02x03 - Greed and Fear

[bunniefuu]

You assured me that you go through

every story with a fine-tooth comb.

Who signed off on that footage?

That's Dennis Tibb's

responsibility, I'm sorry to say.

Who would you say is the best

news director working today?

Some would say Vincent Callahan.

With Kay back from London, I'll

be doing all the favourites.

Rob and I are together.

Yep. You're a producer now, Noelene.

Stop dressing like a schoolgirl.

Be assertive and stand your ground.

LINDSAY: Complaints about

our coverage! Too confronting!

But mostly they're complaints about you.

Too uncaring, too

abrasive, too cold! You!

The whole country is on the

brink of a colossal change,

and it is our job to report it.

Charlie Tate wants you off the desk.

Then I'll recalibrate.

But I can't do that sitting at home.

I need to be on the desk.

In the future, if any directive

of mine rubs you the wrong way, uh,

my door is always open.

You strike me as a bit

open to possibilities.

Wait. What does that mean?

I am.

(VEHICLE APPROACHES)

(HANDBRAKE CLICKS)

(ENGINE STOPS)

(DOORS OPEN)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(FOOTSTEPS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

DALE: Whoa. How much is he on?

Probably about four times as much as us.

Renegotiates every year and is a man.

- Right.

- (DOG BARKS)

GERRY: Hello. Hello. Hello.

- (LAUGHS) Hello.

- Hi.

Can you handle an

overexcited dog? I'm sorry.

We do actually show him affection.

- You'd never know it.

- So lovely to see you.

You too. Thank you for the invite.

- Nice to see you. Mwah!

- You as well. And these are for you.

- He loves you.

- Oh, they're gorgeous! Thank you.

- GERRY: Hey! So you like Dale, yeah?

- Hi, Dale. Nice to meet you.

- You too.

- GERRY: Dog loves you, Dale.

- Dale's a country boy. (LAUGHS)

- Really?

- Well, Bendigo.

- Oh. Gerry is a farm boy.

Well, from a family of horse breeders.

Carla might as well have been born

on the c*ck bar at the Hilton,

God bless her, but

somehow we managed to

find things in common.

CARLA: Look, I appreciate

the country, you know,

just from the window

of a 5-star hotel room.

- Who doesn't? Come in! Champagne?

- Come in. Why are we standing around?

After you. Speaking of champagne,

we've got one open and ready.

- Oh. Great.

- Get in there.

- The guests are here!

- CARLA: Helen, Dale, this is Alison.

- Hi. Nice to meet you.

- Hi. Hi. Hi. I'm Helen.

- Hi.

- Alison.

- Hello.

- She absolutely adores you both.

- Obsessed.

- Ah!

Oh! Don't you? She used to want

to be a teacher, now a newsreader.

Practises every day

in front of the mirror.

- I did that once.

- Twice.

- Once.

- Well.

Well, you should come and visit

the news desk one day, Alison.

- Have a go at the autocue.

- Oh, that'd be amazing.

You know, Helen's a very good teacher.

She would love that.

- You would love that, wouldn't you?

- Yeah. Yeah, I'd love that.

- Say, "Yes, thank you."

- Yes. Yes, thank you.

- Now, drinks. Come on.

- And a vase.

GERRY: Let's get started.

So, how did you two meet?

Uh, I was singing on a cruise ship.

Carla came on board and

I thought she was the most

dazzling person I'd ever met.

I spent an entire South Pacific

cruise trying to impress her.

Well, you succeeded, clearly.

(LAUGHS)

Once we docked in Sydney,

we were basically married.

Carla told me

Australian audiences are very

receptive to Irish charm, so

I just tried my chances here.

Carla set up meetings,

introduced me to people.

It all kind of just happened.

Yeah, she's always seen who I could be.

And she's always known who I was.

In case you were wondering.

No.

You need to improve

your poker face, Dale.

(BOTH LAUGH)

I think I would k*ll Gerry

if I had to work with him every day.

(LAUGHS)

Mmm.

Oh, um, I mean, we

have our moments, but

I mean, it must be difficult for YOU,

having Gerry home so late every night.

Oh. No, honestly, it suits me.

You know, I'm at the magazine by seven,

and he's with Alison in the mornings,

and then I'm home by 5:30.

Do you want kids?

Oh. Um

- Not sure.

- Not sure.

- Mmm.

- Yeah. I wasn't sure.

Gerry was. He's one of nine.

Mmm.

I really

struggled at first.

