Original subtitles

LINDSAY: The problem is, you put Bob Hawke against Dale Jennings,

Dale comes across looking like a pinched sphincter

with a blow dryer.

"A pinched sphincter."

You were wrong, and the bulletin triumphed in spite of you.

I wouldn't try to throw your weight around.

I was given a car.

But are you going to ask me for a drive?

BILL: This show needs a rethink.

Helen Norville has been a lot of things on screen, Bill,

but she has never been boring.

My current boss just screwed me fucking over!

On my own goddamn show!

I think you need to deal with it,

because I can't have that in this office.

How long have you been struggling?

My whole life.

We can't just always assume that anything we take upstairs

is going to be rejected.

I mean, we have to at least try.

MARCIA: And what did Bill respond with?

I thought he was OK.

He arranged a meeting with the execs upstairs so that we could pitch

this story on prostitutes with HIV,

which is an amazing story, by the way.

I'd spent days working on it.

So we go upstairs and then Vincent walks in.

Vincent's the head exec.

So he immediately turns directly to me and says,

"So, Bill tells me that you've been pushing this story."

So it was over before you even got there.

Exactly. I mean, we're supposed to be a team, and if we're a team,

then we have to show a united front.

And he's my producer. It's his job!

So...so how did you react?

I just walked out.

Immediately?

No, I said, "If I am this fucking nightmare that you have to endure,

"then what is the point of any of this?"

And so now I am the impossible nightmare,

and Bill is all wounded, and...

And it's not fair, because I was right.

I was right.

Helen, you were in an impossible situation.

Thank you.

But I think you're just gonna have to forget about who was right.

So next time you feel that kind of reactive rage...

..I want you to stop.

I mean, literally stop yourself.

Just take a moment to notice the room that you're in,

notice your breath and notice the feeling in your body.

And just observe those three things.

You're just telling me to shut the fuck up.

(LAUGHS) That's what you're telling me to do!

To just shut the fuck up. OK. Yes, yes.

But I want you to consciously step through those stages.

Even say them in your head before you respond.

OK.

Just as an experiment.

Sure. OK. Yeah.

Why are you giving them to me?

Well, they're both of ours.

And I've had them for a year.

I can get you a bag if you're worried. I know how you drive.

No. I'm fine. OK.

Look, it's really just a pinch, because you did overfeed them.

And also...

You're throwing yourself a party?

Yes.

Why?

It's my birthday.

And it's a normal thing to do, to throw a social event.

You'll know lots of people, though.

Noelene. Dennis. Rob. Oh my God, Dale.

My show's about to get axed. I don't want to go to an industry event,

especially not with Lindsay. He's not invited.

Why? I'm making a point.

He's not relevant.

(CLEARS THROAT) So, will you come for a drink?

I'll think about it.

I'm gonna get you a bag.

All right.

TV: # Galumph went the little green frog one day... #

(BABY BABBLES) Look out. She's done it again.

How does she do it? How do you get more gorgeous in your sleep?

Well, she hasn't slept, so that's impossible.

Well, of course she hasn't.

She's got places to go, people to see.

What are my girls up to today?

Well, as soon as my mother gets here, I'm going straight to bed.

OK. Uh, see you tonight. Yeah.

Love you. Love you.

You look after Mum. Be good.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

(SIGHS)

(TELEPHONE RINGS) OK. OK.

Uh, hello?

Hi. Uh, is this Noelene?

Yes, it is.

Hi, Noelene, it's Tim.

Tim Ahern from...

I know who you are, Tim. Hi.

Listen, I'm so sorry for calling you at home.

I'm just in an urgent situation, and I could really use your advice.

What's the situation?

So, I've been in China for the past month covering the student protests

for CBC Hong Kong, working with a pretty remarkable reporter.

Anyway, two days ago, no warning, they pulled us out.

And the Chinese government are trying to say

that it's all winding down.

But Noelene, it is not winding down.

It is a ticking time bomb and it is going to explode.

We need a network to get us back there as soon as possible,

and my first thought was News at Six.

Oh, well, I don't work there anymore.

