady, Cynthia.

Not... guilty.

Your Worship. What?

No, SHE'S Your Worship now.

Oh.

Bugger that.

CROWD SNICKERS

Constable, Mr Fitzwalter doesn't seem to be very well.

Is he ill? LAUGHTER

Yes, Your Worship, in a manner of speaking.

He's just a touch... emotional.

I'M the one that's sick... Quiet, please.

..sick to my stomach of his drinking and carrying on.

(Clinks glass) Mrs Fitzwalter...

SPLASH! Oh!

Are you making an application for bail, Mr Fitzwalter?

Jail... might be safer.

We have no objection to bail.

Fine. I'm granting bail... on certain conditions.

That you stay away from licensed premises

and that you refrain from consuming any intoxicating liquor.

Fine by me.

I've had enough to last me for a while.

(Groans) What a night, eh?

What a way to end it all.

28 years.

Take him away!

28 years.

With a monkey on me back.

(Whispers) I think I'd like to call another recess.

Might I suggest a luncheon recess, Your Worship?

We'll start again at 1:00. (Groans)

All rise.

Thanks!

What did I do wrong this time?

Well, official lunchbreak IS one hour,

but... Harold usually took a couple of hours.

Two hours? For lunch?

It takes 40 minutes to get an order in at the pub!

And there's travel time. Hi, Mum.

That was cool, especially when you knocked the water over.

Maybe today's not a very good day to start sharing our lives.

Where will I take him, then?

There's a whole world out there.

It's too hot. And there's not enough concrete.

Go for a swim. Look at the beach.

Do something healthy and normal. I'll meet you for lunch.

Where? I don't know.

What about that boatshed-cafe sort of place near the house?

10 minutes.

Alright. Come on.

How was I to know the wretched woman was the new magistrate?

The network tells me "high-flying corporate lawyer".

I think, "Terrific. A kindred spirit."

You might've said she was a woman!

I didn't know. Information is money!

I thought you might like some pikelets.

Oh, terrific. Thanks, Heather.

We are running headlong into a crisis.

It's nothing that can't be fixed.

There's some gooseberry jam on the tray.

Homemade. Ooh. Yum.

Is everyone right for coffee?

Everyone's fine, thanks, love. We're just winding up.

Well... I'll leave you to it, then.

(Chuckles condescendingly)

The bloody Tropical Star case goes up before her next week!

These pikelets are magnificent.

And bloody Harold goes loco!

Heather, these pikelets are magnificent!

Bob, you should try one of these.

Kevin, give Heather a hand in there.

She's having trouble with the hot water unit.

Will you manage without me? We'll cope.

Let's have a look at these pipes.

We gotta do some fence-mending, and quick smart.

If that woman gets in our face in court, kiss goodbye to stage one.

Without stsge one, there's no stages two to nine.

It's that serious. Hmm!

Well, while you're shmoozing up this piece,

I might try and find out a little about her form.

I mean, who knows, Bob?

We could get lucky.

She might turn out to have a past just like Harold.

Hmm? (Snickers)

RUPERT: What do you think's down there?

Stingrays, jellyfish...

You think there are sharks?

Bound to be.

This is the head of the river. They come here to feed.

What kind of hell has she brought us to?

LOUD DRILLING

What's all this about?

Sorry for fixing the town's stormwater drain problem, Meredith.

This amounts to a form of permanent harassment

and why you have to fix it outside MY place!

And what about those health inspectors who visit me twice a week?

And why have you got all these 'no parking' signs outside MY pub?

I don't know what you're getting at.

Mr Jelly! Your day will come, Mr Jelly!

I look forward to it, I look forward to it.

Sorry I'm late. Have you ordered?

No. No-one's here. (Sighs)

Hello?

Hello!

Oh! Hi there!

PINBALL BLIPS

You're not a professional hitchhiker. You run a cafe!

Oh, no, not really.

How you doing, Trev? Yeah, alright.

Well, we'd like some lunches...

..if you're doing lunches.

Yeah, right. Alright, yep.

Uh, something quick?

Three toasted ham and cheese sandwiches

and three orange juices, thanks.

I'll... I'll just check on the bread situation.

You didn't order toasted sandwiches, did you?

No-one ever orders toasted sandwiches.

