DEBBIE: "Dearest Alan,
"if I don't hear from you, I don't know what I'll do."
ELENA: She loves him.
But does he love her?
I'm Kate, by the way.
Viv.
BOTH: Three, two, one.
Go. Go for it.
(LAUGHTER)
(PIANO MUSIC)
Here you are, Mrs Ranovic.
Thank you.
(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
You seem troubled, Frances. It's...
..just the responsibility.
It weighs on me sometimes.
Lives are in your hands. Yes.
They are.
SIMON: We're gonna need a bigger car seat, anyway.
How about a family wagon?
What do you think?
VIV: Two godmothers reporting for duty.
May your days be full of sunshine.
Laura Elizabeth Millar.
(GURGLES) (LAUGHS)
♪ I am woman hear me roar
♪ In numbers too big to ignore
♪ And I know too much To go back and pretend. ♪
SIMON: Right. Keep your back straight.
♪ And I've heard it all before. ♪
And elevate your hips.
♪ Down there on the floor. ♪
And extend.
♪ Keep me down again. ♪
OK. Yep. Now, hold that.
Alright, trust me -
this position gives my swimmers the best chance of reaching eggs.
How much help do they need? A map and a compass?
Just a couple more minutes.
♪ If I have to I can do anything. ♪
What? It's International Women's Day.
I'm not gonna spend it on my back.
Sorry. I got off at Museum station by mistake.
♪ I am woman. ♪
Hi. I'm Kate.
Yes, I've heard all about you.
So, where did you two tell Matron you were off to?
BOTH: Dentist.
I should go back. She'll know it's a lie.
No, no, no, it's just about to start.
I don't wanna lose my job, Viv.
We're expecting 4,000.
That's what happens
when you ban your staff from marching for their rights.
You have to stay.
This is something Laura will be able to tell her kids about,
that she was here.
A bra-burner while still in the pram.
♪ I am strong
♪ Strong
♪ I am invincible
♪ Invincible
♪ I am woman. ♪
MAN: Do you think you need liberating?
I don't know much about this. No, I don't either.
I'd rather be under the thumb.
I believe a woman's place is in the home.
CROWD: Together united, we'll never be defeated.
Together united, we'll never be defeated.
And what does women's liberation mean to you?
Equal pay, equal say and control over my own body.
Why are you here today?
I'm sick of men telling me what to do.
And I have a brain and I can think for myself.
CROWD: Out of the kitchen and into the world.
Women's rights now.
Out of the kitchen and into the world.
Women's rights now.
♪ I can do anything
♪ I am strong. ♪
Take a good look around, sweetheart.
We're doing this for you.
♪ I am woman. ♪
♪ Ooh
♪ Ooh ah
♪ You think that I don't feel love
♪ What I feel for you is real love
♪ In other's eyes I see reflected A hurt, scorned, rejected
♪ Love Child Different from the rest. ♪
God, I'm starving. Me too.
Where did you get that? Not all wog food is bad.
And this is about as close as I could get to a Chiko Roll, so...
What I want is a bakala.
Dry, salty fish.
Speaking of dried-up old fish.
Morning tea's not for another hour.
Sorry, I'll try and schedule my cravings outside work hours.
You can all finish up. You, my office.
Your father's on the phone.
Hello?
ALAN ON PHONE: You're a bad, bad girl, Debbie Hampshire.
(LAUGHS) Alan.
My God. Matron said it was Dad.
You got my letter? I did.
You're not angry? Of course not, baby.
I'm dying to see you too. Really?
Mm-hm. Meet me for lunch.
1:30 today at our special place.
Today? How? You'll think of something.
OK. Daddy.
I'll ask.
Excuse me, Matron? What is it, Deborah?
My gran isn't very well
and my dad thinks she'd really perk up if I went to visit.
I know it's against the rules and everything
but do you think it would be OK just this once?
You know, she is 90.
You can talk to my Dad if you like.
Just tell him to have you back by 3:00.
She says yes.
See you then.
Thanks, Matron.
You know, you're really not as mean as you look.
Pattie would've loved this.
You think it's OK?
To breastfeed on International Women's Day?
I think you're OK.
CROWD: Together united, we'll never be defeated.
Together united, we'll never be defeated.
Together united...
Oh! Oh, my God, no!
Together united, we'll never be defeated.
Join in. Come on. No.
What, are you afraid your husband's gonna see you?