I didn't get leave.

I'm a full time mother.

Of course.

I'm so s... I'm sorry.

I can pass on Dennis's number?

No, I've got that. It's...

Noelene, this is the story of my life,

and I've seen you get impossible stories across the line.

Is there any way you could come in with me?

(PROTESTERS CHANTING)

(PROTESTERS CHANTING)

What's going on in there?

Noelene came in with... You remember Tim, from Canberra, and a reporter.

They're discussing the protests in China, I believe.

Great.

Hey, here he is.

PROTESTER ON TV: I'm not scared.

..soldiers before my coming here...

LEE: 21, biochemistry student, hasn't eaten for four days.

Mm.

It's not just students, it's workers.

Some soldiers are sympathising.

This...

This is a revolution waiting to happen.

Mmm... Is it, though?

Or is it just a bunch of hungry kids

and it's all gonna be sorted out by some nice noodles?

I mean, it'd sort me out. I love Chinese.

(LAUGHS WEAKLY)

Lee has spent months embedded with these protesters.

I'd trust his perspective.

He speaks fluent Mandarin, knows the conflict, both sides.

And he's seen something the rest of the world is missing.

Lindsay, I really think you should hire him and get him

on the first flight back to Beijing.

Mmm.

Look, uh... (CLEARS THROAT)

It's obvious that the three of you are...

Well, you're a lot more interested in this stuff

than the rest of Australia...

OK. Um, we appreciate how important this is.

This is very important.

It's just weeks and weeks of the same thing.

You know, we're just worried our audience might get bored.

I disagree.

I think the fall of communism is the single biggest story

in the world right now.

What is more fascinating than that?

Princess Di's new frock?

(CHUCKLES)

Righto, um...

Righto. Right. This is what I'm going to do.

Uh, I'm going to go crunch some numbers.

Then I'm gonna take this story upstairs,

and I'm gonna do my damnedest to sell it to them.

And I'll let you know first thing Monday morning.

Right? Happy days.

Yeah.

Ah, Dale? (CLEARS THROAT)

Dale.

Dale.

It's fine. I'm gonna push this story. We'll go upstairs and we'll push it.

Thanks so much for coming in.

Honestly, it's... I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Gotta go to a meeting.

God, I miss this place.

(POP MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO) (INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

You're done.

Thank you.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION AND POP MUSIC CONTINUE)

MAN: How are you doing, mate? You doing well?

What? Good. No, no. I've been really good.

I've been in China. You know what? Hey, can I just...

Yeah. All good, man. I gotta stack this.

Hey, Dale. Hi. Hey.

Hey.

I just want to say thank you for, uh, for the support in there.

The footage speaks for itself.

Yeah, that's all Lee. He's quite impressive.

Mm. Mm. One minute!

He's got good instincts, it seems.

(FOOTSTEPS RUNNING)

You know he's my boyfriend?

Of course. Yeah.

That's...that's... Yeah.

Mm.

I haven't told the boys yet.

I want to, but I just... I haven't.

I understand.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Did you meet in China?

No. No, no. Melbourne.

Oh.

Cheryl. Hi. Congratulations. Hi!

I heard all about it.

MAN: 30 seconds! Can I see?

Look at that.

Yeah... (VOICES FADE)

(CLEARS THROAT)

10 seconds!

(CLEARS THROAT)

And six...

..five, four...

Good afternoon. Dale Jennings, updating our top stories.

President George Bush pushes for an end to the Cold War,

as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

dismisses his proposals as optimistic.

(HEAVY DOOR OPENS)

Excuse me. I'm wondering if you could show me the section on psychiatry.

I'm looking for any journals you might have

on behavioural therapies.

Oh, yes. Follow me.

Great.

(DING!)

(CHEERING ON TV)

Um...

How do you know this won't go on for weeks or months

or just peter out completely?

I have family on both sides.

They're all saying they've come too far to back down now.

This will come to a head, probably suddenly and probably soon.

Mm-hm.

Look, there's no question it's compelling. It really is.

It's just, international correspondents -

they're usually the domain of the news division.

