Original subtitles

Subtitles stars after presentation.

SONG: # It's a jungle out there

♪ It's a jungle out there

♪ It's a jungle out there. ♪

SONG: # If you're blue and you don't know where to go to

♪ Why don't you go where fashion sits?

♪ Puttin' on the Ritz

♪ Different types who wear a day coat

♪ Pants with stripes and cutaway coat

♪ Perfect fits

♪ Puttin' on the Ritz... ♪

NARRATOR: Once upon a time,

there was a land of neon rainbows called Kings Cross

where fantasies could be bought and nightmares walked the streets.

It was a Neverland,

a land on another planet,

a land where a western suburbs schoolboy called John Ibrahim...

...came to seek his fortune.

C'mon, Buddy!

Left-right, right-left. Left!

Kick his arse, Bud.

Get him, Bud!

C'mon! Go, Bud! Fight him!

(GRUNTS) Ooh!

Hey, you gotta move your feet.

Move your feet! Nice job, boys.

What are you doing here? I had a free period.

What happened to your hand? What happened?

What happened? Nothing happened.

Show me your hand. Show me your hand.

Come here. What? Piss off.

Show me your hand. It's nothing.

Show me your hand!

What happened?

You think you're fucking cool, don't you, Ibrahim? Dirty fuckin' Leb!

So that's why you got kicked out? I just walked out.

It's him that should be expelled, for racial vilifi-classification.

Vilification. Listen, what about your HSC?

I'm done with school. What?

You're a zub, man. You know what plans we've all got for you.

Yeah, I got plans of my own. What?

Man, not this stuff again.

Come on, I've been working doors for ages.

How long you been at Images for, John?

18 months. Got a bit of time under your belt!

Parra's not the Cross, OK?

No, it's not. You can't stop me working here, though.

Yes, I can. Oh, come on. I could help you out.

You can't even do what you're told.

You're a short arse, you're gonna get in my way. Go home. Go home. Go.

(GRUNTS) (OTHERS LAUGH)

Far out, man. He just can't do what he's told.

See you, Johnny. Ahh, Johnny!

NARRATOR: Hammer... real name Harry Hammoud...

and the other boys John Ibrahim looked up to

all came from the same streets out west.

Their families had emigrated from the same part of Lebanon.

They grew up together, went to school together...

...briefly.

They were like brothers... a band of up-for-anything brothers.

And Hammer's particular skills... taekwondo, hot-headedness,

no regard for personal safety...

earned him a reputation for never losing a fight.

And a reputation for reckless violence

comes in handy when you're collecting protection money...

...which is kind of like insurance cover

against acts of reckless violence.

The Cross was the vice capital of Sydney... no, make that Australia...

a one-mile stretch of strip clubs, brothels, nightclubs, discos,

restaurants, coffee shops and heartbreaking sob stories.

Whatever your poison, whatever your perversion,

it was for sale on the Golden Mile.

And people flooded there every night with pockets full of cash...

...moths to a neon flame.

It was a licence to print money for those who controlled Kings Cross.

So, who were the kings of the Cross?

The hard old men of Sydney's underworld...

George Freeman and Lennie McPherson.

Dogs! Sorcerers!

The sexually immoral!

You're outside the Lord's gate! Outside!

Dogs! Sorcerers! The sexually immoral!

Hey, your parents know where you are?

I'm an orphan.

Really? What's your name.

Morrison.

First name?

Van.

You look about as Irish as I do.

Arrest the little prick, officer, and give him a slap over the head.

Save me the trouble.

Hey, I'm more scared of him than you.

You two know each other, do you? Ohh!

We got a smart copper on our hands!

We really need to be careful now!

Yeah, yeah, let's get out of here, huh?

I thought I told you to go home.

(PAGER BEEPS)

NARRATOR: Collecting money for George and Lennie

wasn't the only use Hammer put his skills to.

He freelanced as muscle for most of the clubs and brothels.

And a message on his pager that said "Pink Flamingo... no ties"...

...meant that matters had got past the canapé stage.

Hey, what's going on? Where you off to?

Pink Flamingo. Need a hand?

No, I'll page you. You sure?

Hey, stay there. Oh, come on! Let me come with you!

Stay here with us, mate. Come on!

Stay back here with us.

NARRATOR: The Golden Mile was a law unto itself,

but its denizens understood very well the need for order.

When order breaks down, violence breaks out,

punters get scared off and the money dries up.

And that cannot be tolerated.

Get out! Take it!

Go him! Go him!

NARRATOR: Bouncers, doormen, enforcers like Hammer,

they all shared this love of order.

So when a mob of drunken out-of-towners

overpower local security staff,

peace has to be restored... and quickly.

And that's what this is, by the way... a peacekeeping exercise.

JOHN: Oi, sunshine!

What the fuck you think you're doing?

I just saved your hairy Lebanese arse, mate.

Like fuck you did.

Oi, what's going on here? Nothing.

We had a report of a brawl. Yeah, you're a bit late.

Done your job for you.

Is everything alright? You guys alright in here?

MEN: Yeah.

What about you, sir? Are you OK? Yeah, I'm fine.

Kings Cross 51 to VKG. Everything's pretty quiet on the street here.

Fuck off! Get out of here. Fuck off! Get out! Get out!

You gotta admit, that was a pretty good kick.

Fucking overreached, mate. Your balance was all wrong.

Oh, bullshit!

I'm taekwondiva, mate!

First you must learn to stand. (PAGER BEEPS)

Then you must learn to fly.

Yeah, Ross wants me over at Pussycats.

Suppose you might as well come.

Oh, you need my short arse now, do you?

I need a mascot.