No, it's not him I'm worried about. It's Matron. I could lose my job.
CROWD: Together united, we'll never be defeated.
NEWSREADER: The police are keeping a close eye on any troublemakers
as the marchers turn...
Why do women want equal pay? Ow! Watch it.
You want straight hair or not?
NEWSREADER: seeking a reaction from members of Parliament.
Alan says if everyone got paid the same it would ruin the economy.
How? The more money you earn, the more you spend.
OK, thank you, miss financial expert.
Are you an economist? No, I didn't think so.
Anyway, Alan's going to take care of me.
You know, he'll be partner in Daddy's firm by the time he's 30.
He already takes home $100 a week.
He sounds dreamy. Mm-hm.
Why aren't you keeping the baby?
Well, you can't take a baby to Paris.
Obviously.
I cannot believe he's taking you to Paris.
Paris. London. New York. Who knows?
Daddy's firm has offices all over the world.
Anyways, enough yakking. Where's my dress?
Thank you.
I, uh, I hear congratulations are in order.
25 years long service.
Father Ross says they're naming a part of the hospital after you.
The conference room.
The maternity wards were already named after men.
Ah. Not going on the march today?
Not on hospital time, no.
Isn't that your democratic right?
Well, what about a patient's right to adequate healthcare?
Protests don't achieve anything.
You want equal pay, put your head down and work for it.
I'm going to need more backup with Mrs Carrington.
I'll see what I can do.
Quite a few of the nurses have called in sick.
Must be something going around.
I look fat in this one.
Maybe this one? No. No. I think pink.
Working on your speech?
(SIGHS) Is it that obvious?
I don't know why you need me to say anything.
Because this whole event is in your honour.
Stop being so modest. Read it to me.
"I always had a calling to help others.
"At the tender age of..."
This is silly. Who wants to hear it? I do.
Your career's something to be proud of.
I don't know about that.
I'll introduce you.
Is there anything you'd like me to include?
Career highlights?
Juicy scandals?
(LAUGHS)
Now you're being ridiculous.
I leave those to the doctors. Ah.
Is it serious with this fellow?
I don't know.
We're in love, so how serious is that?
I think he might actually propose today.
You know, he's a crazy romantic like that.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
Final touch.
Where did that come from?
Nicked it from my Mum's jewellery box.
What? They're wasted on her.
OK.
How do I look?
Like a pregnant schoolgirl.
But pretty.
A lot down with the bug, Matron.
And four dental emergencies.
How's your wife's? Ah, good. I mean, not good.
That filling came loose and kept her up all...
She said it was a root canal.
Oh, that's right.
It is. Emergency root canal.
A lot of pain in her teeth.
Well, let's hope she makes a speedy recovery
and gets back to work as soon as possible.
Oh, yeah, I'm sure she'll be right.
Smooth as silk. (LAUGHS) Oh.
How do you like Kate? She's nice.
Oh, she's so... Loud.
Liberated.
Back in the kitchen, bitch. (MEN LAUGH)
Did you say something? Viv.
Definitely a dyke. Yeah, she's sexy, though.
Is that all you can think of to say?
Viv, walk away. Keep your dignity.
Shouldn't you be at home where you belong?
Yeah, barefoot and pregnant. Yeah.
(MEN LAUGH)
Is that all you think we're good for, hey?
Well, you said it. Boong.
What did you call me? You heard.
Hey! Hey! Whoa!
Back off, you crazy bitch! Martha, stop it!
You crazy dickhead!
(BABY CRIES) Idiot!
Keep walking, morons.
You're the reason why we're marching here today!
Martha, stop it. They're not worth it.
(BABY CRIES)
What's wrong? She's really burning up.
Oh, it's a hot day.
Oh, no. Is she wearing too many clothes?
I don't think that's it.
Sorry, hon, I've gotta go. I told Phil I was visiting an aunt.
Who's Phil? Oh, he's my husband.
You're married? Yeah.
You can be married and liberated.
Bye. Bye.
(BABY CONTINUES TO CRY)
Oh, she's running a temp.
It could be an infection. I'm gonna take her to the hospital.
Maybe it's a tummy bug. Or gout.
Maybe it's me.
That's just mother's guilt talking.
That's far enough.
Perhaps you didn't get the memo
banning hospital staff from attending the protest.
Or do you deny going to the march?
