Learn to drive offices. Oscar is dressed in a leather jacket. Owner says, “Thank you ma’am.” And shuts the door and turns the sign over to say CLOSED. He then attends to Oscar. OWNER: Sorry to keep you waiting. OSCAR: That’s okay. No doubt they’re throwing some long hours at you! OWNER: Oh always mate, always. Oh fourth license in 3 months, you’re in on the long hours yourself mate. OSCAR: Oh tell me about it. OWNER: So, Greg Tyler this week ‘ay? OSCAR: Yeah, listen I’ve...got a few speeding tickets on these things and they’re still turning up at my real home in my real name. OWNER: Oh. OSCAR: Is there anything you can do about that? OWNER: No mate no, she’s all in the computer. Yeah that’s one thing we can’t escape ‘ay, computers.” OSCAR: And taxes! OWNER: And my Mrs. They both laugh. OSCAR: Worth a go. OWNER: Yeah, no worries. See ya. Back at the factory, Peter is quizzing Stonie. PETE: Gregory Tyler, you don’t look like a ‘Footsgray’ boy. OSCAR: I’ve lived there all my life. PETE: And you don’t look like a user. (Pete pushes his face up closer to Oscar’s) What would you be wanting to buy heroin for? OSCAR: In my experience you either a user or a businessman, and I’m not a user. (Peter winks at him. Angie walks past. She is wearing a denim jacket.) ANGIE: Well you’re a braver man than me. I wouldn’t touch that family with a barge pole. BERNIE: Okay guys. All right now Green and Miller will be working back up tomorrow, so Mac can we bring them up to speed. (Mac is standing in front of a white board in a light purple top; Bernie is in a suit as usual. The others are gathered round.) MAC: Billy Robardi. (She points to a photo of a man with a ruff haircut.) You name the crime he’s done it. Dug trafficking, rape, assault, plus several counts of murder we haven’t been able to pin on him. Until this one. (She distributes photos.) Johnny Markus, a former associate of his. (The photos show a man lying on the ground with blood coming out of his head.) PETE: Very former. MAC: We’ve almost got enough evidence to nail him; the problem is he’s gone to ground. Northern Territory we think. Ah, there’ve been a couple of sightings but nothing too substantial. (Angie nods her head.) MAC: Now Church knows him better than any of us, he nearly got him last time. (Pete holds up his fingers to show how close he was!) So for obvious reasons he can’t be out in the field for this one. So Church’s out, Stone’s in. Here’s the Sting. Peter you want to fill them in? PETE: (He gets up) Yeah well, Big Billy Robardi. He’s one of your forces of nature, no conscience, except when it comes to his family. (Shows a picture of an older woman in a red top.) MAC: Mother Maggie, Brother Steve, both drug dealers. PETE: If there’s any trouble he’ll hear about it and come running. MAC: Now Stone’s made a break through, he’s secured an informant, a good friend of Steve Robardi. OSCAR: Name’s Grubby Cain. (Shows a photo of a dirty looking man with curly hair.) Reckons he can set up a heroin deal with Steve tomorrow. It’s not definite yet. MAC: And if the deal goes down, so do they, and so does he. (She points to Billy.) It’s nighttime, and a man matching Billy’s description is on a highway trying to hitch a lift. A semi trailer pulls over and he jumps in. DRIVER: Are you in a hurry to die sport? BILLY: I’ve gotta get to Melbourne. DRIVER: Funeral? BILLY: Narr, it’s me Mum’s birthday tomorra’. (The driver looks at him.) BILLY: You’re not gunna make me miss it are ya mate? (The man continues driving.) The next morning, a nightclub. OSCAR: I’m going there myself. GRUBBY: No... No, no, no, no, mate no, no, no. The deal was… what I said was. (Oscar and Grubby are sitting at table) I’m gunna take