(LAUGHS)

NARRATOR: John Ibrahim wasn't the only one

attracted to the pots of gold on the Golden Mile.

Alright. Don't miss the bus!

Good luck at the new job, Dad. Thanks, sweetheart.

'Bye, mate.

Bankcard payment's due.

Mm-hm. I'll see you later.

NARRATOR: Greedy coppers could see the appeal

of working in a place where the language was money.

For Detective Sergeant Trevor Haken, a transfer to Kings Cross

was like an express train to the promised land.

This is what I call the general revenue shelf.

It's for general use. Anyone in the office can eat all of that.

This shelf down here, though... individual use only.

Now, the label system really helps out there.

The fridge fairy finished boring your balls off yet?

It's a system, Chook.

Come here.

OK, this is Grunter.

G'day, mate. G'day. Sean.

And this is Parrot.

G'day.

They're working on those bashings on Macleay Street,

aren't you, gentlemen?

And Scully's supposed to be

up to his perspiring pits in car rebirthing,

but I don't know what the fuck he's doing.

I got a lot on my plate, Chook.

Why is it all the work here comes to me? Sorry, Jimmy.

Jim. I'll call you back, mate.

So what do you want me on?

Oh, well, take your pick. What've we got here?

Attempt murder, assault with a deadly weapon,

bloody drug deals, soliciting...

(CHUCKLES)... more drug deals.

I tell ya, the average punter on a Saturday afternoon, mowing his lawn,

ain't got a clue what goes on here.

Well, that has its advantages.

What do you reckon, Jim?

You two go back a ways.

What do you reckon Sergeant Haken's good for?

I'm tempted to say "Nothing."

Hmm.

Only joking, Trev!

Look, mate... there's a joke on here.

There's a big bloody joke on

and there's a very good dollar to be made every week.

(BOTH LAUGH)

Oh! It's teatime, Jimbo.

Why don't you take Trev out and get us some victuals?

Oh, don't forget your lunch, mate.

He's a drug dealer.

He's another.

Who's the big bwana in the drug trade up here?

There isn't one, really.

Three or four blokes got a few drug dealers each.

Though that piece of work over there

has got delusions of grandeur.

Bill Bayeh. He owns a gambling joint on Bayswater Road.

See the small guy? Mm-hm.

He's a fizz. They call him Captain Jack.

Lunch box.

Evening. How you doing, boys?

This is Sergeant Haken. Nice to meet you, Sergeant Haken.

SONG: # I've had all the Ionesome I can stand

♪ The playmates in the magazines

♪ Are only ink-and-paper dreams

♪ I'll go home with you, just take my hand... ♪

Mate, you should see the pavers that I'm putting around the patio.

Real flash.

Yeah, that reminds me...

Sculls, have you bought that new rod yet?

Nothing wrong with my old one, Chook.

That'd be the one Moses used when he was a nipper?

(ALL LAUGH) Favourite rod.

Made an arrest on that bashing.

Confession? Signed and in the can.

Well! I think that deserves a little bit of overtime then!

Thanks, mate.

You don't mind holding the fort, do you, Sculls?

You could do a fridge audit, mate.

(ALL LAUGH)

♪ I'll go home with you

♪ I'll do anything you want me to

♪ I've had all the Ionesome... ♪

NARRATOR: The Kings Cross detectives

were headed up by the legendary Chook Fowler...

♪ The playmates in the magazines... ♪

...a hard man from the old school

who was tougher than all the doormen,

bouncers and enforcers rolled into one.

Trevor Haken had just found his role model.

New recruit?

I found him on the street. He followed me home.

John Ibrahim.

Nice to meet you, Mr McPherson.

How you going?

Pleased to meet you, Mr Freeman.

You can bring the car around when you're ready.

You know those new $10 notes have got more anti-counterfeiting devices

than any other money in the world?

Shadow images, microprinting,

even fluorescent ink.

It's good to know your earn's the real thing, eh?

(CHUCKLES)

What the fuck was that all about?

It's called networking, mate!

It's called being a zub, more like it!

Oh, yeah. You're a zub.

Oi!

They're expecting you at the door of the Tunnel.

(CAR HORN HONKS)

Johnny! Hey, Michelle.

Slumming it from the 'burbs, are we?

There's no law against checking out the Cross.

So are you working here now, Johnny?

Yeah, I work here. What are you, like, a bouncer?

No, I'm just perusing my future investments.

What?

The streets here are paved with gold, love.

Oh, is that right?

So, you heard how the school social's coming up.

Kind of a shame you won't be there.

Hey, who says I won't? You can't go.

You got expelled, remember?

(CAR HORN HONKS REPEATEDLY) MAN: Move it!

(GRUNTS)

You said you wouldn't do this anymore.

Come on, give me a break. It was my welcome drinks.

(VOMITS)

Here we are, boys. ALL: Ohh!

Management at the Bourbon wishes us a good day.

There you are, mate. Thank you, good sir.

Trev.

(CHOOK LAUGHS)

Cheers. Here's to a top evening with the wives tonight.

NARRATOR: In Kings Cross, morality was negotiable.

One man's sin was another man's salvation.

The crooks liked to think that they had a code of honour.

Well, the dirty cops prayed that their good deeds

outweighed the kickbacks, pay-offs and bribes

that paid for the kids' teeth and the wife's fancy shoes.

(MEN SHOUT)

Look at the freak!

NARRATOR: Every man has his line in the sand.

The Kings Cross detectives drew theirs

perilously close to the water's edge.

Babysitter's at 11:00.

Come on, the boys wanna show us a good time.

So, who's your favourite arrest, Jim... druggies or hookers?

Maria, you know, as long as the streets are nice and clean and safe,

and the average punter's happy,

I'm a happy copper.

