1975

Ian's Number 96 episode guide: 1975

Number 96 synopses © 1994, 2020 Ian McLean and Lindsay Street Productions. They have been rewritten and annotated from information derived from Sydney and Melbourne editions of TV Week and TV Times, cross-referenced with original Cash Harmon documentation and viewings of episodes. No text may be reproduced without the express permission of the author. To use this material in research, you are requested to inform the author and credit his contribution accordingly. Thank you.

CLIFFHANGERS:

Can the deli survive its stern new owner, Freda Fuller?

Will Don Finlayson's sister, Carol, believe that her fiance, Brad Hilton, is a homosexual?

Did Lucy Sutcliffe's secret cause the destruction of Michael Bartlett's family?

Will Tracey Wilson endure another beating from her husband, Peter?

Has Harry Collins returned from the grave?

Who killed Patti Feather?

670. (13/01/1975) It is 1.30am and Don has ordered Brad to leave Flat 4 immediately, but Brad continues to argue. Don realises that he should have woken up to him from the start. Carol staggers out of her bedroom, complaining that it is the middle of the night. Why is Brad dressed? Brad claims that Don propositioned him. Incredulous as to Brad's lies, Don flings the front door open, just as Detective Sergeant Short ascends the staircase. All three are ordered back into the flat, as "there's been a little trouble upstairs" and no one is to leave the building. Short continues up to Flat 6 and Andy points out where Patti's body was found. In Flat 5, Marilyn and Edie have been watching a movie on TV in their sleep attire. Marilyn tries to get Mummy to understand Daddy's supposed need to "seek mental stimulation elsewhere" was his way of saying that he was leaving the family for "The Bullock". The news shatters Edie. Marilyn is also concerned about what has been happening with Michael. Mrs Sutcliffe received a phone call from Tom (in New Zealand) yesterday, but Michael had claimed that his father was dead? Alf comes into Flat 8 fuming, having just driven all the way back from Kurrajong to talk to Mrs Cole. Lucy informs him that there has been another murder: Arnold's Patti. Andy brings a dazed Arnold upstairs and Lucy offers Arnold his old room back, as Michael is out. Andy warns that Arnold is acting as if nothing has happened. Next morning, Alf is having a cup of tea in bed. Lucy mentions that Michael never came home, even though Lucy made up the sofa and left him a note. Alf snaps at her when he thinks she is suggesting that Michael is the killer. Alf agrees that Michael has been lying to them. That Mrs Cole who came to the door recently was not the real Mrs Cole. Lucy tells Alf about the call from Tom. So Michael lied about Tom's death and also about Lucy being left money in the will? Detective Sergeant Short is still in Flat 6, interviewing Tracey, who had been on nightshift at the hospital, and Andy, who has been staying with Vera but was going downstairs for a walk (in the rain!) when he met Arnold, returning from Canberra. In Flat 4, Dudley is back from Aunty Brenda's and hears about Patti. Carol makes serious accusations: were Don and Dudley setting it all up so that Don could proposition Brad while Dudley was away overnight? She is very angry and intends moving out today. Lucy talks to Freda over the phone in Flat 8. It seems that Arnold cannot accept that Patti is dead; he is down in the deli, working away as if nothing had happened! Michael arrives and tries to avoid the Sutcliffes' questions. Michael accuses Lucy of killing his mother, as if she'd taken a gun to her. His motive for lying to Lucy was revenge. Michael admits that he wanted to break up Lucy's family so she'd know what his bedridden, invalid mother went through, knowing that Tom was in love with another woman. In Flat 5, Short is ready to depart when Edie's meandering commentary begins to incriminate Daddy, who went missing around the time of the murder. Sometimes when Marilyn makes Daddy angry, "he could cheerfully strangle her". Only yesterday, Daddy was angry about Marilyn leaving her pantyhose in the bathroom. Don and Dudley visit the deli to check on Arnold. He seems oblivious to recent events. Arnold mentions that the takeaway food service is being discontinued but there is still some goulash left. At the bar of The Red Baron, Brad and Carol are waiting for a table. She can't understand why Don would act the way he did to Brad. She will pack her things and move into Brad's. Brad states that he needs to be by himself while it all gets sorted out. Michael comes to Flat 5 to explain to Edie and Marilyn about the situation concerning Lucy. Marilyn jumps at the chance to invite Michael to stay. Mummy thinks it's a good idea, too. Andy and Tracey come into the deli and are shocked to see Arnold serving behind the counter. He mentions that he and Patti will soon be off to Tahiti. Dudley is unable to establish an alibi. Don is worried that Dudley doesn't take the situation seriously. When Dudley produces his Wynyard-to-Beecroft rail ticket, Detective Sergeant Short does not accept it as proof of actual travel. The lunch at The Red Baron has been a tense situation. Brad accuses Carol of being "a possessive woman" and storms off. In Flat 5, Edie makes up a bed for Michael on the sofa. Marilyn comes in after a visit to the Paddington Town Hall. Daddy has taken a week's leave from his job. She then went to Mrs Bullock's home - and she is on a week's vacation! It seems obvious that they have gone off together. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

In Melbourne, GTV-9 had been airing "Days of Our Lives" in prime time over the summer, ready to do a ratings battle against "Number 96" when it returned for its 1975 season on ATV-0. Coincidentally, Tropical Cyclone Tracy was the name of the severe weather event that devastated the city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia, early on Christmas Day in 1974. Tracey Wilson was about to become newsworthy. Since "The Red Baron" is a studio set replicating a corner of actual restaurant within the "Holiday Inn" in North Sydney, why would Dudley head to Wynyard Station to catch the last train to Beecroft? The blond extra, Mark Markham, can again be spotted as the "maître d'hôtel" of "The Red Baron" restaurant. Peter Flett's Michael Bartlett moves into Flat 5, as does his end credit. Frances Hargreaves' Marilyn gains a mispelt surname, "McDonald", which will last for several weeks. The family name is officially spelt "MacDonald".

671. (14/01) Tracey is reading a newspaper on the couch in Flat 6 when Arnold arrives from closing the deli at its new time of 6.00pm. She hides the paper under a cushion. Arnold greets her, then calls out for Patti. Tracey mentions that Mrs Sutcliffe was expecting him upstairs. Arnold is puzzled; it is unlike him to forget a dinner engagement. In Flat 3, Dorrie has her feet up while Herb is doing the ironing. With her delicatessen job, she is now "a working wife". Dorrie discusses how poor Mr Feather has gone completely "non compos Menzies" and quite "beresk". Dorrie is still jealous about Flo's election to President of the Paddington Senior Citizens Club, and is ropable that the position comes with a presidential allowance, so Flo has once again found herself homeless. It is politically undesirable to share the same flat. Daphne Begley can't put Flo up, as she's taking the bed out of the spare room to install a ping pong table. Dorrie disputes that Flo has "a mandate" and has requested a recount on the voting. Herb reprimands them both about their squabbling. In Flat 7, Vera and Andy tell Tracey about the latest development in the Pintor Collection art robbery. The police are suspicious that Harry Collins' name came up in the investigation, but with its main tip-off coming from a Vera Collins. Surely, there is a connection? Vera still has no doubt in her mind that Harry died in that fiery car crash last year. She had to identify the body, but Harry's wallet and watch were on the charred body. Nothing to worry about! In Flat 1, Norma tries to remember Patti's last movements for Detective Sergeant Short, but Les tries to take over the questioning. Next morning, in Flat 7, Andy tells Vera of the lastest findings on the doping of "I Kid You Not". An old private eye colleague, Paul Dougherty, has found new details on Bert Kelly's stableboy, Scott, and his brother. The brother was seemingly planted into Billy Barnes' stable by Kelly himself, not long after Andy and Vera moved "I Kid You Not" over to Billy. Andy's plan misfires: Scott did come forward to the AJC (Australian Jockey Club), but claimed that Andy had approved Jim Sutton to offer him hush money. Rather, this money was to encourage Scott to talk to the officials. Now Vera and Andy are deeper in trouble than ever. Flo is hogging the phone in Flat 3, suggesting an extraordinary meeting to organise the upcoming Jenolan Caves bus trip. Dorrie has added a blazer to her work outfit and her style emulates Mrs Fuller herself. In Flat 8, Alf wants Lucy to tell Tom that his son, Muchael, is "a psycho". Arnold comes out for breakfast and says that he misses Patti when she is on nightshift. Alf mentions going to the deli and Arnold asks if he can reassure Mr Godolfus that he will be downstairs shortly. Alf is incredulous. In the deli, Freda tells Dorrie that she seems overdressed - and Dorrie accepts it as a compliment! Herb wants to collect the garbage but Dorrie reprimands him for wanting to take it through the shop. Freda tells him to go right through. Alf tries to buy a box of matches, but Freda explains that they only come in packets of twelve boxes now. Alf refuses to buy in bulk and storms off. In the wine bar, Flo helps Norma to unpack some bottles. They discuss Flo's search for new lodgings and remember the Paradise Street fire that led to Dorrie taking Flo in. So how come Dorrie is tossing her out now? The Senior Cits Presidency, of course. Flo says that Dorrie thinks Freda Fuller is the greatest thing since Skippy Corn Flakes. Les is found with pantyhose around his neck in Flat 1, but he is just conducting an experiment - on himself. He tells Norma and Flo that he has just proven that it was impossible for the three female victims to strangle themselves. He apologises for ruining a pair of Norma's best pantyhose. Tracey notices Andy examining the locks of Flat 6's front door. Andy is convinced that the Strangler must have had a key. Tracey invites him to move into the flat with her. He can protect Tracey, but who will protect Andy? Outside the wine bar, Les is disguised as the street artist again. Roma's paintings are displayed along Lindsay Street. Freda comes past; she wants to replace the deli's window signage. Who did the wine bar's signwriting? Les knows that the firm in Bondi will be busy for four weeks, but he has done a signwriting course and will gladly help her out. She declines, then casts aspersions upon Roma's "hideous" paintings, which will chase away her customers. (Flo reckons that Mrs Fuller has the same effect.) In Norma's Bar, everyone laughs about Crimebuster Whittaker. A commotion causes them all to race outside, where Les has tackled and pinned down the man in the trenchcoat. Detective Sergeant Short introduces them to Detective Constable Johnson, who had been doing undercover surveillance of the building. In the deli, Freda shows Arnold an error that he has made in the bookkeeping and Dorrie manages to trigger him with a dose of reality concerning Patti. Freda takes him through to the back and Detective Sergeant Short comes in to ask Dorrie about using the Redphone. Dorrie assumes that he has come to question her, as "conserge", about the night of Patti's murder. In the wine bar, Les tries to defend his actions. Andy quotes Short: "Stay out of this Whittaker, or I'll have you locked up." Les is appalled by the lax policework: "Three unsolved murders and no arrests." He can't believe that no one has followed up the Reg MacDonald lead. Vera is incredulous that Reg is even considered a suspect. Reg disappeared when Patti was strangled. Norma sends Les down to the cellar to get the camp bed. Her mother is coming from Armidale for a visit. Norma is not looking forward to it. In Flat 8, the Sutcliffes cajole Arnold to play cards with them. Arnold must face grim reality: he finally realises that Patti has been murdered. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Tracey Wilson is obviously reading the latest news about Patti's death and the Pantyhose Strangler, considering how quickly she hides the newspaper when Arnold Feather comes home. The "Australian Jockey Club" and "Sydney Turf Club" Merger Act of 2010 merged the two clubs under the name of the "Australian Turf Club" (ATC). It was first mooted in 2003. The fire at "Gosford Mansion" in Paradise Street, Paddington, occurred offscreen in Episode #313. The disguised Detective Constable Johnson, portrayed by an uncredited extra, was first noticed by Les Whittaker in Episode #669.

672. (15/01) Michael drops into the laundrette because his afternoon lecture was cancelled. Would Marilyn like to go to the movies? Marilyn suggests they take Mummy with them, since there is still no word from Daddy. Marilyn mentions how gloomy Mummy has been. Meanwhile, Edie is having a delightful afternoon entertaining Vera and Don in Flat 5. Her guests prepare to leave, as they have a booking for dinner at The Red Baron, but Edie tries to tempt them to stay a bit longer. A coffee and an Adora Cream Wafer? Vera invites Edie to join them. Vera insists that they make a trip to her friend at Hair 2000 in Pitt Street. She will also lend her an outfit. Edie thanks a smirking Don for his (actually, Vera's) generosity. Dorrie antagonises a deli customer when she weighs some devon-ham sausage, but has her finger on the scales. The customer storms out. Freda delivers a difficult message: Dorrie's trial period "has been a trial" (for Freda) and Dorrie's services are no longer required. In Flat 5, Vera introduces Edie, who has been glammed up for her night out. Marilyn and Michael approve of the stunning transformation. Don pretends not to recognise Edie. As soon as they are alone, Marilyn and Michael dash into her bedroom! A pair of pantyhose are uncomfortably close to the bed. Having closed up the shop, Dorrie brings up the topic of wages. Freda reminds her that she had agreed to no wages for the week's trial period in the deli. Dorrie will miss this old shop. She, Mr Evans and Mrs Patterson will be taking their business elsewhere. At the restaurant, Vera laughs as Edie is whisked off to the dance floor by a handsome man. Vera says, "She's so sweet and she doesn't get much fun out of life." Don thinks that Vera has become a sentamentalist. They discuss Reg's disappearance, its timing with Patti's murder and how Les still thinks that the police need to be made aware. As Don pays the bill to Hardy, Edie is returned to the table by a different dance partner. Edie mistakes Don's standing up as an invitation to return to the dance floor! Vera thinks it is hilarious. In Flat 3, Dorrie is determined that the deli is now off-limits. Herb complains that it is a long walk up to the other shops. Dorrie doesn't want Flo to hear about Mrs Fuller sacking her. Herb says that Flo is having a hard time finding a new place to live, but Dorrie believes it is "all my eye and Mary Martin"! Flo arrives, having made a sacrifice for the sake of friendship. At an extraordinary meeting of the Senior Cits, Flo resigned as President. Dorrie is surprised. Now Flo won't have to leave the flat. When does Dorrie need to take over? Flo explains that Dorrie should have been at the meeting: Myrtle McIntyre is the new President! Don says goodnight to Vera and Edie at the door to Flat 4 and reminds them to lock their doors. Inside, he finds Carol, sitting forlornly in the dark. She explains that she spent the previous night at a girlfriend's, then went to Brad's place to have it out with him. He was in bed with a fellow whom Carol knew from work! She ends her disagreement with Don. Flo pops into Flat 5 to borrow some shoe whitener and invites Edie to watch them play bowls, but before that, to come for some tucker with Dorrie and Herb. Carol is still apologising to Don in Flat 4, and wants to go with him on his work trip up north. He doesn't want Carol staying in the flat by herself, as Dudley is working in the wine bar until midnight. Who does he suggest she stay with? Everyone in the building seems to be a suspect in the Pantyhose Murders. A thump outside Flat 7 spooks Vera. She flings the door open, but it is only Herb collecting garbage! Vera is on her way to the AJC tribunal. Herb shows Vera tomorrow's funeral arrangements for Patti which are in today's newspaper. Mrs Olsen organised everything. Vera is relieved that she won't miss the funeral. Dorrie comes into Flat 3 with two armsful of groceries from the supermaket. Flo, while preparing her bowling shoes, recalls the convenience of having a deli downstairs. Dorrie intends to encourage the other residents to join her boycott. She has a brainwave: a personalised shopping service that would keep everyone from patronising the deli. Dorrie is only just hearing that Edie will be a lunch guest today. Marilyn and Michael arrive home to Flat 5, thinking they will have time for a tryst. While Marilyn slips into something more comfortable, Michael pours them some sweet sherry. Edie emerges from the kitchen, preparing to go down to Flat 3 for lunch. She asks why Marilyn isn't wearing clothes, but is soon explaining that Mr Whittaker invited her to a ball tonight. Edie is so excited by her new, busy social life, she doesn't care if she ever sees Daddy again. Later, while in bed together, Marilyn suggests that she and Michael should get married. He wonders if marriage isn't a bit "old hat"? Marilyn describes her vision of their future wedded bliss. In Flat 3, Edie has smuggled in some gin to put in the teapot. When Dorrie tastes it, she is impressed by this new supermarket purchase and tells Herb to remember the brand. Dorrie also finally hears about Herb and Edie attending the Curbing & Guttering Centenary Ball while she was away. In Flat 4, Don needs to borrow money and sends Carol to get Dudley's wallet from the bedroom table. The wallet reveals a strange secret: photographs of Lorelei Wilkinson, Patti Feather and a girl whom Vera recognises as the first Strangler victim from Chestnut Lane! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

There are probably no surviving records of official synopses for this episode and Episode #673. Plots are drawn from brief episode descriptions in the TV magazines, plus viewings of the episodes. "Hair 2000" was Elaine Lee's regular hair salon at the time. There may have also been a connection between that business and a resident of 83 Moncur Street, Woollahra; several businesses of actual tenants were namedropped in scripts in compensation for the fame of their building. The blond extra, Mark Markham, again plays Hardy, the "Maître d'hôtel" of "The Red Baron" restaurant. There is a continuity error with Michael Bartlett's pants. He is wearing blue denim flares but, in the next scene, a pair of beige trousers are discarded beside Marilyn MacDonald's bed.

673. (16/01) Marilyn and Michael plan a strenuous evening in Flat 5, knowing that Mummy is off to a fancy dress ball with Mr Whittaker. Marilyn suggests a costume for Edie: Salome the Belly Dancer, making use of those silk scarves that Aunty Jeanne gave her for Christmas. Carol has come to have dinner in Flat 7 with Vera and Andy. The phone rings and Andy thinks it was the call he was expecting. Instead, it is Don for Carol. Andy tells Vera that he has a surprise for her. In Flat 5, Edie is getting ready for the ball while a radio newsreader (Kevin "Kev" Golsby) updates the story on the Paddington Pantyhose Murders. There is a knock at the door. She opens it - and a masked man in a black cloak and top hat is standing there! Edie faints. A fearful Carol tells Vera that Don will be away longer than he expected and Vera insists that Carol stay with her, and not in the empty Flat 4. Andy announces a very lucrative offer for "I Kid You Not". Billy has agreed that the offer is "fair dinkum". Vera worries about selling her gift horse from Jack, and had been excited about the forthcoming "Wiltshire Stakes". Andy jokes that Vera only wanted her photo in the society pages of the newspaper. He promises to write an article on the sale, now that he has his job back! In Flat 5, Edie wakes up on the couch to the sounds of thumping from the kitchen. She arms herself with a garden gnome (Edies's "little men"). The disguised Les comes through and greets her. Edie explains that she thought he was the Strangler. He had considered that costume option, but went with Count Dracula. Marilyn closes up the laundrette and sends Michael off to get takeaway hamburgers. She locks the door behind him. In Norma's Bar, Vera has ordered champagne but Norma notices that Vera looks a bit down. The Harry Collins reports are getting to her. At the other end of the bar, Freda is having a white wine after a hectic day. She mentions to Norma that she had to sack Dorrie for incompetence. They discuss Arnold's situation. Freda has mixed feelings but can't run the deli without him. There are squeals from the customers as Count Dracula and Salome enter the bar! Les read Sister Warren's invitation incorrectly; it was not a fancy dress ball at all, it was a formal dress ball. They had to walk back to Number 96 because the taxi drivers were scared of Les's costume. Andy lifts Edie onto a stool and she bellydances for the crowd. In the laundrette, the front door has mysteriously opened. Marilyn is scared. Michael abruptly returns without the hamburgers - all of the food shops were closed - and they consider how the door became unlocked. Someone has a duplicate key? Next morning in Flat 5, Edie almost catches Michael darting out of Marilyn's room and onto the couch. Edie tells them about the disappointing ball, but she did enjoy dancing in the wine bar. Carol returns to Flat 4 to find Dudley examining the three photos that were found in his wallet. He owns the Lorelei snap but is mystified as to how the photos of Patti and the girl from Chestnut Lane got in there? In the deli, Vera and Freda discuss Dorrie's threat to boycott the shop. Les is in disguise again, surveilling Lindsay Street, but Vera greets him by name. Freda is unimpressed by him smoking his pipe in the deli. In the wine bar, Andy, Norma and Dudley discuss the murders. The mysterious, jobless Tanya Schnolskevitska (Natalie Mosco), her comrade, Joseph, and Joseph's male friend, arrive. They plan to hide out in Norma's Bar to avoid the KGB informant who is lurking outside. Dudley assures them that Mr Whittaker is harmless. Tanya wonders if she met Dudley on the ski slopes of St Moritz? He asks for her details in case she wants to work in the bar. In his top pocket, Dudley is stunned to find another photo. This one is of... Marilyn MacDonald! Edie is vacuuming Flat 5 and chatting to Michael as he studies. She admits to not missing Daddy even one little bit. "Mrs Bullock can have him!" Edie dashes into the bedroom and grabs her husband's framed photo. She sobs. In the wine bar, Les - still in disguise - is taking down notes as Carol and Norma discuss the photos of the four young women. They also ponder the suitability of Tanya as a waitress. Dudley joins them. He's just been upstairs to see Arnold. The funeral is tomorrow and Dudley fears for Arnold's ability to cope. In Flat 7, Andy ponders over the appropriate asking price for "I Kid You Not". The phone rings and he must prepare Vera for a shock: Harry Collins is still alive, and wants to talk to her! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

There are probably no surviving records of official synopses for this episode and the previous Episode #672. Plots are drawn from brief episode descriptions in the TV magazines, plus viewings of the episodes. Marilyn MacDonald's mention of "everyone goes as Charlie Chaplin" is a reference to Flo Patterson's fancy dress ball costume from Episode #450. Marilyn also makes a rare reference to Christmas, which is never celebrated onscreen at "Number 96" due to the series' early-December cliffhangers that are not resolved until mid-January. (With the strong connection between "Number 96" and "The Mike Walsh Show" it is possible that Marilyn's "Aunty Jeanne" was named for upcoming Channel TEN celebrity, Jeanne Little. Jeanne had first appeared on "The Mike Walsh Show" in 1974 to plug her ailing Paddington dressmaking business!) The radio newsreader, heard by Edie MacDonald, is voiced by Kevin "Kev" Golsby, who was previously heard in the same role in Episode #650. Kev also portrayed Rudi Savanto, departing in Episode #624. The actor will return as Trevor Banks from Episode #908. Vera Collins mentions the "Wiltshire Stakes" horse race; previously it was being called the "Wiltshire Classic". (There is a "Wiltshire Stakes" in England as well as an annual bicycle race in Salisbury, Wiltshire. In Australia in the 70s, there was a popular range of kitchenware with this brand name. There is also a "Wilshire Stakes" horse race, without the "t", in the USA.) Sister Warren and Valerie Mason get namedrops. Natalie Mosco, who joins the regular cast as Tanya Schnolskevitska from this episode, was familiar to viewers as the bellydancer at a bus stop in a long-running TV commercial for Fry's "Turkish Delight" chocolate bars. One of the b/w photos found in Dudley Butterfield's wallet will give viewers their only glimpse of Denise Coleman, the first victim of the Pantyhose Strangler (killed offscreen in Episode #645). The other photos were of Lorelei Wilkinson (Josephine Knur), who was strangled in Episode #649, and Patti Feather (Pamela Garrick), who was found dead in Episode #669. The photo of Marilyn (Frances Hargreaves), found in Dudley's shirt pocket, is seen only from the back, but appears to be in colour.

674. (17/01) Dorrie and Flo are exhausted doing the shopping service for the other residents. After struggling up the stairs to Flat 3 with a full trolley, they realise that Herb is nowhere to be found. Flo remembers that they have to order a wreath for Patti's funeral. Dorrie thinks that Arnold is still "non compos Menzies". Dorrie is unimpressed when Herb comes in with the home delivery toothbrush that he bought for Tracey. In Norma's Bar, Les is telling Dudley about the practice of his work colleagues sneaking in a snooze in the hospital morgue. Norma rushes in with the news from Andy that Harry Collins is alive! Vera's clairvoyant vision was right, after all! So who was burned to death in that car accident? In Flat 8, Tracey and Arnold have joined the Sutcliffes for tea. Lucy encourages Alf to tell the old story of the woman who almost gave birth in his cab. Tracey mentions the time that she and Patti helped a woman to give birth in a hospital lift. The mention of Patti's name causes Arnold to retire to his bedroom. In Flat 4, Dudley tells Don about finding the photograph of Marilyn in his shirt pocket during his wine bar shift! Don finds the mystery of the now-four photos difficult to comprehend, and so does Dudley. Vera rings Lucy in Flat 8. She is at the police station and is worried that she will be unable to attend Patti's funeral because she is still being questioned over the Pintor Collection robbery and Harry's involvement. Dorrie arrives at the door to enquire about poor, dear Mr Feather, the tragic orphan: "no mother's love, one leg, and now this!" Les arrives home to Flat 1 from work, just in time to "assist" Detective Sergeant Short to question Dudley and Norma some more. "Marilyn hasn't been strangled, has she?" asks Les. Les brings up the photos in Dudley's wallet, then shoots holes in Dudley's alibi for last night's mystery of the laundrette door. Short is impressed and tells Les that "we'll make a policeman of you yet." In Flat 8, Alf has organised for Arnold to fly to Perth after the funeral to visit with the Sutcliffes' son, Jim, little Sebastian, and Alf's mother. Arnold feels that he has nothing to live for now that Patti is dead. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Don tells Dudley about Short questioning him on Dudley's movements. Someone definitely planted those photos on Dudley - but now he has destroyed the evidence by burning them. Don warns that Dudley has made himself look more guilty than ever. In the laundrette, Lucy explains that there are only two keys to the front door of the laundrette: Lucy's and Marilyn's - but Short has a shiny new one, found in Lindsay Street by Mrs Evans! He tries it in the lock and it works. Since only Lucy's friends ever enter the laundrette's back room, her key could only ever be borrowed by someone that she knew! In Flat 3, Dorrie mentions that she put the key evidence in Detective Sergeant Short's hands "postee hastee". Everyone in the building is reminiscing about the Pantyhose Strangler's victims and this afternoon's funeral for Patti. Herb ponders if the murders are being committed by a "Human Fly". Dorrie says that that is as unlikely as the murderer turning up to Patti's funeral. Herb reckons that that could be "on the cards". In the wine bar, Don, Dudley, Tracey, Norma and Les leave for the funeral. Arnold is going with the Sutcliffes and Mrs Olsen. In the foyer, Dorrie is castigating Flo and Herb when Arnold descends the stairs. At the cemetery, Reverend Peacock presides over the service. Arnold is very distressed. Later, in Flat 8, Arnold retires to his bedroom. Once alone, he breaks down. In Flat 3, Dorrie is critical of the service, Reverend Peacock and Patti's nursing colleagues, who all looked like they'd just come from work! Herb tries to explain that they were honouring their fallen nursing companion. Flo guesses that when she passes away, the Senior Cits might all turn up in their bowling uniforms! Herb mentions that Dudley had done the catering for the wake held downstairs, but no one has seen him since the funeral. In the wine bar, Norma and Don admit to Detective Sergeant Short that they don't know where Dudley went either! At the climax of a very sad day for the tenants, Short announces that he has a warrant to arrest Dudley for murder! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Dudley Butterfield mispronounces Tanya's Russian surname as "Schnol-have-a-pizza". Reverend Peacock might be a relative of Judge "Beakie" Peacock, who is namedropped by Amanda Von Pappenburg in Episode #450. An unexpected, strong wind blew through the outdoor funeral scene for the late Patti Feather. The more superstitious members of the cast found this to be an unsettling omen. A styrofoam headstone ("In memory of Charles J Gibson, Born 1918, Died 1956") can be seen rocking back and forth in the foreground! In a later scene, Dorrie Evans actually mentions the wind at the funeral, obviously lines written after the day of location shooting. A stray end credit for the already-departed character of Brad Hilton (Terry Bader) appears onscreen. Andy Marshall (Peter Adams) has also been moved back into Flat 7.

675. (20/01) After the funeral, the Sutcliffes catch up with Vera, inviting her in for a drink in Flat 8. They tell her that they arranged for Arnold to stay with their son, Jim, in Perth. Vera explains that Harry Collins did not die in the car crash after all. After the shock of seeing him again, she couldn't face Patti's funeral and just wandered around The Domain. The burned body belonged to a thief who had bashed and robbed Harry. Vera now feels nothing for Harry, who will be doing gaol time for the art robbery. In Flat 3, the supermarket service is taking off and Les will be printing business cards for Flo and Herb to hand around. The supermarket manager is very pleased. Dorrie receives an unexpected call from Claire Houghton, but her Dig Up a Treasure babysitting duties, for Lady Mendl's friend, would preclude Dorrie's attendance at Claire's high society luncheon at Buckingham Lodge. In Norma's Bar, Andy, Tracey, Carol and the Whittakers discuss how Detective Sergeant Short is still trying to arrest Dudley for murder - but Dudley has seemingly vanished! Norma is unimpressed by Les's summation of Dudley's suspicious character and "dark impulses". Don comes in, having unsuccessfully tried to defend Dudley to the police. Next morning, in Flat 3, Herb and Flo are unable to cover Dorrie's booking to babysit Gloria Devine's children, but Les arrives and suggests a unique solution for Dorrie's dilemma. Les will dress in drag to impersonate Dorrie! Over their breakfast of grapefruit in Flat 4, Carol doesn't think that Don is upset enough about Dudley's disappearance. Don gets defensive. Tracey and Andy are in bed in Flat 6. While Arnold is away in Perth, Andy will move in with Tracey to help her feel more secure. Les is reading 1001 Mass Murderers in Flat 1 and criticising Shorts's handling of the Pantyhose Strangler case. Letting Dudley slip through his fingers like that? Norma gets very testy with Les. She hopes that Tanya will accept their job offer. The phone rings and it is Herb with a message for Les. "Dorrie has given in, whatever that means..." says Norma - and Les dashes into action! On the Boulevard Cafe, Vera and Lucy again chat about Harry and the Pintor paintings. Alf is standing nearby and joins the discussion. Vera won't be accepting the reward money and the police don't believe in ESP (Extra Sensory Perception), anyway. Don's attitude has everyone puzzled when he arrives to catch Alf's taxi; the two men bicker about Dudley again. Vera and Lucy worry that Don is deliberately not defending Dudley. Les is undergoing a transformation into a "fac-si-mile" of Dorrie. She is highly critical and dubious, telling Les not to be "faecetial". Mrs Devine, after all, is "a leading socialist" in Point Piper. Carol, Tracey and Andy are first into the short-staffed Norma's Bar for lunch, but the menu only has Chicken Chop Suey and Fried Rice, which the local Chinese restaurant has already delivered. To top it off, Les has gone off gallivanting with some mad scheme. Carol also feels that Don is acting suspiciously about Dudley. Tanya arrives and is considering taking the job in the wine bar because she loves Australians. Herb and Flo walk "Mrs Evans" down to the main foyer and head off to the supermarket to complete today's shopping service. Alf encounters Les in drag and smoking on his pipe in Lindsay Street. When Alf realises who it is, he lifts "her" skirt and warns "Mrs Evans" not to get arrested. A flirtatious Tanya is monopolising Andy in the wine bar and Tracey is unimpressed. Tanya claims to have defected from the Bolshoi Ballet while performing in Rio De Janeiro. She was rescued by a Mexican bullfighter who disguised her as one of his pecadoras. In Flat 8, the Sutcliffes laugh over Les's impersonation. Alf mentions that Don got out of his cab and went straight acrioss to another one at the taxi rank, as if he was trying to conceal his final destination. Over coffee in Flat 7, Carol tells Vera that she has given up on training air hostesses because she kept running into Brad all the time. It's back to job hunting! As Carol is leaving for a 4.30pm interview, she asks Vera if Don was ever jealous of Dudley's friendship with Lorelei. Vera settles on her lounge and tries riffling a copy of Woman's Day, but she is soon dozing. Herb and Flo are sorting all of the groceries into separate bags in Flat 3. Dorrie returns in a buoyant mood from Claire's function, rattling off some of the "cream de la crem" attendees: "Lord and Lady Lumberdale, Lady Betsy White, the Rhinegolds..." She opens the front door to Les, still in drag. She is pleasantly surprised to learn that Les managed to pull off his impersonation. Furthermore, Mrs Devine wants "Mrs Evans" back for more babysitting tomorrow. In Flat 7, Vera awakes from a nightmare - screaming - and races into Lucy's, next door. Vera needs a brandy. She actually foresaw Marilyn being strangled. But this means that Vera also saw the identity of the killer! [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Tanya Schnolskevitska gives her middle name as "Elizaveta", but tells everyone not to worry about it. Tanya claims to have trained with the "Bolshoi Ballet", the internationally-renowned classical ballet company based in Moscow, Russia. The first surviving official synopsis to feature the character of Tanya has her name spelled "Tania", but "Tanya" in the end credits. By Episode #681, the accepted spelling becomes "Tanya" in the synopses.