No, they're not.

Well, up until now we haven't really delved into world issues.

I don't see why we'd...

Well, why wouldn't we do an international story?

I mean, we've got the budget.

It's not really about the money...

What's it about? Why are you shooting it down, Bill?

Well...

Um, if we were at number one,

they'd be on the next plane, no question.

But we're not.

OK? We're on our knees, and...

..and this could be brewing for months,

and we need eyes on screens now.

You just said that they're on the brink.

OK. (CLEARS THROAT)

Say that's true.

I mean, we would just be in the same position that we are now,

just waiting around for the axe to fall.

So...why not take a punt?

I mean, honestly, what have we got to lose?

Sure, Helen. Great.

Whatever you say.

Great.

Well, if this fails, Helen, it's on you.

OK, so, Leonie, I want you to get these guys flights.

We got a sound guy over there or are you gonna do that as well?

So, just two tickets.

It's great. Real pleasure to meet you.

MARCIA: There's some real progress that we can observe there.

You didn't lash out, but you did stand your ground.

You were fair.

Can I ask you a question?

Yeah.

(CLEARS THROAT) These, um, skills.

Are they...are they connected to or are they related to

dialectical behavioural therapy?

You're familiar with dialectical behaviour therapy?

Well, I'm a journalist, Marcia, so I did a little bit of research.

But to be honest, I'm...

..I'm finding it a little bit difficult to understand,

and I'm hoping maybe you could enlighten me.

Right. Yes.

Uh, it's a new therapy.

I think of it as a skill set for managing intense emotions.

It's pretty heavily linked to borderline personality disorder,

am I correct?

Are you familiar with borderline personality disorder?

Well, it's pretty dire.

It's for manipulative, vindictive, narcissistic,

promiscuous, hysterical people.

And apparently there's no fucking treatment for it.

So why am I here?

Well, perhaps it will be worth us

stepping through the actual criteria.

Please.

It seems that you have quite a negative rhetoric

around the disorder.

Is there a positive rhetoric around it?

My colleagues at the University of Washington

are seeing excellent results with this new therapy,

and I myself have treated many patients with the exact symptoms

that you're exhibiting right now.

Is this your diagnosis, Marcia?

Helen.

We've been discussing your emotional reactivity

from our very first conversation, and your fear of abandonment,

and those are two of the main criteria.

And we've also covered the instability

of your relationships.

You've mentioned risk taking

and behaviour you describe as hedonistic.

That already accounts for four of the nine criteria

of borderline personality disorder.

So yes, Helen, in my professional opinion,

a diagnosis is something worth considering.

But that is something that... it takes time.

Oh, you're a fucking bitch.

Wayne called. She's downstairs.

She's going straight through to wardrobe,

and make-up saw her taking both booze and Valium.

Fuck.

Am I standing down Jude?

Not yet.

Fuck sake.

Helen! Hey. Bill.

I'm very sorry. I was a little late. That's OK.

Did you get those boys on the plane?

Uh, yeah. Great.

Sorry. What happened? Where have you been?

Hm? What are you talking about?

Well, you... Fuck!

Sorry. Do you want to sit this one out?

What the fuck, Bill?

Jude's here and she's been through hair and make-up.

No, no, no! There's fucking hundreds and thousands of people that...

I'm not gonna put someone in this state on air.

Don't fucking touch me!

Go home.

Wayne. Yes, Bill?

Can you call Leonie and get Jude down here immediately?

Thank you.

Leonie. Wayne. Yeah, plan B.

DALE: The airline industry is still in turmoil

as calls for the privatisation of Qantas and Australian Airways...

Turn it over to Public Eye. (CHUCKLES) No, thank you.

I don't want any of her bullshit.

Well, that's handy 'cause she's not on.

What do you mean?

They're running almost three minutes late now.

They're just rolling commercials.

Welcome to the Swagman.

Best price in town.

Technical difficulty?

Well, whatever it is, it isn't good.

(LAUGHS)

So let's just...

..take a minute to enjoy it.

(WHISPERS) You heard from Helen today?

No. Why?