How's the kids, mate? They must be getting bigger.

Mm-hm. You know, much bigger.

Don't buy a dildo, sexy. I'll provide the real thing for free.

What'd you say to my wife? She's your wife?

Fuck me! You pay her to get hitched to you?

You wanna watch your manners, buddy.

Nothing wrong with my fucking manners.

Trevor, just leave it.

Mate, you even look at her again, I'll rip your fucking nuts off.

I'm shitting myself, Romeo. We all are.

(MEN SHOUT)

C'mon, you...

(SIREN WAILS)

Break it up!

BREAK IT UP!

Everything's under control, Constable.

Yeah, I can see that, Detective Sergeant. Very controlled.

Hey! You're cops!

Yeah, it's your lucky day, mate.

That's enough, Detective.

Take these shitbags back to the station for us, Constable.

We'll sort it out there.

MAN: Oh, don't break it up! Come on!

(TYRES SQUEAL)

MAN: You're all fucking dead!

You're dead! Should've stayed out west tonight!

Fucking dead man. Open up!

Anybody home? Oi, shitbag!

When you're ready!

MAN: C'mon, get 'em out!

Do you blokes have work to do?

Go!

C'mon, run along!

Open the van and piss off.

Hoody-hoody!

Constable Webb!

Ladies first.

Out you come!

Those guys... they'd already started a fight in Playbirds.

Maybe they had it coming.

You don't think they did. No, actually.

Then why didn't you say something?

It's wrong time, wrong place. Oh!

Any complaint you or I make will go nowhere.

Then things will never change, will they?

Stick our bloody heads in the sand.

It's not about sticking our heads in the sand, Deb.

It's about making sure they don't get shot off.

MAN: Come in.

(LAUGHS) Jimbo!

Look at this!

(LAUGHS)

Thanks for coming up.

No worries, mate. Looking very spiffy there.

Yeah, Area Command dinner.

Don't have to wear it too often, thank Christ.

(LAUGHS) So, mate...

Bush telegraph's flickering. Mm-hm.

You Kings Cross boys had a busy night.

(DETECTIVES LAUGH AND GRUNT)

Just an affray, mate.

10 pissed clams out on a buck's night.

Give you any trouble?

Nup.

(MEN GRUNT)

Word is they ended up looking like Jeff Fenech's sparring partner.

Well, they resisted arrest, didn't they?

You used only necessary force? Course.

Nothing Commissioner Avery wouldn't think was 100% kosher?

You know, Den, you and your beloved leaders

have been sitting behind desks for too long.

Have you forgotten what it's like out in the real world?

(LAUGHS)

Real world's changing, Jim.

We're just trying to do our job.

Just doing your job.

You know, journos, mate, print 'K ings Cross police brutality'

and the job gets harder for all of us, mate.

What would those bloody journos know, Den?

I'd like to see them spend a day... HALF a day... out there in the Cross

dealing with the shit that we've gotta deal with.

I mean, come on... those scumbags

were marching up and down Darlo Road all night causing trouble.

They insulted Trev's wife, then they attacked us.

They kicked Sean Sinclair's head so hard he's got six stitches.

Now, any sort of injuries that they have

happened during the brawl or in the process of arrest.

That's what your incident reports will say.

That's what happened.

(HAMMER SNIFFS DEEPLY AND SIGHS)

JOHN: What's Mel Mal done, mate? Nothing.

So, why are we going there? To kick his head in?

Who says we're kicking anyone's head in? We're just going for a drink.

Johnny, here.

No, no. Alright, let's go.

Hey, matey. Detectives! Praise the Lord.

Some druggies took my board.

I can't impart the word of the Lord without a board to write it on.

What time was this? About one hour ago.

Whereabouts? Up on the strip.

And how many were there? Four.

How long you owned this place? Couple of years.

Yeah? You do alright?

Well, turnover's great.

It's one of three clubs in the Cross that's got a 6am licence.

But drugs are a problem... half the staff's got their hands in the till

and every Tom, Dick and Harry

thinks they've got the right to hit on you for a freebie.

Quick licensing check, Mel. I trust no-one's under age?

I'm not drinking mate, so...

You know, I file a report, you could lose your liquor licence.

Or you could just pay an on-the-spot fine.

(LAUGHS)

He had you going, didn't he?

C'mon, Trev. We've got some work to do.

See you, boys. Yeah, see you later.

Is there a problem? A bit warm in there, mate.

I mean, opportunity knocks and everything,

but don't you think you were kind of brazen?

I thought you'd be pleased...

buy yourself a few more flash pavers, eh?

Let's see if we can hunt down poor old bible boy's word of God.

Hey, matey... what did he look like?

THE ARCHBISHOP: There were four.

JOHN: You're too pissed to drive Freeman home.

What? What the fu... What's wrong with you? I've been driving since before you...

(MOCKINGLY) "I've been driving since..."

Hey, you're not considering driving, are you, Hammer?

What? How many beers have you had?

I haven't had any beers! I find that hard to believe.

I'm sweet as! How are you, sweetie?

Step back please, sir. Come home with us tonight!

I want you to go home, alone. Say hello to your mother.

Oh, really? Cheeky!

Alright, you guys need to take a break.

Why don't you have a coffee? Why don't you fuck off?

Do you wanna spend the night in the lock-up?

You fucking cops are fucking dogs! Step BACK, sir!

You get behind the wheel of a car,

I will bang you up so fast you'll need a chequered flag.

Hey, hey, no-one's driving here, officers.

These lovely boys were just going up to play a game of Manila, weren't ya?

Bet Billy Bayeh's got a pocketful of cash and he's itching to lose.