676. (21/01) In the laundrette, Marilyn and Michael try to console Edie over Reg's absence. He left Mummy after over 20 years of marriage? She is so depressed. "I suspect it's just a stage I'm going through," says Edie. Marilyn tried to warn Edie about Alderman Mrs Bullock, but she wouldn't listen. Edie is distressed that will be eating alone again tonight and wanders home. Michael refers to Dudley as "the fink" for turning out to be the Pantyhose Strangler. Michael always suspected him. He heads back to the flat to keep Mrs Mac company but will return to accompany Marilyn home at 9.00pm. Michael promises that he has a big announcement coming up. Tanya enters the deli seeking to purchase some Russian caviar. Freda has discontinued it but offers lumpfish roe as an alternative. Tanya is unimpressed and leaves, but Freda chases her onto the street and offers to order her in some caviar if she intends buying it regularly. Tanya mentions that she is considering taking a job in Norma's Bar. Freda decides that she wants Tanya to work for her in the deli, if she has had experience - and Tanya will ponder the offer. She spent two years at Tiffany's of Fifth Avenue in New York, selling jewellery and fine furs, so she can certainly sell garlic sausage. In Flat 8, Lucy takes Vera's dream very seriously and wants her to tell the police that she "saw" Marilyn's murder. Vera is reluctant after the stolen paintings debacle. She doesn't want to tell Marilyn, either. Vera also can't believe that the killer could be the person whom she saw in the dream. "It's too absurd." Dorrie castigates Flo and Herb in Flat 3 for being so weary after delivering all of their clients' supermarket groceries. Dorrie thinks of how Lady Betsy White looked "so miraculate", sitting at Claire Houghton's table in Buckingham Lodge, and now Dorrie is uneasy about sharing the same table as "a veritable pair of raggle-taggle gypsies". They expect that Dorrie will be helping with the groceries tomorrow but Dorrie is now part of Mrs Houghton's Point Piper luncheon set. She may also be called upon to babysit for Mrs Devine, but Herb is doubtful since it would be obvious that Dorrie was not Les (in drag). Flo intercepts a call from Claire and discovers that Dorrie has not been telling the whole truth. Does the cheque for waitress duties get made out to Dorrie Evans or to Dig Up a Treasure instead? Tanya sees Freda closing up the shop and races to accept the job offer, having consulted with her astrologer. Tanya tells the story of when she worked as a lion tamer in Budapest. Her astrologer warned her not to go on one night. Her replacement, Nicolai Nikolaevich, lost his head to the lion. (It was Nicolai's fault; he had forgotten to feed them.) Lucy arrives at the laundrette and offers to close up, so Marilyn can head home with Michael. She sends Marilyn to get her belongings from the back room so she can warn Michael to be extra protective over Marilyn. Vera had foreseen Marilyn as the next murder victim. Michael reminds Marilyn that he has "something important" to tell her tonight. Flo and Herb approach Flat 5, intending to ask Edie if she wants to make an order for the supermarket tomorrow? Reg suddenly returns from a week's sojourn in Woy Woy. Over the washing up in Flat 3, Dorrie tells Flo exactly what she would do to to Reginald P MacDonald, running away with another woman for a "candlestine" affair! Dorrie is only just learning that Michael now lives in Flat 5 after his tiff with the Sutcliffes. ("Why wasn't I told?") In Flat 5, Reg insists that he spent the week alone in the Woy Woy hotel room, to punish Edith for neglecting her domestic duties. Mrs Bulloch was in Queensland. He wants Edie to resign from all of her committees and for Marilyn to stay with her Aunt Evelyn to evade the Pantyhose Strangler. Tanya takes up her position at the deli and Freda mentions the "silly boycott" going on. Tanya boasts that she has a special magnetism that will attract lots of male customers. Herb sneaks into the deli and meets Tanya. She tries to sell him what Herb calls "continental tucker" but he only needs birdseed for Mr Perky, as the budgie doesn't like the supermarket brand. Tanya confesses her love of men with bald heads, like her Uncle Nikita. Dorrie happens to walk past the deli window just as Tanya is getting all flirty with Herb. Dorrie storms in and orders Herb away from Tanya. Freda hears the kerfuffle and comes into the shop. Dorrie is no longer part of Mrs Fuller's "clientelly". In the laundrette, Vera warns Marilyn to be careful. Lucy wants Marilyn to package up some items for Mrs McIntyre before she goes off on her special date with Michael. Again, Lucy urges Vera to speak to Detective Sergeant Short about her dream. Vera knows that the police would not believe her. Reg and Edie have lunch in Norma's Bar and he hears how Edie was being looked after by the other residents in his absence. Edie mentions that the police want to talk to him, since he left Sydney the night that Patti Feather was murdered. In Flat 3, Flo questions how little Dorrie seemed to accomplish while Flo was delivering orders to Paradise Street and Chestnut Lane. Dorrie and Flo discover that the business cards promoting their supermarket shopping service are printed on the reverse of the cards that Les once used to sell cemetery plots. Over coffee in the wine bar, Reg decides that he will allow Edie to stay on one committee: the Gumnut & Banksia Preservation Society. Michael and Marilyn arrive in the bar to announce an important decision. Reg tries to insist that Marilyn should go to stay with her Aunt Evelyn until the Strangler is caught. Michael and Marilyn see no need for that as they have just eloped at the Registry Office. Reg and Edie are very surprised as Marilyn flashes her wedding ring. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The real Nicolai Nikolaevich (1856–1929) was the Grand Duke of Russia, not a lion tamer. Myrtle McIntyre gets another namedrop. Evelyn is a sister of both Reg MacDonald and Fay Chandler. She is next referenced in Episode #695. Frances Hargreaves' Marilyn is still being credited with the mispelt surname, "McDonald", despite having just eloped with Michael Bartlett.

677. (22/01) In the wine bar, Edie takes Marilyn's news better than Reg. Edie wants to order champagne. Reg questions Michael's ability to provide for his new wife but Marilyn was under the impression that they could stay on in Flat 5, since they all get along so well together. Reg still thinks that the whole idea is preposterous. Vera is being served by Tanya in the deli when Alf comes in. He snipes at Freda, then wants an introduction to Tanya but Vera can't pronounce "Schnolskevitska". Tanya is still spinning wild tales in the deli; her last boyfriend was a gun-runner for an African revolutionary. Too many Tsetse flies in Africa! The boyfriend was eaten by crocodiles while crossing the Zambezi River. Freda is disbelieving, having heard about Tiffany's as Tanya's previous workplace. Vera is saying goodbye to Alf, who is starting a shift in his taxi. Tracey approaches her, wanting to have an important discussion. Edie is already sloshed but she brings up Michael, Marilyn and Andy to Flat 5 so they can continue celebrating the Barletts' marriage and the sale of "I Kid You Not". Reg arrives home from the police station and is unimpressed to find the impromptu party. Tracey is chatting with Vera in Flat 7. What if Peter, who has mysteriously disappeared, is the Pantyhose Strangler? The attempt on Tracey's own life was bungled and she now fears that Patti was murdered by mistake. In Flat 5, Reg realises that a marriage cannot be annulled if it has already been consummated! Reg then suspects that Marilyn is pregnant. She denies it. Reg is unimpressed that Michael failed to ask Reg's permission to propose to his daughter and then elope. Tanya tells Freda in the deli that Norma was very upset when she found out about Tanya's new job. A very seedy Andy comes in, seeking a remedy for the consequences of the unexpected wedding reception. Andy adds Acapulco in Mexico to Tanya's list of exotic places in which she has (supposedly) previously worked. Vera comes in, seeking a remedy for an upset stomach, and begs off on dinner with Andy, despite selling the horse. Andy walks her into the main foyer. In Flat 5, the newlyweds are doing the washing up. They are looking forward to more celebrations in Marilyn's bedroom. Alf comes to the rescue when Vera is found writhing in agony on the floor, at the entrance to Flat 7. Next morning, in their bedroom in Flat 5, the MacDonalds reminisce about their honeymoon at Minnamurra Falls. Reg is irate that a non-functional alarm clock - and one additional person living in the flat - has put his whole morning routine in jeopardy. Marilyn, Michael and Edie keep beating him into the bathroom. Reg is going to be very late getting to the TH. Andy chats to Tanya in the deli. She regales them with the tale of her boyfriend, Rufus, a Chilean war correspondent, who was killed by a poison dart in Brazil. Alf tells Andy about taking Vera to the hospital last night. Suspected appendicitis! In Flat 5, Edie and Reg talk at crossed purposes again. Reg, at first, thinks that Marilyn is pregnant. In the laundrette, Tracey accidentally lets out a secret that upsets Marilyn: she had not heard about Vera's dream that identified her as a victim of the Strangler. Michael is annoyed by Tracey's lack of tact. Edie has forgotten to prepare Daddy's luncheon in Flat 5 because she is baking a wedding cake. Marilyn tells Michael that they should never keep secrets. He can't wait until Dudley is arrested. Alf hears the news about Marilyn and Michael's elopement. He is concerned, and explains to Andy, over beers in Flat 8, that he had to turf Michael out recently, following his bizarre behaviour around Lucy. Alf gets a phone call from Lucy, who is still at the hospital. Vera doesn't have appendicitis, after all; it seems that she was poisoned. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Minnamurra Falls is near Kiama, NSW. Alf Sutcliffe's beer cans have a promotion for the 1974 "America's Cup Challenge" yacht race, in which Alan Bond & Ben Lexcen's "Southern Cross" (Australia) unsuccessfully challenged "Courageous" (USA).

678. (23/01) Les is getting ready in Flat 3 for another babysitting session for Mrs Devine. He is considering a career change as a professional nanny, based on his recently successful impersonation of "Mrs Evans". His new name could be "Miss Hotchkins"? Dorrie and Flo arrive from the supermarket, laden with grocery bags. As Les heads off to Point Piper, Flo realises that she and Dorrie have managed to duplicate the orders. In the laundrette, Norma hears all about Vera's near-death experience from the Sutcliffes. Alf mentions that Vera claimed to have had only a light lunch yesterday but, later, also a drink with Don. Don visits with Dudley, who has been hiding out in a hotel. Detective Sergeant Short and Constable Ted (Frank Menzies) search Flat 7 for any food items in open tins or jars. Herb arrives while they are there, and explains that he had hoped to convince Vera to use their grocery service. Herb arrives back in Flat 3, while Flo and Dorrie are bickering over the extravagance of taxis that will eat into their shopping service profits. Herb is bursting to tell Dorrie about Vera, but Dorrie stops him. She suggests that she, Flo and Herb should pool their money and invest in a small car to assist with their supermarket deliveries. Upon learning about Vera's condition, Dorrie demands to know why Herb did not tell her immediately. Norma is run off her feet in the wine bar and resents Freda for poaching Tanya to work in the deli. Carol mentions that she has resigned her job as a flight attendant trainer, because she kept running into Brad. She now suggests that she could work as a waitress - and Norma offers her the job. An off-duty "Sarge" Short drops in for a glass of Moselle and Carol is excited to serve her first customer. Norma presses him about Vera's dream. He spoke with Mrs Collins at the hospital this morning. As they talk, Les enters as "Mrs Evans" and only Short recognises him at first. Don comes to see Lucy in Flat 8. Has she seen Vera? Lucy and Alf tell him about Vera's poisoning and then question the absent Dudley's motives. Don gets very angry. Since Dudley hasn't been in the building for three days, they could just as easily suspect Harry Collins! Norma drags "Mrs Evans" into Flat 1 and orders Les to get changed immediately. The Whittakers have an increase to the family when Norma's mother, Mrs Anne Florentine (Aileen Britton), comes to stay, choosing this very moment to arrive. Les greets her at the door dressed as "Mrs Evans". Later, Anne has a cup of tea with Leslie. "I'm not one to complain," she says, then has a litany of complaints to unload. She is unimpressed and confused that a woman (Dorrie) would send a man to do her job, dressed as a woman! Norma comes past to check on her mother and Mrs Florentine is shocked that Norma is serving the meals herself. Norma hands off the tray of Chinese takeaway Sweet & Sour to Carol. When Carol asks for a few minutes to dash upstairs to see Don, Norma agrees and sends Les into the bar. Norma hears about the long train journey from Armidale, then tries to ask about her brother, Pat. Patrick is getting married and the new partner is common, so Anne is moving in with Norma indefinitely. Carol arrives in Flat 4. She is still distressed over Don's unusual behaviour. Other residents have noticed, too. It is almost as if he believes that Dudley is guilty? In Flat 3, Flo and Herb are not interested in renewing their driving licences. Flo hasn't driven she was in the AWAS (Australian Women's Army Service), so Dorrie announces her intention to learn to drive. Dorrie demands that Herb samples the tea in case it is poisoned, even though he was the one who made it. The Sutcliffes chat in Flat 8 and wonder about Vera's dream and the poisoning. Both Don and Andy spent time with Vera yesterday. It couldn't be Don. In Norma's Bar, Anne says that she expected a higher class of venue. She is not impressed that the missing chef is, according to Leslie, "a crazed, psychotic killer". Both Anne and Don want Les to stop talking about the murders. Don storms out. Next morning, in Flat 1, Anne is disappointed that the Earl - Leslie - renounced the family title. (It passed to his brother, Andrew in Johannesburg, along with all of the clan's debts.) Anne had already told her friends and neighbours that her daughter was the Countess of MacCraddonow! She can see little evidence of Norma's ladies' college education. Anne is more forgiving of the Earl, saying, "The Aristocracy are renowned for their little eccentricities". There is a knock at the front door. Norma is horrified by the arrival of two deliverymen and a large number of suitcases, suggesting that her mother really does intend a long stay. In Dudley's hotel room, Detective Sergeant Short thanks both him and Don for their cooperation. The trap is closing in on the Strangler; Dudley's disappearance is a part of the police operation to catch the serial killer. Short doesn't believe in clairvoyant dreams, but the Strangler obviously does. The detective is very relieved that Vera survived the attack on her life. The police now know who the Strangler is, but Short had not anticipated the killer turning poisoner as well. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Prominent scuff marks on the wall behind the couch in Flat 1 and Flat 7 are now also in the same location in Flat 3. The three sets share the same walls. Aileen Britton, who portrays Anne Florentine would return as two different characters in 1977, Miss Gumble in Episode #1167 (although the character was previously namedropped in Episode #645) and Mrs Carlton-Bell in Episode #1192. She would also go on to play a regular role, Joyce Blair, in "Arcade".

679. (24/01) Marilyn has planned a special Flambéed Beef lunch in Flat 5 for Michael and Daddy. Her first meal as a married woman! Edie is excited to watch it ignite. The meal is a complete disaster, though, because Marilyn uses furniture polish on the food thinking it was brandy. There is a happy reunion for Norma when Dudley returns to the wine bar. He explains that, with all the evidence piling up against him, he was sure that he was being set up for the crimes. Detective Sergeant Short comes to Flat 6 and asks Andy and Tracey if they have Arnold's telephone number in Perth? The Sutcliffes would know, but they are not home. "Just routine" questions? In Flat 5, Reg and Edie are heading out. Michael is staying home this afternoon to study. Reg has mislaid some important notes for the DTC - statistical data on sewage outflow to the eastern suburbs' seaboard - and they finally realise that Edie had written her shopping list on the back of the document. She must memorise the list on her way downstairs. As soon as they leave, Marilyn emerges from the bedroom in her underwear. Michael abandons his studies! On the staircase, Mummy is confused by her list, but she is reading the wrong side. Detective Sergeant Short passes them and Reg castigates him. As a father of a young, blonde woman, Reg is disturbed that the Strangler is still at large. Andy's actions are raising suspicions so Short visits Flat 4 to talk to Don and Dudley about him. Carol invites him in. Andy now resides in Flat 6? How well do they know him? Les is restacking his inventions and junk in Flat 1 to make more room for Anne's camp bed. He is using "dimensional planning", but Norma is dubious. Anne reminisces about lunches at the Hotel Australia but Norma informs her that it has been pulled down. Anne, who is "not one to complain", assumed that a wine bar run by an earl and a countess would be "a meeting place for high society". Norma points out that her mother was always ashamed that Mr Florentine was a mere publican. Norma recommends the nearby Beauregard Hotel. Anne can't afford that, but she does not get the old-aged pension because that would be accepting charity. In Flat 4, Don asks Dud how Carol is faring as the new wine bar waitress. Up until now, she has only had to serve Chinese takeway; now she will be serving Dudley's "exclusive, gourmet 'spag bol'!" Andy arrives to welcome Dudley back. He is on his way to visit Vera in the hospital and mentions Short's latest visit. Are the police close to arresting someone? Andy leaves and Don and Dudley ponder why Short was suddenly so interested in him? Marilyn, wrapped only in a towel, catches Michael rummaging her drawers in Flat 5 and he covers by saying that he is planning a surprise for her. Michael chases her around and they get caught by Reg, who feigns disapproval, and Edie, who is delighted that the children are having fun. In Norma's Bar, Dudley likens his recent "miscarriage of justice" to Joel McCrea in Sullivan's Travels, but Anne doesn't understand his reference. She finds movies to be a "vulgar form of entertainment" and Dudley to be "rather forward". (He keeps calling her "Mrs Florry" and she is not impressed.) At one of the tables, Tracey is suspicious of Andy, who suddenly says that he will be working tonight, covering the trots. Tracey feels stood-up and tells Carol that she and Andy are supposed to be getting married when their divorces come through. Is she now having second thoughts? In Flat 5, Edie hopes that grandchildren will soon be on their way. April Bullock rings Flat 5 and Edie is finally satisfied that she really was in Townsville, Queensland, and not Woy Woy. In the wine bar, Anne keeps criticising Dudley "Butterworth" to Norma - and Norma is getting irritated. Les is off to work at the hospital and Anne presents him with a paper bag containing "some salmon paste sandwiches and a fruit roll". She assumes that Norma never supplies him with a midnight snack? Les plans to give Vera a book, 1001 Deadly Poisons, as light reading during her convalescence. Tracey and Carol are offended that people think that Les's book is a laughing matter. Tracey asks Don if the police think the Strangler will strike again? It is the evening shift at the laundrette, and Michael warns Marilyn not to leave until he gets back just after 10.00pm. If she waits, she'll learn about Michael's big surprise. Edie comes into the wine bar for champagne, to celebrate that Mrs Bullock wasn't in Woy Woy. Norma chastises her mother for complaining about her serving staff. Norma thought she was coming to town for only a couple of days. Edie puts the champagne on the slate because she is out of housekeeping money. Carol notices that Don has slipped away quietly and mentions her concern to Dudley. It is a night of terror for Marilyn in the laundrette. Once again, the locked front door has mysteriously opened and is making a banging noise. "Oh, my God, it's you!" screams Marilyn as the murderer is suddenly revealed to her! [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

In 1968, the "Australia Hotel" in Castlereagh Street was purchased by MLC. At first, the stated intention was refurbishment and maintaining the hotel. However, they closed it on 30th June 1971, demolishing it in almost-record time, to erect a modern then-$200 million, 68-storey, office block/skyscraper in its place, the "MLC Centre". The movie, "Sullivan's Travels", was released in 1941. This episode was later showcased in Foxtel/Austar TV1's "Television's Greatest Hits: The Best of Number 96" (2000), introduced by Andrew Mercado.

680. (27/01) A crazed Tracey Wilson advances on her new victim, Marilyn, with a pair of knotted pantyhose the Strangler's only weapon. They end up in the back room of the laundrette, but are soon followed by Detective Sergeant Short and two police officers. As they take Tracey out of the room, Michael and Don race in to comfort Marilyn. In Norma's Bar, Dudley compares Mrs Florentine to Dame May Whitty, the famous English movie actress from The Lady Vanishes and Mrs Miniver. Anne dismisses the idea. While Norma loved going to the movies with her late father (including an icecream before the Movietone News and a Violet Crumble at intermission), Anne much prefers "something more cultural". She used to accompany her son, Patrick, to recitals at the Armidale School of Arts, to listen to Josephine Wardell on the pianoforte. Carol wonders where Don went but, just then, he enters the bar with Marilyn, who looks rather fragile. Michael is with them and wants her to go straight upstairs. Don asks Norma if she has any brandy and she will fetch some from Flat 1. Don explains that Tracey was the Pantyhose Strangler all along. The police are trying to calm her down at the laundrette - she was hysterical! In the back room of the laundrette, Tracey confesses how much she hated the victims' guts. They were all so... happy. Denise was an empty-headed little hairdresser, prattling on about the boyfriend she was about to marry. Lorelei, a brainless tart, who could curl her finger to get any man she wanted. Patti, so happily married to her darling Arnold. And Marilyn, who got married just like that! Tracey is apologetic about losing control tonight; prior to this everything was planned out. She is only sorry about getting caught. Another few seconds and Marilyn would have been dead. Reg and Edie toast themselves with champagne in Flat 5. Reg approves of it and Edie points out that it is the same brand that the Baroness gave him the night he stayed with her. Daddy instigates a guessing game from their honeymoon, which involves thinking of a number and then removing an item of clothing if the guess is incorrect. As the game progresses, Marilyn and Michael arrive home and explain the incident with Tracey. The police used Reg's own daughter as bait? Les is making up Anne's camp bed while Norma expresses frustration over Tracey's killing spree. "The more beautiful they are, the more deadly," observes Les, comparing Tracey to Lucrezia Borgia, or Lizzie Borden. Anne comes in from the bathroom. The water in her bath was quite cold, but Norma reminds her that she was in there for over an hour! (And now she gets the camp bed again!) Following Tracey's arrest for her attempt on Marilyn's life, the police think the mystery of the Pantyhose Murders is resolved, but Tracey has other plans. Mrs Florentine does not approve of sleeping on a camp bed. Gary might have had no complaints about it, but he is much younger and more supple. While demonstrating the sturdiness of the bed, it collapses under Les. In the now-closed Norma's Bar, Don and Carol wait for Dudley to return from the kitchen. Don assures her that Marilyn was actually under constant guard while the police waited for the killer to make a final move. Dudley joins them in the bar just as Andy enters from the street. He has heard on his car radio that an arrest has been made in the Strangler case, but who? They confirm that it was Tracey who was the killer. Andy relates his previous conversation with Peter, where he had described that Tracey was a masochist, always wanting Peter to beat her up. Peter had to drink to put up with his dire situation. During further questioning at the police station, Tracey claims to be "normal". She goes on a tirade about how much her parents hated and ignored her. Tracey was a complete stranger to Denise, but that didn't stop the girl from prattling on about love when Tracey came in for a shampoo. Tracey suddenly realises that she is making her confessions too easy. She likes pain; they can force the truth out of her! Tracey make a run for the door, but she is lifted up, screaming and writhing, by the two uniformed officers. In Flat 5, Edie suggests that Daddy might be hungover from all the champagne. (Edie passed out over Marilyn's shocking news, not the champagne!) Michael takes a cup of tea into Marilyn in their bedroom. He presents her with a belated engagement ring. That was the surprise that he had mentioned. Andy meets Detective Sergeant Short on the staircase. He is on his way upstairs to check on Marilyn. Short explains about finding a discrepency in Tracey's alibi on the night of Patti's murder. Then they found a gap of 30 minutes in her alibi for the night of Lorelei's murder and located the taxi driver who had taken a woman on the five-minute ride from Paddington Town Hall to the corner of Lindsay Street. In Flat 4, Dudley and Carol discuss how Tracey had access to so many keys. He relates how the residents dutifully lock their front doors, then proceed to hide their keys on door jambs, under doormats - "they scatter them around like confetti, the silly sausages!" Anne comes into Flat 1's kitchen complaining of another restless night on the camp bed. Dudley arrives, comparing the full kitchen to the Diamond Horseshoe on opening night. In Flat 6, Andy gets a shock: Tracey is back, having escaped from the police station. She wants Andy to go away with her. In Norma's Bar, Edie is canvassing ideas for a wedding breakfast for the newlyweds, Marilyn and Michael. She tells Dudley that she has difficulty making a packet sponge properly. Andy manages to get Tracey settled in the bedroom of Flat 6. He sneaks out to dial the number for Detective Sergeant Short. She overhears him - and leaps to her death from a front window, landing on the street outside the deli. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

This episode was broadcast in colour. "The Lady Vanishes" was a movie from 1938 and "Mrs Miniver" was from 1942. Abel Hoadley first produced chocolate-coated "Violet Crumble" honeycomb bars in 1913. The script suggests that it against Norma's liquor regulations to serve fortified drinks, such as brandy. (Marilyn MacDonald is over 18, and has been seen drinking wine in the bar prior to this episode. In NSW, the legal drinking age was set as 18 in 1905; prior to then, it was 16.) Edie MacDonald refers to an incident from Episode #576 and #577, when her husband visited Amanda Von Pappenberg to return a $50 note, and was coerced to drink many glasses of champagne with the Baroness. Gary Whittaker was last seen in Episode #534. He is next onscreen in Episode #842. "Billy Rose's 'Diamond Horseshoe'" is a fictitious nightclub featured in the 1945 movie, "Diamond Horseshoe". (In 1971, an attraction with this name opened at "Walt Disney World Resort", Florida, in USA.) The scene of Tracey Wilson's body lying on the footpath, among the "Boulevard Cafe" furniture, has been flipped during editing. The signage under the deli window is in reverse. Coincidentally, Tropical Cyclone Tracy was the name of the severe weather event that devastated the city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia, early on Christmas Day in 1974, while the series was on its summer hiatus. (Yet another of the series' wacky coincidences concerning current events.) Chantal Contouri would return as Lara Boltolavic in the Cash Harmon telemovie pilot, "McManus, M.P.B.". (The telemovie even includes a pantyhose in-joke.) Episode #680 was later showcased in Foxtel/Austar TV1's "Television's Greatest Hits: The Best of Number 96" (2000), introduced by Andrew Mercado. Also the last of 32 consecutive colour episodes (#649-680) were released on DVD in 2008, "Number 96: The Pantyhose Strangler" (Volume 1), by Umbrella Entertainment Australia. Episode #680 included a commentary with Chantal Contouri and TV historian, Andrew Mercado.

681. (28/01) The Sutcliffes are in Vera's hospital room as she prepares to be released. She has just learned of the news about Tracey Wilson being the Pantyhose Strangler. Lucy asks if it was Tracey who was revealed by Vera's dream about Marilyn getting murdered. It was - and suddenly Vera realises that Tracey must have been the one who poisoned her! They had met in the deli that day and gone upstairs for coffee. Andy is being consoled by Don and Dudley in Flat 4. He is blaming himself not not acting earlier on Peter's revelations about Tracey's masochistic tendencies. Don points out that Tracey, having killed three innocent young women, was facing life in a mental asylum. In the delicatessen, Dorrie, Herb, Flo and Tanya watch the ambulance, containing the deceased Tracey, move off. "The quality of mercy is not 'stained'", says Dorrie, misquoting "the immortal Bard". Tanya recognises the line from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, but Dorrie insists that it was something she read in the Christian Science Monitor at the dentist. Tanya knows the play from a reading she did in Vladivostok. Freda comes in from Flat 2. "What droppeth to the ground beneath...?", in this case, was "a demented murderess from a third-storey window". Not good for business! Freda asks Dorrie if she has her shopping order and Dorrie is offended. They only came into the deli because a police officer wanted the pavement cleared. Dorrie, Flo and Herb emerge onto Lindsay Street just as Arnold arrives in a taxi from the airport. "How are things at 'Number 96'?" Later, in Flat 8, Arnold is coming to grips with Tracey's death. If only he had said no to Patti's request to let Tracey move in with them? Alf and Lucy discourage him from taking any blame. Arnold ponders his future. Perhaps hotel management, but the opportunity in Tahiti is long gone. He requests to stay on in Flat 8. The Sutcliffes are thrilled; Arnold is like a second son to them. Freda castigates Tanya in the deli for encouraging the customers to engage in idle gossip. Freda intends to make Arnold an offer he can't refuse. In Flat 3, Les commences teaching Dorrie to drive. He has set up a lounge chair as a driving simulator. "Press, pull, steer and brake. Press, pull, steer and brake." Dorrie complains that the seatbelt is too tight, and she must leave for bowls in fifteen minutes, but Les stresses the importance of safety. He needs to dash downstairs to help Norma with her mother, leaving Dorrie to practise. On the top-level landing, Andy meets the returned Arnold and they offer condolences to each other. Andy seems rather short-tempered but is soon knocking on the door of Flat 7. Vera opens it and is surprised to learn that Andy is leaving Number 96. Flo and Herb arrive home to Flat 3 with armfuls of groceries and find the abandoned Dorrie - flat on her back and wailing - still anchored to Les's simulator "like a veritable 'Prisoner of Zebra'!" Dorrie demands that Flo ring Mrs Terry about her missing the bowling session. Flo cuts Dorrie free and realises that the simulator's seatbelt is a restraining strap for a surgical corset. In the deli, Arnold has returned for the second time to speak to Mrs Fuller. Tanya offers to make him a coffee while he waits but he refuses politely. Freda arrives and is determined to secure his services She is prepared to be generous, offering him full managerial control of the shop, plus the use of the flat, rent free. Arnold is stunned! Vera visits Don in Flat 4 and they toast to her recovery. They agree that Vera will miss Andy very much, but the sale of "I Kid You Not" has suddenly made her "a woman of means". She plans to upgrade her sewing machine and give dress designing a serious go. Dudley arrives. He reckons that Vera will be "the Edith Head of Sydney". He quizzes Don on his whereabouts this afternoon. Don is cagey and says that it was work-related. Dudley has prepared the wine bar meals in advance, so he wants Don and Vera to join him for "a night out on the town". In Norma's Bar, Les brings celebratory drinks to the table where Arnold and the Sutcliffes are sitting. Arnold has accepted Freda's job offer but will stay on in Flat 8 rather than moving into Flat 2. In Flat 4, Dudley lets Vera in. Both are dressed in their finery. Don is still in the bathroom, so Dudley tries to hurry him up. Is Don's health a cause for concern? Dudley finds him unconscious on the bathroom floor! Flo tries a little blackmail in Flat 3 to get her own way; she reckons that, if anyone asks about Dorrie's embarrassing afternoon, she might just say that Dorrie was "all tied up". As soon as the deli closes, Tanya comes into the wine bar, looking for Arnold. Does he still require her services? He assures her that Tanya is definitely needed. She is relieved. Russians "always look on the black side", she jokes. Dorrie, Herb and Flo arrive in the wine bar and join Arnold's table. Dorrie goes over to give Les a piece of her mind for leaving her tied into his driving simulator. Alf is bemused that she is taking driving lessons from Les. Les manages to charm Dorrie by suggesting that she is "too advanced" for the simulator. Practical experience is better. He invites her outside. Meanwhile, Lucy reminds Alf that it is nearing the time to get his taxi back to the rank. He can't be late for "the 'omecooked steak and kidney pud" to celebrate Arnold's return. It has been boiling for two hours! Dorrie finds that her driving lessons are not incident-free: patrons run for their lives as Alf's taxi suddenly comes crashing through the front window of the wine bar! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

William Shakespeare's play, "The Merchant of Venice", is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. "The Prisoner of Zenda" (1894) is a novel by Anthony Hope. Movie adaptations came out in 1937 and 1952. Edith Head was an eight-time Academy Award-winning costume designer in Hollywood. The extra who often portrays Myrtle McIntyre can be seen in the wine bar. 32 more consecutive colour episodes (#681-712) were released on DVD in 2010, "Number 96: Aftermath of Murder" (Volume 2), by Umbrella Entertainment Australia.

682. (29/01) Over dinner at The Red Baron, Dudley and Vera express their concerns about Don. Don's meal has hardly been touched and he is currently in the restroom. Trixie O'Toole (Jan Adele) sneaks up behind Vera, signalling to Dudley not to spoil the surprise. Trixie puts her hands over Vera's eyes. Vera is thrilled to see her. Trixie explains that she has been performing in clubs in Brisbane. She points out her restaurant date, Alistair, who has a beard and an eyepatch and is the foreman of a sardine factory. Keen to order some new garments, Trixie is pleased to hear that Vera is using the money received from the sale of "I Kid You Not" to return to dress designing. Alf's taxi has caused much damage in Norma's Bar and Les has to organise the glazier and signwriter to restore the front window. In Flat 1, Anne is still on a tirade about Les and Norma living in squallor. Meanwhile, in Flat 3, Dorrie is applying several Bandaids to her face, then blames Herb for refusing to learn to drive; she wouldn't have had the accident otherwise! Next morning, in Flat 1, Norma is surprised that Les is already home from work, and has even prepared breakfast while she and Flo were cleaning up in the bar. Anne is in the bath again. Norma goes in to order her out - and ends up falling into the bathtub! In Flat 4, Dudley urges Carol to encourage Don to go and see a doctor. Trixie arrives at Flat 7 to order some glittery show garments. Since Trixie's landlord gave the lease on her old flat to someone else, Vera invites her to move into her spare room. Anne has been visiting interior decorators and insists on showing the Whittakers the wallpaper that she is recommending to transform Flat 1. Dorrie realises in Flat 3 that she will need to earn some money to pay off the damage to Alf's taxi and the wine bar's window. She decides to head up to Flat 7 and offer her services as a fashion model for Vera's new business. Vera can't get rid of her. Dudley mentions to Vera about finding numerous appointments for doctor visits in Don's diary. They wonder why Don has chosen not to confide in them about his health? Anne comes to Flat 3 for afternoon tea and mentions to a boastful Dorrie that Leslie doesn't even have a driver's licence. In Norma's Bar, Trixie, Flo, Dudley, Carol and the Whittakers react to Vera's bright idea of adding a piano to the wine bar. Flo fancies herself as "a Winnie Atwell" and will play showtunes for the patrons. Norma can't believe her own eyes: Aldo and Roma Godolfus have returned home! Everyone is excited to see them. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Jan Adele's Trixie O'Toole returns for a new story arc. She was last seen in Episode #639. Pianist Winifid Atwell, originally from Trinidad, found popularity in the UK and Australia, in the 50s, 60s and 70s, mostly with ragtime tunes. Channel TEN Publicity wanted it to appear that Johnny Lockwood and Philippa Baker had departed the series permanently, from the end of Episode #663, so the return of Aldo and Roma Godolfus (from the USA) took the audience by surprise. Johnny had to turn down a substantial role with Crawford Productions while keeping his return secret. Once again, the vacant Flat 6 features a large question mark during the end credits. The surname "Godolfus" is correctly spelt in the credits (but not the official synopsis), having mistakenly shown onscreen as "Godolphus" for a time, from Episode #593.