Oh, she's not on air yet.

MAN: We're back in seven, six, five, four...

REPORTER: The Prime Minister would still like to see Labor

change its mind before the next election.

To world news now,

and US Speaker of the House Mr Jim Wright

yesterday became the first Speaker in US history to be forced to resign.

REPORTER: Mr Jim Wright delivered an emotional, hour-long speech

to the House of Representatives

defending himself against ethics charges...

(DOORBELL RINGS)

Helen!

Helen.

Helen.

Oh my God.

Why weren't you on the desk?

They sent me home.

Why?

Here. I'll get you a water.

Yeah.

I've been seeing this woman, this, um, this therapist, Dale,

and she's been really good. She's been really good.

She's given me, like, all of these kind of, um, ways

to...to handle, um, stuff.

And then today she said, um, that I...that...

..that I just am fucked.

What?

And it's not like, um...like a, um....

It's not like I'm sick.

It's just my personality. (SOBS)

She said it's a personality disorder, and it's...

And it's true, you know?

It's just true.

And...and, I mean,

you must have seen it. No.

Why wouldn't you say you're the only person who's ever told me the truth?

Why wouldn't you tell me?

Why wouldn't you tell me?

I could have done something about it.

I could have fixed it.

I could have done something about it.

And now there's no one! Just look at me. Look at me.

(SOBS) And...

I even fucked up with you.

My fucking family and now my fucking job.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

Hello?

Are you OK?

You know what?

I will decide when I can go on air and when I can't go on air.

That is not up to you.

I have gone on air when I have been sick,

when I have been grieving. Helen...

What? Are you OK?

I'm...

Should I come over to you? No, I don't want you to come here.

What? What are you gonna... I should talk to you

and I would like... What?

Well, there's some news, and I'd like to tell you

face to face, if that's OK.

What?

Uh...

Vincent called, and they're going to axe the show.

(LAUGHS)

Because I didn't...

Because I didn't do one show?

The ratings have been shit anyway.

No, no, no, no.

They made the decision a few days ago.

They just wanted to give us to the end of the week.

OK. Well, um, I would like to be the one to tell everybody, if that's OK.

Absolutely.

Uh, they're not telling anyone until Monday.

All right, well, I'll see you on Monday.

Thank you so much for the phone call.

Fuck!

Why don't you just sit down, Helen?

Oh, fuck.

I'm gonna put some music on.

Here.

I'll do it. Thank you.

Why don't you sit down? You know what?

I feel fine now, because it's like...

Cheers.

That's it.

It's called borderline personality disorder, apparently.

And she started doing this, um, breathing, you count breathing.

And I went this dialectical therapy, and I went to study it.

I really think it's true.

And...

Did you see that?

All I see is you.

And I don't think it makes a difference.

Do you feel different?

No. (LAUGHS)

No, I fucking don't.

Thank you.

(FOOTSTEPS ON HARD WOOD)

Oh, well, you have certainly made a statement.

Thank you.

I take it there'll be press at this birthday celebration?

Probably.

Well, darling, is this a legitimate courtship

or just a bid for attention?

I don't know, maybe both.

Come on, Mum.

Like you can judge.

You invited the press to nearly every family event we had.

No, I'm not judging you, darling.

I just have my reservations about Dale Jennings.

Why?

He's basically Dad, the sequel.

Well, there may be aspects of Dale you're not aware of.

He has certain proclivities.

Proclivities? (LAUGHS)

What?

There were rumours, persistent rumours, of an entanglement

he had with a cameraman.

He was in a relationship with Helen for years.

Well, as I understand it, that was more of a transactional arrangement

than a genuine romance.

Like you and Dad.

Oh, darling, I'm only trying to protect you.

DALE: Welcome to my home.

Welcome to my home.

Welcome to...

(INDISTINCT RADIO REPORT)

Breaking news just to hand...

Should we come up with some sort of signal if we want to bail early?

..have moved into Tiananmen Square,

dispersing the student protesters with gunfire and...

My God, he's done it. Dennis, you sly dog.

Turn it back on. OK. All right.

