Original subtitles

(SIGHS)

Ow. Ow, ow!

What?! Oh, shoo!

Are you gonna help, or just lie there getting your finger sucked?

What's the point?

We've been killing bugs for weeks. It doesn't make a bloody difference.

We need bloody pesticide.

Is Frankie back yet?

She knows what we're up to.

Frankie... I'm not up to anything.

This insect.

She thinks I'm some vengeful God.

I'm sorry, little one.

Gosh, you are high as a kite on methylated spirits

and shouldn't be up a ladder.

Swap.

Maybe Frankie's collecting my luggage.

I hope it arrives by the fundraiser.

I hope she's getting money so we can finally be paid.

(SHOP BELL RINGS)

Good morning, Mrs Whitmore.

Good morning, Mrs Bushell.

Any word from your husband?

No, not yet. Oh.

Let's trust no news is good news.

(CHUCKLES KINDLY)

Oh. Will we see you at the fundraiser tomorrow?

Of course.

I never miss one.

Oh, wonderful.

Your generous contribution to the war effort

does not go unnoticed.

Thank you.

Next.

Good day, Herbert.

I told you, Mrs Whitmore - only my teacher calls me that.

Herbie. Oh, Herbie.

So distinguished.

I wish to take money from my husband's account.

Withdrawal.

Pardon?

You withdraw money from the bank.

You're so lucky to learn English as a child.

We've been over this, Mrs Whitmore.

You're not a signatory.

This is our marriage certificate.

It proves I have the right to take the money.

Herbie.

I need to pay the Land Army girls.

I'd like to help you.

But you're not only a lady, you're also foreign.

It's a lot.

It is.

So...

You must have the power.

You could show me your...maracas.

My what?

How old are you? Doesn't matter.

It really does.

What matters is that I control the finances in this town.

Next.

So if you've got rats or mice...

Mr Goodwin. ..or foxes or bilbies

or wallabies... Mr Goodwin!

Good morning.

When will our pesticide arrive?

The maggot fly. They're so bad.

And they're eating my money.

(LOUDLY) I'm sorry, Mrs Whitmore.

Delays are beyond my control.

Supply chain issues.

I can hear you.

Supply...

..chain...

..issues, huh?

Besides, you didn't get your order in on time.

Huh? There's a time.

Yeah. Yeah.

I'm surprised Harry didn't place the order before he enlisted.

This is so helpful.

Maybe have a chat to Des.

He'll be able to help you out.

Huh? I'll...with Des.

So...

Tooroo!

Your shift's over.

Run for the hills.

(SCOFFS)

Here you go.

Yummy.

You know, the insects have quite a sophisticated social structure.

Yeah, these shifts need to be shorter.

In fact, the colony appears to turn on any males

that fail to protect it.

Wow. There is so much to unpack there, you know?

Someone with a more open mind might make the case

that these maverick males are visionaries,

bravely exploring other ideas of being

beyond the restrictive definitions imposed on them by their gender,

with its emphasis on physical strength

as an indicator of worth.

That is a case that could be made...

..if for some reason you felt the need to defend yourself.

(CHUCKLES)

I know you're looking.

(LAUGHS)

I wasn't looking at you.

I was looking at the apples.

Yeah. I was!

See you at dinner.

Damn you, Harry. Where did you put the key?

Knock, knock.

Lost the key? Si.

How did it go...at the bank?

Not good. But it's alright.

Harry kept most of the harvest money in here.

Oh, well, I don't mind.

It's Esther who's fretting.

Gosh, that colour really suits you.

(SAWING CONTINUES)

So, anyway, you're probably wondering why I'm here

during my break.

I received a letter from my aunt. (SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Mummy says I take after her.

Did I mention she was a suffragette?

She got arrested and everything,

and she thinks about women all the time.

Their rights and such!

(SPEAKS ITALIAN) So I am completely relaxed.

What are you talking about?

Oh, I see! Didn't SEE a thing.

(LAUGHS NERVOUSLY)

You know, but I can be trusted.

(SHOUTS) Fanculo! Vaffanculo!

(EXHALES)

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

Thank you.

So it's all sorted.

First I bailed out Barry,

then I had a chinwag with Pete, and then I scratched Trevor's back,

and voila.

Pesticide - first thing!

Thank you, Des.

Imagine what we could do without you.

It was nothing, really.

No. Just glad I could help.

That smells good. Is that rosemary?

Um...

We can share what little we have.

Yum, yum, yum. Pig's bum.

An extra potato, if there's one going.

Magic!

Yes, sir.

Shall we say, midday for the big spray?

Mother enjoys my company for breakfast.

That's very kind of you, Des,

but you don't have to help.

I wasn't actually going to hold a hose.

It's...it's more of a supervisory role.

I can do that.

It's a big job.

Women can do big jobs.

(CHUCKLES)

They can.

They can.

Oh!

I'll be here at midday.

(ROOSTER CROWS)

(STRAINS)

Easy, easy, easy, easy, easy...

More. More. Yes. Watch there.

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS)

I can't open Harry's lockbox.

We have to pay them, Robert.

We're weeks overdue.

How's that my problem?

The key.

Must be on him.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

My constitution is not suited to this task.

Well, I can't. I have to go to the fundraiser.

Well, don't look at me - I'm serving at it!

Let's just do this another day.

No, it has to be done when the girls are at the dance.