683. (30/01) The deli is full of customers but Freda is furious that Arnold still has the shop open at 7.00pm. Now that he is the appointed manager, he felt that the trading hours should return to the previous closing time of precisely 8.30pm. Surely Tanya will be expecting overtime? Tanya, as a student of the Bolshoi, didn't even think of overtime. If she is happy in her work, who cares about money? She is used to living on a handful of rubles. Arnold tries and fails to point out the many advantages of staying open late. Freda can either accept Arnold's judgement, or take over the management of the shop herself. In Flat 5, the MacDonalds are planning a surprise wedding celebration for "the children", Marilyn and Michael, tomorrow night - but Reg has given Edie a budget of only $15. She needs $40 at least. Reg reminds her that the Good Lord managed to feed the masses on two loaves and five fishes. Aldo and Roma are sitting in Norma's Bar with Trixie and Vera. They are soon joined by Norma and Don. Having just closed the deli, Arnold comes into the wine bar. He must break the sad news to Aldo and Roma about Patti's death, and that Patti's friend, Tracey Wilson, was the Pantyhose Strangler. Aldo and Roma are booked into the Beauregard Hotel, but Arnold insists that, tomorrow, they should move into the now-vacant Flat 6. To Reg's frustration, the amorous Michael and Marilyn claim to be still watching Kojak in Flat 5, not realising that a vampire movie has been playing for over an hour. Edie comes into the room carrying her purse. Reg demands to know where she is going, but her mention of "a secret" piques Marilyn's curiosity. Reg switches over to the ABC to watch a documentary on irrigation problems in Pakistan. In Flat 4, Vera tries to get Don talking about his medical condition; she knows that Dudley is extremely worried about him. In the wine bar, Trixie and Norma decide to help Edie with the party arrangements since Reg has been so frugal. Edie thanks Norma, calling her "a real Blacktown person". As Don is getting ready to see Vera out of Flat 4, he suffers a dizzy spell. Vera is very concerned. Next morning, in Flat 5, Marilyn and Michael announce plans to eat out tonight, which threatens to ruin the surprise party. Reg and Edie make them promise to come home instead. They reluctantly agree. Don visits Vera in Flat 7 and makes her promise not to tell Dudley about his fainting spell. The doctor has told him that Don is just run down and needs to take things easy. Vera opens the door and Trixie falls through backwards, dropping herself, her suitcase and several boxes onto the floor. Freda comes into the deli with the day's float for the till - and is castigated by Arnold because he and Tanya have been unable to provide customers with their change. Arnold suggests that Freda doesn't trust him. At the main entrance of Number 96, the Godolfuses chat with Don about business options now that they are back in Sydney. Aldo and Roma then visit the deli and are shocked by all of Freda's changes. Mrs Fuller is surprised that "Feather" didn't even inform her of their return. Arnold objects, since most recent conversations with her have been so tense and work-related. Roma asks Tanya if she likes working in the shop and Tanya says that it is very different to the Amsterdam "sexual aids" shop that she last worked in. Roma gives Arnold her shopping list but most of the fresh lines have now been replaced by packaged items. The Goldfuses leave the deli reminiscing about the good old days. In the laundrette, Marilyn and Michael consider moving out of Flat 5. Living with the in-laws never works. They decide not to comply with Daddy's demand and will be going out tonight anyway. Vera enters the kitchen of Flat 7 and finds Trixie and Edie in there, preparing all of the food for the party. She is not impressed at first, but is soon coopted to help. In his doctor's surgery, Don receives some shocking news. According to Doctor Langton (John Keithley), Don's health is not good. After numerous tests, there is evidence of an infection in his bloodwork. If the infection is found lurking in one of Don's organs, then they will know how to treat it. If it is a disease of the blood itself, and symptoms continue, the worst possible prognosis is that Don may have only six months to live. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

This episode was broadcast in colour. The Telly Savalas-led series, "Kojak", had commenced airing on the 0-10 Network from 21st April, 1974. Aristotle Onassis gets another namedrop. John Keithley, who portrays Doctor Langton, is later known by the surnames "Keightly" and "Keightley".

684. (31/01) Trixie is with Edie in Flat 5. She is unimpressed by Edie's fruit punch for the surprise party to celebrate Marilyn's marriage to Michael. Only two flagons of white wine and a dollop of lemon squash? Trixie sneaks a bottle of brandy into the mix. Reg arrives and announces that he has invited the TC to the function and raises Edie's catering budget by $40. She can spend it "as you will". Trixie has a glint in her eye and Edie suddenly understands. In Flat 8, the Sutcliffes, Arnold and the Godolfuses enjoy Lucy's homecooked "Welcome Home" lunch together. Aldo reckons that American food tastes like cardboard. Roma refers to Freda as a cold woman. Alf stirs Aldo about his wandering eye for the beautiful Russian woman (Tanya) whom he met in the deli today. Roma tells them about Joe and Delores Hackenback, an American couple who boarded their plane in Honolulu, bound for San Francisco. When the Godolfuses realised that they were too late to save Irving Lubinski from prison, the Hackenbacks invited them to stay at their property, which has three swimming pools! Joe and Delores plan to visit them in Australia soon. A grateful Roma invites everyone to Sunday lunch but Arnold declines. He doubts that he could enter Flat 6 again. Meanwhile, Dorrie decides to apply for a job advertised in the newspaper for a "charming, still, statuesque' showbiz assistant. It pays $75 per week. Flo suggests that St Vitus might be advertising for a dancing partner. "Flo, there's no call to be 'faecetial'" (sic). Edie has spent the extra $40 and returns to Flat 5 with two bottles of gin hidden under a box of Arnott's Crinkle Cut Potato Chips. She empties the gin into the punchbowl. In the laundrette, Marilyn complains about Daddy ruining her plans for the evening, but Michael has changed her mind again. They are going out! Reg finds Edie lying on the bed with a mudpack on her face, making herself beautiful for the party, as suggested by women's magazines. Reg is mock-horrified by her appearance and wonders if the magazine was Popular Mechanics? Edie's fruit punch gets laced with more additives: Reg pours in a whole magnum of champagne! Michael comes to the laundrette again and tells Marilyn that a university friend urgently needs new flatmates in Randwick. They'll ditch the plans to go out and will return to Flat 5 tonight so they can pack, ready to move out. Dorrie (to be known by her stage name of "Dorothy Carter") is almost skewered against a door by a professional knife-thrower named Leroy Larue (Paul Faranda) who enthusiastically auditions her in Flat 3. She screams! Trixie is about to help Edie with her hair when Reg arrives home to Flat 5 with TC Edward Duncan (Brian Moll) in tow. Trixie tries to serve the TC some punch and he pinches her buttock. He assumes the punch is as weak as water and adds more life to the party by pouring tequila - "ambrosia of the Gods" - into the punchbowl from his own hipflask. While Trixie works on Edie's hair, they debrief about the contents of the now-potent punch. In Flat 8, Aldo disagrees that the MacDonalds are close to teetotallers; he has often seen Edie "as 'fast' as a newt!" Lucy says that Marilyn and Michael were still planning to go out, but finally changed their minds. Alf has already left to do a shift in the taxi but Roma, Lucy and Aldo head down to the party. Arnold will follow them shortly. In Arnold's bedroom, he is again reduced to sobs. In Flat 3, Dorrie has made up her mind to sue Mr LaRue for throwing knives at her, even though Herb is willing to repair the door with wood sealer. She can then use the financial settlement to pay for the damages to the wine bar. Dorrie will fill in her solicitor, Don Finlayson, at the party. On his way to Flat 5, Arnold is tempted to enter the Feathers' old flat next door. He hears Patti's voice echoing in the flat. Reg is schmoozing with the TC about the disposal of sewage, but Trixie is tiring of the TC's wandering hands. Lucy and the Godolfuses are amused by the strength of the punch. Edie offers Dorrie a second cup of fruit punch; she accepts because "fruit is so nutritious". Arnold is able to warn the partygoers in Flat 5 of the approach of Michael and Marilyn on the main stairs. They have resolved to inform Mummy and Daddy about the Randwick flat immediately, then pack and leave. The lights are turned off as the newlyweds enter Flat 5 and... "Surprise!" Marilyn is ecstatic to see everyone there. In the kitchen, the TC is still bothering Trixie. He wants her to call him Eddie. Trixie tries distracting Eddie by mentioning that she once put out a 12" LP - with a 13" hole. She jokes that it sold well in Italy, where "all the natives thought it was licorice pizza". In the loungeroom, Arnold tells Lucy that there are times when he can see a glimmer of hope. Dorrie is getting sloshed on punch. Trixie brings out Edie's two-tiered wedding cake from the kitchen. As Marilyn cuts it, the top tier suddenly deflates! A change of luck is in store for Alf: he bursts into the party to announce that he has won the lottery! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

"St Vitus' Dance" (Rheumatic chorea) is a movement disorder caused by a bacterial infection. The phone number prefix in the newspaper ad is "237" (signifying, in the 70s, an inner-city suburb of Sydney.) Paul Faranda, who portrays Leroy LaRue, previously played a different character, Angelo, in Episode #301. (Due to a typographical error in the official synopsis, Leroy's surname is rendered "Larve". It is correct in the closing credits.) Dorrie Evans tries to serve Leroy "devon-ham sandwiches", harkening back to the "devon-ham" radio of Episodes #86 and #626. The Evans' daughter, Joan Parker, last seen in Episode #287, is namedropped in this episode. Brian Moll returns to his role of Edward, the younger, randier TC (of the Paddington TH), who was last seen in Episode #639. Now mistakenly referred to in dialogue as "Mr Buchanan", the end credits call him simply "T.C." Reg MacDonald had referred to the previous TC (as portrayed by John Rayner) as "Ian Buchanan" in dialogue from Episode #624, even though the surname "Duncan" was first used for Ian in Episode #493, and re-established onscreen for Edward in Episode #982. Ian and Edward's mother is always "Mrs Buchanan". Jan Adele often taunted scriptwriter David Sale over the dialogue he liked to include for Trixie O'Toole. Many of Trixie's comedic one-liners were Jan's own jokes, which David would simply add into the scenes. As most of the partygoers are residents of "Number 96", there are very few people of the Bartletts' ages in attendance.

685. (3/02) "To be a Russian is to be a soul in torment," Tanya says to Dudley as he is cleaning up in Norma's Bar. She has been reading The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Dudley much prefers Ninotchka, the 1939 movie, of course, with Greta Garbo. Tanya lights up at the mention of Paris and begins an anecdote about her darling Philippe, whom she met there. (His impressive moustache had those curly ends, but there was a shortage of beeswax at the time.) Tanya mentions that she can swear in fourteen languages, but is also almost broke. Freda Fuller is refusing to pay her or Arnold their wages. When Arnold had complained, she accused him of muddling up the account books! Dudley doesn't believe it; Arnold can balance accounts "like Bette Davis can keep smoking". As the Godolfuses leave the party in Flat 5, Reg is about to wish them a safe journey home when he realises that they are currently his next-door neighbours! Edie is quite sloshed. Reg wants to know where Trixie and the TC ended up? Don seems to be the only party attendee who is not getting sloshed on Edie's potent punch. Edie attempts to top up the punch cups for Lucy, Don and Alf. Lucy thinks "it's champion" of Alf that he let Dorrie off the hook (regarding the damage to his taxi) after his unexpected lottery win. In Flat 6, Aldo reckons that Alf "was born with a silver 'fork' in his mouth". Arnold wants the Godolfuses to stay on in Flat 6, but they, too, have some unpleasant memories of Number 96. Aldo refers to Freda as "that witch on a broom handle". Roma and Aldo's new plan is to go into the restaurant business. Roma declares that it will definitely involve Arnold. In the main bedroom of Flat 5, Edie tries to help Daddy get ready for bed. She hasn't enjoyed a party so much since the Sewage Ball in Blacktown, when old Mr Postlethwaite lost his toupée! The TC being so besottted by Trixie poses a distinct threat to Reg's future in LG. In the kitchen, the Bartletts have a row because, while Michael is still keen to move to Randwick immediately, Marilyn has cooled on the idea after her parents threw her such a great party. In the bathroom of Flat 4, Dudley needles Don about the excess of alcohol he consumed last night. Don claims that the more he drank, the clearer his head seemed to become. Dudley is surprised when Don orders up a huge breakfast. Lucy is in a cheerful mood in Flat 8 and chats to Arnold about the lottery win. Alf and "Chiller" Thomas have been buying tickets together for the past two years. Alf staggers out with a hangover. Lucy jokingly boasts that she will buy herself a silver-blonde mink coat, and might go to David Jones for new furniture. She is supposedly receiving a Mini Minor car, amongst Alf's many other promises. In Flat 6, Roma has opened up the curtains and brings a hungover Aldo breakfast in bed. ("Kidneys, mushrooms...") Wasn't Aldo was intending to inspect some potential restaurant sites today? Mrs Fuller's company accountant, Mr Mayhew (Henri Szeps), arrives at the deli and introduces himself to Tanya and Arnold. He insists that he will be collecting the takings each morning, and has a letter of authority from Freda. Arnold reluctantly hands over the bank bag, but he and Tanya are worried. Have they just been robbed by a conman? In the laundrette, Marilyn complains to Lucy that Michael practically ignored her at breakfast. He is cranky that she no longer wants to move out. They also discuss the lottery win. Lucy fancies buying a little house. Meanwhile, in Flat 6, Aldo is wearing his loudest American shirt as he reads through ads in the newspaper; he finds a perfect, moderately-priced, restaurant property in Rose Bay. "Hunky dory! That's an American expression." Roma thinks that the restaurant sounds romantic. She offers to ring the number. Maybe they will think that she is Aldo's secretary? She advises Aldo to change his shirt and hat. "They see that hat, they will double the price!" Reg, returning to Flat 5 for luncheon, almost catches the hungover Edie downing a Bex powder with a glass of milk. Is Mother serving him leftover, crumbed-chicken drumsticks from the party? The TC was missing from the TH this morning, which may be ominous. Reg sees Edie spooning custard, not mayonnaise, onto the reheated tuna boats. Daddy is unimpressed. Edie races for the bathroom. Michael has come to the laundrette wanting Marilyn to go to lunch with him. He wants to discuss their future living arrangements. Lucy sends them off. A buoyant Alf arrives, suggesting that he and Lucy could use the winnings to return to England. Dudley has new concerns about Don's mysterious condition. Dudley catches him drinking in Flat 4 instead of going work. All this eating of rich foods and overindulging in alcohol? In the deli, Freda has just left but has still not paid her workers their wages. Arnold gives $20 to Tanya from his own wallet because she claims to be "as flat as a puncture". She then uses the money to buy a $19.50 jar of Beluga caviar because it is "so nourishing". In Flat 8, Alf's lottery joy soon turns into rage. His partner, "Chiller", had put the winning ticket into his own name only, and is now refusing to share the winnings. Alf has no claim on the prize. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"The Gulag Archipelago" is a three-volume non-fiction series, written between 1958 and 1968, by Russian writer, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, a Soviet dissident. First published in 1973 by the Parisian publisher YMCA-Press, it was translated into English and French the following year. The volume used onscreen appears to be a mocked-up prop. The comedic movie "Ninotchka" was released in 1939. Although Tanya Schnolskevitska doesn't seem to recognise that name, soon there will be many references to the fictitious "Ninotchka Vodka". (There is a cocktail of that name, which features vodka, creme de cacao and lemon juice.) Too much of the interior set of the deli is shown on camera. There is additional wall shown to the right of the entry door, and the newspaper rack is along that wall instead of parallel to the counters.(Some of Freda Fuller's many changes?) Henri Szeps, who portrays Mr Mayhew, was a last-minute replacement to read the lines originally written for Sheila Bradley. (Another scene concerning Freda is said to happen offscreen.) Sheila had to drop out of her role as Freda much earlier than contracted, due to the actor suffering a temporary facial palsey. Mr Mayhew is not mentioned in the official synopsis for this episode and he is not credited onscreen. Henri makes another uncredited return as that character in Episode #687. Later, he takes on the recurring role of Phillip Chambers (from Episodes #937-938) and Solly Goldman in Episodes #1147-1148. A new inside angle on the deli set shows an impossibly-large section of wall to the right of the entry door, a mismatch to the width of "Moncur Flats" itself. The expression "hunky dory" is more of a British saying, and was the title of a 1971 David Bowie studio album. (The earliest known reference in print is found in the USA, in a 1862 collection of songs performed by "Christy's Minstrels", a "blackface" minstrel group founded by Edwin Pearce Christy. He was believed to have been of Irish origin.) There is a stray end credit for John Keithley as Doctor Langton, but that character does not appear in this episode.

686. (4/02) While Norma washes the front window of the wine bar, Anne is full of praise for the hospitality that Dorrie Evans showed her recently. Norma tries to warn her mother that Dorrie will worm all her secrets out of her before she can say "Schnolskevitska"! (Norma is impressed with herself; she finally pronounced Tanya's surname correctly.) Les arrives with two piano removalists. They are wheeling in the piano for Flo's Cocktail Hour singalongs. Norma doesn't remember agreeing to the piano idea, but Anne thinks it will be some much-needed class. Can they even afford it? According to Les's interpretation of Be Your Own Solicitor, Dorrie is still fully liable for the damage to the window if the insurance company refuses to reimburse them. Norma is unimpressed, especially when the row of upended barstools tumble to the floor. While setting the table for lunch in Flat 3, Dorrie tells Herb that she does not believe Flo's story about going to have cauliflower cheese with "that dreadful Daphne Begley". Flo is probably conducting "a 'candlestine' assignation" with some man! Alf arrives, Herb offers him a beer, and Dorrie is effusive as she thanks Alf for his "sense of 'perspectum'" in forgiving her debt. She receives terrible news: Alf has actually come to retract his offer. A bewildered Dorrie snatches back the beer before he opens the can. Later, in Flat 8, Lucy suggests that Alf should get some legal advice over Chiller's actions from Don. Alf agrees. In Norma's Bar, the Happy Hour is a roaring success. The pianist, Florence Patterson, Wizard of the Pianoforte!, is resplendent in a silver gown, rhinestones, a tiara and a corsage. Anne puts in a request for "the Governor's favourite" tune, Advance Australia Fair, even though she only met him once, in 1945. Vera explains to Norma that she came down to the wine bar to escape the TC. He turned up to Flat 7 looking for Trixie (who had managed to avoid him all day). Over the washing up in Flat 7, Trixie continues to be an object of attraction to the randy TC. He had wanted to meet Trixie ever since hearing about "that wonderful weekend" at Mrs Buchanan's beach house. Trixie reminds him that she and the MacDonalds managed to burn the beach house to the ground. She gets a brief chance to vouch for Reg: the TC should promote such a loyal member of LG. The TC begins to tell a blue joke about "the vicar and the Boy Scout". Dorrie and Herb enter the wine bar - the noise can be heard two streets away! She then notices that Flo is the pianist... and she is wearing Dorrie's tiara! Dorrie threatens to call the Noise Abatement Society and that only makes Norma more determined to continue the nightly events. Behind Dorrie's back, Herb is up on a stool, conducting the crowd as they sing. Next morning, in Flat 7, Vera and Trixie laugh about the previous night's events. Vera is sworn to secrecy about the possibility of Reg's promotion. Dorrie castigates Flo over working for the Whittakers, but Flo is playing the piano to raise money for charity. Les arrives, with Be Your Own Solicitor under his arm. He informs Dorrie that she is directly responsible for all of the damage from the taxi accident. Dorrie objects to Les's "legalistic mumbo jumbo" over the whole "debaclee". What about the insurance claim? Les says that the window is not covered by "'Acts of God' and natural disasters", and Dorrie is certainly classified as a "natural disaster". In Flat 1, Anne hoodwinks Norma into giving up the double bed. Mrs Florentine is worried that she is developing a migraine and rejects the breakfast that Norma is cooking for her. Anne blames the polluted city air. Trixie is unpacking a trunk full of colourful costumes in Flat 7. The TC has invited her to a fancy dress ball. She shows Vera a sequinned mermaid costume. One of Trixie's first solo appearances was in Lovelace's Aquatic Revels and she had to sit on a rock singing, All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor. They had a big tank dressed up as grotto and all the chorus girls were in lobster costumes. On opening night, "some idiot" poked a hole in the tank and flooded the front stalls. Trixie holds up the furry suit she once wore as Ermintrude, the Roller-Skating Orangutan. Trixie used to perform at the Tivoli opposite a Vaudeville comic named Enery. She climbs into the costume. Vera zips her up just as the TC turns up at the front door! The TC is only briefly taken aback, then invites Trixie to lunch in the wine bar. Lucy and Alf are in the laundrette. Don has told Alf that, without a written agreement, he doesn't have a leg to stand on regarding Chiller and the money. Lucy receives a letter from a worried Tom Bartlett in New Zealand. Tom can't understand Michael's silence these past months, with all mail being marked "Address Unknown". Alf forbids her from getting involved. Over lunch in Norma's Bar, the TC tries to propose marriage to Trixie but she wants nothing to do with the idea. Les suggests buying a Murphy Bed for Norma's mother. She can't keep sleeping in their bed. Meanwhile, Anne sneaks into the kitchen of Flat 1, helps herself to a large serving of Steak Josephine (pepper steak) and takes it back to the bedroom. Dorrie's financial situation is desperate again, but Alf's negative attitude towards her is unrelenting. Dorrie is visiting Lucy in Flat 8, to try to gain her sympathy, since she and Herb live on "a G-string budget", after all. Alf storms in. He was not keen for the police to become involved over Dorrie's accident, but the cab's owner now knows that Alf had left the keys in the ignition. Once again, Alf demands the $500 from Dorrie, and he wants it now. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

This episode was broadcast in colour. Among Flo Patterson's "Happy Hour" play list are "The Lambeth Walk" (1937), "Along The Road to Gundagai" (1922), "California, Here I Come" (1924) and "Knees up, Mother Brown" (1938). After "Number 96", Ron Shand performed in a major stage production of "Me and My Girl" (1985-86), which features "The Lambeth Walk". In 1977, a plebiscite chose "Advance Australia Fair" as the country's "National Song". (It was subsequently proclaimed the "National Anthem" in 1984 by the then-Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen.) In 1945, Anne Florentine would have met the Governor of New South Wales of the day, the 2nd Baron Wakehurst (aka the Right Honourable John de Vere Loder). The Buchanans' Mona Vale beach house burnt down in Episode #631. There is still a "Noise Abatement Society" (NAS) that exists as a charity in the UK. Lovelace Watkins was a Las Vegas-based, African-American singer. The performer had a long association with Australia's Gold Coast, and helped raise money for the city following the floods of 1974 (hence Trixie O'Toole's anecdote about flooding the theatre). Lovelace was named "Ambassador-at-Large" by the Gold Coast Mayor. "Ship Ahoy! (All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor)" is a music hall song from 1908. The mask of Trixie's Ermintrude costume is more like a gorilla, than an orangutan. When Trixie grabs the TC on the top landing, the whole wall wobbles. Current blackboard specials in "Norma's Bar" are "Beef Stroganoff" ($1.80) and "Steak Josephine" ($1.70).

687. (5/02) To Roma's delight, she discovers that the furniture from Flat 2 was never sold, as had been the plan. Unfortunately, when Aldo returns to Flat 6, he informs her that the Rose Bay restaurant that they planned to buy at auction was out of their price range. It went for five times what they could afford to pay. In Flat 3, Dorrie complains to Herb that her trip to Epping, to squeeze the money that she owes from her sister, Connie, was a waste of time. She is also angry with "that migrant", Alf Sutcliffe, for changing his mind on the $500 of damages to his mate's taxi. Flo comes into the loungeroom, dressed in her finery for Happy Hour, but Dorrie reckons she looks like "a veritable chicken dressed up like a lamb." How can Flo go down to the wine bar knowing that Dorrie has "a veritable 'Storm of Damascus' hanging over her head"? Flo offers to loan her $70, but she could also pass around a hat claiming that it was for a needy charity. Dorrie is offended. While serving in the deli, Tanya tells a customer the whole story about Freda's absence from the shop. Arnold tries to explain to her not to do so. It is worse conditions than Siberia; does Mrs Fuller stay away for 24 hours to avoid paying their wages? In Flat 5, Reg is deep in thought during dinner, when Edie asks him if he has a Lodge meeting tonight? Edie plans to go to the wine bar to listen to Mrs Patterson on the piano. Reg is concerned about the TC's time is being monopolised by Trixie. He saw the TC this evening, dressed in a loincloth, assisting a gorilla into a taxi. Edie seeks clarification, but a sullen Marilyn suddenly erupts in anger. Here is a daughter with a broken heart but her parents can only talk about stupid, trivial matters. She storms out! Edie had noticed that Michael spent last night on the sofa - and tonight he didn't show up for dinner. Edie thinks that they, as parents, should do something. Aldo comes home to Flat 6 and boasts about a Bondi premises that is within their price range for a restaurant. Financially, it will work because it is a rental property. Aldo suggests celebrating tonight at The Blue Danube. Flipping through The Sun newspaper in Flat 3, Dorrie refuses to accompany Herb down to Happy Hour in the wine bar. She doesn't want to be around "those dreadful Whittakers" and describes the outfit that Flo was wearing as "Shirley Temple in 'The Twilight Zone'". On Edie's way to Norma's Bar, she drops in to Flat 3 to ask Dorrie's advice on helping the young Bartletts with their current marriage difficulties. Dorrie proclaims, "A wife must take her husband in hand, regularly. Metaphysically speaking, of course!" She lends Edie a book, entitled Tranquility of Marriage, which she and Herbert had found very helpful in their early days of matrimony. Meanwhile, while waiting for a taxi on Lindsay Street, Aldo and Roma call into the deli to gossip with Tanya and Arnold. Roma greets Tanya in Russian, but Tanya hesitates. She waits for Roma to restate her question in English for Arnold's benefit. Tanya never converses in Russian if English-speakers are present. Aldo understands: it is why he and Roma no longer have accents. Arnold gives them a bewildered look. The Godolfuses share their news about the Bondi plans. Their taxi honks its horn and they race outside. Arnold receives a phone call from Freda, who gives him a piece of her mind about incompetence. Although he and Tanya have been without wages for over two weeks, Freda dismisses them from their employment. They are not to show their ugly faces in the shop again. In Flat 5, Reg is dressed for his Lodge meeting and finds Marilyn sulking on her bed. She is inconsolable. Reg steps out into the loungeroom as Michael comes in the front door. Michael has a brown paper package in his hand. As Reg heads off to his meeting, he suggests that Michael do something about his daughter's unhappiness. Marilyn ignores Michael's presence - until he pretends that he will be packing his belongs to leave. She squeals and they hug on the bed. In Flat 3, Dorrie sobs as she tells Edie about her grim situation. Reg knocks on the door and informs his wife that things seem to be improved for the newlyweds. Edie is thrilled. She then explains that Dorrie has a financial problem. Are there any jobs going at the TH? Reg mentions that the Paddington TH is seeking a new part-time tea lady. Dorrie practically pounces on his words: "I'll take it!" Reg promises that he will look into it. As he departs, Edie suggests that Dorrie could accompany her down to listen to Flo's piano tunes. Dorrie declines. In their bedroom of Flat 5, Marilyn and Michael decide that bickering is almost worth it when they can enjoy making up afterwards. He gives her a present: How to Achieve Sexual Happiness Though Married. He bought it at "one of those sex shops". They agree to try everything in the book. Michael suggests that they could go downstairs to the wine bar for some soda, which is said to be an aphrodisiac. A despondent Dorrie watches TV in Flat 3. A news segment hash Brian Bury (Himself) interviewing Australian housewives about the current cost of living. Dorrie is tearfully agreeing with the sentiments of those being interviewed. Later, Dorrie is sitting beside Flo at the wine bar piano, still teary, but joining in the singalong. Reg passes Norma's Bar during Happy Hour, on his way to his Lodge meeting, just in time to witness Edie, perched on Flo's piano, singing, "My Heart Belongs to Daddy". She waves as he passes. Inside, everyone is enjoying the singalong except Arnold, who is on the phone. He seems stunned. Life may be looking much brighter for Flo, but storm clouds are gathering over Aldo's former shop. Still upset by Mrs Fuller's treatment of him, Arnold joins Tanya's table to tell her that a friend, who works for the same wholesalers used by the deli, has advised him that previous orders were not paid. Furthermore, Don has confirmed that all rent for the shop is still owing! As Arnold leaves the bar, he encounters Mr Mayhew outside the locked deli. The accountant tries to evade the question of Mrs Fuller's obvious financial woes: unpaid wholesalers' bills, outstanding wages, firing the staff - is she heading for bankruptcy? Mr Mayhew follows Arnold into the foyer of Number 96. He states that Freda has just put the deli up for sale, leaving Arnold with no options at all. [Episode written by Michael Lawrence; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"The Sword of Damacles" is referenced in "The Bible" (Exodus 34:6-7), but is definitely not "The Storm of Damascus". Reg MacDonald's Freemasons' Lodge meetings were last mentioned in Episode #538. The "Tranquility of Marriage" book appears to be a title created especially for the script. Although there is an author given on the cover of another prop book, "How to Achieve Sexual Happiness Though Married", the name is not seen clearly onscreen. In relation to Michael Bartlett's claim about soda, studies have shown that aerated drinks may increase testosterone levels in men. Channel TEN's Brian Bury again plays himself. In Episode #182, Brian had played himself, interviewing Dorrie and Herb Evans on TV about the plight of Australian pensioners. The distinctive voice of Moya O'Sullivan can be heard as one of Brian's TV interviewees. Moya will begin appearing as Phyllis Pratt (pictured, inset) from Episode #733. Songs in the wine bar include "Bye Bye Blackbird" (1926) and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (a Cole Porter song written for the 1938 musical, "Leave It to Me!"). An earlier version of the first phone call made to Arnold Feather, was originally devised as in-person dialogue. Freda Fuller's scene was described in the official synopsis as: "In the middle of everything, Freda enters. Later on, she fires Tanya and Arnold." Henri Szeps makes another uncredited appearance as Mr Mayhew, providing onscreen closure for the absent Sheila Bradley. Too much of the external building's left side appears on screen and the street scene depicted through the foyer doorway lacks room for the road with its two lanes of traffic. Brian Moll's TC is credited onscreen but does not appear in the episode, although there is a dialogue reference to him (and Trixie O'Toole's Ermintrude costume from Episode #686).

688. (6/02) Next morning, sick of sleeping on the camp bed in Flat 1, Norma worries that she is paralysed. Has rigor mortis set in? She decides that she wants her own bed back. Norma threatens to call the doctor if her mother is still unwell today. Les assures her that he has looked up Mrs Florentine's symptoms in 1001 Ailments, but Norma says that she doesn't care, as she's already crippled for life! The Murphy Bed is on order, and is supposed to arrive today. In Flat 4, Dudley is very concerned about Don. Carol agrees. Her brother was so drunk after his visit to the wine bar that he couldn't put himself to bed. Carol decides to take the initiative; she could visit Don's doctor. Dudley warns that it would be would be unethical of the doctor. As a family member, surely Carol has a right to know? In the deli, Tanya and Arnold are working off their customary week's notice. Arnold explains to Tanya that it is still necessary that they work out their week's notice. When Mr Mayhew comes in to collect the takings, Arnold informs him that he has taken the liberty of deducting two weeks of salary owed, for both himself and Tanya, plus a further week each of severence pay. Helping himself to a bag of marshmallows from the counter display, Mr Mayhew says that Mrs Fuller had mentioned that the original owners of the deli had returned to Sydney. Would the Godolfuses be interested in buying the shop back? Even though businesses such as the deli were often "a goldmine", Freda needs to liquidate it for tax purposes. Arnold doubts that Aldo and Roma would be interested, now that they have secured restaurant premises in Bondi. Mr Mayhew suggests that if the Godolfuses bought the deli back, Arnold could probably return to his managerial role, and avoid unemployment. In Flat 7, Trixie regales Vera with the hilarity that ensued from her night with the Tarzan TC at the fancy dress ball. Their poor taxi driver nearly crashed twice! Meanwhile, Ermintrude sits motionless on Vera's couch. They have an unexpected visitor: Andy Marshall is back! His old flat around the corner is no longer available, so he wonders about Flat 6? Vera explains that the Godolfuses have been staying there. On the Boulevard Cafe, Tanya is serving Aldo and Roma, who are looking dejected. Arnold comes out to hear that they have missed out on the Bondi restaurant deal. The deli goes onto the market today. Should they try to turn back time? Meanwhile, outside the wine bar, Norma and Les are talking to Dudley about Carol's whereabouts. The mention of a Murphy Bed reminds Dudley of Margaret Dumont in the Marx Brothers movies. Trixie comes into Norma's Bar to make a proposal to Flo. Would Flo be interested in becoming her accompanist for her next RSL gigs? (The last bloke to accompany Trixie used to throw up every time she sang Melancholy Baby) Flo agrees! There is much haggling with Mr Mayhew in Flat 6; Arnold and the Godolfuses are shocked that Mrs Fuller wants twice what she bought it for just six weeks ago! Freda's only message was: "You're going to take it or leave it." Andy has a meal with Vera in the kitchen of Flat 7. He ponders the situation with Tracey, and tries to explain to Vera the sado-masochistic side to the troubled, now-deceased, woman with whom he had fallen in love. He would not have a problem moving into Flat 6 when the Godolfuses move to their new restaurant. "You've changed, Andy," says Vera. In the wine bar, Trixie discusses Flo's wardrobe. Maybe her ballerina costume - yards of pink tule with a muted-chutney sash - could be tarted up with some sequins? Much to Norma's surprise, Les offers to become Flo's agent. Lots of Don's fellow residents, including Norma, have noticed Don's increased drinking. She points out an enebriated Don to Dudley and wonders what is up? Don is slurring his words as he chats to Tanya, suggesting that Dud - his best friend in the world, whom Don loves... like a brother - could ask for the night off, and then he could join him, and Carol and Tanya, for a double date. In Flat 6, the Godolfuses get more bad news about a property. Aldo considers Freda to be greedy. Roma suggests that maybe God has other plans for them? Roma sees that it is all her fault. In Norma's Bar, Trixie and Flo discuss checking out the second hand stores for the old sheet music they need for the act. Norma and Dudley are setting up for the dinner rush when Norma realises that Les is not helping. Also, that Don is still there, and still drinking - and is he also crying? In the deli, Arnold makes another attempt to haggle with Mr Mayhew. Arnold has heard that Freda's millinery store in Parramatta, Le Chaperon Rouge, went into receivership some ten days ago. Surely when potential buyers for the deli hear about this, plus the unpaid grocery wholesalers' bills, Freda will be lucky to sell the deli at all? Arnold suggests that the asking price should be exactly what Freda bought the store for: cash in hand. He and Mr Mayhew shake on the deal. Dudley chats with Vera in Flat 7. If Don goes out in a group, at least Dudley can keep an eye out for him. Vera wonders if Don's dizzy spells are still happening? Champagne flows in Flat 6 as the Godolfuses celebrate the purchase of the deli! Arnold is made an equal partner again. (He already has some exciting ideas for new rosters and Independant Activity periods.) Andy arrives at the front door and is invited in. He hears the good news about the deli. Andy then horrifies Arnold with an unsettling request: now that Aldo and Roma are moving back into Flat 2, he wants to return to living in Flat 6. At The Red Baron, Don, Tanya, Carol and Dudley are about to order dinner. Tanya thinks that the restaurant setting is "quite decadent", but Carol believes the term she is looking for is... "great fun". Don is feeling on top of the world and asks Tanya to dance, leaving Carol and Dudley alone at the table. Carol is reluctant to say what she knows. She swears Dudley to secrecy. According to what she was able to glean from Don's doctor, her brother only has six months to live! [Episode written by Michael Lawrence; directed by Brian Phillis.]

This episode was broadcast in colour. Trixie O'Toole's "Ermintrude" costume from Episode #686 makes another appearance. Actress Margaret Dumont (who played stuffy rich widows in seven "Marx Brothers" movies) is namedropped, as a hint of what is in store for Anne Florentine? In 1965, "RSL" stood for "Returned Services League" but, in 1990, it became "Returned & Services League". Trixie and Flo Patterson rehearse "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" from the 1928 musical, "Paris". That song, and "My Melancholy Baby" (1912), were both popularised by Ella Fitzgerald. "Le Chaperon Rouge" is French for "Red Riding Hood". Henri Szeps finally receives an onscreen credit as Mr Mayhew. Henri returns as a new recurring character, Phillip Chambers, from Episode #937-938, and then portrays Solly Goldman in Episodes #1147-1148.