Go clean him out for me, eh?

Go on.

I'll take care of the other. Go on.

Sorry, officers. Smile, mate. Smile.

See ya, sweetie.

Sorry, officers.

Mr Freeman.

John Ibrahim.

What?

The boys had a busy night, so they sent me.

(LAUGHS)

You got a fucking licence?

Yeah, of course.

That new place... what's the ask?

800.

Right, well, after compliance,

we'd have to be getting not less than 15% over three years.

(BUZZ!)

Get yourself a taxi at the end of the road.

Hey, Mr Freeman?

'Compliance' means conforming, right?

Like, conforming to government regulations... safety and shit.

Hey, what do you and Mr McPherson look for in a club?

Is it just the street or does the building matter too?

Didn't realise you taught basic business to the hired muscle.

Hey, I wanna be like you guys, Mr Freeman, Mr McPherson. I wanna...

I wanna be as successful as you, you know?

I wanna have what you've got.

I'm sure you do.

Hey, I don't wanna be someone else's bat all my life.

No offence.

Cocky little shit, aren't you?

You still at school?

I can read, write and multiply.

Nothing more school could teach me.

In other words, they kicked you out.

I was expelled from three schools.

I left for good when I was 14.

Never did me any harm.

Told the Chinese to stay put.

They got a whole fucking town named after them. We get the Cross.

What, you don't trust Asians?

Chinks, wogs, Lebos,

bog Irish, Poms, Aussies... doesn't bother me.

(LAUGHS)

Me and Lennie, we've got the casino earns east of Elizabeth Street.

Hey, Georgie! G'day, Georgie.

Hey, Lennie. G'day, darl.

Sweetheart, this is John.

Hi.

Hi.

Sweetie, the estate agent called.

We can check out that place in the Highlands this weekend.

Looking forward to it, sweetheart.

Hey, not too many of those.

Cholesterol... it's a silent killer.

Nice to meet you, John.

Nice to meet you!

Eyes to the front, sweetheart.

NARRATOR: Like King Arthur with Merlin,

John Ibrahim sat at George Freeman's well-shod feet and soaked up

everything the colourful racing identity had to teach.

MAN: Think of the marsupials!

Two of his most important lessons were about money and respect.

You can't take something for nothing.

You pay your people, you pay them well.

You pay your suppliers.

Fuck me, you even pay some taxes.

If you're serious about making money,

then you gotta stay out of trouble,

and you won't stay out of trouble

if you don't give people what they've earned.

And that includes respect.

Especially respect.

Do your time, son.

Three or four years in kindy and who knows,

one day you might even know one end of the Cross from the other.

Three or four years, eh?

We'll wait and see.

You're fucking kidding me. You went inside Freeman's house?

Swear to God. He invited me in.

Gave me a cup of tea. You should see Freeman's missus.

She is hot.

What, mate? You still think I can't handle myself?

I think you're a fucking little crawler.

Alright. I gotta go anyway.

Where you going, bro? School social.

School social? Yeah.

Isn't he expelled?

NARRATOR: In fact, he'd been expelled

and explicitly forbidden from attending any school functions.

But that wasn't John's biggest problem.

The social was fancy dress, and like Cinderella, he had nothing to wear.

Oi, mate!

How much for your suit?

What? The bear suit. I need it.

(LAUGHS) Koalas are not bears. Save the wilderness?

Oi! You'd steal from the environment?

I don't want your money. I need your suit.

Hey, listen, I'm hiring it. Or you can consider it a bloody donation.

But I need your suit. Give me it.

No. No! Fuck off! I need your bloody suit.

Ahh! Jesus! Don't fight it!

Don't fight it!

SONG: # Well, it's a hungry town

♪ Where people kiss the ground

♪ And the higher you go

♪ That's where the feeling grows

♪ There's a world out there

♪ Where people just don't care... ♪

Hey, brass nuts! Hey! How are ya?

Who's that in there? It's me. Told you I'd come.

John?! If the principal sees you, he's gonna go mental.

You'll be in so much trouble!

Oh, my God! Johnny's here! Johnny's here!

He's in the koala suit!

Go tell everyone he's here!

♪ Well, it's a hungry town

♪ Where people kiss the ground

♪ And the higher you go

♪ That's where the feeling grows

♪ There's a world out there

♪ Where people just don't care

♪ About what's going down

♪ Right here in hungry town

♪ Well, it's a hungry town

♪ Where people kiss the ground

♪ And the higher you go

♪ That's where the feeling grows

♪ There's a world out there

♪ Where people just don't care

♪ About what's going down

♪ Right here in hungry town... ♪

Year 12...

Year 12, a bit of shush, thanks.

I know you're out there, Ibrahim.

Everyone, masks off.

Masks off, please.

(LAUGHS) Did you see the look on his face?

Yeah, it was pretty priceless.

Hey, did you know that koalas spend, like, 18 hours of the day sleeping?

Really? Yeah.

What do they do the rest of the time?

They watch TV and play video games. (LAUGHS)

No, I'm serious!

You are not like anybody else, you know that?

That suits me just fine.

(BOTH MOAN)

Cheers, mate.

Saved my arse.

SONG: # I think that we could be lovers

♪ Why don't you take a picture of me, boy?

♪ I think that we could be lovers

♪ Why don't you take a picture... ♪

NARRATOR: George, Lennie, Hammer,

they'd all drummed it into John's skull

that order on the streets was vital.

Maybe that's why he decided to jump into a fight that didn't concern him

between guys he didn't even know.

He's got a knife!

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

NARRATOR: It's over a mile to St Vincent's Hospital.

Still, on foot's probably faster than calling an ambulance,

which is important when your liver's sliced in half,

your intestines are chopped spaghetti

and you've got a collapsed lung.

