Original subtitles

[upbeat music]

[clicking]

[projector whirrs]

[electronic music]

[audience chatter]

Shh! Shh! Shh!

[projector whirrs]

[clunk]

[spacey electronic music]

[vibrant music]

[Ronnie] Murder-suicide?

[exhaling]

She was... she was trying

to tell me something that night,

but I just couldn't hear her.

Projection's never been her strength.

I couldn't... I couldn't hear my baby's pleas for help.

[screaming in distance]

["Groovy" by Barkaa playing]

[groaning]

? I got my groove back, bitch I'm groovy... ?

- [Ronnie] Stop! I said stop it! - [song continues]

[Ronnie whispering indistinctly, screaming]

? Borderline I'm a little crazy... ?

I said, "No! No!"

I said yes!

Ohh!

[loud groaning]

[announcer on TV] Delta Goodrem,

- 'Neighbours', Network Ten... - [Ronnie] Mmmm!

[announcer] ...Ronnie Willis, 'Jillaroo', Nine Network,

Tammin Sursok, 'Home & Away', Seven Network.

[Ronnie] Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh! No! No!

[announcer] And the 2004 Silver Logie goes to...

Ronnie Willis for 'Jillaroo'.

Ohhh!

- [squeals excitedly] - [applause]

Ahhh!

- It's true what they say... - [Audrey] Mum!

Ma-ma-ma! Ma! Ma! Urgh!

The view from the top...

[Audrey] Mum! Mum! Ronnie!

Is amazing.

[exuberant cheering and applause]

? I'm a monument You could never move me. ?

- [song ends] - [heavy panting, squelching]

[whispers] Come on.

Come on!

What the fuck, Dad?

- Audrey?! What...? - What the fuck?!

- Look away! - I'm traumatised!

You've just traumatised your daughter!

- You walked in on me! - I can't find my almond milk!

- I only drink almond milk! - Did you ask your mum?

No! I couldn't find Ronnie and I couldn't find you!

But you know I only drink plant milk!

Yes, yes, yes...

- Of course. I'm sorry. - [gagging]

One of us will pick some up today.

You're so disgusting!

Feral!

[fleshlight vibrating]

Reparations for this trauma.

And this one... is to make sure that I don't tell Mum.

Fucking disgusting!

[Audrey groans in disgust]

- [fleshlight vibrating] - [sighs softly]

[dog barks]

- [Dog growls] - Hey! Dog! Dog! My toy!

Bastard.

[Ronnie sighing] That is not your bone, Dog.

[Dog whimpers]

[dishwasher beeps and whirrs]

[sighs heavily]

[grunting and banging]

Dad! Stairs!

Bathroom door broke again.

- It was an accident. - I'll fix it tonight.

Sure you will. Add it to the list.

- Mm-hm. - Under "trim lemon tree".

Norah, the bathroom is for everyone, okay?

Treat it like threading a needle.

The chair fits through the door.

- [Norah] I know, I know. - You've got to learn patience.

Ah! How many times have I told you

not to let the dog lick lemons?

He's vegetarian now, Mum.

Just let him be who he is.

[Norah] Oi, get your own toast, you toast klepto.

Sign this. For school.

To say I've completed my community service.

Hanging out with your sister

does not count as community service.

- What the actual fuck?! - [Ronnie] Norah, language.

Spending time with vulnerable members of the community is.

Excuse you. I am not vulnerable.

In fact, I'd filet your arse

if I was allowed to be adequately trained

in the art of fencing.

Okay, we're not signing this. Are we?

[sighs] No. Your mother's right. We're not.

You want me to do over my community service?

You know what that means, right?

I'll have to sign up to work

at the old people's home after school - every day.

And that'll mean missing out on voice and movement lessons.

And it might even mean missing out

on that Masterclass-thingy.

Okay, you can just call it a Masterclass.

Don't add "thingy" to the end. It's not a Masterclass-thingy.

It's a Masterclass. And major talent scouts attend.

They won't get to see my talent, as I won't be there.

Not... at... all.

- Fine. - You've gotta be shitting me.

Norah, if I have to talk to you

about language one more time, I swear...

Okay, but if Audrey gets to claim me as "vulnerable",

then I get to claim her as a goddamn sociopath!

- Am not! - Are too!

- Sociopath. - I heard that.

You were meant to.

[Ronnie] Audrey, I'll pick you up from voice this afternoon.

- It's okay, Max'll pick me up. - No. Not on a school night.

What? Why? I'm 18. I'm the author of my own story.

- 17! - 17 and nine months.

I don't want you diddling away your time with boys...

- [Norah] Ha! Diddle. - You're a child!

- Yes, legally I am. - Lucinda won't accept

anything less than perfect when you're working with her.

Whatever, I can't wait for school to be over

and I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.

And not a day goes by when you don't violate my human rights!

If you're really worried about Mum violating your rights,

you could take it up with the model UN

we started at school this month.

Shut up. No one asked for your opinion.

It was nice of your sister to offer, Audrey.

She didn't have to.

[heavy metal music blaring]

Your band sounds great.

- [stereo clicks, music stops] - I said no talking.

I'm allowed to tell him I like his band.

No, you can't! Not unless

you wanna make your own way to school.

- I'll just walk, shall I? - You know what I meant.

Try these. Takes the edge right off.

Hey, isn't that my pain medication?

Did you speak to your mum about Nepal?

- Nepal? What...? - Shut up!

Do you even know where or what Nepal is?

Yes.

It's far enough away from you and Mum and Dad.

Especially Mum. And, yeah, it's a country in...

In?

- [whispers] Asia. - In Asia.

Oh, look who looked at a world map. Congratulations.

[Max] After we graduate, we are going to Nepal

for a UNESCO-sponsored house-building program

- and surf holiday. - What?

We're gonna do something amazing

with our white privilege.

When are you gonna tell Mum? And can I be there?

- It's my life. - Ha. No, it's not.

[upbeat electronic music playing]

[people] A man scatters seed on the ground.

- [man] Day and night... - [people] Day and night...

[man] ...whether he sleeps or gets up...

[people] ...whether he sleeps or gets up...

[man] ...the seeds sprout and grow...

[people] ...the seeds sprout and grow...

though he does not know how.

[people] ...though he does not know how.

- [man] Amen. - [people] Amen.

[man] All right, let's bless this puppy.

[woman] Let's do this.

Sorry to interrupt.

Cormack.

Bourke Kennedy. No need to apologise, Cormack.

When the need hits us to pray, we pray.

God doesn't give a fuck

about the fact that I've got to meet a bloke

that might change my life.

Hm.

Coffee?

Love black coffee.

Ah... I mean...

I'd like a coffee, any coffee.

[chuckles softly]

A man who loves coffee.

- Been here long? - A few months.

Would love to unpack, but as you can see

we lack the appropriate storage space.

[Cormack] Mmm.

- That's where you come in. - What were you thinking?

Ceiling to floor, door to door.

Mainly for video and tech equipment.

[Cormack] Mmm.

Something that's...

[coffee bubbling and hissing]

[echoing in slow-motion] nice and deep.

[echoing exhale]

Deep storage.

My specialty.

I'll take a few measurements, get a quote together.

Do you know what...

kind of, um...

wood finish you'd like?

It's just I'll factor that in.

What would you recommend?

Mahogany.

Timeless.

Mmm, timeless.

[Bourke] Nice.

[Ronnie] It's not as if I didn't already

have somebody to love.

We slept together three nights in a row.

[exhales softly]

Three nights in a row.

Well, that's enough to make it too late.

And end scene.

[scattered applause]

[Ronnie] Yeah. So what you want to capture

is 'Monkey Grip's fatalism.

Okay? The recognition

of knowing that everything you do

in your search for love could destroy those around you!

So, as an actor, you need to ask yourself...

- Why? - Why?

Is... love...

worth it?

Do I deserve it?

[R&B music playing softly]

Wow.

You look amazing.

Yeah. Thanks.

But, um... they're not for me.

I'm shopping for my daughter.

You're a mum?

Yeah. Two teenage daughters.

No way. I don't believe you.

May. May.

Can you believe it? She's a mum.

With two teenage daughters.

Oh, cut it out!

- You could be her. - [chuckles]

[May] You know, you're very familiar.