689. (7/02) In Flat 5, Marilyn approaches Michael about his father, Tom, and the letters that have been sent back to New Zealand, marked Address Unknown. Michael claims to not understand what the problem is. Marilyn wonders if Mummy has been sending the letters back? Edie is very confused. Reg emerges from the main bedroom. He is still worried that Trixie is leading the TC astray. Meanwhile, Trixie is trying to eject the amorous TC from Flat 7. Once he has gone, Trixie invites Vera to accompany her to a club tonight, but Vera claims to be tired from her new dresssmaking business. Don, Carol and Dudley arrive home to Flat 4 from their night out. They are all feeling very sentimental, especially Don. He wonders how much Amanda would have enjoyed meeting Tanya? He almost breaks down telling them how much they are loved. Don makes them promise not to go to bed yet as he knows there are several bottles of champagne which Amanda left. Alone in the kitchen, Don tries in vain to pop the cork and sheds many tears. Next morning, the Murphy Bed has arrived at Flat 1, but is it for Norma or for Anne to use? Les reminds Norma that Mrs Florentine is a very sick woman, according to 1001 Ailments. Her loss of appetite, for example. Norma goes into bedroom, only to find her mother munching on a sandwich - and looking guilty. Norma orders her to be up and dressed immediately. A loud noise gets her back out to the loungeroom, where she finds Les trapped underneath the Murphy Bed. Vera finds the bathroom door of Flat 7 shut, so she bangs on it, and calls Trixie by name. No answer. Inside, she finds a near-naked, young unicyclist at the mirror, balancing while shaving. When Vera asks what he is doing there, he simply says, "Practising!" Bewildered and angry, Vera storms into Trixie's room, only to see a second near-naked man - and his unicycle! - in a makeshift bed. Trixie sits up in her own bed, sleepily. Vera is outraged: "I don't even know if these children are over the age of consent!" The first young man unicycles back into the room. Daddy has prepared his briefcase in Flat 5 and is about to head off for the TH. He tells Edie that he is worried about getting the TC to focus on the important issue of drainage, not Trixie. Edie wants to discuss Marilyn and Michael's marital difficulties, but he is leaving that issue in her hands. In the Bartletts' bedroom, Marilyn and Michael are snuggling. They are so besotted with each other, they may stay there all day. "No, all year!" Meanwhile, Edie finds a copy of Femme magazine on the floor near Marilyn's room. She sits down to read an article entitled, 23 Ways to Satisfy Your Husband With a Cauliflower. In Flat 4, Dudley realises that they have all overslept after their big night out. Dud puts on his robe but Don is feeling tired and plans to stay put for a while. Dudley visits Carol in her bedroom. She hasn't slept, but thought about Don all night. Carol is not sure she can keep pretending that all is well. All the tests have led the specialist to think that Don's condition is hopeless. She sobs on Dud's shoulder. Dudley suggests that they contact Amanda in Heidelberg. She'll be the best one to help him. Dud can't think of a single wisecrack or movie title to lighten their moods. In the loungeroom of Flat 7, Vera gives an impassioned speech about Trixie taking her for granted and bringing men home - but Trixie is in the kitchen. Vera is only rehearsing! Trixie comes in with a peace offering of morning tea and a plate of cakes (including lamingtons, a jam donut and a vanilla slice). Trixie explains that she was only being kindhearted when she offered the young twins "a place to kip down" for the night. She's known the performers since they were little kids, they haven't had any bookings, and they hadn't eaten in three days! Trixie hopes that Vera doesn't mind that she fed them the filet steak from the fridge. (It was supposed to be for Andy's lunch!) Setting up for lunch in the wine bar, Norma is in a foul mood. Her mother is "a big faker" and Norma is tired of all the emotional manipulations. First, Anne was pretending to be sick but now she tries the old "No one wants a silly, old woman hanging about..." shtick. (First Patrick and his horrid new partner - and now Norma doesn't want her around either.) Anne apologises, but Les is confused by Norma's tears as Anne goes back into the flat. In Flat 5, Edie is sniffing the aerosol cans that she ordered to help the Bartlett's marriage: Tasty Bod - an aero sex spray, which comes in eight different flavours! She bought all eight. Just then, Reg arrives with the TC and Trixie in tow. The TC has invited them all to lunch in Norma's Bar. The TC is very excited by the Tasty Bod and begins spraying the cans on Trixie. Trixie is unimpressed. "Don't spray that on me; I feel like an armpit!" Andy visits Vera in Flat 7 and, over a lunch that replaces the filet steak ("It met with an accident") Andy tells her that he will be moving back into Flat 6. Vera had not heard about the Godolfuses buying the deli back. Although she is glad about that news, she is less than impressed about his apparent haste to move into the flat where Patti and Tracey died. She finds it rather ghoulish. Andy doesn't see a problem and defends himself as a newspaperman. In Flat 1, Les demonstrates the new Murphy Bed to Mrs Florentine. She doesn't think that it looks very safe. Les gets her to lie down on the bed and it springs back up with her in it, now upside down. Norma interrupts the demonstration. "Where's Mum?" Norma asks. Les replies, "Oh, she's got her feet up. Resting." Soon after her rescue, Anne ends up inside the Murphy Bed cabinet for a second time. At a table in Norma's Bar, Trixie continues to fight off the attentions of the TC, but she may have succeeded in getting Reg considered for an important promotion. Carol tries to convince Don to take a break in Heidelberg, visiting their Aunt Amanda. Dudley agrees that it is a good idea. Just like being in The Student Prince! Don is reluctant; all of his friends are here at Number 96. In Flat 7, Vera tries to warn Andy that he's changed. Before the murders, he was sweet, warm, gentle and likable. Andy doesn't hold back; he doesn't care what she thinks. It's none of her business. Marilyn rings Lucy from Flat 5 to say that she will be running late for her laundrette shift. She has to wait for Michael. When he walks in, Marilyn's accusations silence him: a phone call from his father in New Zealand has revealed the existence of Michael's secret wife. She gave birth to his child last week - and now she's after him for maintenance! [Episode written by Michael Lawrence; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The "Murphy Bed" is named for William Lawrence Murphy (1876–1959), who was the first to apply for a US patent on the system around 1900. One was featured in Charlie Chaplin's "One AM" (1916) and a store in Vancouver, Canada, once remarked in an advertisement: "Gone are the days of Laurel and Hardy where the beds were portrayed as a fold-away trap for your worst enemies." A 1941 Marx Brothers movie, "The Big Store", featured Margaret Dumont as a stuffy, rich widow - and a variety of "Murphy Bed" styles. A draft script for what became their movie "Go West" (1940) had a similar character, named Mrs Ernestine Van Allstyne (an inspiration for Mrs Anne Florentine?), and a "Murphy Bed" running gag. "The Student Prince" was released in 1954. Its theme is "giving up personal happiness for duty". Episode #689 was later showcased in Foxtel/Austar TV1's "Television's Greatest Hits: The Best of Number 96" (2000), introduced by Andrew Mercado.

690. (10/02) In Flat 5, Marilyn wants the truth out of Michael. He still claims it to be "a communication breakdown" with Tom, who is desperate to get him back home to New Zealand and married off to this very wealthy girl. What about the claim that Fiona is already his wife? And with a new baby? Michael says that Fiona is unlikely to be pregnant because she is not that sort of girl. Marilyn is willing to believe Michael. How could Mr Bartlett be so vindictive? Michael and Fiona have no chemistry, but he does with Marilyn. She is relieved! In Norma's Bar, Reg returns from escorting the TC to his car. Reg announces to Edie that he believes the TC will be promoting him. "ADTC to the TC at the TH!" Reg believes that this new position will enable him the opportunity to give Marilyn and Michael a belated wedding gift. He will put their name on the list for a Housing Commission flat. Edie doesn't seem all that elated; Daddy is organising the children's opportunity to leave Number 96! Reg reminds her that the list for available flats is quite lengthy. Dorrie has a shock for Flo in Flat 3. She tells Herb that, now that Flo has a regular income from working for Trixie as a pianist, Dorrie plans to increase her rent by $20 so that she can afford to pay for the damage she caused to Norma's Bar ($250) and Alf's taxi ($500). As if on cue, Alf turns up at the front door to, again, demand the money he is owed. Does Alf not have any of "the milk of human kindness" flowing through his veins? Dorrie was driving without a licence - and learning to drive without a Learner's Permit! Alf is off to the police. Meanwhile, in the deli, Roma is in a panic. The removalists are returning her "beautiful treasures", but handling them roughly. She calls Aldo into the parlour of Flat 2. Tanya is thrilled that Freda Fuller has finally gone from their lives. Arnold tries to remind his three work colleagues of their responsibilities according to his new roster. Marilyn is impatient with Lucy in the laundrette. Lucy knows that Tom is not a liar. Marilyn accuses Lucy - and all oldies - of being jealous of young people who are happy and in love. In Flat 5, Edie is wearing a black negligee and spraying herself with Tasty Bod. Reg has the afternoon off work so Edie plans to seduce him. Reg is offended by her thinking that she was his "tasty morsel" and wanders off. Dorrie comes to the laundrette to plead with Lucy about Alf's demand for payment. Lucy reminds Dorrie that Alf was swindled out of his $12,000 share of the lottery win. She decides to lend Dorrie the $500, as a cheque made out to cash, to pay for the damage to the taxi. Alf must never find out about the loan. Big changes are planned for the deli. The Godolfuses plan to modernise and Americanize the whole shop! Roma and Aldo fill in Arnold about their plans. A soda fountain? A cosmetic counter for beauty products? A door thing that goes "ping pong"? (Or is that "bing bong"?) A closed-circuit TV monitor? Tanya approves but Arnold is shocked! Reg informs Dorrie that she has been successful in gaining the position of TL (tea lady) at the TH. The Godolfuses and Arnold realise that Tanya may lose her job. The deli can't support more than three shop assistants. They bicker about who will tell her the grim news. Dorrie makes Herb watch her count out $500 in cash, then chases after Reg as he climbs the staircase. At first, Reg misinterprets her attempt to ask about the tea lady position as already knowing of his family's latest scandal. She continues up the stairs to present Alf with his money. Marilyn hands in her notice at the laundrette because the Sutcliffes refuse to believe Michael over Tom. In Flat 3, Dorrie decides that she will elevate her position. She will be the TH (tea hostess) to the TC at the TH. She gives Herb a preview of her tea-making skills but forgets to put tea in the teapot, much to Herb's amusement. Her shift ending for the day, Tanya tells Arnold, Aldo and Roma how much she enjoys working for them in the deli. In Flat 5, Reg's plan to surprise the newlyweds has been met with a surprising revelation. Edie is excited about the Housing Commission gift. Reg had to contact the Marriage Registrar for details for the application form. To everyone's horror, Daddy now knows that Michael and Marilyn are not married! [Episode written by Stan Mars; directed by Peter Benardos.]

This episode was broadcast in colour. Earlier that evening, another Cash Harmon Production, "The Unisexers", took up its early evening weeknight timeslot on the Nine Network. The series concerned a group of young people living commune-style, and manufacturing a range of designer denim jeans. The pilot (double-length) episode was taped at the end of 1974, not long after the character of Lorelei Wilkinson (Josephine Knur) had been written out of "Number 96" during the Pantyhose Strangler storyline. The pilot had premiered on the Sunday night at 7.30pm. The series featured Josephine Knur and other "Number 96" alumni, including John Paramor (a Pantyhose Strangler suspect), Patrick Ward and Delore Whiteman, with guests Max Cullen, Toni Lamond, Brian Moll and Colin Taylor. David Phillips would move into the writing team on "Number 96" when "The Unisexers" came to its abrupt end. Scott Lambert, Redmond Phillips and Camilla Rountree would also join the cast of "Number 96". The series ran for only three weeks and then vanished.

691. (11/02) In Flat 5, Michael tries to explain to Reg that he and Marilyn only fabricated their marriage so they could sleep together in Marilyn's room. Daddy gives them a lecture on morality, honour and respect. A scandal such as this could threaten Reg's imminent promotion to ADTC. Mummy wonders if a "trial marriage" might lead to a real one - and Marilyn sees her comment as insightful. Marilyn and Michael's resolve weakens and they decide to get married for real to keep everyone happy. "A real, white, shotgun wedding!" Reg, for a moment thinks that Marilyn might be pregnant, but she boasts that she was on The Pill long before meeting Michael. Mummy thinks that her daughter is so sensible, but Daddy is aghast. In Norma's Bar, everyone is staggered that Dorrie has produced the $500 for Alf so unexpectedly. Where did it come from? Lucy is quick to deny all knowledge of it. Les delivers a presentation on the concepts of poverty, male chauvinism and Freudian slips. Alf declares him daft. He departs but Lucy stays behind to check if the Whittakers intend to charge Dorrie for the smashed plate glass window. Norma warns Les that he will have to pay for the wine bar damages since they cannot claim on the insurance without informing the police. Norma is at her wits' end regarding her mother and regrets telling her to leave. Trixie attempts to get the TC to depart Vera's Flat 7 before she gets home. She turns around to find him on his knees. The TC proposes marriage to Trixie and she intends to let him down. Next morning, Lucy and Alf squabble over the lottery win again in Flat 8. Alf tells a concerned Lucy that he intends to threaten Chiller with physical violence if he doesn't produce Alf's half-share of the lottery win. Trixie visits Flat 1 and tells the Whittakers about the TC's marriage proposal. Trixie had seen him on both knees, with his hands clasped, and was reminded immediately of Al Jolson about to break into a rendition of Mammy. Les is busy with a new, large machine, which takes up a lot of space next to the Murphy Bed. Trixie amuses the Whittakers with her descriptions of the crafty little bugger, the TC. He had the element of surprise, for a start, but he was yet to confirm Reg's promotion, so Trixie doesn't want to foul that up. Mrs Florentine arrives with a pound of chops from the butcher's. She's accustomed to a hearty breakfast! Trixie's anecdote gives Les an idea: he will attempt to matchmake Norma's mother with the TC. Anne could go and live with him, resolving everyone's problems! In Flat 5, Edie has a wedding to plan, and the guest list keeps getting longer with all of their Blacktown connections, including the choir of St Clement's Anglican Church. Reg forbids Marilyn and Michael from sleeping together until they are wed, and until Reg's promotion is declared. Michael is back on the couch! Norma is exasperated by Les's sausage machine. The TC comes to Flat 1 looking for Trixie, who has just darted into the bedroom. While the TC is there, Les puts in a good word for Mrs Florentine. Les builds up her potential as a love match with some colourful, romantic quotations - and Norma is horrified. Anne emerges from the bathroom and is introduced to the TC of the Paddinton TH, just as the sausage machine starts chugging. Anne boasts that Mr Mackville, the Shire Clerk of Armidale, is a close, personal friend. The machine extrudes an enormous sausage that flies out between them. Meanwhile, in Flat 5, Michael and Marilyn are snuggling in her bed. Michael reluctantly agrees to go along with her parents' plans for an expensive, white wedding. Marilyn still has to work out her notice at the laundrette, but now she doesn't care if she runs late. In Norma's Bar, Alf is still in a foul mood over Chiller Thomas. Les points out that Anne and the TC are getting along "like turtledoves". Norma tries to calm Alf down, while it seems that the TC is only sitting with Anne while waiting for Trixie to turn up. The TC is curious at Anne's mention of Leslie's "Earl of MacCraddonow" title. In the laundrette, Marilyn arrives while Lucy is on the phone to Tom in New Zealand. Tom asks to speak to Marilyn but she blasts him for being an evil-minded monster. Edie is setting the table for luncheon in Flat 5 while Trixie flips through Marilyn's 19 magazine. The situation with the TC reminds Trixie of a movie, The Dead Hand of Doctor Green, and then realises that she sounds like Dudley! Edie gets excited about a potential double wedding if Trixie was to become "Mrs TC". Daddy arrives home and finally announces his promotion to ADTC. Trixie almost gives away that the promotion was at her persistent urging. She and the MacDonalds will head down to Norma's Bar to celebrate. Lucy answers the doorbell of Flat 8. A woman introduces herself as Chiller's wife, Mrs Thomas (Kitty Greenwood). Lucy's immediate thought is that Alf must have carried out his threat to attack Chiller! Edie makes a clumsy entrance at the wine bar when her purse scatters its contents all over the floor. They pass the TC and Anne, but don't notice them. Les's matchmaking seems to be heading for more disaster. Norma observes that Operation: Cupid might soon be "up the spout, General". A quick-thinking Les shields Trixie from the TC's view with a tablecloth but, to Trixie's horror, Reg races over to bring the TC and Anne over to their table. The TC has decided that Anne Florentine would make the perfect "lady companion" for his mother, Mrs Buchanan. Now he is free to marry Trixie - and he places an engagement ring on the stunned Trixie's hand! Champers for all! In Flat 5, a tearful Marilyn complains to Michael about Tom Bartlett. Michael suggests that they should just forget the white wedding altogether and elope. Marilyn readily agrees. Alf comes into Flat 8 and recognises Mrs Thomas sitting on the couch. Why is Lucy entertaining Chiller's wife in his home? Before he completely blows his top, Lucy shows him a cheque for $12,000: his fair share of the lottery winnings. [Episode written by Stan Mars; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The wall calendar in the kitchen of Flat 8 is still showing the month of December. Since the 1st is a Friday, this is actually a 1973 calendar. Les Whittaker's improbable sausage machine seems to be a reconfiguration of his confetti machine, first seen in Episode #536. The song made famous by Al Jolson, "My Mammy" (1918), was first performed in a Vaudeville act by William Frawley (later of TV's I Love Lucy). Jolson sang it on stage in the fourth year of "Sinbad" (1921), and the movies "The Jazz Singer" (1927) and "Rose of Washington Square" (1939). Anne Florentine has obviously not yet adapted to Metrification. St Clement's Anglican Church is an actual location in the Blacktown area, servicing Lalor Park and Kings Langley. The magazine publication "19", aimed at female teenagers, ran from 1968 to May 2004, and the issue used as a prop in this episode is October 1973. There is no actual movie called "The Dead Hand of Doctor Green". Kitty Greenwood, who portrays Mrs Thomas, is credited for this role, but has previously been an extra in numerous other episodes, often as a deli customer. She played a nun at a convent in Episode #590.

692. (12/02) Dudley notices Don filling up on sweet treats from the fridge in Flat 4. Don will soon be like Shelley Winters in The Poseidon Adventure. Dudley is concerned because Don has never had a sweet tooth before. As they leave for work, Carol tells Dudley not to worry because Doctor Langton has recommended that Don change to a high-calorie diet, so he's actually following doctor's orders! In the deli, Andy is reacquainted with Tanya and is reminded that she is quite enchanting. Tanya tells him, "A true Cossack never mistakes the back end of his horse for the face of his friend." While boasting about how kind the Godolfuses and Arnold are, she does not realise that the three of them know that the deli simply cannot support four shop assistants. Tanya will stay here forever! Arnold reminds Tanya that forever is a long time. Andy gives Arnold a list of his grocery needs and checks that Arnold has no qualms about delivering them to Flat 6. Dudley and Carol hear about the plan for Mrs Florentine to become a lady companion for Mrs Buchanan as they prepare the wine bar for opening. Norma mentions that if Trixie doesn't marry the TC, he will have go back to stay with his mother permanently, and then Norma will be stuck with Anne. Meanwhile, in Flat 1, Anne is on the phone to Patrick in Armidale. She tells Norma that Patrick has decided not to marry "that dreadful woman" after all. Norma encourages her to return to Pat's to continue looking after him. Anne has realised that Norma needs her the most, so she will be rejecting the TC's offer and will stay on in this flat to support her own daughter. Vera and Trixie are setting the table in Flat 7. They chat about the TC and Trixie's reluctance to let him down. There is a knock at the door. It is Andy, who invites Vera to Flat 6 for a housewarming drink. Vera is very cold to him. Andy now knows "how the Titanic felt when it first met the iceberg." Unlike the TC, according to Vera, Andy deserves all he gets. Flo goes down to Norma's Bar to prepare to play the piano for tonight's Flo Patterson Happy Hour. She starts with a glass of red, and thanks Norma for letting Dorrie off the hook about the window. Norma admits that they have even gained some new customers, who were keen to see "the first drive-in wine bar". Flo has no idea how Dorrie managed to find the $500 for Alf's taxi, but mentions that Dorrie is at the TH this afternoon, where she is now employed as the new tea lady, or "Tea Hostess". Dudley puts in a request - no, not for My Mammy - for April Showers and he sings along as Flo plays. Dudley is abruptly heckled by a thirsty patron (Terry Bader). Vera drops into Flat 4 to visit with Don, desperate to escape Trixie and her rowdy showbiz friends upstairs. Don reckons that it sounds like she has the Daly-Wilson Big Band up there! Vera asks about Don's health and he claims to be "recharging his batteries". Vera sometimes wishes that she was more spontaneous, like Trixie. Don says, "Life is so short and you're a long time dead. Arnold, Aldo and Roma are in the parlour of Flat 2, bracing themselves about what to say to Tanya. Aldo is concerned that his Roma feels like "a hippy-crit". Arnold is elected to be the one to say something. Tanya emerges from the shop to confess that she has overheard everything. Anne tries to make herself useful in the wine bar but gets in everyone's way, including the customers. She tries to move a basket of potato chips from the counter to a table, but the customers (including Norman Coburn?) get up and leave. Anne wants to earn her keep, but she still intends to redecorate the flat. She'll also clear out all of Lesley's old inventions. Norma admits that to achieve that would be earning her keep. Anne collides with Carol and a tray of drinks is almost spilled. Anne intends to engage properly-trained staff when she takes over. Tearfully, Norma tells Dudley and Carol that she rang Patrick to take their mother back, but he is perfectly happy with the way things are. Anne wants to see efficiency - and orders Dudley and Carol to get back to work. Norma tells her mother that she can't speak to the staff like that. Carol looks miserable but claims that it is mainly due to concern for Don. They agree that he should have come down to the wine bar, not be hiding away in the flat. Trixie is just returning to Flat 7 after seeing off her party guests and she invites Andy in for a drink. He mentions that Trixie's party noise could be heard all over Number 96. Vera arrives while Andy is suggesting that the building might be in need of an exorcism: to cast out all of the ghosts... past, present and to come. Vera is unimpressed. She senses Andy's cold, sinister streak. He departs to be alone with his miserable, ghoulish memories. Trixie observes that she just witnessed "'The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral' - with silencers!". Andy wasn't like that when they first met. As for Trixie, Vera would like to have her flat to herself every so often. (Trixie does have a soft spot for stray dogs and trick cyclists.) There is one more strange visitor to perplex Vera. She goes to have a shower, only to find one of Trixie's young, male, muso friends sleeping it off in the bathtub, still clutching his trombone and a champagne bottle. It is almost closing in Norma's Bar, and Arnold chats to Tanya over a drink, hoping that she understands that her retrenchment from the deli was for economic reasons only. She wishes to call him "Arnie", rather than "Mr Feather". She then plants an unexpected kiss on Dudley's cheek and he refers to it as "a 'Doctor Zhivago'!" As Arnold and Tanya leave, they meet Andy just outside. Andy has a solution for Tanya's current employment dilemma. Does she have shorthand/typist skills? Tanya claims to have once been a secretary to Brezhnev himself. Andy offers her a job taking dictation for a series of newspaper articles he has been commissioned to write. Dudley and Carol return to a darkened Flat 4, but find Don asleep in front of blank TV screen. Carol suggests they all have a nightcap together, but Don excuses himself and heads to the bedroom. Dudley decides that it is time to contact Amanda about Don's condition. Norma awakes to frantic screams - and they are coming from the lounge room of Flat 1. Anne is being attacked in her bed by the rogue sausage machine! All manner of sausage varieties are firing across the room! Norma tries to help but is soon also under attack. Suddenly, Anne gets taken up by the Murphy Bed! Norma tries to free her, while still being pelted with sausages. It is utter mayhem! Next morning, in the deli, Aldo thinks that he understands Tanya's new job, but it sounds to him like poor Tanya will be doing most of the writing of Andy's articles, since all that he has to do is dictate. Trixie and Flo have coffee together at the Boulevard Cafe to plan out a running order for Trixie's next club shows. Trixie is impressed by Flo's contributions. They are soon joined by a weary Anne, whose slumber had been rudely interrupted by the Earl's sausage machine overnight! Trixie realises that Vaudeville isn't dead after all! Anne announces that she won't be taking up the offer to be a companion for Mrs Buchanan, so Trixie's engagement to the TC is, seemingly, back on! Arnold enters Flat 6 to deliver Andy's deli order from yesterday. The flat is empty, but he notices the beginning of an article in the typewriter. It reads, "'I LOVED A MURDERESS: I lived with the Infamous Pantyhose Killer' by Andy Marshall." Arnold is devastated. [Episode written by Stan Mars; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Joe Hasham is sporting a shorter hairstyle from this episode and it is briefly acknowledged in the opening line in Budley Butterfield's dialogue. "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972) is a motion picture based based on Paul Gallico's 1969 novel of the same name. A door in Vera Collins' flat has identical markings to the one in Flat 3. The visible patches are from the Leroy Larue knife-throwing scene in Episode #684. (Of course, it is the same set with different wall coverings.) The song "My Mammy" (1918) is referenced again. "April Showers" (1921), another Al Jolson standard, is from the Broadway musical, "Bombo". The voice of Dudley's off-camera heckler sounds a lot like Brad Hilton, who had been played by Terry Bader until Episode #670. The Australian jazz group, "The Daly-Wilson Big Band" (Warren Daly on drums, Ed Wilson on trombone) featured, at the time of Episode #692, Marcia Hines was the ensemble's lead singer. Norman Coburn appears to be one of the extras playing wine bar customers. The man is sporting a moustache and an afro hairstyle. (From 1988-2003, Norman played Principal Donald Fisher in "Home and Away". His most recent guest appearance in that series was in 2019.) Numerous dramatic, fictional and documentary works have been produced about "The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral", with widely-varying degrees of accuracy. "Doctor Zhivago" (1965) is an epic, historical romance film, set in Russia, and based on the 1957 novel by Boris Pasternak. Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev served as General Secretary of the "Communist Party of the Soviet Union" from 1964. Jeff Kevin accidentally calls out "Marshall! Marshall?", instead of "Mr Marshall". Peter Adams' closing credit has not yet been moved back over Flat 6's window; it still features a large question mark.

693. (13/02) It is breakfast time in Flat 8 and Lucy is off to work, but Alf is feeling frisky. Lucy wonders if Alf's rare, good mood will extend refunding Dorrie her $500, now that he has his $12000 lottery win? Dorrie arrives home to Flat 3 from her morning shift at the Paddington Town Hall, but earlier than Herb had expected. She caught the bus back to Number 96 after walking miles and miles of corridors. She also has several complaints about the shonky tea trolly (her "Hostess Wagon", as Dorrie chooses to call it), which is similar to the administation at the TH itself: "completely out-of-date and in need of a thorough overhaul." She told the TC exactly that at precisely 10.15am. She advised him that, by the end of the week, she will have gathered enough information to radically change Local Government "in our day and age!" Marilyn is about to suffer a shock. In the laundrette, Lucy is still trying to navigate the anger that Marilyn is directing towards her and Michael's father, Tom. She gives Marilyn an envelope that was enclosed in Tom's latest letter. It contains a clipping from a New Zealand newspaper: a photo of Michael Bartlett on his wedding day with "his radiant bride, Fiona". There is also a snapshot of Fiona holding their newborn baby. Lucy embraces a tearful Marilyn. "He's not worth it," Lucy consoles her. Tanya visits the deli, and she and Arnold chat about her new job. Arnold wonders if she knows what Andy's articles are about? No, but she is so broke that she can't afford to be choosy. Tanya is sure that the work will be interesting. As she departs, the Godolfuses rush in from the parlour. They have just heard from their American friends, who are coming to visit! The shop needs to be transformed. Aldo's soda fountain! Roma's cosmetic counter for beauty products! And her "bing bong"! Over luncheon in Flat 5, Reg claims to have always known how untrustworthy Michael was. Edie disagrees and reminds Daddy that he had once thought highly of him. Marilyn remains sullen while her parents bicker. Edie studies the news clipping and the photo. Reg points out that it should be Marilyn in those pictures. Marilyn explodes! All Daddy can think of is being the ADTC to the TC at the TH, and how this scandal will affect his career! Alf visits Lucy in the back room of the laundrette. He has brought Lucy's favourite lunch: fish and chips wrapped in newspaper. Soon they are again arguing about Dorrie and the taxi. After all, it was Alf who left his keys in the ignition! Lucy threatens Alf. If he doesn't give the old-age pensioner back her $500, it will demonstrate Alf's meanness and lack of compassion - and Lucy will leave him. Alf is outraged. He will save his wife the trouble of leaving and storms off himself. Aldo and Arnold discuss Andy while working in the deli. Aldo finds it hard to believe that Andy intends to write about his relationship with Tracey Wilson. Arnold assures Aldo that he has come to terms with the papers' sordid desire to keep sensationalising the murders. They tell Roma and she also finds it hard to believe of the nice Mr Marshall we have all come to know. Tanya returns to the deli on her lunch break, boasting about how wonderful it is to be working for Andy - and he has asked her to move into Flat 6! In Flat 5, Marilyn is on the phone to Lucy. Marilyn will be late for her shift because she is waiting for Michael to come home from university. Reg needs to return to work, but Marilyn wants to handle the situation herself. Just as Reg is about to depart, Michael comes in and immediately notices that something is wrong. Marilyn insists on handling it. With tears rolling down her face, she shows him the two images: "Recognise the groom? It's you! Recognise the baby? It's yours!" Then Marilyn slaps him! A sheepish Alf returns to the laundrette but Lucy beats him to a heartfelt apology. For a moment, it appears that her apology has only made the situation worse, but he does eventually soften. Alf wishes that the old-age pensioner was anyone but Dorrie Evans. Meanwhile, Dorrie arrives home to Flat 3 with a full head of steam. She is no longer employed at the TH, having been discharged from her duties by the new ADTC (aka Mr Reginald P MacDonald!) and Dorrie is convinced that it was jealousy. The administration was obviously threatened by her intention to reform the corruption in LG at the TH. Dorrie begins to show Herb a roll of secret plans that she has somehow procured from the TH. These Council plans will have serious repercussions, but she is interrupted by Alf. Dorrie is not pleased to see him but quickly changes her tune when he produces a wad of money. He is returning her $500! She then manages to let on that Lucy had lent her the money. Michael has packed his bags and is leaving Flat 5. He admits that everything is true. He really did fall in love with Marilyn, though. He'd hoped that Fiona would give him a divorce. Marilyn says that she never wants to see him again. Alf tells Lucy that he knows the truth about her lending the $500 to Dorrie, but he is not upset. He pretends to be leaving her forever, tricking Lucy with a suitcase full of empty bottles for the Boy Scouts' collection. In Flat 5, Reg and Edie try to encourage Marilyn to be positive. Marilyn announces that she is through with men forever! Tanya has left her handbag behind in the deli. Roma accidentally knocks it over and five $1000 notes in US currency fall out! [Episode written by Stan Mars; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Peter Adams' and Natalie Mosco's closing credits have not yet been moved to Flat 6's window; it still features a large question mark. Andy Marshall doesn't appear in this episode, but Tanya Schnolskevitska does. In place of Natalie's end credit is a slide for Brian Moll and Kitty Greenwood, but neither of those actors are in the episode.

