[ knock at door ]
Mum.
[ knock at door ]
Mum.
Are you gonna get that or what?
Oh, um, look, I got this woman passed out in the back of my cab.
You don't know her, do you?
[ giggles ]
Mum.
- Mum. - [ groans ]
Katie, don't...
Give me another half-hour.
The police are here.
They want to talk to you.
What do they want?
I don't know. But you should brush your teeth before you come out.
Your breath's feral.
Hi.
- Sorry to walk you up. - It's alright. I work nights.
I'm Detective Bramble.
This is Detective Knox.
We need to ask you some questions about a red Renault.
Rego TJH-419.
What about it?
- Your car, right? - Mmm.
And at the moment it's...?
In a parking station in the city.
Flinders Lane.
Isn't it?
It's been towed from the middle
of the floral clock on St Kilda Road.
When did you last drive it?
Uh...
Last night I drove into the city.
I had a function to go to. I had a couple of wines.
I took a cab home.
So there's a whole lot of procedure that kicks in from here.
Mm-hm.
All good?
All good.
It'd be good to get that money back today.
- What? - For the taxi.
I'll give it to you before I go to work.
Oh, caffeine. Yum.
Maybe I should wait.
Mmm.
If I have another one before the meeting I'll get all jangly.
You remember I'm having the meeting here today, right?
I asked you yesterday. You nodded, you smiled.
I took them as a positive signals.
Someone stole Mum's car.
- What? You're kidding? - Yeah. Probably just joy-riders.
[ sighs ]
I'm in the shower.
And so our hunger for security becomes a need to control things
and we mask this as being helpful.
Maybe this is something we can all be
on the lookout for this coming week.
MAN: Thanks, Angela.
Sorry.
It's fine. We're just tying things up.
Our next meeting is at Larissa's house
so I'll see you all there.
[ all applaud ]
MAN: Yeah, that was cool.
You really don't have to do this.
Unless you really want to.
Not really.
Probably just looking for an excuse to be the last to leave.
So maybe I should just be brave and ask.
Is there any chance of us getting together this week?
Do you know what I do for a living?
Angela mentioned it while we were making the tea, yeah.
That was good of her.
So what's the answer?
- Still depends. - On?
On whether the idea of getting together
came before or after Angela decided to share my employment details.
Does it matter?
Well...
...maybe you're one of those guys
that thinks sex workers just need someone to save them.
Can't say I gave it a lot of thought before today.
I'm there most nights but you can ring to make a booking.
You're gonna make me pay to see you.
- Seriously? - Seriously.
I expected her to have second thoughts, but...
- Amy. - Huh?
- Who? - Ruby.
You sending or receiving bad news?
Oh, what makes you think it's bad news?
'Cause you've been staring at it like it's ticking.
- [ sighs ] - [ phone rings ]
- [ phone stops ringing ] - What's in it?
Um, it's my last four uni results.
They need to be good or I'm not gonna qualify for post-grad funding.
Right.
Can you open it?
Post-grad's kind of like one big nerd camp anyway, isn't it?
- Was I even close? - It's all Ds.
[ squeals ]
'D's for 'distinction', you dick!
Yeah, I know! I know!
- [ both laugh ] - I'm actually a genius!
Come on. I wanna buy a drink to celebrate.
OK. Good idea.
So you know men hate smart chicks, don't you?
- Do I look like I care? - Maybe.
Mel?
- Wow. - Come here!
[ both grunt ]
What are you doing here?
- Oh, I flew in a couple of hours ago. - Why didn't you tell me?
It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?
- Hey, Amy. - Hi, Mel.
What are you... what you doing back?
- Uh, fly-in visit. - Oh, yeah.
Missed this one too much.
Um, I'll leave you guys to it.
- OK. - Ohhh.
- [ giggles ] - [ baby cries ]
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Hey, it's alright.
He doesn't bite.
Is this part of your gig?
Au pair some rich Arab's kid?
You're not from the Middle East, are you? No.
She's from the Philippines.