- Mmm.

- You know, the whole first year, really.

- I mean, the birth

- Mmm.

split vag*na right

to the an*s, and

yeah, but Gerry really

took to it, you know.

He was just, like

(IRISH ACCENT) "Just hold

on. Things will get better."

And he was right.

And I healed down there.

- (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

- So

Oh, Gerry, can you

help with the canapes?

GERRY: Oh, yes. Absolutely.

Yes. Let's do it. Just a tick.

How you faring?

HELEN: I mean, look.

We haven't even had lunch.

I know. I'm starving.

Now, if I could ask you to

place your keys in the bowl.

Oh! (LAUGHS)

- Oh. (LAUGHS)

- (LAUGHS)

No, no, no. He's he's serious.

Keys in the bowl.

Oh.

- We're kidding! (LAUGHS)

- We're kidding! (LAUGHS) Kidding!

- We're thrilled you're here. Cheers.

- We don't do that.

- Cheers. Good health.

- (PIANO MUSIC)

Say nighty-night and kiss me ♪

- Night-night, darling.

- Night-night.

Just hold me tight

and tell me you'll miss me ♪

While I'm alone and blue as can be ♪

Dream a little dream of me ♪

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

MAN: (ON TV) Well, I think

everyone's waiting to see

what Wall Street does tonight.

If it's down again then, could

be a nervous day tomorrow.

VOICEOVER: Behind the

frenzy of activity,

all the analysts are

asking the same question.

- Is this just another correction

- FRANK: We're back, in five, four

or the crash

everyone's been predicting?

Today's weather

clear with a top of 18 degrees.

We'll be back with all the latest

news and analysis

from the stock exchange

as well as the day's other top stories

tonight at six.

FRANK: And we're out.

Hey, what where's the

reference to Charles Tate?

- Don't know.

- In the original, there was

a reference to Charles Tate.

I mean, he lost almost

as much as Holmes a Court,

more than John Elliott.

Well, we don't want to bite the

hand that feeds us, do we, Helen?

Now, I need you upstairs

for a phone call now.

- With who?

- That trollop from the Sun,

Donna Gillies, the gossip woman.

She's got something going to

print, she wants a response,

and Bev is having kittens.

There's, uh

nothing salacious I

need to know, is there?

Well, you know, no kiddie

fiddlers, sheep shaggers,

n*zi w*r criminals in

the extended family?

- Not that I know of, no.

- Good.

Listen, I'd like Dale

on that call too, please.

Of course.

(BEEP)

- Hello, Donna. Are you there?

- DONNA: Yes, I'm here.

I'm here with Helen now

as well as Dale Jennings

and news director Lindsay Cunningham.

- You want to discuss a column?

- DONNA: Uh, it's not a column.

It's a feature, actually.

Uh, Helen, thank you so

much for speaking with me.

I just want to get your

comments on a few things.

Firstly, is it true that your

legal name is actually Helen Karcic

and that Norville is

your mother's maiden name?

- (BEEP)

- We can decline to comment, yeah?

- I don't care. We don't care.

- Sure.

(BEEP)

Uh Donna, that's not

really much of a story.

Um look, I'm not pregnant.

- Oh. (LAUGHS)

- HELEN: Is there anything else?

Uh, no, I actually have

a few more questions.

Um, is it true that you've

been estranged from your family

for nearly two decades now?

- Oh. That's a no.

- No comment.

DONNA: And, uh, is it true

that you were committed

to the Larundel psychiatric facility,

uh, when you were 16 and

treated for schizophrenia?

(CALL DISCONNECTS)

We've got her.

Is there any truth to that?

- We need legal advice right now.

- Jean, upstairs.

(PHONE RINGS)

(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

(PHONE RINGS)

- What are you doing?

- (BEEP)

- DONNA: It's Donna Gillies again.

- Donna, that's completely inaccurate.

If you print any of my

personal medical history,

then we WILL be suing.

Listen, I understand this

is a very sensitive issue,

but I do have a couple more questions.

Is it true that you didn't attend

your father's funeral last year?

- No comment.

- Do you realise that your sister has

approached News at Six several times?

HELEN: I have no comment.

If you even think about

approaching my family

DONNA: And they've already

declined to comment.

I'm assuming that you're

also declining to comment?

LINDSAY: She's not gonna comment.

This is a bullshit story,

and it's not going to print!

Oh. Well, actually, it's

already been through legals.

And I've got sources dating all

the way back to Thornbury High

in the '60s.

