02x06 - Fireworks

[bunniefuu]

Helen Norville, will you do

me the honour of being my wife?

I-I can't.

I feel like the way I love

doesn't fit in anywhere

and I've been ashamed of

that for a really long time.

Had a bit of a conversation with the

biggest news director working today

and Vincent Callahan is keen

to have a little bit of a chat.

So you end your relationship with me

and right afterwards, Charlie

Tate is leaving messages?

It's got absolutely

nothing to do with us, Dale.

You stay away from my daughter!

I need you to cut me out

of the story. I'm so sorry.

Helen, 60 seconds!

What's happening?

What the f*ck is happening?!

And with only five more sleeps to go,

royalty is about to

descend on Australia.

And by royalty, I of course

mean pop singer Cliff Richard.

Now

my co-host for next Tuesday's

Bicentennial Spectacular

is, of course, News At

Six's very own Dale Jennings.

Yes!

But you might have noticed,

we haven't seen a lot of the

golden couple of news recently, hm?

In fact, Mr Jennings has

been on the news desk alone

and just this week we heard Helen

Norville's heading to Washington.

What on earth is going on?

Well, only two people can tell us,

and one of them is here with us tonight.

So please join me in giving a

very warm Gerry Carroll welcome

to Mr Dale Jennings.

So, Dale, how was your Christmas break?

Slightly hectic, Gerry. Yours?

Absolutely no-one cares.

So put us out of our misery,

Dale. What is going on?

Are you and Helen OK?

Oh, well, look, Gerry, I'd

love to deliver a juicy drama

Well, yes, that's why we're here.

Helen and I are great. Thanks.

But she's been offered a new job?

She has.

What could possibly surpass

sitting beside you on camera?

Honestly, I'm doing it right now.

I can confirm, it's electrifying.

Uh, well, look, Helen's always

been riveted by US politics.

And so when the opportunity came

up to cover the US 1988 elections,

she couldn't turn it down.

But what does this mean

for the golden couple, Dale?

My wife's very anxious about it.

Helen and I love and respect

each other enormously.

But given the distance and

the demands of her new job,

we've both decided, with a lot

of love and a lot of sadness,

to separate.

Oh!

Oh, I'm sorry. Um

Oh, Carla will be devastated.

Um

Not so much our neighbour Debbie,

who I'm sure will want me to ask,

are you dating yet?

- Gerry, it's very recent.

- I know.

How insensitive of you, Debbie.

Shall I ask again mid-year?

Let's say Easter.

Very good.

And, ladies and gentlemen,

that was Mr Dale Jennings.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

- Hi!

- Hi.

- Nice to see you.

- It's good to see you too.

- How are you?

- Yeah, I'm really good.

- How are you?

- Good.

It's so strange being in

the office without you.

Oh, yeah. Boring.

I can't stay long.

No. Um, OK.

Alright, I'm sorry to put

this on you so suddenly.

But, um

you know that I'm flying

to Washington on Wednesday?

- Yes.

- OK.

So we're starting to put

a crew together and

and I've mentioned you.

To the execs.

As my producer.

- Oh.

- '88 in the US, it's gonna be incredible.

It's the election, it's

Reagan's last year in office.

He's going to be putting

immense pressure on Gorbachev.

- I'm contracted to News At Six.

- Yeah, but it's a shitty contract

and you'd only have to

give two weeks' notice.

We'd have limited

interference from the network,

we'd be able to pursue our own stories.

Noelene, it would catapult you.

It would set up your career.

Wow.

Noelene playing hard to get.

Well, we have a number of

options for the producer role,

if you're in trouble.

- No, I'm not.

- Plenty of good people.

No, I am I'm I'm

pretty sure that she's a yes,

but she's just going

to need another week.

She's then going to need another two

weeks to give notice to News At Six.

Cutting it fine for Iowa.

I know, but I think she's worth it.

She's smart as hell.

She seems unassuming.

Helen, if you think she's

right, then we'll get her.