- Oh. - And she's here with me.
What do you mean she's 'with you'?
I adopted her.
Whoa, Mel! Jeez.
What, you're in duty-free
and you can't choose between cheap scotch and a baby?
Uncle Sean's such a comedian, isn't he?
Well, come on. You haven't said hello yet.
Hello there, sweetheart.
What's your name, huh?
Her traditional name's long and hard to pronounce.
Well, for English speakers.
The agency suggested I give her an Anglo-Saxon name.
Mmm. And what did you choose?
I... I haven't decided yet.
- You know, nothing seems right. - Yeah.
OK.
Time for us to go.
- Could I have you keys? - Yeah, sure.
Ta.
OK. [ grunts ] We'll see you back at home.
Yeah? OK.
Go! We're gonna go for a drive in the car.
Broom-broom.
MAN: Hey, little rabbit. It's me.
You might not be up yet. I'll try again later.
WOMAN: [ voice recording ] 11:08.
No, Dad. Just in too good of a mood to talk to you.
Next message.
Me again, love.
Just wanted to say I hope you did well in your exams.
Your results come back today.
I don't really doubt it.
You're such a smart cookie.
Anyway, it's just...
...there's something I wanted to talk you about.
This week would be good if you could give me a buzz.
This week would be good because the mortgage is due.
NAT: Amy.
You've got a booking.
Some men are just born with a gift.
I'm sure with most of them you just can't wait for it to be over.
Mmm.
Don't hold back, Amy.
If you need to scream, you let it out.
Yeah.
Mmm.
Could you please make some sound?
Ohhh.
I'm serious, love.
You know, that's my thing. Hearing you moan is what gets me there.
- Mmm. - I'd really appreciate it.
OK. Alright. Yeah.
I wanna hear you enjoy it.
Ow! Jose, don't do that.
Mmm. That's good. That's good!
Jose!
You give me a lovebite, mate, and I'm warning you, I'm gonna... ow!
Ow!
Shit!
Jesus Christ! I'm bleeding.
He was having trouble playing by the rules.
Sounds like he was in good company.
The guy thinks he's the cunnilingus champion of the world.
He pays a lot of money to be able to think that.
Maybe.
But he didn't pay to put lovebites on my thigh.
I asked him to stop and he didn't and I think I remember
you selling me one of the precious 232 rules
was that we get to decide what we will and won't do.
And the alarm button
is for when clients are not respecting that decision.
I seem to remember selling you that idea as well.
- He wants an apology. - Not gonna happen.
He could charge you with assault, Amy.
I think an apology's getting off lightly.
And what if I don't agree? Huh?
What if I think you're talking total shit.
Well, then, it's a short walk to the door.
Which you want me to just walk through?
Nuh.
If you want me to leave, you gotta grow some balls and sack me.
Done.
You can pick up your pay in the morning.
[ phone rings ]
[ answering machine beeps ]
SEAN: Hey, guys. It's me.
I'm just ringing around to invite
a few select people over tomorrow afternoon.
Wanted to celebrate Mel's baby.
Bring something to whack on the barbie,
something to pour in a glass.
- See ya. - [ answer machine beeps ]
Mum.
Are you having some sort of issue with the phone?
Uh, no.
'Cause Detective Bramble called again. Three times now.
- Starting to think you don't like him. - [ car horn beeps ]
That's my, uh...
I've gotta go to work.
If he calls again, tell him...
...tell him I'll ring him in the morning.
[ Mel hums ]
After all the hand jobs I've given,
you'd think this would be a piece of...
- Mel, Mel. - Piece of cake.
What, you think I'm doing such a bad job? You wanna take over?
No.
- She's asleep. - Yeah.
[ mouths words ]
- I'll open the champagne. - No. Not for me.
I thought we were gonna catch up.
I haven't had more than three hours sleep in a row all week.
The only catch up I'm doing
is with the inside of my eyelids and a doona, now go.
Are you sure you're OK?
I'm around if you want to have a talk.
Are you on some kind of retainer?