So, um, Helen, if you

do change your mind,

Bev's got my number,

and, uh, this is gonna go to print

probably tomorrow, otherwise Wednesday.

- OK. Thank you.

- (CALL DISONNECTS)

Well, we need to seek

some form of injunction.

I'll try and find an

advance copy of the article.

- There's nothing worse, is there?

- You need to call Charlie Tate.

- No. We don't want to involve him.

- He would know the owner of the Sun.

He's got his hands full,

getting gutted in the markets!

You go do the bulletin.

I'll do the lawyers.

Legals are in a meeting. I've

asked for them to be notified.

If a hospital worker leaked this,

then legally, this cannot be printed.

Hey, Dale.

So this is not a

beat-up? This is all true?

Just stop it going to print.

GEOFF: How long do you think

until it regains the value

lost this morning, Morris?

MORRIS: I'd say end of this week.

End of the week.

MORRIS: This might actually

be good for Australian stock.

If the situation worsens overseas,

more and more international

investors will start buying here.

One moment, Morris.

That's absurdly optimistic.

They expect another 5% drop on

Wall Street tomorrow, if not more!

Let's wait and see

what happens overnight.

Oh! By then, it'll be too late!

Alright.

Let's sell half.

Where are you off to?

Oh. Kay needs to sell too.

And she's not answering.

That little batch of birthday shares?

Well, those birthday shares

are now valued at over $15,000.

And she needs it.

- Morris.

- MORRIS: Yep.

Decided to have a bet each way. (SIGHS)

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

EVELYN: Kay!

Kay, if you're there, please.

It's about your shares, darling,

and it's really quite crucial.

(KEYS JINGLE)

Kay?

FRANK: And in six,

five, four

(NEWS THEME PLAYS)

Tonight, share prices

drop around the world.

And stock markets are

gripped by frantic selling.

Good evening. I'm Helen Norville.

And I'm Dale Jennings.

A dramatic sell-off on

Wall Street on Friday

has resulted in $10 billion being

stripped from the Australian market

in just one day.

The world is now looking to Wall

Street, dearly hoping for a rally.

But if the fall continues overnight,

analysts fear very dark times

ahead for the global economy

after years of unprecedented growth.

VOICEOVER: After the

sensational collapse

of share prices across the

board on Wall Street on Friday,

everyone was expecting a drop on

the Australian Stock Exchange today.

The question was not would

prices fall but by how much?

And brokers didn't have

to wait long to find out.

- Within only 15 minutes of trading

- And we're back, in five, four

the All Ordinaries index

had dropped by 29 points.

DALE: Mark Elliott reporting

from the Melbourne Stock Exchange.

Hi. We're wanting to get one of

you on the market floor tomorrow

for the opening of trading,

maybe even a live cross.

Hey, Noelene, can we

discuss this in a bit?

(PHONES RING)

(TYPEWRITERS CLACK)

Update?

LINDSAY: Uh well, I can

tell you that our legal team

is about as useful as a

glass door in the dunny.

- DALE: What are they gonna do?

- Oh, they reckon they can't do

anything till they see the article.

- DALE: Well, surely Bev's got a copy.

- LINDSAY: She is working on it,

but it's likely we're

gonna see it when it's printed.

- So we just have to wait?

- LINDSAY: Mmm.

JEAN: It seems so.

LINDSAY: Listen, do you have any

idea who Donna's sources might be?

She claims they're

not from the hospital.

Could you give us a

minute, please, Jean?

I think someone from the

office is leaking information.

Well, Jean's a steel trap.

Look, Donna Gillies relies on

having access to network talent.

Gerry and Carla Carroll, they're

in the social pages every weekend.

I could ask him to (SIGHS)

Look, we

we could make her feel like if she

publishes this article,

she'll be boycotted.

You know, actually, that is what

we should be asking Charlie to do.

He should go to the CEO directly.

Well, we are still on shaky

ground with little Chuck, Helen,

and I don't think hearing

that the lead newsreader's been

in the loony bin will help us.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR SLAMS)

If they manage to get an advance copy,

would you like it faxed

to your home or?

Oh.

I don't want you to have

- anything to do with it whatsoever.

- Pardon?

You were the only one who

had all that information.

If you're suggesting I

played any part in this

If I were inclined to leak gossip,

I promise you it'd be worse than that.

Dale, that's a good idea.

Why don't you go downstairs

and see your mate Gerry?

(DOOR OPENS)

DENNIS: Vincent.