Oh, I, uh...

- I used to be on TV. - Anything we know you from?

Yeah. Um... 'Jillaroo'?

Er, 'Cul-de-sac Bay'?

Did you guys catch 'Jillaroo 2.0'?

[May] Mm, no.

And in 'Neighbours' I had a... I had a two-episode arc.

[May] Yes! Yes! I think I remember.

Do you know Kylie?

- Kylie? - [May] You know, 'Padam Padam'.

I love Kylie Minogue. She was in 'Neighbours'.

- Vintage. - Yeah.

You know, Kylie? The "La La" song?

- Yeah, I know who Kylie is. - [both sing] La, la, la...

But we... Our paths never crossed.

- [May] Jason Donovan? Toadie? - No.

[MAY-A] ? I'm just sinking skin In my bones ?

? Fiending for you In my clothes ?

? You left me all on my own ?

? All on my own ?

? Missing you Like a little kid ?

- ? Waiting for you to get... ? - [Norah] Hey, guys!

[Audrey] Oh, my God! What are you doing here?

What are you wearing? You look ridiculous.

- [music stops] - I booked the gym.

- You can't book the gym. - [Norah] Yes, you can.

- I did it via the intranet. - Okay, tech-head. Whatever.

The intranet? Actually doesn't even sound real.

- [Norah and Max] It is. - [Audrey] You can't have it.

We're practising for the school graduation ceremony.

- [Norah] But I'm in training. - For what?

- The Special Olympics? - Shut it, Irene!

You can't say shit like that to my sister.

Maybe she is? It was a genuine question.

And it's a great question, Irene.

And I'd love to compete in the Paralympics.

- See? - Interesting fact...

Is it interesting? It better be interesting.

Wheelchair fencing has been a fixture

of the Paralympic Games since its debut in Rome in 1960.

You can practise in the corner.

There are three events I could compete in...

Fencing? Really?

Any sort of sport would be great for Norah.

- She's a natural athlete. - Just like Dad.

Yeah, no, I don't doubt it, and I would love for Norah

to be able to do anything that she wants.

Really? So I could be a professional fencer?

'Course I mean it, honey.

But - and I'm a little bit annoyed

that it's fallen to me to point this out -

you're failing to address the elephant in the room here.

Norah is more than capable...

Uh, no, which is... which is clearly the cost.

The cost? What? Audrey gets dance, singing...

It's just not something we can afford to do right now.

You see...

Audrey, my eldest daughter, she's very, very special.

She has...

special needs.

You can't be serious.

And children like that, well... [exhales]

God, they're exhausting.

[car engine revving]

[indie rock music playing on car stereo]

Okay. Go on.

I'm not going. She's your special daughter.

Oh, don't be a baby. You're the one that ambushed me.

Parenting advice from a physiotherapist? Seriously?

Off you go.

You have to help me out, Mum.

I am in a wheelchair, remember?

[huffs] My gosh.

[up-tempo pop music playing loudly on car stereo]

[music quietens]

Where's your special daughter?

If I had to hazard a guess, I would say not here.

You're navigating.

How can we truly connect when I haven't been inside you yet?

Not yet.

Not here.

We'll never change the world together

if you can't declare your love for me.

- [tyres screeching] - [whispers indistinctly]

[heavy metal music playing]

- Listen to me... - I fucking love you, Audrey!

I love you. Why can't you show me that you love me?

- [car door opens] - [shrieks]

- Oh, my God! Mum! - [Max] Ronnie?

What the hell are you doing here?!

I'm sorry to interrupt a little teenage regret,

but Audrey missed her voice class this afternoon

and I'm hoping to get some clarification on why.

How did you find me?

Are you tracking me?

- You. Out of the van. Now! - Fuck! Bitch!

[grunts angrily]

[Max] Jesus Christ.

Oh, you can't tell me what to do!

Look, you don't have time to be skipping voice lessons

- to hang out with boys. - I'm ordering pizza.

You have a future to worry about.

- Ham-and-pineapple and supreme. - And, young lady, a future

is not something you find in the back seat of a car.

We were in the front seat. And maybe I don't want your future.

- Have you thought about that? - Audrey, we have invested

so much time in your career.

I gave up my career.

I just don't want you to jeopardise...

All investments carry risk, Mother!

- I quit! - Quit what?!

Acting! I don't want to go to drama school.

I don't want to be an actor, a voice-over artist,

and I don't want to go to some stupid Masterclass

with whatever the fuck her name is.

[Ronnie] Lucinda Domotrov.

And it is a gift that a director of that calibre

deigned to give you a place in her course.

I mean, her all-male production

of 'The Vagina Monologues' was a fucking revelation!

- [arguing continues] - They've also got...

cr�me caramel, home-style tiramisu...

I'm going to Nepal with Max

and I'm gonna build a house for the disadvantaged.

Okay. Yeah.

[stammers] I found your little travel guide.

You went through my things?

Maybe check with those two. I dunno what they want.

I'm not checking with those two.

You can't quit destiny.

Not after all the work I've put into it!

I don't want to be a dancer or an actress

or a voice-over artist - not if it means turning out like you!

- Audrey! - What?! We all know the truth!

- And what's that? - Don't take the bait.

Ah-ah! I'm fascinated.

What's the truth?

You're a shit actress, and you know it.

You just quit before anyone else realised.

[footsteps receding]

Just me.

[sighs heavily]

[tearfully] Is it true?

It was a fight.

Yeah, but why say it if it's...

I mean, have I got no talent?

Has everything 'TV Week' ever written about me been a lie?

She was trying to hurt you. It's what she does.

And you take the bait every time.

I know.

Maybe we should let her build igloos for the Inuits,

- if that's what she wants. - Oh, God...

[sighs heavily]

God knows it would give us more time for us.

[scoffs]

And what would we do with this "us" time, Cormack?

I don't know.

[sighs] Yeah, I didn't think so.

[Norah] Mum, Dad, she's at it again!

[smacks lips] Oh, God...

- I'm taking a stand! - Jump already!

It's my life, and you can't control it anymore!

Okay, you're not taking a stand, you're making a scene.

- She's right. - I want to help people.

Help the world. The people of Nepal need me.

What, an ungrateful, ranting teenager?

I'm a young adult now!

- [screams] - [tile smashes]

[Cormack] Audrey!

- [crowd applauds and whoops] - You want a show, do you?

- [applause continues] - No, no, no. No, no, no.

You've got nothing prepared for these people. Just come down.

But, Mum, aren't you always telling me

the world's my stage?

It's "all the world's a stage". Get it right.

- Shut up! - You shut up!

- No, you shut up! - Both of you, shut up!

"Where am I?

- "Fled is the kindly light." - Really? The Greeks?

"Deep darkness blinds my eyes, and the sky, buried in gloom,

- "is hidden away." - Less Blanchett, more Robbie!

- [Audrey] "But see!" - Oh, God...

"With double sun the day... " [screams]

- [crowd gasps] - [Cormack] Audrey!

Mum, Dad, help me!

- Help me! - Where's that fucking ladder?

[Cormack] Coming! Bloody thing's stuck.

I don't like it up here! I wanna get down! [sobs]

[Ronnie] Okay. And we're gonna get you down, okay?

- But first... first... - [Audrey whimpering]

You need to practise your Greeks.

- Okay. Now, honey... - [Audrey sobbing]

I need you to come a little bit closer to me and stand up.

Lucinda's putting on 'Medea' this year,

and we need to impress her and the scouts

with your Cassandra.

Okay, just shuffle along.

You're doing a great job but I think you can do better.

Audrey, focus.

[breathing deeply]

[Ronnie] Now, it was a really good start.

But this scene is a warning, it's a foreshadowing.

Cassandra is saying,

"Beware that the world you know will change."

Mum, I'm scared.

[Ronnie] And so was Cassandra.

And I want you to focus on her fear.

Okay? Use it.

[Audrey whimpering]

"Ah, what a fire it is..."

Look out, Joe. Coming through.

"Ah..."

"what a fire it is."

Okay, good. More foreboding.

"Ah, what a fire it is!"

"Ah, what a fire it is!"

- What happened with the ladder? - It got caught on something.

I can't do everything myself, can I?

