Original subtitles

RENEE: It's dementia or death, they said.

PETER: Oh, will you shut up, Renee? It's your fault.

You made me next of kin. I'm OK with not doing Plum's Cafe.

I'm going to do it myself.

I said don't talk to me like I'm a kid!

Don't you dare touch me.

DANA: Hey!

So poetry's on Tuesday night, yeah? Security guy.

They said don't drive any vehicle for six months.

What? They want me to see a head doctor?

CTE?

DANA: Yeah. I'm looking to talk to players' wives,

players themselves.

(GASPING)

My son's playing his grand final!

Game finished hours ago, mate.

Two scouts, one from Storm, one from Manly came.

I think I overshared.

MAN: I'm going to have to call in Sylvia.

Who's Sylvia?

(SHOUTS) I said just go!

I can't look at you.

GAVIN: (OVER ANSWERPHONE) Hey, it's Gavin, leave a message

if you have to. (ANSWERPHONE BEEPS)

Gav, it's Dad. Just trying you again, mate.

Um, you must be busy.

Yeah. I hope the, um...hope the eye's healing

and, um, that you've packed...

..packed for Melbourne.

(DANCE MUSIC PLAYS IN BACKGROUND) Um...it's going to be good, eh?

Melbourne Storm.

Yeah, I think Simmo might be there, eh?

Big stuff.

Yeah, give me a call back.

Um, I'd love to talk to you

and...and just iron a few things out and...

Yeah, excited.

Excited for the trip. Alright, mate.

(DISTANT SIREN BLARES)

Hey, this is Lost For Words, right?

Yeah, yeah.

Who are you?

Security.

Can I help you?

Move.

Out of the way. Oh, yeah.

ANNOUNCER: I would like to acknowledge

the traditional owners of this land,

the Dharawal clan.

I give praise to the trans-cestors,

as I introduce your host for the night.

Jupiter!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Slow down. Where's the fire, huh?

Good evening, poets.

(RAPTUROUS CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I am Jupiter, queen of the planets,

worthy of your admiration and your awe-uh-uh-uh!

(WHOOPING)

Here on Earth for all you poetry nerds.

Welcome to Lost For Words.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) (LAUGHS)

One day, the police came to our infant school.

They shot the magpies at playlunch.

They'd been swooping us.

I thought about them lots after,

those babies in their nest.

High up in that gum.

Starving.

Well, fuck the police. (CHUCKLES) Yeah, toast.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Love you, Bridget!

This is a poem called Swap With Me, I'll Swap With You.

(WHOOPING) AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yeah!

It's about how everyone shares the same amount of pain,

no matter what their life is like.

So...

In my garden, I have a plum tree

that bathes in the October sun.

And come March or come July,

it sprouts red-purple fruit.

It says "Hello, Bridget.

"I am Plum."

Says, "Reach for me, I am Plum."

"Squeeze me, suck me till I die, Plum.

And what I would do to climb out of my mental frame,

my fickle frame,

my metal bones into your mobility

so I could walk towards that tree of flirting plums.

Oh, plums, you sweet, unreachable plums.

What I'd give to pick a plum.

But the seat picked me instead.

And so, I must wait until you drop.

But it hurts and it hurts.

So, let me pose the question to you, my friends.

If I swap with you,

will you swap with me?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I...

..am your search history.

Security.

You don't know where I can get any drugs, do you?

Drugs?

Uh...

How do you do that?

What? How did I get outside?

No.

Write like that.

I don't know, security, I guess...

..I just looked inside.

Inside where?

Myself.

And then the words come.

They come for you, too.

Not good ones.

Have this.

What's that for? Write a poem.

(SCOFFS) I ain't no poet. I played footy.

I mean, I did some of what you did in there, but with the ball,

not with words.

I believe that's called 'poetry in motion'.

Creativity can happen on a field or in a book.

It's just a way of thinking.

So, write down those words coming for you.

That's what a poem is.

(WOMAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY OVER LOUDSPEAKER)

MAN: Hi. Very nice to meet you. Yeah.