the money to Steve; I’ll do the buy. That was the deal okay that was the deal. OSCAR: So, I give you the money, and what, you give me a receipt? You’re an idiot Grubby. GRUBBY: N.oo.o… I’m I’m the um you know the um the thingo, the go between… OSCAR: No, you’re the dickhead who’s making life hard for me. GRUBBY: I’ve already told Steve the money’s coming, 10 G’s. He’ll be really pissed off if I don’t come though. (Oscar leans in closer to Grubby.) OSCAR: Listen, this is what’s gunna happen Grubby. Your gunna take me to meet Steve Robardi or the deals off. No 10 G’s for Steve, and No freebies for you! (Grubby looks at the table) GRUBBY: Oh geez Greg, you shoulda been a used car salesmen mate. (Oscar leans back in his chair.) OSCAR: Are we going? (Grubby nods slowly.) GRUBBY: Can I borrow your phone? (Oscar looks to the side and hands it too him.) Outside the Robardi House. Oscar is about to go in. Mac and Pete are in the Com-V. MAC: (Into the radio) Okay, all units we’re in position. Stand-by they’re on their way. Everyone in place? Unit one? UNIT 1: Rodger. MAC: Unit 2? UNIT 2: Rodger, in position. MAC: Angie? ANGIE: (In her car, in a red top with a jacket holding a portable radio.) All set Mac. MAC: Miller, Green, you with us? Shows a man in a yellow police vest holding a radio. MILLER/GREEN: Yeah receiving. MAC: Okay, we’re on! (Mac looks at the screen in the Com-V.) Good luck Oscar. Oscar gets out of the car, with Grubby, and heads towards the Robardi House. Grubby opens the gate GRUBBY: You beta watch the language Greg. OSCAR: Ay? GRUBBY: Maggie Robardi, she don’t like the bad language. Inside the house. STEVE: Mate, come in come in! (He grabs Grubby around the neck and hugs/squashes him.) GRUBBY: Steve this is a mate of mine, Greg. This is Steve Robardi. STEVE: (half laughing) Mate I haven’t seen ya all week, whatcha been up to? (Still holding him around the neck) GRUBBY: I…I’m not been buying anywhere else mate if that’s what ya saying. No way. STEVE: Oh mate, I just like to keep you on your toes! (Pushes Grubby onto the couch, and motions to Oscar to sit on a chair opposite them.) You’re the one who’s buying Grego? OSCAR: Yeah, yeah… STEVE: Grubby here doesn’t know any other type of people, right Grubby! GRUBBY: What are you saying mate? Maggie Robardi enters. STEVE: Mum this is ah Greg. OSCAR: G’day Mrs. Robardi. (Oscar nods his head and rises slightly from his seat.) MAGGIE: Greg. (She nods.) Now have you offered him a cup of tea? STEVE: Yeah I was just about to mum. MAGGIE: Well there’s no excuse for bad manners. Now have you got the money? OSCAR: 10 G’s, (He pats his shirt pocket.) Right here. MAGGIE: Steven, count it. (She exits.) Camera goes to the Com-V OSACR: There you go mate. PETE: Smooth as butter! Back to the house. STEVE: Tah Grega mate. OSCAR: It’s all there. MAGGIE: Well lovey we just want to make sure. You’ll be checking the merchandise. (Oscar nods his head.) (Billy Robardi comes out in a blue singlet and boxers and gives his mum a kiss.) BILLY: Mornin’ mum. MAGGIE: Oh mornin’ love. (Oscar looks up…) Camera goes to the Com-V MAC: Who the hell is that? PETE: Oh no no no no no no. (Pete puts his hand to his mouth, shaking his head.) MAC: All units stand-by, the situation has changed. (Camera goes to Ange in her car, then back to Oscar.) BILLY: Who’s this? GRUBBY: G’day Billy. Umm this is a mate of mine, Greg um I brung him in to do a deal. OSACR: Billy. (He stands, and Billy looks him up and down, hands on hips.) Somethin’ wrong? BILLY: Yeah, You! Show me some ID. OSCAR: Ya kiddin aren’t ya? STEVE: Come on Billy don’t get stressed this is my deal. BILLY: Shut-up Steve. BILLY: Give me yer ID. (Oscar hands him the driver’s