Surprised Lindsay let

you out this early.

Oh, well. He's got me back in at 6am.

Ouch.

(SIGHS) So you, uh

you heard from Charlie yet?

Yes, I got a message from

Charles Tate this morning

asking for a meeting tomorrow at 11.

Right. That's good.

Lindsay's in trouble, is he?

Yep.

Does he know that?

No.

I'm surprised you suggested me.

- Why?

- Well, we're the same age.

No-one knows that

newsroom better than you.

Why didn't you go for the job yourself?

Oh, mate, no-one that looks

like me is gonna get that job.

Well, you know I'd love

to work with you again.

- OK.

- But I'm on a pretty good wicket where I am.

Right. Well, Charles Tate

would let you name your price.

Really?

And I can tell you absolutely

everything he wants to hear, if

you can guarantee me

at least a 25% pay rise.

Oh.

Now it makes sense.

(LAUGHS)

15%.

(SIGHS)

Come on, mate. 20.

What do I need to know?

Great. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. So

Charles is absolutely

obsessed with branding.

And for him, the network

brand is, don't laugh,

backyard barbecue. (SIGHS)

- (NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP PLAYS)

- WOMAN: Kick, kick.

GERRY: Do these moves have any

relationship to the sun at all?

WOMAN: Of course they

do. It's choreography.

GERRY: Danielle, these are

the same moves we've done

- for the last eight numbers.

- They FEEL like the same.

- Um

- They're slightly diff

- What?!

- Sorry. Someone here for you.

Dale, just just give me five minutes.

- Just working something out.

- Sure.

Just over there.

They DO feel the same.

They DO feel the same.

- They're slightly different.

- Danielle, if you're not hearing me,

if you're not seeing the problem

- Gerry

- that's the problem.

- Gerry. Gerry.

- Yeah?

Look, let let's

just take 15, Danielle.

OK. Right.

- (SONG STOPS)

- GERRY: Is Helen OK?

Not really.

Look, Donna might seem like

a a bubbly gossip columnist.

- She's absolutely strategic.

- Great.

Do you think you could

have a word with her?

She seems to fawn over you and Carla.

You must have some

sort of sway with her.

(SIGHS) It's it's

the other way round.

Uh, uh, a couple of

years ago, someone was

was keen to sell a

story to her about me.

- Right.

- We we managed

to persuade her not to pursue it,

but she needed compensation,

so now we go to her

for every birthday, every announcement.

We changed the date of our anniversary

to accommodate her schedule.

My advice? Meet her in person,

k*ll her with kindness,

and have something to offer her.

Thanks.

GERRY: OK.

Hey, guys. How is everyone?

You ready for tonight?

(BELL DINGS)

- I need to speak with Charles Tate.

- Uh, that won't be possible tonight.

HELEN: It's alright. I'm gonna tell

him that you did all that you could.

No, I can schedule. I'm sorry. No.

CHARLES: Yeah, we were hoping

for a stabilisation midweek.

There might be a bit of a

dip tomorrow, but there

I'm terribly sorry for barging

in, but I need your help.

I need help pulling an

article from the Sun.

It's it's a very invasive piece,

and if it if it's published,

it's gonna be very bad for me

and very bad for your network.

Just um, Ian, let

me call you back, mate.

Yeah, I did explain.

- Just give us a minute, Di.

- DI: Yeah.

You said your door

was always open, so

You do realise that

the Sun is not my paper?

No, I know, but you spend an

awful lot of advertising in it.

- Does not give me editorial control, Helen.

- But it could give you leverage?

Sounds to me like you're

talking about gossiping.

- People do not care about what's

- It's more than a gossip column.

What's the name of this journalist?

Erm, her name is Donna Gillies.

- It'll be printed when?

- Tomorrow or the next day.

The Sun is Astley's paper.

Astley's my father's generation.

I don't really have any

relationship with him.

Don't like my chances of

getting through to him either.

Not right now. It's

f*ck' chaos out there.

Alright. Well, maybe you

could ask your father.

(LAUGHS) I don't like my chances of

getting through to my father ever.

Let me see what I can do.

What time?

EVELYN: I came by at 11

and again at two.

And I rang several times during the day.

KAY: Did you leave a note?

Under your door.

(SIGHS)

Could we

could we try and ring

Morris now, please?

It's not like he's gonna be asleep.

Oh! It's too late!

GEOFF: Darling. We can put in a call.