It's your choice.

OK.

I've received a few phone

calls from Lindsay Cunningham.

Four, as a matter of fact.

They started right after we

announced that you were joining us.

Right.

I'd recommend ignoring them.

Well, I've avoided him so far,

but he will get to me eventually.

Is there anything I

need to say or not say?

No.

I might leave him

hanging for a bit longer.

Prick.

Our top stories again,

the First Fleet re-enactment

leaves Botany Bay

for the final stage of

its Bicentennial voyage.

And Chris Evert advances to the final

- Why does he have to shout?

- of the Ford Australian Open.

She will face Steffi Graf on Saturday.

And, of course, on Sunday,

Aussie legend Pat Cash

takes on Mats Wilander.

A week every Australian

will long remember.

Have a great weekend.

And carn, Pat Cash!

Hey! Well done, you. Young Dale.

- Good on you.

- Where are you going?

You're not going to hang out for Geoff?

Oh, turn it up.

- Before we commence tonight

- Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

I'll be taking a break next

week as we cover the spectacle

of the Bicentennial festivities.

And I'm sorry to say that I will

not be returning to this desk

the following week.

I've made the difficult decision

to take an extended break

from The Walters Report.

I've always maintained that newsmen

should never become the news.

But this country is in

the grip of a crisis.

And it is a crisis of drug addiction.

That crisis has now

reached my own family.

As you can imagine, this

is a deeply personal matter.

And I will not be

talking in detail tonight.

But I do feel compelled to

just say two things.

Addiction is an illness.

And it is an insidious one.

I hope that my honesty tonight

shows that it can affect

any Australian family.

And, secondly

Secondly

I love my daughter.

Kay Walters is a

beautiful, intelligent

creative young woman.

And she will be facing this

recovery with her mother and I.

We will devote every effort to it.

Paddy Hewitt will be taking on

my position as Bicentennial host

and be commandeering

this desk in my absence.

I know he can look

forward to the support

of our many, many loyal viewers.

- To our first story tonight

- What does this mean?

look at Britain's

- It means

- official Bicentenary gift to us.

we are going to

win Bicentennial week

hands f*cking down!

Ha!

Royal Highnesses Prince

Charles and Princess Diana.

Would you like to do the honours?

Goodness. A lot of space.

Magnificent, isn't it?

You must be so proud.

Well, enjoy.

I feel like I'm in a museum.

Well, it won't feel so big

once there's furniture in it.

It's very modern, isn't it?

- I know it's not a family home, Mum.

- I didn't say that.

I'm sure you'd prefer something cosier.

I just want you to be happy.

That's all I've ever wanted.

You won't be lonely here?

So much space for one person.

I love it.

I never thought I'd step

foot in a house like this.

Let alone own one.

This is ABC News on the 25th of January,

Bicentennial eve, and crowds are

already gathering at Sydney Airport

for the arrival of the

Prince and Princess of Wales

who are expected to land any moment now.

The royal couple's stay in

Australia will last 10 days

- Hello?

- It's it's, um, Gerry.

Have have you seen The Sun?

No. Why?

Um

I was arrested yesterday in Sydney.

What?

The charge

um, the charge is indecency.

Hang on.

Listen, could you

could you come over here?

Before work?

Um

Yeah, of course.

The network knows. I'm just not

sure how they're going to manage it.

I-I might need your help.

Yeah. I'll be right over.

Thank you.

Dale, hi! Dale!

Jennings! Mr Jennings.

Mr Jennings any comment on the arrest?

Have you seen the article this morning?

Is that reporter still out there?

There are at least

five that I could see.

You alright?

I think we need to get

Alison off to school.

No, let her stay at home.

No, I think it's important that the

reporters see you and I together

No, the other kids.

Hey.

We keep smiling, we say nothing

and we never, ever apologise.

OK? That's how we get through this.

Yeah? OK?

- I love you.

- I love you too.

- You read it?

- Yeah.