We were fighting for our rights. For your rights, too.
You've already been giving a warning
after flaunting yourself naked in public.
You're fired.
Effective immediately.
Get out.
(BABY CRIES)
I am staying. I beg your pardon?
As Joan's friend. Her baby's not well.
That shouldn't be a problem, should it?
(BABY CONTINUES TO CRY)
Don't even start on the dental story.
Consider this an official warning.
Your pay will be docked accordingly.
Now get back to work. Yep, yep.
Dr Patterson.
OK. Who got arrested? Laura's running a temp.
Let's take a listen.
Her chest is congested.
But?
While she's here,
we should have the head of paediatrics take a look at her.
Take some chest X-rays. Just to be sure.
Hey? OK.
Come on. Let's go see.
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
Alan, I've missed you so... You silly little bitch.
What are you playing at putting letters in my mailbox?
What if my wife found it?
You ever think what that would do to me?
You pull this shit again, I swear... And you'll do what?
Yeah, if she found out. So what?
It'd save you from having to tell her.
Maybe this all should just come out into the open now.
Not yet. It would crush her. You know she's not well.
(SIGHS)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell.
I'm so exhausted looking after Barbara.
I know. You deserve better. Thanks, sweetie.
I'm just trying to do the right thing.
Make it so no-one gets hurt.
Yeah, but she has to know sometime. Doesn't she?
I mean, that's if you still want to be with me.
Hey, believe me, I do.
Let me handle things my way.
I'm crazy about you, kid.
I can't stop thinking about our life together.
You and me. On our own.
Lying in each other's arms.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
You mean it, don't you?
Do I look like I'm joking?
You're the funny one.
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
MARTHA: I should have stood up to Matron.
What's so wrong with marching for our rights?
Mmm. Can she even dock my pay?
I mean, I'm clerical, not nursing.
Simon?
Hmm? Sorry?
Everything OK?
Absolutely tiptop.
Just tying up some loose ends.
Whoa.
They're moving. Mmm.
What are they? Some kind of virus?
Motile haploid cells.
Spermatozoa.
Swimmers. They're my swimmers. Oh.
Yeah, I was just checking everything was alright
in the downstairs department,
you know, 'cause we've been having so much trouble getting pregnant.
How did you get the sample?
Oh, just the, uh...
..standard extraction method.
Don't worry. Everything's fine. My swimmers are strong.
They're like Vikings. I bet they are. (LAUGHS)
How 'bout we just not worry about it
and float for a while.
Oh, floating's not very Viking.
I really need to get back to work.
Love you.
What's wrong? I'm taking the pill.
I thought you were trying to start a family.
Simon's trying to start a family.
He doesn't know?
What do I do?
Now he thinks there's something wrong.
He's testing his sperm.
So, tell him the truth.
He won't understand, Viv. Course he will.
You want to take your time before you start having kids.
He'll get that.
What if I don't want to have kids?
Course you do.
Don't you?
I don't know.
I don't want to lose my job.
ANDREW: Unremitting fever, some increased work of breathing
and mottling here on the upper body.
Where? So, that just came up?
You said she was off her feeding?
You think it's related?
Chest X-rays.
Thanks.
Mmm. OK. What?
Pneumonia.
My guess is a virus.
There is a nasty strain doing the rounds.
How could I have missed that? You couldn't have known.
Viv's right.
It's lucky you picked it up when you did.
Let's see what Dr Roberts thinks.
In the meantime, I would recommend some oxygen
to help her breathing
and a course of BENPEN to knock out any secondary infection.
OK.
Sorry, Joan.
You no longer work here.
Someone on staff has to do it.
(BABY GURGLES)
(TENSE MUSIC)
Frances.
I just heard about Dr Millar's daughter.
Nothing serious, I hope.
Yes, let's hope.
If you're still worried about your speech,
I'm happy to sing your praises, if you prefer.
Maybe I'd prefer you not to talk about me at all.
It's a lot of fuss. But you deserve it.
Something happened that...
(TENSE MUSIC)
How do I explain it?
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
Shall we?
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
In all my years of service,
I've prided myself on never making a mistake.
Minor one here or there, but...
..nothing that affected a life...
..impacted someone, so...
(TENSE MUSIC)
If you need to talk further, Frances...
..the door to the confessional is always open.
We're of different religious persuasions, Father.
I don't confess.
I'm sure you'd find it helpful.