[mutters angrily] Get down. Get off.

Mummy's coming to save you!

"It is she who will kill me... "

- [screams] - [Cormack] Auds!

- Audrey! - [Audrey screaming]

- [heavy thud] - [crowd gasps and groans]

Someone order a pizza?

[echoing, indistinct talking]

We won't know more until we run tests tomorrow,

but, at present, she's in a coma.

Coma?

[doctor] Yes, I'm afraid so.

But... but you expect a full recovery?

Audrey has sustained life-threatening injuries.

It's still touch and go.

Okay, so perhaps not a full recovery,

but what about a partial one?

Partial?

Be able to speak, perform a soliloquy?

Put down a self-tape if a casting director requires one?

Ronnie...

- Eventually, maybe... - Great.

But right now your daughter is in a comatose state.

- Right. - Yep. Ms. Lipsick, it's...

It's Ms. Willis. I have my own name.

Ms. Willis, I understand that you're processing

the attempted suicide of your child...

Er, no, no, no. No, no, no. It was an accident.

And if she hadn't hit her head on the goddamn lemon tree,

she would be fine.

I've been meaning to fix the roof

and that lemon tree,

it just got out of control.

What about her face?

Er, does it look like

she might have long-term scarring?

What I'm asking is, will her instrument still work?

- Ms. Willis. - Yes?

It's important that we let your daughter

- recover in her own time. - Sure.

- [doctor] If she recovers. - Right.

You need to be prepared that she might not pull through.

[chuckling] Oh... Okay, then. No, no...

Look... Okay.

I know she'll be fine, Doctor.

This is just what Audrey does.

She immerses herself in the drama of life.

You see a patient in a coma,

I see an artist living her truth.

- [light snoring] - [monitor beeping steadily]

[phone ringing]

What's going on?

[ringing continues]

[Cormack groans]

Uh, hello, Audrey's phone. Ronnie speaking.

[woman] Hi, I'm calling in regards

to Lucinda Domotrov's course.

- Can I please speak to Audrey? - Oh, erm,

she's indisposed right now, um, but could I take a message?

We need to verify her ID in person tomorrow.

Oh, I thought we could just do that on the day.

No. I'm afraid tomorrow's the deadline.

Okay, no, no... No problem.

- I'm sure we can figure it out. - Bye.

- [Ronnie] Okay, bye-bye. - What was that about?

Oh, ID for Lucinda Domotrov's course.

- Remind me to sort it tonight. - She's in a coma.

Sure. But who knows what tomorrow will bring?

They're not even sure if there's going to be a tomorrow.

- Oh, God! - Is she dead?

- No, honey. - Not yet.

Okay. You need a change of clothes. We all do.

[Cormack] Your mum's right. Let's go.

Actually, why don't you stay here? I'll grab you something.

I'd really like to spend some quality time with Norah.

Okay? So, kiss your sister goodbye.

I'm good, thanks.

Norah, go on.

Fine.

[kisses]

- Ugh! She tastes like damp! - And tell her you love her.

- What?! - That's enough.

I want it on the record that under no other circumstances

would I ever be caught dead doing this.

[Ronnie] Noted.

Mum says I have to tell you I love you.

[monitor beeping steadily]

Thank you. Okay, let's go.

[Norah grunts]

Are you really gonna make me go to school today

- after what happened? - [sighs]

You have to go to school. It's the law.

I'm sure they'd make an exception,

given the circumstances.

Why are you making this so hard for me?

My uniform has Audrey dirt all over it.

Just grab a tissue. It'll come right off.

I don't even have my schoolbag.

What am I supposed to do for lunch?

Okay. Here we go.

[schoolboys talking and snickering]

I'll pick you up on my way back to the hospital, okay?

Fine.

[Ronnie sighs]

Bye, Mum. Love our quality time together.

Love you.

- Nice Aldi bag. - Oh, fuck off.

[schoolboys laugh]

[Big Pig] ? All my life I wanted to fly ?

- ? Like a bird... ? - Hey.

? That you see Way up in the sky ?

? Making circles In the morning sun ?

? Flying high in the sky Till the day is done ?

? I can't break away ?

? Like a child in his fantasy ?

? Punching holes In the walls of reality ?

? All my life I wanted to fly ?

? But I don't have the wings And I wonder why ?

? I can't break away... ?

[sobbing]

? I can't break away. ?

[song ends]

[sniffles and sobs]

[boy] Excuse me, Miss?

[phone chimes and vibrates]

- [Audrey screaming] - [upbeat pop song playing]

[cartoon sound effects]

Oi, Duncan.

Ow! [whimpers]

- [students snicker] - [Duncan] Oh, my eye!

- [teacher] Norah Lipsick? - Yes, Miss?

[school bell rings]

[Duncan cries]

- [Irene] Norah! - [Andy] Oh, my God! Oh!

Are you okay?

[Irene] We heard you maimed Duncan.

Are you gonna get charged with assault?

- Sent to jail? - What? No.

[Andy] Oh! So stoic.

Oh, just like Audrey. May she rest in peace.

She's still alive.

[Irene] We want you to know that we're here for you.

Anything you need.

[Andy] We've never known someone

who knows someone in a coma before.

[emotionally] It's really confronting.

And very cool.

- Tell her. - Tell me what?

We're holding a memorial for Audrey.

- She's not dead. - [Andy, weepily] That's right.

And we'd love for you to be a part of it.

- We're gonna do a dance. - Me?

Be more authentic. Because you've got lived experience.

I'm really not sure that's what lived...

[Max] Hey, Norah. How are you doing?

I'm headed to see Audrey. You need a lift?

Uh, window seat?

[Max] Yeah, sure.

[mellow pop music playing]

[music fades out]

[monitor beeping steadily, ventilator pumping]

[Norah] Have you ever seen anyone in a coma before?

[Max] I've seen movies.

It's... louder than I expected.

Yeah.

I think it's really great that you're gonna

- do that memorial. - She's not...

She really liked you. You know?

And I'm writing this song that's about...

how emotionally open I am.

But, like... [exhales]

How many feelings that I...

like, how deeply I... um...

- Feel? - Yeah.

'Cause I'm feeling really proud of myself.

You know, like, I'm choosing not to be defined

as a guy whose girlfriend is in a coma

'cause I'm so much more than that.

I'm a poet.

Look, while she's...

incapacitated,

it might be best if you get the pills straight from the source.

At least for the next little while.

Sweet.

Why do you take them?

'Cause I'm a traveller, Norah.

I'm a traveller of life.

And I take them so that no day will ever be the same

as the one before or the one after it.

'Cause life...

Life's a gamble

and I'm a gambler.

Why do you take them?

I have cerebral palsy.

That's cool.

[Ronnie] "Oh, mystery, misery!

"Again comes on me.

"The terrible labour of true prophecy,

"dizzying prelude.

"Do you see these who sit before the house, children,"

"like the shape of dreams... "

What you kids up to?

- Oh, just prep work. - [phone chimes]

Prep work for what?

Oh, Lucinda's very focused on the... on the classics.

And I don't know if you noticed, but up on the roof,

Audrey's Cassandra was all over the shop.

I mean, the problem with Audrey right now

is that she's completely in her head.

She's totally disconnected physically from the work.

- She's still... - She's in a coma, Ronnie.

[stammers] Don't...

Don't limit her like that.

[Cormack] She's not doing the course.

No amount of talent will have her

convincingly playing alive and happy right now.

Hey, if you want me to call and explain

why she can't do the course, then I'll do it...

Her success is my responsibility.

- [Ronnie sighs] - [phone chimes]

Oh, I'm sorry, is your comatose daughter distracting you?

It's nothing.

Do you know what's happening with the lemon tree?

Does it look like it's dying or something?

Yeah. I poisoned it.

It tried to kill my daughter.

Someone had to do something.

[woman] How old did you say you were again?

[Ronnie] Uh, 17 and nine months.

Yeah, I graduated last year

and spent, um, 12 months working in Nepal.

With the Nepalese people. Building houses.

As you can imagine, I got quite a lot of exposure to the sun.

And... and to the people.

Classes start Monday.

Thank you.

And end scene.

[The Cursors "Helium" playing]

- [heavy thump] - [tyres screech]

? Do you hear that noise Oh, shit!

[SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY] ? Coming out of my mouth

You tried to kill me! ? It's another sound

? From another... ?

- [music stops] - Fuck...

- Fuckin'... [angry muttering] - Oh, shit, shit, shit.

Get out of the car!

- I'm on my P-plates. - What the fuck...?!

Fuck...

You tried to run me over!

It was an accident.

I'd never run the Lucinda Domotrov over on purpose.

I didn't think you'd try to run me over on purpose, either!

Then why are you yelling at me?

[whimpers meekly]

Are you trying to cry?

No, I am crying.

This is me crying.

Stop it.

You're making me feel very uncomfortable.

But you're a personal hero of mine.

I mean, your version of Nick Enright's 'Blackrock'

performed entirely by kindergarteners

- was amazing! - Hm.

It's what made me want to become an actor.

I've signed up for your class.

You're not an actor.

Not yet, anyway.

My class will change that.

[bangs chassis]

[whispers] Yes!

I was you, and no one blinked an eye.

Not the admin lady, not Lucinda.

And that's craft!

Knowing what drives your character.

Oh, and Lucinda...

Oof. Meeting her was life-changing.

And it'll be life-changing for you too, honey.

[exhales]

You'll be so glad you didn't give up

on this opportunity, sweetheart.

So glad.

[faint dripping]

Oh!

Ugh!

God, what the...?!

Jesus!

[buzzer beeping]

Nurse. Nurse!

- Cold brew? - Sounds good.

[glassware clinking]

[Bourke] So, you're a bit of a one-man band.

Mmm.

[Bourke] Your truck says "Lipsick and Sons".

Oh, I am the son.

[Bourke] Ah. Makes sense.

Well...

You know... I don't mind getting my hands dirty.

Same.

And if you ever need a hand...

just give us a bell.

Thank you.

Well, all right. Flock's waiting.

You're welcome to join the flock anytime.

[faint chatter]

[door closes]

The universal truth of acting,

becoming an actor,

being an actor, is...

[gasps]

Oppression.

But before we can even begin to confront our oppressors,

I need to know why you're here.

I need to know what drives you,

what your motivation is,

your secret wound.

You.

Careless driver, why are you here?

Um, to paint a picture of the world for others.

- Wrong. - Er, to hold a mirror

- up to society. - [mimics snoring]

You are just saying the same thing

using different words, like a common street mime.

- [students giggling] - Why are you really here?

Because all the world's a stage.

Arghh!

Boring!

- You! - I wanna be famous.

At last, honesty!

- To prove them wrong! - [Lucinda] Who?

My family.

To prove that I'm not a fraud,

that I have talent,

that I'm not a failure.

"I am not a failure, Mum and Dad!"

[chuckling] Bravo! Bravo!

[students applauding]

We have found your wound.

I am going to break you down and build you up again

so you can show them

who... you... really... are.

And you are?

Audrey.

[buoyant electric guitar riff playing]

[Dog whining]

[woman] I keep expecting him to walk back into the room.

- You know? - [Bourke] Yes, Pat. We know.

September 11 ruined so many lives.

[members] Mmm.

Your husband died in the drive-thru

of Mt Isa Macca's.

It still resonated, Vince. You know that.

I've said this before. I don't think it's a comparable loss.

No judgement, Vince. You know the rules.

Okay, look, we've got someone new today.

[unsure] Hi, I'm Cormack.

[all] Hi, Cormack.

[Cormack laughs uncomfortably]

[woman coughs]

[whispers] I'm not really sure

what I can contribute.

Everybody's got something to contribute.

I really don't.

Well, that's a shame.

Is anyone else struggling with anything today?

- Yeah... - [woman] Me. Last week, my...

Me!

Me.

[emotionally] It's my family.

They're gone.

[Vince] Gone?

Gone, for a pack of ciggies gone? Or gone-gone?

[woman] Come on, Vince.

[voice breaking] My daughter went up on the roof,

and my wife followed her up.

[sniffles] And...

[exhales deeply] I... I don't know what.

I didn't see 'cause I was grabbing a ladder.

- [sobbing softly] - Keep going.

Keep going.

[continues sobbing]

[inhales] She killed her.

[sniffling]

My lovely daughter Audrey.

My beautiful Auds.

[members murmur softly]

[inhales] She killed her

and then she jumped herself.

[members gasp]

[sobbing] Now I'm all alone.

[deerhoof] ? Slow-motion detonation ?

- ? Slow-motion detonation... ? - [sniffling]

? Slow-motion detonation ?

- We're here for ya. - ? Slow-motion detonation... ?

- [Cormack sobbing] - ? Slow-motion detonation... ?

[inhales deeply] Thank you.

[Lucinda] Like you're hungry. You haven't had lunch.

[Ronnie] How do you take your coffee?

[indie boy] Tea, if you have it. I'm not much of a...

No, scared. You're in a shopping mall.

You can't see sight of your child.

How do you take your coffee?!

- [whimpers] - Tea, if you have it.

I'm not... I'm... I'm not much of a coffee drinker.

You want him to want your coffee

or he'll die at midnight.

[desperately] How do you take your coffee?

[stifles chuckle] Tea, if you have it.

I'm not much of a coffee drinker.

You need him to taste your coffee!

He's just murdered his wife to be with you!

- [boy gasps] - How do you take your coffee?

[weakly] Tea, if you, um... have it. I'm...

I'm not much of a coffee drinker.

He's tasted your coffee. He's left you at the altar.

You still have this bitter aftertaste in your mouth. Go.

[whispers] How do you take your coffee?

Uh, tea, if you... [grunts]

[mumbling] ...have it.

I'm not much of a...

coffee drink...

[whimpering] coffee drinker.

[Bourke] Jimmy and Lori, you start off together.

Then, Dave, you go and join, okay? And go easy on the wipes.

- Got it. Thank you. - Good luck, guys.

[faint indistinct chatter]

[whispers] You're strugglin'.

I'm okay.

No, you're not.

But that's okay.

We need to take the time to acknowledge

that our lives aren't always as we wish.

I took the life of someone once.

He was 21.

I was on the drink for most of the day.

Took a bit of weed

and anything else I could get my hands on.

Hopped behind the wheel of a car and...

well, 15 years later...

Loss begets loss.

The trick is, as dead as your wife may be...

And she is.

Very dead.

[Bourke sighs]

Even in death,

she doesn't need forgiveness.

She needs redemption.

This here...

this is my redemption.

Can I ask you a question?

Sure.

That door.

What...

It's a boutique film studio

with a focus on creating niche marital aids

for Christian couples.

There's a market for that?

[chuckles]

"And the man and his wife stood naked,"

"and they were not ashamed."

Genesis, chapter 2:25.

[upbeat indie rock music playing]

[Bourke] No, well, that's where you're fuckin' wrong, Vince.

It's God's patience that's infinite, not mine!

Yeah, well, fuck you too!

[huffs]

Oh.

I didn't see you there. I guess you heard all of that.

Um... not really.

It's too windy. Nothing carried.

Fuck.

Is everything all right?

Oh, man, it's...

it's the perils of running a small business.

I'm down a body.

Anything I can do?

Scene 3, take 1

of Esther and King Ahasuerus.

Action.

[man] How beautiful and pleasant you are, my loved one.

Your stature is like a palm tree,

and your breasts are like its clusters.

[coyly] Oh. Hm.

[woman] Oh...

[both gasping]

[both moaning]

I say... I will climb the palm tree

- and lay hold of its fruits. - Hm. Mm.

[man] May your breasts be like clusters...

[deerhoof] ? Slow-motion detonation ?

- ? Slow-motion detonation... ? - [actors moaning]

- [woman squeals] - ? Slow-motion detonation... ?

[Ronnie] And that's what Lucinda wants from us.

Our truth.

Our authentic self.

Look what I got.

Twinning. [chuckles]

[loud hammering]

What's goin' on?

What does it look like? Fixing the roof.

[yelling] What is goin' on over there?!

I'm callin' the police!

You do you, Joe.

Wait till you see the bathroom.

- Try it out. - [Norah] Try what out?

The door.

- Fixed it. - [Norah] Oh.

[sighs]

Thanks.