Oh. G'day, mate. Hello.

How are you? Good, good.

Well played the other night, mate. Thanks so much.

Thank you. Good.

Do you mind? Oh, no.

Cheers. No worries. Keep going.

Thanks, Pete.

Hey. Pretty fancy.

Yeah. We had a very nice drive up.

You want to get a drink, Ains? OK.

Have a good one. Thanks.

Would you like a drink or a snack, sir?

I'm fine. Thanks. Yeah.

I'll have a glass of fizz.

(CHUCKLES) Thanks.

So, what do you want to tell Gav about the appointment tomorrow?

Don't ignore me, Plum.

I wasn't ignoring you.

You just don't give people a chance to respond.

(SCOFFS) Don't be annoying.

He's not talking to me, so I guess

I don't have to tell him anything, do I?

Well, you could try saying sorry, you know?

Although it has been wonderful reconnecting with him.

And Ainsley's so sweet, and she's so good with Tallulah.

I mean, way better than Kaia, who barely lifts a bloody finger.

Can I just...? Yep.

Freshie.

"Freshie"? Sorry, I'm not usually like this.

I just am not very good at flying.

(CHUCKLES)

Oh.

This looks like a good combo.

You, of all people, judging me?

You know I can't fly, and I just gave up breastfeeding,

so piss off.

OK.

You know, I haven't had 35 seconds to myself since I don't know when.

Just FYI.

So, I might be a little bit emotional, and I'm not going

to feel bad about it. OK.

Not that I didn't enjoy it, I did,

but the next 24 hours are Renee time.

I might get a beer, actually.

What do you think of that one, there?

That's great. Yeah?

But is it better than this one?

People will want to see the salads, right?

Yeah, sure. Yeah.

Or maybe this one, here.

Smaller.

Cuter. (CHUCKLES) What do you think?

I don't know! I'm no expert,

but I reckon you should get that one

so you can see everything. Look at that one there.

It has better shelving. Maybe... Yeah.

I don't know. (CHUCKLES) You know what?

Maybe we should ask an expert. Yeah, maybe...

..maybe...maybe we should. Hey...

I like this one, though.

It's cute.

OK. That will be delivered on Friday.

I take it someone will be there. 100%.

(CHUCKLES)

Thank you.

I've been waiting so long to do this.

Thank you. (BEEPING)

Oh, that's been declined.

No.

Did you want me to run it through again?

Sometimes the connection isn't good here.

Yeah, there's definitely money in there. Yeah.

(CARD MACHINE BEEPS)

No, that's been declined again.

Did you have another card?

No.

No, no, no, no, no.

Dumb, dumb, dumb shit!

I'm sorry, I...

I have to come back.

There's a bit of a problem here, so...

I-I'm so sorry.

OK. Not again.

Wait, wait, Char. What's going on?

Bloody Plum, that's what's going on!

I'll see you later.

Thanks.

Oh, I feel a bit light-headed.

Mr Gavin Lum,

very nice to meet you.

Welcome to the Royal Grand Hotel.

Room 310 is for Mrs Lum.

That's me.

Think I was going to change my name to Renee Rangahike?

Oh, Bollinger!

And Mr Lum, this is your room here, Room 309.

Gavin, you have the suite at the end of the hall. Room 307.

Ooh, you're in the big leagues now, mate.

Yeah.

I'm OK, thanks, Kyle.

Oh, shit!

Oh, I've never seen a bed that big!

No way. The towel rack is heated.

I've never seen that.

(CHUCKLES)

Oh, look at these little milks! Ha!

What's that?

It's from the team at the Storm.

"Dear Gavin, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

"Enjoy."

(CAMERA CLICKS) (CHUCKLES)

Look at that.

Hey, we look so good.

Reckon you'll get a blue tick?

We'll be, like, the new celeb couple.

(BOTH LAUGH)

Yeah, I've got to admit, this shit's pretty cool.

(DANCE MUSIC BLARES)

(ON ANSWERPHONE) Hey, it's Gav. Leave a message if you need to.