To sport now, and Collingwood yesterday beat...

(RADIO STATIC)

..by Gary Ablett...

Is that...? Are they talking about China?

Hey? I didn't hear. That's the bird from the Logies.

(DOORBELL RINGS)

Here. We've got people for that, Mum.

I'll do it. Just enjoy the music.

Um, yeah. So... Yeah.

(VIOLINISTS PLAYING CLASSICAL MUSIC)

(SIGHS)

Dale, how are you? Hi.

You've met Deb. Deb, Dale. Yes, so good to see you.

Yes, hi. I remember you from the Logies.

Yeah. This house is stunning. Oh. Thank you.

Yeah. How much are you on, eh? (LAUGHS)

Hello, hello. Hello!

Happy birthday, Dale. Thank you.

Happy birthday. Thanks very much.

Uh, you both know Deb.

Oh, we do indeed. Unforgettable.

Absolutely unforgettable. A beautiful couple.

Yeah. Thanks.

So, please, come through. After you.

Dale, would it be OK if I quickly called home just to check in?

My mother's looking after Hana.

Of course. Yeah.

And can I get anyone a champagne or a...?

Give me a beer. I'll have a champagne.

Mate, uh, obviously I need to know why you've decided

to keep this a secret from the bloke who set you up.

You didn't set me up. But first, just tell me,

how long has it been going on for?

Have we met the family yet? Come on.

Hello. I'm Dale's mum, Val.

So lovely to meet you.

You must be so proud.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

Hi. You've reached Helen Norville. Please leave a message.

(BEEP!) Helen, it's Bill.

Um, I'm in the office.

Look, we've just had contact from Tim Ahern in Beijing.

The situation, it's completely erupted.

The Chinese military opened fire on the protesters.

Tanks have rolled in, and we're hearing that hundreds

are dead, maybe even thousands.

And Tim's managed to make it back to the...

Hi.

Did you speak to him personally?

Uh, no.

No. Leonie got it, b ut by the time I got there, the line had cut off

before I could speak to him.

Um, apparently it's complete carnage and he's been separated from Lee.

(VIOLIN MUSIC AND LIVELY CHATTER)

Oh, Kay Walters, don't you look divine?

You are teensy weensy, aren't you?

Oh, is that one of your own creations?

Oh, yes. Yes, it is. Oh!

Kay. Hi. Hi.

You look lovely.

Happy birthday.

Oh, you didn't have to do that.

You already gave me this suit.

Did she?

Oh, yes. It does look beautiful with that frock.

"Happy birthday to the king of news."

It's a book. I love it.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Help yourself to a drink. I'll see you around.

Richard. Ah, birthday boy.

You know Ann, of course. Of course. Ann.

Sorry we're late. It's been a frantic morning.

What do you make of this Beijing business?

Mm. It sounds dreadful.

We were listening on the way here. Yeah.

Ann's quite the scholar of Oriental culture.

Yes, I love it.

She went on the gourmet food tour with Margaret Fulton.

Mm-hm. 23 unforgettable days. Sounds wonderful.

Can I get you a drink?

Uh, whisky for me, please. And...sparkling something.

Yes. Bubbles is lovely. Bubbles.

Bubbles. Ouch!

Oh! What's going on in Beijing?

Do we know from Lee or Tim? Do we know?

Can you find out? How am I gonna do that?

Can you find out, please? Noelene, could you do it?

Could you take that?

Thanks, Dale.

Can I just say, I watch the carols every year.

No one has sung the Little Drummer Boy better than you.

Oh! Thank you.

(TELEPHONES RINGING)

TIM: ..they were screaming, trying to get away.

It turned into a stampede, and they just...

..they just kept open firing.

He's stuck in a hotel in Beijing. The soundo got out.

He's on his way to Hong Kong with the footage.

I'm sorry. Can...can you hear me?

Sorry, Tim. Helen's just arrived.

Hey, Tim. Is Lee with you?

(RADIO STATIC)

We got separated.

And the gunfire now, I can't even get close to the window.

Tim, we're gonna figure out a way of getting you out of there, mate.