694. (14/02) Trouble is looming over Number 96. Dudley thanks Norma in the wine bar for allowing him to book an operator-assisted international call. Trixie notices that he is rather serious tonight. Norma agrees; Carol is also being mysterious. At the end of the bar, Dudley and Carol wait impatiently for the call. They are both very worried about Don. Trixie is still feeling like the victim in the TCs plan to make her his wife. Even Reg is no hope regarding the amorous TC; Reg thinks that he received his promotion by his own hard work, not realising Trixie's manoeuvres behind-the-scenes. Flo is heading back upstairs and Norma asks her to tell Les to get down from Flat 3 and help her in the bar. She wonders what Dorrie is up to that requires Les's "expertise"? Flo races back inside to warn Trixie that the TC is outside, parking his car. Trixie hides from him behind the bar, taking her wine with her. The TC mistakenly calls Flo "Mrs Evans" and she corrects him. The TC will wait for Trixie. Behind the bar, Trixie grimaces. Up in Flat 3, Les uses Be Your Own Town Planner! to determine that the plans Dorrie brought home are genuine. This is a professionally-drawn redevelopment plan for Paddington, specifically Lindsay Street! Dorrie is convinced that she was discharged from her duties at the TH because she had stumbled across this skulduggery. Les shows Herb and Flo the circled location of Number 96 - and that places their "doomed" homes and businesses in the very middle of a proposed freeway! They need to mobilise with sandwich boards, banners, green bans... In Flat 1, Norma gets the booked phone call from Heidelberg and calls out for Dudley. Carol gets there first. Norma goes back to the bar to rescue Trixie. A stunned Baroness Amanda Von Pappenburg (Carol Raye) learns about Don's health problems in the phone call with Dudley and Carol. He only has a few months to live. Next morning, Vera and Trixie are having breakfast in Flat 7. Vera can't stop laughing about Trixie's predicament with the TC. Crouched behind the bar, Trixie kept hearing him say, "Drink to me and my upcoming nuptials!" Vera suggests that she call the TC's bluff and make a play for him. Trixie begins to understand. "You mean, lure the little swine into my boudoir and wrest his innocence away from him?" In Flat 4, Dudley intends to check out the new "ever-so-ocker" butcher, who has just opened a shop in in Paradise Street. Don mentions that he had a weird dream about Amanda. Dudley imagines it was "a Judy Garland, everyone following the Yellow Brick Road kind of dream? In Don's dream, Amanda had had closed her eyes and wouldn't respond to his voice. Dudley's dreams are more like they are directed by Alfred Hitchcock, no less. He offers to get Don breakfast in bed. Don decides to order up waffles and cream. Herb and Dorrie are painting placards in Flat 3 for their protest meeting. ("Down with planners", "Hands off No 96", "Save Lindsay Street" and "Fight the freeway".) Dorrie grabs Les's bell and goes into Flo's bedroom to wake her up. Herb reminds Dorrie that Flo is up very late most nights, due to her wine bar piano duties and rehearsals with Trixie, but Dorrie has no sympathy. Flo is disgruntled about being needed to protest. Andy and Vera have another tense stand-off, this time on the staircase. She does not approve of his "disgusting" motives for moving back into Flat 6. Andy is, first and foremost, a newspaperman, but "obviously as a human being, you are a very poor second". When Dudley and Carol are in the wine bar to start their shifts, Norma expresses curiosity about the call to Heidelberg. Carol gets hysterical and is abusive about the intrusion into a family matter. Dudley encourages her to apologise and they inform Norma about Don's dire situation, swearing her to secrecy. Dorrie, Herb and Flo conduct their protest about the proposed freeway outside Number 96. Some of the protesters reckon that it is time for lunch. Dorrie is keen for Les to demonstrate how they can write protest slogans in green paint all over the building. She wants to start on the brand, new window of Norma's Bar. Les hastily suggests the deli window instead. ("Aldo won't mind".) As he reaches the edge of the window frame, he manages to put a long, green streak across Mrs Florentine's eyes. Inside the wine bar, Vera, Trixie and Norma discuss Andy and his new shorthand typist, Tanya, who has now moved in with him. Working for a man like that "makes you a candidate for the gossip columns," says Trixie. Back in Flat 1, Les tries to clean up his mother-in-law's green face. Anne is furious and decides that she will be taking the next train to Armidale, to stay with Patrick again. Norma feigns disappointment. (Poor Patrick doesn't know yet.) Dorrie and Herb have invaded Don's peace in Flat 4, eager to get his opinion on the validity of the redevelopment plans. He tries to fob them off, and out the door, when there is an unexpected phone call from Heidelberg. It is Amanda, claiming to need the urgent assistance of her nephew, Donald, and insisting that he fly to Heidelberg immediately. She will organise the plane ticket. That evening, in Norma's Bar, Dorrie warns a disbelieving Norma that she will have to take the redevelopment plan seriously when the freeway is built right through the wine bar. Anne comes through from the flat, dressed for her train journey to Armidale. "My son needs me on the property." Dorrie assumes that Norma is sad to see her leave. The Evanses promise to call in if they are in New England. Anne may be back in Sydney very soon; she is expecting an invitation to a garden party at Government House. Alf will be taking Les to the hospital in his taxi and he'll drop Anne off at Central Station on the way back. Dudley suggests that the pianist might play Anne one last song and he cheekily suggests, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport. Instead, Anne requests Land of Hope and Glory - and Flo, Les, Herb and Dorrie join Anne in the singing. Andy comes in and the room goes silent for a few seconds. Through gritted teeth, Norma tells him to "Name your poison" and he suggests... arsenic. Vera and Don have had a quiet meal in Flat 4 and she thinks that visiting Amanda at short notice is a great idea. Maybe Amanda has more troubles with Max's family and his estate? ("So long as it's not another Buddha filled with heroin!") They anticipate what may be happening upstairss regarding the unwitting TC. Meanwhile, in Flat 7, Trixie put Vera's wacky plan into operation, stripping the TC to his boxer shorts and trying to seduce him. He gathers his clothes and exits the bedroom stealthily, only to find Dominatrix Trixie, in black boots and spurs, waiting for him. [Episode written by Stan Mars; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The redevelopment plan for a freeway through Paddington is represented by an actual map of Glenmore Road, Paddington. Carol Raye returns as the Baroness Amanda Von Pappenburg in two cameo phone calls from Heidelberg. Carol had been working as Casting Director for Cash Harmon since her two stints on the series (from Episode #383, and from Episode #536). Dudley Butterfield mentions the new butcher's shop in Paradise Street, presumably the one found by Anne Florentine in Episode #691. The green paint in Les Whittaker's spray can doesn't match the colour of the green streaks on Anne's face. Judy Garland featured in "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), which included scenes in both sepia and Technicolor. Alfred Hitchcock was a notorious director of suspense movies. Tonight's wine bar blackboard menu features "Hamburgers à la Dudley" and "Salad with Vol-au-vents". Songs played by Flo Patterson in include "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" (1929) and "Land of Hope and Glory", a British patriotic song (music by Edward Elgar, 1901; lyrics by AC Benson added in 1902). The heroin-filled Buddha statue first featured in Episode #487. Peter Adams' closing credit is now in its rightful place over Flat 6's window. With the departure of Peter Flett's Michael Bartlett in Episode #693, Frances Hargreaves' character is credited here as just "Marilyn" again. (Ironically, the character's surname in the credits was giving viewers a clue that Marilyn and Michael were not really married.) On the 2010 DVD, "Number 96: Aftermath of Murder", Episode #694 includes a commentary with Carol Raye and TV historian, Andrew Mercado.

695. (17/02) Vera is an early customer at the deli. She notices Arnold attempting to remove green graffiti from the display window. While she is buying a jar of coffee, Dudley races in wearing his pyjamas and robe. He needs cream for Don's breakfast - and Arnold corrects his Metric conversions! Vera pumps Dudley for the truth about Don. She noticed all the rich foods he was eating last night, and he seemed "over-bright" in his manner. What can she do to help? Dorrie pushes her way past Carol and into Flat 4, demanding to see her personal solicitor, Don. Don appears in the doorway of his bedroom. Dorrie is "hopping mad" and requires help from Don to verify the Council document in her possession. He reluctantly agrees to verify the project details with the town planners at the TH, but will that be before the "bull-nosers" arrive on their doorstep downstairs? A stunned Vera returns to Flat 7 with the coffee, having learned the truth from Dudley. At first, Trixie is oblivious to her fragile state, and blathers on about how she frightened the TC. ("Should have tried it on my first husband!") Vera breaks down and tells her that Don has less than six months to live. Alf is reading the newspaper in the bath in Flat 8. He points out an article to Lucy: a freeway is proposed for Lindsay Street, Paddington, which would require all the buildings being demolished. He suggests that their $12,000 nest-egg might help them buy a little house of their own. Lucy gets excited and hugs her wet husband, almost falling into the tub. Carol answers the door of Flat 4 to an angry woman in a pantsuit. "Who are you?" Maggie Cameron demands of Carol, barging in to look for Don.
Carol: "I'm his sister. Who are you?"
Maggie: "You can ask... I'm his business partner. Correction: I'm his boss, that's who the hell I am. So I want to see him right now."
Carol: "I'm not disturbing him again. Dudley can take a message."
Maggie: "Dudley can take a powder for all I care."
Maggie invades Don's bedroom, demanding that he deal with the demolition issue immediately. He refuses and turns over in the bed. In the empty Norma's Bar, Flo and Trixie rehearse A Good Man is Hard to Find for tonight's gig at the Bankstown RSL. Trixie's singing is off and she admits that she has heard some grim news from Vera this morning, but is sworn to secrecy, which is making it hard to concentrate on the rehearsal. The tenants are getting ready for battle. Dorrie and Herb visit Lucy in the laundrette and they give her one of Les's newly-printed fliers for the protest rally in Centennial Park. "This akternoon?" [sic] asks Lucy. Herb explains: "Les ran out f's!" Dorrie wants Lucy to hand out the fliers in the laundrette. Lucy doesn't see that the freeway is necessarily a bad thing. She and Alf might use his lottery win to get a bank loan and buy a little house of their own if the building gets torn down. Dorrie points out that Lucy's place of employment, the laundrette, is also located in Lindsay Street, so it, too, is under threat of oblivion. Dorrie tells Lucy that she will become "one of the forgotten men!" In the wine bar, Dudley is aghast as Don pours Fountain tomato sauce all over a plate of Veal Fricasse. Maggie comes in. Dudley warns, "Look out, here comes Rosalind Russell!" Don says that lunch in bed is too decadent, even for him. Maggie tells Don, "Don't act the smart fairy with me!" Don is yet to speak to the town planner but, apparently, all hell has broken out at the TH because somehow the press got hold of the freeway story early. She orders a white wine and Dudley says, "Certainly, Mrs Skeffington!" Don points out that LG's tactic is not dissimilar to Maggie's tactics in advertising. Maggie drops the name Rada Penfold-Collins in relation to the coming of the bulldozers. Don reminds her that the article is only rumour so far and it appeared in the gossip column of the newspaper, not the main news. It was phoned in by Les Whittaker! Don offers to buy Maggie lunch before his meeting at the TH at 3.00pm. Dudley suggests his new lunch specials: Freeway and Chips, followed by Demolition Pudding. Over lunch in Flat 8, Alf wonders if Lucy will have Marilyn back as an employee after her recent uptight attitude? Marilyn has already apologised. She is away for a week, anyway, staying with her Aunty Evelyn, fruitpicking on a farm in Narrandera. Alf tells Arnold of their plan to buy a little house - with room for him, of course. In Flat 3, Dorrie is on the phone to Channel TEN, wanting to promote her protest rally about the freeway. She reminds them that she and Herb have even been interviewed by the channel's own Brian Bury (she mispronounces his surname as "Berry"). Since they are not interested, she will take her story to David Frost himself, their opposition. Flo and Herb come in, exhausted, wearing the protest signs as sandwich boards. Dorrie is sure the media will turn up when they hear how successful the rally is. Dorrie intends to pressure the TH to turn Number 96 into a national shrine. Dudley is reclining on the couch in Flat 4 when Carol comes in with a tea tray. They play act in French and British accents together but Carol suddenly breaks down again. She can't bear putting on a cheerful front all the time. Maggie and Don come in, and Maggie heads straight for the brandy. Don explains that Dorrie has been wasting her time. Those freeway plans that she found at the TH were actually sent in by "a nutcase from Bondi" who frequently peppers LG with such wild ideas. The TC is hopping mad. Dudley mentions Dorrie's mass rally this afternoon in Centennial Park. Don is in need of a lie down but Maggie intensifies her demanding attitude. Don takes great pleasure in announcing his renewed intention to use Amanda's plane ticket to Heidelberg. "That mad aunt of yours?" How long will Don be away? Don says that he might never come back. In Flat 8, Arnold has the TV on, laughing at a cartoon, when Alf offers him another beer. Lucy has seen some lovely little houses down in Sanner Street. Dorrie arrives to express her dismay that the Sutcliffes did not attend her rally to hear her "most impassioned speech". It roused the crowd "to further pitch". Alf was driving his cab and Lucy had her shift at the laundrette. Dorrie expects that here will be lots of red faces at the TH when the newspapers come out. Old Mrs Plummett spoke for 20 minutes and it was "most heart-rendering". Lucy points out that the woman doesn't live anywhere near Lindsay Street. "But she likes the sound of her own voice!" says Alf. Arnold points at that his customers had mentioned the rally. Dorrie has even written to Prince Charles and will now sit back and watch the fur and the feathers fly. On the landing outside Flat 3, Vera tells Flo and Herb about the bogus freeway plans. They are soon joined by Trixie, laden with costumes for tonight's gig. In Norma's Bar, Don is sitting with Carol and Dudley when Maggie invades his personal space again. "Here we go again!" observes Carol. Maggie demands that Don reconsider his trip. "Just do me one favour: drop dead!" she says, as she storms out of the bar to an eerie silence. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Dudley Butterfield has obviously not yet adapted to Metrification. Trixie O'Toole first sang "A Good Man is Hard to Find" (1917) in Episode #636. Members of the "Paddington Senior Cits" - Mrs Fazackerlee, Miss Hilda Dynasty (and her undergarments) and Mrs Parsons - are all namedropped. Viewers learn that the laundrette is located in Lindsay Street. Tonight's wine bar blackboard menu features "Mushroom Soup, 65c", "Canneloni, $1.25" and "Veal Fricasse, $1.80". House white wine is 40 cents a glass. Dudley Butterfield jokingly likens Maggie Cameron to actress Rosalind Russell. Apart from some comedic roles, Rosalind was known for her dramatic characters, often wealthy, dignified and stylish women. He also refers to Maggie as "Mrs Skeffington". Bette Davis starred as Mrs Frances Beatrice "Fanny" Trellis Skeffington, opposite Claude Rains, in the movie, "Mr Skeffington" (1944), based on a 1940 novel. First referenced in Episode #676, Evelyn is a sister of both Reg MacDonald and Fay Chandler. Maggie references Rada Penfold-Collins, a prominent business executive. At the time, Rada represented "Penfolds Wines" Public Relations Department and was one of Australia’s first female wine columnists. Brian Bury appeared as himself, and interviewed the Evanses, in Episode #182. Most recently, he appeared as himself in Episode #687. Arnold Feather is watching a 1948 "Merrie Melodies" cartoon on TV, "What's Brewin', Bruin?"

696. (18/02) Aldo emerges from the bedroom of Flat 2, realising that he has overslept. Roma thought he looked peaceful, but she has already prepared him a cooked breakfast. When Roma says, "Who else do I have to spoil?", she becomes quiet, thinking of her Irving in an American prison. If she doesn't mention Irving, and he doesn't mention golf, they will be "tit for tit" [sic]. "It is an Australian expression, Aldo!" She also adds that Arnold told her that Dorrie was mistaken about the freeway rumours. Meanwhile, over breakfast in Flat 1, Les spins a yarn to Norma about a blood-curdling scream that had interrupted his and Sister Warren's game of 20 Questions during the night shift at the hospital. Norma is barely listening; she is reading a rebuttal in the newspaper about the proposed freeway. At Dorrie's rally, she had accused the TC of fraudulent conduct. Norma reminds Les that he is as much to blame as Dorrie for the misinformation. Les and Dorrie may face a libel suit. As Edie collects the milk for Flat 5 from her doorstep, the Sutcliffes are descending the stairs. Alf has his taxi moneybag with him, but he has the morning off, so he will be doing the rounds of real estate agents to inspect some "little houses" instead. (Somewhere for Jim and Ethel and their families to visit.) Inside, Edie and Reg talk at crossed purposes: about the milkman and the freeway rally article. The TC is quoted as being keen to discover who gave Mrs Evans the job of tea lady at the TH. Edie mentions that she, too, was at the rally - Dorrie had said it was her civic duty. Reg is aghast. The phone rings. It is the TC, who gives Reg the job of finding out just who employed Mrs Evans, so he can "have their guts for garters". In Flat 6, Tanya is taking shorthand for Andy as he narrates what will become his series of articles about Tracey Wilson, the Pantyhose Strangler. Tanya finds the whole story fascinating and heartbreaking. Tanya is not spooked about living and working in a "murder flat". She has seen death many times and was once smuggled out in a coffin during the Hungarian Revolution! How old was she at the time? Andy realises that Tanya would be pushing 36, which he refuses to believe. "Maybe it was Czecholslavia, darling, I get so confused?" Tracey was "an enchanting, breathtakingly-beautiful murderess" and Andy was in love with her. Meanwhile, Arnold and Roma are preparing sandwiches in the deli. Roma wonders about the $5000 in US currency that fell from the penniless Tanya's handbag. Roma doesn't recall Tanya speaking a word of Russian. Aldo races in, all excited, and makes Roma guess who was just on the phone, and staying at the Holiday Inn. She guesses correctly that it is their surprise visitors, Joe and Delores Hackenback. Joe has invited them to the hotel for dinner. Aldo boasts that they are big "typhoons" - and Delores will be teaching Roma about selling cosmetics! Arnold questions the suitability of a cosmetics counter in a delicatessen but Aldo intends for the deli to become Aldo's Drugstore with chocolate malteds and blue-plate specials. There will be a soda fountain! Aldo will be a soda jerk and they will attract the co-eds and teenyboppers "doing the 'jitty-buggars' - the whole place be jumping!" It is time for Arnold to do things the American way. In Lucy's backroom of the laundrette, Alf is complaining about Australia being ten years behind the times. "$12,000 wouldn't buy you a plot in a bloody cemetary." Even the converted terraces in Sanner Street are about $52,000. Maybe it was only a pipe dream? Mummy is preparing salmon souffle for luncheon in Flat 5, but Daddy isn't in the mood. Edie wonders how the TC took the news about Reg's involvement in Dorrie's employment at the TH? The TC has been absent all morning; he was even late with his normal ICTPT inspection reports. Les, who has been in the cellar with his shark-spotting machine all morning, arrives with good news. He reveals that the TC came looking for Dorrie earlier, but she is in Epping visiting her sister, Connie. Les assures Reg that he told the TC that Mrs Evans was a person of the highest integrity, otherwise Reg would never have engaged her services as tea lady. Reg is incredulous. Both Edie and Les fail to recognise that Reg is now in deep trouble. Andy continues to narrate his gruesome story for Tanya in Flat 6. The details of finding Patti's corpse are too much for her but Andy snaps at her for wanting a break. In Flat 8, Alf decides that he wants to take Lucy out for the night. Can Trixie hold the fort at the laundrette? Alf tells Lucy to close her eyes and he drapes her in a grey mink jacket from Cornelius Furs in Castlereagh Street. "Is it for me?" (It's certainly not for bloody Zsa Zsa Gabor!) Does Lucy like it? She proclaims, "Does Elizabeth Taylor like diamonds?" She is brought to tears. Norma is in the deli to collect some extra supplies from Arnold for the wine bar. Andy comes in for takeaway sandwiches but both Arnold and Norma show some hostility towards him. At the door to the shop, Norma mentions that they are all still trying to get over the loss of Lorelei - and how will Arnold react when all the memories about Patti are resurrected? Andy reminds her that he, himself, was in love with Tracey. Andy is really out on a limb. When Norma leaves, Andy tries to reassure Arnold that there is nothing personal in the job Andy has been asked to do. Andy should refrain from discussing the murders within Arnold's hearing. Norma returns to Flat 1 to find the front doorway barricaded by the sausage machine. She sets it off and then the Murphy bed comes down. Les is reading 1001 Libel Cases in case the TC has a change of heart. He couldn't find a parallel case so he intends asking Don for his advice. Norma warns him that she doesn't want him bothering Don. She finally admits to Les that Don is dying of an incurable blood disease. Lucy models her mink jacket for Arnold in Flat 8. Alf is taking her out to a swank restaurant tonight. She confides that she will rarely get a chance to wear it, especially in this summer humidity. Alf comes in to boast about tonight's outing. He presents Lucy with a diamond ring to go with the new jacket. In Flat 5, Edie is mystified why the TC had Daddy "on the carpet" for an hour this afternoon, being severely reprimanded! The TC intends to sue Dorrie for slander and misrepresentation of character. As the newly-minted ADTC, resignation seems to be Reg's only option. In the deli, Roma tries to goad Aldo into getting ready for dinner with the Hackenbacks. It is hot in the shop, so she props the front door open with a chair. What is keeping Aldo so transfixed? He shows her the promotional piece in the newspaper for Andy Marshall's upcoming articles. Page 8 has graphic photos of Patti's murder scene. Arnold walks in, just in time to overhear Roma say that Arnold must never see these articles. [Episode written by Rosamund Waring; directed by Brian Phillis.]

This episode was broadcast in colour. Viewers learn that the TC of the TH has an OBE ("Order of the British Empire"). The "Hungarian Revolution" began on 23rd October, 1956, in Budapest. The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia was in 1968. The "Holiday Inn", then promoted as being in North Sydney (later Chatswood), is where "The Red Baron" restaurant (both real and fictitious) is located. The TC regularly prepares reports for the "International Conference on Transportation, Planning and Technology" (ICTPT).

697. (19/02) Trixie and Flo enjoy a beer each in Flat 7. "Get this down your Linda Lovelace, Darls!" says Trixie. Flo is thrilled about having played the piano accompaniment for Trixie at the Bankstown RSL Club, but tonight Trixie is doing the evening shift at the laundrette because Alf is taking Lucy to dinner. Will the extra money earned at these gigs affect Flo's pension? Don arrives to take Vera out but she is still in the bath. Flo notices that Don is looking pale and seems to have lost some weight. Flo's mother used to tell her to give up smoking and put on some weight. He joins them with a beer and the three drink to "Good health". Tanya has cooked dinner for Andy in Flat 6. The first course is caviar, of course. They each drink "a snort" of vodka. It takes Andy's breath away. He wonders if they are supposed to toss the empty glasses into the fireplace? The custom has died out in Russia, but Tanya's maternal grandmother still does it. Andy realises that the old woman has been the feature of now-five varied and conflicting anecdotes. Tanya is very concerned about the way the newspaper has been promoting Andy's articles because it makes them sound cheap and vulgar. He assures her that it is just typical publicity to whet the readers' appetites for scandal. Dorrie has returned to Flat 3 after seeing Connie in Epping. It seems that Connie is no longer grieving for the late Frank. "Life is just one sweet sherry after another." Connie is yet to repay the $500 that Dorrie lent her for funeral expenses. Herb mentions that Flo is having drinks upstairs with Trixie. He also breaks the news that Don had brought yesterday: according to the Town Planner's Office, the freeway proposal was never a viable project. The TC has denied everything in the newspaper. Reg arrives, on behalf of "we who toil in LG", to inform Dorrie that the TC intends to take legal action against her for slander. He suggests she may serve a significant sentence in gaol. Next morning, in Flat 4, Carol is curious about how Don ended up working with Maggie Cameron. It is a long story, but he doesn't want to get into it. There is a knock at the door. "Pardon me for protruding..." begins Dorrie. In her desperation, Dorrie is seeking out Don's services in his capacity as her personal solicitor. The TC wants to sue her for "deprivation of character". She had no way of knowing if those plans were "bony fido" documents. Don promises to stand by her. Meanwhile, Les fancies himself as Dorrie's new legal representative and is in Flat 1, rehearsing his speech for Dorrie's trial. Norma reminds that he is not to bother Don. In Flat 3, Dorrie can't discuss her legal situation because it is "sub-Judas". Flo misses out on helping with the washing up when Trixie rings from the laundrette. They have a new booking for tonight - at the Homebush RSL Club. Dorrie quips, "Are you sure you don't mean the Abattoirs?" Herb thinks they should go together to tonight's sneak preview, and see Flo perform on stage. Dorrie misquotes Shakespeare as she refuses. That Trixie O'Toole is "as common as dirt, I've always said that". Accusing Flo of "retortical" questions, she suggests that now that Flo is an entertainer, her rent will be going up to $15 a week. Edie reads a postcard from Marilyn to Reg, who has not yet left Flat 5 for the TH. He is finishing a report for the TC on the Evans' case. (The case of "LG vs D" could go on for years.) Marilyn writes that she has picked more fruit than any other picker in Narrandera. She has a new girlfriend, and has joined the Absolute Truth Movement. Reg assumes that his daughter won't bring new scandals upon the family that might threaten his position at the TH. "Oh - and she has bought a motorbike!" Reg tells Edie that, as the wife of an ADTC, she must start practising the social graces. She should build upon what she is already good at. Thus, a long-forgotten talent is recalled by Edie. Herb arrives for the garbage and Edie suddenly demonstrates... a cartwheel! Herb gives Edie a quick critique and soon they are both cartwheeling, back and forth, across the lounge room, much to Reg's bewilderment. In Norma's Bar, Carol tells the Whittakers that she is finding it difficult to hide her sorrow for Don. Behind the partition, Flo overhears the sad truth. In Flat 6, Tanya is just finishing up Part 5, the final instalment of Andy's series of articles. The Aftermath is so tender, so touching. Andy wants to celebrate at The Red Baron. Part 1 comes out in a few hours, but Andy didn't end up going into the office to read the galley proofs. He was with his accountant instead. Tanya tells a wild story about her early work as a stenographer, sneaking across a border into Finland, and learning A quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog in seven and a half languages. She turns down Andy's romantic suggestions, preferring that they keep everything platonic. In the wine bar, Trixie catches Flo looking maudlin. When Flo mentions to Trixie about Dorrie upping her rent, because she fears needing the money if the TC sues her, Trixie decides to take matters into her own hands. Les decides to help Edie with learning the art of the social graces and deportment, using Be Your Own Society Hostess. He demonstrates how a high society lady walks, just as two tradesmen enter the wine bar. One says in a heavy accent, "Strike me, mate, it'sa one of them poofter places!" Trixie goes up to Flat 5 at lunch time and informs Reg that, if the TC is not discouraged, she will endanger Reg's promotion that she organised in the first place. She also has stories about the TC, "roaring around her bedroom in the nuddy". In the wine bar, Don and Carol have a slight tiff. She wants to accompany him to Heidelberg, but Don hates the idea immediately. He adds that she is wasting her talents working here as a waitress. It is time to let go of her brother's shirttails. In Flat 5, Les has Edie practising deportment, sweeping across the room with a book on her head, a scarf on her wrist, and a cigarette holder in her mouth. Herb is playing "James", the waiter. She rehearses welcoming her guests, drinking martinis, and suggesting a round of charades. Les offers improvements and Edie decides to break out the large gin bottle that is kept hidden under a lounge chair. Trixie and Flo are rehearsing again in Flat 7, but it is time to start getting ready for the gig. Trixie is determined that Reg won't underestimate her. She's not "an insignificant little mouse like Edie". By the time Daddy gets home, Edie, Herb and Les are all sozzled on gin. Edie goes into her now-drunken spiel - and collapses to the floor! In Flat 6, Andy is staggered when he sees what the newspaper's sub-editor has been doing to his articles on the Pantyhose Strangler, sensationalising his stories into "a piece of gutter-press crap". After an angry visitation from Norma - who quotes several taudry passages from Part 1 about the death of "sex-crazed bombshell", Lorelei Wilkinson - Andy realises that his popularity at Number 96 is going to plummet even further. [Episode written by Rosamund Waring; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Linda Lovelace was the notorious adult film star who featured in "Deep Throat" (1972). Frank Meadows passed away offscreen in Episode #630. Connie Meadows will make an onscreen appearance in Episode #738. References to "Homebush Abattoirs" have become a running gag, since Episodes #651 and #667. Ron Shand's famous Vaudeville-style cartwheel first featured in Episode #419.

698. (20/02) Vera is with the Godolfuses in the deli, reading Andy's first instalment of his Pantyhose Murders series of articles and pronounces it "Awful!" Roma says that he makes the victims sound so cheap. Never has Aldo seen such revealing photos of Patti! Vera assumes that the pictures have been altered. They worry about Arnold, sitting in Flat 8, all alone. Aldo and Roma can't leave the shop to check on him so Vera will go upstairs now. Meanwhile, in Flat 6, Andy is on the phone to Mac, his editor. This was not sub-editing, it was a total rewrite! Andy will be preparing a report for the AJA (Australian Journalists Association), and will sue his editor into the bargain. Tanya agrees that the articles are nothing like Andy had written, but it is his name on them. Reg has returned home from the TH to find Edith in Flat 5, in a state that he can only describe as "outrageously frivolous". He tries to sober her up with black coffee, but she soon tilts off the chair and onto the floor. Maggie has a shock for Don, but Dudley intercepts her. Emerging from Flat 4, dressed ready for work at the wine bar, he encounters a feisty Maggie at the front door. She demands to see Don. He explains that Don has taken his sister - "ever so scandalous! - out to dinner. Dudley assumes that they decided on a rather nice restaurant, after a difficult family misunderstanding. Since there are about 3000 restaurants in Sydney, Maggie could have an "ever so interesting evening and try them all". He pleads with her to leave Don alone, just for once. "Gosh, you poofs stick together!" she exclaims. With Jack Sellars out of reach in Europe, Maggie intends to slap an injunction on junior partner Don, for failing to give three months notice to leave their company. Next morning, everyone is buzzing about Andy's articles. In Flat 3, Herb is reading aloud a salacious paragraph from Andy's article and Dorrie gets very angry with him. She realises that this is last night's paper. Why wasn't she told until just now? Herb explains that he tried to keep it from her and that the article mentions almost everyone in the building, "more or less". Dorrie pronounces the article as "pornographical ludity!" Everyone except Dorrie is mentioned? Now Dorrie is irate. Is she not the "conserge"? She orders Herb to toss the newspaper with the rest of the garbage. A seedy Flo emerges from her bedroom, having had a very late night performing with Trixie. Dorrie is not sympathetic. Similarly, in Flat 5, Reg is berating Edie for her own hangover. She, too, is reading Andy's article, but of most concern is a lewd description of Marilyn. Reg is outraged; it implies that Reg was a suspect in his own daughter's attempted strangulation! This could threaten Reg's reputation in LG and he will have it out with Marshall! Flo is reading the article when Dorrie returns to Flat 4, frustrated by "that Mr Butterfield" next door, who won't let her talk to Don. Flo tries to explain that the TC's lawsuit is no longer a problem, but Dorrie still expects to hear a knock at her door at any moment. There is a knock - and Dorrie freezes in fright. Flo lets in Reg, who is calling in to tell Dorrie that he will be convincing the TC to drop the whole case against her. It seems that Trixie has found out how to deal with Eddie the TC. "Promise him anything, but give him double tequilas." Maggie has saved an angry tirade for Andy. She meets him and Tanya on the stairs. Maggie calls him a bastard for writing that article, adding a warning for Tanya, too. Maggie then barges into Flat 4, again looking for Don, who is sleeping. Dudley almost comes to blows while keeping her from invading the bedroom! He orders her to sit down and he pours her a whisky. She might need it. Dudley finally tells Maggie about Don's condition. She is shocked and admits what a louse she has been. And Dudley is letting him go overseas? Dudley will meet Maggie later, in the wine bar, and they can talk further about it then. It is 11.00am and, in the deli, Roma is trying to create space for her new counter. Dolores Hackenback (Del Harmon), a brash American Oomph! sales consultant, arrives almost on schedule. She had told her taxi driver to take her to Paddington, but he had insisted on first showing her "the fantastic view from some hill, for land sakes!" The driver makes five trips to bring in all of Dolores' boxes. (Before marrying Joe Hackenback III, Dolores was behind a cosmetics counter "making real dogs look like Hedy Lamarr.") At the door to Flat 5, Dorrie is collecting the rent from Edie. Edie apologises that she has a headache and Dorrie sympathises, having "suffered with 'migrants' since she was a girl". Edie mentions that Mr Whittaker has been teaching her how to mix with high society. Why didn't she come straight to Dorrie, who often mixes with "the cream de la crem", such as Lady Mendl, and Point Piper's own Mrs Claire Houghton? When it comes to how to speak with high society, Dorrie would only be too happy to give Edie the benefit of her "save-you affair" (savoir faire). Dolores has put up some Oomph! signage in a corner of the deli, including one that generates soap bubbles from its centre. Roma is trying desperately to learn all about the Oomph! products and the deli is in a state of upheaval, frustrating Aldo. She is encouraged to pounce on the very next woman to enter the store - and that turns out to be a young nun! Tanya is having coffee on the Boulevard Cafe when Andy shows up, not too hopeful, with the next published article due out this afternoon. He is certain that there is no case for libel. As he heads into the building entrance, he collides with Vera, who is on her way to the laundrette. She is very cold with him. He departs - and Tanya races towards Vera, trying to defend Andy. Vera warns her that she might be the next friend to be betrayed. In Norma's Bar, Dudley fills in Maggie on Don's condition. She has been such a bitch to him over the years! Dudley warns her that she has to go on treating Don just the same as always, so he won't suspect anything. In the deli, Roma is delivering her prepared Oomph! spiel, using lots of American twang in her delivery. Herb is observing and there is quite a gathering of women, including Edie, Flo, Dorrie and later, Vera. Roma aims to have her customers looking like Raquel Welch. Dorrie suffers some indignities during the demonstration. In Flat 6, Tanya is acting very suspiciously. She makes sure that Andy is not home, then pulls out a large tape recorder from under her bed and begins taping a message to her parents in an American accent. She pleads for their assistance as an unknown "they" have threatened to kill her. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Brian Phillis.]

This episode was broadcast in colour, the last in a series of prime time equipment tests before the official launch of colour in Australia. Don Finlayson's fibre-optic "Fantasia" lamp is still running, even though the flat is to be empty all evening. As in Episode #685, the viewers see an inner corner of the deli, to the right of the front door, that simply cannot exist. Dolores Hackenback is portrayed by Del Harmon, the wife of the series' Executive Producer, Bill Harmon. Her taxi driver, who helps with all the boxes, walks past "Norma's Bar" in Episode #752. Hedy Lamarr was a strikingly beautiful Austrian-born American actress (and inventor). Raquel Welch was also an award-winning Hollywood actress known for her timeless beauty. Sharp-eyed viewers may have spotted Pat McDonald's 1974 "TV Week" Gold Logie Award (for Most Popular Female Personality in Australia) sitting on a shelf behind Dorrie Evans in Flat 3. Paula Duncan's end credit has mysteriously vanished from the window of Flat 4.

699. (21/02) In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley encourages Carol to take up a tea towel and help him with the washing up. All seemed to go well at dinner last night with Don. Carol thinks that he is now convinced that she has "itchy feet" about him going away without her, but four years as an air hostess, serving Lobster Thermidor from here to Reykjavík, makes that seem unlikely. Dudley is sure that Don doesn't want them around when his time comes. In the corner of the deli now dedicated to Roma's Oomph! counter, another facial demonstration is underway. Condensed milk and cream cheese have seemingly been added to the range of products. Arnold comes in from deliveries, agitated as to where the newspapers now get displayed. Aldo introduces Delores to Arnold. She has heard so much about him. Indicating the deli's chest freezer, Arnold says to Aldo, "Perhaps you'll be good enough to remove the homogenised placenta extract formula from among the 'Fish Fingers'..." Roma's latest career venture has repercussions. One customer's facial treatment has set like glue and the woman storms off without her bonus product. Delores declares, "You win one, you lose one. That's show business!" Maggie is having coffee with Vera in Flat 7, after Maggie got herself sloshed in the wine bar. She feels so guilty about always acting like Madam Dracula. She was going to slap an injunction on Don to stop him from leaving the country! "Very chastening, to see yourself as others see you." Tearfully, she is resolved to keep treating "that bloody little queer" like hell. Absolute hell. Meanwhile, in Flat 8, an excited Alf is showing Lucy the new colour TV that he just bought. And, in the kitchen, a Dishlex dishwasher! Alf is miffed that Lucy is so underwhelmed by his spending spree. In Norma's Bar, the Whittakers discuss giving Don a discount for what might be his last meal with them in Australia. Norma is getting teary but Les reckons that he has a book that he uses at the hospital, 1001 Ways to Stop a Girl Crying. Don and Vera are together at a table, laughing about Les's wacky inventions. Vera will miss Don, but he refuses to have anyone come to see him off tomorrow. Vera gets overcome when Flo starts playing, We'll Meet Again on the piano. Dudley returns to the Flat 1 kitchen singing the same song, only to find Carol sobbing again. How can Dudley stay so cool and calm? He has to, and so does she, as the two people in the world who love him the most. Don calls into Flat 8, where Alf is rivetted to his colour TV. Don wants to book Alf's taxi for tomorrow, but Alf doesn't understand the full importance of the request. He will put the call through with the radio boys. Don leaves and Arnold pleads with Alf to make sure it is his cab that will take Don to the airport. He confides in the Sutcliffes about Don's illness. Next morning, in the deli, Arnold and Aldo wrestle over the newspapers, but Arnold points out that it is the afternoon papers that he is not supposed to see. Arnold complains to Delores about the cosmetics counter; she has arrived with another large box marked Oomph! Joe Hackenback will be back from Perth soon and he will have the answers. Delores proceeds to win over Arnold through flattery about his genius-level expertise as store manager - and it works! In the bathroom of Flat 4, Dudley is helping Don with a list of the sites he must check out, such as the university that Mario Lanza sang about in The Student Prince (1954). Also the spooky old castles on the Rhine and the maidens, luring men to their deaths on the rocks... Don reminds Dud that he is going over to Heidelberg to sort out one of Amanda's messes. Dudley is to keep an eye out for Carol. Carol comes in to warn them: "Lady Macbeth is in the living room." Don emerges to talk to Maggie. She is her extra bitchy self but will give up on the injunction. When she is out in the privacy of the landing, Maggie shows a side of her character which is rarely seen. In tears, she races upstairs to Flat 7. In Flat 8, Alf is conflicted about taking Don to the airport. He can't understand why he needs to be so far from his friends. Meanwhile, in Flat 7, Vera tries to reassure Maggie that she did the right thing. Vera realises that she and Maggie are alike in some ways: "We're our own worst enemy." Maggie is still not sure about her actions. "It's not a halo, just cobwebs coming out of my horns." When Vera leaves, Maggie smashes the now-empty whisky bottle. In Flat 4, Don's bags are packed and he, Dudley and Carol will go down to the wine bar for last drinks. They head out to Dudley's performance of Drink, Drink, Drink (The Drinking Song) from The Student Prince. Roma reminds her latest client, "To bring out the Oomph! in the girl, you need regular, daily treatments!" Dolores approves! Aldo complains that the lunchtime rush in the deli was made much worse without Roma to prepare the lunches. Arnold is suddenly bringing in the Boulevard Cafe furniture, and even sending customers to the nearby supermarket. He puts out the "CLOSED" sign and reminds the Godolfuses that they are all due in Norma's Bar for Don's farewell. The champagne is flowing in the wine bar but, all too soon, they hear Alf tooting his taxi's horn outside. Don and Dudley have mere seconds to say goodbye, leaving a sobbing Dudley in the doorway. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Andy Marshall's articles are being serialised in "The Daily Mirror", which means that the previous day's altered picture - of an underdressed Patti Feather - had appeared as that afternoon's traditional "Page 3" girl. "We'll Meet Again" (1939) was a song made famous by Vera Lynn. "The Student Prince" was released in 1954. In Shakespeare's "Macbeth", the character of Lady Macbeth is driven to madness by guilt over her crimes. The new colour TV that Alf Sutcliffe brought home in this episode is later featured in Channel TEN's "'C-Day' Preview" skit, which was conceived by Brian Phillis. The segment would air just before midnight on 28/02/1975.

700. (24/02) Edie is singing to herself in Flat 5, folding the tablecloth after luncheon, when she is interrupted by a persistent thumping at the door. She opens it and Marilyn enters, wearing a motorcycle helmet, a leather jacket and greasy jeans. Her arms are full: a dufflebag and a large sack of fresh peaches. "Thanks Mum, couldn't reach m' key." Edie is confused about "Tilly", who was coughing and spluttering all the way home, and needs new rings? "Tilly" is Marilyn's motorbike! She mentions Heather Potter, whom she met on Aunt Evelyn's farm. Heather introduced her to the Absolute Truth Movement - and now Marilyn is a lesbian. Edie is more confused. "But you were born here in Australia!" Next door, in Flat 6, Andy is furious. Part 3 of his series on the Pantyhose Murders is out and this one will be more controversial than the first two. Tanya suggests showing people the original manuscript, but Andy is doubtful that would help. He didn't want the pieces to be sensationalised. They were supposed to be a more objective study on the effects of the crimes on those involved. "To hell with the lot of them!" - and that includes his editor and "the hysterical lot" in this building. Andy's conscience is clear. It is 3.00pm in Flat 3 and Norma is dying for a cup of tea. Carol and Dudley pass through to the kitchen, but she invites them to sit with her and Les. Les is giving himself a haircut at the dining table. Dudley and Carol find it difficult to hide their unhappiness, and they ask the Whittakers to let them have tonight off. Wouldn't it be better to keep busy? Dudley is convinced that he'll never see Don again. He's gone overseas to die! Lucy is cooking tea in Flat 8 when Alf arrives home. He just saw Dudley helping young Marilyn to carry a motorbike up the stairs! Alf mentions that when he helped Don to the check-in desk at the airport, he noticed that the ticket to Heidelberg was only one-way. Alf reckons he is not coming back. Today's instalment of Andy's series features a picture of Patti's body being carried out on a stretcher. If Arnold will say "nowt" about it, Alf will be having it out with Mr Marshall. In Norma's Bar, Carol is trying to get a grease stain off Dudley's jacket sleeve. "Would you believe I was helping a young lady upstairs with a thundering, great motorbike?" Les is off to nightshift at the hospital as Maggie enters. Carol suddenly realises that Maggie knew about Don's condition, but was keeping up her act so that Don would not be suspicious. She wants the keys to Flat 4 so she can start organising what she needs from Don's files. She also makes a Joan Crawford quip for Dudley's sake. There is a motorbike in the lounge room of Flat 5 and Edie is helping to clean the parts as Marilyn removes them. They chat about Heather and the Absolute Truth Movement - until "Dad" comes in and is aghast at all the mess. "Tilly" is 90cc's of pulsating power! "Mum" slips in a brief mention of Heather Potter, and Marilyn becoming a lesbian, which catches "Dad" unaware. In the wine bar, Alf and Arnold are sitting together, but Andy and Tanya are on the other side of the room. Norma can't see that anything can be done about Andy's articles. Tanya claims that the atmosphere is more depressing than a Turkish prison in Istanbul. Andy won't hear any more of her wild stories. As Arnold departs, Maggie joins Alf's table. She tells Dudley that she couldn't find any "bloody instructions" for her in Don's paperwork. She shouts across at Andy, referring to the presence of "the gutter press". Andy smiles and raises his glass. Maggie mentions tarring and feathering - and Alf gets a glint in his eye: "Who'll be in with me, eh?" Reg and Edie are eating breakfast as Marilyn tries to kickstart her motorbike inside Flat 5. "It's just a stage she's going through," suggests "Mum". Reg is shocked when Edie references the "bloody carby". The motorbike starts up and Alf can hear it from Flat 8. He tells Arnold and Lucy about Marilyn's bike and then challenges Arnold as to what he going to do about his tenant, Andy. Down on Lindsay Street, Reg reprimands Marilyn for claiming she is a lesbian. He leaves for the TH just as Les arrives home from work. Les climbs on the motorbike to demonstrate how to start it. Norma comes out of the deli with a box of groceries and admonishes Les. What does he know about motorbikes? The flat is getting cleaned up today; the Murphy bed and the sausage machine have to go! The engine starts - and Les is whisked off into the traffic as Norma screams. In the presence of Carol and Dudley in Flat 4, Maggie reads the postcard that Don must have sent from the airport in the presence of Carol and Dudley. All papers pertaining to the running of the company have been turned over to Don's former place of work, Willoughby, Willoughby & Martin, Solicitors. Had Maggie realised that this message was coming, she could have saved herself a lot of time last night! She goes on a tirade about people feeling sorry for Don, and goads Dudley into slapping her face: exactly what she wanted him to do. Tanya is on the phone using her American accent - and is nearly caught out by Andy, who enters Flat 6 from behind her. He forgot his briefcase. She claims to have been ringing the deli as they are running out of food. When Tanya darts into his bedroom to fetch it for him, the phone rings. Was someone waiting for a call from a Clark Harvey? Tanya is agitated but claims not to recognise the name. Andy hangs up on him. Tanya asks, "Why should I want someone from New York?" Andy realises that he did not mention New York. Les has survived his clash with the guttering and is now in Flat 5, helping Marilyn to find a puncture in her motorbike tyre. Edie is reading from Be Your Own Society Hostess. She is intrigued by a chapter about dancing the Tango. One of Les's patients is a Tango instructor. Miss Featherstone is currently in for Athlete's Foot, but is sure to be looking for more work soon. Edie almost steps into the basin of water while demonstrating her Tango moves. Marilyn picks up the basin and asks Mr Whittaker if he's finished with it? He is, but Reg comes in the door behind her - and the water is spilt all over Les! In Norma's Bar, Alf recommends that Lucy, Maggie, Carol, Dudley and Norma should be helping him take action against Andy. Lucy thinks that Arnold has the correct attitude: he is ignoring Andy. Maggie agrees with Alf. As half-owner of Number 96 can't Maggie order him out? It's all getting a little Ku Klux Klan for Dudley, and Carol agrees. What would Dudley and Carol know about that? Dudley protests; they saw Doris Day in Storm Warning only last week! Arnold walks in - and overhears Alf calling him lily-livered. Andy arrives home to Flat 6 from the newspaper office and greets Tanya as "Rosemary". She answers him and he smirks. According to this afternoon's research, "Rosemary Prior" is an American heiress - and is no more Russian than he is! He makes her sit down. This time he wants the true story. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

After her transformative Narrandera experience, Marilyn MacDonald is now calling her parents, "Mum" and "Dad". A boom mike shadow can be briefly seen in the kitchen of Flat 8. "Willoughby, Willoughby & Martin, Solicitors" was first mentioned in the synopsis for Episode #100, but Don said to be working for Mr Willoughby Sr from Episode #50. Bruce Taylor first compared Maggie Cameron to the US actress Joan Crawford in Episode #15. Set in a Southern US town, "Storm Warning" (1950) features Doris Day as the sister of a travelling fashion model (portrayed by Ginger Rogers). Doris's character has married a "Ku Klux Klansman".

701. (25/02) Tanya insists that she has no idea what Andy is talking about. He knows that she's not really "Tanya Schnolska-or-whatever-you-like-to-call-yourself!" and that the accent is fake. "But I am Tanya Schnolskevitska!" Andy snorts, "Yeah, and I'm Gladys Moncrieff!" With so many conflicting stories, it's no wonder people are checking up on her. Andy can call her "Rosemary Whatever", it's fine, but she just wants to pack her bags and get out of Flat 6 - and then Andy won't have any friends left. Andy is a newspaperman and he smells a story: "Rosemary Prior, Heiress", and he wants the exclusive! Andy insists that no one is spying on her. But first, he has a race meeting to attend! In the deli, Trixie is in Roma's cosmetics corner, about to have a facial. Arnold is running out of patience as he is overrun with customers, but Roma has face cream all over her hands and Aldo is too busy being a "soda jerk". He is taking a Knickerbocker Holiday - a large icecream sundae - out to a customer on the Boulevard Cafe. Roma unveils Trixie's new look to the departing customers just as Aldo tosses a scoop of icecream into the air. It lands in Trixie's cleavage! "That's cold!" Aldo attempts to remove the icecream with his fingers. The Whittakers try to reorganise Flat 1's messy lounge room, but the sausage machine will have to go! Alf arrives, armed with a petition that Dorrie has started, to get Andy removed from the building. Les suggests a vigilante group, since Andy is "an undesirable". In Flat 7, Trixie and Vera laugh about Aldo the soda jerk, Roma the Oomph! lady and poor Arnold, who must feel like he's in Disneyland. Trixie brought up the mail and a letter from an old friend has arrived for Vera: it's from Jack! Helen is expecting a baby and they are very happy about it. Trixie detects mixed feelings. Arnold has been invited to a catering convention in Surfers Paradise. It would mean leaving tomorrow at lunchtime. But the shop has been so busy. Pinballs are next! Maybe a drive-in, takeway food bar? Arnold insists that there is no need to keep hiding the afternoon papers from him. Lucy is setting the table in Flat 8. Alf mentions that Andy's next instalment on the murders has come out, with more of the same. He suddenly notices that their new colour TV is gone! Lucy had it sent back, along with the dishwasher. And the diamond ring and mink coat! She would be happier if they invested the money. Alf is not impressed. Those will be the last gifts she ever gets from him! Vera and Trixie are in Norma's Bar, but there is no Happy Hour tonight, as Flo is at a Senior Citizens' meeting. They notice that Norma has been reading Andy's latest article. Norma used to have a lot of respect for Andy. Vera mentions Jack and Helen's letter, and their baby news. Les comes out, ready to head off for his hospital shift. He is wearing a leather flight helmet. Marilyn is taking her motorbike out for a run and she will pillion him to the hospital. Vera points out that, as Marilyn is still displaying "L" plates, she is not permitted to have a passenger. Andy comes in and asks for a red wine, but they all give him the cold shoulder until he leaves. Next morning, Arnold tells Roma that he will be departing the deli for a 2.00pm flight. Roma is keen that Arnold might do a speech at the convention and he could promote her Oomph! cosmetics. Aldo emerges from Flat 2 holding aloft his new ice cream creation: The Rocky Mountains, with four flavours of ice cream! No one should eat it; it is for display only. Tanya comes in for a carton of eggs and mentions that she will be leaving soon, as she has no money. The Godolfuses are mystified. What about the $5000 in US currency that fell from her bag recently? Tanya hastily corrects them: it was counterfeit money that a friend printed - and she keeps them as a souvenir. Tanya is just a poor, Russian peasant girl. As Lucy is leaving Flat 8 for the laundrette, Les arrives with a bucket and a pillow. She eyes them with suspicion, then realises that he and Alf intend to tar and feather Andy. Alf shunts her out the door. This is "men's work!". Tanya arrives in Flat 6 with the eggs. Andy didn't get in until 4.00am as he was waiting for a photo he ordered to come in on the overseas wire. The young blonde woman in the photo is "Rosemary Prior", an American heiress who was kidnapped in Europe one month ago. "What's all this about a half-million dollar ransom someone's asking for?" Trixie is on the phone to Kenny, the bandleader, who is setting up for her next club engagement. He warns her that her "Number One fan" will be there: the TC, of course. Maybe Eddie's a frustrated songwriter? Vera is contemplating Dorrie's petition (or "partition", as the "conserge" usually calls them). Trixie was accosted about it on the stairs yesterday. Vera says that Dorrie does one at least one a week - "and they are as effective as a wet sock!" Trixie is worried about Alf taking matters into his own hands; it's getting a bit nasty. Vera recalls the Chad Farrell incident of several years ago, and the potential for mob violence over a coloured man who was staying at Number 96. In Flat 6, Tanya finally admits to being "Rosemary Prior" and how she helped Clark Harvey to kidnap herself! It is the only way she can ever get what is rightfully hers! Her inheritance is held in trust by her parents. If the heiress doesn't marry the Bostonian of their choice, she will never receive her money. She and Clark plan to marry when they both arrive in Europe. Andy begins to laugh at the irony: his old man had millions but Andy didn't want to take them! Andy is promised exclusive rights if he keeps quiet about the kidnappers' plans. Vera is doing her washing at the laundrette. She is stunned that Lucy sent back her new mink coat. Lucy probably hurt Alf's feelings. Vera is getting along better with Trixie these days. Lucy enquires about Dorrie's latest petition. Did Vera sign? Anything's better than violence. Lucy warns that Alf and Les had gathered up tar and feathers this morning. At first, Vera assumes that she is joking. In Norma's Bar, Trixie is supposed to be meeting Flo about the next gig, but she apparently shot through as soon as she'd finished her cleaning duties. Norma is worried about Carol and Dudley; they are not coping well with Don away. Trixie mentions Vera's reaction to the Sellars' new baby. She can tell that the news was a shock to her. Alf and Les enter from the flat, both smeared with black streaks, and arguing about consistency. It seems their bucket of tar set too hard. They escape across the road to the pub for a beer. Trixie exclaims, "They're as guilty as possums!" Arnold is being farewelled as he leaves for the caterers' convention. An immobile Mrs Rosenberg is at the cosmetics counter, wearing an Oomph! mud mask. Roma wants Arnold to promise to raise the topic of Oomph! products with the caterers at the convention. Aldo whispers that he thinks that Roma's client has died. Roma is startled, but assures him that she is not moving, only to prevent her face from cracking. Roma tells Arnold to remember the slogan, which is "Oomph! for everything!" Vera notices Arnold in his VW, preparing to head to the airport for his flight. She had realised that he is the only resident of Number 96 not to have signed Dorrie's petition, and asks him why. Vera thinks that the petition is better than violence. "There are other alternatives of revenge, Mrs Collins!" he says, mysteriously, as he drives off. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Gladys Moncrieff was an Australian singer who was also successful in musical theatre. Aldo Godolfus tosses a scoop of chocolate icecream into the air, but it comes down as vanilla when it lands in Trixie O'Toole's cleavage. Jack Sellars and Helen Sheridan left Sydney together in Episode #594. Vera Collins refers to the racism displayed towards Chad Farrell, which had threatened to become mob violence from Episode #39. The late millionaire newspaper magnate, Clayton Marshall, was first referenced in Episode #611.

702. (26/02) Over the washing up in Flat 1, Dudley and Carol snicker about Alf and Les's bizarre plan to tar and feather Andy. They wonder if Don made it safely to Heidelberg? Amanda would have rung if he hadn't. Dudley is so glad that Carol didn't go with him. While serving Edie, the Godolfuses wonder about the longhaired bikie who has started parking his motorcycle outside the deli. (Edie turns down Aldo's offer of an icecream sundae because she won't be home on Sunday.) Edie is quick to point out that it's Marilyn who owns the bike. She rode "Tilly" all the way home from Narrandera, but it affected her drip intake. (Roma hopes that she saw a doctor.) Marilyn saunters inside and tells "Mum" of her plan to do burn out to Parramatta this afternoon, to visit a women's cafe. Marilyn notices the new Oomph! cosmetics counter, but she doesn't wear all that makeup stuff since becoming a lesbian. Aldo mentions an uncle in Hungarian theatre who was a lesbian but Roma doesn't think that is possible. She thinks that Marilyn has changed by her sojourn at the orchard. Edie mentions the Absolute Truth Movement; it's only open to lesbians. Dorrie spots Maggie using Dudley's key to enter Flat 4 and she pounces on the chance to ask Maggie about the weekly rent collection. Dorrie notes the key in Maggie's hand, but wasn't questioning the building owner's right to "protrude" upon Dudley. Dorrie also has her "bony fido" eviction "partition" to have Andy removed from the premises. That man is a "para-lure" on society! Only Arnold has refused to take part in signing. Why? "That, Mrs Cameron, is 'The Riddle of the Spinks' [sic]!" In Norma's Bar, the Happy Hour is ending with Flo's rendition of Run, Rabbit, Run. Her 7.00pm sign-off is: "I'll be looking at the moon, But I'll be seeing... you!" Flo steps over to the bar and chats with Dudley. No word on Don yet? Edie arrives in the wine bar. Mr Whittaker is organising Tango lessons for her. She wants Dudley to do her a favour and find her a lesbian. (It's not for her, of course, it's for Marilyn!) Maggie enters the deli looking for Arnold, only to be told about the caterers' convention. She mentions finalising Don's business affairs and the Godolfuses are puzzled. In Flat 1, Dudley is passing through to the kitchen and finds Carol weeping. She has just heard that Brad Hilton is getting married! She brings up Brad's bisexuality and Dudley warns her that bisexual marriages very rarely work out. Dudley should know, having been married once himself! He admits that he even has a kid: little Ben, who bears the Butterfield name. Carol keeps staring at Dudley; this news bombshell has rocked her! In Flat 3, Dorrie tells a sleepy Herb that violence might prove necessary to oust Andy! Flo comes in and mentions that Arnold has gone away for a few days. ("Why wasn't I told?" demands Dorrie.) She blames Don for setting the precedent, gallivanting off to "Strudelberg" [sic]! and "drinking beer and eating salami with the natives", while all of us here at Number 96 are on on the brink of a "pensivence"! Flo tells Dorrie and Herb about Don's terminal blood disease. They are shocked! Next morning, a dejected Dorrie is buying a few items from the deli and Roma detects a sombre mood. There is nothing that Roma can do, she is told. Dorrie wanders over to the cosmetics counter and is curious about a container of bee jelly. Roma mentions that it is $15, and tries to show her much cheaper products, but Dorrie surprises her by taking the jar of bee jelly. Roma adds it to Dorrie's box of groceries. Herb and Aldo come through from Flat 2. Herb has been collecting the garbage and Aldo is dressed for golf in his outlandish outfit. Aldo expects Dorrie to "braid" him up for living for pleasure in such pursuits, but Dorrie is surprisingly upbeat about the importance of enjoying life to the fullest. In Flat 5, "Pops" trips over a canister of petroleum. Reg also objects to the carburetor in the sink, Marilyn dressed as a First World War pilot, and himself being referred to as "Dad, Pops, or Daddy-o". Edie claims that "it's just a stage she's going through!" Reg storms out. From Marilyn's new perspective as a lesbian, she admits to her mother that "Daddy is quite sexy, isn't he?" Dudley and Maggie have coffee and cakes at the Boulevard Cafe. Behind them, the deli's display window is covered with new Oomph! signage. They discuss missing Don, and his patience with business paperwork, but are interrupted by a Miss Gloria Featherstone (Di Davidson), of the ACME Ballroom Academy. She has been booked by Les Whittaker to give dancing lessons to a Mrs MacDonald, but has forgotten her glasses - and ends up in Maggie's lap. In Flat 3, while Dorrie is at a meeting with Mrs Terry to organise a pennants match, at the Senior Cits' Bowling Club, Flo and Herb have started their "Elevenses" without her. Flo hopes she doesn't have to play in the match as there is another gig with Trixie tonight in Marrickville. Herb is still shocked about Don's situation. They are both spreading their toast liberally with... Dorrie's expensive jar of Oomph! Bee Jelly Foundation? "Crikey!" says Herb, dreading Dorrie finding out. While riffling Be Your Own Society Hostess in Flat 5, Marilyn tells Edie that she had no luck at the women's cafe yesterday. They are interrupted by a knock at the door. It is Dudley, who has escorted Miss Featherstone up the stairs. Edie thinks that this is the "nice lesbian" that he has found for Marilyn! Later, in the wine bar, Maggie tells Dudley that she will be calling in to Willoughby, Willoughby & Martin, where Don had left more files. Carol comes in and mentions the failed lynching that Alf and Les had planned. Dudley is reminded of The Ox-Bow Incident. Maggie thinks that they are both exaggerating about the possibility of any impending violence. Reg enters the wine bar to buy a bottle of celebratory sweet sherry. Herb and Flo come into the deli to replace the pot of bee jelly before Dorrie finds out. ($15 for a tiny pot?) Roma tells them that it was the last jar, just as Dorrie walks in to overhear Herb ask, "What are we going to do?" Dorrie has had a rethink on the extravagance of the bee jelly and has decided to send it back down with Herb for a refund. In Flat 5, Edie and Gloria are dancing the Tango. Reg arrives for luncheon in the middle of it all. Marilyn is on her way to work a shift at the laundrette, so she takes Miss Featherstone back down the stairs. Gloria prompts, "Don't forget to sway and dip to the music! Sway and dip!" Reg produces the bottle of sweet sherry and tells Edie his surprise news: he has just been promoted to DTC, but to the Blacktown TH, not Paddington. In just a month's time, the MacDonalds are returning to dear, old Blacktown! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The wall calendar in the deli shows January 1975. The women's cafe is named as the "Black and White Milkbar" in Episode #708. The song "Run, Rabbit, Run" was featured in a 1939 musical revue show, "The Little Dog Laughed". Flo Patterson's sign-off are lyrics from "I’ll Be Seeing You" (1938), made famous by the likes of Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and featured in the musical "Right This Way". Brad Hilton's last onscreen appearance was in Episode #670. Ben Butterfield, the son of Jan Everett Butterfield, appered in Episode #454. Jan and Ben were last namedropped in Episode #656. "The Ox-Bow Incident" was released in 1942. It stars Henry Fonda and concerns a posse which captures three men suspected of killing a local farmer, and they become strongly divided over whether or not to lynch the men.

703. (27/02) Aldo and Roma are preparing for bed in Flat 2. Arnold just rang from Surfers Paradise to check on the day's takings. Roma mentions that an airmail parcel, from the photographic people in America, arrived today. Aldo realises that it will contain his home movies! Disneyland, the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon - so exciting! 15 or 16 reels! He will have to hire a film projector tomorrow, to show all of their friends. Has anything come from the Meadowvale Golf Club? Before the Godolfuses left for the USA, Aldo and Arnold had signed up to join. Andy's friend had sponsored their membership forms. Roma climbs into bed beside Aldo. She smells nice, thanks to Oomph! Aldo takes a big sniff - and sneezes! It is the wee hours in Flat 3, and Flo and Trixie are back from Marrickville RSL, singing Walkin' My Baby Back Home with a young muso, Adam Shaw (Julian Rockett). Flo worries when Trixie's singing gets too loud, as Dorrie and Herb are asleep. Adam has nowhere to crash overnight, so Trixie is lending him Aunty Vera's couch. Adam is sent out to the kitchen with the coffee cups and Trixie mentions that it is a pity he is "so bloody young". Reg has shocked Edie with news of a move. In Flat 5, Marilyn is finally home and hears about her father's intention to return the family to Blacktown. Edie tries to hide her disappointment and Marilyn is determined not to go back to that "crumby" suburb. Paddington is in the centre of things. Reg has heard Blacktown described as "the Athens of the South Pacific". There are no "supposedly-mature young ladies charging around Blacktown on dirty motocycles". Marilyn is to give Mrs Sutcliffe her month's notice in the morning. She calls Daddy "a male chauvinist pig" and heads off to bed. Edie is mystified. Chauvinist? Marilyn "knows perfectly well that we are all Church of England..." In Flat 7, Adam again thanks Trixie for putting him up. She is happy to help out a penniless, but talented, muso who actually wrote her a love song! Next morning, in the kitchen of Flat 3, Herb is attempting to mix up a facsimile of the Oomph! bee jelly foundation, to trick Dorrie, since he and Flo had eaten most of the real stuff yesterday at morning tea! He convinced Dorrie not to return it by complimenting her natural beauty. Herb has refilled the jar with Aeroplane jelly, the white of an egg, and a flip of mayonnaise. Flo quips, "You don't expect that to fool Helena Rubinstein out there, do you?" Dorrie enters the kitchen, surprised to see Flo up and about, and not kidnapped by gypsies! It was very late when Flo and Trixie got in from Marrickville - and they have another gig tonight! Herb asks, "A gig?" It's "pro talk" for a one-night stand, but Dorrie interjects that "we'll have no 'pro talk' in this house, thank you very much!" Herb pretends to find the bee jelly in the fridge! Dorrie sniffs it and again baulks at the price, but the others convince her not to return it. Women are at the mercy of these "cosmetical" firms! Dorrie mentions reading about a woman who had some face foundation tested in a lab - and it was made of "just common or garden lard with a bit of scent added!" Trixie is left with some explaining to do in Flat 7. Vera finds Adam Shaw sleeping on her couch! She picks up his discarded jeans and marches into Trixie's room. Who will Vera find in the bathroom this time: a circus act or a trained seal? Trixie jokes, "You know that trained seals always stay at the Wentworth!" This is not a laughing matter. Vera is very angry; she is not running a house for wayward showbiz people! She returns to the lounge room and tosses the confused, sleepy man his pants, telling him to get out! In Flat 5, Reg reminds Marilyn that she cried herself to sleep when they had to move away from Blacktown. She retorts that she was a child then, but "Paddo" is where she belongs now. Marilyn heads off to Norma's Bar for lunch as Mummy comes in. She tried to get access to the cellar, but it is locked. Roma is panicking about her Oomph! display - and what Arnold might say. Aldo insists that Arnold doesn't run his shop. The display can stay. "Am I afraid of Arnold Feather?" Aldo then jumps nervously when the door flings open, but it is only Marilyn in her motorbike helmet and leathers. She orders ready-rubbed tobacco and papers, planning to change up her image by rolling her own cigarettes. She notices the movie projector that Aldo hired this morning. He will be holding a premiere of his American trip movies and wants all his friends at Number 96 to attend. Arnold arrives back and immediately notices the display window. The deli looks more like an Oomph! factory or a chemist shop. Trixie is having morning tea with Flo and Herb in Flat 3. Poor Adam, the composer, has nowhere to go and is apparently hanging around the Boulevard Cafe. He used to shack up in a flop-house with "Curly Meat" Jackson, the jazz drummer. "Curly Meat" is a heroin addict - "as mainline as the Southern Aurora!" - and Trixie is encouraging Adam to keep clear of him. Herb wonders about the camp stretcher. Maybe they could put Adam up for a bit? Trixie doubts that Dorrie would ever go overboard for an idea like that! Meanwhile, Dorrie is quite besotted by the charming Mr Shaw - "Call me Adam!" - as they chat over coffee at the Boulevard Cafe. Dorrie boasts that she comes from a long line of classical musicians herself. Not only was Dorrie's father a top ornithologist, he was an accomplished piano accordianist. She was brought up on Gilbert & Sullivan and knew Mendelssohn as well as her own mother! Adam has written a piano concerto, that is yet to be premiered and, recently, a ballad for Trixie. Roma offers more coffee and Dorrie insists on paying for both of them. She remembers that they have a camp stretcher up in "Pad Number 3". If her husband approves, they could offer Adam a place to stay, as a temporary measure, of course. Inside the deli, Aldo explains to Roma that he and Arnold had a sensible discussion about the cosmetics display. Arnold sees Aldo's point of view exactly. "The display goes!" Reg enters the deli on his way upstairs to luncheon. He informs Arnold that the cosmetic display in the front window is in breach of the Health Board regulations! Aldo retorts that Mr MacDonald will not be telling Aldo what he can put in his window and, furthermore, Reg is not invited to Aldo's movie premiere! Herb and Edie arrive at Flat 5. Herb is carrying a brown paper parcel for her. Now that they are moving to a house with a garden, she can display these again: Edie unwraps... a concrete garden gnome! This one was her first. She has had him since before Dean and Marilyn! In the wine bar, Flo is prepares to play Adam's song that he wrote for Trixie, but she decides to try 4/4 time. At one of the tables, Vera is sitting with Adam and Dorrie. Vera is able to explain to Adam her feisty attitude of this morning. Unfortunately, poor Adam was "the last straw". Dorrie announces that Adam will be boarding with her for the time being. Adam goes over to Trixie and takes over from Flo at the piano. "It's a ballad, you see," Adam says, as he begins to play. Dorrie's father was never properly recognised for his talent on the piano accordian; he could play the Hungarian Rhapsodies till he was pouring out tears. Vera makes a hasty getaway to the piano area. Marilyn and Arnold are sitting together before Arnold has to return to the deli for the lunchtime rush. Marilyn suggests that, since she's given up on men for good, and Arnold has had such unhappiness with women, they should form a platonic relationship with no strings. Arnold is bemused. Dorrie is now blissfully singing along with Adam's song, while Vera seems more captivated by the pianist himself. It's movie night in Flat 2! Marilyn, Edie, Vera, Herb, Dorrie and Flo are all seated in front of the tiny screen, while Arnold arranges canapes and the Godolfuses fuss over the projector. The footage of Roma and Aldo in San Francisco has the lens cap on! At the Grand Canyon, it is mainly of Roma's ear. The shot of Grant's Tomb is a plain brick wall. (Dorrie assumes the actor, Cary Grant?) Brief footage of a Disneyland ride is upside down. (That was taken by Mr and Mrs Pepper of Colorado Springs.) The San Francisco cable car is another shot of a plain brick wall. What is supposed to be footage of Los Angeles - or Tahiti? - is actually the deli downstairs! In Flat 3, Trixie is trying to get Adam to stop composing music for a while and come down to the wine bar with her for a drink. He refuses, as the piece must be finished by tomorrow so he can get paid. Trixie wonders where everyone is? Adam mentions that they are watching home movies in Flat 2. Arnold and Vera have escaped the film night early, even though it's after 11.00pm! Arnold escorts her to the top floor. Vera feels like she just sat through War and Peace. Vera thinks she'll probably dream about the Godolfuses starring in The Sound of Music. (Mrs Godolfus as a postulant nun?) They say goodnight and Vera opens the already-unlocked front door of Flat 7. Calling out for Trixie, she finds a hypodermic needle in her bathroom sink! There is a strange, repetitive noise. Vera follows it to the kitchen... and discovers a naked "Curly Meat" Jackson (Wayne Pickard), sitting crosslegged on her table, drumming with a carving knife! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The song "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" dates back to 1930. It later became the title song for the 1953 film, "Walking My Baby Back Home". Helena [Chaja] Rubinstein (1872-1965) was a Polish American businesswoman, cosmetics entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist. The former "Sheraton Wentworth Hotel" is adjacent to Wynyard Station in Sydney. It is now the "Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel" and has recently undergone a major renovation. Three-dimensional counter signage for "Andronicus Coffee" has been prominent in the deli of late, but visibility is increased in this episode by the addition of a cardboard box that also marked with the brand. The "Southern Aurora" was an overnight express passenger train that operated between Sydney and Melbourne from 1962 until 1986. It also hosted the annual "Spirit of 96" Logie Train in the 70s. Among the most famous works of composer Felix Mendelssohn is "Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream" (1826). The "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" (1851) by Franz Liszt is the most recognisable, popularised through its use in "Tom and Jerry" cartoon shorts. Leo Tolstoy's novel, "War and Peace" (1867) notoriously has over 1,200 pages. The movie version of "The Sound of Music" was released in 1965. Elaine Lee wears a "Band-Aid" on her right thumb when entering Flat 7 but, a few seconds later, it is (deliberately?) obscured by her packet of "Benson & Hedges" cigarettes.