Well, it says 'toasted sandwiches' up there.

Bit of bad news on the cheese front. Bacon OK?

It's not really the same, but...

Right. Bacon and ham sandwiches.

Dorothy was the only one who could do the sandwiches

and she and Dan split up.

Well, why doesn't he take the sign down?

Wouldn't look good.

It would look like... she left him.

You just said she did.

If you've got 15 minutes, I'll just pick up some fresh bread.

No, just cancel the sandwiches.

Oh, that's a shame.

You kids alright to pick up something in town?

This could take all day. See you at the house.

Strange how the new life reminds me so much of the old.

I'll be out the back doing some origami.

Help yourselves to the kitchen.

Hungry?

So... what happened to your old man?

He was arrested.

Rupert! Really?

My mum's in jail too.

What for? Break and enter.

What about your old man? Fraud.

Really?

The reason the fence collapsed

is because he never kept his side clear.

I thought you said it was because of the dogs.

It was the dogs too.

And on top of that, he wants me to pay to fix the bloody thing.

Excuse me. Clerk...

Have I got this straight?

Henkel owns the property he leases to Goodall

and he paid half the fencing costs 10 years ago

but Goodall, the neighbour, claims that Henkel only spent half the funds

which is why the fence is collapsing.

So where's the 200 come from?

Let's pretend this umbrella corporation

is called Henkel, hmm?

And this subsidiary company over here is called Goodall.

And they both invest in a smaller company called Fence.

Let's turn this 200, say, into 2 million.

Oh. Right.

Just add a couple of noughts if you're having trouble.

Ohhhh.

Miranda?

Rupert?

KNOCK AT DOOR

A peace offering.

That is not going to fix a shonky deal.

Sorry about how I behaved this morning.

You caught me on a bad day.

I'm very emotional. I've been under a lot of pressure.

So have I! Especially from buying this appalling house!

Quite frankly, I... Hi, Mum.

G'day, sonny. How are you? Isn't that a beauty!

I want to fix that up but I don't know how.

The previous owner is a difficult customer.

The previous owner is a company.

Yeah - a developer, and a mean-spirited SOB.

But as shire president, I'm not without clout.

I'll put the pressure on.

When you get to know me better, as I hope you do,

you'll see that what motivates me is customer satisfaction.

Good, because when you get to know ME,

you'll see that I'M motivated by sheer bloody-mindedness.

You sound just like my wife.

I'd love you to meet Heather and the kids.

What do you say about a casual lunch tomorrow?

Bring along the tribes and meet ours.

My lot are dying to meet yours.

I don't know about tomorrow.

We could fix up this house business.

Terrific. What's the address?

Just find the best house on the hill.

We could always run away.

Mum, I'm supposed to be watching Scott surf!

How do I look? Not too cas?

Laura, this is my wife, Heather...

Hello. How do you do?

..and Craig, and the baby of the family, Jules.

Dad! This is Miranda...

Amanda. ..and Rupert.

Yeah, g'day.

Excuse the way we look. Our clothes are still in boxes.

Never mind. It's all very casual around here.

Yeah.

Oh! Sorry.

Oh! Crab mornay?

Craig caught them on the beach this morning.

One of the great things about living here -

the crustaceans are magnificent, aren't they?

I've got something to show you.

Go on.

Look at that. Location, location, location.

There's something special about an unlimited horizon, isn't there?

I grew up in a mining town surrounded by slag heaps and old machinery.

I couldn't believe it when I came here.

Yeah. It is beautiful.

I want the world to know how beautiful it is.

Don't bring them near my house. Yes.

I've hit a brick wall with the former owner.

I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.

I'll have a talk to Kevin about getting his vans off the foreshore.

Push back the frontiers. Give you some breathing space.

Maybe he'd agree to put up a fence.

That might help.

I'll throw in the 5% I made on the deal for some professional repairs.

I can't say fairer than that.

Yeah, I suppose that's a good start.

Oh, Laura. You're not in the city now.

You're joining a community.

There's a sense of fellowship in the town.

We're family. We're family.

We have our arguments, our differences,

but in the end, we're there for each other.

I help you in times of difficulty and you help me.

Hey, Jules!

Why don't you show Amanda your room? Miranda.