(HEART MONITOR BLARES)

(DEFIBRILLATOR WHINES)

(HEART MONITOR BEATS STEADILY)

(SIGHS)

Where's the boys?

Everyone's at the mosque, praying to Allah

for not sending you to paradise.

(SIGHS DEEPLY) Get some rest, man.

Relax.

Don't worry about anything.

Me and Lennie will look after you.

We'll keep your pay coming.

That kid you went to help, he was one of our boys.

(COUGHS) You didn't know that?

Don't know if I can do this, George.

(SIGHS) Let's just wait and see, shall we?

You're gonna be OK, John.

You'll get better.

But you're too pretty and too small to be the toughest.

That's what I always say.

But you're smart enough to be the smartest.

(SIGHS) Look, I gotta get home before this 'no smoking' kills me.

(COUGHS)

NARRATOR: Once upon a time, a young man with a bright future

came to the Golden Mile only to die an untimely death.

For three long minutes, clinically speaking.

But John must have had a guardian angel watching over him,

because he got to be born again.

SONG: # I'm standing here on the ground

♪ The sky above won't fall down

♪ See no evil in all directions

♪ Resolution of happiness

♪ Things have been dark for too long... ♪

Most of us would never dream of

carving out a life for ourselves in Kings Cross.

It's a freak show... a fantasy to be enjoyed in small doses.

But for John Ibrahim, the Golden Mile was where he had always wanted to be.

♪ For you

♪ Don't change a thing for me... ♪

He always knew he belonged there.

And now everybody else did too.

Why should I forgive you?

Your children have forsaken me

and thrown to the houses of prostitutes.

Johnny Ibrahim wasn't the only newcomer...

to make an impression on the Golden Mile

Once upon a time, a waitress called Kim Hollingsworth

arrived in Kings Cross following her heart...

...or to be more accurate,

following a Prince Charming

because he'd told her the Golden Mile was the only place to be,

the happening place.

He was right.

('ONE TO THE OTHER' BY WOLF & CLUB PLAYS)

WOMAN: Whoo-hoo-hoo!

(ROLLS TONGUE)

Are you already here?

Oh, my God! What are you doing?!

Kim, I told you I'd meet you in the fucking foyer!

You're having sex with prostitutes? No, look.

Kim, this is, you know... this is your fault. It is.

I got needs, OK? I have... I have sophisticated needs.

And I have every right to have them fulfilled... it's fair.

You said a night for us in a fancy hotel.

Kim, I wouldn't do any of this with the other women

if you weren't such a dud bloody root!

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Yeah, you got a sweet girl and you say shit like that to her.

Sorry, no-one asked either of you. Just... please?

You never said anything to me. Ohh!

Oh, it's never their fault.

Always the lady's. Silly knob.

Sorry, is this a fucking feminist convention or something?

Is that what's... You know, you spoil everything, Kimberley.

Right, that's it. Come with us. We'll get you a coffee.

Hang on. Oi, what about my... what about my blow job?

Blow it out your arse. "Blow it out your arse"?

That's... that's charming, that is.

You are a plank of wood in bed, Kim. You starfish bitch!

Fuck!

(MAN HOLLERS INDISTINCTLY)

(SEDUCTIVE MUSIC)

I was gonna marry him.

You don't want to marry that dick, do you?

Actually, yeah.

He was my first.

He was your first?

Jeez, honey, if I married the first bloke who fucked me,

I'd be married to my uncle.

(WOMAN SCREAMS EXCITEDLY IN DISTANCE)

So what do you do, Kim?

I work in a cafe.

Get tips?

Not really. Thank you.

If you don't mind me asking, how much do you make a week?

About 160.

And you don't drink?

Do you earn good money?

Slow week, maybe a grand.

If we're busy or I do specials, I can make 2.

$2,000?

In a week?

Ever thought of this line of work, Kim?

What? Oh, no.

I mean, I'm happy doing what I'm doing.

NARRATOR: Of course, Kim didn't really believe that

and nor did anyone else.

But she wasn't ready to admit it, not just yet.

George Freeman provided a home collection service

for punters who'd somehow forgotten to settle up their gambling debts.

(MEN YELL INDISTINCTLY)

You got 20 seconds to come up with George Freeman's 20 grand.

They took it. They already took it!

What are youse fucking doing here?

Collecting for Frank Moon. Frank Moon?

I was gonna pay Mr Freeman first but...

Shut up! Shut up. Don't move.

You alright to wait so I can make a call?

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Set a limit. If you don't have the money, don't play. You understand?

Yeah, George.

How often do I have to come here?

Yeah, John. Uh, got a bit of a problem here, mate.

You understand what I'm saying? Frank Moon's boys are here.

Seems he had gambling debts to him too.

So?

You're not fucking trying hard enough.

I was wondering what you'd like us to do. That's all.

What the fuck do you think I want you to do?

Excuse my French, sweetheart.

He's sending Lennie McPherson over to sort it out.

What?!

We're supposed to hold you down till he gets here.

(BOTH YELL INDISTINCTLY)

Hey, hey, hey, hey! Just give it to them!

Take it.

200's mine, huh? I hope you're telling the truth.

He is, Johnny. He is. Yeah?

OK. Don't spend it all at once, eh?

You need some choof.

(DRIVING DANCE MUSIC PLAYS)

Let's go, boys. See ya.

Hey, I'll catch up with you later, eh?

Can we have a word? Yeah. Kitchen.

You after some more door shifts?

You know we can give you as many as you want.

I want to make you an offer, actually.

One I can refuse or have you got someone waiting for me up the alley?

I want to buy a share of this place, Mel.