Do you get some kind of therapy bonus points
if you get some new victims along?
NAT: Lauren.
Oh, gee, I can't do this.
- Everything OK? - Fine.
Really? You don't think she seems a bit... off kilter?
No. It's a nothing a few good nights sleep won't fix.
If it's something more, I need to know.
Nat, don't you believe me?
Someone's asking for you.
And then my dad passed away
and it felt like a whole cloud had been lifted.
So I switched across to law the next year instead.
Really?
Yeah. It was something I've always been passionate about.
I'm the first to admit, my ego is out of control
but I reeled it in, and...
- Paul. - What?
It's OK just to be here.
I know, I just want to tell you everything.
- You don't have to say anything. - I know.
- But I just want... - Paul, please, shut up.
Is that something that happens all the time with you?
What?
Sharing your life story?
Only with people I like.
Is that something that happens all the time with you?
What?
The avoidance.
Only with people that have paid to have sex with me.
You sure that's true?
This might come as a bit of a shock,
but you don't get all of me just 'cause you swiped your credit card.
Well, that bit makes sense.
I'm just wondering if anyone gets it all.
[ phone trills ]
Home time, I think.
This has been fun, hasn't it?
Sure.
- Lauren. - Oh. Hi.
I tried to call you, but I've had no response.
Maybe we should...
I'm sorry I haven't called.
Everything's been hectic.
- Can I get you something to drink? - No.
Look, I just wanted to tell you
that we had no luck at the parking station.
But St Kilda Road, there's a dozen cameras running 24/7
and there's some footage with you in it hailing a cab
pretty close to where we found your car.
Look, it'd be worth your while talking to a lawyer
before things get out of hand.
Do you know any good lawyers?
Weren't there one or two helping you with the divorce?
There were, but I need an opinion that's not gonna leak back to Phil.
I had sex with one today.
Cranks in the sack, but whether he's any good at his job...
Can I get his number?
Is everything alright?
Yeah.
It's all good.
[ baby cries ]
Shh.
Hey, baby. I know, I know, I know, I know.
What's your name, huh? Hmm?
We should give her another 10 minutes sleep.
I couldn't sleep anyway.
See, Uncle Sean's not so bad, is he?
Hey? He's pretty good.
MEL: Sean.
Sean!
Oh, my God.
- What are you doing?! - [ baby cries ]
Oh, come on, sweetie.
Shh.
Ohhh.
- What?! - I didn't know where she was!
- Well, she's here! - I know that now.
I got a fright.
- OK. - Shh. Come on.
Shh.
Tea? Coffee?
- Shh-shh-shh. - Psychotherapy?
Ah-guhrn.
I don't know what came over me.
This is seriously her name?
Yeah.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
No, it's... "I became richer" or something.
Maybe it was meant for her. I'm on medication.
Ah-guhrn-a.
I stopped over on the way.
I saw all these kids.
I met her and we just...
I don't know. She seemed to like me.
And I-I just went to see how everything would run.
If I was to ever think about it at some point in the future.
She was all set to go with this Danish couple
and that fell through.
Then a week later the agency called me
and said, "She's ready for you to pick her up."
She was just waiting there.
Everything had been sorted.
And a part of me didn't want to say no.
I just didn't want to ignore that.
Sean, anything about me scream 'mummy' to you?
- [ laughs ] - It doesn't, does it?
Hey, come on.
So you're not gonna be a cookie baker, alright?
But she's gonna learn other things.
She's gonna be strong.
Independent.
- Funny... sometimes. - [ laughs ]
Discerning about shoes.
Oh, you are just such a comfort.
Glad I can be of some service.
You know, you could help me by cancelling this thing this afternoon.
Why?
'Cause I don't want all these people here seeing me messing everything up.
- I mean... [ scoffs ] - Hey, come on.
Can I just say this one thing, OK?
These people are your friends
and maybe they'll be interested in givng you some support.
Hmm?
I'm getting a full-time nanny when I get back.
[ laughs ] I bet.