Do all that girly stuff. Eh?

Do you... do you want to see it?

Oh, yeah.

(Chuckles)

And young Rupert. Didn't I see you with a skateboard?

You must be a champion in the surf, eh?

You mean waves? Hey, Craig. Craig.

Why don't you take Rupert to the beach?

Yeah, cool. Come on, Rup.

Craig's Port Deakin and environs

under 18 intermediate iron man champ.

Go on, go on. Off you go.

Craig will fix you up with some board shorts.

Then us oldies can have a bit of a chat.

Horse riding club. I do dressage, never jumps.

That was for the whole southern region.

And netball interschool finals.

"Most goals. Best player on court."

Funk Queen.

That was part of the Port Queen Festival.

I didn't enter Port Queen - to be fair to the competition.

What are you interested in, Amanda?

Miranda. Um... well, I'm interested in people.

Do you mind if I film you? No, not at all!

I've modelled. I'm used to the camera.

The trick is to be perfectly natural.

Let's go for it.

OPERA PLAYS ON TV

I was surfing with sharks. Oh, Rupert.

And he told me about this mate of his who disappeared.

All they found was a chewed-up wetsuit.

And guess what? The zip was still done up.

Come on, something a bit more cheerful.

Here's to your new school.

And... our new house.

Our new life.

(Clunks glass down)

And the condemned students ate a hearty meal.

Mmm. I don't know about that.

Seafood surprise sounds like a few crab sticks

and some well-battered scallops to me.

(Imitates Bob) I've been told crustaceans

are a feature of the region.

Magnificent. (Laughs)

Oh, come on! You'll be fine. You'll make friends.

Why? She didn't make any in 11 years at the other school.

Well, there's the Jelly girl. You know her.

I hate horses.

And I'm hardly funk queen material.

Fresh-caught barramundi...

earth baked and caramelised in a Thai chilli sauce.

And spread on a bed of fragrant coconut rice.

Those are Asian vegetables, lightly steamed in a coriander broth.

Mmm. This is heavenly.

Where's the chips? It's on the house tonight.

Oh, no. I couldn't do that.

Thank you, but it's not a good idea in my position.

No, we wouldn't want to compromise you.

This is new territory for me.

I'm trying to do the right thing.

Yes, well. You needn't worry.

The meal's nothing to do with me.

The chef sends his compliments.

You can do this and you can't make a ham and cheese sandwich?

POP MUSIC PLAYS

SONG: ♪ We don't live together no more

♪ But still you come around... ♪

The 8:15am Pearl Bay to Port Deakin Ferry Service

will depart from the north jetty at, strangely, 8:15am.

This morning we'll be travelling through the Azores

via the Galapagos Islands, where we'll wonder at first hand

the creatures which excited and inspired

Darwin's theory of evolution.

We'll then take a left-hand turn down Simpson's Creek,

just in time to make the 8:20 school bus and morning assembly.

The weather report for today is fine and sunny

with a possibility of showers and thunderstorms...

I'm not sure about sending you off

with a man who can't make a sandwich.

You guys going to be OK?

Drowning's a better option. You'll be fine.

You'll settle in, you'll make new friends.

Tell me everything when you get back.

Do you reckon it's going to sink? No!

You do know sharks bite through metal?

Not a bad day for it.

Beep! Beep!

I take it you're Bob Jelly's 5% of professional expertise.

Hi. Hi.

Everyone, this is Miranda,

whose mother's a business associate of Dad's.

PHONE RINGS

Hello. I've been trying to get onto you.

Did you hear about Beth? No, it's true. I swear!

Hey!

I went for a surf down Joyce's Point this morning.

Oh, yeah, it was pushing 10 foot. Great.

DAN: Shortly, everyone we'll be passing under Goolies Bridge,

where legend has it, the heroic Ulysses

first heard the song of the sirens.

I parked the van there because...

Psst!

..I was at my belly dance class...

What is PAP?

People Against Parking.

..I wasn't in a fit state to drive.

And... that's my story.

Ms Earth-Flute, I hear what you're saying.

But it's the third time you've contested this type of infringement.

And I'm afraid I find you guilty as charged.

I'm fining you... 100.

(Sighs)

Control your emotions next time you park in a loading zone.

Thank you.