Come on, Norah, you can do better than that.

I think your dad's done a fantastic job.

[forced] Gee, thanks, Dad.

I'm so glad I've only had to wait my entire life

and for my sister to end up in a coma

in order to get reasonable and adequate access

to the bathroom.

No worries.

Wow, how did we raise such glass-half-empty kids, huh?

Mmm.

- Give it another go. - Come on!

Let's have a go.

["I'll Make You Happy" playing]

- Look at that. - [The Easybeats] ? I... ?

- Aw, beautiful. - ? I give ?

? I give you ?

? I give you love... ?

Summer...

Oh, tan. 'Titanic'!

[all cheer]

? Give you kissin' Just like wine ?

? Does his lip Taste sweeter than mine? ?

? No, no No, no ?

? No... ?

- [song ends] - [phone chimes and vibrates]

[phone chimes and vibrates]

[chatter and laughter in distance]

[phone whoops]

[phone chimes and vibrates]

[sighs]

[phone chimes and vibrates]

[phone clicks]

[laughs]

[phone clicks]

Shit.

Hey! What are you up to?

Nothing.

I... was just...

practising for the vigil for Audrey.

Ah. Show me what ya got.

- Really? - Yeah. This is my jam, kiddo.

Hit the music.

Okay.

Ooh, and the trick is,

put a little bit of yourself into it.

- Right? - Okay.

[laughing] Go!

["I'll Make You Happy" playing]

Yes! Yes!

I love that!

John, I am sorry you lost your head.

[Divinyls] ? I... ?

- [Norah] You mean this is real? - ? I give... ?

- Like, we can afford it? - Can now.

- You must be Norah. - Yep, that's me.

We're just about to start if you want to join us.

I'd love to.

? Give you lovin' All the time ?

? Give you kisses Just like wine ?

? Do her kisses Taste like mine? ?

? Oh, no... ?

- Stab him, honey. - ? No, no ?

? I'll make you happy ?

? Just like your daddy said To me... ?

What name do you want on those head shots?

- Oh, Lipsick. - And how do you spell that?

L-I-P-S-I-C-K.

Audrey Lipsick.

[electric guitar outro playing]

[song ends]

Pat, this is not... Pat, this is not working.

I mean...

Salome never met John the Baptist.

So for them to be both in the spa is just...

It just doesn't ring true.

All right, then. We're cutting the spa.

Art Department, can you set up for the banquet, please?

[crew chattering]

[Cormack] I've got an idea.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up, everybody. Wait there!

Cormack's got an idea.

[moaning]

Who are you? This is my personal spa.

- Ohh... - How did you get in here?

Herod!

My liege!

May I present to you the head of John the Baptist.

[Herod] The head, you say...

- We'll see you tomorrow. - See ya!

Tommy, make sure you get onto that soundie, eh?

- Yep. - 'Cause the other one was...

Yeah, I wasn't happy with him. Hey, King.

What's in those tablets you're takin', they're workin'.

Keeping strong, brother.

[Herod actor] I was thinking of you, mate.

[laughs]

Hey, Cormack, you got a minute, man?

Yeah, of course.

Oh, sorry. Your hat.

Nah, it's yours.

You earnt that today.

Thanks.

You know, you should really...

should really think about directing.

You reckon?

Yeah. Absolutely.

- Really? - Yeah.

You know, 'cause I've been writing my own script.

It's only really rough. But, um...

I'd love to read it.

[intense techno music playing]

Oh, yeah. Take it off. Take it off.

[both moaning]

[Stace Cadet] ? Get on it Get on it ?

? I get on it Get on it ?

? I get on it... ?

What's going on?

? Get on it ?

? I get on it Get on it ?

? I get, I get, I get I get, I get ?

? On it all night... ?

- [moaning] - [Ronnie] There's not enough...

not enough room.

[both moaning]

- Oh, no, we can't, we can't. - She'll never know.

No, but I think she can hear us. I saw a doco.

[both moaning]

All right, fuck it, fuck it, fuck it.

? Get on it I get on it ?

? I get, I get, I get... ?

Oh, yeah!

[heavy panting]

? I get on it All night long... ?

That was... fucking...

[both chuckle]

Yeah.

God, you were hard.

Oh, finally.

[exhales] We're back, baby.

When was the last time we've done that?

With another person in the room.

Jesus, honey.

That's our comatose daughter.

Too much. Too much. Too much.

I mean adult. Invite only.

2006 Logies.

Remember?

Larry.

Oh, man.

- [chuckles] - Larry loved a chat.

God, we used to be fun.

We still are fun.

I need to tell you something.

Yeah?

You know that job I've been doing?

- Well, there's this... - Oh, shit!

Yeah, well...

Norah. Fuck. Fuck - Norah!

The vigil! Fuck!

I'm Max.

Uh, we are Only Who-Man.

And, uh, Audrey's really special to me.

And I want her back. Audrey, come back to me.

[melodic chord playing]

? There once was this girl ?

? You couldn't resist her ?

? A stranger to me ?

? Some even called her A sister ?

? She had a dream Where she was queen ?

? And her reign Was mighty and mean ?

? Not bad for just 17 ?

[shouts] One, two, three, four!

- [heavy metal music blares] - [screaming] ? Audrey! ?

? Audrey! ?

- ? Audrey! ? - [song ends abruptly]

Now please keep the energy up for our second act -

'The Audrey Please Don't Die' dancers!

[audience cheering and applauding]

Whoo!

Go, Norah!

[slow wistful ballad playing]

[#1 Dads] ? There's no love In the ground ?

? For me ?

? So I kicked all this earth ?

? Down the stream ?

? I'm just having a hard ?

? Time here ?

? I'm just living without ?

? You here ?

[Ronnie] You look beautiful, honey!

[gentle piano chords playing]

[cardboard cut-out clunks]

[gentle vocalising]

[audience whooping]

Wow.

[audience applauding and whooping]

[song fades out]

You were amazing!

Your mum's right. You were.

Thanks, guys. I was.

And, Mum, thanks for all your help.

Aw.

My pleasure.

What do you say we go grab some ice-cream?

If you guys don't mind, there's an after-party at Irene's.

[teens chattering in distance]

Mmm... yeah.

- Okay. Home by nine. - Ten.

[Cormack] Deal.

[boy in distance] No, you killed it. You killed it.

I love you guys.

I'm sorry, what did you just say?

- Are you okay? - I said I love you guys.

I know. I just think we should honour this moment.

- Right? - Now you're making it weird.

I've just never heard you say those words in a sentence.

- Like, the same sentence. - Whatever.

Well, I love you too.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

[Ronnie] You sure it's safe?

Solid craftsmanship, I'll have you know.

Guaranteed not to lose another daughter.

It was a joke.

Yeah, no, I... I know. It's funny.

You just didn't give me time to respond.

Sorry.

Oh, wow.

[Ronnie exhales]

Cheers.

Cheers.

Didn't Norah look beautiful up there?

So beautiful.

The whole night...

Been amazing.

Isn't it nice just...

[Cormack] What?

[exhales deeply]

[Cormack] What?

Isn't it nice... just you, me and Norah?

Is that bad?

I mean, maybe it was all just meant to be, right?

It's exactly how I feel.

[Ronnie chuckles dryly]

You were so awesome up there tonight, Norah.

Thanks, Andy.

I know Audrey's probably looking down,

thinking the same.

I feel for your parents.

What if she ends up in... [tearfully]... a wheelchair?

Or something?

You know, that's like two of you in the same family.

They would be so lucky.

I wish I was in a wheelchair.

Uh, excuse me.

- Was it something we said? - No, not at all.

Ooh. Is that for me?

It's for us.

Oh, wow. It's beautiful.

What is it?

Is it like a, um...

shower squeegee?

[chuckles]

No.

[vibrating]

Oh.

[Cheetah] ? Bang, bang Shot full of love ?

- ? Bang, bang... ? - [Cormack] Oh, yes!

? Shot full of love... ?

[Ronnie] Deeper, honey. That's it.

[emo music playing faintly]

[pills rattling]

Do you want some?

You don't even know what they do.

Yeah, that's half the fun.

- Do you love me, Norah? - What?

I think I could love you.

If you could show me that you love me...

