So do you like sex?
I do. Yeah.
- Are you good at it, then? - Absolutely.
- I'm not. I'm hopeless. - [ laughs ]
Sorry, er, Dominic. So what made you decide to come here?
- Um, my doctor said I should. - Your doctor?
He said I should try and attempt some sort of human connection.
- Physical human connection. - Hmm. Seems logical.
Yeah, most days I-I... I look around at people
and I just don't understand them at all.
- But you know what I do understand? - Tell me.
- Bugs. - [ laughs ]
- Love bugs. - [ laughs ]
Me too.
You mean, like, platonic, though.
- Like... like the more platonically... - Yeah. Platonic.
- Yeah. Me too. - [ laughs ]
Um, so should we just get the 'touching each other' thing
out of the way with?
- Yes, we should. - Yeah. Yeah.
Or I could just write you a note for your doctor.
Nah.
No, I need... I need to do this.
OK.
SEAN: What happens at 232 stays at 232.
Come on, tell me. What do other women get you to do?
I'm a gentleman, Ruby. I don't talk out of school.
Let me take that for you.
I know you've probably been told this a million times, but you have...
...you have amazing eyes.
- Well, probably not a million. - It's true. They are.
They're incredible.
Do you always start like that?
Every time? Lay on the compliments?
Oh, no, sometimes I start with a few insults
and then follow that up a spanking.
[ laughs ]
- Sounds like fun. - We can go that way if you like.
How long do you usually need to spend on foreplay?
Oh, not long.
I'm pretty good at pressing the right buttons.
Was that on-the-job training or does it come naturally?
Why don't you come and hide out with me underneath the sheets
and I will share all my secrets with you.
- Share your secrets? - Mm-hm.
Is that what people do? Strangers who've just met each other?
I think it's what they should do.
You are incredibly good-looking.
Don't you think this would be a lot better without our clothes on?
- Would it? - Mm-hm.
- [ mobile phone rings ] - I have to get that.
I have to get that.
Hello? Hi.
What? No.
Um, no, it's OK.
Bye.
I have to go.
Oh, come on, Ruby. You're torturing me here.
I'm sorry.
But I have to say, your act is good.
There is no act, OK?
I am genuinely disappointed.
- Do they always come back for more? - Always.
- Amy, wait. Just wait a second. - What?
- It feels good, doesn't it? - No use. Nothing's happening.
I can fix this. You just gotta lie back and relax.
- No, I'm nervous all of a sudden. - Well, don't be.
- I'm thinking too much. - About...
- Home. - Your home?
Yeah, look, I should... [ clears throat ] ...I should go.
Are you thinking about your wife?
What makes you think I have a wife?
Do you?
We don't have sex, alright?
- It's hard to explain. - You don't have to.
Sometimes I masturbate in front of her.
Good for you.
- You think I'm strange. - No.
I think you should stay.
Oh, the party was great but I ended up facedown
swallowing a mouthful of sand on Waikiki Beach.
Yeah, I know, I woke up to the sun rising
and one of those beach sweepers a couple of feet from my face.
- What, the driver didn't see you? - Nope.
No, I was 17 and nearly blood and bone.
- Ew, gross. - You're exaggerating for effect.
No, no. True story.
Well, we just had a nice, lovely civilised holiday, didn't we, Kate?
- Whatever you say, Mum. - We did!
Sure.
- We can do this tomorrow. - No, I'm pottering. You go to bed.
Come on, I'll be in in a minute.
- 'Night, Kate. - 'Night.
Have you been drinking wine?
No, you and John have been guzzling it.
Oh, while I remember, you're welcome to bring along
one of your friends to the market on Sunday.
Oh, I never keep in contact with any of them.
That's not like you.
You're always on the phone to Susie or Lulu or Jack.
We're not into the same stuff anymore.
Hmm. Just thought I'd ask.
Anyway, John and I will keep you company.
What? I did tell you John was coming, didn't I?
- No, Mum. You didn't. - I'm sure I did.
- You didn't. - Hmm.
The thing is, I'm the one who built up that side of the business,
developed the relationships.
Well, you should be at the conference, then.
You know, I could pull rank.
Demand a meeting, at least. Talk about it.
But then I just look petulant, don't I?
Like I'm being jealous or something.