By the time the share market opens,

we'll be at the mercy of

whatever's happened overseas.

KAY: You told me that shares were

the safest place for my savings.

- GEOFF: Those shares were a gift.

- KAY: They started as a gift.

But I added to them.

Any money I had, I put in there.

EVELYN: Geoff?

A hand, please.

- (PUTS GLASS DOWN)

- (SIGHS)

I last spoke to Morris at 4pm

just to see if there was any

way to authorise the sale.

He told me Kay sold those

shares several months ago.

GEOFF: She's upset. She's

lost thousands of dollars.

EVELYN: She hasn't lost anything!

She's lying to our faces.

And it's not the first time.

I don't know what more I can do.

I need you to address it.

Not tonight.

Look at your daughter!

She's not herself. You

need to say something.

Say what?

Nothing, darling.

(LAUGHS)

(SIGHS)

(CLEARS THROAT)

Darling?

Darling.

Listen.

If you had troubles of

any description

- (SIGHS)

- you would tell us?

Now, wouldn't you?

(KAY BREATHES SHAKILY)

Yes.

I do.

My savings (SIGHS)

that I was relying on, that I put

exactly where you told me to, Dad

they've been decimated!

Alright.

- It's alright.

- (SIGHS)

It's alright.

I think you should stay here tonight.

- Oh

- Yes.

We'll call Morris first thing

and discuss our next steps.

OK?

(SIGHS)

Come on.

(LAUGHS)

It'll be alright.

(BELL DINGS)

- (DOOR OPENS)

- (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

(PAGES RUSTLE)

OK, it's not in today's paper.

This is good.

This is good. It gives us more time.

So Gerry felt our best option

was to see Donna face to face.

We'll just speak to her

Um, I've I've said everything

that I want to say to her.

Yeah, but if we take a less

confrontational approach,

appeal to her, get her to empathise

HELEN: I'm not gonna grovel to her.

I can't even believe that

you would suggest that.

Just trying to help.

(DOOR CLOSES)

She nearly ready?

- NOELENE: Coming!

- Ah.

(LAUGHS) Wait till you see her.

You're gonna love it. (LAUGHS)

- (GASPS) Oh!

- (LAUGHS)

Noels, what are you wearing?

I've got to go to the stock exchange.

It's a big story. London's plummeted.

The Dow's dropped 500 points.

New Zealand's about to open.

But, hey, you're still gonna

wear your skirts, though?

Aren't you?

- Jen, can you give us a minute?

- Yes.

(LAUGHS) Alright.

What's brought this on?

I'm trying something new.

I tell you what, I do like those shoes.

Let's just go.

Alright.

- Morning.

- Noelene!

You look great.

New Zealand's opened

and they've crashed too.

The drop on the Dow is

double the Great Depression.

There's already unconfirmed

reports of suicides on Wall Street.

We're wanting to get one of

you out on the market floor

- for the opening of trading.

- (KNOCKS) Hi.

Um, do you have a minute?

Sorry. If we want to make opening,

we really need to leave soon.

It's just five minutes.

Yeah, sure. Come in.

Take a take a seat.

Is everything alright?

Um

I know there's been some personal

details about you that

have spread, and

there's a chance they

might have come from me.

Not on purpose. I'm not a gossip.

Um, but um, there

there was a moment

where I wasn't thinking and

I might have told someone

about your surname.

Who?

Evelyn Walters.

Mrs Walters, um, she would

book me for special

events, just sometimes,

and and she'd make me drinks,

and and we'd talk, and I

I stopped going because

I I realised that sh

she might not be that trustworthy.

What exactly did you say?

Uh

well, once, she was asking, um,

whether your families would

want you to get engaged,

and I didn't think anything

of it, so I just said,

"Helen's not that

close with her family."

And then I, um

yeah, said about your last

name and your sister

Cheryl, can you call Evelyn Walters

right now and explain to her what

I'm gonna go talk to her myself.

Sorry, but if we don't leave

pretty much right now

- You're gonna have to take a reporter.

- No!

- The other reporters have gone.

- I'm really sorry.

(PHONES RING)

Ooh! Someone's been shopping

at DJs. Very fancy, Noelene.

(LAUGHS)

What?

We should get some interviews here

while they're all heading to

and from the trading floor.

- ROB: They all brokers? Bit young, aren't they?

- Most of them.

Yeah. They're really young.

That's part of the story.

These men have only ever known

the market to go up and up.

Excuse me! If I could just ask

you for a minute of your time.