You what?

I wanna buy into the Tunnel,

go into partnerships with you and the other owners.

Son, a nightclub is not a kebab shop.

I don't wanna own a kebab shop.

You're serious. You really wanna buy in.

Of course I'm serious. Mel, this club is a place to be seen.

Is it just you we'll be cosying up with

or, uh, is this really an offer from the company?

It's just me, mate.

So George and Lennie don't know what you're up to?

You think about this.

You have me on board,

you won't be paying $500 protection every week for starters.

Don't worry, I can see the advantages.

Plus I'd still work the doors, watch the other staff

and get rid of all the dead weights, mate.

Son, it sounds beautiful.

So how much? How much for 20%?

Son, the Tunnel's worth 1.5 mill.

Do me cheaper for cash?

I'll see you soon.

NARRATOR: John Ibrahim saw an opportunity,

grabbed it with both hands and never looked back.

That was the secret to success on the Golden Mile...

seizing the moment with both hands.

WOMAN: Johnny, is that you?

Morning, Mrs Wilson. Just doing your bins.

Up so early! You're a good boy.

You tell your mother she's lucky to have such a hardworking boy.

(CHUCKLES) OK. See ya.

MAN: How long are you and Chook out of the office for, Scully?

About a week, I reckon.

Trevor says you and Chook are going after the bluefin.

Fishy, fishy, fishy! Mate, you tried the home-brew?

8%. Oh, yeah.

You like fishing? Yeah.

Except I get bloody seasick and fish make me get a rash all around...

It does! Why do you go, then?

Give my wife a bit of a break, you know?

Plus Chook needs someone to boss around.

Don't you, mate... boss me around?

You bloody need it, mate. You need it!

(LAUGHS)

That little incident with those thugs on Darlo Road

might be coming back to haunt ya.

Thanks, mate. I thought they pleaded guilty, affray.

Yeah, one of 'em works in security.

He'll lose his licence if he gets a conviction

so he's changed to not guilty.

Now, look, while I fully support your version of events,

this could mean more negative publicity

for your blokes up the Cross.

Mm-hm.

We've already got pollies screaming about corruption.

Mate, steak or, um, sausage?

Uh, steak, thanks, mate.

So what are you saying?

All I'm saying is it'd be in your best interests to get a win up your way.

Den, our arrest rates in this city are as high as any other station.

Yeah, piddling junkies and two-bit drug dealers.

I'm talking major bust.

You know, one that gets headlines,

makes you blokes look like a cross between Serpico and Jesus.

(BURPS) Which we are.

Just do something good and be seen doing it.

('A SUCKER FOR YOUR SOUND' BY I MONSTER PLAYS)

SONG: # I can't get to sleep tonight

♪ I've been thinking of you all day long

♪ You know I'm playing with you now... ♪

Your target is Bill Bayeh.

Major heroin dealer of these parts.

Well, our information has him mid-range at best.

Well, everything we're hearing from the coalface

says he's ambitious, moving up.

Got a big shipment coming in from Asia.

You see, this gives us an opportunity

to actually make a dent inside the smack trade,

you know, instead of pissing our fine efforts

up against the wall.

What's your plan?

Well, we've nabbed one of Bayeh's street dealers.

Ali Ghazzawie.

Got a record as long as a donkey's dick.

Donkey's tail, sorry.

We explained to him that he could either do 5 to 10

for dealing in prohibited substances

or he could do himself, and us, a favour.

So he's agreed to meet with Bayeh,

and put a request in for a large quantity of heroin

to sell to his Leb mates back in Parramatta.

So what we do is we give Ali the cash,

we organise a place for the exchange

and when Bayeh hands over the smack... bam!...

we nab him for the lot.

So what do you want from the AFP?

A gold star?

Inspector Lloyd, the only way a rat-smart drug dealer like Bayeh

is gonna go for a deal like this

is if he's offered big numbers.

Anything pissy and he'll smell a set-up a mile off.

How much is he selling?

Two kilos, 75% pure.

Street value... $1.4 million.

Wholesale value... About 200 grand.

So you know what we're up against.

Us State coppers can't raise that sort of cash, but you Feds can.

$200,000 is a lot of money.

Well, Bayeh's a lot of dealer.

I'd have to be across all the planning. Every detail.

Absolutely... joint operation,

including sharing in the glory

when we make one of the biggest drug busts in this city.

Honey, I'm... I'm really sorry.

You know I don't like cut flowers. It's killing them.

Oh. I forgot.

(CAT MIAOWS)

(SIGHS)

You won't do it again?

I won't do it again. I won't.

You know I love you.

(SHOWER RUNS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Hey, honey.

Did you take money out of my purse? Aren't you meant to be at work?

I had $70 in there. Now there's only $15.

Well, you spent it and you forgot about it. No, I didn't!

I didn't fucking take it! Well, where is it, then?

You tell me you love me and you give me shit all the time.

KIM: I don't know what to do.

He steals from you, he screws other women, he's into drugs.

Kim, it doesn't take a brain surgeon.

You're not still stuck on the idea

that if you sleep with a guy you've gotta marry him, are you?

It's not that weird.

Oh, yes, it is!

Anyway, I need money to move out. I need a bond and a week's rent.

That's gonna take me bloody weeks to save up.

So get a better job.

At high school you always said you wanted to be a copper.

"Make your fantasies come true."

What?

"Stacey, blonde and buxom."

Didn't you say those hookers you met earned, like, two grand a week?

Yeah, for having sex with men they don't know.

So I do that practically every Friday night

and the only thing I get out of it is a couple of lousy tequilas.

Come on, my bank bill is off the planet.

I know a girl. She worked for an escort agency.