I am not leaving this hotel without Lee.

No, Tim, we have to get you to an embassy.

Lee is an experienced journalist. He'll work it out.

No, I'm not leaving without... (RADIO STATIC)

Is it still possible to safely exit and enter the hotel, mate?

(STATIC) Tim?

Tim? (LINE CUTS OUT)

I'll try again. OK.

We need to call the government and the embassies and let them know

that Lee is missing. Yeah.

I'll check all the flights coming out of China into Hong Kong.

We'll get the footage to our Hong Kong affiliate.

(PEOPLE CELEBRATING)

Oh, happy birthday!

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Dale!

Happy birthday. And, um...

Lovely cake!

It's so lovely to see all your friends here.

Happy birthday. Cheers.

King of news, hey?

That's what he's called now.

Happy birthday, Mr Jennings!

Hey, golden boy. Many happy returns.

And keep up the good work.

REPORTER: The bloodbath happened after an afternoon of tension

and small skirmishes yesterday.

Thousands of riot police confronted students

not far from Tiananmen Square.

The students opted for a passive defence, offering...

Do you have a phone number for Lee? Noelene!

Sorry? Gotta get him on an aeroplane.

Do you have the phone number for Lee?

Not on me.

But I do know he was talking to other networks.

Fuck me!

(PEOPLE SING) # Happy birthday, dear Dale

# Happy birthday to you. #

Hip, hip! Hooray!

Hip, hip! Hooray! Hooray!

Yay! Well done.

Well, thanks so much for coming.

You know, I'm not in the habit of throwing myself parties,

but this year, I just wanted to thank you all so much

for your support and your camaraderie.

So, thank you so much.

And please keep drinking.

We will. Cheers.

Cheers. And happy birthday again. (CHUCKLES)

It's not good news, all right? Let's talk.

How long have they been separated?

Since right after the gunfire started.

Listen, Noelene, do you have a contact number

for Lee's family?

No. Tim was my contact.

But I do know somebody at the embassy I could try.

OK. Noelene, I know that you're super busy with Hana, but, geez,

we could use your brain in here. It's not very reliable right now.

Oh, bullshit. You're sharper than ever.

I'm not sure that would be appropriate

in terms of News at Six.

You don't owe them anything.

I'm still in contract.

Footage just came in. OK.

Hey, Noelene, I gotta go.

Listen, if you change your mind, you know where we are.

(HANGS UP)

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

Hello?

Oh, hello.

Can I speak to Dale Jennings, please?

Who am I speaking to?

Oh, for fuck's sake. Unbelievable.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

Hello?

Hey.

Thank Christ. Noelene, it's me, Lindsay. Now, listen...

Sorry. Noelene is not here.

Oh. Oh, right. Right, right. Sorry.

Now, can you tell me where she might be?

She's at her boss's house.

Oh, for Christ... I can assure you, she is not at her boss's house.

Ah! The newsreader.

A party for the newsreader.

The newsreader?

(PROTESTERS SHOUT AND CHANT)

(GUNSHOT)

(SHOUTING AND GUNFIRE)

(CAR HORNS HONKING)

(GUNFIRE)

The gunfire is constant and indiscriminate,

but still thousands of people are refusing to move back.

Army trucks are being set alight, and...

(GUNFIRE)

Can we get some copies to the Bulletin, please?

What? No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

No, this is our story.

Tim and Lee, they work for us. I know.

I know, but they're gonna need this on air as soon as possible.

Yeah, so we go to air early. We make it a Public Eye special.

We call it...China in Crisis.

That's fucking great.

But how do we sell that to Vincent? He did just axe us.

You pick up the phone

and you ask him how he'd feel about going to number one.

OK.

I'll get into hair and make-up and I'll meet you in the studio.

Leonie, can you get me Vincent, please?

(VIOLIN MUSIC INTERRUPTED BY TAPPING)

Uh, ladies and gentlemen, I'm so sorry, but it seems

we're in the middle of a breaking international story, and I'm...

..I'm gonna have to step away. (DISAPPOINTED GROANS)

But, please, you know, there's so much champagne and music,

so please, try and enjoy the afternoon.