Tess?
What do you think?
I think that you should climb on top of me.
No! Really. You know what these people are like.
No, I don't. I've never met them.
But I've told you everything and your advice is always spot-on.
Or am I just being paranoid?
I reckon they're gonna fire you.
What?
Your boss told me himself. Him and I have been speaking.
Telepathically.
232. How may I help you?
Will, you've booked in for next Wednesday, I believe.
I was wondering, just maybe, er... maybe hold off on that booking.
- You'd like to cancel? - Yes.
Or how would it be if I were to see a different person?
- You'd like to see a different girl? - Is that bad?
No, of course not. We have a number of girls for you to choose from.
May I ask, did you have some problem with Tess?
Some way in which we can improve our service?
No problem. Just would like to see somebody different.
OK, well, um, let me recommend some alternatives.
How about Erin? Gorgeous brunette. Very cheeky.
"Become uninvolved."
Just a book someone gave me.
I was gonna say, you don't seem like the self-help type.
Oh, I'm not. Um, I dunno...
Well, I guess it's not something you'd ever have to worry about.
What?
You know. Becoming overinvolved with someone.
What do you mean by that?
I mean you wouldn't let yourself
get all bound up by other people's stuff.
Are you calling me selfish?
No. It's a compliment.
It's not a compliment.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Actually, I'm not sorry. It was a compliment.
Take it or leave it.
I'm not selfish.
- I do stuff for other people. - Only when it suits you.
- NAT: Amy? - I'm just on my way to the bar.
Got a booking. Dominic.
Back again. That's twice in... six hours.
That's gotta be a record.
Did we not get it right the first time?
Maybe I got it perfect.
To be that sure of yourself you need to be able to fake it that well.
Listen, Tess, you came into work late again.
- I had a meeting. - You seem to have a lot lately.
Yeah, a few. So right now I'm facing against the clock a bit.
- How was your session with Will? - Oh, the usual.
OK, I guess.
- No problems? - No. Why?
He wants a change of scenery.
Well, he's a bit stressed about his work.
- It's your job to de-stress. - Yes, I know.
Doesn't mean I have to listen to his crap if I don't want to.
I should get out there.
- I'm glad you came back. - DOMINIC: Really?
Of course.
- Can I turn around now? - Please! Just... wait a minute.
OK.
Something unusual about you.
Something exciting.
That's not true.
I'm just a normal person.
OK, Dominic...
...so we just gently put...
Oh! Oh!
- What are you looking at? - No, shh. Don't move.
- Ah! - [ laughs ]
- Dominic, I'm here. - Yeah.
- What's with the... - No, don't look at that.
[ laughs ]
- Why, what's... - No, Amy! Amy!
- Hello. - It's not... it's not what you think.
A bug.
- Be careful! - I wanna take a look at it.
OK, well, it was in my bag because I had it at work.
- Rhinoceros beetle, right? - Yeah.
And you were looking at it while we were having sex.
- No. - Yeah, you were.
It's OK.
Honest.
I'm not... I'm not crazy.
I just really like insects.
I just like to look at them.
Yeah, a lot of them are amazing to look at.
Mmm.
Yeah, somehow the...
...the connection between the stillness
and the intricacy...
...just makes me...
I dunno. Maybe I am insane.
No.
You're not.
- Nat, did you speak to Ruby? - Who?
A client from earlier today.
Her session got interrupted.
Told her she could reschedule and I'd waive the fee.
Didn't say anything to me.
There is a definite pattern with Tess.
What?
I've checked it through and there is a definite pattern.
Clients last four, maybe five sessions with her
and then all of sudden they're gone and they want someone else.
- Well, that's kosher, isn't it? - No.
Some girls have clients coming back for 10 years.
Well, maybe Tess gets dull after a while.
- Does she seem dull to you? - I dunno.
- No, there's more to it than that. - So if Ruby calls you...
Hang on, you waived the fee, the whole fee? Wasn't your fault.
- I was feeling generous. - Was she fun?
- She was alright. - Maybe she's seeing them outside.
- Who? - Tess.
She's doing fewer hours here. She's having strange meetings.
I heard her speaking to Lauren about a hotel.
I bet you she's moonlighting.
I'm gonna leave this one with you, Sherlock.
