Original subtitles

This programme deals with suicide, discriminatory language and strong language

In position, please. Standby, control room. OK, on my cue.

Rolling.

And action.

Well, after 75 years, Halley's Comet is returning,

and Australia is being gripped by comet fever.

So, join us Friday, 7pm, for Once In A Lifetime.

We look at the history, the myths, the legend...

Ah, sorry. Actually Geoff, it's 'proudly presented by Ansett.'

Then you...

So, after you say Once In A Lifetime... I know, I know.

You go straight into the... I know. OK.

It's right there. Thank you.

Do you want to just use the autocue?

No, no. No, I'm fine.

Bloody sponsor.

Well, after 75 years, Halley's Comet is returning,

and Australia is being gripped by comet fever.

So, join us Friday, 7pm, for Once In A Lifetime,

proudly presented by Ansett.

A look at the history, the legends, the...

The science of this astronomical...

Do you want to have a look?

Damn it.

Well, after 75 years. Halley's Comet is returning,

and Australia is being gripped by comet fever.

So, tune in Friday, 7pm, for...

Once In A Lifetime,

proudly brought to you by Ansett.

A look at the myths,

the history and the science of Halley's Comet.

Don't miss it.

And what are your memories of 1910?

I was seven and she was five.

I remember it was so light, almost like daytime.

All the dogs were barking.

Yes. We had to lock them inside.

Our Border collie piddled on the rug.

And what did the comet actually look like?

Well, there were all these sorts of explosions coming

out of it, weren't there? Like fireworks.

She was terrified.

I don't remember that. Oh, you were, Ruth.

You were crying louder than the dogs.

I just remember it was so beautiful.

Look, thank you so much, ladies.

If you don't mind bearing with us, we're just going to get

a couple of extra shots of my reaction. OK?

So, you and Helen, eh? When did that happen?

What? She a bit of a goer?

I reckon she would be, for sure.

Ah, there's nothing happening between Helen and I.

Ohh. Oh, right. OK. OK.

There isn't. OK.

Just need a couple of shots of you nodding, if you could just...

Yeah, I know.

Who made the first move?

Is she big spoon or little spoon?

Big spoon, I reckon. Big spoon, for sure. Definitely.

Can we focus, please? Yeah, definitely. Sorry.

Hi.

Are you going out? No, this is for Saturday.

And what's Saturday? Geoff's 60th.

Do you think it's a little bit too dressy for cocktail?

Don't know. Don't think so. It's just Geoff's wife hates me.

And if I fuck up the dress code then

I'll never hear the end of it.

Then there's also this part of me that's just a little bit

excited about the idea of her fixating on it.

Can I show you option number two? You go and make yourself a drink.

OK.

Hey, Helen, have you been getting people making comments

about us at work?

No. Have you?

All day.

Who? Ah, camera boys, mostly.

What are they saying? Just lewd comments.

Ignore them. I'm sure they're just bored.

So what do you think? It's confident, right?

I like it.

Do you have a cocktail suit?

I'm not invited. But I've got a plus one.

But see, I actually think going as your plus-one's

going to make it worse.

I think we should keep some distance, really,

just for the next week or two.

What the fuck are they saying? Calling me a slut?

I don't care. They'd say that anyway.

I just don't like people talking about me.

Are you are you sure that this is just about the gossip?

Is this your way of trying to tell me that I'm a little bit too much?

Helen, we can still hang out after hours, just not at work things.

OK.

I'm sorry.

It's OK.

OK.

Bye.

Bye.

The CEO says it is the duck's nuts. It is very, very flash.

Sounds a bit extravagant. Oh, come on. It's your 60th, mate.

Live a little. This is an international luxury resort.

Conrad Jupiters, hmm? I mean, Danny La Rue,

he's doing a show there. Come on, mate, you...

No, no, no, no, no. I got to... I should be...

Going? Yeah, all right, before you do...

More questions from upstairs.

They were, just you know,

wondering how you're looking at the next few years.