Gavin, it's me, Dad.

Yeah, just up at the rooftop...

..having a swim in this beautiful rooftop pool.

So, if yous feel like a dip, why don't you pop up?

Alright, mate.

Was that your dad?

You're going to keep ignoring him?

I'm not going to pretend like nothing happened.

So we just call them, right?

Tell them what we want? I guess.

Do you know what you want? Yeah.

I want the Fettuccine Alfredo and the Mac and Cheese Balls

and... Wait, they're paying for this, right?

Yeah. (KNOCK AT DOOR)

Um, can we, like, order from you? Food and stuff?

Don't forget the Mac and Cheese Balls.

And the fries. Yeah, um, a burger?

Yeah, with the lot.

Oh, hi.

Hey.

Jeez, this is a big fucking bed, isn't it?

Oof! Well, what's on the telly?

We could watch a movie.

You wanted the Alfredo, right?

You guys still ordering?

Oh, can I get a burger?

No cheese.

Another burger without cheese, thanks.

Oh, jeez. (CHUCKLES)

This is a bit nice, isn't it?

You're going to smash that meeting tomorrow.

So proud of you.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

(SIGHS)

Why isn't anyone answering my calls?

Oh, look at your room!

(LAUGHS)

Ooh! Hm. Ooh!

Let's order some room service and watch a movie.

We've just ordered.

Oh, well, thanks for the invitation.

(SCOFFS)

Oh, look at those little milks!

They're my favourite. Love those!

(SIGHS)

(KEYS JANGLE)

MAN: (ON TV) Mr Jenson told me I'd find you here.

(RENEE SNORES)

WOMAN: (ON TV) He knows me well.

Lucky man. Hey.

(SNORES)

Let's cut to the chase.

WOMAN: (VOICE ECHOES) Sit down, sir.

As a trained professional...

(VOICE ECHOES INDISTINCTLY)

GAVIN: Dad

Huh?

You can't just leave her here.

Mmm.

(GRUNTS)

(ETHEREAL MUSIC PLAYS)

(DOOR CLICKS SHUT, ECHOES)

(MUSIC AND BREATHING BECOME MUFFLED)

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

Oh! Oh.

(RATTLING)

Yeah, I've got this.

Yeah, put it over there.

Yep.

How did you get all this?

Yeah, got it on tick, mate. Let the guy use the gym.

Pay him with a bit of mayonnaise.

Does she know? It's a secret?

I reckon she'd be pretty happy.

Well, that's the idea, mate.

You want to help these guys get the rest of the stuff

from the truck? Hey.

Nothing illegal for me, mate.

Get out there.

Now, they'll probably give us the full treatment.

Don't be swayed by that.

We're going to weigh up our options, see who else is in the market.

Don't you think we should get him a proper manager?

No, Renee, I think I'm the perfect person for him right now.

Don't agree to anything, OK?

We're going to take their offer and explore it with the sharks.

G'day, guys. You must be Gavin.

Yeah.

Brad Malifa, the Recruitment Manager, here at Storm.

Plum, it's nice to meet you, mate.

I've been waiting for this moment.

This is Lauren, she's got some lanyards for you guys to put on,

so people aren't asking you weird questions inside.

Are you still in Cronulla?

Never leave.

Yeah, I stayed in Cronulla for a bit.

Trained at Brick's gym. You see him much?

Every day. Yeah? That's lovely.

Alright, let's, uh, make our way inside.

Plum, I know Coach Simmo is keen to catch up. A great man.

So, yeah, Squat rack area.

It's a pretty good gym.

Got a couple of the boys training here, Gav.

Oh, look out! Hey, mate.

Over here. Hey.

Come meet the guys, Plum.

MAN: Hey, killer. No, I'm not keeping the gloves on, Mate.

Good to see you. Good to see you guys.

Hey. How are you doing, brother?

How are you doing? You know, when we first

started here, we were the outcasts of rugby league with a shit name.

Club that everyone wishes they could play at.

These guys are huge. You have to tackle them?