704. (28/02) Trixie is feeling lonely and has come down to Norma's Bar. Vera's watching home movies and Adam is copying sheets of music. Norma let Dudley go at 10.00pm because he is still depressed about Don leaving. Carol tries to tempt Trixie with some late-night food and she settles for spaghetti bolognaise "for a very large midget". In Flat 7, Alf returns from having just evicted "Curly Meat" Jackson from Vera's kitchen. Alf declares, "What a creep!" The man was probably some musician friend of Adam's. Vera tried to tell "Curly Meat" that Adam was staying in Flat 3 but he was too out of it on heroin. She shows Alf the hypodermic. With much hilarity, Herb, Dorrie and Flo have joined Trixie's table in the wine bar after the movie night. Herb reckons most of what they saw could have been shot in Taylor Square [in Darlinghurst]. The footage of Mrs G at the Lincoln Memorial looked like she was standing beside a public toilet. It is almost closing time and Adam comes in as Carol is leaving. He doesn't want a drink; he heads over to Trixie to ask to borrow a few dollars. He'll pay her back tomorrow when he delivers the manuscripts, but he'd rather not say why he needs it. Trixie is puzzled. "Will a fiver do you?" Trixie orders one last round of drinks for her table. Meanwhile, a maudlin Dudley is in bed in Flat 4, pouring White Horse whisky from the bottle and browsing through a photo album. Carol comes home to hear sobbing from the main bedroom. She goes in to comfort Dudley. Next morning, Alf is in Flat 8, talking to Les on the phone and arranging a meeting. Lucy guesses correctly that they are still planning vigilante action against Andy. Alf assumes that the junkie whom Vera found in her flat last night was attracted to the building by Andy's articles. Out on the stairs, Les, Dudley and Norma are trying to move the sausage machine to make way for the Murphy bed. Dorrie is descending from the next level and finds her route blocked. She is due at the Pensions Office in ten minutes! She is soon joined by Lucy, who is supposed to be at the laundrette. Norma suggests climbing over the top, and Lucy does just that. Dorrie chooses to squeeze past the machine, pressed against the wall. When Lucy leans on the long handle on her way down, the machine rumbles into action. They are all pelted with sausages! Maggie is visiting Flat 6 with a warning for Andy about the residents' vigilante group. No one knows what Arnold thinks about it all; he is the lease holder of the flat, but hasn't signed any of the petitions. Perhaps he is planning something more sinister? After 20-years a newspaperman, Andy doesn't scare easily. Maggie leaves and Tanya pleads with Andy to leave the building, for his own safety. He tells her to drop the matter - and the phony Russian accent! Maggie comes up to Flat 7, to kill time with Vera before a meeting with Norma. Maggie will be checking the wine bar books to ensure that the bar is still a paying proposition. There is a larger restaurant/bar opening nearby very soon. Vera shows Maggie a postcard that has arrived from Don. He writes that he is feeling in the pink, that Amanda is as zany as ever, Europe is lovely this time of year, and he sends everyone his love. Vera reminds Maggie that Don has no idea that his friends know about his condition being terminal. If Maggie was dying, she'd want to be among friends. Adam arrives and is introduced to Maggie. Maggie mentions her connections in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, such as Sir Robert Elmsby and Clinton Mather. The mention of Mather gets Adam's attention. On her way out, Maggie offers to help Adam cut any strugglng-musician corners. Vera has her details. (Vera smirks knowingly.) Adam has come to apologise for "Curly Meat" Jackson's impromptu performance in her kitchen. Vera hands Adam the discarded hypodermic to return to "Curly Meat", but Adam won't be seeing him again. Alf and Les are sitting on the stairs, cleaning up the last of the sausages. Les thinks that he has encouraged several residents to join their group. Maggie goes into Flat 1 to inspect the account books, kicking sausages out of her way. Les tells Alf that they will rendezvous at 13:30 hours. A horn toots from the street; it is the truck to pick up the Murphy bed. While in Flat 1, Maggie overhears Carol and Dudley talking in the kitchen. Dudley apologises for his condition last night and Carol looks at him fondly. They are then caught in a compromising situation: Maggie enters just as Dudley kisses Carol. "Poor Don's not even dead yet," says Maggie. Vera passes the vigilante group on the stairs and gives them a look of disdain. Flo watches on, and Dorrie and Herb are carrying signs. Les and Alf pound on the door to Flat 6, yelling for Andy. There is no answer. Maybe he's not home? In Norma's Bar, Maggie is chatting up Adam as he plays the piano. She is less impressed by the piece when she realises that it is a ballad he wrote about Trixie O'Toole. Adam should play her some of his piano concerto instead. Does Maggie have a piano at her place? "Darling, I have everything at my place!" Dudley and Carol are watching Maggie flirting with Adam and Dudley compares the situation to La Belle Dame sans Merci. Carol is distressed by Maggie's accusation earlier, but Dudley warns her that it is best not to bring up the topic with her. Alf and Les get admonished by Lucy and Norma. "Has the 'Ku Klux Klan' knocked off for lunch?" Les is sure that Andy was in the flat, hiding in a cupboard. Norma saw Andy getting into his car this morning, but no one asked her. Lucy can stay for lunch becuse Marilyn has taken over in the laundrette for the afternoon. They spot Andy going past the window. In Flat 3, Trixie is having luch with Flo and Dorrie and laughing about the vigilante group's lack of success. Herb comes in with sliced cold pork from the deli. (The cold silverside was sold out.) He mentions Andy, having just come up the stairs with him - and Dorrie objects to Herbert fraternising with the enemy. Flo answers a call from "Wing Commander Whittaker". They will rendezvous again in two minutes. Trixie is bloody hungry and will stay at the dining table while they are gone. In Flat 6, Tanya greets Andy in her robe, reverting to her American accent in mid-sentence. Tanya, or "Rosemary", was about to take a shower, then she will fix them a late lunch. Andy is worried that Interpol might arrive at any moment and arrest him for harbouring a kidnap victim. Tanya will be hearing from Clark any day now. When she is safely in Switzeland, Andy can break the whole story wide open as an exclusive! It is a hot day and Andy will take a shower when Tanya is finished hers. He strips down to underpants and socks and lies on his bed. Seconds later, the vigilante group is back to pounding on his door. Dorrie suggests smoking him out, but Flo, puffing on a cigarette, warns that smoking is a health hazard. Les takes a run at the door just as Andy opens it. Les crashes into something on the other side of the room. Later, the vigilantes are commiserating in the wine bar, after Andy's tongue-lashing. A sheepish Les emerges from Flat 2 with an icepack on his head. He's already rung in sick to the hospital; Sister Warren wasn't impressed. Alf thinks their campaign has been successful and they toast to their progress. Maggie pulls Adam aside. She offers her place as alternate accommodation to Flat 3 and mentions her grand piano. Trixie interrupts her to ask about the rival business opening soon. Maggie says that it's to be called The Grapevine. Trixie has been already booked to appear there. Vera arrives and heads straight to Adam. She feels rotten about turfing him out and offers him to move into Flat 7. Adam accepts eagerly. Maggie's look is severe. In Flat 6, Tanya is sweeping up the breakages from the incident with Les. Andy comes in from delivering a story to his newspaper office. He clarifies with Tanya that Clark was supposed to contact her when the ransom was paid by her parents. According to Andy's overseas news sources, Clark collected the money ten days ago. Tanya is puzzled. Andy suspects that Clark Harvey has doublecrossed her. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

This was the last "Number 96" episode transmitted in monochrome. "La Belle Dame sans Merci: A Ballad" was written in 1819 by John Keats. Translating as "The Beautiful Lady without Mercy", the title was derived from a 15th-century poem by Alain Chartier. The developing plot concerning Adam, Maggie and Vera seems set to be a replay of the Simon Carr/Maggie/Vera plot, which had played out from Episodes #88 to #111, and again in the 1974 movie. Earlier on this night, the Nine Network aired The Unisexers for the last time, axing it due to low ratings. Just before midnight on the last day of February 1975, Channel TEN broadcast a short b/w scene to celebrate Australia's official switch-over to regular colour broadcasts, known as "C-Day" (1st March 1975). Featuring Chard Hayward as movie buff Dudley Butterfield. Dudley, Dorrie Evans and other residents gather in Flat 8 to watch the Sutcliffes' new television (from Episode #699). When the set is turned on, the image on the TV screen appears in full colour. This segment was the brainchild of "Number 96" director, Brian Phillis. Dudley shares his love for the 1960 motion picture, "Can-Can" (starring Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jourdan).

Over on the ABC, a five-minute "Aunty Jack Show" reunion segment was played. Starring Grahame Bond (with Rory O'Donoghue as Thin Arthur and Garry McDonald as Kid Eager), colour starts creeping into the picture, slowly saturating the characters in colour. Legend has it that "Aunty Jack Introduces Colour" went to air three minutes early, on purpose. But 0-10 had "cheated" that night, too, with its Dudley skit. Network Ten was able to promote itself as "First in Color" (sic) in its station identification ads. When "C-Day" was approaching, an expert team from the USA had been brought out to educate the local network owners on the ins and outs of colour broadcasting, and to prepare TV manufacturers, advertisers, electrical stores and the general public. In all the press releases and information packages, they went for the US spelling of "COLOR" and this was adopted quite enthusiastically, as least for a while.

705. (3/03) Les and Alf are in the bathroom of Flat 1, consulting an old medical book to diagnose Les's head injury. They debate their failures with Andy so far, and contemplate putting red dye in Andy's water supply? Norma is livid. Alf just wants the journalist gone but Norma warns that Andy is "a tough cookie". Les is convined that Flat 6 is jinxed. Three woman (Beverly, Patti and Tracey) have died up there and the flat is probably haunted. Alf scoffs at him. In Flat 6, Tanya defends Clark's motives to Andy. She had met Clark in New York and they settled for living together because her parents had already lined her up to marry a Bostonian: Quincy Samuel Adams. Grandfather Prior had bequeathed an inheritance to Rosemary, that is held in trust by her parents for when she marries the appropriate Harvard graduate. The kidnap stunt was Tanya's only chance to get what Rosemary deserves. She is convinced that there has been a hitch, and Clark is just lying low. In bed in Flat 2, Roma and Aldo discuss Arnold, who is getting "too big for his shoes": rejecting Roma's Oomph! products and being so old-fashioned in his thinking. Aldo is still the boss and Arnold "can't ride over me in the rough shoes like this!" They agree that Roma will set up her Oomph! stand again and, if Arnold "doesn't lump it, he can like it!" It is breakfast time in Flat 8 and Alf finds Arnold frying eggs in the kitchen. Lucy seems to be sleeping in? Lucy emerges from the bedroom, rather tired, but insisting on taking over at the stove, as it's her job. (Instead, Arnold offers to brew the tea, or "mash it", to use the Lancashire term.) Alf reads out a gory newspaper article and the description of a horse's pickled innards has Lucy racing for the bathroom. Meanwhile, in the bathroom of Flat 5, Edie has her seven "little men" in the bathtub. She is naming them as she scrubs them with a toilet brush and lots of suds, to prepare them for the move to Blacktown. In the lounge room, Marilyn and Daddy bicker about her being a lesbian while Reg is searching for an important paper - The Uses and Abuses of High-Rise Urban Erections - that he needs at the TH. He accidentally pushes the bathroom door into Edie - and Dopey gets smashed to pieces on the bathroom floor! Edie wails that now Dopey won't be able to move with them all to Blacktown. "Lucky Dopey!" quips Marilyn, as she passes the tableau in the bathroom. Roma's friend, Bella Markoff, rings to invite the Godolfuses to the Bar Mitzbah of her 13-year-old grandson, Reuben, on Saturday. They accept! Aldo is ready to show Arnold who is boss. David Jones displays cosmetics and food in the same shop, so why can't he in Paddington? Tanya and Andy are in Flat 6, still awaiting the arrival of Clark Harvey. Andy is curious as to what Clark does for a living when not conspiring to kidnap heiresses. Tanya says that he has had to do some pretty repulsive things to survive. He has pushed drugs, but was never a user himself. Andy persists: "Phony insurance? Non-existent encyclopedias?" Tanya admits that she rang Clark two weeks ago, and changed the contact point to Number 96, when she was still working in the deli. Andy believes that Clark has plans to kill Tanya and keep the ransom money for himself. In the laundrette, Vera and Lucy discuss the vigilante group. Lucy says that Alf is easily-led. She suffers a dizzy spell and Vera and Marilyn help her to a bench seat. Has she seen a doctor? Maybe it's the change of life? Marilyn offers to take Lucy to her doctor on her motorcycle, but Vera would prefer to ring her a cab. Lucy is feeling quite unwell. Vera will phone through an appointment request with Lucy's doctor. To spite Arnold, Aldo urges Roma to go ahead with her plans for the Oomph! cosmetics bar. When Arnold tries to explain that Reg, through his position at the Paddington Council, has the power to stop the deli from selling Oomph!, a bitter and frustrated Roma announces that she is no longer talking to Arnold - ever again! Aldo warns Arnold: "Hell hath no fury like a woman who is... furious." Tanya meets Vera on the landing and invites her into Flat 6. Tanya is upset that some of the residents want violent retribution over the articles that Andy wrote. She offers Vera a vodka and shows her the unedited copies of Andy's newspaper articles, which do not exaggerate the facts about the Pantyhose Murders. Les is cooking up a saucepan of fish glue and red dye in Flat 1. Norma is curious and frustrated by the stench. It sets very quickly, so Les has to work fast. He needs to saturate newspaper in it to make a fright mask for Project: Andy Scare. Les and Alf are planning more subtle tactics: a series of simulated psychic phenomena. Meanwhile, Norma has been invited to a Hunter Valley Wine Festival. She is reluctant to attend because The Grapevine, a new rival venue, is about to open on Paradise Street. In Flat 6, Vera wonders if she has been too hard on Andy? Suddenly, Vera is overcome by a premonition. There is an evil presence in this room - and Tanya must leave this flat immediately for her own safety! In Norma's Bar, Les debuts his red fright mask from behind the piano. Arnold, Marilyn, Alf and Norma are underwhelmed. Arnold thinks that Andy will soon leave of his own accord. He excuses himself to return for the lunchtime rush at the deli and Marilyn returns to the laundrette. She mentions that the doctor said that there was nothing wrong. In the deli, the Godolfuses hear from Edie that the move to Blacktown is definitely happening. Daddy will be DTC and Edie can have all of her "little men" in the garden. The Godolfuses are confused, especially when Edie mentions smashing one's head in this morning. She did see another one in Farmers' window; he was sitting on a toadstool, with his fishing rod in his hand. Aldo and Roma are more confused. Arnold and Reg enter the deli together, having met on the street outside. Roma denies having cosmetics for sale. Reg has been "ill-informed". Edie tells Daddy that luncheon is upstairs: macaroni cheese with marmalade jam. Roma is still giving Arnold the silent treatment and leaves for her Independent Activity period. Aldo is the go-between, relaying messages from her to Arnold. Vera is working on her new Autumn collection of fashion designs in Flat 7. She answers the door to Lucy, who wishes to confide in her. When Lucy saw Doctor Pearman today, she wasn't expecting him to say that she was pregnant. Vera is astounded but embraces her friend warmly. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

From the official introduction of colour broadcasting on 1st March, all new "Number 96" episodes now air in colour. Wendy Blacklock, as Edie MacDonald, sings "With a Smile and a Song", from Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) animated movie. Edie's garden gnomes are all named for that movie's dwarfs. (One small gnome has been in Edie's lounge room for some time.) Bella Markoff's surname is revealed in this episode. She was last included (offscreen) in Episode #634. "David Jones" and "Farmers" were large Sydney CBD department stores. "Farmers" became "Grace Bros." and then "Myer". "David Jones" still exists. Les Whittaker's fright mask is a different one to his "Jack the Ripper" disguise from Episode #673, but it is obviously a commercial one, with bits added, and not homemade papier-mâché. The oft-mentioned Doctor Pearman is finally credited onscreen in Episode #753.

706. (4/03) In Flat 3, Adam packs his things - more music sheets and folders than clothes - to move back into Flat 7 as Vera's boarder. He would have moved there last night, but Maggie insisted on taking him to dinner. He tells Dorrie and Herb that he might see them tonight, at the gala opening of The Grapevine restaurant/bar on Paradise Street. Trixie is putting together a table for the Number 96 residents - and everything will be free of charge. Strangely enough, Flo had failed to pass on the verbal invitation. Flo, Herb and Adam sing some lines from On the Sunny Side of the Street. When he's gone, Dorrie mentions that she is so impressed by this cultured young man - but he's too smooth for Flo's liking. People aren't always what they seem to be. Flo will be too tired to go bowling tomorrow and suggests that Dorrie team up with Mrs Marcazite. While Carol is in the bathroom, Dudley takes a call from Don. Dud tries to be jovial and offers well-intentioned tourist advice. (Beware of the Black Forest, as it's full of fairies!) Mrs Whitt has assigned them to be spies tonight, at the opening of The Grapevine, so they don't have to report downstairs for work. Don wouldn't want them to mope around. Trixie tells Vera about the gala opening and she agrees to attend. Adam is not so sure; he only has the one outfit (and it's double denim). Maggie arrives and pronounces Adam to be "Paderewski himself, the boy with magic at his fingers!". Maggie wants to back Vera's new design collection. Vera reminds her of The Tapemeasure fiasco. Vera doesn't need Maggie's help, as she has money of her own now. Instead, Maggie latches onto Adam's arm, too take him downstairs for a drink. She tells Vera and Trixie not to wait up, and suggests that "Mother", meaning Vera, will do Adam's unpacking. "Uh oh, here we go again..." says Vera (obviously thinking of Simon Carr). Aldo sees Arnold wiping down a table on the Boulevard Cafe and tells him that they should close early to attend the gala opening at The Grapevine. They enter the deli. It would be rude to ignore the invitation. Roma is still not speaking to Arnold and relays her message that they will be attending. Roma rosters herself off to have her bath. Aldo wonders if Arnold has heard any more about the Meadowvale Golf Club on the North Shore? He hasn't. Aldo swings the broom like his "golf stick" and it almost hits Roma. In Norma's Bar, Maggie tells Adam that he'll never be rich wanting to be the next Roger Woodward, and playing the classics and concert halls. "Make your pile in the pop scene!" Adam could be the next Peter Nero, but he'll need a new wardrobe. As from tonight, Maggie is taking over management of his career! A group of noisy revellers gather in the wine bar, ready to attend the rival establishment in Paradise Street. Dudley introduces Trixie as "Sydney's own sweetheart, the golden pipes of Pan, and the darling of the 'Harbord Diggers'." She declares that he can be MC of her next tour of "Alice Springs and the back of beyond". Dorrie interrupts Maggie and Adam to mention the large amount of rent money waiting to be collected by Maggie. Maggie brushes her off. Trixie drags Adam to the door; he is still protesting about his unsuitable clothes. Maggie gets a last minute invitation and Dorrie points out that Maggie is wearing daytime clothing while the rest are in their finery for the gala. Dudley proffers his arm to "Cinderella", and she suggests that Dudley is the ugly sister, so where is the other one? Dudley says, "Right beside me, Darling, shall we go?" In the bedroom of Flat 2, Aldo explains that Arnold has decided to close the shop early and come with them to the opening. He will even drive them in his "little car". Roma would rather walk! Arnold arrives in the flat and mentions to Aldo that, according to Mr Marshall, the committee of the Meadowvale Golf Club has met. Not long to wait now. Roma is fed up and gives Aldo an ultimatum: either 50/50 business partner, Arnold, goes or Roma, the 50/50 marriage partner, does! Several hours later, Vera, Andy and Trixie are having coffee. Norma will be getting some stiff competition from the new venue. They have had a wonderful night and Vera is full of praise for the decor and the food. Trixie could sing, Little Boy Blue, Come blow your horn and make it sound like a torch song. ("That wouldn't be too hard, not after he'd blown it, anyway," Trixie replies.) Trixie suggests some mood music and Adam asks Vera to dance. Vera and Trixie continue to chat but Adam tries to get Vera to concentrate on dancing. She whispers that he dances well. The combo was fabulous, especially the ritzy sax player, Lenny Levine, of the Hotel Regent Orchestra. Flo is singing the White Cliffs of Dover as she serves Herb his cocoa in Flat 3. Flo goes into some lines from April Showers and Dorrie reminds her that she already experienced the whole performance, so there is no need to repeat it "ad nauseous". Dorrie is still quite besotted with Adam and Flo is miffed. Roma stubbornly refuses to resolve her differences with Arnold. She ignored him all night! They refused a lift home and chose to walk back to Lindsay Street. Arnold waits in the foyer to see that the Godolfuses arrived safely. Roma walks right past him. Aldo hints that tomorrow his new "joke box" arrives. Roma is confused but, if Arnold objects, then Aldo, too, will be ignoring his business partner. Trixie checks that Adam has settled on the couch in Flat 7. Adam mentions that he finds Vera to be "very beautiful", and Trixie agrees. In her bed, Vera relives her dance with Adam as she drifts off to sleep. Carol and Dudley laugh over their cocoa in Dudley's bedroom in Flat 4. They loved Lenny Levine's combo! Dud and Carol seem to be getting drawn closer to each other in their grief. Next morning, in the deli, not long after its arrival, the juke box gets stuck playing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy at top volume. Aldo has the coin-operated machine on approval, for free, for a week. Roma decides to select one of her favourites, The Blue Danube. Arnold arrives - and demands that the juke box be removed immediately! The deli does not have an entertainment licence. Now both Aldo and Roma are giving him the cold shoulder treatment. Vera plans to shop for fabrics today, so Adam can have Flat 7 to himself. Trixie reminds them that she is a lady of leisure today and will be staying home. Maggie storms in again, this time to take Adam on a shopping spree. He is supposed to be copying manuscripts today. Maggie scoffs: "Drudgery! Leave it to the bachelors and no-hopers!" Aldo is stamping prices on cans in the deli and wordlessly handing them off to Arnold, who is on the little steps and attempting to stack the cans. Aldo doesn't notice that he is going too fast. Flo delivers the mail to the deli and Arnold learns that he has been accepted as a member of the exclusive Meadowvale Golf Club. Flo notices the juke box - but is suddenly being used as a go-between for feuding business partners. Aldo is perplexed by his letter, though; his own application to the club has been rejected. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"On the Sunny Side of the Street" (1930) was composed by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860–1941) was a virtuoso pianist, composer, politician and, eventually, Prime Minister of independent Poland after World War I. The disastrous business venture of "The Tapemeasure" fashion shop, and Vera Collins and Maggie Cameron feuding over Simon Carr, stretched from Episode #38 until #117. Roger Woodward is a Sydney-born classical pianist, composer, conductor and teacher. Peter Nero had recently starred in the Emmy Award-winning "S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous, S'Gershwin" (1972). The song, "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover", (1941) was popular during World War II. It was composed by Walter Kent with lyrics by Nat Burton. "April Showers" was previously referenced in Episode #692. Songwriter and performer, Lenny Levine, gets several scripted namedrops. He was last mentioned in Episode #598, as a possibility to play at the Riggs/Patterson wedding. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (1941) was popularised by The Andrews Sisters in World War II. "The Blue Danube" (1866) is the common English title of "An der schönen blauen Donau", a waltz by Johann Strauss II. The Sutcliffes went to "The Blue Danube" restaurant in Episode #35 and the Godolfuses made it a regular venue from Episode #44. Struggling actress, Janie Somers, used to work there as a waitress. There was a real-life Austrian-themed restaurant called "The Blue Danube" (opened 1952) in Kings Cross. The site would become "The Bourbon & Beefsteak".

707. (5/03) Adam arrives in Flat 7 with an armful of packages. Trixie says, "What's all this, Loverboy, Christmas already?" That makes Maggie Cameron "Santa Claus". She has indulged Adam with a whole new wardobe of trendy clothes, but he feels guilty about accepting them. And now she wants him to meet her influential friends at a smart bistro in Double Bay. Trixie urges him to let her spoil him as she has plenty of money. "Meet who you can while the opportunity's there... 'Grab it while you can, as the lift boy said to the vicar'." Les's latest scheme, known as Operation: Andy Scare, involves "simulated psychic phenomena", so he has "borrowed" a life-sized skeleton from the Anatomy Department of the hospital. ("Up to a point. Pushed him outside in a wheelchair.") Alf becomes the first scare victim when he enters Flat 1. Norma comes into the room just as Les demonstrates his levitating table. Norma moves backwards into the skeleton - and screams. No bones broken?" asks Les, but he means the skeleton, not Norma. Alf is told to go and see Lucy. She has important news for him. Dorrie is visiting Flat 5 while Edie and Marilyn are setting the table for luncheon. Edie explains how Daddy is only ADTC in Paddington, but will be DTC in Blacktown. The new house comes with a garden for Edie's "little men" (except Dopey, who got smashed) and Marilyn will be reunited with all of her old school friends. Marilyn is resolute that she will not be moving to Blacktown. Dorrie believes that Paddington is second only to Point Piper as the top suburb. Reg arrives, looking excited and carring a brown paper parcel. Reg informs Edie that their new four-bedroom home is brick veneer. It comes with his new position and has Cooper Louvres and "a large, landscaped garden with concrete terraces" and room for all of Mother's gnomes. Edie is enthused but Marilyn doesn't care about the barbecue for entertaining young friends because she's not going! Reg presents Edie with a gift: the fishing gnome that Edie had recently seen in Farmers' window. Marilyn mentions that she is still looking for a lesbian and Dorrie is aghast. "Those peasants from Middle Eastern countries can't be trusted!" Alf comes into Flat 8, where Lucy is setting the table for lunch. Lucy's news - that she is expecting a change-of-life baby - is a source of horror for Alf! Trixie is having afternoon tea with Edie in Flat 5. Trixie attempts to give Edie moral support over the upcoming Blacktown move. She agrees with "Mother Evans" and urges Edie to stay firm with Reg. Edie has had so much fun in "Paddo". They reminisce about changing roles to fool Mrs Buchanan, singing for Miss Bottle's Girl Guides, and burning down the TC's beach house. What was there to do in Blacktown, apart from fortnightly visits to the Deluxe Hair Salon opposite Woolies? Maybe Trixie could try working on the TC again and Daddy could be promoted while here in Paddington? (That well has run dry.) Returning from bowling, Dorrie meets Adam on the stairs and remarks on him looking so miraculate his new suit, on his way to see Maggie. She asks Adam to tell Mrs Cameron that two weeks' worth of rent is awaiting collection. Dorrie arrives in Flat 3 with a head of steam about Adam - and also Flo's rent. $9 is not enough now that Flo is earning additional money. Dorrie wants to increase Flo's rent to $12, but gets offended when Flo says to make it $20. (The cost goes back to $12. Maybe she should have accepted the $20, with the "inflatable" country and all?) In Norma's Bar, Alf has had a change of heart and is now boasting about his forthcoming fatherhood to the Whittakers, Trixie, Edie and Flo. Edie will be taking a firm stand about staying in Paddington. Trixie suggests a roof garden for the "little men". Flo dedicates her first song to the Sutcliffes: You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby. Alf races upstairs to Flat 8 to get Lucy to join the celebrations. She didn't want Alf telling everyone! She is supposed to be at the laundrette to relieve Marilyn. Lucy is not jubilant about the thought of a raising another child. A persuasive Alf tries to coax Lucy to look forward to having the baby. Later, in the wine bar, Alf has returned to the champagne party alone, and shouts drinks all around (including a patron played by Andrew Peterson). Marilyn parks Tilly against the window. Trixie says that it is either Marilyn entering the bar, or "Peter Fonda still searching for America!" Marilyn is heading back to the women's cafe on Parramatta Road to look for a lesbian. Edie worries that there won't be room if they all stay in Flat 5. Marilyn warns that "Dad" is hopping mad about something. Norma is angry when Les slips away into the flat. He demonstrates a simulated kinetic force from out in the foyer. (They can't be manipulating tech while inside of Andy's flat. It has to be from outside.) Norma storms into the flat just as Les pulls a rope - and Norma ends up on the floor. Edie and Trixie are sloshed and help each other up the stairs. Inside Flat 5, Daddy looks stern. Has his wife been imbibing? Mr Sutcliffe bought champage for everyone because "his wife has some buns in the oven". While concerned about no tea having been prepared, he is pleased to announce that their son, Dean, will be moving from Adelaide to the Blacktown house - and now Edie is no longer concerned about leaving Number 96! Adam visits Flat 3 to look for a lost manuscript: his ballad called Trixie. Herb thinks it might be with Flo's pile of manuscripts? Dorrie tries to have a very serious talk: she needs to warn Adam about accepting Maggie's generosity because she is a well-known "cradle snatcher" - and Adam is the "snatchee"! Herb finds the missing ballad. Alf turns up at the laundrette to apologise for shouting at Lucy. She tells him, "Being a mother is a fulltime job." With their current financial situation and the lottery money, they could afford a nurse! In Flat 5, Edie gets frisky and clucky about wanting a new baby and Reg tries to change the subject. The phone rings - and Reg receives news from the Casualty Ward of Prince Alfred Hospital. Marilyn has been in an accident with her motorcycle. It is almost bedtime in Flat 3. Dorrie hears about Lucy's baby. "Why, it's flying in the face of nature!" Dorrie has decided that Flo's rent should be $18. Flo happily offers her $20, but demands change. Dorrie doesn't have any change, but Herb suggests that there is some in the rent box. Dorrie goes off to fetch the rentbox and Flo and Herb discuss Lucy's baby. Flo doesn't think it is a good idea. They hear a wail from the main bedroom as Dorrie discovers that the $640 that was in the locked rent box has been stolen. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

An iconic yellow "The Colony Shop" bag is on the top of Adam Shaw's pile. This prop was last featured in Episode #612. The dialogue indicates that new shoes were puchased, but none of the packages resemble a shoebox. There is a new variation on the running gag about "the actress and the bishop", still a part of Trixie O'Toole's shtick. Several lines in this episode contain vocabulary that would cause consternation to modern audiences. Lockable "Cooper Louvres" were named for inventor Clifford Cooper. "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby", by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer, was written for the movie, "Hard to Get" (1938). Trixie references the Peter Fonda movie, "Easy Rider" (1969). Andrew Peterson (aka Robert Neesam) can be seen playing an uncredited wine bar patron. He can next be seen at a wine-tasting in Episode #724. Robert played a hooded robber in the deli in Episodes #543 and #552, and would return in other roles, including a taxi driver (twice), and a policeman in Episode #1193.

708. (6/03) As he polishes his "joke box" in the deli, Aldo is still upset that his application to join the Meadowvale Golf Club was rejected. Roma suggests asking Andy about it, but he is not a club member. It was his friend who proposed Aldo's application. Aldo can't talk to Arnold about it because they are still feuding over the juke box. Roma also refuses to communicate with Arnold. Aldo claims to have fixed the machine. To prove it, he selects Hello, Dolly! and gets... Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy! In Flat 5, Marilyn is bandaged up and confined to bed after her motorbike accident. Daddy will inform Mrs Sutcliffe of her non-attendance at the laundrette today. ("Doctor's orders!") Mummy breaks the news about Dean coming home to the Blacktown house and Marilyn is thrilled that she will be able to "pop out" and visit her brother, "Deano", at weekends. Meanwhile, in Flat 6, Andy suspects that Clark has ditched Tanya and "shot through" with the half million dollars ransom. Andy recommends that she fly back to the US and "square things" with her rich parents. He reminds Tanya that she has committed fraud, whether she ever gets hold of the money or not. Adam and Vera chat, as she sketches new designs, in Flat 7. Maggie has arranged new contacts to further Adam's music career, including someone from The Elizabethan Trust to look at his concerto. There's no reason that he can't be a Peter Nero (pop music) and a Leonard Bernstein (classical). Adam is concerned about Maggie showering him with gifts and intruding into his life. Vera tells him that Maggie fancies him; the pattern with her protegés is always the same. Adam is sure that the feeling is not mutual! There is a knock at the door. Suspecting it is Maggie, Vera sends Adam to hide in Trixie's room. Maggie barges in, looking around for Adam's whereabouts. He then overhears Maggie confirming all of Vera's suspicions. Arnold visits with Marilyn in Flat 5. She tells him that her traffic accident occurred when she was "being pursued by a lesbian", whom she had met over lime milkshakes at the Black & White Milkbar on Parramatta Road. Arnold puts her straight about the actual meaning of the term: lesbianism is not just "a beautiful friendship between two girls". Old Heather Potter from Narrandera had suggested that Marilyn become a lesbian after hearing about her disillusionment with men (particularly after the Michael Bartlett incident). Only now does Marilyn realise why the Absolute Truth Movement has an all-female membership! Maybe that means that Marilyn is... neuter?! On the Boulevard Cafe, Roma tells Dudley about the $640 that went missing from Dorrie's locked cashbox. Dudley is reminded of the plot of Goldfinger. Roma inquires after Don. Carol joins Dudley at his table. She took a call from the someone at The Grapevine, who wants Dudley to call him. Reg greets them as he enters the deli - and immediately notices the new juke box inside the shop. Aldo tries to demonstrate how the machine works by choosing the song, Rose Marie. The machine won't play. Reg is unimpressed; he intends to report Aldo to the Paddington Council, as the juke box contravenes a 1910 regulation if used without an appropriate entertainment licence. Did Arnold send for Mr MacDonald to intervene? Aldo thumps the machine and it again plays "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". Outside, Dudley lights up when hearing the old Andrews Sisters' number, which they sang in the Abbott & Costello movie, Buck Privates. Reg is ejected from the shop. Arnold calls upon Andy in Flat 6 and overhears Tanya speaking in Rosemary's American accent. She tries to cover by pretending that she has been practising an Australian accent. Arnold inquires about Aldo's golf club membership getting rejected. Andy promises to check with his friend, but doesn't believe that Australian organisations would discriminate against people of Jewish faith - but Tanya is not so sure. Edie is enjoying bopping along to the Andrews Sisters as she shops in the deli. Because Roma is not speaking to Aldo she asks Edie to tell him to turn off the juke box. He can't hear Edie over the infernal music. A customer plugs her ears and grimaces. The song speeds up but Aldo can't unplug the machine. An angry Arnold runs in from Flat 2 and slams his hand against the machine until it billows out smoke. They open up the front and pull out hot wires and several 45rpm records. Aldo is furious! Vera is at the door of Flat 6. Now that Vera has read Andy's original articles, courtesy of Tanya, they seem to be back on better terms. Vera still thinks that, as a journalist, he should have realised what his editor might do to the articles. Andy invites her in, but she brushes him off. Andy is cranky with Tanya for being oblivious and naive to Clark's obvious motives. Adam comes into Norma's Bar for a bottle of moselle. He runs into Maggie, who is unhappy with Adam's attitude, especially when he turns down a lunch invitation... because he will be eating with Vera instead. "How about dinner tonight?" No, he has some manuscripts to copy. Adam leaves and Maggie takes out her temper on Dudley, accusing him of a lack of variety in the wine bar's food menu. He does the best he can on the budget provided. Carol reminds Maggie about the tiny kitchen that Dudley has to work in. Maggie doesn't care if Dudley lights the stove "by rubbing two Boy Scouts together". She storms out to see Norma in the flat to initiate a review of marketing procedures. After luncheon in Flat 5, Reg compliments Mother on a "most palatable" cottage pie. He mentions that Arnold brought something special for Marilyn's lunch and he goes into her room to say goodbye. Edie will clear the table and then start wrapping her "little men" for the move to Blacktown. Reg catches Marilyn smooching an embarrassed Arnold for the "smoked salmon sammo". Edie confides in Bashful the gnome: maybe Marilyn will move with them after all? In Marilyn's room, now that Daddy's gone, she tries the embrace again. (So impetuous!) In Flat 7, Adam thanks Vera for lunch. There is a knock at the door and they immediately think of Maggie. Adam hides again, but Maggie barges in and notices place settings for two. "So he was lunching with you!" Vera reminds her that Adam lives there. Maggie picks a spat with Vera. Adam is not interested in Maggie. Maggie quotes a mutual acquaintance: "Allow me to be the best judge of that!" Adam emerges from around a corner. Maggie is "too old" for him. In Flat 4, Dudley is off shopping with his new food budget for the wine bar. He finds Carol dozing on her bed. She is miserable. Vera finds Adam working in the spare bedroom of Flat 7 and offers him a cup of tea. She is concerned that Adam was a little cruel to Maggie - but how else was he to get her off his back? Aldo's juke box is being taken out of the deli by two men. Arnold and the Godolfuses agree to bury the hatchet. Dudley arrives to buy up on "secret herbs and spices", and wanting to hear Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy again. He casually suggests that Aldo's Meadowvale Golf Club membership would have been refused because Aldo is Jewish. It's like Gregory Peck in Gentleman's Agreement. Aldo is perturbed. Dudley says, "Heavens to Betsy! 'Brenda Bigmouth' strikes again!" Has Tanya made a grave mistake? Laden with parcels, Tanya enters Flat 6. Clark Harvey (Brandon Smith) has arrived at last - and he surprises her inside Andy's flat. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"Hello, Dolly!" is the title song of the popular 1964 musical of the same name. The "Black & White Milkbar" was first referred to as a "women's cafe" in Episode #702. The name derives from Australia's first modern milkbar; in 1932, Joachim Tavlaridis (aka Mick Adams) opened "Black & White 4d Milkbar" in Martin Place, Sydney. Marilyn MacDonald mentions "old Heather Potter", the viewers' first indication of the lesbian woman's age. "Chromakey" (bluescreen) is used to insert a background of the actual Moncur Street in Woollahra behind the actors and "Boulevard Cafe" furniture to give a new angle to the studio set. The "Moncur Flats" foundation plaque is visible here. (It does not appear on the studio set.) The completed scene leaves obvious bluish outlines around the actors and furniture. Prominent in the replaced background is the former "Moncur Street Uniting Church", which ceased being used as such in the 1980s. Built in the Victorian Gothic style around 1877 as a Congregational church, it was gutted by fire in 1989. Now repaired and privately owned, the building has Jersey Road as the preferred street address. A government bus passes through this scene. Several years later, Johnny Lockwood would play a bus conductor in a TV commercial, who does a doubletake when his bus passes... "Moncur Flats"! "Buck Privates" is a 1941 movie. "Rose Marie" (1924) is a popular song from the operetta of the same name. The James Bond movie, "Goldfinger", was released in 1964. Peter Nero was previously mentioned in Episode #706. Leonard Bernstein was an American conductor, composer and pianist. The wine bar blackboard menu features "Spaghetti Bolognese", $1.85, and "Chicken in a Basket", $2.50. The catchphrase, "Allow me to be the best judge of that!" is a quote from Mrs Claire Houghton of Point Piper, who was last seen onscreen in the 1974 "Number 96" movie. The character is often namedropped in scripts and will be reintroduced onscreen in Episodes #1023/1024. "Secret herbs and spices" is a reference to the "Kentucky Fried Chicken" franchise. The movie "Gentleman's Agreement" was released in 1947. "Brenda Bigmouth" is a reference to Dudley Butterfield's Aunty Brenda of Beecroft, first mentioned in Episode #652. Brandon Smith, who portrays Clark Harvey, was the real-life husband of Margaret Laurence, who would soon begin playing the continuing character of Liz Chalmers from Episode #776. Clark calls "Tanya!" when he first sees Rosemary Prior.