What about Audrey?

[Max] She never loved me.

And now she's in a coma, I don't think she ever will.

It does make for a bit of a one-sided relationship.

Yeah.

You're not in a coma.

That's why I think you and I might work.

You're beautiful.

Can I touch you?

Please.

[Max] Yeah, how does that feel? Is that okay?

That feels good.

Hah.

- Oh... - [Max] Yeah?

[moaning]

- [Max] Yeah, you love me. - Oh.

- [Max] Yeah. - [moans]

? Bang, bang Shot full of love... ?

Side to side.

- Mmm! - Oh!

? Bang, bang Bang, bang ?

? Shot full of love! ?

[song ends]

I think something's wrong with the dog.

- [Dog whimpers] - [Cormack] Huh?

[Ronnie] He's got a bloody lemon.

[Cormack] What?

Hey, buddy, you right?

Hey, Dog.

- Dog. - [phone ringing]

Oh, God, he's...

Shit, he's not breathing.

- Hello? - Dog?

[pumps hands rapidly]

He's gone.

Okay, we'll be right there.

It's Audrey.

Thank you for showing me that I deserve to be loved, Norah.

All right, I'm gonna grab a beer.

Oh.

- Max. - Mr. Lipsick.

[Cormack grunts]

What's going on?

Um...

It's Audrey.

Let's just get your things.

Is she dead?

No.

Sh... she's alive.

Expected to make a full recovery.

[screams]

[Alex Cameron sings] ? Before too long ?

? The one that you're loving ?

? Will wish that They'd never met you ?

? Before too long ?

- ? He who is nothin'... ? - [bell tinkling]

It's your turn.

? Will suddenly Come into view ?

? So let the time Keep rolling on ?

? It's on my side... ?

[tinkling continues]

? Lonely nights Will soon be gone... ?

Hey. What's up?

I'm thirsty.

There's water right there.

Can't reach.

Mum, I'm not an invalid! I can hold a glass!

Okay. Okay.

- [gags] - Oh, shit.

[Audrey chuckling] Sorry.

[spluttering]

Are you wearing my pants?

[pensive instrumental music playing]

[bell tinkles]

[Cormack and Ronnie] Norah, it's your turn!

How?!

[Lucinda] Feel the sun, feel the sun, feel the sun.

- Breathing. Right there. - [exhales deeply]

Oh, that is beautiful.

You are all doing a fantastic job!

[music fades out]

Except for Audrey.

And, darling, nothing should be as hard

as you're making me believe it is.

[strains]

[Lucinda] God, no.

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

I see a shape, I see a form.

I do not see any content.

Oh, well, maybe I was wrong about you.

[exhales] Lucinda...

nobody gives a flying fuck

whether I can be a tree with feeling or not.

Okay, trust me, it is not a life skill.

Oh, believe me, it is.

Being able to convince people that you can play anything -

a tree, an 18th-century shoe -

is vital to your success.

So, yes, Audrey,

convincingly playing a tree with feeling

is a skill you need to conquer.

Really? Because it's not gonna make me a better actor.

- [scoffs lightly] - Or a better person.

Or... or a better fucking anything.

And you know why?

Nobody gives a shit about trees!

I'm sorry if me not realising myself as a tree upsets you.

But news flash - this is all I got left!

This tree is dead!

[Lucinda] Oppressed by the worst of them all -

- her own self. - [door closes]

I didn't say stop.

Branches up!

- [sobbing] - [bell tinkling]

Hey, guys.

We didn't invite you to join us.

I texted you. I thought I could get a lift home after school.

We think it's best Max doesn't talk to you anymore.

Not after what happened.

And you've got wheels - roll 'em.

Hey, I've got this.

You seduced me with your vagina.

What the fuck?

You violated him - your sister's boyfriend.

You crossed a line.

I was in a vulnerable place emotionally, physically

and, yeah, I'll admit it, spiritually.

And you knew that and...

you made me touch you.

That's not what happened.

[Max] I guess I just expected more

from the sister of a coma victim.

Let's call it what it was -

reverse rape.

I'll get there... eventually.

You guys are the fucking worst.

Don't victim-blame. Be better than that, Norah.

[shrieks]

- [students gasp] - Oops.

Oh, you okay?

I think you dislodged my menstrual cup.

[Norah] It was an accident.

Besides, I did her a favour - she's always wanted a nose job.

Yeah, well, accident or no accident,

your father and I think it might be best,

what, with Audrey's rehab costs

and paying for Irene's nose surgery,

that we just... we just press pause on your fencing classes.

God, I wish you weren't my mum.

[bell tinkling]

Oh, fuck off!

"An evening of slippery, muscular, throbbing,

"wet, carnal pleasure.

"After all...

"am I not my brother's keeper?"

[typing] "The end."

[chuckles softly]

[bell tinkling]

[grunts]

[poignant instrumental music playing]

[tinkling continues]

Can you take Audrey to physio tomorrow?

I'm just not sure I'm up for it.

No worries.

[Alex Cameron sings] ? I'm pleased to hear ?

? You're coming to visit soon ?

? Yeah, I'm glad to hear You're coming through... ?

You okay?

Mm... Tough day.

Me too.

? There's a guy who thinks I'm fucking his girlfriend ?

? He says he's gonna Make me cry ?

? But I couldn't get it up If I wanted to, man... ?

[bell tinkling]

[tinkling continues]

[sighs] Don't worry about it.

[Audrey] Dad! Ronnie! I need a glass of water!

[tinkling continues]

[Cormack groans]

I'm sorry.

Do you want me to... do you want me to...?

Yep.

[fabric rustling]

[bell tinkling]

[Audrey] I'm still waiting!

[Norah] Stop being lazy, Audrey! I've seen you walk!

[Audrey] Shut up, Norah!

[Norah] No, you shut up!

Oh, hang on. Just give me a sec.

[sighs]

[vibrating]

[Cormack exhales]

[bell tinkling]

[Audrey] This is neglect!

[sighs]

[Audrey moaning]

[Max gasping] I'm inside you, Audrey!

- I'm inside you! Oh, yeah... - [Audrey] Oh...

[Max] Oh, finally I can feel your love.

Yeah... Oh, now we can change the world!

[Audrey] Yeah. Whatever.

[Max groans] I love you, Audrey. Yeah. I love you.

Tell me again, Max. Tell me how much you love me.

[Max] I love you so much,

more than anything else in this world.

What the hell is going on here?!

- [Max] Oh, shit! - They're fucking on my bed.

You - get the fuck out of our house!

You hear that? Get the fuck out of our house!

- [Max stammers] - [Ronnie] Come on, Norah.

Audrey is being very nasty and Max is not a nice boy.

[Cormack] Here's to your speedy recovery.

So she fucks Max on my bed and gets ice-cream?

- Norah, language, please. - Don't worry, sweetheart.

You get ice-cream too.

[Bourke] Can I have a vanilla soft-serve sundae

- with a flake inside, please? - Sure, no worries.

Yeah, can you make sure that's in a cup? I'm gluten-free.

Uh, we should, um... find a seat over there.

Way over there, away from people.

- Strawberry sundae? - Cormack.

- Dad, that's my ice-cream. - Cormack!

Cormack?

Oh!

It's so good to see you! I tried to call.

This is Bourke. You know, that big job?

The one with the storage and the cabinets...

We went with dark mahogany. Hm.

Oh, man, I missed you.

I thought that my Christian porn community

was my redemption,

but I was wrong.

You were.

Oh, you smell so good.

Oh, I'm sorry, but... are you guys fucking?

- Yes. - No.

Right, well, I'm Ronnie, Cormack's wife.

- Wife? - Dad's having sex? Disgusting.

- Dad, you're having an affair? - It's not an affair.

[Bourke] But he told the Lord that you were dead.

- What? - Suicide.

What? Why would you tell somebody

- that I'd killed myself? - [Cormack] No, I didn't.

Because you murdered your daughter.

- I tried to... - Whoa, whoa, whoa!

What the actual fuck?

And you couldn't handle the shame.

No, no, no. That's not what I said. Not exactly.

Well, it was strongly implied.

Okay, how many people have you told?

You do realise that your lies

could totally decimate my career?

I mean, in the arts reputation is everything.