Yep.

Coach Simmo puts our main focus in getting the best out of our boys.

You know, they really buy into it.

Yeah, you can see that,

even with players who move on from the system.

That's exactly right, Plum-O.

It wasn't like this when you were playing.

(SCOFFS) No.

Four Premierships, numerous finals series.

Slater, Cronk, Smith, English, Munster.

Storm continued to compete under super coach Simmo,

and that's not about to change.

And another advantage that we have down here is that Melbourne

is an AFL town.

So, our league players can enjoy life away from the spotlight.

Us Lum men don't love the spotlight, do we, Gav?

That's it. That's it.

We'd usually do a solid character check,

but we've pretty much got everything we need with Plum as your old man.

So, this is the Storm office.

What did you say to Gav? About what?

Oh, stop doing that.

Where does he think we're going after this?

He's not going to think anything unless YOU turn it into a big deal.

So, we're just going to leave here and say nothing.

Yeah. And then, you're going

to talk to him tonight? If I know something more.

Well, you've got to tell him something's wrong,

so make a pact to do it tonight, OK?

Sorry to interrupt.

Plum, they're ready for you and Gavin in the boardroom.

Fantastic.

Grant "Simmo" Simmons!

They got a couple more years out of you, did they, mate?

SIMMO: Well, we'll see, smart-ass.

OK, guys, we've been watching tape of Gav for a year now,

and it's good.

He's a footballer.

Great instincts, and with the ball, he seems to have time.

Oh, that's really good to hear.

I know how thorough you blokes are. Yeah.

And, look, he's great in the halves,

but there is a window for a long-term full-back position,

here at the Storm.

As long as he's prepared to train hard

and shows the right qualities.

Look, I guess what we're trying to ask is if he is interested

in moving away from five-eighth to full-back.

He'd be on full-back money.

He'd love that.

I mean, what kind of contract are we talking?

We're offering rookie on a sliding scale.

(WHISTLES) That is a big call.

Yeah. You reckon he's up for it?

What do you think?

What's that? Modesty?

That's a trait you could have used. (LAUGHS)

I think it'd be a dream come true, wouldn't it, Gav?

Is that a yes?

It's a 'whatever', Dad.

I think...I think he's just overwhelmed.

It's a lot to take in.

OTHERS: Yeah.

"Whatever"? "Whatever"?

What kind of a response was that?

Because I'm going to be honest with you, son.

I'm not sure I can save this one for you.

I mean, do you have any idea what they were offering you in there?

Whatever. (GROWLS)

Plum?

Plum, we can't be late.

For what?

Nothing. (ENGINE REVS)

It's alright, Gav, we're going to see you back at the hotel.

Thank you.

Will you talk to me? Can you please tell me what happened?

I'm so sick of this shit! What did he do?

He just took over,

and I... I'm so sick of it.

I hate him.

There's no blue tick. I've fucked it!

Fuck!

You know...

..I don't need them.

I don't need them. I don't need anyone.

(QUIETLY) I hate him. I hate this.

Hey, come here. It's OK.

(SOBS)

Why is he like this?

I don't even know who he is anymore.

I'm here. It's all good now.

We're together.

(LAUGHS)

Oh.

You're laughing? Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh.

I guess you've seen everything now.

Me and my dad.

Shit.

It's OK, babe.

I still like you.

(LAUGHS)

RENEE: Oh, she's...

Hello. Hi.

Well, this is a real pleasure, Peter Lum.

I'm a pretty big fan.

(CHUCKLES) And, Renee, it is so good

to finally meet you in person. Likewise.

And all the stars aligned for us to be in Melbourne today.

The Brain Centre is an incredible place to start this whole process.

Oh, process? Right.

But what does that look like?

To begin with, I just want to ask a few questions, get an idea

of what's been going on.

I was hoping you could tell me.

I've seen the scans.

I just need to know a bit more about your behaviour.

I've already told her that you're a big drinker.

What? You are.

I mean, you're not on the gear anymore.