In what sense? Oh, just generally, you know?

I, ah...

I think I may have sold him on that idea of getting you back out

into the field a bit more.

Really? Oh, yeah, I told them, mate.

I said, 'Listen, Geoff Walters, people forget about him.

'He was a war correspondent. World-class.'

And this is in addition to the desk?

Yeah.

But not necessarily.

What? Listen, mate, if you really want to get out there,

do some investigative stuff, some international stuff,

the CEO will back you. Lindsay...

Your own show, your own crew... Am I being given a push?

No, mate, but we both know that the numbers have been...

Now, you tell me exactly what was said.

Nothing was said. Nothing. I just,

I'm just aware of what happened to that bloke in Perth and...

That newsreader had been there five years... Yes, I know. I'm with you.

I've been in the network for 30 years.

Listen Geoff, I'm in your corner. I'm in your corner.

Could I get you anything else? No. No, thanks, mate,

we're all right. Thank you very much.

Are you saying that I should consider my position?

All I'm saying, old mate, is that you've got a pretty great option now

and I couldn't tell you how long it's going to stay on the table.

PHONE RINGS

OK, so we start with a general introduction to the comet.

Then the piece on Edmund Halley.

Have we got any more time in that?

It's already pushed out to two-and-a-half minutes.

OK. Well, then we're going to go to the BBC special

on the Giotto space satellite.

Giotto.

Sorry? It's the Giotto space satellite.

Thanks, Dale.

Um, is there any more time in the story on comet tourism?

There's a lot of footage of Japanese tourists,

but you know, then we'll need subtitles.

Noelene, could you translate?

I don't know Japanese.

Oh. What about your parents?

Do they know?

They're Korean.

Huh?

I'll find a translator.

Great, thank you. Um, next, the National Boys Choir

is going to perform and straight after that... What happened to the Aboriginal mythology story?

That's been dropped. Why? The interviews were too hard to understand.

We'll just use subtitles. It's a family special. So?

Kids won't read subtitles.

Subtitles are OK for the Japanese tourist story,

but not OK for the Aboriginal mythology story?

Correct. Yes. Where was I?

But I don't know if a live cross is possible,

but tonight Melbourne Observatory is having a family event...

Look, without the Aboriginal mythology story,

this is basically just the BBC special, repackaged.

Lindsay nixed the Aboriginal story, not me, so what kind of event?

They've invited families to come to the observatory...

I mean, if you've got a problem with that, you can go tell him yourself.

Walk in there, say, "Look. Lindsay, we are three minutes short

"on the comet special, but I've got an idea. More Aboriginals!"

See what he has to say about it.

You're pathetic.

Unbelievable.

Un...unbelievable. She begs to be part of this stuff,

gets here and acts like a bitch on wheels.

The live cross idea is worth considering.

They are expecting hundreds at the observatory.

And who's going to do it? You?

I could, yeah.

Any more ideas? No? Good. Thank you.

I could get three minutes, maybe more, out of a live cross.

Going live isn't your strong suit.

No, I struggled with the updates, sure,

but a live cross is different.

Oh, God. So my options are an on-air choker

or a pack of black fellas no-one understands.

Fucking hell.

Macca, do you know if the link truck is available?

Yes. OK, good.

Thank you. Noels, you're not...you're not making a trip to

the canteen, are you?

Is there any chance you could get us two choc-milks,

two pies and a sausage roll, please?

Extra tomato sauce. Tomato sauce. Yes.

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Geoffrey

# Happy birthday to you. #

Hip hip. Hooray!

Hip hip. Hooray!

Hip hip. Hooray!

Thank you.

How's Evelyn going?

Well, she was just having an altercation with

the caterers, so I evacuated quickly.

Ah. Noelene, before you go... I'll be with you in just a...

Before you go, would you would you mind?

Would you mind just, ah, typing something up for me?

Ah, of course.

Yes, it's, ah... It's my speech for tomorrow.