It'd be alright, I reckon.

Maybe I am to blame.

Trent says I'm frigid.

Maybe you are.

MAN: Come on, fellas. Live show!

Come on in!

JOHN: Have you talked to your partners yet?

I told them you were knee-high to a grasshopper.

But they could see the advantage

of going with someone with your, um...

...youthful enthusiasm and particular skills.

For 140,000.

With a deposit of what?

70.

Boys.

Hey, George.

Can you hold this for me?

Actually, you know what? Can you hold all my pay from now on?

You know, be my bank.

You'll be asking for interest next.

You saving for something special, John?

You know, I just see these other pricks,

money goes through their hands like water.

Haven't got money in your pocket, you can't spend it, can ya?

Thanks, George.

(FUNKY MUSIC)

NARRATOR: Ambitious copper Dennis Kelly

was another man who understood the importance of seizing the day.

He knew a golden opportunity when he saw one.

You watch it, Davo.

And Dennis NEVER looked a gift horse in the mouth.

Excuse me, Inspector.

Ah, Mr Wu, another fantastic spread.

Thank you. Thank you, yes.

Apologies for intruding, but my wife's nephew...

you recall he got into some trouble.

Armed robbery and got six years, hmm?

Yes, yes, foolish boy who deserved his sentence.

Oh, he should be due for release soon.

We figured he will be deported.

He intended applying for permanent residency, but this incident...

How is the boy doing these days?

Ashamed of his past. Reformed.

And if he were to stay?

I would give him a job. The family would be very, very strict.

He just needs this chance.

We would be most, MOST grateful.

SONG: # He said, "Hey, what's your name?"

♪ She said, "Touch me"

♪ He said, "Girl, what's your name?"

♪ She said, "Touch me"

♪ I'll show you everything there is to show

♪ I'll teach you things you don't even know

♪ We're going down to the river

♪ Then we're gonna go deeper

♪ Go deeper

♪ Go deeper... ♪

(HORSE WHINNIES)

(WHINNIES)

The exchange point is here.

Unmarked units here, here, here.

Marked units for backup should remain in constant radio contact but out of sight.

Now, Bayeh's likely to arrive in his car which is a...

Blue Merc. Thank you.

And Mr Ghazzawie will approach down Waratah Street on foot.

No-one goes in until the exchange has happened, OK?

We want to get him for the lot.

Someone goes off half-cocked,

someone goes in before he's actually handed over the smack

and taken the money, then we lose half our charge sheet

and no-one gets any thanks of a grateful nation.

Any questions?

OK. Let's make it a good one.

Make the call.

(PHONE RINGS)

Hello.

I got the cash. It's all set.

Good.

(WHISTLE BLOWS, MEN YELL INDISTINCTLY IN DISTANCE)

OK, here they come.

Here.

That is not a Mercedes.

Yeah, but it's Bayeh.

I can't see the driver.

Just hand it over.

Oh, shit.

All units, go, go, go! Come on, go!

(SIRENS WAIL)

What the fuck happened?!

It's a late model Ford... A Commodore possibly.

(TYRES SQUEAL) Shit!

Registration number... There is no plates, OK?

Approach suspect with caution, could be armed.

Left, left, left!

OK, vehicle travelling north, heading towards...

Turning left into the transport yards.

We lose him in here, we're fucked.

Jesus!

What are you trying to do? Kill us?!

Jeez, mate, you're not Brockie.

Are we even sure it's Bayeh in the car?

Car travelling south on the service lane.

All units converge at the southern end.

Left, left, left, left!

Back up! Back up!

Back, back, back, back!

Oh! Fucking hell!

There he is. He's gone straight out through the gate!

Unit four, we've lost visuals. Do you have them?

(MAN OVER RADIO) Negative, sir. We lost him.

Fuck!

NARRATOR: Ali Ghazzawie was found two hours later

in a back lane in Marrickville.

I'm looking into the window and it wasn't Bill.

It was two other clams I've never seen before.

One of them's all, "Bill sent me." And I'm all, "Where's the smack?"

He's all, "Get in the fucking car, I'll take you to it."

And I'm all, "No fucking way am I getting in your car!"

And he's all, "Get in the car, dickhead."

And then he fucking pulls a gun on me

and I'm all, "Don't fucking shoot me, OK?"

And he's all, "I won't shoot you if you get in the fuckin' car!"

What happened to the money?

I don't fucking know.

I blacked out when they gave me this.

NARRATOR: What happened to the money?

Good question.

SONG: # I want to see you

♪ I want to see you twisted around

♪ Yeah, you want to change

♪ You should be moving it around... ♪

About here will do.

Cheerio, mate.

♪ You can waste it when you've got it

♪ You can stop your baby crying... ♪

NARRATOR: That Federal 200,000 had to go around a fair few people.

But as they said back then, everyone got a drink out of it.

Everyone in on the joke, that is.

There was talk, of course,

and plenty of people suspected a scam.

But knowing corruption exists is one thing.

Proving it, well, that's something else.

(MEN LAUGH) G'day, fellas.

Hey, Trev.

How was the fishing trip?

(LAUGHS) Beauty.

Hey, Chook, happy birthday, mate.

Present for ya. Oh, thanks, Trev.

Sculls, one for you too, mate. Buy yourself that new rod, eh?

Enjoy. Thanks, Trev.

NARRATOR: For years, Independent New South Wales MP John Hatton

had run a crusade against police corruption.

So far, he'd failed to get the numbers in parliament

for the royal commission he wanted,

but the media were beginning to get behind him

and a few senior officers could see which way the wind was blowing.

(KNOCKS) Nose to the grindstone. Good to see, mate.

Slumming it, sir?