I'm so sorry. Lindsay, welcome.

(VIOLINISTS PLAYING)

You've got my entire FUCKING team

getting pissed on grog that I paid for.

Dennis!

Hey. Hey, Lindsay.

See, I thought you were on your way. No, I don't think you did, mate.

And I don't think you were, were you?

You trying to hurt my feelings? Why don't we just go to the office?

(VIOLIN MUSIC CONTINUES) Do you realise

that we are in the middle of the biggest international story

since JFK copped two slugs in the back of his melon?

And here you are all swanning around with canapes.

Will you shut the fuck up? (VIOLINISTS STOP)

Lindsay, mate, relax.

We are tracking the story. It's fine.

Oh, you're tracking it, are you, Dennis? Very good.

What? From the toilets, with some nose beers, some champagnes? You.

Noelene. Where are they?

Where are your mates? Come on.

You know, Tim and what's-his-name?

Bloody Bing Lee, number 33. Where are they?

There is a plane out of here in four hours

and they had better be on it, or I am really gonna do my block.

They're already in China.

They were talking to other people and they went with Public Eye.

(WHEEZES)

Outstanding!

That is a top shelf piece of prize fuckwittery! Congratulations!

Mate! That's enough. Enough?

It'll be enough, mate, when you can tell me

how your missus can raise a child and work so hard.

She's always working hard.

We know that because she's telling us she's always working so hard.

But she can still find the time to sell our story -

MY story! -

to the competition.

Where is your fucking loyalty?

As soon as I talked to Tim, I came to you straight away.

I explained exactly why you should hire them.

YOU didn't do it! YOU lost them!

And it was YOUR mistake!

I told you I would make my decision on Monday.

OK. We should really be in the newsroom right now.

Oh, do you think so? And leave your lovely soiree here?

Jesus, Richard! Mate, how are you?

Apologies for that.

I tell you what, though, Richard, this is what happens

when you let your, um... (LAUGHS)

..your talking heads try to think.

This is where you end up, in a fucking Cadbury Flake commercial!

While our network has missed out on the biggest fucking story

since the crucifixion.

So, yeah. Let's get back to the...the newsroom.

Richard, I am so sorry.

Yeah. I'll, uh... I'll leave you my number.

Call me.

Are you all right?

What?

Welcome. Thank you for coming.

Thank you for asking. Any update on Lee?

No, not yet, but the footage they sent through is astonishing.

We're gonna go to air with it in less than an hour.

Um, everybody, this is Noelene.

And for those of you who don't know, Noelene brought us Lee Zheng.

So can we get her set up on this desk?

If she asks for anything, please give it to her.

Come with me.

Um, we've been in contact with the government,

with the embassy,

and Leonie has also found a contact number for his family.

I'll call the foreign minister.

Why aren't we breaking programming? We don't have enough footage.

In fact, we have no footage. At all?

We thought we had a guy in Asia, but no,

and the affiliates have nothing...

HELEN: Good evening, and welcome to our special early edition

of Public Eye. Tonight, China in crisis.

Christ! Get it off!

After more than seven weeks of peaceful protest,

the People's Liberation Army have opened fire

on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing.

Our reporter Lee Zheng was on the ground

when the first shots were fired.

But as we go to air tonight, his whereabouts are unknown

and we have grave concerns for his safety.

(GUNFIRE AND SCREAMING)

LEE: The gunfire is constant.

Hello? Hello?

Hello, can you hear me? Yes, I can hear you.

Lee, can you hear me?

OK.

Li, it's Noelene. Are you OK? Are you safe?

Safe as I can be.

I made it back to the hotel. I'm with Tim.

Thank God. Lee, it's Bill.

Um, we got this morning's footage, and we're putting it to air now.

Uh, could you speak to Helen? Live to air?

Yes, of course.

I'll call Wayne.

Tonight, news is emerging

of a brutal military intervention in China.

Details remain sparse, but early reports suggest fatalities

in the hundreds.

As the world waits for updates, let's take a look back

at the escalation of the conflict over recent weeks.