It's quite sensitive.

And I'd appreciate if you didn't let anybody know the details in there.

Of course. It's not quite finished. I just want to see it in print.

I'll have it to you by the end of the day.

Thank you, thank you. Could you pop that in my office?

Mm-hm. Thank you, dear.

Hey, Noels, could we add a Polly Waffle to that order, please?

Yeah.

Um...

Did the CEO mention if he was coming on Saturday?

Well, I haven't spoken to him today, mate.

Well, I've come to a decision.

I'll be offering more on Saturday.

Come on, mate.

What decision might that be?

The RSVP date was two weeks ago,

but tell the CEO that we'll happily overlook that.

Never seen it like that live.

All the cows and bullocks...

If we were making a documentary, fine.

But we're not. It's too boring.

Well, first you say it's too hard to understand,

and now you say it's too boring.

That's because both are true.

She's describing a Biblical flood that...that's...

That.. that... that.

Spit it out!

They believe that the comet is a bad omen.

Oh!

Settle in, kiddies. That magical moment we've been

waiting for, it's going to kill us all!

We could try cutting the interview

and just do it with Helen's voiceover.

Look, do whatever you want, OK?

Spend the entire day on it.

Show Lindsay a cut. I'll tell you exactly what'll happen.

He will can the entire thing. And you know what won't happen?

Nobody will turn to me and say, "You know what, Dennis? You were

"absolutely right. We should have fucking listened to you!"

That won't happen!

What do you want me to do?

Cut it, or..?

You all right?

Dale Jennings? Can you come to my office, please?

Ah, sorry, I'm racing out to do the cross.

Can you just please bring me a glass of water?

I've got to go. The boys are waiting. Sorry.

Oh. No, no, no. No, I'm done.

Thank you. You all right?

Yeah, can I just take a minute, please?

Yeah, of course. Thank you.

Here we go again.

GASPING

SOBS

Thanks, Helen.

Oh. Thanks, Helen.

I'm here at Melbourne Observatory.

BLOWS RASPBERRIES

Thanks, Helen, I'm here at Melbourne Observatory

where observers have been lining up...

Mate. Every time you read it you sound more stilted.

Just so you know.

Right. I might just check on the astronomer.

You said he's coming. Just relax. Think of something else, maybe.

Hey, so I noticed, you and Helen are keeping a low profile.

Yeah. Is it over, or has it just kind of gone underground?

Nothing ever happened. I heard she stayed at your place.

And I heard you made out with her in Murray's edit booth...

Stayed at my house on one occasion

and we had a career discussion, and that's it. It's...

I don't know why you find it so fascinating.

You know it's not just us, right? It's the talk of the entire office.

Why?!

I don't know. Ladies and gentlemen...

People like to gossip about Helen. ..I am so sorry.

Cloud cover is not shifting any time soon,

so there's not going to be any comet visible tonight.

Are we still doing the live cross? Uh, yes. Yeah, yeah.

Excuse me! Excuse me! Hi.

He's here. 30 seconds. Look alive, people.

Oh.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

You all right?

Cos if, for whatever reason, you're not feeling up to this,

just say so. I'm fine.

And ten seconds.

On my hand in five, four...

Good evening.

Well, right now, as we turn the calendar page to February,

we are on the brink of a celestial sky show

the likes of which hasn't been seen in 75 years.

Bloody hell.

How does she do it, huh?

Nightmare off-screen, camera goes on her...

..bloody magic.

Join us as we unlock the history, the hype and the science

of Halley's Comet.

And we're clear.

Cheryl, Cheryl.

What is it? Ten seconds. What is it?

Is my make-up running, right there? I can feel it. No. No, no.

You're fine. On my hand in five, four, three...

Well, our journey begins some 300 years ago

when a British astronomer looked up the skies.

Edmund Halley, a personal friend of King Charles,

managed to not only identify the comet,

but to compute its orbit and lend it his name.