[ baby cries ]
Can you...?
Uh-uh.
Come on.
You're gonna be very good at this.
You're just a little bit scared.
Oh!
If you're here to pick up your pay, you'll have to come back in an hour.
Alright. I'll wait.
Did you... always handle the money side of things?
I mean, here? Or did someone else do it?
I haven't short-changed anyone yet, Amy.
I'm not about to start with you.
[ scoffs ] No.
I just heard you're in the business with your dad
and I wondered what that was like.
I need to make a few calls. Maybe you should wait in the bar.
Look - what happened yesterday...
I'm in this situation with my dad and, er... Jose wore it.
What kind of situation?
He... he hits me up for money.
Yeah, so I...
Probably just bad timing and... I'm sorry.
I don't need the apology.
Alright.
I'll apologise to the tongue-fu master too
if it means I get my job back.
What's wrong with your dad that he needs to ask you for money?
[ sighs ] I don't know.
He just can't seem to get his shit together.
And you continually bailing him out -
that's helping him get his shit together?
That's rhetorical, right?
Look, it's not really my business, what you do with your money
but if every time your dad asks for his cut
and you flip out and thump a client?
It's just on the employment front. Is there an answer in there?
Yep. My answer is I'm not sure yet.
[ sighs ]
You know, I heard you might cut me some slack on this
because it's a personal problem.
I did cut you some slack.
I'll let you know when I've made my decision.
You get someone on a good day, you could end up with community service,
a good behaviour bond.
And on a bad day?
You could be looking at a custodial sentence.
We just need to make sure we tell the right story.
So we're going to need references -
accounts of the emotional distress you've been under
without your husband and the kids.
What about 232?
Well, your association might come up anyway.
I'd prefer not to deliver that gem for free.
Should I stop working?
Well, morally, a sex worker is a problem with the courts.
But you come away with a charge, Lauren,
you'll be ditching 232 for good anyway.
You won't have a choice.
Legislation doesn't allow owners to have any criminal convictions.
But look we get our story right,
you'll be able to call this a close shave.
So I'd like you to make a diary of events for me
as you remember them and then we'll get together again in a few days.
Sorry, I'm just, er... I'm on my way to work.
Will you need a lift? If you're ready now, I can give you one.
Oh, I don't want you to go out of your way.
No, I'm going that way anyway.
OK.
- [ pants ] - Tess. I just want you to look at me.
Please. Could you?
[ sighs ]
[ groans ]
[ pants ]
Paul? Is everything OK back there?
Not really.
No? Anything I can do?
[ sighs ] I just want you to look at me.
Really? Is that all?
Really.
- [ both gasp ] - [ sighs ]
Amy, can you please take that?
- Thank you. - Mmm, thank you.
Hey-hey! Here she is.
Thought you were going to stand us up for a client.
- Not likely. - Good.
GUESTS: Hello! Hello!
- Here we are. - Thank you.
And Lauren - chippity-chop-chop-chop.
Lauren?
[ sighs ] I'm sorry. I...
Lauren, what is it?
I drove my car - I drove my car when I had too much to drink
and now I'm in trouble with the police.
You can't seriously be tearing up over that.
[ laughs ] Come on, Lauren. Aren't you being a bit overdramatic?
We've all been bailed up by the flashing blue lights at some point.
Mmm.
- Really? - ALL: Yes!
Am I the only one living on the edge here or...?
[ laughs ]
I was just, er...
...I was thinking maybe it's a sign I drink too much.
[ laughs ]
Oh, for God's sake - we all drink too much.
Oh, Lauren, you are such a good girl but, really -
I don't think this is the kind of stuff
that you're going to get sent to hell for.
No. And how many times does one of your best friends
get to outsmart the stork?
- Thank you. - Mmm.
[ mouths ]
- Alright - just the one. [ laughs ] - Yeah, good!
ALL: Cheers!
Ladies!
Your mum left some stuff at my place.
What happened to the car?
I don't know.
Is she OK?
She looks OK.
Er... what happened to you to make you so, um...