All rise.

Uh, yes. We'll adjourn.

I think we should be honest with each other.

Yep. Me too. Good.

I really dislike you doing that.

What?! The heaving, sighing and sulking.

It's highly unprofessional. Yeah, I'm sorry.

It's just... the legal system does that to me.

You know, it's why I couldn't finish university.

It just gets me too emotional.

So, what are you doing in a court?

The hours are good. Um... you're the one doing the dirty work.

I'm just a dogsbody. Try and ignore me.

Well, what is it with these parking charges, anyway?

A town with a population of 1,600 has more parking signs than Tokyo.

I have heard the most far-fetched stories

since 10 o'clock this morning.

Who do they think I am? It's safer than telling the truth.

Which is?

It's the council.

They keep putting up these signs overnight

and catching everyone by surprise.

Nobody even mentioned the council. Well, they wouldn't.

You wouldn't want to be on Bob Jelly's blacklist.

So they tell me crap

about spaceships and broken backs and belly dancing instead?

KNOCK AT DOOR

Hi, Angus. Hi, Bob.

How are you settling in? Excuse me.

Excuse me.

The council's sunk a few dollars into this place.

Laura, I'd like you to meet my lawyer, Bryce Reardon.

Smartest mouthpiece for 100 kilometres in any direction.

Bryce represents most of the bigger interests in town.

So, how are you settling in? Oh, a few teething difficulties.

Isn't it a bit slow?

You were with Denham, Rosser and Denham, weren't you?

Pretty dynamic firm.

I'm just as happy to have quiet life. Bet you are.

Bryce's a key member of the Pearl Bay network.

It's a bit of a think tank involving people with genuine vision.

Bit of a rare commodity around these parts, eh?

I don't know how Bob feels about this,

but I think it'd be terrific to have a female perspective.

If we don't progress, we'll be eaten by Port Deakin.

Since that bridge was condemned, Pearl Bay's become like an island.

Yes, and the trouble is,

people want it to stay that way.

Like Meredith Monahan. Come on.

Troublemaker. She's not so bad.

Gentlemen, don't you have an action against her?

I hope you're not trying to influence me.

Because, as your smartest mouthpiece in 100 kilometres

could tell you, Bob, that would be a criminal act.

Now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen.

OK, nice to have this chat, Laura.

Cheerio.

WOMAN: Angus.

Are you doing anything tonight?

Yeah. I'm working on my board.

Need company?

The resin - it's carcinogenic.

I couldn't do that to you.

You're always thinking about other people.

'Bye, Angus.

She's dangerous. No, I don't think so.

We can't get lucky twice with a magistrate.

Can't we? (Chuckles)

Can we?

BLUES MUSIC PLAYS

SONG: ♪ Gotta keep moving

♪ Gotta keep moving

HARMONICA INTERLUDE

♪ Blues funk land again

♪ Gotta keep moving

♪ Gotta keep moving. ♪

BLUES MUSIC CONTINUES

I really must do something about these cupboards.

You mean stock them? Mmm.

Yeah, I suppose we could see if Port Deakin delivers to Pearl Bay.

Oh, that man's music. KNOCK AT DOOR

Meredith! Hello.

I was wondering if I could talk... in private.

MEREDITH: Isn't the view wonderful?

LAURA: A horizon's still a novelty for me.

How can I help you?

Well, it's about a senior member of this community, a recent retiree.

He's been behaving very erratically.

Is this to do with Harold Fitzwalter?

If it is, I can't discuss it. No, of course.

But I think you should know this retiree

is protecting the reputation of a woman.

A woman I know very well.

I see.

You see, a lot of years ago, an indiscretion took place,

for many very emotional, complex reasons,

between this retiree and this woman...

..who wasn't much more than a girl back then.

I see.

And the retiree was, at this time,

a respectable, apparently happily married man in this town.

And the situation became very difficult.

I can imagine.

Because that man loved that woman very much.

And did the young woman, the one you know very well,

did she also love the man who's now a retiree?

Well, um... she came from an established country family

and she wanted to get away from here and see the world and...

Anyway, she found herself in trouble.

What, like 'pregnant' sort of trouble?

Oh, I'm not prepared to say. It's... the trouble was given away.

They buried it in the past.