We're from News at S

Sir. Could I just ask

you for two minutes?

- We are int

- Mate. Mate. Uh, Rob Rickards.

News at Six.

Are we good?

Um, are are you worried about

what's gonna happen today?

Nah. I think the, uh, panic's

a bit overblown, to be honest.

Overblown? So you're not nervous

after what's happened on Wall Street?

Oh, look, our fundamentals are

way better than Wall Street.

If I was an overseas investor,

I'd be wanting to buy Australian

gold right now, so, uh

I think we're gonna

see a huge day for gold.

Yeah, I've got a lot

of sell calls already,

so I do think it's

gonna be a choppy day.

And for a young bloke, such as yourself,

you haven't ever really seen a crash.

Oh, I've seen my share of ups and downs.

Um, and I'm pretty sure we're

gonna end today on an up.

- (EXCHANGE BELLS RING)

- MAN: And there.

The commencement of trading

on what stands to be the

most consequential day

on the Australian Stock Exchange

possibly since the 1920s.

- (KNOCK AT DOOR)

- (COMMOTION ON RADIO) As you can hear,

- there is an immediate frenzy on the floor.

- Oh. I'll go.

Stockbrokers are reporting

that most of their buying

orders have been cancelled

and instead the move is to sell.

HELEN: Evelyn.

You are a f*cking b*tch.

- Helen.

- I mean, I knew that you were low.

But I didn't think even

you would stoop this low.

I didn't think that even

you were capable of that.

I'm sorry. I don't know

what you're referring to.

HELEN: You know exactly

what I'm referring to!

Your wife has taken the most

intimate and private details,

my psychiatric history, and she has

leaked them to a gossip columnist!

- That's absurd.

- HELEN: Deliberately.

You have done nothing with your life

except stand in the shadows

and try and tear everyone down,

and the fact that you both

stand on this moral high ground,

looking down your nose

and judging everyone!

I want you to know that I

know exactly who you are,

and I know exactly

what you both stand for.

If people are questioning

your psychiatric state, Helen,

it's hardly a surprise!

I'm I'm sure you can

appreciate it's a very

- Now, Dale

- distressing situation.

it's time for you to remove

yourself from our property

and to control that

clearly unwell woman.

EVELYN: Thank you.

(SIGHS)

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

I've got one last idea.

I think we should go see Donna alone.

Gerry said if we promise to

prioritise her for future stories

I I don't want her

in our lives, Dale.

But we could offer her a major story.

What if we offer her

an engagement?

What about an exclusive

on our engagement?

Was that was that

was that your proposal?

(LAUGHS) It's

it's not this is not how

I wanted it to go, but

we could offer her

something really valuable.

Dale, there are some things that

I just would never want to trade.

(DOOR CLOSES)

ROB: (ON TV) Although the crisis

affects everyone on this floor,

it's the small investors who

claim they'll suffer the most.

MAN: (ON TV) The brokers

are too worried about

looking after their big

institutional clients that

who wants to buy MY

small amount of shares?

ROB: From a very demoralised

stock market trading floor

- And we're back in five

- this has been Rob Rickards

- four

- News at Six.

Internationally, it's already

being called Black Monday

as the catastrophic losses spread

from New York to London to Tokyo.

- Steve Aldridge reports.

- Yep. (LAUGHS)

STEVE: Today's action

began last night in London.

- (SIGHS)

- STEVE: The FT index fell to 2

How's little Chuck doing?

Oh, mate. It's worse than yesterday.

It's obliterated.

Him, Holmes a Court, John Elliott.

Highest-profile loser so far.

Oh, f*ck.

(SIGHS)

He's demanding a call.

- When?

- Now.

- Both of us?

- No, mate. Just with me.

(SIGHS) Dennis, it's grim.

(SCOFFS) Lindsay, you

don't know that, mate.

That means he's either gonna cut the

budget or he's gonna sack someone.

(SIGHS)

Thanks, Jean.

STEVE: the 1920s that

triggered the Great Depression.

HELEN: The news team will

continue to bring you full coverage

of the unfolding crisis

with regular updates

and detailed analysis.

And we're out!

They want you to head

right back to the newsroom.

And, Helen, you've had a

phone call from Charlie Tate.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Is there a phone call for me?

Charles Tate rang about

half an hour ago. No message.

- He's at his office.

- Thank you.

I'd wait. Mr Tate's on the

phone to Lindsay right now.

How long's he been on the phone?

23 minutes.