So, fuck you!

[vendor] Vanilla soft-serve with a flake!

Dad, why would you tell everyone we died?

That's so messed up.

I didn't, sweetheart. I never even mentioned you.

[Audrey] Yeah, see?

Even in Dad's little make-believe world of bullshit,

he still forgets about you.

Why couldn't Mum murder-suicide me too?

What am I, fucking invisible?

[Ronnie] You're not invisible, honey!

And to think that I was up at night, wrestling with

the worry that you were alone or in pain, and yet you're here

- with a wife that's alive... - Aha!

And clearly with two children that are alive!

Dad, this sure as hell sounds like an affair.

It's not an affair. You know why it's not an affair?

Because your mum and I have always had

- an open relationship. - [Ronnie] Oh, not now, Cormack.

[Cormack] And, yes, there's been times when we've had threesomes.

- I'm gonna vomit. - There's been group role play.

- God, stop. - But there's always been rules.

And I didn't adhere to those rules.

But that doesn't mean I don't love you, Ronnie.

[groans in disgust]

You used my tragedy as an excuse for a trauma-fuck.

And now you think it's a good time

to explain your sex life to us?

- We're your children. - Yeah, you know what?

I'm done. Maybe Bourke can offer you a bed tonight.

Come on, girls. We're going.

[Audrey snickers]

[whispers] You're pathetic.

[poignant instrumental music playing]

[Alex Cameron] ? I'm not myself I am my mental health ?

- ? I'm the latest... ? - [bell tinkling]

? Popular craze ?

? I'm off the field A weapon and a shield ?

? That's why you haven't Seen me in days ?

? You're a peach A Friday at the beach ?

? I'm a chopstick Drippin' in mayonnaise ?

? High as a penthouse ?

- ? And low as a valet... ? - [bell tinkling]

? If I have a breakdown ?

? Will you break up with me? ?

[groans]

? If I have a breakdown ?

? Will you break up with me? ?

? I got A mental health record ?

[phone pings]

? And they traced it To my family tree... ?

[phone pings]

? If I have a breakdown ?

? Will you break up with me? ?

? Ooh, break up with me... ?

[sobbing]

[exhales heavily]

- [sobs] - [song ends]

[knocking on door]

Somebody's in here.

- [banging on door] - [huffs]

What's your fucking problem?!

I knew it.

A non-disabled person taking up space. My fucking space.

How dare you.

Hang on a second.

Are you trying to act disabled?

It's not my problem you can't see my disability, okay?

- Hey? - Oh, wow.

We doin' this?

Bad acting is not a disability.

You are shit.

[car pulling up]

[car engine switches off]

Did you see my little video?

Yeah. I did.

[Audrey] It's going viral.

It's pretty cool, hey?

Yeah, well, from the way you were dancing,

makes me think you still might have concussion.

So remind me to make an appointment

- with the doc... - [bones crunch]

[Audrey] It was in pain

'cause you poisoned their lemon tree.

[Ronnie] So I guess you saw I went viral?

[Lucinda] Mm-hm.

Ah, Ronnie...

I know when some people look at you, they see a monster.

I don't.

Do you know who I see?

Who?

I see Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, Margot Robbie.

All method actors - just like you.

You think I'm like Margot?

Oh, no, darling. She's really good.

The point I was making was,

I understand why you had to become Audrey.

- To preserve your future. - Mm.

I know some in the media see you as a deceitful witch

and an evil monster and a blight on society.

Jesus.

I see a mother

unwilling to sacrifice her only happiness for her children.

I see a hero.

I had a plan, you know,

and... and I was... I was doing it.

I graduated from drama school,

got a part on a long-running soap to gain exposure

and then, after that,

I was gonna concentrate on small indie films,

looking for that crossover role

which would change everything for me.

Win an Oscar,

hook up with George Clooney,

fuck Courteney Cox, Keanu.

But then... kids... [groans]

Mortgage and the grind.

[cloyingly] I know,

and you died in the arse.

None of your dreams came true.

[sighs]

And that is why I need you.

No one else can play this role I am offering you.

Ronnie Willis as Medea!

Don't let Audrey steal the light.

Take it back from her, Ronnie.

[eerie vocalising]

[Audrey] "Dear everyone,

"I'm sorry for being such an arsehole my whole life,

"especially to Norah.

"Goodbye forever."

"Love, Audrey."

[eerie vocalising continues]

[whispers] Norah!

Fuck!

She deserves it.

[sabre clatters]

Jesus.

- Come on. - Shh, shh, shh, shh.

That is not responsible...

- Oh! - What are you doing?

I saw movement. I thought someone was breaking in.

No. Norah was trying to kill her sister.

She even wrote a suicide note.

What?

Why?

I just want things to go back to the way they were

before she made everything shit again.

Maybe Daddy should sleep inside tonight.

[Ronnie] What?

[sighs deeply]

[announcer on TV] Our next award is for

the Most Popular Actress in a Television Series.

The nominees are

Bec Cartwright, 'Home & Away', Seven Network,

Delta Goodrem, 'Neighbours', Network Ten,

Ronnie Willis, 'Jillaroo', Nine Network...

- [TV commentary continues] - [Audrey laughing]

[sighs heavily]

[presenter] Ronnie Willis for 'Jillaroo'.

[Audrey laughing]

You're not my mum, and you never will be.

- [applause on TV] - [Audrey continues laughing]

It's true what they say...

[Audrey laughs]

The view from the top...

is amazing.

[applause on TV]

- Hey. - Hey.

You wanna sit with me? Keep me company?

They said it couldn't be done.

- Soap star to mega star. - Yeah, I'd love to.

But I'm up here tonight...

You were so beautiful. Look at you.

Proving them wrong.

[Audrey] Time's cruel, isn't it?

Proving you all wrong.

Talent has a name, all right.

[Audrey] This is my favourite part.

And that name...

is Ronnie Willis!

- [cheering and applause on TV] - [Audrey chuckles]

Talent has a name, all right.

It's late, Audrey. You should be in bed, all right?

[Audrey] I think that's the moment.

[Ronnie] What?

[Audrey] You can see it in your eyes.

You realised you were a fraud.

[scoffs lightly]

I know what you're trying to do.

You're trying to hurt me, and that's okay.

What if, like you, back then...

I'm also faking it?

You created me.

Makes sense, don't you think?

What if this pathetic clone of you is my authentic self

and I'm a monster

who will continue to destroy your dreams?

What are you gonna do?

[Audrey chortles softly]

I'm gonna take care of you.

Like any good mother would.

[breathing heavily]

[glass shatters]

[gasps]

[breathing shakily]

[eerie vocalising]

[music intensifies]

[music fades out]

[dripping]

[knocking on door]

[Norah] I'll get it!

Oh. It's you.

My rape victim.

Your mum invited me.

Oh, so are you here to finger her too?

- Make it an even few? - [Ronnie] Uh, no.

He's not here to finger me, Norah.

I've asked Max to look after Audrey

while we're at the show tonight.

- Hi, Max. - [Norah] Well,

Audrey's asleep right now,

so while you're waiting for her to wake up,

why don't you try fucking off and dying?

Okay, okay... Norah, Norah, Norah.

Please. Try to be nice.

Max is doing us a favour. Apologies, Max.

- [Max] I told ya. - [Norah groans] Fine!

Dick spider.

Ahh. That is amazing.

It's got a little kick to it, too.

[Ronnie] Yeah, well, when life gives you lemons...

Just help yourself, okay? It's...

it really is there for you to enjoy.

And make sure you share it with Audrey.

She deserves it.

I've wanted to tell you as well that, um...

I know you only did what you did for Audrey.

Yeah, well, sadly, the rest of the world

doesn't feel that way, Max.

I wrote you something. Can I play it for you?

Um, sure.

[strums chords on guitar]

? Looking someone In the eye... ?

- [sighs] - ? Saying that you're sorry... ?

Actually, um, yeah, that's enough.

Not really my genre.

Kind of wish she'd stay like that.

Just for a little bit longer.

Asleep?

Harmless.

[chuckles softly]

We gotta go.

- [intense, ominous drumbeat] - [distorted vocalising]

Curtain up in ten.

I'll be ready.