Fucked up?
It's not clear yet.
[ clicks tongue ] Alright.
She's got her mobile.
You should probably ring her.
[ murmurs ] Yep.
[ sighs ]
- You're gorgeous, aren't you? - Yes, she is. Aren't you, sweetheart?
Hmm? What's her name again? Show me.
Oh, it's a tragic collision of consonants, Lauren.
- Lord! [ laughs ] - Oh, you're kidding!
That's an alphabet.
Well, I just wannt use a few letters from her real name.
That way she's holding onto her roots.
- What about Naggie? - [ all laugh ]
She's not a horse, Sean.
Rainy?
I just think that might be a bit cruel,
given she comes from a country where it floods.
You might have to rethink the rule about the letters, Mel.
What about Angel?
Angel.
I like it.
OK - more champagne. My baby has a name.
- [ all cheer ] - Thank you.
- Angel! Hello. - Oh, we've finished this one already.
Oh, my shout.
Lauren?
We probably don't need any more.
Mmm - probably not!
- She's gorgeous! - She's an absolute princess.
- Nat? - No, no. I'm going back to work.
Thank you.
Hey, er...
...should I sign up for unemployment yet or...?
If you want me to consider giving you your job back,
you're gonna have to sort this stuff out with your father.
What's he got to do with my job?
I think that you should get him
to come down to pick up his money from work.
You want my dad to come into work?
Mmm - tomorrow afternoon.
[ scoffs ] No, Nat!
- I'm not gon... - Your choice.
[ sighs ]
[ TV blares ]
KATE: Mum?
Mum! Mum, are you alright?
Oh...
[ groans ]
Oh, Kate...
Oh!
Katie, stop!
I need you to stop!
Katie...
...I'm in trouble.
I need your help.
So you're a drunk?
Probably.
I, um...
I'm sorry.
Is it because Dad left?
[ sighs ] You all left.
I lied about John.
[ whispers ] Why?
To fuck you up.
To fuck me up?
[ doorbell rings ]
If you confess to the drink driving, you're stuffed.
Look - I'm advising you to admit to the blackout
and then it's up to the prosecutor to prove the rest.
And the chances of them doing that are...?
If they want to come after you, they'll pull out all stops.
So why not just cut to the chase?
'Cause I blacked out for a reason, Paul -
I was pissed.
She's not depressed or taking any weird kind of drugs or anything?
Not that I know of.
What about you?
I haven't been depressed or taking any weird kinds of drugs either!
That doesn't always guarantee lucid thinking.
Are you going somewhere with this?
I could.
- But...? - It might push things over the edge.
Oh, go on! Live dangerously.
Your ex - the married one.
I take it back - live timidly.
So tell me - a married man messes you up,
you start doing sex work?
It's not that simple.
It's a job where you see dozens of men
who won't threaten you with commitment.
Have you finished?
Yeah. Anyway, I'm gonna go now.
And you have my card -
if you decide you want to... commit one day.
Bye.
NAT: Amy! There's someone to see you in the bar.
- Hey. - Amy.
Natalie or someone called...
- Are you alright? - I'm fine.
Right.
'Cause I thought from the message you must have been sick or...
No. I'm not sick.
Take a seat.
- Do you want something to drink? - No.
I-I-I just wanted to see if you were...
You don't have to worry. It's complimentary.
All part of the experience.
What do you think they're thinking, Dad?
They're wondering... how much it costs to have sex with me.
And that's kind of what you do to me too, Dad -
every time you ask me for money.
I wasn't.
I can't say I blame you, though, for thinking that.
All the times I've sponged off you.
So you weren't calling to ask me for more money?
No.
No, I'm fine. I, um...
I've taken on more work.
When I was in Noosa, I, er...
...I met someone.
Oh...
She's coming down on Monday to stay for a bit.
Well, good to see you can get it together
when you've got a decent-enough reason.
I thought you'd be happy.
With someone else around, less leaning on you and...
Look, um...
...the reason I was ringing was to...