And anything you tell me is sacred and confidential.
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
I'm just a conduit between you and God.
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
Thanks for being so understanding. You're the best.
I can't wait till we can be together for real.
Me too.
When? Soon.
I've gotta make sure things go smoothly with Barbara
so we can afford a nice lifestyle.
I could work.
Or study French and fashion.
That's more you.
We need to keep this under wraps until I'm divorced
and you're... back to yourself.
Then it can be the two of us.
In France? Mm-hm.
We'll do it all.
We'll walk along the Seine
and wear matching berets and eat baguettes.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
Spud craving?
Gnocchi craving. Pasta made from spuds.
Comfort food. Like a hug from your nonna.
Debbie should be back by now.
She's taking a big risk.
If Matron finds out she's with Alan...
I hope he's worth it.
Whoever he is.
He sounds sophisticated.
How can you eat this?
Fills my salt cravings.
Try some.
It can't be worse than dried fish.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
Not bad.
You normally just have a little bit. Oh, no. Whoa.
OK, that's too much. Yeah.
Her breathing's more settled.
But we'll need to keep her under observation a while longer.
(JOAN SIGHS)
Come on.
How is she? Don't know. It's wait and see.
Emergency chocolate. Eat.
Maybe she's allergic to me.
We'd have seen evidence of that by now.
Diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes.
Nurse Maguire...
..go and get your uniform on.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
Yes, Matron.
This has been fun, baby, but I better get you back.
I reckon you've been at your gran's long enough.
Do we really have to go? Afraid so.
I've gotta pick up Barbara from the specialist's.
You're cute when you're jealous.
Hey, you have nothing to worry about.
You get me in a way she never will.
Just so we're clear...
..no more letters or phone calls, yeah?
Once you've dealt with the kid situation, I'll come find you.
You promise you'll write to me, though?
Sure. I'll call. When I can.
Close your eyes.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
How is she? Sleeping soundly.
I can't imagine what it must be like for Joan.
Touch wood our babies are healthy.
Simon, there's something I have to talk to you about.
But it can't be here. Let's go somewhere private.
(BABY GURGLES)
Hello there, little one.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Oh, no. What's wrong?
I don't know. Doctor?
Laura? Laura? Clear the nursery.
Get Dr Patterson. And Joan.
Yep. (SIREN BLARES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
No, no, no, let me do this.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Hey, hey, hey, Joan.
Her respiratory effort is getting worse.
She is cyanosed and unresponsive.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Sedative. No! No! Please don't.
We have to sedate her. No!
Joan. Joan.
It is the only way we can intubate and adequately ventilate her lungs.
(TENSE MUSIC)
OK. Good.
Nurse.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
Hey.
You.
You're gonna have a little sleep and mummy...
We need an oxygen machine.
I thought she was improving.
There is some underlying condition.
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
Trust me, ladies, there's nothing like an older man.
They know how to treat a woman.
And Paris. Amazing. Mm-hm.
We'll go dancing at the Moulin Rouge
and buy shoes at the Champs-BElysBees
You put that out this instant.
(TENSE MUSIC)
Are you disobeying me?
It's a free country.
Put it out. And get back to work.
You know...
..if the hospital knew how badly you treated us,
they wouldn't even name a toilet block after you.
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SIGHS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
Brief the theatre staff now.
We'll have to operate on Laura.
We need to get Joan to consent.
Where's he going?
To brief the theatre staff.
Why?
Talk to me.
What did the ECG show?
It is possible that she has a heart defect
that is leaking blood back into her lungs.
No. No, you'd hear a murmur.
If the hole is large enough, Joan, you don't hear a thing.
How large is it?
We won't know until we operate.
Look, her prognosis is good. It's fine. She'll be OK.
No. No. It's open heart surgery!
We've gotta intervene, Joan, and we need to do it as soon...
No! No! No, you've made a mistake. Shut up. No.
You're wrong.
Joan.
I'll let you think about it.
Matron.
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
I owe you an apology. What?
I should have baptised Laura when you asked.
If you're up for it, we could do it now.
It should only take a minute.
No, I know why you're here.
You... You think she's going to die.
I want to save her, Joan.
So she can meet God,
with a soul free from the stain of original sin.
You can save her when she's better.
Now please leave us alone.
Sorry.
Has anyone contacted the baby's father?
No-one knows where he is.
How dare you do that to me? It was me.