I mean, it didn't go into much detail.

It said, "Arrested in

public bathroom." It's

It's enough.

Do you have a lawyer?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah. We think we

can get the charges dropped.

What am I doing here?

I need I need you to fight

for me to stay on air, Dale.

People aren't answering my calls.

The sponsors have cut me.

I, um

If I disappear, I'm done.

Do you understand?

Yep.

We've got each other's backs, don't we?

Don't we?

Of course.

Because, you know, um

if you were in this position

you know I'd do the same for you.

Of course.

Oh, jeez. Dale! Dale, come here.

Uh, are you across all this

Gerry business, are you?

- The Sun?

- Yeah.

And the Sydney Morning Herald.

Jean said she heard

it on the radio twice.

Did you know he was a poof?

I'm not drawing any conclusions.

Oh, come on. He makes Bernard

bloody King look like Tarzan.

Mate, he was sprung in a

public toilet in a park.

Could you imagine his poor wife?

Oh, she's alright, Robbo.

She's pretty switched on.

I'd say she'd know about it

because we've been hosing down

stories about this fella for years,

haven't we?

Can't hose down an arrest, can

you? So he's off air tomorrow.

It's a little premature,

don't you think?

It's an arrest for public buggery.

Tomorrow is the biggest

family day viewing

in Australian television history.

- He's gone.

- Look, Rob's going to take over the Fleet.

We'll get the royal watcher in

to help you with Charles and Di.

- It'll be simple.

- No, if you take Gerry off air

- that's just confirming he's guilty.

- He is guilty!

I just don't know how comfortable I feel

about being up there beside him.

Like, he does that kind of thing.

- Dale, morning update.

- Jean.

Gerry's the most popular

personality on this network.

I am not doing it without him.

He's turning into Helen.

20 seconds!

10 seconds!

And in six, five

Dale Jennings here with a morning update

on this sunny Bicentennial eve.

And today, we have already

seen a double royal celebration.

The Prince and Princess of

Wales have just arrived in Sydney

and Buckingham Palace has announced

that the Duchess of York

is expecting her first baby.

- The royal couple

- And we're out.

emerged from an

Australian Air Force 707

Vincent Callahan's on the line.

Oh, thank you.

2,000 well-wishers were

there to greet them.

Vincent, mate, how are you?

Lindsay, mate, sorry

I missed your calls.

Oh, that's OK. You're a busy fella.

You're doing well for

yourself, aren't you?

Now, I reckon I know why you're calling.

Uh, do you just?

Lindsay, I just want to say

that we didn't approach Helen

until well after she left News At Six.

- Honestly.

- No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Mate, sorry. Did she say SHE left?

Well, she said there

was an editorial dispute.

Quite a heated one.

And, of course, we

know she walked off air.

Oh, mate, I hate doing this, but

that was no walk off, Vincent.

That was a breakdown.

And if you're going to hire this woman,

you need to know that she

has breakdowns regularly.

Well, I know she's volatile

and very passionate.

Do you know that she was

also in a mental institution?

A nut house.

And that some of the press know?

Hm?

You've hired a woman

with real problems in her head.

Now, I don't know whether

it's manic depression,

whether the poor thing

has got schizophrenia,

but if Helen Norville

can't read an autocue,

if she can't manage to do that,

how the f*ck is she going to

navigate a US election campaign?

Well

I appreciate the candour.

Listen, Lindsay, I've got to go.

Thank you.

f*ck you, Helen.

Come on, baby, do the locomotion ♪

It's getting late.

-

- Oh, well, it can't go too much longer.

Also, I need to speak to you.

OK, I've got to be up at five, so

Hey, Jen, could you turn

down the telly? Noels.

Do the locomotion ♪

My little baby sister

can do it with ease ♪

Alright.

Noels

You bring out the best in

everyone around you, especially me.

Um, and I want to spend

the rest of my life with you

and build a family with you.

Noelene Kim

Yes.

- Yeah?

- Yes.