Jean, um,

I'd like to apologise

for the insinuation that

that you had been indiscreet.

I'd say it was more than an insinuation.

Well, I'm very sorry.

LINDSAY: Dennis!

That call had nothing to

do with our reporting today.

Little Chuck is sunk.

He's lost the banks.

He was calling to say

they're all abandoning ship.

The banks are gonna take

back the network! (LAUGHS)

Are we are we are

we in administration?

They haven't pulled the pin yet,

mate, but they will, because

Little Chuck, little

Chuck, little Chuck is f*cked ♪

Little Chuck, little

Chuck, little Chuck is sunk ♪

Little Chuck, little

Chuck, little Chuck is f*cked ♪

He's f*cked

He's f*cked, f*cked, f*cked! ♪

f*ck off, backyard barbecues! He's dead!

Uh

did he mention the article?

- Sorry?

- From the Sun.

- The article from the Sun.

- No, it didn't come up.

Are there gonna be, like,

cuts or something, Lindsay?

Yes, mate, we're gonna have

to say farewell to a few mates,

but that's OK, because you're

gonna put a tie and a jacket on,

and I'm taking you to Florentino's.

My shout!

We're gonna spend

what's left of his money.

(LAUGHS) Mate!

Noelene, tomorrow, I want

you to do a very thorough,

a very detailed, story

on just how f*cked little Chuck is.

(LAUGHS)

Yeah!

Here he is!

Dale Jennings!

What did he say?

He did he just left a message.

- I'm gonna go in to his office.

- DALE: Well, I'll drive you.

No, I am going to go.

(DOOR OPENS)

(MAN SIGHS)

- Hey. Yep.

- MAN 3: Alright.

- Ta-ta, fellas.

- No, everything's

CHARLES: Yeah.

Well, no, don't do that. No.

No, let

Carl. See what see what

the trend is on Thursday.

Right. Yes.

I agree. But there's got to be

some degree of bounce, right?

You c

Don't

Yes.

Yeah, alright. I appreciate that.

- (PHONE CLATTERS)

- Am I interrupting?

So now we're being polite?

It's interesting.

Is all this as bad as it seems?

For me personally or for the world?

HELEN: For you personally.

Well

half my backers have deserted me.

The other half (SIGHS)

I'm promising there's gonna

be a rebound, which is bullshit,

and they know it.

So

And are you still my boss?

(LAUGHS)

Yes.

I believe I am, maybe for

the next 48 hours or so.

I don't know. Maybe less.

Oh, I did get hold of Astley for you.

He doesn't like to intervene

editorially, but what he HAS said is

essentially, he's gonna

make a couple of calls,

and that's all I can get for you now.

Sorry.

I actually think that my

What would you call it, my decimation?

My decimation sort

of, uh, helped things

- (LAUGHS)

- you know?

The only reason that Astley

called me back was 'cause, uh

I'm f*cked.

Well, I appreciate it. (LAUGHS)

Yeah.

Well, we'll know soon after midnight.

That's when the first

print run lands. (SIGHS)

Help yourself to a drink.

Probably be reclaimed in

a couple of days anyhow.

You might want to fix me one too.

(PAGES RUSTLE)

(SIGHS)

CHERYL: I'm definitely more

a a Material Girl person

- GERRY: No!

- than a Live to Tell person.

GERRY: Live to Tell's a

better-structured song.

No, but I do yeah, but I think

it's a better album than the last.

- (LAUGHS) No.

- I

What do you think? (LAUGHS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Erm, Cheryl, could

you just give us five?

- Oh, yes.

- Yeah. Thank you.

Well?

- Did you get onto Donna?

- Well yeah, I suggested it to Helen,

but it's not the strategy

that she went with.

Look, if you want me to

put in a call, I I can.

It's too late.

Are you OK?

Today wasn't my finest hour with Helen.

We need you in two minutes, Gerry.

Yeah.

Can I give you a call later?

You're heading home, right?

- (CLEARS THROAT)

- I don't know what I'm doing.

Well, why don't you come see the show?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(PUTS LIGHTER DOWN)

(HANDBRAKE CLICKS)

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

GEOFF: Darling?

We know it's late.

We got through to Morris.

I'm afraid it's not good

news. We need to discuss it.

(SIGHS)

Goodness sake! This is ridiculous!

We own the place.

Kay?

- (DOOR CLOSES)

- Kay, darling?

Hello?

Kay?

Darling?

Darling, I'm coming in.

Jesus!