At least they thought it was in the past,

until just recently, the very influential man in this town,

found out about it.

And decided to blackmail the first man... yes, blackmail.

And he found himself doing all sorts of things

that he never should've done in his professional capacity.

And that is why he finally lashed out

and did something absolutely crazy.

You could almost call it self-defence.

Well, no, I'm afraid you couldn't.

None of this is evidence.

And it doesn't forgive a crime.

But I do hear you.

Thank you.

Look, there's another matter we can't discuss.

But can't you and Bob settle things out of court?

I mean, we all live in the same town.

Laura, I'm going to respect whatever decision you make -

I mean that - but I WANT my day in court.

Before I sell the Tropical Star I MUST have my say.

Are you selling it? Yes.

A mob called Priedel Investments have been after me for years

to sell to them and I think I'm going to concede defeat.

Priedel - the developers?

Yes.

I bought this house from them.

I think I'd better go.

Are you being represented in court? The council will have somebody.

I can't afford it.

Ex-magistrates often make good barristers.

Ah!

Mr Fitzwalter, this is a difficult decision.

I appreciate that you've now decided to plead guilty.

And I'm convinced of your remorse.

On the other hand, I am faced

with a considerable precedent for a custodial sentence.

Even for a first offense.

I must say I was initially inclined towards a severe penalty.

However, this is clearly uncharacteristic behaviour...

..at a difficult time in your professional and personal life.

I'm satisfied it's a one-off occurrance.

And I've decided not to record a conviction against you.

But I am ordering that you pay the Pearl Bay Council

9,763 as a restitution for the damage caused.

Do you need time to pay that amount?

No. (Clears throat)

Thank you... Your Worship.

GENTLE POP MUSIC PLAYS

Harold, can I get you a cheese and bacon sandwich?

I'll be fine.

Coffee?

No, I'm happy just... perching... for a while.

DAN: Evening.

Evening, Diver.

I didn't know you were into fishing, Meredith.

Oh, just browsing.

Oh, right.

This one's a goodie.

Hello. Hi.

Have you thought about my offer?

You wouldn't want me. I'm washed up.

I've sozzled my brain. I've sold out.

I'll only let you down... again.

Hey, you haven't let me down in 35 years.

I tried to do the right thing by you. Why wouldn't you let me?

I could've divorced Cynthia.

She'd have survived.

God knows, she's tougher than me.

Don't talk such rot.

She's your wife and she loves you.

Maybe once upon a time.

(Laughs) She changed all the locks - did I tell you that?

She's been threatening to do it for 40 years...

..and she did.

Well, Hal, gelignite does like

a certain amount of dignity, you know.

Listen, you've let Bob Jelly walk all over you. Yes, you have.

I won't let him it to me.

I will not go down without a fight, so... you defend me, Harold.

Together we might just nail this bastard.

What if he means it?

What if it all comes out... about us?

Well, I'll feel bad about Cynthia.

But we're all so much older now and... I can weather any storm...

..if you can.

COMPUTER BEEPS

I thought you made a pledge not to bring work home with you.

This isn't work - it's survival.

It's about having a roof over our heads.

I just asked Simon to email me something, that's all.

Yeah, right.

Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on.

Good boy. He's so efficient.

Priedel, Priedel - company directors, please.

Robert James Jelly.

That conniving, manipulative, opportunistic piece of bath slime.

Save our Star!

Hello, Laura. I can't talk to you pre-trial.

No, of course not.

We're expecting a sensible decision. Don't you dare...

No. You're already under enough pressure.

The house, this trial and of course, your husband -

Jack, isn't it? - facing major fraud charges.

I hope it works out alright for you.

Let's hope the gossipmongerers don't make too big a meal of it.

You know, if you decide against Meredith,

she'll have to sell.

Angus.

I can only hear the case as it happens in there.

I can't know anything outside and I can't bow to any pressure

from you or Mr Jelly or anybody else.

You'll just have to hope that Harold asks the right questions.

Well, he's a bit rusty.

He might need some help.

Please, ask the right questions.

Your Worship, I'm not really sure why Ms Monahan

has bothered contesting her liability in this particular matter.

It seems a complete waste of the court's time.

The short of it is, that the Tropical Star Hotel

has failed to meet its financial obligations,

vis-a-vis council rates, for over three years now.