Yeah, I told Jen I was

going to do it tonight,

and then I couldn't find the right spot

and was getting panicky there.

- Yeah. Um

- Oh, yeah. Thank you, Jen.

Uh, yeah, Mr and Mrs Kim,

I wanted to bow for blessings.

Oh, let's take a photo.

Um, if it's OK,

I think I just want

one with the both of us.

- OK.

- Hey.

Sorry, should I not have done

that in front of your family?

They're fine.

I just thought it might

help with your dad,

but he still seems pretty suss on me.

It's not you. That was

actually a good reaction.

- Really?

- Mm-hm.

Yeah. Come here.

I love what you did.

You've made me very happy.

How about one last drink?

It's late.

Please, now that I can relax.

Just one more.

I have one thing I need to tell you.

Alright.

I've been offered another job

at another network.

Jesus, Noels.

You just had me sh1tting bricks.

For a second there I was thinking,

"You idiot. What else

have you ballsed up?"

That's that's great. It's good.

Of course other networks

are going to be chasing you.

What is it?

Helen asked me to be her producer.

For election coverage.

In America.

Over there in America?

How long for?

Until the end of November, at least.

And here I am, signed

for another two years.

Um

So hang on, when do

you have to decide by?

- I said tomorrow.

- You said tomorrow?

Jesus. Uh

I made it very clear I

needed to speak to you first.

Uh

I don't know what to say.

I feel like I've been very patient

sneaking around for a

whole year, and then

Did you want to say yes to this?

I want to do what's best.

For both of us.

Right.

What what time is it?

- Too bloody early.

- 7 o'clock?

Yeah.

Oh. I hope I didn't wake you.

Could I have a word in private?

Sure.

I understand you've

accepted a new position.

Geoff and I spent two

months in Washington

in the wake of the Kennedy

What do you want to talk

about, Evelyn? Why are you here?

I'm aware of what you did.

With Kay.

I wanted to thank you for your

decency in a troubling situation.

Well, that was for Kay, not for you.

Uh, also, Geoff heard

something last night.

Something concerning. I

felt I ought to warn you.

He's had several calls in the

wake of the Gerry Carroll business.

Last night, Donna Gillies specifically

mentioned Dale, repeatedly.

She mentioned something about

a tryst with a news cameraman.

Geoff said nothing, of course,

but she proposed that was the

real reason for your separation.

- Well, I think next time

- I think you should answer.

I think you should answer

and you should deny it firmly.

I think a denial from

Geoff Walters would go a

Thank you very much, Evelyn.

I asked you to stay in that room!

- She's the last person in the world

- Helen!

that I would want to know

about whatever the f*ck this is.

Helen, it sounded like

a crisis. Jesus Christ.

- I just didn't

- Alright, alright, alright.

I'll grant you, we've never

exactly had a conversation

- about Dale before.

- What?

- We've never spoken about Dale.

- A conversation about what?

- A conversation about the fact

- What are you trying to say?

We both know what team

Dale bats for, Helen.

Get dressed.

Get your sh*t

and get the f*ck out of my house!

Go.

- Hello?

- Dale, it's Helen.

Can you please stay at

home? I'm coming right over.

- I'm already late.

- No, I need you just to stay there.

- Hi.

- Hi. Thank you for, um

Thanks for staying.

Um Oh. OK.

Dale, I need to tell you something,

and I just need you not to

not to freak out.

But, um, Evelyn Walters came

to my house this morning.

- What?

- And, um, well, uh

- What, Helen?

- No, no, it's

So, Geoff, Geoff's been getting

phone calls from from Donna Gillies

about, um, information

that she might have

in regards to you and a male cameraman.

She called me too.

She called me yesterday twice and

left messages, which I ignored.

Geoff?

Geoff's made no comment.

Dale, has something

happened since, um

since we separated that ?

Dale.

OK.

OK, well

I mean, that means it's it's just

It's just Geoff and

myself that she's called.

And nobody else knows, do they?