license.) BILLY: Greg Tyler! Footsgray ay? You don’t look like a Footsgray boy to me. (Oscar puts the license back in his wallet.) STEVE: Jesus Billy come on. Camera goes to the Com-V MAC: Say bye-bye Oscar. Back to Oscar OSCAR: Come on mate, thought we were doin business here? Back to Com-V PETE: Don’t be a cowboy Stone, get outta there. Back to Oscar BILLY: Well not any more you ‘aint. OSCAR: And who are you to call it off? Back to Com-V MAC: Oh Stone! PETE: He’s a dead man. BILLY: Who am I? I’m the head of this family. And in case you got a hearin’ problem I’ll say it for you again…slowly. The Deal Is Off! (Oscar looks him in the eye.) (Mac and Pete shake their head in the communications vehicle.) STEVE: Come on Billy you’re my brother mate, and I love ya, but you’ve been gone awhile. BILLY: What, are you gunna tell me that things have changed around here Stevie ah? Are you takin over are you runnin the shop now? STEVE: Oh, well you haven’t been here! BILLY: Geez you’re a dick head, you do business with this wanker. (He hits Grubby in the gut and knocks him onto the couch) Ay. Did you check this bloke out; do you know anything about him? Do you know who he runs with? STEVE: Yeah…yeah! BILLY: You pat him down Stevie? OSCAR: Course he patted me down didn’t ya Steve. STEVE: Yeah! What do ya think I am, stupid? (Maggie Robardi enters with a tray of tea.) MAGGIE: Let it go Billy, if he was bent he’d be gone by now. BILLY: Got nothin to do with me. (He walks off.) MAGGIE: Here sit down, have a cup of tea. Camera goes to Com-V PETE: Good on ya Stonie, he’s got the whole bloody family! MAC: Jackpot! (Smiles!) Back to Oscar MAGGIE: You like the tea? OSCAR: Oh…yeah… yeah thanks. MAGGIE: Yeah well there’s some to take home with you. OSCAR: Well that’s a nice offer Mrs. Robardi, but, (he puts his hand up.) STEVE: Ah trust me Greg you’ll appreciate this blend! (Oscar leans forward and takes the tin box of ‘tea’.) OSCAR: Ah right! (He opens it to reveal heroin.) You don’t mind if I check this stuff out? MAGGIE: Be our guest. (She exits.) Back to the Com-V PETE: Let’s not push our luck, lets roll em. MAC: Wait, wait. (Into radio.) Get ready it’s about to go down. Stand-by all units, wait for my cue. (Camera goes to Billie in the bathroom, he is looking in the mirror and glances out of the window.) (Camera goes to Angie’s car, which is facing the bathroom.) ANGIE: Mac could you repeat that please you’re breaking up, over. (Angie looks into the bathroom and sees Billie, he sees her.) BILLY: Bastards! ANIGE: (Into radio) Billie’s seen me, he’s seen me Mac. MAC: All right go, all units go, move, move, move. (Billy runs into the lounge room and starts laying into Oscar. He punches him and the cops swing their cars around the outside of the house. Maggie runs in.) MAGGIE: Get out of here, don’t worry about him. BILLY: Mum, get rid of the hamma. MAGGIE: Oh forget about it, just get out of here Billy. (Cops almost have the doors knocked down.) STEVE: (Kicking Stone) Cop that you prick, bastard. COP: All right that’s enough. (He grabs him and pulls him away.) The cops swarm the house yelling ‘Police! Don’t move!’ and waving guns everywhere. Meanwhile Billy grabs a big kitchen knife and runs out the back. The cops swarm through the back of the house, but they don’t see him. He runs out of the house and stabs the unsuspecting police officer Green, in the stomach. He runs out of the yard and over the fence. COP: Man down, we’ve got a man down. Officer requiring assistance. Call Ambo’s signal one. Camera goes to Ange and she puts her head down as she hears the message. Camera goes to the Com-V, as Mac hears the same voice over the radio. COP: Mac he’s gone, we’ve, we’ve