Now, despite

many reasonable requests

from the Shire President and other council officials -

I tender this correspondence as evidence -

there's been no attempt to repay them at all.

I'm sure Your Worship understands that the council

feels as badly about this as anyone.

Shame not to dump a bucket on Harold while you're at it.

Save the best bits till last.

Your Worship, Ms Monahan is a woman beyond reproach in this community.

She's been a shining example to so many of us

over so many long and difficult years.

She's been at the forefront

of social and particularly charitable works.

Some would say...

Mr Fitzwalter, we're not assessing Ms Monahan's character here,

just why she hasn't been able to meet her financial obligations.

W-well, there's a good reason for that.

Uh... we all know how hard it is in these economic times.

The cost of living rising all the time.

More and more people travelling north of the river.

Objection, Your Worship.

This is hardly a defence.

I'm trying to explain my client's financial difficulty.

My only difficulties are with the Pearl Bay Council

trying to crucify me.

No, no, no, no. That... that's true.

We would contend that Miss Monahan has been the subject

of ongoing victimisation by the council of this town.

Objection, Your Worship.

Pearl Bay Council is not on trial here.

I mean, if anything, Ms Monahan would be.

Objection sustained. But we can prove it, Your Worship.

This is a totally unacceptable form of defence.

I shouldn't have to point that out.

You cannot accuse...

Told you I'd nobbled her.

..the council of behaving in an undemocratic manner.

Thank you, Your Worship.

It's completely out of order.

To level that sort of charge

you'd have to prove that somebody on the council

stood to profit in some way.

Do you understand? I'm sorry, Your Worship?

Well, perhaps if someone on council

had a connection to a major building development company

which stood to gain some advantage through a conspiracy

to put Ms Monahan out of business

through a sustained campaign of harassment,

then that would be a very serious charge.

That would have to go to a higher court.

You're a very intelligent man, Mr Fitzwalter.

Those tactics just won't wash in my court.

I would need the name of the company and all the company directors.

I-I'm sorry, Your Worship.

I was forgetting myself. Yeah, I should say so.

Using this court to put down the good name of council.

Your Worship, I've just had a brief moment

to chat with the Shire President.

And we believe that this is a small community after all.

It is, Mr Reardon.

Well, the Shire President was ALMOST moved

by Mr Fitzwalter's discussion of the economic climate

and we think we may be able to review the amount owing

just one more time.

Are you saying you could waive the rates altogether?

Uh... yes.

I think we can do that.

Oh. I'm very impressed, as I'm sure everybody else here is.

The Shire President was just saying to me the other day

that Pearl Bay is a community united in fellowship.

I think we've had that very clearly demonstrated this morning.

Case dismissed. MAN: Good on you!

ANGUS: This court is now adjourned.

You were magnificent.

Good on you, Meredith!

We have a public meeting tonight.

Everything comes out - the husband, the fraud, the lot.

Um... I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone

for their support over my first few days here with my family.

I know I'm here to sit in judgment on issues in this community,

but it doesn't make me feel superior to any of you.

In fact, quite the opposite.

My own husband is currently facing serious criminal charges

so I understand more intimately than some

what life's like on the other side of the bench.

She's just aired her dirty laundry for you, Bob.

All I can say is that I'll try to be

as honest and approachable as I can.

My children and I look forward to becoming part of your community.

LIGHT APPLAUSE

The water's irresistable, isn't it?

Have you got your sunscreen on? Yep.

15 plus? Mm-hm.

The sun's warm, isn't it?

What's wrong with Rupert?

Come on, Rupert. You're going down, Rupert.

Water's beautiful. In you go.

What about stingers?! No.

You're going in.

Heave ho.

A one and a two and a three.

(Laura and Miranda cheer)

She's not in the city now. She can speak her mind.

See, that's the great thing about living in the country...

..we keep no secrets.

SONG: ♪ Ooh

SQUEEZEBOX CONTINUES TUNE

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh

♪ Don't want to live in the city

♪ My friends tell me I'm changing

♪ The smell of salty air is what I'm chasing

♪ You'll probably think I'm mad

♪ But it feels good to me

♪ 'Cause from now on I'll live as close as I can to the sea. ♪