Gerry knows.

I told Gerry.

What do I do?

You know what? I still think

that there's a really huge chance

that this will just blow over.

Just go in. Just do your job.

Act confident.

Just it's what you do.

Come on, get up.

Get your bag.

You go in to work and you

act like everything's normal.

And I do I do think

this could blow over.

I just

I just needed you to know.

- Happy Australia Day!

- Thanks.

We're putting Rob on with

you right from the start.

Then Gerry will take over for

the Royals and the ceremony.

Then it will be you

alone for the fireworks.

OK.

Oh, Dale.

You've had several messages.

A former cameraman.

You remember Tim Ahern?

Oh, of course.

He stressed he wants you to

call him as soon as you get in.

- Hello?

- Hi. It's Dale.

Just returning your call. Dale Jennings.

I don't know any other Dales, Dale.

Hey, are you somewhere quiet?

Yeah.

So I've been getting a couple

of calls from a gossip columnist.

- Donna Gillies?

- Yeah.

Yeah, she's been asking a

lot of questions about you.

And me.

And I said nothing,

obviously, and hung up.

Well, great. Thanks.

I-i-if she calls back, could you

just could you clarify ?

I won't answer again.

If you could just say we were

in a professional relationship,

that would be appreciated.

I'll ignore her, but I'm not lying.

I'm past that.

Did she say who fed the story?

Look, I, uh

I know you're going to deny everything.

And I didn't expect anything different.

I got to go.

Good luck.

But no-one wants to hear Steve when

the Princess of Wales is 200m away.

- But we've got to fill a gap.

- It's a waste of an OB.

What do you want?

Upon reflection, I've been thinking

about what you said about Gerry.

You're right. He should be off the desk.

Oh, Jesus Christ. Oh, Jesus Christ.

We said this yesterday.

Yeah, well, I'm hearing more

and more about his behaviour.

- Ooh, f*ck me. What?

- Well, I don't know specifics,

but for such a landmark broadcast,

- it's not worth the risk.

- Jesus, we said this yesterday, Dale!

Just ring Gerry. Tell

him not to come in.

Well done, mate. Music to my ears.

Well done, you.

Now, listen, you do realise that

you're signing up for

14-hours-plus on the desk.

I can handle it.

Good morning.

I'm Dale Jennings.

10 seconds!

And five, four

Good morning. I'm Dale Jennings

and wherever you are in Australia,

thank you for joining us as

we celebrate our 200th birthday

as a modern nation.

And what a spectacular

day we have ahead of us.

- Isn't that right, Rob?

- That's right, Dale.

And the centrepiece of it

re-enactment of the arrival

Jean speaking.

First Fleet.

It arrived back in 1788

Apparently Gerry's down in makeup.

What? f*ck!

Sydney Harbour today.

Why don't we cross to the air right

now for our first live pictures?

As you can see, it's a stunning day.

And there has been a massive

spectator fleet out there

on the water all morning.

Hey, there he is.

Gerry! Hang on a tick, mate.

Hey!

We've been trying to call you.

Oh, well, we've taken the

home phone off the hook, so

- But I'm here and I'm ready.

- And we appreciate that, mate.

But, you know, just on reflection,

we were thinking it

might not be a bad idea

if you rest off air just for now.

And who's 'we'?

Yeah, well, you know, it

It's a combined decision,

isn't it, Dennis?

Yeah. Yeah, like, like,

administration, publicity.

You know, just until this

whole business blows over.

Yeah, it has blown over.

Story peaked yesterday.

No, no, no, mate. Just worthwhile

letting the dust settle.

What is this?

Huh?

Look, I want to talk to Dale.

Dale's on air, and he will

be for the next few hours.

Well, I'll wait till the break, then.

He wants to speak to Dale.

Dale is behind this decision, mate.

Dale Jennings came to us and he said,

"Listen, you know, it's

an unfortunate situation."

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Unfortunate situations happen

in this place every f*cking day!

- Do they?

- Camera boys touching up makeup girls.

- Execs doing drugs in boardrooms.

- Oh, yeah.

I haven't done anything like that.

I've done nothing like that.

I haven't hurt anyone.

Well, I don't know whether

your wife would agree.

You don't know the first

thing about my wife.

Or me.

Well, I know a hell of a lot more

about you than I want to, Gerry.

Listen, mate, I didn't think

you were a bad sort of a fellow,

and I couldn't give a rat's toss

bag what you f*ck or you suck.

But you broke telly's golden rule!

You got caught with your pants down!

Mate, this is going to end one way.

You can either walk out of

here under your own steam

or get drop-kicked out of

here on your filthy arse!

But you're gone!

By you.

Come on, Gerry.

Yeah.

Oh, f*ck!

To the aerial shots

there. What a sight that is.

And now we can see the

crew climbing the ma

The

The crews climbing up there

on the mast of the ship.

It's just hundreds of thousands

of spectators. Right, Rob?

And millions more tuned

into the telly too, Dale.

And look at all those spectator crafts,

from yachts to ferries to

families piled into dinghies.

They're all feeling that

same sense of excitement.

You know what that

looks like to me, Rob?

It looks like a birthday cake.

And what an awful lot of candles

glittering on the ocean today.

Isn't that beautiful, Rob?

That is a sight to behold, Dale.

Gosh, it's hard not to feel a sense

of that Aussie spirit, isn't it?

- What an absolute ripper.

- What a ripper, indeed.

Now, let's go again back to

those gorgeous aerial shots.

Magnificent. You can see the

station sponsor there.

f*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck.

Listen, mate. I'm nervous. I'm

still nervous. I'm still nervous.

You you keep an eye on things

here. Keep an eye on things here.

- Yeah, OK.

- OK?

Yeah. OK. I got it.

summer day.

And here we are.

Another glorious view of the tall ships

with the News At Six exclusive

helicopter of Sydney Harbour.

I hope we haven't interrupted

any of your Bicentennial celebrations.

No. I promise you, no.

Um, so I have Alan confirmed.

And Noelene I should hear back

from tonight. I think she's a yes.

I'm sorry it's taken so long.

We actually wanted to discuss the

producer position just one more time.

Because Walshie reminded me

that we have a great

candidate that I'd overlooked.

Bill Macfarlane.

Covered Washington for us in the '70s.

He's been back recently

doing some exceptional work

on the Iran-Contra affair.

Really strong.

There's no Australian who

knows the terrain better.

- And he's a major fan of you.

- Huge fan.

OK.

Um, I mean, for me, it's really

more about energy and tenacity.

And Noelene's hungry, and I

Well, from our perspective, it's

The US campaign trail

is incredibly stressful.

It's a marathon and we just feel

that having a more experienced

set of hands would help.

Oh.

So this is about me.

This is about who would

best compliment you.

And that's no longer my choice?

Could we have a minute?

Of course.

- Walshie?

- Sure.

I mean, I was pretty

clear in our first meeting

that I don't work well under

older, rigid sets of hands.

It's the reason I left News At Six

and it's the reason I

wanted to work with you.

Is that the only reason

you left News At Six?

You've been talking to Lindsay?

Anything he says, I take

with a grain of salt.

Well, what did he say?

That campaign trail would test anyone

physically and psychologically.

So we'll get back to

you with our decision.

Have a great flight.

Thank you.

Carol.

Can you send Walshie back in, please?

And coming into view right now,

the Prince and Princess of Wales.

And isn't the princess looking stunning?

Both elegant and festive

in a beautiful aqua-green

ensemble with cream trim.

Reception's on the line.

- Helen's here

- What?

asking for you. She's

been calling as well.

- Well, just tell her I'm not here.

- She knows you're here.

Apparently, she's already on her way up.

Oh, Jesus Christ. I

better make myself scarce.

What a day for my

bloody gout to flare up.

Jean.

Hello, Helen.

I know what you've been

saying to Vincent Callahan,

and I want you to stop.

We're done, we're out,

and we never have to

see each other again.

OK?

Fair enough by me.

But, you know, it's not just me

who's been talking to Vincent.

Everyone has something

to say about you, Helen.

I mean, everyone in this office

has a Helen Norville story to share.

Oh, and you think any of them have

anything nice to say about you?

Everyone f*cking hates you.

Even f*cking Dennis

had a knife out for you.

Do you know that?

He had it all set up with Charlie Tate.

And they don't even

know the worst of it.

What is the worst of it, Helen?

Mm?

- You really want to go there?

- Oh, why not? We're both here.

What's the worst of it?

I don't have any friends.

Boo-hoo f*cking hoo!

I don't need these

people to be my friends.

They f*cking work for me.

I mean, whatever you

think I've done to you,

whatever you think

anyone has done to you,

it pales into insignificance

to what you've done to yourself!

You're all over the place

like a mad woman's sh*t.

What happened to that

ambitious young woman?

Do you remember her?

She came here and she would

do anything to get on the desk.

And she did everything.

And more.

And she got there.

But when she got there,

she didn't use her talent

or her integrity, and

certainly not her looks.

Did she, Helen?

You remember?

And she had it all.

And she threw it all away.

And now she's all alone.

No-one to clean up after you.

No-one to cling to. Alone.

And off to America. Ooh!

How's that gonna go

for you, do you think?

Best be careful, Helen.

'Cause you might come

home in the cargo hold.

But, you know, Helen,

good luck in America

Helen Kaasik!

Or whatever you're

going to call yourself.

You make sure, Helen

you pack lots of Valium.

You're gonna need it!

And not least in the United Kingdom.

Well, what are you looking at, you bunch

of raggedy-arse gypsy b*stards?

Nothing to do?

There's a 1-in-200-year news event.

Nothing to do?!

Get on with it!

Jean

get Dennis.

Ah. OK.

That was Noelene. Says you better think

twice about going back to the office.

You need to go after Helen?

Noels

Oh, I feel like such a dickhead

for saying all that last night.

Well you didn't say

anything I wasn't expecting.

A year's a long time.

Well, I woke up this

morning and I just thought,

"You absolute w*nk*r.

I mean, you had one

dream in life, right?

To play in a grand final team.

And you got it.

But Noels hasn't had that yet."

You really want it?

The job?

And for those of you who've

been with us since early morning,

what a fitting crescendo this is.

Sydney Harbour alight like never before.

What are you doing in here?

Rob's been looking for you.

Jean's been looking for you.

Now, Dennis, tell me,

are you hiding from me?

No, no, no, no. I was just coming out.

Well, after midnight.

Now, mate, I realise

this is coming from Helen,

which means it's about

eight times removed

from even a skerrick of the truth.

But are you doing deals

with little Chuck about me?

- Jesus Christ!

- Look, look, look, look.

I met with Charlie. It was only

brief. There's no deal, Lindsay, OK?

You hear from the CEO, you

come to me. I'm your boss.

He owns the network. He

owns half of Australia!

He owns f*ck all, Dennis!

Jesus, mate, you do not

realise how lucky you've been.

There is no other bloke

in Australian television

that would have given you

the chances I gave you!

A piss-weak, half-arsed coffee

boy in a bad acrylic vest.

Oh!

Sorry.

Sh-sh-sh-I should not call

No, no, no. Don't call

anyone. Give me a hand.

Come on.

Dennis, you never apologise

for a good punch in the face.

It is better than a head

job to give you focus.

What did you get in your deal?

Come on, tell me. Tell me. Tell me.

$50,000, Lindsay.

50 grand?

You'd have never even

got anywhere near that.

Oh, Dennis, you're not

very good at this, are you?

You poor sausage.

But you are good at your job.

I'll give you 60.

a cascade of light

spilling into the Harbour,

setting in the city, and indeed

the nation alight.