You're invited to a party Friday night.

What's the occasion?

The dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

NARRATOR: That party became the stuff of legend.

Assistant commissioners, chief supers, supers,

chief inspectors, the odd inspector...

they put their heads together and drew a line in the sand.

Whether Hatton gets his royal commission or not,

these are changing times.

Old ways belong to old times.

Exactly.

Rule a line, turn the page. It's the only way forward.

(FUNKY MUSIC)

(MEN CHATTER AND CHEER)

(LAUGHS)

(MEN YELL AND CHEER)

Ha-ha!

Holy moly. Look at you!

Chief Inspector Kelly. (LAUGHS) Fuck me for a queen.

Many happy returns, mate. Thank you very much, Dennis. Cheers.

So who do you have to root to get one of those, mate?

Ah, I chucked my hat in the ring, got lucky.

Good on ya, mate. Congratulations.

(LAUGHS)

You didn't take my advice.

Mate, I hang off your every fucking word. You know that.

Well, I don't remember advising you to rip off the Feds 200 grand, mate.

Oh, God, come on, Den!

No-one got hurt, did they?

Through to the keeper. (CLICKS TONGUE)

The word is from above we've gotta keep our noses clean.

Yeah, yeah.

You know, those fucking desk jockeys and their fucking gabfest...

there's nothing in it.

That's not how I saw it, mate.

I saw it as a warning.

You were at that meeting?

Well, well, well.

Moving up in the world are we, matey?

Playing with the big fellas.

Well, good on you, mate. Fair dinkum.

(CAT MIAOWS) Ohh!

(KISSES)

Hello.

(MIAOWS) Hello. (KISSES)

Are you not hungry, Piggy, huh? Why?

Probably still full from last night.

Had a mountain of fish, didn't you, Piglet?

I might take her for a check-up.

What the fuck?!

There was over $300 in there!

Well, I didn't fucking take it!

Don't lie to me! You took it and you shoved it up your nose!

Kim! (SCREAMS)

Ohh!

So what if I fucking did?!

(CRIES)

Jesus.

Need a bit of relief living with you, you mental bitch.

Oh, Kim, I'm the best thing in your life. (DOOR CLOSES)

Don't pretend I'm not!

(FUNKY MUSIC)

Um, excuse me. What you want?

Uh, just the Yellow Pages, please.

Thank you.

Morning, Mrs Freeman. Is George there?

Thanks.

George. Yeah, just wondering if we can organise my payday.

(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS QUIETLY)

WOMAN: So what made you choose us?

Um, your ad was probably the classiest.

It pays to spend that little bit extra, doesn't it?

Now, have you done any escort work before?

BOTH: No.

But we're up for it.

Lovely. Our girls are all so happy.

No complaints. And the nicest clients.

Now, are you aware that escorting involves nudity?

You'll have to take your clothes off.

And it can involve sex.

What's the pay like?

$250 for two hours.

Clients call us, we page you, you phone us for the address.

We take $100 in fees

and you lovely ladies get to keep the rest.

('SIMULATION' BY WA WA NEE PLAYS)

SONG: # Take him out of love He's been there before

♪ He knows the feeling it can give

♪ Loss of memory, lots of indecision

♪ Doesn't know who to believe, oh-oh

♪ Well, I know the merits of a motion

♪ Directed to the man in me, oh

♪ I'll be as good as the next best boy

♪ But you know what I really need

♪ All I need to get is stimulation

♪ So get me up against the wall

♪ You know I need it, stimulation

♪ But I never thought you'd be that bold

♪ Oh, oh, oh

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh

♪ Oh, oh, oh... ♪

500 short.

Who hasn't paid?

The Tunnel.

They won't be paying anymore.

What makes them so special?

I bought the place.

You what?

I bought into the Tunnel. 20%.

I figure I don't need to pay myself to protect the place.

(LENNIE SCOFFS AND LAUGHS)

You got some balls, son.

(LAUGHS)

He's a shifty little fuck.

NARRATOR: I'm not sure about shifty, but he was definitely cheeky.

In fact, he was still too young to buy a beer in his own nightclub.

You're not gonna bail out, are you?

No. I'm only doing this a couple of times, though.

The minute I've got a bond, I'm out.

Yep... me too.

(SCOFFS) You liar!

(LAUGHS)

(PAGER BEEPS)

It's me.

Hi, it's Belinda.

Yep. Yeah, I know the place.

OK.

Some place in Coogee.

Last one to make a grand's a rotten root.

'Bye! (DOOR CLOSES)

(PAGER BEEPS)

(EXHALES)

(SOLEMN MUSIC)

(KNOCKS AT DOOR)

You from the agency?

Mm-hm.

Come on in.

Thank you.

You want a drink?

Oh, no, thanks.

Just a blow job will be fine.

Pardon?

A blow job.

Then maybe you can play with yourself.

(MAN SIGHS)

(BLOWS)

What are you doing?

Isn't that right?

Haven't you done this before?

No.

Shit!

You know, you might be a bit

too straight for this sort of work.

(PAGER BEEPS)

(BOBBY FLYNN SINGS) # Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty

♪ The sound of your breath fades with the light

♪ I think about this

♪ Loveless fascination

♪ Under the Milky Way tonight

♪ Lower the curtain down on Memphis

♪ Lower the curtain down... ♪

Where've you been?

Why are you dressed like that?

Fuck!

You want a whore?

You got one.

Now fuck off out of my life.

♪ Wish I knew what you were looking for

♪ I might have known what you would find... ♪

NARRATOR: Kim Hollingsworth took her chance, seized her destiny,

empowered herself.

But part of her brain was screaming.

Had she just sold her soul for the price of the rent?