Francene Pulford takes us back to the 1600s,

to a time of kings, courts and comets.

And we're clear.

And in 30 seconds.

SHE BREATHES RAGGEDLY

Get me Lindsay.

Helen, 20 seconds.

Helen! Now!

Helen's in a bit of a state down here.

OK, 15 seconds. OK?

WHISPERS: Just ask the questions and listen to him.

Forget about it being live. Just...Just listen to his answers.

STUDIO: And in ten seconds.

On my hand in five, four...

Clear, please, Cheryl. Three. Thank you. Two.

Well, amateur stargazers all over the country

are preparing themselves for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Dale Jennings is at the Melbourne Observatory,

where families are already lining up for a first glimpse of the comet.

What's the atmosphere there like, Dale?

Well, Helen, comet watchers will have to wait just a bit longer,

with heavy cloud forecast for tonight.

But I am here with astronomer Ian Lu.

Now, Ian, when do you expect the comet to finally be revealed?

Well, we're hoping for the cloud cover to clear

tomorrow evening some time.

And, uh, fingers crossed, we'll be getting quite a space show.

Fingers crossed indeed.

Now, Ian, I've heard that

astronomers sometimes refer to comets as apparitions...

He could try blinking occasionally.

Don't know, mate, he's doing all right.

We use the term apparition

because comets are, in, fact quite ghost-like.

And we're clear.

You all right there, are you, Helen?

Mm-hm.

I can do the next segment, if you need a moment.

I'm fine. And we are back in ten...

You and I, Helen, we're going to have

a little chat when you're done here.

On my hand in five...

DALE: And when that occurs,

we'll be sure to broadcast those images

straight into your living rooms.

But for now, a picnic blanket and a pair of binoculars will have to do.

I'm Dale Jennings from Melbourne Observatory,

where the advice is to get a good night's sleep tonight because

tomorrow a once-in-a-lifetime light show will begin.

Back to you, Geoff.

Thanks, Dale.

Well, Tourism Australia is expecting...

And we're out.

Thank you. Oh, no, thank you. Yeah.

Very good. Thank you. Thank you.

Did it go all right? Yeah. That was good.

It was great. Did I speak too fast? No. Were my eyes too...?

Your eyes were normal openness. What about my head -

was it jerky or anything?

Hey, you were good. You were good. Yeah? You were great. Yes!

Good job. Good job.

Holy Moley!

REPORT: Matched in space by the heat of the sun...

KEYS CLACK ..there's literally thousands

and thousands of kilometres... Noels, you got to watch!

TYPING STOPS

And yet, in what is a

wonderful contradiction, it's really nothing at all.

We'll be back with more after the break.

You've almost missed the whole thing.

Oh, I'm just finishing up.

Writing a novel? No. Give it back.

Rob! What is it?

Um...I don't know. What is it?

Just research notes or some...

Are you gettin' another beer, Brett? Yeah.

Can you grab me one? Noels, you want a beer?

Forget you saw that, please. Geoff's leaving? Sh!

Well, can I...can I see a bit more? No. Step away.

What is he, um...retiring?

Or are they...? You never saw anything.

Yeah, fine, but...

..does it say anything about who's replacing him?

Please, don't tell anyone.

TYPING RESUMES

A couple of us are catching

the comet tomorrow night, if you want to come.

I got something on. Ah.

Geoff's 60th.

You going as Mr Helen Norville?

Shut up.

Hey, it's nothing to be ashamed of.

Whereabouts? Where were you thinking?

My building. We've got an amazing rooftop.

It's stunning.

I'll give you my number. It's super casual.

Just, uh...let me know.

It's fine either way.

Oi, you ready? Yep.

PAPER TEARS

We'll leave you tonight with a very special treat.

The National Boys' Choir joins us to perform Once in a Lifetime,

an ode to the comet's return.

Of course, the News at Six team will continue to bring you

all the latest comet updates

as we enjoy an autumn of celestial magic.

This has been Geoff Walters. And Helen Norville.