...see if you wanted to come around for a roast next week.
Alright.
- You OK? - Yep.
Um, seeing as I've got my gear on, I'm ready to start work again.
Um... if that's alright with you?
Is that lawyer going to help you?
Probably.
Yes. I don't want you worrying.
What are you going to do about the drinking?
I'm going to work really hard and I'm going to stop.
Are you angry with me?
Yes.
I'm angry with you.
John's coming over.
Why?
I asked him to. I rang and apologised.
[ murmurs ] OK.
So what happens now?
Well... [ sighs ]
...I've got a lot to sort out.
I'm going to ask Kate if she'll go back early to her dad's.
[ sighs ] I'm no use to her the way I am.
You know, Lauren, you, um...
...you put so much pressure on yourself to make everything right.
If you stop that, you... you might not need to drink.
I've got a lot to think about, I know.
I want to get back to who I was.
[ laughs ] Before everything else happened.
Well, if you need to talk...
- Thanks. - I'm pretty good with mess.
Oh, I don't want to be your mess!
Well, you can't do this on your own.
I think I have to.
For now.
I probably should go.
So you'll keep in touch?
Promise?
I promise.
- She's finally asleep. - Oh.
- What you doing? - Looking for a ticket.
Oh, yeah. Find one?
Not the one I want yet.
See, the one I want is on the seat next to you guys.
But it could be silly, couldn't, because babies suck on planes,
don't they?
What are you talking about? You're not coming with us.
- Yeah. - Sean, no!
You're not putting your life on hold just 'cause I'm not coping.
I'm not putting my life on hold.
I'm gonna take a break, alright? Just not be a hooker for a little while.
Just be little old me.
And what I want to do with my free time is spend it with my new niece.
Aww! [ clicks tongue ]
And I probably want to interview her potential nanny.
Make sure she's got nice legs, big set of encyclopaedias...
- You're so 14 sometimes. - I know. It's great, isn't it?
[ both laugh ]
What can I do? Confiscate your passport?
It'll probably only be a month or two.
Wow! You're gonna miss me.
Well, it's nice.
- Yeah, don't overplay it, Sean. - No, it is. It's really nice.
It'll be a month. Two, max.
Who are you trying to convince - you or me?
[ laughs ] I don't know yet.
Well, I guess you don't know how things are gonna go
until you get there.
- You're up to something, aren't you? - Mmm... maybe.
Bernie's asked me to go away for the weekend -
a drive down the Great Ocean Road.
- Are you guys getting serious? - No.
But we'll soon find out if we've got anything else in common.
Well, if you want to impress him, I suggest taking some fishing hooks.
- [ laughs ] - See you for drinks later.
Yeah.
Well, just get your lawyer to keep me up-to-date.
Mm-hm.
I'm away for the weekend.
And you want me here?
To keep an eye on the place, yes. Just stay away from the bar.
[ laughs ]
But I'll have my mobile on me if you need anything.
I've asked them all to watch me.
You'll be alright.
What did she say?
[ sighs ] She said if I get charged, we'll worry about it then but...
...there's no reason to jump the gun.
Oh, good!
Otherwise, we'd all have to go on strike.
- [ laughs ] - MEL: OK, who's for a drink?
My little family?
- Um, let's not drink. - Oh, bullshit.
Come on - you're not going into a convent or anything.
You're gonna be here with us, in the real world.
Mmm.
Nat!
So we're off, then.
- OK, bye. - Er... [ clears throat ]
Introduction?
This is Bernie. The girls.
- And you know Sean. - Hi, Bernie.
[ laughs ]
I don't think I'll be here when you get back, Nat, so goodbye.
Goodbye.
Anybody else leaving that I should know about?
Well, we might need a few extra girls just in case -
maybe a dominatrix.
- Anyone in mind? - Possibly.
Hey, Bernie?
Um... good luck.
- Right. - Let's go, then.
Hello, darling.
You know what, Nat?
This place saved my life.
Yeah?
Me too.
Captioned by Grantman Brown