lost him. (Mac puts her head down and Pete is in the background looking very annoyed.) Crimplex. Oscar has an ice pack on his face, Angie is to the side of the room not looking very happy. Mac enters. MAC: Billy’s not gunna get far. There’re roadblocks all over the place. ANGIE: I’m sorry Mac. MAC: No, it’s not your fault. You know it was a...it was a million to one chance. (Bernie enters) ANGIE: How’s Green? BERNIE: Stable. He’s gunna be fine, and Steve and Maggie have been refused bail. MAC: Good work Oscar! (She pats him on the shoulder.) PETE: It’s not over. (He is in the doorway.) Billy’ll be going for you. You hit him where it hurts most, the family. He’s not going to take that lying down. BERNIE: You better stay low for a while. OSCAR: Oh I’ll be right! BERNIE: No, no, no. Pete’s right, face like that you stick out like a sore thumb. Take a few days. (He leaves.) MAC: Angie, umm, can I see you for a sec? (She puts her coffee down and follows Mac to her office.) MAC: I want you to take some time off as well. ANGIE: Bu-I don’t need to. MAC: I...I…It’s not a request. I wish I’d forced the issue earlier. ANGIE: Uh…because I’m a liability? MAC: Like I said, today was not your fault, if anything it was mine. But you’re not yourself, and one day that could lead to a mistake. You need some time to work out whether this is what you really want to do. ANGIE:  And what if it isn’t? (She is looking out the window, away from Mac) Mac, this is all I’ve got, I’m, what am I going to have if I lose it? MAC: Something else. And being afraid of that something else isn’t a good enough reason to stay. ANGIE: I’m not afraid! (Facing Mac.) MAC: No look, now take a break, think it through. Think about what you want to do and where you want to be. (She walks over to the door and opens it for Ange.) MAC: Angie…for what it’s worth, I hope it’s here with us. ANGIE: Mmm. The locker rooms. OSCAR:  (On the phone to his Mum) What do you mean I never come home? I’m coming home now aren’t I? Got four days...Michelle?... Yeah Michelle, she’s good. Well she’s getting a bit chunky around the thighs, you know but that cant be helped. (Angie hears this and grabs Oscar by the shirt) But ahh... besides that she’s umm...perfect. Mum she’s beautiful. (Angie lets go and returns to her locker) No, she’s not coming with me; she’s a bit busy at the moment...Yeah of course we’re serious...Okay, I’ll ask her, but she has a job too, remember. Okay, but whatever happens I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay Hooroo! ANGIE: Forget it! OSCAR: Ah come on! It’ll be fun and besides, Mum’s jealous that Dad’s met you and she hasn’t and I think Dad may have built you up as prime, A-Grade daughter-in-law material. ANGIE: All the more reason to give Michelle the flick. OSCAR: They would never forgive me. Not after the way you stuck by me at the hospital. ANGIE: Stone, that was a cover. OSCAR: They don't know that, and its good for Mum to think I’m with someone, it just stops her worrying about me. ANGIE: I’m not going to spend four days in the country lying to your family. OSCAR: It’s not lying. I mean we are friends, and you do fancy me. What else are you going to do? Come on, a bit of time in the country, relaxing, unwinding. Do you the world of good. (Angie gives in) In Angie’s red car, driving on the road. ANGIE: (On a hands free mobile) Yeah Mac, yeah. Yeah-ok well is there any word on Billie Robardi? Yeah, yeah, I know- I know, we’re almost there. Well could you let us know? Or I’ll call you back later for an update how’s that? OSCAR: All right, ‘Bye Mac’. New rules, no phones, no work, we relax! (Continue driving) ANGIE: It’s so beautiful out here, so tranquil how could you ever leave? OSCAR: You haven’t met my family. ANGIE: Yeah but it’s just so peaceful and quiet, is it always like this? OSCAR: Like I said, you haven’t met my family. Angie beeps the horn as she pulls into the circular driveway in front of an old-style farmhouse. Shirley, Oscar’s mum, comes running out of the house SHIRLEY:  Michelle? (Laughs) ANGIE: Yeah… SHIRLEY: You must be! (She opens her arms and gives her a hug.) Well it’s about time! I’m Shirley. ANGIE: Hello. SHIRLEY: I’ve been dying to meet you- ANGIE: Really – SHIRLEY: Charlie told me all about you! (Laughs) He couldn’t stop talking about you as a matter of fact. I can see why, you’re gorgeous, just gorgeous. ANGIE: Oh. (Angie looks at Oscar) OSCAR: Hey mum, remember me? (Getting the bags out of the car.) SHIRLEY: Oh hello darling! OSCAR: Your son! SHIRLEY: Hello. (She gives him a hug and he gives her a kiss.) What have you done to your eye? OSCAR: Ah it’s nothin. BRAD: (Stone’s brother) Hey Cam! OSCAR: Brad! (They hug.) BRAD: Hey mate. Walk into a door or something? (Oscar looks at Angie again.) ANGIE: Hi there, I’m Michelle. BRAD: Hi I’m Brad. SHIRLEY: Well come on, let’s come on inside. (Laughs!) Brad you get their bags. I’ve put you both in your old room. (Stonie turns around.) OSCAR: What together? SHIRLEY: I’ve made up a double bed, I’m not square you know! (Ange gives him a look!) Back in Melbourne. (At a night club) GRUBBY: I don’t want any trouble. (Peter pins him up against the wall with him arm over his neck.) PETE: There’s no trouble, I just wanna know where I can find Billy Robardi. I’m an old mate of his. GRUBBY: I can’t breathe. PETE: Then don’t waste it bullshitting me. Where is he? GRUBBY: Word is he’s gone to Queensland. PETE: How reliable is this word? GRUBBY: I dunno, I’m praying to God as far away as possible. ‘Specially after what I heard. PETE: Enlighten me. GRUBBY: He’s gone and got himself a piece. (Pete lets him go and leaves.) At the place where Oscar got his fake I.D. (The man who gave him the license is working late, alone and about to call his family.) MAN: G’day love…yeah Daddy. Mum there? Ta. (Billy Robardi comes up behind him and shoves a gun in his face. He has his head shaved and a beanie on.) BILLY: I want you to relax, take it easy, pretend you’re on a beach. Whatever turns you on. Now you’re gunna help me with some information. See my friends tell me you’re the man who issues fake licenses to undercover cops. Are they wrong? (Billy shoves the gun near his nose.) Mm are they wrong? And does the name Greg Tyler sound familiar? (The man nods slowly.) Good! Good this should be a short conversation. Back at the Factory. (Peter is on the phone at night.) PETE: Yeah, yeah you should be stammering, you know I’m gunna come after ya. Yeah, ya know some of Billy’s old mates! Check em out! (He hangs up, and Mac walks over.) MAC: Pete, it’s not our case anymore. PETE: Did you tell Homicide he was armed? MAC: Yep, now he must have gone to ground, he’s probably up in Queensland or something. PETE: Yeah, I’ll believe that when I see a picture of Billy next to the Big Banana. MAC: Ah…. That’s in, that’s in New South Wales… PETE: Well then the big whatever, pineapple! MAC: Look, it makes sense, he’s not going to hang around here when he’s got half the police force after him. PETE: It’s not like Billy to leave town without settling a score. MAC: Look, okay we’ve got a tail on Grubby…Stone’s safely tucked away out the back of beyond there’s nothing more we can do. PETE: Like I said, it’s a hobby. (He picks up the phone and starts dialling, he waves at her and she leaves.) Stonie’s House. (Oscar is in a dressing gown.) SHIRLEY: Good night darling. OSCAR: Good night mum. (He gives her a kiss.) SHIRLEY: Everything okay? ANGIE: Yes, fine thanks Shirley. (Angie is tucked up to her neck in a black and white check doona cover.) SHIRLEY: Sweet dreams. (She shuts the door.) OSCAR: Sorry about that, mum…usually isn’t this modern! ANGIE: Don’t be sorry, it’s um…very generous. She’s thinking of us. (Oscar has taken off his dressing gown to reveal p.j’s. He is sitting on a chair on the opposite side of the room, near the window.) OSCAR: Look I’ll just…camp on the floor I’ll be fine. ANGIE: We’re adults, now surely we can sleep in the same bed and not feel embarrassed. (Oscar looks up.) ANGIE: Come on! (Oscar is taking off his slippers.) ANGIE: Now you don’t mind that I’m naked do you? It’s just…I can’t sleep in p.j’s I get restless! It’s just a habit, is that okay with you?” (Oscar has a very shocked expression on his face as he slowly nods his head. He walks over to the bed. Angie turns over on her side and Oscar yanks the covers from over her as she bursts out laughing!!!) ANGIE: Sucked in!  OSCAR: Shh! ANGIE: Sucked in! (She is in a turquoise, p’j. singlet top and pajama pants, still laughing!) OSCAR: Now you’re a thrill…laugh a minute, Mich-elle! (She finally settles down and looks over at him, giggling occasionally.) ANGIE: Hey, it’ll be good if um your dad and Shane get back before we go. Do they always buy cattle this time of year? OSCAR: Well it’s not exactly cattle. ANGIE: Oh I thought Shirley said they were buying cattle? OSCAR: No actually…they’re buying sperm…Bull sperm, you know artificial insemination? Mum was a bit worried you’d be embarrassed! ANGIE: Right. (They both look at each other.) OSCAR: Yeah. ANGIE: Yeah. STONE: Right! ANGIE: Are you gunna turn the light off? OSCAR: …Oh…yeah sorry. (Shot goes to outside the house and you see the light go off.) ANGIE: Sperm ‘ay!!! (She starts laughing again!) OSCAR: Shh! Oscar’s apartment in Melbourne. Billy Robardi walks in carrying a gun. He is wearing his beanie still. He looks around and, finding no one home, he knocks everything off the table. He then picks up a photo of Oscar and smashes it on the ground. He sees the red light flashing on the answering machine, so he presses the button to hear the message. It’s Oscar’s mum “Oh hi darling, it’s mum, look if you haven’t left already, remember it gets pretty cold……..” Stone’s Farm. Angie is in her dressing gown. The radio is on and Shirley is cooking breakfast. Angie is sitting at the kitchen table looking at the photo albums. ANGIE: Oh isn’t he cute! SHIRLEY: Oh he was wasn’t he! (They both laugh. Shirley turns around and points to another photo.) SHIRLEY: Oh look, that was his cousins wedding. You know he had his first kiss that night! ANGIE: Ah! SHIRLEY: Denies it of course! Still does to this day! He’s never been one to wear his heart on his sleeve…but a mother knows these things. ANGIE: Mm. SHIRLEY: He’s very sweet on you! ANGIE: Oh…well he didn’t say that. SHIRLEY: He didn’t have to, it’s written all over his face, and all over yours I might add! (She leans over to Angie.) So umm…? ANGIE: So…? (Oscar walks in, in his pajamas.) OSCAR: Morning! ANGIE: Morning! OSCAR: Oh mum not the photo album! SHIRLEY: She’s your girlfriend dahl, she’s interested. ANGIE: Yeah! (Brad walks in, in his farm clothes.) OSCAR: Morning! BRAD: Ah up at last. No more of that Cam, you’re not slacking in the city now. Hey Michelle! ANGIE: He’s right you know, we should be out there and into it! (Oscar shrugs.) OSCAR: Okay, what would you like to do? ANGIE: How about…everything! Out in the middle of Oscar’s farm. They are both rugged up and Oscar is holding a bow and arrow, aiming towards a target…to be continued…

Just Acting