BOTH: Goodnight.

# I've waited a lifetime for this night

# To see a midnight filled with light

# To watch the comet cross the skies

# To see the wonder in your eyes

# In every country everywhere

# From Australia to Japan

# We all will stand as one

# Lit up by a midnight sun

# Hold this feeling, hold this joy

# Black or white or girl or boy

SHE HYPERVENTILATES

# The moment is here my grandpa promised

# Tonight we witness Halley's comet. #

Helen? One moment.

Open the door, please, Helen.

There's a bottle of Valium, the bottom drawer of my desk.

Come on, Helen. Come on now.

Still...? Yeah...

Helen, open the door now.

PILLS RATTLE

I think I was really dehydrated.

I bet you were.

What are they? They're Valium.

They're not very strong. Go on.

You get your things together, I'll give you a lift home.

Hey, Dale. Hi.

Hey. Are you seeing Helen tonight?

Look, I don't know what people have told you, but we're not...

Oh, I...I just think someone should give her a call.

Why? Uh...

..because she's just in a really bad way.

Like, probably the worst I've ever seen.

Thank you.

How do you have it? With the mixer, or, uh, neat?

Uh, no, I'll take it neat. Ah, that's the girl.

LIQUID POURS

Helen, if I told you something...

..would you promise...

..to keep it a secret?

Yes. You promise?

I promise.

Geoff's not going to be on the desk for much longer.

HOW much longer?

Well, if he's smart about it, he'll step down graciously tomorrow.

But, uh...

..if not...

..I can't see any of us cracking an invite

to next year's birthday do.

Who'd want that?

THEY LAUGH

Upstairs keeps on asking me...

..is Helen right to go?

Is she ready?

And I want to be able to say, "Yes, she is a superstar.!

But, uh...

..then we have nights like tonight.

I always come good when it counts.

Now, while we're moving Geoff out and you in,

we've got to be a team.

We are.

Well...

..we used to be, early on, but now all you do is scream at me.

GLASS CLUNKS

I think you can handle it. Mm.

You want another one?

Yes.

Hey, um, Helen,

did I ever tell you the story of how I sold you to the CEO?

No.

Well, he wasn't keen.

He wanted a blonde.

And I said, "Mate, now, come on, listen,

"sometimes a darker woman, she's just...

"..so much more sophisticated, like Faye Dunaway."

You know what he said? No.

"Who's Faye Dunaway? What station's she on?"

And I said, "Mate, Faye Dunaway is a knockout.

"She looks...

"..just like Helen."

Anyway, you get the job.

And nine months or so later, a phone call.

It's the CEO.

And it turns out that old Faye Dunaway

is a fucking blonde in Bonnie and Clyde.

And the CEO goes, "I want that Faye Dunaway!"

But it didn't matter, because you were on that desk.

And you were already a superstar.

That's right.

You know, Helen, no-one...

..has gone in to bat harder for you than me.

I know.

Do you?

Because sometimes it seems you forget that.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Helen?

Lindsay drove me home.

I just...wanted to see if you were all right.

LINDSAY GRUNTS

Well, don't leave on my account.

Mate, I don't think I'd ever do that.

Nah. I'm done here.

Good luck.

Is everything all right?

No.

No.

SHE SOBS

Oh, mate. You serious about that bow tie?

Yeah! Yeah, wardrobe lent it to me.

Were THEY serious? Yeah.

They reckon pink is the big colour at the moment.

Yeah? Yeah. Don Johnson.

Miami Vice. Always in pink.

You seen Liberace? What about him?

Hey. Can I speak to you, please?

Yeah.

I'll catch ya.

You all right?

You already told someone.

No. Jean just came up to me and she knew.

You only found out a few hours ago!

Maybe...Maybe she knew from Geoff.

She specifically mentioned the speech.

Well, maybe she overheard...maybe someone overheard us talking.

No.

HE GROANS

You told someone, right after I said not to.

Noels...

Everyone was going to find out tomorrow anyway.

And, you know, if there's any problems,

I'll just tell them that I was horsing around, being a dickhead

and, you know, you'll be right.

I almost got the sack once

because Geoff stumbled over a couple of words and blamed autocue.

I almost lost my whole career over two words Geoff stuffed up.

All right, I'll call around

and tell people that I got my wires crossed.

Just leave it.

Are you going? Tomorrow night?

Cos my invite was Rob and guest.

No, thank you.

You sure?

You know, just so I can make it up to you.

That wouldn't be making it up to me.

It'd be fun, though.

And what do you think that would do to my career?

Nothing?

H-Help it.

BIRDSONG

Morning. Good morning.

You want me to make you a coffee?

No, thanks.

Are you sure that you can't come with me tonight?

You're not still going, are you?

Yeah.

Don't you think you should take a couple of days off work?

I mean, I was worried about you last night.

Geoff's stepping down.

And Lindsay said he's going to make the announcement at the party,

so I really want to be there.

I should go.

Are sure you can't just come, just maybe until the speeches?

No, I actually have a thing.

What, like a...like a date?

No, no.

Tim from camera's having a thing for the comet.

What, just the two of you?

No, I think it's all the camera boys.

Are you sure about that? Yeah.

Are you sure he's not just testing the waters?

I'm talking about Tim Ahern, the cameraman.

Yeah, I know. Gay Tim from camera.

Tim's not a homosexual.

All I'm saying is that every other guy in that camera department's

checked me out, except Tim.

Listen, um, if you change your mind,

I'm usually an hour and a half late, to everything.

Bye.

CAR DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

And what a privilege it has been.

As I look to the next chapter,

it's clear that my first love will always be chasing the story.

Being out in the field.

So, my friends,

I think the time has come to get my hands dirty again, to...

..step away from the desk.

I'm sorry...

..when was this decided?

I've been...weighing it up for some time now.

I see.

You know, I've been itching to get back in the field.

For the occasional story, perhaps.

Was this Lindsay's idea? No.

No, your first love is not being in the field.

It's breaking news.

And if you think you'd get that from a bit of field reporting...

The desk just doesn't interest me as much these days.

Every year, there's more and more faff. Celebrity interviews...

But, you know, as soon as you step down, something will happen -

some crisis, some global event -

and you'll have to sit at home and watch Rob and Helen butcher it,

and it will kill you!

Wouldn't be Rob. Of course it'll be Rob.

They've been grooming him for years!

Building him up while they diminish you.

I hadn't realised they'd been so successful.

SHE SIGHS

And the Carlisles,

they rang before it had even finished.

They said it was fascinating.

It was just filler, Mum. It wasn't.

You could see Geoff Walters was impressed.

He very pointedly said, "Thanks, Dale."

Well, he always says that.

It's in the script. This was different.

Elaine Carlisle mentioned something else on the phone.

Yeah? About Adam Lindell.

Apparently, Adam's living in the city now with a friend.

A man.

How would Elaine Carlisle know that?

Adam's not discreet about it at all.

She said he just rang Shane up and told him.

He hasn't tried to be in contact with you, has he? No.

Everyone agrees.

They owe you an apology. The whole Lindell family.

Chops are in the fridge.

That should be enough for Monday and Tuesday.

The casserole's in the freezer. That'll keep.

Have you got any washing? Are you using that basket I gave you?

PHONE RINGS

Hello? Hi, it's Dale. Jennings.

G'day.

Um, so, just... Uh, they said it was going to clear...

You go.

The others have pulled out, because of the cloud,

but, uh, they said it was going to clear on the radio,

so if you wanted to come around, I'll still be here.

We don't need the rest of 'em.

I'm actually going to go to the party. Geoff's.

With Helen.

So...make your joke.

No worries. No worries. We'll do it next time, eh?

In 2061?

Sorry? When the comet comes back.

Oh. Right!

I will see you on Monday. Have fun at the party.