Thank you. You've been a gigantic help.
As always.
- [ shower runs ] - Throbbing headache.
How much did we drink last night?
Got room in there for one more?
Woman at the milk bar is the strangest person.
She always makes some personal comment.
But she does have very fresh eggs.
Bet she's not as strange as some people.
- I'm gonna make omelettes. - You don't even listen.
You speak so fast, how can I?
- Well, tell me what you said. - I said your boyfriend's a pervert.
- What? - He was looking at me in the shower.
John?
I was in the shower and he was standing there staring at me.
Are you serious?
Yes. I'm, like, "Can you go away?"
He sure took his time getting out of there.
- Where is he? Is he here? - He's in your bedroom.
- I'll speak to him. - Keep him away from me.
- What on earth were you thinking? - Made an honest mistake.
We have an ensuite, John.
I know. I just... I was half-asleep.
I was heading to the kitchen. I just thought I'd have a quick pee and...
- God, tell me you didn't. - Didn't what?
- Tell me you didn't expose yourself. - No!
God, no! I just... I thought it was you.
Why would I be showering in there?!
I don't know. Like I said, I was half-asleep.
- Where's Kate? I'll apologise. - No.
Keep away from her for the time being.
What? Lauren, it's me. It's not some stranger in the house.
She's upset right now.
OK.
OK, then, but you don't think that I did this on purpose?
Do you?
Just standing there.
That's what Kate said.
You were just standing there.
I was in shock, for God's sake.
You are blowing this out of all proportion.
She is my daughter!
You have no business being anywhere near there!
Jesus, I did not for one minute think she might be in there.
- You bloody well should've thought! - It was a fucking mistake!
I think you should leave.
We'll talk about this later, OK?
You feel so guilty about that girl you let her say or do anything.
John, leave, please.
Please go.
Nat, I won't actually be able to work today.
NAT: It's a bit late for that.
I can't.
Um, something's come up at home.
Can you do some time tonight?
Even if it's just an hour or two. I need some backup behind the desk.
OK, I'll try and get in.
- Good. - Thanks, Nat. Bye.
- AMY: A bug man. - He's what?
He's the bug man. You know, he loves his bugs.
And he wants me to go and take a look at his collection.
- What, at his place? - Yeah.
And I'm sure he's got good bugs. I'm just... I'm not that sure about him.
Hmm, yeah, well, I'd say forget about it, then.
It'd probably make him feel good.
Right, and what do you get out of it?
I'd be doing something nice for someone.
- Why? - 'Cause I can.
Hmm.
- Are we talking cockroaches or... - No.
No, um, bugs.
Like really beautiful, exquisite insects.
Right, and he gets off on them, like he'd probably fuck one if he could.
- No, he wouldn't. - He's a crush freak, then.
- A what? - A crush freak.
They get off on watching women... [ blows raspberry ] ...stomp on bugs.
- [ mobile phone rings ] - I don't think so.
Lonely.
Hello. Bug Fuckers.
Hey, Nat.
So you couldn't help yourself, huh?
You could say that.
Sean, I have to tell you the truth.
I'm a writer. That's why I was here.
Right.
That's lucky, isn't it?
Because, you see, I draw the line at mass murderers.
I think writers just sneak in there with arms dealers somewhere.
- I'm serious. I'm writing a book. - What's it about?
Male sex workers.
[ chuckles ] Right.
I would've found out when it was published anyway, wouldn't I?
You OK with that? I'll change your name, of course.
And what I'd really love to do is meet some of your clients.
No way.
There'll be no identify details, I can promise you.
It's not gonna happen. I wouldn't even ask.
- I'll be really discreet. - I don't put my clients at risk.
Of course, if you'd like to become one of my clients, I'm all for that.
Relax. You don't have to keep up the seduction schtick.
There is no schtick!
Really? It's all natural?
Do you wanna have dinner with me sometime?
Like, away from here?
Well, who would I be sharing a meal with?
Sean the private person or Sean the gigolo?
There is a difference.
Tess. Thought I heard someone.
Hi. Sorry. I just needed to grab a few things from my room.
You don't have to stay elsewhere.
- Seriously. - No, it's OK.
I think you and Kate need some space.
I think she needs some space from me.
Hmm. Teenagers.