But I've still seen those veins popping right out of your head,

absolutely rissoled.

I mean, he'll tell you he's got a bad back.

(CHUCKLES) But you ask him,

has he ever been a day in his life without alcohol?

I've had some good days.

Oh, have you?

What's a good day for you, Plum? Five scooeys?

Thanks, Renee.

Why don't we get out of here, go for a walk, Plum?

There's an amazing garden out there.

Renee, that cafe has the best coffee.

We can meet you back here in about 20 minutes or so.

OK.

Plum?

Yeah. Let's walk.

I have to admit, I went to a couple of Sharks games,

back in the late '90s.

Oh, yeah? How did we look?

I remember watching you with the ball.

You made it look so effortless.

I've been a fan ever since.

I mean it. (CHUCKLES)

But, boy, did you take some hits.

Fearless.

Yeah, I don't know.

Did you ever get taken off?

Once, when we were in the UK.

I got knocked out cold.

A couple of geezers trying to make a statement.

But they gave me the smelling salts, and I went back out there.

How did you feel after the game?

Renee was...

Pregnant? ..pissed off.

Why?

Because I didn't know why her stomach was so big.

I didn't know what a baby was.

Nothing was making sense.

Seems like you've got a good memory.

Good and bad days.

How long have you been feeling like this for?

A while.

How long is a while for you?

Since that time in the UK, there's been some clouds inside.

Seems to be getting worse.

"Clouds inside."

It's a nice way of putting it.

How old is Gavin now?

16.

What about feeling angry?

Never been an angry person.

Don't ever feel a kind of sudden rage?

Not usually.

This is strictly just between us, Plum.

We're in the garden cone, so to speak.

I hit a wall.

At my house.

I haven't ever...

Nothing like that before.

Was that after the seizure on the tarmac?

Yeah.

If you look at your life now, compared to what it was

before you went to the UK...

I think I've made it a lot smaller.

In what way?

I don't want to meet new people or do new things

'cause I might not remember stuff.

I'm pretending a lot of the time, more and more.

That's tough.

But I'm going to tell you it is pretty standard stuff

for what is happening to you.

You've probably got friends out there

with the same kind of symptoms and no one is admitting to it.

You reckon you can fix it?

I can give you a prescription to stop the seizures.

And if I take these pills, then it'll go away?

No, it's just the beginning.

But I want to tell you, the most important thing

in my experience is you have to find a reason to fight for yourself.

I've got a reason to fight.

I've got a kid and a girlfriend.

Well, that's good.

But don't forget about you.

(PHONE CHIMES)

Got your message.

Close your eyes. Is this necessary?

Keep them closed.

And... For what?

What? (LAUGHS)

How?

We want you in here, Char,

so we did what we could.

Thank you. (LAUGHS)

Wow!

Whoa!

It's just the bare necessities, but it's a start.

For you, Char.

Oh!

To Gym 'N' Trim.

Gym 'N' Trim.

And to you, too, guys.

You have no idea what this means to me.

Really. (LAUGHS)

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYS, INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Mademoiselle.

Oui, oui. (CHUCKLES)

Can I get another one?

Really?

Don't bring me down.

Sounds like a nice time to have a talk.

I called Simmo, by the way, Gavin.

Did a bit of damage control.

Wasn't easy after your theatrics,

but on the back of that,

the Storm would like to offer you the rookie contract.

Gavvy! Oh, my God.

Why have you taken this long to tell us?

Plum! Oh!

Let's get some champagne and celebrate.

I've got a question for you.

Huh? Gav.

What would you do if you didn't do footie?

(LAUGHS) Good one, Dad.

No, I'm serious.

I mean, you could take a year off, go travelling.

What? Might be good.

Who are you?

There's a big, bad world out there.

Why not take it further?

You're already talking about going to Bali?

You could live overseas. Your mother and I lived overseas.

Yeah, in some shithole

that literally got voted one of the 10 saddest places to live

in the UK.

Why are you saying all this?

Your mother and I just think you might want to weigh up your options.

I never said that. Stop saying, "Your mother and I."