[exhales nervously]

[drumbeat continues]

[strums chords]

[Audrey groans sleepily]

Finally. I am so fucking bored.

What are you doing here? Where's Mum?

Her show's tonight.

Why wasn't I invited?

Well, she asked me to come and keep a watchful eye over you.

You know I can take care of myself.

Well, you can, but if I'm here,

then, you know, we can take care of each other.

You fingered my sister, Max,

and then you told everyone she assaulted you.

I don't want to fuck you again.

Well, we all make mistakes.

I mean, at the end of the day, isn't...

isn't that what makes us human?

Do you want some painkillers?

Relax a little?

[mumbles in agreement]

- That's so good. - I know.

You know, if there's one thing your mum can do,

it is make a killer lemonade.

[Audrey chuckles softly]

- Do I not suffer? - [bleating]

Am I not wronged?

Jason leaves me like a jilted lover.

Taking my empire, taking my family.

Coward, betrayer, adulterer.

Please. Quiet, woman.

The children can hear you.

Oh, doomed children of an unloved mother.

- [thunder rumbling] - [distorted TV]

- [drumbeat continues] - [distorted TV dialogue]

[groans]

[violent retching]

Oh, my God! What have you taken?

- [Max] Agh, what's happening? - What's happening?

What's happening? What's happening?!

[both screaming]

[distraught] Oh, my God! What have you taken?

- What have you done? - [Max choking]

[sobbing]

No! No. No, no, no!

- [whispers] Sweet hemlock. - [thunder rumbling]

Bitch!

[coughs and gags]

[splutters]

Please forgive me.

Drink the warm milk your mother has made.

Drink,

for it will help you sleep, my lambs.

[Audrey wailing]

[Ronnie, voice echoing] I'll forget I had any children.

I'll leave the crying for another day.

- [drumbeat continues] - [melancholy vocalising]

[gasping and groaning]

[Ronnie] Their love will follow me forever...

[grunts weakly]

[Ronnie] ...just as my misery will.

[distorted soundscape, high-pitched squeaking]

[whimpers]

Audrey, are you okay?

Shut up! [ragged gasping]

No, you shut up.

[groaning] No, you shut up.

Why are you always such a dick to me?

[raspy breathing]

Because you got to be yourself.

And you didn't?

[gasps weakly]

- [glass shattering] - [faint distorted screams]

Where's Mum?

On stage.

What have you done?

Where are the children?

- You murdered them... - Murdered them!

[audience gasping]

[Audrey sobbing uncontrollably]

What wickedness, Medea!

What sorrows you have caused on this earth!

Audrey.

- [screaming] Answer me... - [glass cracking]

Answer... [wails]

You will never find them.

[moans] Where are they, woman?

[whispers] I shall never give up their graves.

How you... [gasping]

A mother...

could lift a sword...

[groans]

To the necks of your own children.

- Audrey. - Shh!

To kill your... [screams]

- [gasps] - [Audrey sobs uncontrollably]

They were asleep.

You shouldn't have...

They shouldn't have felt a thing.

[Audrey sobs]

Why does it hurt so much?

[Ronnie] Hush, my love. Shh.

I have done what a man would do.

What a man would be honoured for doing.

Call me whatever names you please.

But this deed is one of great love

and maternal devotion.

[cast] ? Medea... ?

[dissonant electronic music playing]

[cast] ? Medea... ?

[melancholy vocalising]

[audience cheering and applauding]

[raucous cheering and whistling]

Clap, honey.

- [cheering and applause abate] - [music fades out]

[Ronnie] Murder-suicide?

[exhaling]

She was trying to tell me something that night,

but I just couldn't hear her.

Projection's never been her strength.

I couldn't... I couldn't hear my baby's pleas for help.

I thought she'd come to see me.

I thought... I thought it was an olive branch.

Both of us on stage, together, performing the classics.

She'd studied Medea as a child.

I'd let her watch me rehearse.

I-I...

I thought it was all a show.

But she must have been trying to tell me...

tell me about Max.

He was... such a lovely boy.

How... how could he betray us like this?

We found... weed killer...

- Oh. - and vodka in the lemonade.

Oh, God.

Mixed with some of your daughter's painkillers.

[exhales]

[tearfully] It's all my fault.

You couldn't have known.

It looked like he'd been planning this for a while.

Yeah?

Uh, the weed killer and the juicer...

- Oh, God. - In his car.

And drafts of the suicide letter.

S... suicide letter?

By Audrey's bed.

In a copy of, uh... 'The Power of Acting'.

[weeping] Her bible.

Mm.

"You had a dream.

"You were a queen.

"Your reign was mighty, but it's over now."

"We were going to change the world."

"Now we never will."

It's pretty good.

- Mm. - [breathes shakily]

They'd talked about going to Nepal.

[sobs softly]

[gently] Hey.

The world's a broken place these days, Mrs. Lipsick.

Oh, it's Willis.

My name is Ronnie Audrey Willis.

[rap music playing]

[Loulla, rapping] ? Hey, it's the new me ?

? Fresh out the house Goodbye to old me ?

? I'ma do me Run the back streets ?

? No sleep Till I get to the money ?

? Walkin' up a sweat Till I hit the ground ?

? See me at the top Is where I can be found ?

? Speak on success Or don't make a sound ?

? Gimme what I want Yeah, gimme what I want ?

? Hey I'm back, I'm back, I'm back ?

? I'm back, I'm back I'm back ?

? I'm back, I'm back I'm back to it ?

? I'm back to it ?

? I'm back to it. ?

[Ronnie] How's it going, love?

[monitor beeping steadily]

[sighs]

[presenter on TV] Are you ready to rumba?

Ooh, exciting. My ad!

Star on 'Celebrity Dance-Off'.

[Latin music playing on TV]

Also joining us, Ronnie Willis!

I'm doing it for my daughter.

[presenter] Tonight, 7:30, on Seven.

[sighing] We did it, Audrey.

["Groovy" by Barkaa playing]

We finally did it.

? I'm a monument You could never move me ?

? I like when haters talk Find it real soothing ?

? That's a lullaby Alibi for groupie ?

? Borderline I'm a little crazy ?

? Ain't no saints in this game Yeah, life's made me ?

? Sorry that you can't Face me, Miss Daisy ?

? Rough start, good heart Mainstream can't change me ?

? I'm a mad cunt Still I change my ways ?

? And when I walk in the room Watch 'em change their face ?

? Move ?

? Get the fuck out my way I'm a monument ?

- ? You can never move me... ? - [bell tinkling]

- [breathing heavily] - [rapid beeping]

[upbeat pop music playing]

? We were just 17 ?

? Used to carve out the numbers From an 8 to a 3 ?

? On a fake ID

? Now we're 23 ?

? Oh, whoa ?

? We were in ecstasy ?

? And the shining Bright lights ?

? You would dance all night Just to get to me ?

? Ooh, to get to me ?

? Maybe if you Play your cards right ?

? Yeah, you might get some ?

? 'Cause a stripper don't care About fragility ?

? Ooh, get the money ?

? Get the money, girl ?

? But then The mining bubble exploded ?

? Mel Gibson Blamed the Chinese ?

? So we changed our identity ?

? I still have love in me ?

I still love you, city!

? And I know The sound of magic ?

? When I talk of you and me ?

? A giant old casino town ?

? A distant memory ?

? And I hope you grow To understand ?

? That you were all I had ?

? My plastic fake ID ?

? My plastic fake ID ?

? My plastic fake ID ?

? Now I'm in therapy ?

? Got the bills And the mortgage ?

? And the therapist says That I got ADD ?

? No fun for me ?

? I've been meditatin' Just to get my mind back ?

? Two pills in the morning And ten at night

? Just to get to sleep ?

? Don't fuck with me ?

? Yeah But I still got a rhythm ?

? I still got a pulse ?

? Almost from the dead I'm swimming off the coast ?

? I got a hornet in my head And it's buzzin' tonight ?

? Stinging for the tides And the disco light ?

? And I know The sound of magic ?

? When I talk of you and me ?

? A giant old casino town ?

? A distant memory ?

? And I hope you grow To understand ?

? That you were all I had ?

? My plastic fake ID ?

? My plastic fake ID ?

? My plastic fake ID. ?

[song fades out]