We had a bit of a morning.
Kate says John... behaved inappropriately
towards her.
Yeah, you know him.
Do you think it's in his character?
- I don't know. - Oh, God.
I shouldn't be dragging you into this.
- I really don't know the guy. - Do you think it's out of character?
He's a guy who digs sex workers so who knows what?
Yeah.
[ car door opens ]
- I'm sorry. I had to call someone. - No, you did the right thing.
I'm in trouble at work and I'm useless to my friend Lauren.
Look, you're making progress slowly. Just keep following the program.
It just doesn't feel right for who I am.
You need to change who you are with everyone, friends, family.
When you build up some protection and it becomes instinctual
then you need only focus on the men in your life.
- Angela, I don't know if I can. - 10 steps.
Step 1 - protect yourself.
Disengage, become uninvolved.
- Become uninvolved. - Exactly right.
Stay with it, Tess. You owe it to yourself.
Oh! Yes! You're amazing.
Ooh! Oh! You're a god!
NAT: [ over recorder ] Oh! Yes! You're amazing.
Ooh! Oh! You're a god!
- Hello, Amy. - Hello.
- It's beautiful. - Oh, thank you.
- It's a passilid beetle. - Hmm.
Another beetle.
- Oh, that's Stephanie. - Stephanie!
Huh!
Do you name each one?
Is there an Amy?
Um, no. Not yet.
Only you.
You're the first person I've brought here.
- No. - Mm-hm.
[ chuckles ] What about your wife?
What does she think about all this?
Oh, she's... involved.
Right.
You know what? [ clears throat ] I'm gonna go.
- What? - Yeah.
I think it's cool, whatever you want to do in your own time and space.
- Amy. - But, look, I don't do house calls.
OK? I don't stray outside 232.
Well, you came here.
Yeah. I did. To see your bugs.
But I probably shouldn't stay.
Amy? What? Wait! One minute. Please.
Please, just... just give me one minute.
I have something I really want to show you.
She's amazing.
Isabelle.
She's my wife.
Your wife?
You can touch her if you like.
Put her on your hand.
- She's beautiful. - Yeah.
Yeah, she makes me feel...
...good.
Which, obviously, makes me completely fucked up
according to the rest of the world.
But...
...no, without Isabelle...
I wish I could help you.
[ door opens ]
I thought you'd be at work.
I didn't really feel up to it.
Are you sick?
No, but...
...the thing with John.
Thing?
The situation.
Whatever you like to call it.
I'd like to resolve it.
If I can.
Resolve it how?
I don't know.
I'm gonna need your help on that.
I don't want to get anyone in trouble, Mum. Honest.
If you love John...
I don't know what to say.
Kate...
...tell me honestly.
Are you certain he wasn't making a genuine mistake?
Do you not believe me? Do you think I'm making it up?
- No, but if he was making a mistake... - He's a pervert.
- And you're on his side. - [ scoffs ] I am not on his side.
- It was stupid to come back here. - What?
I knew it was stupid to come back here with you.
Kate!
You don't give a shit! All you care about is your pervert boyfriend.
I'm supposed to not get in the way?
- Just calm down. - Calm down?
I'm gonna go back to LA as soon as possible.
- Why? Why would you? - Because you don't want me here.
I do!
I love having you here. [ sobs ]
I will do whatever it is to make you happy. Please.
I want you to stay.
Just leave me alone and get out of my face.
[ slams door ]
Charlotte, meet Amy.
Hello, Charlotte.
Antoinette.
[ giggles ]
Antoinette.
And finally...
...Isabelle.
Isabelle.
This is the picture.
It's the picture I've had in my head for so long and now it's real.
Dominic?
Yeah.
I want you to do something for me now.
I want you to focus on me.
Just on me.
I'm here for you.
Yeah. I know.
Look at me.
I can't.
- [ grunts ] - [ moans ]
[ grunting and moaning over recorder ]
Oh... [ chuckles ]
- That's exactly what I needed. - Oh, you were great.
Oh, I don't know. I didn't last very long, did I?
TESS: [ chuckles ] You were fantastic.
MAN: I'm really stressed. I just can't switch my mind off.
Old Jacqui's still refusing to budge.
Jacqui. Mother-in-law.
- You remember. - Yeah.