OK.

DOORBELL RINGS

Party started an hour ago.

I've still got half an hour worth of dressing to do.

OK!

You look great. You too.

Oh, Rob! ALL: Rob!

Hi! Hello!

How does it feel to be here tonight?

Uh, Donna, one second. It feels great.

It's always such an honour, isn't it,

to raise the glass to a legend?

And, fingers crossed, the clouds will stay away.

We might even catch a glimpse of that comet.

Hope so. Now, which way's the bar?

Oh, behind me. Over here? Right.

Trust you. See you soon. Talk to you soon, Trish. Nice to see you.

Hey, Rob. Hey.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

What's with the bow tie?

Hey? Uh, wardrobe gave it to me.

April Fools? No. It's for tonight.

They said it looked great.

What were their faces doing when they said that?

Hey, hey, hey.

Did you, um, hear about Geoffo's speech?

No. What about it? I heard he's, um...

WHISPERS: I heard he's stepping down.

Oh, well, that's bullshit.

No, I've heard from three people now.

Wants to be some kind of roving reporter,

but apparently he's had a wobble.

Well, you shouldn't be spreading that kind of crap, Dennis.

What? Your mate Brett told me. Well... Brett? Yeah.

Brett spins a whole heap of bullshit.

And you're the biggest gossip in the entire building. Oh, fuck...

And don't lecture me about gossip when you're a gossip.

OK, listen. Sh, sh. Come here, come here.

50 bucks...says he'll step down today.

I'm getting a beer.

Hey, Rob, Rob, Rob...

CHEERING

I thought we agreed just Donna from The Sun.

Uh, yes, but we can't play favourites

and exclude the Fairfax press.

Aw.

Donna! Hello.

Look at you! Gorgeous.

Oh, and Mr Walters.

Geoff. Geoff, happy birthday.

How are you feeling?

Well, it's wonderful to have so many friends here

and, uh, very honoured to...to have Premier Cain here.

Now, are we expecting your co-host to be joining you this evening?

Well, I... Uh, yes.

Well, the whole News at Six team is family, so, yes.

So, help yourself to some bubbles.

I will. Hello, Anne!

Hey! Hey, good to see you. Happy birthday, mate.

Hey! Evelyn.

You've outdone yourself. It's top shelf.

Any, uh...

..any word on the CEO? I don't see him.

Uh, dunno, mate.

And how did things wind up last night with Helen?

I heard there was quite a scene.

Oh, you know...

..par for the course.

Mm. Well, you're all very patient with her. Mm.

No, you are. It's a credit to you both.

I don't think she'd last five minutes anywhere else.

Ah...

Oh! Sir Robert.

Thank you.

INDISTINCT

Helen! Hello!

Oh, look at that.

He told me it was all rumours.

He was at her place last night. Was he?

Yeah. Helen, can you just turn...?

I always thought he was a poof. Yeah!

So, Helen, would you say that Geoff

has really helped shape your career?

Absolutely.

But, uh, I mean, more than that,

when I was a child, if something happened in the world,

I'd want to hear it from...from Geoff Walters.

And, sorry, your name is, sir?

This is Dale Jennings, senior reporter.

Dale. Anything you'd like to add, Dale?

I'm just happy to be here.

Great. Fantastic.

Well, the party's in full swing. OK.

Yeah, enjoy. Nice to meet you.

Thanks.

You did good. Did I?

Mm-hm. I'm not sure of that.

Happy birthday, Geoff.

Stunning...party. Thank you.

How are you, Helen?

Wonderful.

And the garden looks more beautiful than...than last time.

And your... I love your outfit.

And I don't think we've officially met.

I'm Evelyn. Dale Jennings.

Mr Jennings is a wonderful young reporter.

Yes, I've seen. Ah.

Thrilled to have you here, Dale.

It's an honour to be here, sir.

Oh, I can't watch.

Um...drinks?

Thank you. Let's just get a drink from the bar. OK.