All I'm saying is, you know, it's up to you.

You've got your life in your hands.

Footy ain't going nowhere.

Are you telling me not to play?

Nah, mate.

No. I'm just...

Just going for a slash.

What the hell?

Let's just get some champagne. No, I don't want it, Mum.

I want to go back to the hotel with Ainslee.

I want to go now. He didn't mean it.

He's so proud of you. I don't give a shit.

I'm so proud of you.

Me, too.

Can we get the bill? Thanks.

Oh.

(PHONE BUZZES)

(SIGHS)

(PHONE BUZZES)

It's good to see you looking so happy, Char.

(CHUCKLES)

No man has ever done anything like this for me?

No!

Come on.

No.

Never.

You need a Brick hug.

RENEE: So, who pays it?

Down the middle, mate.

What's this for?

Nothing.

None of your business, Gavin Lum.

What's going on?

Oh, come on, Plum, you've got to tell him.

Why else are we down here?

Why else?

There's nothing to tell.

So, you didn't come down here for my interview?

What for?

What for, Dad?

Come on, Ainslee, let's go. Gav.

Come on, mate. No, I was just having some fun before.

Some fun?

No, you stopped being fun a long time ago.

Oh, well, let's have a hug.

Let's hug it out, eh?

Get off!

Hug it out! Let's hug it out, eh?

Let's hug it out. Get off!

Stop it! OK, Gavin,

we can do this back at the hotel, mate, OK?

I'm not with you.

I'm with her. She's the one that cares about me.

Listen, we're here because of you, OK?

No. No, you're not.

You're here because of what it gives you.

You don't mean that.

I fucking do.

Ainslee, come on, let's go.

Oh, yeah, 'cause you're the big fucking guy, aren't you?

You're the big fucking guy.

I just took you to Melbourne Storm, you little...

..ungrateful little shit.

Man, I might be a has-been, but it's better

than being a never-was.

I didn't get a rookie contract.

I got the full thing.

You know, I AM the full thing.

I'm fucking Sharks Immortal,

Australian captain.

And I'm fun.

Are you?

I'm fun, too.

People always seem to forget that about me.

You got a cigarette?

You smoke, don't you?

Who are you?

Sylvia.

Sylvia Plath.

How did you get up here?

Don't ask boring questions, Plum.

Let's live and think and be for a moment.

It takes a lot of energy to stand on the edge of life

and look into the darkness.

Well, somebody tried to take my picture yesterday.

I didn't want them to because I knew I was about to cry.

I don't know why.

I still don't.

All I know is that if anybody...

..spoke to me or looked at me too closely...

..the tears would start,

and I wouldn't be able to stop them,

sloshing and careening,

like a pail of water that is too full.

Perhaps it was the thought of being seen.

I mean, really seen.

What?

The way you speak.

What? You don't like words?

No, I like words, but, I mean, I could never...

..speak like that.

You could speak about the game like that.

It's not the same.

But it is, you see.

Why don't we start with a word you like?

I don't have one.

What about when you were a kid?

Mine was 'fuzz buttons'.

Kind of like 'puzzle'.

Because of the double Z.

(CHUCKLES)

So we both had a double Z. Yeah.

What a wonderful letter Z is.

'Zilch' and 'zealot'.

'Oozing' and 'bamboozled'.

Bamboozled.

Words are so magical, aren't they?

Um...breathtaking almost.

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

(LATIN MUSIC PLAYS)

Ooh, that's a good one.

You like that one? Yeah.

Yeah. It was good. It was good.

Whew! (LAUGHS)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

Oh-ho-ho, yeah!

Whoa!

No, no, man. Yeah. Come on, come on, come on!

Just trying to enjoy my drink. Dance with me.

Come on.

(SIGHS)

they walk in a pack

(SIGHS)

I got you.

Brick's got you.

(MUSIC FADES)

SYLVIA PLATH: I feel so much stronger when I'm working, you know?

Self-doubt is the worst.

It's easier to live with all these feelings when the words are flowing.