Yeah. [ chuckles ]
I've gotta get her out that house.
I took your advice. I picked out five or six apartments.
Beautiful. Some places she loved.
Nah. She's determined to stay where she is.
You know, 15 suburbs away.
You know, and the eyesights still getting worse.
She's gonna need an op.
Have you had a second opinion?
Well, you were gonna give me that number, remember?
Thomas.
- Thompson. - Yeah, that's him.
- Mmm. - Did you give me that number?
Maybe you could call him for me.
Why not turn the aircon on?
What?
Turn the air conditioning on, open a few windows.
You know, it's winter. Freeze her out of there.
She can't argue if she's got hypothermia.
It's not funny, Tess.
Well, I say knock her off. Put the old bag to sleep.
You come home with me, you see my place,
it's so new-age industrial, I swear you will not want to leave.
I'm not coming home with you.
Fair enough.
We could grab some champagne,
lay on the driveway, look up at the stars,
read poetry to each other.
You're unbelievable!
You slag me off in your book and I will hunt you down.
You'll have a fake name.
So? I'll still know it's me you're attacking.
Is this date tax-deductible?
Can we put the notebook away for five minutes, please?
Sorry.
Thank you.
I am...
...genuinely interested in you.
Likewise.
I am exceptionally interested in you.
Have you ever brought a client back here?
Not once.
- You ever slept with your editor? - [ laughs ]
[ electro music plays ]
LAUREN: Hello.
- Hi. - Hi.
I'm Lauren.
[ chuckles ]
My mate Colston recommended this place.
He said, "When you're in town, 232 is the place to go."
Lauren?
Er, excuse me. Um, I've got a problem here.
- I'll go and get Natalie. - No, no, no. Come and look at this.
Er, no. I'll go get Natalie.
Well, she's not gonna be happy about this.
And neither am I.
I knew she was, she's drunk!
She's out to it. Completely fuckin' out to it.
Oh, I'm really, really sorry.
She's been on some medication.
You can say that again. She is off her face.
We'll give you a full refund.
Yeah, alright.
I'm sorry. The door was open.
What's happening?
- I was, er... - [ Lauren groans ]
Liam, if you'd like to go with Tess,
she'll offer you our premium service free of charge.
- Brilliant. - Tess?
Of course.
- Where's everybody going? - Sit up!
What the hell is going on here?
I so wasn't planning to do that.
I bet you say that to all your research subjects.
[ scoffs ]
- Are you gonna put this in your book? - No!
If it's all about the sex work...
...what are you gonna say about me?
That you were charming and...
...extremely professional.
Charming and professional.
Is that all I am these days?
- I have to go home. - Why?
- Are you married? - No!
But, um, I just should get going.
[ clears throat ]
- Are you alright? - Yeah.
Big day at work tomorrow. You know.
OK.
So, just give me a call.
Oh, um...
I just...
This isn't gonna happen again, Sean.
Because?
Because there's no point getting involved.
- You're scared, Ruby. - No.
Yes! I am!
I'd be suspicious and jealous and...
You're like... God, I can't even think about it.
- You're getting ahead of yourself. - No, I'm not. I've made a mistake.
I'm sorry.
- You're a prostitute. - No. I'm a sex worker.
- Whatever. - Whatever.
You know, I'm more than just 'whatever'.
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
OK. We'll see you then.
Thanks, Greg. Bye-bye.
Where is she?
- Er, the green room. - Well, get her out of here.
Just take her home.
Nat, honestly, you have no idea what she's going through right now.
She was drunk,
she hustled a client when she was supposed to be helping me
and then she goes nigh-nigh.
I can't have her coming in here like that.
It's completely out of character. You know that.
It'll never happen again.
She's... unwell.
OK.
Tess, we need to talk.
What about?
Well, it can wait. But, um, tomorrow. OK?
Oh, where's Kate? She didn't see me, did she?
No. She's asleep in her room.
[ groans ]
There we are. Home safe and sound.
- Will you be OK? - Yep.
If anybody rings, tell them...
...tell them I've given up drinking.
That might be a good idea, Lauren.
Sleep.
I need sleep.
[ phone rings ]
Hello?
Lauren?
John. Hi.
Er, is this a good time?
Um... OK. Yes.