REPORTER: Around Beijing, tens of thousands of ordinary citizens

left their homes to blockade...

We ran this fucking footage in May.

One tank became trapped inside a barricade

and was quickly surrounded.

The crowd hurled sticks and stones, then climbed on top,

trying to prise open the hatch to get at the soldiers inside.

Minutes later, they set it ablaze.

Stranded in a sea of hatred, the crowds jeering as the vehicle

became engulfed in flames.

And we're out.

We've got new footage from today.

Lee's on the line.

He's already patched through.

All right. You talk to him right now. Right now.

Yeah. OK. And in five, four, three...

If you're joining us, we have located Lee Zheng,

our reporter in Beijing.

And I believe that we have him on the line right now.

Hello, Lee, can you hear me?

I can, Helen.

What can you tell us about the situation

on the ground right now?

It's a war zone.

The loss of life is catastrophic.

Now, in the daylight, we can see the sheer scale of devastation.

Lee, the footage that we're looking at now

are tanks driving down an empty street.

And there appears to be a lone person blocking their way.

This was earlier today.

An unidentified man stood in the path of Chinese tanks.

Incredibly, he even clambered aboard and appeared to negotiate

with the crew of the lead tank.

Extraordinary images, encapsulating both the sheer brutality

of the military crackdown and the staggering bravery

of those resisting it.

(APPLAUSE)

Stunning work, Helen. Stunning work.

I had to come down and thank you myself.

Well, really, you should be thanking Noelene, because she got us Lee.

This is where you offer her a job.

I don't suppose there's any point in doing that now.

Oh, do you want to have a private chat?

Uh...

I think we're all pretty keen to know where we stand, actually.

Right.

Are we axed or not?

Lee and Tim are still on the ground

and Noelene has heard from the PM's office.

He's keen to talk live on the issue.

Right.

We could give you extended editions every night this week.

You can lock in next week, but that's it.

I wouldn't relax just yet.

Well, we don't relax here, mate.

We do not relax.

Yoo!

(SOFT WHOOPS)

WOMAN: Keep it coming. MAN: Yeah, I'll call them.

(INDISTINCT NEWSROOM CHATTER)

(KEYS CLATTER)

(SIGHS)

Huh.

Hi. Hi.

I had three champagnes, so I couldn't risk going home.

Huh.

Feel like a fourth?

The party wasn't as bad as you think.

It was a fucking disaster.

(LAUGHS)

Yeah, but you came off well.

Lindsay was in a nylon tracksuit, screaming, and you were calm,

in full designer wear.

Donna's not going to print anything compromising.

She just needed a quote from me about you.

And I said, having watched Dale on screen for years, I can confirm

that he's just as wonderful in real life,

and it's been a joy getting to know him.

I know who you are, Dale Jennings.

And I don't care.

(WHISPERS) I love the way you make me feel, Dale.

And I can tell you're attracted to me.

Unless I'm misreading things.

No.

(BIRDS WARBLING)

Morning, Richard.

Apologies for the theatrics yesterday.

Apologies for the theatrics yesterday.

Actually, that's pretty standard behaviour for Lindsay.

In fact, he's a lot worse when he thinks no one's watching.

I see.

He's aggressive, erratic.

Quite frankly, his judgement is appalling.

Well, um, he does have a great deal of leave owing.

Perhaps the two of us need to encourage him to take

a well-earned break, and then... No.

No.

Richard.

(CLEARS THROAT)

I'm at the point where I simply will not work with him.

I completely understand if your loyalty lies with Lindsay.

But let me be clear.

If Lindsay stays, I walk.

ROB: I think the beautiful thing about the Aussie sports field

is we do not see colour in our sport.

HELEN: Rob's emerged as one of the highest profile people

in support of the rugby players.

I was just trying to say how beautiful it is

to live in a country without apartheid.

I think Australia is no better than South Africa.

Actually, I think Australia IS South Africa.

That's offensive.

Football is the jewel of the crown of this network!

So we don't try?

You are the king of news.

I know exactly what you're doing.

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation