01x01 - Flame Trees

[bunniefuu]

♪ Kids out driving Saturday afternoon ♪
♪ Pass me by ♪
♪ I'm just savouring familiar sights ♪
♪ We share some history ♪
♪ this town and I ♪
♪ And I can't stop that long-forgotten feeling of him ♪
♪ Time to book a room to stay tonight ♪
♪ Oh-oh ♪
♪ Number one is to find some friends to say "You're doing well ♪
♪ After all this time you boys look just the same" ♪
♪ Ah, number two is the happy hour at one of two hotels ♪
♪ Settle in to play ♪

"Do you remember so and so?"

♪ Number three is never say his name ♪

Dad?

♪ And, oh, the flame trees will blind the weary driver ♪
♪ And there's nothing else could set fire to this town ♪
♪ There's no change, there's no pace ♪
♪ Everything within its place ♪
♪ Just makes it harder to believe ♪
♪ that he won't be around... ♪

(CHEERING)

Billie, they're going nuts.

Come on, let's get out there.

Oooh, yeah, looking good.

Give me a kiss.

Let's do this.

(UPBEAT POP MUSIC PLAYS)

Hey!

(CHEERING)

Are you ready to rock, Walperinga? Come on! Yeah!

One, two, one, two.

♪ Creeps that keep crawling Drunks that keep falling... ♪

Stop throwing bottles, dipshit.

Shove it up your arse.

(BOTTLES CLATTER)

(PEOPLE CALL OUT, BAND KEEPS PLAYING)

Off the stage, Reggie. No backstage passes allowed.

Woman: Good on you, Billie!

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ Get your rocks off Get your rocks off, honey ♪
♪ Shake it now, now Get 'em off downtown ♪
♪ Get your rocks off Get your rocks off, honey ♪
♪ Shake it now, now Get 'em off downtown ♪
♪ Get your rocks off Get your rocks off, honey, yeah. ♪

Hey, Carmine.

Jack.

Sorry, mate. I must've fallen asleep.

I want you to give this to Jamie.

But wait a couple of days before you do, OK?

Yeah. Where... Where are you going?

Just keep an eye on the place for me.

Play the video...

(WHISTLES)

Billie?

Bill?

Dad?

It wasn't my fault, I swear to God.

What are you talkin' about?

Bruno. He's gonna have my nuts.

He's gonna grab 'em, he's gonna yank 'em, he's gonna pull 'em as hard as he can.

Dad, what happened?

I stuck to the speed limit.

I didn't get stopped by the cops.

I was just out of town. Then I don't know what happened.

(SQUEALS)

(CRASH!)

You've got to help me, baby.

Get out of the bushes.

OK.

How many times are you gonna let Gus screw up?

Dad! Can I handle it this time?

What are you gonna do?

I'm gonna break his legs.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRS)

(EXHALES)

(SIGHS)

(GROANS)

Thank you. Hope to see you again soon.

Thank you so much.

Bye.

Bye.

Susan, where is he?

Who?

Dad.

Your dad?

Yeah, your husband. About so tall?

Well, I haven't seen him. He must've come down before I woke up.

I thought he'd just be doing his rounds.

Have you checked the kitchen? Dining room? Down in the bar?

Yeah. He's nowhere in the hotel.

Maybe he just went for a walk.

Wouldn't think so.

We've got a meeting on with the Open Sea people. He even set it up.

Why don't you let me take care of them and you go find him?

No, it's alright.

Chris, it's what I do. Meet and greet. Smile and small talk.

That's why he married me. That and true love.

(EXHALES)

Where are you, Dad?

Jamie, get up.

Phew. Mate, you need to open a window or something.

Jamie: Mmm...

Have you got company?

(GROANS)

I guess not.

Hey, have you seen Dad?

No, I haven't seen him since last night.

(YAWNS) What's wrong?

Nothin'. Just...

He's not answering his phone and now Susan's in the meeting with Open Sea and I need to get in there.

Can you find him?

Yeah, sure. Just, um...

Just let me get dressed.

Yeah.

Jamie, every day, mate. If you wanna live here, you've got to help out.

I can't do everything.

(SIGHS)

Dad?

Hey, Dad?

He's not here, Jamie.

Did he say where he went?

You look like crap.

Aren't you meant to be at school, Harriet?

Got a free first period. Aren't you meant to be sober?

(HALF-LAUGHS) Only on Wednesdays.

Did you see him at all this morning?

No, but he left me this.

Love you, Harry ALWAYS Dad That's really nice.

He's OK, yeah?

He's fine. I'm sure it's nothing.

Probably lost in thought somewhere.

I'll find him.

Get to school.

You gotta learn something.

(LAUGHS) Whatevs.

Susan, Chris and Jamie...

Gus: Don't know why we gotta go there.

Come on, Billie.

Dad, Bruno gave you a lot of chances.

And you promised you wouldn't screw up again.

I've gotta get to work and you just have to talk to him.

He's gonna have my balls.

Can you please stop talking about your balls?

If he doesn't, that daughter of his will.

She's a scary mutt, Billie.

You think about it, why do they want to meet us at the workshop?

We should just turn around, babe.

No!

I'm not getting you out of it this time.

You have to face the music.

I don't wanna face the music.

I hate the music.

I don't see Bruno. Can you see Bruno? I can't see Bruno.

This is not good, darling...

You'll be fine.

Me blood type's A positive.

Just go.

Mr Carter. G'day.

Yeah. Lloyd, Rachel. Good day for it.

Um, is, uh, Bru...

Is Bruno...

No, he's not here.

All you had to do was drive to Sydney, drop the car off... and get a train back.

Sounds easy when you say it.

Do you know how long I worked on that Commodore?

How many hours I put in it?

A lot, eh?

Looked great.

Do you know how much it cost?

Well...

Bruno did steal the car for you to rebirth, Rachel... so, I mean, technically... it cost... nothin'.

We'd sold it for 20 grand.

Oh!

Dad!

Get up!

Oh!

Car. Get out of here, girl.

Go!

Go. Go, go. Go.

Billie, fence!

I know! I know! I know!

Good girl. Good girl.

You really stuffed that one up, Lloyd.

Yeah. Yeah, I'll be right.

He can run.

(BIRDS SQUAWK)

Oi!

Hey.

See anyone?

No.

I got Dad hiding at the millers' shed until I can work things out with Bruno.

(SIGHS) You can't keep doing this, Bill.

Don't start.

Gus has to solve his own sh*t.

He can't keep dragging you in.

I know.

I've tried to make him.

Where are you gonna find 20 grand?

I don't know.

They were b*ating on him, Layla. I had to do somethin'.

By runnin' 'em over?

(BOTH LAUGH)

I wish I could've seen their faces.

Mmm.

Eh, you'll find a way out of this.

You always do, Bill.

Thanks.

Catch you later, eh?

Yeah. Take care.

Ta-da.

Jamie: (READS) "Dear all.

I'm just going away for a few days while I still can.

There are things in my life that I have not had the courage to say to you all... and I'm trying to put things right before it's too late.

I'll explain it all when I get back. Love, Dad. Jack."

Impeccable timing, Dad... (PHONE BLEEPS) .. as always.

Did Dad ever talk to you about something like this?

No.

You have no idea where he's gone?

We'll be OK, Susan. I'll make some calls. We'll find him.

(SIGHS)

♪ All you want is what you can't have ♪
♪ And if you just look around, man You see you got magic ♪
♪ So just sit back and relax Enjoy it while you still have it ♪
♪ Don't look back on life, man, and only see tragic ♪
♪ Because you could be better than that ♪
♪ Don't let it get the better... ♪

Oh!

(GASPS)

Oh, my god.

Oh... Oh... (LAUGHS)

You sure you're OK?

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, nothing seems broken. Just caught me with your mirror.

I'm so sorry.

I never saw you.

I reckon I should take you to the docs.

No, no. Really, I'm fine.

This isn't from gettin' hit.

I couldn't help noticing that beer.

You want one?

If I could.

My name's Jack. What's your name?

Billie Carter.

Pleased to meet ya, Billie Carter.

Billie: Running late, don't panic. CU soon :)

Do you like living here?

I have a job I like.

What do you do?

I work in a bakery.

A baker? That's great.

And I sing in a band.

Oh!

Walperinga's better than heaps of places we've lived.

But... (CLEARS THROAT)

What?

I had a dream about it, you know.

You know, you don't have to stay here. I'll be fine.

I can head back to town when I want.

I'm not leaving you out here.

But your dad, you said he's...

No, he's alright.

He can look after himself for a while.

(VEHICLE APPROACHES)

(ENGINE STARTS)

I spent some time here more than...

25 years ago.

I had a daughter.

Hey, she's Koori. What's her name?

Dunno. Never met her.

Never even knew she existed till months later.

I tried to call, you know, when I found out back then but... they'd gone.

Weedy.

That was her mum. That's what I called her.

We had two months together.

Two good months.

Then the guilts got me and I went home to my family.

I've been a selfish man.

Did they ever find out?

About my daughter?

Never had the guts to tell 'em till now.

So I've come out here to make amends first... for never haven't helped, you know.

But Weedy's grave's in there... and I've got no idea where our daughter is.

Don't even know if she's still alive.

You know, she'd be about your age.

You wouldn't be my daughter, would ya?

Heard in town about me, came out here looking for me?

And run you over? No, Jack.

That's too bad.

You'd have been the perfect secret daughter.

♪ If I had nothing at all ♪
♪ We'd know where deep I'd fall ♪
♪ I still believe that I'd hold my head up ♪
♪ And I'll never stop I'll always find where I belong ♪
♪ 'Cause I know where I came from ♪
♪ Yeah, I've realised it's not a place on... ♪

Jack?

Jack? (SNORES)

(BIRDS CAW)

(WATCH TICKS)

Dad?

Dad?

(WHISTLE)

Dad.

You alright?

Yeah, yeah, I'm right. You right?

I'm right. You right?

Yeah, I'm right!

I tried calling ya but me phone ran out of battery.

Bruno's mutt came around yesterday.

Let's get out of here.

OK.

Look, Dad, I've been thinkin' about what to do.

Like you always do, kid.

Come on, we'll be right.

Dad call me! (SIGHS)

Jamie. You OK? Missed you at breakfast.

It's not like Dad to turn off his phone and ignore me.

I've called all his friends. They've heard nothing.

Yeah, look, he told me to wait a couple of days but since he's not answering...

Play the video...

(EXHALES)

(BEEPING)

(BEEPING)

Oh...

Hey Mopey, how you doin'?

I wasn't sure Chris would understand or your stepmum... but I think you will.

You have a sister no-one knows about.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRS)

Oh...

(BEEPING)

"If I find her... I need to make things right with her... the family... soothe my soul, that sort of thing."

(PANTS)

(CRASH!)

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

(MOBILE PHONE RINGS)

Hello. Susan Norton.

Yes.

What?

Susan?

Susan?

He's gone.

(CRIES)

It must be a mistake.

What was he even doing out there?

And why was he flying?

He was in no condition to fly. (CRIES)

I better call the school, tell Harriet.

Man: (ON TV) In a news update, the pilot of the doomed chopper has been formally identified as Jack Darcy Norton.

The hotel tycoon was returning home from Walperinga when tragedy struck.

Mr Norton was known as a proficient helicopter pilot... with over 30 years' experience.

That's him. That's the guy I talked to.

Rolex guy?

This is awful!

Maybe, maybe not.

Knock it off, Layla. He's dead.

And nobody knows that he left you this.

So... give it to Bruno.

No, I can't do that.

Why not?

'Cause it's stealing.

But he left it for you.

It wasn't an accident.

It solves everything. Your dad'll be square...

No, I don't know.

What?

You reckon it just fell off his wrist?

Babe, he wanted you to have it, so use it to fix your life.

Harriet?

You there?

Harriet?

Mum? (CRIES)

(CLEARS THROAT)

You OK?

Yeah.

How you doing?

Mum. (CRIES)

Don't cry.

If I can find her, I'd like to make reparations.

You know... soothe my soul, that sort of thing.

Why didn't you show me this before?

I'm showing you now.

You've been away for three years.

You're back two months and he leaves this with you?

(SETS DOWN PHONE)

Do you even know where this Walperinga is?

Yeah, I looked it up. It's about four hours west.

There's some mines nearby.

Maybe Dad was working out there when...

How could Dad do that to Mum?

Look, what's done is done.

(SCOFFS)

Do you really think this woman could still be there?

Dad thought so.

I'm gonna drive out and see.

And what will you do if you find this, um... daughter?

I don't know.

Talk to her.

OK.

If she's legit, I reckon you offer her something.

Maybe 25 grand.

What for?

To go away.

(LAUGHS) Chris...

Unless you want to give her a cut of all this.

(DOOR SLAMS)

Hey, Carm. Have you got a sec?

Yeah, sure, mate. What's up?

When you and Dad worked the mines, did you ever work at a place called Walperinga?

Walperinga? Hmm. That was a while back.

Yeah, for about, uh, six months.

Dad know a woman there?

Jamie...

Please, Carm.

Jamie...

It's important.

Who was she?

We all know your dad... played his cards pretty close to his chest. You know that.

I can't say for sure.

We used to call her 'Popsicle Toes'

'cause she...

She painted all her toenails a different colour.

Poppy for short. Worked in the canteen.

Had a white house on Norwich Hill.

Jamie... your dad ended it.

He loved your mum.

Yeah?

Automated voice: Head straight along Walperinga Road and town.

Can I help you?

Are you Poppy Reynolds?

Do I know you?

No.

But I think you knew my dad.

Lloyd: Hey, Bruno. Yeah, Miss Carter's here.

I looked it up online.

A Rolex?

It's worth 20 grand. And then I'll bring Dad in to apologise.

You OK with that, Mr Rossi?

He ever gets in my way again, you get him out of town. Understand?

Do we have a deal?

Yeah.

Where the hell did she get a Rolex?

Chris.

Hey, mate.

You left a message?

Yeah. It's a dead end.

Poppy swears she never had a kid with Dad. Says they never slept together.

And you believe her?

I do. Wouldn't have a reason to lie.

What are you going to do now?

I'll ask around a bit more.

If I can't find anything, I'll be back tomorrow.

(CROWD NOISE NEARBY)

♪ Long, tall Sally's gonna be with Slim ♪
♪ And short, fat Fanny's gonna She's gonna be there too ♪
♪ Short, fat Fanny ♪
♪ And this is what I'm gonna do ♪
♪ I've got to put a call to you ♪
♪ 'Cause I feel good tonight ♪
♪ And everything is gonna be right, right, right ♪
♪ I'm gonna have a good time tonight ♪
♪ Rock'n'roll music gonna play all night ♪
♪ Come on, baby, it won't take long ♪
♪ Only take a minute just to sing my song. ♪

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Thank you, Walperinga. We'll be back in five.

Both: Oh!

Oh! I'm sorry.

My fault.

No, no, no, no.

It was my fault. Let me, um...

It was just soda water.

I didn't mean to...

I know.

(LAUGHS)

Uh, so, did you like the music?

Yeah. It's great for a pub band.

For a pub band?

Alright, mate? Come on, B. We're on.

So, you coming back tomorrow?

No, I got to check on Dad.

Shorty still has him hiding in the back room.

Yeah, OK.

OK.

See you, babe.

Ta-da.

See you, girl.

Mwah.

See you in the mornin'.

Can you get the lights for me, please?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Sorry about before.

That line about the pub band.

I didn't mean it like it sounded.

Your voice is... amazing.

Like, really amazing.

Seriously.

Did I tell you you're amazing?

(LAUGHS)

Can I buy you a drink?

I never understood why people work their guts out when they're young and retire when they're too old to do anything.

Shouldn't we live a little first... climb Machu Picchu, run with the bulls, skydive in France?

Man, I must sound like a spoilt little rich kid.

No. I wish I could do all of that.

Oh, you've never travelled?

Not even with, uh, old mate?

Dad? Nah.

Unless you count Mudgee. We went there for a gig once.

(LAUGHS)

And so you're home now?

Credit card's maxed out.

I was worried about my dad. That's why I really came home.

What happened to him?

He got sick.

I'm sorry.

Actually, he came up here a few days ago.

Oh. Was he the guy in the helicopter?

I'm sorry about him.

Yeah.

Look, I better get going. Got an early start in the morning.

Yeah, I got a... I got a long drive too.

Thanks for talking.

It was nice to meet you, Billie.

You too, Jamie.

(EXHALES)

You know, I was thinkin'...

Here we go.

It wasn't luck that you met Jack.

He got you out of a jam.

No? What was it, Layla?

Fate.

(LAUGHS) Fate?

Let me tell you about fate. Jack's son rocked up last night.

Was he the one at the bar? Oh, was he lookin' for that watch?

I don't know, but I wasn't about to ask him.

Do you think I'm an idiot?

What's the matter?

You thought I wasn't gonna check?

Mr Rossi. You're like a mind-reader.

Yeah.

This is great. Can I have it back?

(GRUNTS) What are you doing?

Your Rolex is a fake.

(HORN BEEPS)

Is everything alright here?

Yeah, yeah, Fred. Just talking shop. Everything's all good.

Thanks, mate. Have a good day.

If your dad doesn't come to see me within the hour...

I'm gonna hunt him down like the dog he is, do you understand that?

Yeah. OK, Mr Rossi.

Not the best day to walk to work, was it?

Layla, I gotta get me and Dad out of here.

Mate, are you Jamie Norton?

Yeah.

Sergeant Fred Doherty.

We spoke on the phone.

Mate, I've got your, uh... your father's belongings here.

Sorry about your loss.

Thanks.

(SIGHS)

Hey, mate?

I was just checking around about my dad.

I was wondering, did he ever come in here?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I wasn't workin' but I heard he spent most of his time with Billie.

She sings in my band. Great girl.

What happened, bub?

The watch was a fake, Dad. Bruno's coming after you.

We gotta find another way to get his money.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

Meet ya at the car.

Mr Rossi, I swear I had no...

Hey.

Hey.

You spoke with my dad when he was here. Why didn't you tell me?

I didn't know what to say. I should've. I'm sorry.

What did you talk about?

Can it wait?

I'm kind of in a rush here...

Please.

Chances are you were the last person to see him.

I really need to know what you talked about.

Look, we just talked, that's all. It wasn't anything special.

See, I'd hit him with my car.

What?

He was OK. That's how we met.

Were you the one he called Mopey when you were a kid?

Did my dad tell you why he came to Walperinga?

He was looking for his daughter.

Did he find her?

No. He found out that the mum had d*ed. Found her grave in a cemetery.

But he didn't know where the girl was now.

My dad, he wanted to help his daughter.

My brother said, if I find her... there could be some money in it for her.

What, you gonna buy her off?

My brother was thinking... 25 grand.

Don't you wanna know her, find out what her life's been like?

What if she's a nightmare?

What if she's not?

That's pretty cold, mate.

It's realistic.

Is it? Yeah, it'd be easier if she was the same as you.

White? Well-off? A traveller?

Just so you know, it'd take more than 25 grand to buy me off.

Oh, and by the way... your dad left me his watch.

I thought you might want it back. It's a fake.

Worth 20 bucks.

Yeah, I know.

Dad was always losing his watches.

Had a draw full of cheap ones.

(PHONE BLEEPS)

Excuse me.

Dad: You right ?!

Yep, just wait!

To my Secret Daughter, thanks for being kind to a sorry old bloke. Jack.

You don't have to lie.

What about?

I know who you are.

My dad gave you this, didn't he?

He came out here looking for his daughter...

Jamie, he was just... and he found you.

He spent his last night talking to you, telling you stuff about us.

You're my sister, aren't you?

(PHONE BLEEPS)

Dad: Bruno's here! HELP!!!

Why didn't you tell me?

A minute ago, you were ready to leave without telling me and now...

A minute ago, I thought I had more time.

OK? Yes, I'm your sister.

And I have to get out of Walperinga right now.

OK.

Is that your car?

Uh, yeah.

Well, let's go.

To Sydney?

I'll explain later.

We have to go.

OK. Just, uh...

Just let me get my bag.

No worries. I'll meet you at the car.

Rachel, you stay here.

Lloyd!

(WHISTLE)

Oi, come here.

Come on. Hurry up.

Here. Give me that.

Get in the boot. We're leaving town.

In the boot?

Dad, it'll be hard to explain sitting next to me.

I'm not getting in the boot.

Just until we get out Walperinga.

Then I'll think of something.

No, Billie, I'm not getting in...

Dad, don't start with me!

OK. Let Bruno flog you, then.

Give us me thong.

Chris: Hey, mate. How'd you go?

I found her, Chris. It all fits.

She's the right age and Dad told her all about us.

What are you gonna do?

I'm bringing her back... directly.

Wait, wait, wait. What does that mean?

Gotta go.

Jamie...

You ready?

Yep. Let's do it.

♪ Oh, no ♪
♪ See you walking round like it's a funeral ♪
♪ But you're moving so carefully Let's start living dangerously ♪
♪ Talk to me, baby I'm going blind from this... ♪

Time's up, Gus.

♪ Let's lose our minds and go crazy, baby... ♪

Gus! I know you're in there.

Billie: Don't freak out! You'll get your $$$

♪ I keep on hoping we'll eat cake by the ocean, uh! ♪

(LAID-BACK MUSIC WITH FEMALE VOCALISING)

Good afternoon.

Woman: Hello.

(KNOCKING)

Gus: Billie. When can I get out?

Is it all clear?

Dad, not yet.

They're still outside.

Breathe.

Jamie, you're back.

I'm sorry, Susan.

I thought you'd want this.

One more thing.

This is Billie.

Billie who?

Dad's daughter.

G'day.

The revelation that's turning this rich family's world upside-down.

She's lying, she can't be Jack's daughter If only it were true.

I'm not your sister. I just had to get out of Wooperinga.

Who of us hasn't told a little white lie for their family?

Gotta get me and dad outta here.

But this one could blow up right in her face.

We know a doctor who can organise a DNA test.

♪ Wake me up when it's all over. ♪

The ground-breaking, new Australian Drama.

In the morning, they'll all know the truth.

DNA results are back.

Well, I think the results speak for themselves.

What does it say?

Jessica Mauboy in The Secret Daughter.