The voices. Exactly.

Alienation and self-destruction become interesting

when you see it written down.

That's what you must do.

Open that little green book.

The words will come.

(CHUCKLES)

Have we drunk all the wine?

I'll order more.

No, no, I have to go.

Ted is asleep next door.

He'll wonder where I've gone to.

Marriage is probably the hardest thing I have done.

God wants to remind us this isn't heaven, I suppose.

Please don't go. This is so nice.

I like talking to you.

Renee is coming.

No, she doesn't want to talk to me.

We had this very shitty dinner with my son.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Told you.

Back in a sec, Sylvia.

That was really sad.

I mean, he just hates us, Plum.

That's your fault.

I don't want him to turn out cold like you.

I've told him to pack up his things.

He's going to move back in with us.

Are you listening? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm here.

I'm here.

I'm scared that we're going to lose him.

Yeah, I'm scared too.

I'm so fucking scared.

Come here, come here. Come here, come here.

It's OK.

(SOBS) Oh, I still love you, Plum.

Do you still love me?

Yeah.

Always.

(BOTH MOAN)

Next of kin.

She is.

Love her.

Mother.

Smo-ther-er.

She is.

Pig-headed ball-breaker.

She is...

..feisty.

Nice to me.

She is.

Motherfucking next of kin.

She is.

(LOCK BEEPS, DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

Hey. Thanks for coming.

I really appreciate it. Drama.

What's up?

I've got the story, Chris. I want the cover.

Excuse me. Could I just get a flat white when you get a chance?

Thank you.

I've got the narrative.

It's personal.

Well, that's great. What is it?

It's a father-daughter story.

I'm talking CTE from Mo and my point of view.

I told you before, Dana, I'm not interested.

OK?

No.

You will be once all the players start realising.

Look at the NFL.

But we're not the NFL, are we?

We're the NRL. Thank you.

There's been two suicides in the last 12 months.

And ex-AFL player.

His wife said he'd had... You know what?

..wild mood swings. I don't follow that code,

so that really doesn't have anything to do with me, alright?

Means nothing.

What if Peter Lum has it?

Plum has it?

And you've got proof of this, how?

And who did you get this from?

I'm a journalist, Chris. I have sources.

It was filmed last Thursday at Sydney Airport, where he works.

Well, you know what?

This looks staged, alright? It doesn't look real.

In fact, it looks like bullshit.

And if you're smart, you'll delete it.

What's happening to these men in their 50s is a direct result

of all the concussions they had in their 20s.

I've spoken to a lot of doctors. Have you?

Good, because I've spoken to doctors, as well.

And you know what they told me?

They told me that the evidence is inconclusive.

What are you trying to hurt the game for?

I don't want the game to hurt the players.

The players made a choice, alright?

They know what they're getting themselves into.

They've been playing the game since they're kids.

It's a fucking contact sport.

They're going to get hit in the head.

Dana, just drop it, alright?

Move on.

Move on?

That's funny.

I remember you saying that to me once before,

only it felt more personal.

Speaking of which, how is your wife?

This is going to come out, and it's going to be difficult

and heartbreaking and probably litigious,

whether it's in your paper or not.

HOTEL WORKER: Are you alright, sir?

Can I get someone for you?

Tell me where I am.

The Royal Grand Hotel.

Hotel.

OK.

Thanks.

I'm fine.

my ankles now

way, way down

(LIFT DINGS)

than a submarine

by the camp fire light

up in the windy lofts

while he sleeps it off

from his dreams unkind

like a riding...

WOMAN: (OVER VIDEO CALL) There were some denser areas.

But it doesn't say I've got it.

You can't make the diagnosis with living people.

I don't understand why you're not coming with me.

CHARMAYNE: I saw the video.

What did you spend that money on?

Where did it go?

Hey. Hey.

Can you tell me what's going on with Plum?

Did you read the article or did you just watch the videos?

You can't do this to people.

My dad died of what you have, Plum.

It's a progressive disease, and it is 100% coming for you, Plum.

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation