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Episode Summaries > 1986 > Episode 187

Written by Philip Ryall, Directed by Andrew Friedman, Produced by John Holmes

Network Ten: 11/02/86, BBC One: 22/07/87, UK Gold: 20/07/93

Recap
• Madge tells Helen that she's made contact with Douglas Blake
• Helen and Jim learn that Scott's wallet was found on a body in the river
• Paul comforts Helen over the news about Scott
• Jim arrives to identify the body

No 26: Paul and Helen are still waiting for news, and his fidgeting is annoying her. Max then suddenly bursts in and asks if there's been news about Scott - Helen starts to cry again as she tells Max what's happened. Max says that maybe he should go and support Jim at the identification, but then Jim arrives home and immediately reports that the body wasn't Scott's. Though everyone is relieved, Jim becomes upset thinking about the body he saw, and about what the boy had to do to Scott to get his wallet. Helen suggests that they ring around the local hospitals, and Jim decides to go out for a drive - Paul wants to go with him, but Jim rushes out of the door on his own.

Hotel: Douglas Blake is sitting close to the reception desk, reading the newspaper, when Madge appears and starts complaining to the receptionist, in a very loud voice, about the size of her suite. As the receptionist checks if they have anything larger, Madge smiles to herself as she looks over at Douglas, who's clearly listening in. As Madge makes arrangements to be moved to the presidential suite, Douglas stands behind her, pretending to look at some brochures, so that she bumps into him when she turns around. He apologises for scuffing her shoe, and reminds her of their meeting by the elevator the other day. She remembers, and he introduces himself as Douglas Manning, asking if he can repay her with lunch. She turns this down, but suggests that they could have dinner instead, and they arrange to meet at 8pm in the cocktail bar.

. . .

No 24: Shane and Max are sorting through the washing, when Clive bursts in, telling Shane that they've got their first gardening job. Max isn't too impressed when he realises that Shane is working with Clive, and even less impressed as Clive starts describing Beth Travers, the beautiful woman they'll be working for. He warns against getting involved with clients, but Shane and Clive ignore him - and Max can't believe it when Clive says that Beth is paying them $20 an hour.

Pacific Bank: Madge turns up to see Danny, asking if she can have her safety deposit box. As Des goes to get it, Madge makes Danny do a spin and show off his new suit - she says that she's very proud of him. Des returns with the box, and Madge promptly sends him away again. She then takes out her diamond wedding ring, showing it to Danny, and tells him that it was recently valued at $10,000, and that, with determination and hard work, he'll be able to buy things like that one day.

. . .

Beth Travers' Garden: Beth is sunbathing, when Clive and Shane arrive. Clive starts ordering Shane around, but Shane reminds him that it's meant to be a partnership. Clive explains that he's organising things, and Shane is providing the brawn - Shane, however, tells Clive that he'll need to do some of the work too. Clive insists that he'll help out, once he's shown the plans to Beth, and he goes to sit with her. She's impressed with his efforts, but Shane interrupts, calling Clive over and telling him that he isn't going to do this whole job on his own.

No 26: Madge arrives, as Helen is frantically cleaning the kitchen. She says that she's just trying to keep her mind occupied, but was very pleased when Madge called. Madge says that she wishes there was something she could do to help with the Scott situation, then sits down and reports that she met Douglas Blake earlier today - or rather, he engineered the meeting - and he gave a false name. She explains that Douglas has invited her to dinner that night but she was wondering if, given the circumstances, she should try to delay him. Helen says that this might be their only opportunity, and they should take it. Madge then shows her the diamond ring, admitting that she's not looking forward to having the stone removed, but if this is what Helen wants, then she's only too happy to help.

Beth Travers' Garden: Clive is attempting to chat to Beth about South America, but she's more interested in gazing across the pool at Shane. She thinks that he should have a break, but Clive insists that he's fine. Beth, however, asks Shane to join her in the pool for a swim, leaving Clive to work on his plans. Beth chats to Shane about his diving career and says that she recently lost her husband, but it was probably for the best. She then asks Shane to have dinner with her that night, and goes off to get him a towel. Clive then walks over to Shane and tells him to get back to work, adding that he's about to ask Beth out on a date. Shane reports that Beth's already got plans, and dives back into the pool.

Pacific Bank: Des is surprised to find a copy of Afternoon Light by Sir Robert Menzies on Danny's desk, and asks him when he suddenly became interested in politics. Danny explains that he was trying to impress Marcie, but now she's gone to Fiji with Dwayne. They chat about Menzies, and then an elderly customer comes over, spots the book and says that she read it when it first came out. She calls Danny a credit to his generation and he smiles awkwardly.

. . .

No 26: Jim is pacing around, waiting for the phone to ring, and Helen is doing a sketch of Scott. She shows it to Jim and he smiles, as does Madge when she arrives and sees it. Jim then makes himself scarce, and Madge admits to Helen that she's terrified that she's going to lose her nerve during dinner and blow the whole thing. Helen tells her to just let the diamond speak for itself - when Douglas lays eyes on it, they'll have him hooked.

Pacific Bank: Des has to drag Danny away from reading Afternoon Light, as Paul arrives and compliments the new bank, and Danny's new suit. Paul is paying in his pay cheque, and is surprised when Danny doesn't comment on it, but Danny explains that the staff are trained to remain impartial about the customers' finances. He starts telling Paul about some investments he could make, to make his money go further, and Paul then asks Danny if he's interested in superannuation. He suggests that he could invest the money he saved for that holiday with Marcie - but Danny says that he's already spent it on his new suit!

No 24: Max is listening to the races, as Clive and Shane return, arguing about who did the most work. Shane says that Clive's just upset because he stole away his date with Beth - Max suspects that, if this carries on, the gardening business won't last five minutes. Clive, having had enough of their insults, decides to leave, and Shane goes to get ready for his date.

No 24: Later, Shane is ironing a shirt for his date, and Danny is complaining because he needs the ironing board, to get his clothes ready for the next day. Max tells Danny to leave Shane alone, as he has a big date to get ready for, with a woman he stole from Clive. Danny comments that competition makes for a better society and a more robust economy, and then tells Shane that, in Australia today, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Shane and Max both look at Danny with confusion.

. . .

Hotel Restaurant: Douglas has been telling Madge about his work with art and antiques, and says that he almost gave it up when he lost his wife. He explains that he came to town for the antique convention, and is currently very interested in jewellery. Madge says that she loves jewellery too, especially diamonds, and Douglas is suddenly interested when she mentions that her husband gave her several stones. He says that he'd be interested in seeing them, and Madge explains that she doesn't have them with her, then pretends to realise that she has one in her bag. She shows him the diamond and smiles to herself as Douglas looks at it and comments that it's perfect...

Featured Regular Characters: Clive Gibbons, Madge Mitchell, Max Ramsay, Shane Ramsay, Danny Ramsay, Helen Daniels, Jim Robinson, Paul Robinson, Des Clarke

Guest Cast: James Condon as Douglas Blake, Virginia Hey as Beth Travers, Uncredited as Mrs Jackson, Uncredited as Hotel Receptionist

Trivia Notes
• Bank customer Mrs Jackson and the hotel receptionist are not credited, despite having speaking roles
• This episode marks the first appearance of the new set for Pacific Bank, mentioned by Jim in the previous episode as 'the new bank'

Summary by Steve