Kay!

Call an ambulance.

Darling. Call an ambulance!

Oh, no, no, no.

No! No, no.

Darling. Darling! Kay!

Kay!

Kay, it's Daddy.

It's Daddy, darling.

Come on, darling. Come on.

Come on.

- Come on.

- EVELYN: Uh, ambulance.

(EMOTIONALLY) Uh, it's my daughter.

I think she might have overdosed.

Darling.

Open your eyes. Open your eyes.

Look at me. Look, look, look, look.

How much do you think you'll have left?

Personally.

Millions?

(SIGHS)

(LAUGHS)

Oh, I think you're gonna be fine.

Yeah, you too.

Well, you don't know

what the story's about.

Yeah, that's true.

You never asked.

You were the only one who didn't.

Well, if history's

taught us anything, Helen,

if you got something to say,

you do not wait for an invitation.

Do you want me to ask?

(INHALES)

I think it's gonna say

I was in

a mental institution.

And I was treated for schizophrenia.

sh*t.

HELEN: Mmm.

Well, full credit to Donna.

I'd buy that paper.

Yeah, me too.

Is it true?

I was treated for schizophrenia.

I'm not schizophrenic.

I was treated for manic depression.

I was just

stuck in this borderland

of neurosis and psychosis.

(SIGHS) f*ck me.

What 16-year-old isn't?

(SNIFFS)

It's still two hours.

I just checked too.

(SIGHS)

GERRY: Marriage ever

been discussed before?

Not specifically, no.

Does Helen want to get married?

Doesn't everyone?

- Do you?

- Yeah.

Of course.

Well, I highly recommend it.

I love being married.

But you're not in a

you don't

Spit it out.

Your marriage is not conventional.

It's not a

No, but it's much better for us.

I don't think marriage

should ever stop a person

exploring who they are.

Luckily, Carla thinks the same, so

She doesn't take issue

with you sleeping with men?

No.

Hm.

Carla makes the most

out of this situation.

Don't you worry about that.

Helen and I are

it's just us.

Ye yeah. I I

kind of got that, yeah.

- But

- Yeah?

last year

oh, something did happen

with a cameraman at work.

It was very brief, but

Did you want it to be more?

I wanted to be with Helen.

You think I'm deluding myself.

(LAUGHS) No.

No. I see how much you love her.

(LAUGHS)

(SIGHS)

I feel like the way I love

doesn't fit in anywhere.

And

I've been ashamed of that

for a really long time.

But I love Helen.

And I think that's all that matters.

But maybe if things were different

maybe if I'd never met her (SIGHS)

it would be someone else.

But so much of what I feel

comes from how I feel about her,

so I don't know.

- I'm probably not making any sense.

- No, no, you're making perfect sense.

And if that's how you feel, I think

you need to correct

that God-awful proposal.

Apart from anything else, I make a

fantastic wedding MC if you need it.

(BOTH LAUGH)

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

I'm sorry.

(PAGES RUSTLE)

CHARLES: OK. Page five.

Six and seven.

(BOTH LAUGH)

Very comprehensive. (LAUGHS)

Thank you.

JOHN FARNHAM: Take hold of

the wheels and turn them around ♪

Take the pressure down ♪

- Someone turned ♪

- (DOOR CLOSES)

The pressure on ♪

I called your name and you were gone ♪

And you were gone

And I was trapped like a

prisoner in this lonely town ♪

I'm gonna let things slide ♪

Until the pressure comes ♪

(STOPS SONG)

Hey.

Hi.

It's not there.

That's good.

Sorry I'm so late.

Come on. Let's go to bed.

Helen.

I am so sorry,

for bringing up

marriage today like it was a fix.

I know we have our complexities.

(LAUGHS)

Maybe we're not like

everyone else.

But

(SIGHS) but I love you.

I do love you too.

(SNIFFS)

HELEN: Let's enjoy the world

premiere of Australia's year.

We are a young nation,

a nation that typically shies

away from grand gestures.

Australia is not a nation!

It's a crime scene!

HELEN: I'd like to give you

a dedicated interview.

MAN: I should have told you.

You're not the only one here

that finds me, uh urgent?

Hi, Helen.

Dale, Tim is here.

Feel like everything

that I do is insignificant

and you're both ashamed of me.

The disease of the modern world,

casting themselves as victims.

Do you know where Gran's

engagement ring is?

I know exactly where it is,

darling. I can come first thing.

I just wasn't sure

this was gonna happen.