Shit. Is it midday already?

Ciao, Francesca. Ciao, Des.

Oh, no! I'm dirty.

Ready to get going?

It's done.

I thought we said noon.

I decided earlier, before the wind picks up.

Is it done properly? Si.

Without a hitching.

Where are the girls?

This...that needs mowing. And m-mend this.

And what's this pile of rubbish?

They're getting ready for the fundraiser.

We worked so hard.

We need some fun.

No?

I'll save a dance for you.

Hello. Thank you.

Thank you for coming along.

On behalf of myself, Mayor Burke, Mrs Whitmore, senior,

and her youngest son, Des,

we'd like to bid farewell to our local ladies

who've enlisted in the services.

Not as sad as when the men leave, of course.

Let's be honest - they're unlikely to die.

But bravo, girls.

Also, it's Miss Arnott's 60th birthday. Yes.

So please have a slice of one of the 17 Madeira cakes.

Plus, there's our ongoing scrap metal drive

for the war effort. (BANG)

Oh! Thanks, June.

And, of course, Mrs Harry Whitmore is here, as usual, raising funds.

So enjoy a bottle of her delicious cider,

knowing that every penny is sticking it to Hitler.

Or should that be Mussolini?

(LAUGHTER)

Now grab a partner and cut the rug, as the youth say,

to our marvellous bush school band.

Mrs Whitmore.

May I?

Oh, you won't attract a husband if you eat that.

It was Mother's birthday last week.

And, yes, a little token would have been appreciated,

but I won't carp.

Don't want the mafia on my back.

What was odd was that a card failed to arrive from Harry.

It's just unlike him, considering how perfect he is.

The mail, it's so crazy right now.

Des...

May I ask you a favour?

Yes, of course. Anything.

The girls, they haven't been paid.

I promised them this week, but...

I'd love to help.

I really would. Um...

Money's still a bit tight for me.

The expenses setting up the internment camp and...

Of course.

Don't you worry your pretty little head about it.

We'll have a bumper harvest

and all our problems will be behind us.

May I cut in?

No, Des, not you.

Scusami.

I could kiss you.

Oh, w-well...

So my aunt, the suffragette, she has this very close friend.

They do everything together.

Their connection, it's rather special.

Suppose you'd call her a special friend.

May I?

I don't believe we've formally met.

Rita.

Gwen...eth. Gwyneth. Gwen. Gwen.

Oh, don't you look cute in your khaki?

Trousers are much more practical.

(CHUCKLES)

Per favore...

Of course I'm upset.

I'm going away for God knows how long,

and you're being queer.

Shhh!

Someone will hear.

Why can't I write you as myself?

Why pretend to be Harry?

He hates to write.

And it will look odd if I only get letters from you.

Hmm.

You said you would do anything for me.

Don't start.

It's our last time together.

Tomorrow you'll be gone.

And you'll be on to the next married woman.

Shh... Don't say that.

It's from Terry. He's in New Guinea.

Sandy beaches and palm trees, eh?

Lucky sod.

Will you be joining him after the harvest?

Medical condition. Remember, Mr Wong?

Chronic underachievement.

It's nothing serious, but...

Robert, we miss you.

We all do.

Just because Terry is away doesn't mean you can't come round.

All done. Thanks, Murray.

Oi, Robert!

Goodie, the help's here.

"More caviar, girl, quick sticks!"

I'm never quick sticking you again if you keep that up.

Here. Don't have the time.

Why are you still here?

You got that important job.

Yes, and I am very...keyed up about that.

The missus still gunning for me?

She called you loose and wanton.

Wanting what? Something about out of wedlock?

She wants us married up, eh?

Well, to hell with marriage.

Just another colonial simulation tool.

Yeah, of course.

One of the better ones, though, eh?

Tell Neville to get off that Jesus train

and make sure he doesn't brainwash little Homer.

Hey.

(CLICKS TONGUE)

(CHUCKLES)

(MOANING)

Ah!

(PANTING)

Ah!

(BANGING ON DOOR)

MRS ARNOTT: The door's locked again! Can you break it down?

Oh! Hello.

Are you the Jewish one?

(MOUTHS)

You'll have to speak up, dear. I'm a bit deaf.

(WHISPERS) Gwen.

Ben?

Oh, for Pete's sake, Gwen!

I've got something for you.

Oh, er, I don't need anything.

Thank you. Come on.

I know you want to.

Coral.

No, I-I...

I really don't.

All men do. Oh!

(GIGGLES) No, not...not me.

What's wrong with me?

Coral, sweetie, do you mean metaphysically or...?

Why are you still here?

Again, metaphysically?

You're a traitor.

Right.

You're not a real man!

You're not a real man. My brother's fighting.

You're not a real man! Your dad is a hero!

You're not a real man. (GLASS SHATTERS)

You get that punchy traitor!

Get him! What a coward. Get him.

Not...a real...man!

There's blood. Shit.

I'm bleeding? Yeah, you are bleeding.

FRANKIE: You got drunk. You deserve it.

They are as aggressive as the men. Maybe worse.

Did you get the key?

One of them. (LAUGHS)

You didn't, did you?

You were drinking instead of doing what I asked for.

Now I have to take care of it!

As I always do.

(HOLDS BREATH)

(GASPS)

Try his pocket.

(BOTH RETCH)

Captions by Red Bee Media (c) SBS Australia 2023