I called Father Ross.
Just in case.
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
Joan.
I'm sorry.
We don't know if she'll pull through.
No. No. No! You're wrong!
You're wrong.
All of you are wrong.
My daughter...
..is not going to die.
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
(TENSE MUSIC)
FRANCES: What you said about a confession...
..was it between you and me?
Correct. It goes no further.
Shall we?
(SIGHS)
Dr Millar's baby...
Laura? Yes?
I think maybe it's not her baby.
I think I...
..accidentally swapped her for a girl born five minutes before Laura.
How can you be sure? I don't know. I'm not.
I was run off my feet. We...
..had so many births that night, one after the other.
What should I do?
Speaking as a board member...
..I'd advise you to think very carefully about what you do next.
If you make this public
and it's found a mistake has been made...
..I can't protect you from the consequences.
(SIGHS)
And as a priest?
Then I think you should listen to your conscience.
(MACHINE PUMPS)
She's so peaceful.
I can't believe she's fighting for her life.
She's stabilising.
Joan, if we're going to operate, it has to be now.
OK.
We heard about your daughter. Will she be OK?
Eventually. She needs an operation.
We're about to move her into the theatre.
Oh.
We thought you might want this.
In case you forgot to eat.
Gnocchi.
I can take that. No worries.
And this.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
Lavender.
Put it under your pillow and you'll have sweet dreams.
VIV: Joan. Are they ready?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
What's happened? Her BP's dropping.
How? Her organs are shutting down.
You tell theatre to hold off.
No, no, she's going into surgery. We agreed.
She can't like this. Do something. Fix her.
Get another line in. We need to keep her BP up.
Get some IV trays now.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Stay with us, Laura. Laura.
Nurse, how's that line going?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Nurse? Come on.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
VIV: BP's dropping. She's becoming bradycardic.
She's coming into multi-organ failure.
More saline. Come on, my baby. She's moving! She's moving!
They're tremors. Her kidneys are failing.
They're waiting for her in the theatre.
OK. Joan, wait.
No, we don't have time to wait. Let's go. I give my consent.
I give my consent. She's too weak.
She won't survive it. No, I'm not giving up on her.
I know that this is hard for you
but think what you would recommend in this situation
if you weren't the mother.
But I am her mother.
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
My...
My daughter is dying.
I told her it was just gonna be a little sleep.
(SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES)
I'm sorry, Joan.
There is nothing more we can do.
(SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES)
Let's get this...
Get these things off her.
♪ At the dark end of the street
♪ That is where we always meet
♪ Hiding in shadows
♪ Where we don't belong
♪ Living in darkness
♪ To hide alone
♪ At the dark end of the street You and me. ♪
How did you get those?
Snuck into the old cow's office and stole it back.
♪ I know time's gonna take it's toll
♪ We have to pay For the love we stole
♪ It's a sin and we know it's wrong
♪ Oh but our love Keeps going on strong
♪ Steal away
♪ To the dark end of the street
♪ When the daylight... ♪
I can hold you properly.
♪ ..all goes around
♪ And by chance We're both down the town
♪ If we should meet Just walk on by
♪ Oh my darling
♪ Please don't you cry
♪ Don't cry
♪ We'll meet at the dark end Of the street
♪ Mmm. ♪
Wherever you're going now...
..I want you to know that you are someone.
And you matter.
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
I love you.
I'm your Mum.
(SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES)
Goodbye, my darling.
(SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES)
CROWD ON TV: Together united, we'll never be defeated.
Together united, we'll never be defeated.
NEWSREADER: Thousands of women marched down William Street today...
Is now a good time?
..in celebration of...
We're on our own.
Earlier, there was something you wanted to talk about in private.
It doesn't matter. It's not important.
Marchers carrying placards...
(VIV SOBS)
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
(GENTLE MUSIC)
(FOOTSTEPS)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(GENTLE MUSIC)
FATHER ROSS: And here she is now.
Not only the woman of the hour, the woman of the past 25 years -
Matron Frances Bolton.
(APPLAUSE)
You good? (CLEARS THROAT)
Ladies and gentlemen,
on behalf of the King's Cross General board,
I dedicate this state-of-the-art conference room
to Matron Frances Bolton.
(APPLAUSE)
(CAMERA BULB FLASHES)
(APPLAUSE CONTINUES)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(GENTLE MUSIC)