I just, um... I just feel the three of us need to get together
and... backtrack.
John, that can't happen.
Kate's not telling you the truth.
You know, she's not telling the truth.
John, stop. Just stop.
I thought we were doing OK.
I, er...
Yep. Yeah, I know. You have to go.
TESS: [ over recorder ] It's winter. Freeze her out of there.
She can't argue if she's got hypothermia.
MAN: It's not funny, Tess.
Well, I saw knock her off. Put the old bag to sleep.
- You were spying on me. - Yes.
The first time I've ever done that.
Nat, that is completely and totally out of line.
- Well, you didn't tell me the truth. - So what?
You don't spy on people!
You don't lie to me.
And what on earth are you saying to those clients?
- That's my business. - No, Tess, this is my business.
And you're driving the clients away. Now, why?
I was just kidding around.
No, you weren't.
And I've checked the pattern with your regulars
and the story is similar.
You're trying to drive them away.
Nothing gives you the right to put a listening device in the room.
Look, I admit - the eavesdropping thing was wrong.
OK? Really wrong.
But what is with you?
- I'm getting help. - With?
I've got some problems, alright?
Well, what sort of problems?
It's nothing serious.
I messed up and I won't do it again.
Well, no, you won't.
What problems have you got?
I get too involved with people.
I get caught up in their lives and then sucked into their problems.
I need to learn to keep my distance emotionally.
You could probably do that without...
...suggesting that they knock off their mother-in-law.
A bit extreme, don't you think?
I said I'm getting help. I'm trying to change.
Just try and be a little more subtle next time, OK?
I can't believe you want out there and bought equipment and...
I didn't. It was my father's.
He used to bug the rooms all the time.
Well, don't do it again, Nat.
Ditto.
- Amy. - Hi!
Hi. Can we talk for a minute?
Sure. Come this way.
Is everything alright?
Yeah, I just wanted to thank you.
Oh, it's alright. Don't worry about it.
No, really. I really wanted to thank you for helping me.
It's OK.
What you did was really wonderful.
Well, I tried. I'm sorry it didn't work.
Well, it was pretty special anyway. The gesture.
I just... like bugs. Not women.
But you are very beautiful as well.
It is a first, you know, being dumped for a bug.
Sorry.
Um... I've got something for you.
Oh.
Wow. Thank you.
Thank you.
I know you've probably been told this a million times
but you have amazing eyes.
You don't mean that.
No. I probably don't.
I'm sure it pays the bills.
So, tell me, Rebecca...
...what can I do for you?
How to become uninvolved at work
surrounded by people with needs, with problems.
And that's just your colleagues, never mind the customers.
[ all chuckle ]
So, how did we do this week?
Anyone?
Tess?
Er, I'm... I'm trying.
[ chuckles nervously ]
With, er, customers, I've been using the IR technique,
the Inappropriate Response.
And I've got to say, I've come up with some pretty inappropriate ones.
But it's hard.
My work requires, er, sensitivity and listening.
And a big part of me wants to listen and wants to help and...
It's a hard habit to break. I know that one.
But you're getting dragged into other people's crises.
Well, I worry I might lose my job if I continue to behave like this.
Are you taking home your clients' stress?
Not as much.
Are you solving their problems?
No.
Well, it sounds like you're making progress.
One day, Tess, this will all be second nature.
So, what else has been happening?
AMERICAN GIRL: [ computer ] You missed a party on Saturday.
Oh, my God! I hate you for having that without me.
It was fun. Cara and Brock and everyone.
- I wish I was there. - Nah, you love your mum.
You love your mum more than us.
Yeah, right. So much.
So, you got rid of the boyfriend yet?
Yep. Did that.
Now I have to keep him away so he won't tell her the truth.
How are you gonna do that?
I don't know. I'll think of something.
My mum has no idea so it'll be easy.
I might go to the cops or something.
- God, you rock! - Yeah.
So, how's Kyler? Is he pining for me?
Yes.
Good.
[ door slides open ]
Hi, Mum.
Katie.
I'm making dinner tonight.
I found this amazing recipe for pumpkin lasagne.
Oh, you don't have to do that.
I want to! I want to make dinner for you.
Well, that's very sweet.
You just put your feet up. I'm looking after you tonight.
Captioned by Grantman Brown