SHE SIGHS

That dress - could it be any tighter?

GLASS CLINKS

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Thank you.

Thank you all for coming.

Tonight marks not only a significant birthday,

but also the 30th anniversary of my very first bulletin.

He's fuckin' doin' it. He's fuckin' doin' it.

Which was, as Lindsay well knows,

in fact, THE first bulletin.

We covered the Melbourne Olympics,

man's first steps on the moon.

We went from black and white to colour.

I reported from war-torn South Vietnam.

Darwin for Cyclone Tracy

and again for the Chamberlain trial.

And now...on this...anniversary,

gently, very gently, prodded by my darling wife

into this spot of reflection,

I realised that, together,

all of us have been writing the history of this remarkable century

in real time.

And what a privilege it has been.

Thank you. Thank you, all.

Take your 50 now?

We have less than 15 years left of this century,

at which point I'll turn 75,

which is also the life cycle of the comet that we'll see tonight.

Could it be a sign?

But it's been enough to convince me

that I must stay on the desk... ALL GASP

..at the heart of this remarkable bulletin...

APPLAUSE

..to see out this century.

Yes!

So, now, my friends...now, let's all salute the next 15 years

that we will share together

as we complete the story of this century

as only we can do.

Thank you.

CHEERING

I'm going to say something.

Listen, mate, do you want to pay it up front

or do you want to pay me in instalments?

You walked away from the bet.

Uh, Geoff.

Excuse me.

Um, I know that you see yourself as a newsman,

but you are so much more than that.

The phrase gets thrown around a lot,

but you truly are a national treasure.

To Geoff.

Heya, skip.

UPBEAT MUSIC

Come on, let's dance.

# All I see

# Is washed away

# I am the voice

# Left from drinking

# I'll celebrate... #

HIGH-TEMPO POP MUSIC

No, I'll be right, thanks. I'm not much of a one for fizz.

Oh, go on.

You know, you're a...savvy woman, Evelyn.

But, uh...15 years...

..it's a long time.

Not compared with the 30 years of service

he's already given the network.

Yeah, well...

..the way his numbers are, at the moment,

he'll be lucky if he makes one,

let alone 15.

When was the last time you walked down a street

with my husband, Lindsay?

I'd say it must be over five years,

because he avoids open streets now.

Oh. The public love for Geoff is so fierce,

they simply won't leave him alone, so...

..if you or the network mistreat my husband in any way,

I can assure you,

the public response will be utterly devastating.

Melanie, would you like some champagne?

EXHALES DEEPLY

# Ooh, ooh

# I'm searching for a better land... #

# Heaven... # Dale.

Wonderful speech.

Thank you.

Yes, I wanted to say,

it's terrific to see Helen in such good form tonight.

It is. Yeah.

I've been watching you, Dale, and I see a lot of myself in you.

Really?

You're a true news man.

Thank you. That's...

I mean, I-I like to think that I am.

There's an effort to shift the bulletin away from serious news.

It's been inching that way for years.

But I plan to put up a fight.

And I'm hoping I can count on your support.

You absolutely can.

Let's keep talking.

OK.

# I don't wanna live in this place

# Heaven

# Must be there... #

# Looking counterclockwise

# Knowing what could happen any moment

# Maybe you

# Maybe even you

# Steadfast collapse... #

You wanna go?

# Always certain, any moment

# Maybe you... #

You wanna stay?

Catch a glimpse of the comet.

# Recline complete

# Dream too sweet... # Come on.

Let's say our goodbyes.

# I can't do it, not with you

# Not even with you

# Maybe never with you

# And I'd sell my soul

# For total control... #

Ah, fuck's sake.

# Yeah, I'd sell my soul

# For total control... #

Hey, the cloud's gone.

Where's it supposed to be?

It's there.

Isn't that just a star?

No, that's definitely it.

It's definitely a star.

It has a tail, see?

SHE LAUGHS

That's it?

Yeah!

That's it.