Of course, the Bicentennial

commemorations will continue

as we look towards the

rest of the royal tour,

the cultural and sporting highlights

and, of course, to World

Expo '88 in Brisbane.

I'm Dale Jennings.

This has been News At Six.

Goodnight, Australia.

And we're out!

Great job, Dale.

Good job, Dale.

That was great, Dale.

Good stuff. Well done, mate.

Hi.

Hi.

Come in.

Sorry I'm late.

Please take a seat.

Can I get you something?

Like wine or a water or a tea or?

- I'm fine, thank you.

- OK.

OK. Hm.

Rob and I got engaged.

Oh.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

He asked me last night.

I had to tell him about

your offer straightaway.

It took him a moment

but today he said he

would support my choice.

That he would wait for me.

But I've decided to decline your offer.

I'm so sorry.

I really appreciate you thinking of me.

And I know I would

have loved the job.

Hm.

It's OK.

I totally understand.

I know this isn't the

choice you would have made.

But the landscape

looks different for me.

- Helen

- Mm-hm.

you're going to be incredible.

And I'll be watching.

Well

OK.

Let me walk you out and

thank you so very much

for taking the time to tell me

all that in person.

Congratulations again.

Bye.

You've reached Dale Jennings.

I'm unable to attend

the phone right now.

Please leave me a message.

Dale? It's Geoff Walters here.

I just wanted to offer my

sincere congratulations.

We watched the entire telecast.

Geoff. Sorry.

I'm here.

Stellar job, Dale.

You left the competition in the dust.

Oh thank you.

It means a great deal.

I feared

as I left the desk the, uh

there was a dearth

of great newsmen left.

I underestimated you, Dale.

The, um, golden couple was

clearly just a stepping stone.

If I was in PR, I'd brand

you the king of news.

You've earned it.

Good job, lad.

Hi.

Hi.

When's your flight?

I'm I'm not going.

What?

I've got Donna Gillies

coming over today.

And I'm just

I'm going to give her the story.

The story about why I'm not leaving.

I'm going to tell her that, um

that I couldn't pack yesterday.

That I

that I watched you on

the television all day.

And realised

how much I missed you.

And then you came over,

to say goodbye and

and I just couldn't leave.

Because I

I don't function without you.

Helen.

I don't have, um

I don't have a ring

or anything like that.

Dale Jennings

will you marry me?

Helen

Helen, I love you.

But we can't do this.

No.

What do I do, though?

You do your job.

Uh, sorry, I

Helen's not here. Would

you like to come in?

I'm aware of the story

you're pursuing about me.

I know who you've been calling.

Obviously, I was going to

approach you for a response.

And and I can take a

comment now, if you like.

If you print that story, you

will sell a lot of copies.

For one edition.

I can offer you so much more.

You see, Helen's left.

Geoff's stepped back.

I'm the face of the news now.

Millions of people turn to me

for stability and assurance.

Because they trust me.

And that relationship

is very important to me.

It could be very valuable to you.

Because they are going

to keep turning to me

every night for decades.

For the rest of your life, Donna.

Because a great newsreader

is forever.

Now

if you print that story

all that's gone.

But

if you don't

I'll remember.

And I promise you

it will pay off handsomely.

please make your way to Gate 12.

And five, four

Well, it's the morning after,

as Australia and the world

reflect on some of our nation's

biggest ever celebrations.

Record-breaking crowds watched

the spectacle on the Harbour,

as protesters filled Sydney streets.

The re-enactment of the First Fleet

was cheered on by hundreds of thousands,

among them Prince

Charles, Princess Diana

and Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

And the international media

covered all of it extensively.

For a complete Bicentennial roundup,

as well as highlights

of all the key events,

you're in exactly the right place.

Our reporters around the

nation are standing by,

and soon we'll be

crossing live to Melbourne

as the Prince and Princess of

Wales continue their royal tour.

I'm Dale Jennings.

Welcome to News At Six.