709. (7/03) In Flat 6, Tanya has a barrage of questions for Clark. He explains that he has been hiding out in Switzerland because the story of her kidnapping had already broken in the international press. Blonde-haired Rosemary's face was on every front page! Clark explains that the half million dollars is safely deposited in a Zurich bank account. He is amazed by her new look and assumes that Tanya has been having fun with her false identity. She is about to break the news about someone knowing of her true background when Andy arrives home. Clark is unimpressed when he hears that Andy is a journalist. Dorrie is so distraught about the stolen rent money that she cannot eat the plate of Sausages Provencarli [sic] that Flo has prepared. Dorrie blames poor Herb; he shouldn't have left the rentbox unguarded. Flo suspects that the money was stolen by Adam Shaw. He is known to be penniless and had access to Flat 3. Dorrie is offended on Adam's behalf. "That is all my eye and Mary Martin!" Flo reminds them that Maggie recently bought him a wardrobe of new clothes. "That's a horse of an entirely different colour," said Dorrie. Flo maintains that Adam is "a crafty one". In Norma's Bar, Dudley is stirring Alf about being a new father at 50. Les lists many medical complications about which Lucy needs to be made aware. Alf tells Les that he's just jealous and shoves a celebratory cigar in his mouth. Carol places an order for more of the Beef Bourguignon and Norma is impressed that Maggie's menu changes are working. Dudley disagrees; he thinks that most patrons prefer cheaper meals that take him less time to prepare. Dudley storms out to the kitchen. Carol agrees that Maggie was very rude to both of them earlier. In Flat 6, Clark tells Andy about why they staged the phony kidnapping. It was the only way to get Rosemary's rightful inheritance out of "Old Man Prior". Andy tells Clark and Tanya that they have 48 hours to leave the country before he puts their story into print. Andy refuses Clark's offer of a cash bribe; he has plenty of his own money. Clark reminds Andy that he's been harbouring a known criminal in his flat. Andy is an accessory to their crime! Herb and Dorrie are in their dressing gowns in Flat 3, watching a movie on TV called How to Steal A Million. Dorrie thinks that such a movie would entice the weak-minded into a life of crime! She is reminded of the missing rent money. Flo still insists that Adam was the culprit. Flo can't afford to replace the $640 and the Evanses spent all of their lifesavings on giving Frank Meadows a decent funeral. ("That's a well-known fact.") Clark tells Andy that if they get detained at the airport, they'll spill everything. "Feel free," says Andy. He has witnesses who will vouch for Rosemary using an alias. Tanya accuses him of "keeping me on ice for the sake of your big, fat story". Clark leaves for the airport, to buy air tickets before the close of business. Tanya must stay here, in Flat 6, to make sure that Andy doesn't report them. Doesn't their friendship mean anything? Andy relents and extends his deadline to seven days. Alf and Lucy are in bed in Flat 8. Lucy wonders if Alf has considered his new responsibilities? He is confident that he will cope. She is vindicated when Alf objects to getting up to fetch his wife some milk, just as he is dozing off. After work, Dudley is agitated by Norma's comments to him in the bar. It is rare for Norma to take Maggie's side. As they climb the stairs, he tells Carol that there has been a subtle change since the Whittakers became part owners in the bar. The phone is ringing in Flat 4 and Carol is distressed by some news: Don's Aunt Amanda phones from Heidelberg to tell Dudley that she is taking the ailing Don to a faith healer in Switzerland. Don is sinking fast. It is 7.00am - and Norma is awoken by ghostly sounds in Flat 1. She stumbles into the lounge room to find that Les has created a "fright tape" with his tape recorder. Project: Andy Scare has less chance of working that the vigilante group! Does Norma realise that Vera had a premonition about an evil presence in Flat 6? Norma scoffs at Les's plans. He manages to terrify Norma (again!) with his prop skeleton that he has hidden in her bedroom wardrobe. Over morning coffee in Flat 4, Dudley tells Carol that he needs to leave for Europe. He must be there for Don. Then it dawns on them that Don would realise that they know about his illness. The phone rings and Carol fears that it is bad news. Instead, it turns out to be Mr Cadman, the owner of The Grapevine. He wants to move Dudley's appointment to 11.00am; he has a proposition to discuss. During breakfast in Flat 3, Dorrie pronounces the identity of the rent thief. She believes that Herbert took the rent money while he was a "sposmadic" sleepwalker! Flo defends Herb. Andy tries to convince Tanya that Clark has abandoned her. She emerges from her Flat 6 bedroom with a packed suitcase. Clark arrives, but refuses to confirm to Andy whether he actually bought tickets. As the couple departs the flat, Andy gives them seven days to flee the country. Andy goes to the phone and starts dialling. Operation: Andy Scare progresses to its next stage in Flat 1, with Alf helping Les to prepare a Halloween Jack-o-lantern from a large pumpkin. They intend to lower it - with a light inside it, on a rope - to Andy's window. An exasperated Norma, back from shopping, decides to escape the drama by accepting an invitation to the Hunter Valley for a wine festival. For now, though, she is going to the laundrette: "anything to get away from this madhouse". Les draws in Alf by his vivid description of Operation: Andy Scare and almost hypnotises him. Flo and Lucy discuss Adam in the laundrette. Lucy cannot believe Flo's theory. "Being a gentleman doesn't stop anyone from being a thief," says Flo. "Look at Ronald Biggs!" Norma comes in and commiserates with Lucy about their deluded husbands. Norma announces that she is off to the wine festival. Lucy expresses her concern about the pregnancy. Lucy doesn't really want to have this baby. Returning to Flat 8, Lucy manages to interrupt Alf and Les with their secret pumpkin project. Instead of scaring Andy as intended, the pumpkin plummets past Flat 6 and Flat 4 - to land on an unsuspecting Dorrie as she emerges from the deli! In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley breaks the thrilling news to Carol about their successful appointments to the management team of The Grapevine. The positions come with a double flat above the restaurant! (It had been assumed that the jobs would go to a married couple.) "Better money, better prospects and, well, better everything!" Carol is excited! [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

A running gag of Flo Patterson's specialty dish, "Sausages Provencarli" [sic], is revisited. Each of the plates have three enormous crumbed sausages on them, probably over-generous for pensioner appetites. Dishes "à la provençale" typically feature a sauce of tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. The blackboard menu in "Norma's Bar" features some more exotic meals, as suggested by Maggie Cameron: "Dolmades", $1.75, and "Beef Bourguignon", $2.75 (although the scripts mention $2.30 as the price). The movie "How to Steal A Million" was released in 1966. The scene of Alf Sutcliffe and Les Whittaker at the front window of Flat 8 was filmed by combining a shot of "Moncur Flats" in Woollahra with a replica window frame using "Chromakey" (bluescreen). The outline of the suspended Halloween pumpkin shows a bluish tinge. Several continuity errors are created: Alf and Les are too large for the window. All of the blinds are down on external shots of the Flat 6 windows, but the window of the internal set has at least one blind fully up. Dorrie gets hit by the pumpkin as she emerges from the deli door, so its trajectory is an unlikely diagonal path. (Flat 3 has a bluescreen window view of terraced rooftops. An earlier scene in Flat 6 also seems to have been staged with "Chromakey" in mind. Was the scene of Andy Marshall's arrival filmed later and inserted?) The 17th Annual "TV Week" Logie Awards were presented on this night at the Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne and broadcast on the Nine Network. "Number 96" won Best Australian Drama. Bunney Brooke won Best Australian Actress.

710. (10/03) Dorrie is still moaning, from her couch in Flat 3, about the traumatic pumpkin incident. She has sent Herb for aspirins but fears that she will develop a "cerebral hemorrhoid". Dorrie holds Herb wholly responsible for the incident: it was his idea to have tea at the Boulevard Cafe. It was hardly a natural event. Flo's heard of "raining cats and dogs", but not "pelting pumpkins". After the Pantyhose Murderer, Dorrie is convinced that this is the work of another serial killer: the Pumpkin Slayer! Andy Marshall will probably write another series of lurid articles. Flo makes matters worse by preparing pumpkin pie for tea. "Waste not, want not." Lucy is berating Alf in Norma's Bar for getting involved in Les's latest hairbrained scheme. Alf reckons that when he "sneaked a look" out of the window, the pumpkin on Dorrie's head was a definitely improvement. Alf orders Lucy an orange juice, thinking of the health of the baby. Carol and Dudley worry that leaving for The Grapevine will upset the Whittakers, but Dudley has to think of his future: a future without Don. They have an important decision to make. Les is back from seeing Norma off on the coach to the wine festival. He passes on Norma's gratitude that Dudley and Carol are looking after the bar in her absence. Aldo and Roma are behind the deli counter, trying to come to grips with this latest brush with discrimination. They discuss the movie that Dudley told them about, with Gregory Gable, or Peck, or Schmeck? Arnold expresses his views about the obvious anti-Semitism at Meadowvale Golf Club and, "in point of actual fact", is determined to fight for Aldo. In the wine bar, Aldo wants more information about The Agreeable Gentleman [sic]. Dudley regrets ever mentioning Gentleman's Agreement; he may as well have chosen The World of Suzie Wong. Aldo is even more confused. "This Suzie, was she Jewish, too?" Maggie enters, looking for Norma. Les answers, "She's gone." Maggie then points at Dudley and warns him, "If you say, '... with the Wind', I'll hit you." Maggie is furious. With a viable rival, The Grapevine, opening up so close by, this is no time for the namesake of Norma's Bar to be gone for a week! In Flat 3, Dorrie complains about being expected to eat the very vegetable that almost killed her. No one would expect Joan of Arc to eat the stake. Flo makes a quip about price of steak these days. Flo again expresses her concern to Dorrie and Herb that Adam stole the missing rent money. Dorrie suspects Trixie. Theatricals are nothing more than "raggle-taggle gypsies". Arnold corners Andy in Flat 6 about the golf club's biases. Andy doesn't think it is due to anti-Semitism, but Arnold intends to fight on. Andy incidentally reveals that Tanya has left the country. In Flat 8, Alf is attempting to cook chips and chops for tea. The Sutcliffes discuss the pregnancy and Lucy cautions Alf to be sensitive to Arnold's situation as in not being able to have a family with Patti - but Arnold overhears. Next morning, Andy is descending the stairs as Dorrie is fetching bottles of milk from her doorstep. He greets her - and she gets startled. Dorrie is convinced that it was Andy who dropped the lethal pumpkin from his window. She tells Andy that she intends to sue him over the pumpkin, not realising that it was intended for him. Andy reckons that Dorrie "is touched in the head". In the deli, Les wants to present Aldo with his concept for a self-propelled golf buggy. Aldo doesn't want to think about golf any more, nor the man whom Arnold has been mentioning all morning: "Jack Hughes". Arnold tries to explain the concept of "J'accuse...!" and the Dreyfus case, to no avail. Roma is excited to get a postcard from Dolores Hackenback. Delores looks forward to visiting again soon. Roma's mood sours with the arrival of Andy. She blames him for the Meadowvale debacle and makes Aldo serve him. Flo delivers the mail to Alf in Flat 8. There are letters from "the old Dart", but maybe too soon for people to be congratulating them on the upcoming new arrival. Alf makes Flo come inside to explain her comment and she warns Alf about some dangers. In the laundrette, Dorrie accuses Roma of being "so nave" [sic], and claims that a late-in-life pregnancy is "disgusting". Roma tells her off. Maggie is back in Norma's Bar to sample the current lunch menu, and compare it with The Grapevine's. Carol brings her one of each item, but Maggie is not impressed. Les reckons that Dudley's banter about movies has set off a "mass persecution complex" for the Godolfuses. Maggie walks into Les's description of his self-propelled golf buggy and berates him and Dudley over the food. Dudley tries to explain that the rival restaurant charges much higher prices and his own Beef Bourguignon had proven too expensive for the lunchtime crowds. Maggie's attitude upsets Dudley and Carol, making Dudley even more determined to take up their new positions and teach "that bitch" a lesson. In Flat 8, the Sutcliffes are finishing lunch and Lucy is impressed with Alf's efforts. Lucy wonders to whom Alf has been talking when he keeps mentioning the dangers of having a baby at 50. In the deli, Aldo is dressed, ready to play golf. He will go to the Municipal golf club, where he is welcome. Arnold is disturbed because Aldo is not rostered off for an "Independent Activity" period. Announcing that nothing will stop him from playing golf today, Aldo saunters out onto the street - just as it starts raining! Flo, who has been upstairs rehearsing with Trixie, returns to Flat 3 to find all the furniture displaced. Dorrie and Herb have been doing a thorough search "with a fine toothpick" for the missing rent money. There is a clap of thunder, which heralds Maggie Cameron. She has arrived to collect the $640 rent money. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Lucy Sutcliffe's orange juice is served in a glass tankard with the logo for "Woodpecker Cider", a low-alcohol beverage. There is a larger version of the logo on a plaque behind the bar. Alf Sutcliffe's apron, presumably borrowed from his wife, has "The Beatles" as a motif. "J'accuse...!" (1898) was an open letter written by Émile Zola, in response to the events of "The Dreyfus Affair", and published in the newspaper, "L'Aurore". Dreyfus was a French army officer from a prosperous Jewish family, who was suspected of providing secret military information to the German government. (In 1998, the Australian satirical television program, "The Games", debuted a journalist character named Jack Hughes in an episode titled "J'Accuse".) Delores Hackenback last appeared onscreen in Episode #699. "Gentleman's Agreement" was previously mentioned in Episode #708. "The World of Suzie Wong" came out in 1960, adapted from the 1958 novel and subsequent play (1959). Brandon Smith, as Clark Harvey, is credited onscreen at the end but does not appear in the episode. The slide should have been for Bettina Welch as Maggie Cameron.

711. (11/03) In Flat 3, Dorrie, Herb and Flo arouse the wrath of Maggie Cameron over the stolen rent money. Herb is sent off to make tea, but Maggie is in a hurry. Dorrie resents her "incineration" that they have hidden the money away. Maggie is extremely rude to them; she is not about to be conned by a couple of "old harpies". Herb comes in with the tea tray and strongly defends Dorrie and Flo. Herb then opens the door and orders Maggie to leave. Marilyn and Mummy talk about Lucy's baby after luncheon in Flat 5. Edie is quite envious of Lucy and wonders how she did it? Edie is thrilled that Dean is coming to live with them in Blacktown, but Marilyn is not swayed. Reg emerges from the bathroom to head back to work. If Daddy gives Edie the address of the Blacktown house, she can go across and see it. Marilyn offers to take her there on "Tilly". Reg gives Marilyn an emphatic "No". Marilyn is still on her "L" plates, for a start. Edie doubts it would be seemly for the wife of the next DTC to be seen on the back of a motorbike. The address is 42 Lagoon Crescent. Marilyn speculates that the lagoon is the overflow from septic tanks. "We are fully sewered," protests Reg. Vera tells Trixie that she has had enough of Adam living in Flat 7 and that it is time for him to leave. Trixie herself is noisy enough to live with and Vera has the chance of a big designing project coming up. She wants him out in the next few days. From the bathroom, Adam overhears their conversation. Later, in the deli, Aldo tells Roma that she should have stopped Arnold from going out to post his resignation letter to the Meadowvale Golf Club. Roma boasts that it is "such a self-sacrificing and courageous gesture!" Over at the newspaper rack, Adam is looking up Rooms to Let, but having no luck. He is currently living in Flat 7, but doesn't want to overstay his welcome. Marilyn comes in for some Fruit 'n' Nut chocolate - it's a craving; hopefully Mrs Sutcliffe's condition is not catching? She notices Adam looking glum and has a proposition for him: he can move into Flat 5 with her when her parents move back to Blacktown! Adam is not sure he could afford half the rent, but she suggests they could find a third person to share. "There'll be no sexual complication - quite platonic," she assures him. "I'm neuter, you see." It is afternoon tea time in Flat 3 and Dorrie is spoiling Herb for his performance this morning, standing up to Mrs Cameron. Flo thinks they should talk to Vera about their suspicion that Adam stole the rent money. Dorrie still thinks it was Trixie - and, suddenly, Trixie is at their front door! "What is this? High Tea in a low dive?" They invite her in to join them. Trixie has just accepted a new gig for tonight in Coogee, but the time clashes with Flo's Happy Hour in the wine bar. Flo must decide to let the Whittakers down so that she can devote more time to Trixie's club work. Vera is vacuuming in Flat 7 when Adam comes in. He mentions that he thinks he has found somewhere to live at a price he can afford. He is grateful for Vera's kindness. Vera smiles and thanks him. Edie is being served by the Godolfuses in the deli. She carries out her large box of groceries because she can't wait for Arnold to return and deliver them. The Godolfuses talk to Trixie about Arnold's selfless gesture with the golf club and the topic turns to discrimination of other types: longhaired men not being allowed into clubs, people wearing thongs in restaurants... Trixie assures Aldo that there are worse things than being Jewish. "You could be a longhaired bloke in thongs!" Aldo and Roma are not sure how to react. On the staircase, Reg has intercepted Mother and carries her groceries up the stairs. Maggie is at their door. After her confrontations in the wine bar and with the Evanses, she may as well make it three-in-a-row. Edie offers a dry sherry, but Maggie refuses. Maggie is responding to Reg's letter about his family relinquishing Flat 5 in two weeks. Maggie will be requiring that he pay out the remaining time on the lease: three months rent, or they must stay on, despite all the travelling to Blacktown TH every day. Flo drops in to see Vera in Flat 7. She tells about their suspicion regarding Adam and the missing money. Trixie emerges from her room wearing new false eyelashes. "You look like a porcupine!" exclaims Vera. Flo can't do the early Coogee gig as she will be heading downstairs for Happy Hour, but will then travel to Bankstown Sports Club to meet up with Trixie at 9.00pm. A disappointed Trixie tries to impress upon Flo that she has to be able to rely on her accompanest. Trixie refutes Adam's early comment that money was pouring in from his copying work. None of her "muso" mates took up the offer. In the kitchen of Flat 5, Edie is upset about Mrs Cameron holding them to their lease, but Marilyn is cranky that Daddy tried to terminate it, leaving Marilyn with no place to live! Marilyn interrupts Daddy in the shower and uses his towel as blackmail to get her own way. In Norma's Bar, Flo is playing the piano while Adam sits nearby. Flo feels like she's auditioning for Liberace! They have a strained discussion about playing music for commercial purposes. Marilyn races in and pulls Adam aside to tell him about the discussion she just had with her father, but Adam warns that he may not be able to commit to moving in; her father wouldn't approve. Marilyn interprets this as Adam being inexperienced in bed - but Marilyn is "neuter", so that is not an issue. While waiting for her taxi, Trixie catches Vera searching through Adam's belongings in the spare bedroom. They find a watch in a box with a $258 price tag. After Happy Hour, Flo says goodbye to Marilyn, who soon runs into Maggie outside the bar. Maggie declares that Marilyn is "too young" at 20 to take over the lease on Flat 5. The mention of Adam as Marilyn's co-tenant does not help matters. Maggie recommends the Kindergarten two blocks away, where both of them would find lots of mature, responsible infants. Flo wolfs down her dinner (of liver and vegetables) in Flat 3 so that she can get to Bankstown Sports. Dorrie is sorting socks at the table, and objects to Flo's use of club slang: "gigs and musos". It's not the Queen's English! Flo mentions that Vera is investigating if Adam knows of the missing money. Dorrie decides that she and Flo will have to inform Maggie that they no longer want the responsibility of collecting the tenants' rents. Over the washing up in Flat 7, Vera steers the conversation to the money situation by asking Adam what time it is. She has noticed that he doesn't wear a watch. Adam says that he lost his old one and can't afford to replace it. Vera explains that Adam is the main suspect over a large sum of missing money from Flat 3. She needs to eliminate him from suspicion. Adam denies owning a watch, so Vera goes into the spare room to show him the expensive watch that she knows is in his suitcase. Or, it was, only two hours ago. Where is it now? [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

There is a Lagoon Street, The Ponds, in the greater Blacktown area, but no Lagoon Crescent. The deli's wall calendar is still displaying "January 1975".

712. (12/03) Vera's accusation proves to be a shock for Adam. He explains that Maggie sent him the watch via a courier after their shopping spree. He doesn't want, and intends to return it to her. He then shows Vera the wrapped parcel, already addressed to Maggie. Vera agrees: Maggie can be very generous, and persistent. Vera tells him that Dorrie, Herb and Flo still suspect him of stealing money. In Norma's Bar, Carol tries to pressure Dudley into telling Les about their intention to leave. Dudley doesn't want to play "Wanda, the Wicked Witch of the West" while Mrs Whitt is away. Carol offers Andy a refill and inquires after Tanya. She is surprised to learn that Tanya has left without saying goodbye to anyone. Meanwhile, Tanya and Clark are in a motel room. Clark wonders if Rosemary grew too used to being called Tanya? The worried Tanya can't relax; she is keen to leave Australia as soon as possible. Why are they still here if Andy could break the story at any time? After closing time in the wine bar, Carol again demands that Dudley inform Les of their decision to depart for new, good jobs at The Grapevine. Working for Maggie Cameron is simply too difficult. Carol explains that Dudley will be Manager, and she is to be the Hostess/Supervisor in the dining room. In Flat 7, Vera brings Trixie a prairie oyster for her hangover. Trixie doesn't remember getting home, but it was 3.00am when Flo won $5 on the pokies at The Mandarin Club. A juggler, Renaldo the Great, had insisted that Flo party on with them after the Bankstown gig. Today, Trixie has to tell Les that Flo won't be available for Happy Hour any more. The Sutcliffes head to the kitchen in Flat 8 to find that Arnold is preparing a light omelet breakfast for Lucy. He has learned of her condition; it is somewhat of an open secret around the building. Alf doesn't trust Australian doctors and an argument breaks out about the baby. Unfortunately, the pan is still under the griller - and the omelet is blackened. Arnold offers Corn Flakes instead. Dudley is shaving in Flat 4, and mentions to Carol that he promised Mr Whitt that they will stay on at least until Norma returns home. Confusion reigns: Carol has realised that accepting the jobs - and the accompanying one-bedroom apartment - means that they will purposely be living as a couple. She urges Dudley not to mention any of this to Don in his letters. Adam returns to Flat 7 from the post office, having sent off the watch to Maggie. Vera tells him that he can stay on in the flat, and there are sausages for beakfast in the oven. In Flat 1, Trixie has a black coffee to help her hangover. Les wants to hear more about Renaldo, having learned juggling himself. He demonstates his plate-spinning prowess, another trick he learned from 1001 Party Tricks. Trixie needs to talk, and a desolate Les learns of Flo's need to leave her Happy Hour job - the club gigs pay much more. Les dreads Norma's homecoming; it will be bleak with everyone abandoning the wine bar. In the deli, Les commiserates with Arnold. What will he tell Norma? "Nuts!" says Arnold, but he is just repeating Les's grocery list. Can Arnold play a musical instrument? He is quite proficient with the violin. Les imagines following him around the tables with a tambourine, as they serenade the customers. Andy comes in, but refuses to discuss the Meadowvale Golf Club. He has an ugent racing report deadline. Andy leaves and Les is lost in thought. He has a great idea that will make Norma's Bar the music entertainment hub of Sydney! A worried Tanya is alone in the motel room when Clark finally returns with two international QANTAS tickets. She is miffed that he had snuck out while she was in the shower. From now on, they do everything as a twosome. However, Clark still has some "unfinished business" to attend to alone before they leave the country. In Norma's Bar, Vera and Alf are lunching together over Dudley's Veal Stroganoff. Carol hears about Flo leaving, too, and she and Dudley are torn. Everyone's deserting Mr Whitt, like Joan Crawford's situation in the last scene of Harriet Craig. (Dudley will never forget that look of loneliness that came over Joan's face, as she climbed that staircase.) Meanwhile, Les entertains Vera and Alf with his plan to replace Flo with a one-man band! He will hire Alf's taxi to pick up some instruments from the antique store on Oxford Street. When Les returns to the counter, Vera and Alf continue to discuss Lucy's health. In Flat 7, Adam is working on melody line for his song but he is distracted by Trixie singing Give My Regards to Broadway from the kitchen. Trixie brings out a plate of corned beef sandwiches and apologises that the meat has gone "a bit curly around the edges", so she has smothered it with chutney. Adam suddenly realises that "Curly Meat" Jackson was the likely culprit to have stolen the rent money from Flat 3! That deadbeat jazz drummer? The night when Adam had dashed into the wine bar, to borrow $5 from Trixie, it was for him! He must have found the cashbox when Adam left. Adam returned, but "Curly Meat" was gone. Trixie declares that no one will be seeing that $640 again. He's probably blown the lot on drugs by now. Arnold brings cake to Lucy in the laundrette, in an effort to make up for ruining her breakfast. Lucy apologises that she and Alf always seem to be bickering. Arnold is anxious to know that this new baby would be wanted. He is reminded of his own unhappy childhood that had seen him adopted out. Les is on the phone to the antique shop ordering cheap, second hand instruments for his one-man band. In the kitchen, Dudley and Carol do the washing up. Dudley is determined to make a fresh start, away from all the reminders of Don. In Flat 6, Andy is on the phone to the newspaper. After three hours of receiving Andy's article copy, the editor is quibbling about some of its facts. Andy assures him that it will be the last race for "Sweet Sue", just as it says in his story. Andy hangs up and reaches for a cigarette when suddenly Clark lets himself in. A gun is pointing at Andy. Surely Andy didn't think that Clark would leave the country before shutting him up for good? [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Dudley Butterfield conflates several fictitious witches: the Wicked Witch of the West is from "The Wizard of Oz" novel (1900) and movies, but Wanda the Witch ("brought to you by the letter W") is from an educational cartoon short in the early days of "Sesame Street", which had begun screening in Australia from 1971! There is also Wanda Maximoff, "The Scarlet Witch", from Marvel Comics' "X-Men". A "prairie oyster" is a traditional hangover cure, made with a raw egg yolk, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, salt and pepper, and sometimes a touch of tomato juice. "The Mandarin Club" was in the Sydney CBD. It folded in 2009. The movie Harriet Craig was released in 1950. Rosemary Prior's motel room seems to have the same lime green chenille bedspread as the MacDonalds' bedroom. In early plans, it was thought that the Vansards' pharmacy, later the wine bar at "Number 96", might have been an antique shop. "Give My Regards to Broadway" was written for the 1904 musical play, "Little Johnny Jones". "Sweet Sue" refers to a 1928 song, "Sweet Sue, Just You", which is inspired by actress Sue Carol. Another "Sweet Sue" was the bandleader in the 1959 movie, "Some Like it Hot". This episode was the cliffhanger ending to the 32 consecutive colour episodes (#681-712) released on DVD in 2010, "Number 96: Aftermath of Murder" (Volume 2), by Umbrella Entertainment Australia. Christmas messages from the cast are included in the "Special Features" section.

713. (13/03) Clark has the gun aimed at Andy and points out that it is fitted with a silencer. He is about to shoot when Tanya enters Flat 6 from behind him - and knocks the gun out of Clark's hand! Marilyn is off to the laundrette for her shift, but will miss out on Edie's Hawaiian Casserole for tea. Reg arrives home to Flat 5 to find Edie knitting baby's booties (for Lucy's forthcoming baby). Despite a typically convoluted discussion, a confused Reg concludes that Mother must be pregnant. In Flat 6, Andy agrees to tear up his exclusive story about the fake kidnapping if Tanya and Clark use their airline tickets and leave the country tonight. Tanya has a surprise for Andy: she doesn't want to leave after all. She pleads with Andy to let her stay. Upstairs in Flat 8, Alf has resolved that he wants Lucy to have her pregnancy terminated - and poor Lucy is confused at this change of heart. Reg is unimpressed by both Maggie's and Marilyn's stubbornness, not to mention the "abominable" evening meal. He is concerned at what is to come after - and Edie announces that it's his favourite, Banana Trifle, for afters. In Flat 8, Lucy has burnt the rump steak that she was cooking for tea because of Alf's arguing. Alf says that there would be no medical objection to Lucy getting rid of the baby. She is now determined to have the baby, no matter the risks. Arnold is a dinner guest in Flat 2, but the Godolfuses notice the he has hardly said a word all night. Arnold has been avoiding the topic of Meadowvale Golf Club. Aldo doesn't care any more. Arnold assures them that he did not post the letter - and suddenly the discussion flips and the Godolfuses are annoyed that he chose not to martyr himself! Arnold tries to explain that he has decided on a more effective method to expose the club's discrimination towards Jews. Andy returns to Flat 6 from delivering Clark to the airport - he caught the first available flight, which happened to be to Johannesburg. Tanya points out that he'll just go on to Switzerland and draw all of the money out of the bank. Andy urges Tanya to use the other ticket to return to the USA and tell her parents all about the phony kidnap plot. He believes it is the wisest move. She'd rather throw herself into a tank of piranha fish. Tanya makes a confession: she is in love with Andy! In Flat 5, Marilyn decides to use her morning off work to ride to Blacktown and check out the house. Reg wants to know about Adam, "the young rooster", whom she wants as a co-tenant. She suddenly realises that Arnold Feather would be more acceptable to Daddy as a co-habitant. He forbids her to share any dwelling with any man without the benefit of marriage. In the deli, Aldo wants to know about Arnold's plans for revenge against the golf club. Alf wants Roma's advice about Lucy's pregnancy and she takes him into the parlour. Arnold and Aldo are surprise to see Tanya again - and speaking in an American accent. She tries to bluff them that it was all for a bet. She places an order of groceries for Andy's flat and pays in cash. Reg comes in and forbids Arnold from sharing a flat with his daughter - and Arnold is stunned. In the parlour of Flat 2, Roma convinces Alf that Lucy will be safe in the care of a good doctor. If God had given Roma the chance to have a baby with Aldo, she would have taken it. Edie is doing her washing at the laundrette and manages to convince Lucy that she was pregnant as well, or is it that Marilyn and Arnold are expecting? Lucy needs to sit down. Arnold arrives with the groceries for Flat 6 and again tries to broach the topic of the golf club with Andy. Arnold wants Andy to write an article about the topic. Andy points out that he can't just fabricate a "claptrap" story on hearsay. Arnold reminds him of the "claptrap" that he wrote about that Pantyhose Murders and the death of Arnold's late wife. In Flat 5, Marilyn is back from her motorbike ride to inspect the Blacktown house. She tells Edie how awful it is: brick veneer, Venetians, ornamental fly-wire doors, and a patio bordered with fake Grecian columns wrapped with plastic ivy. Only Dame Edna Everage would want to board there. Edie points out that Dame Edna would have to share with Dean. Marilyn will relieve Lucy early and get a hamburger for lunch. Edie mentions that poor Lucy seemed awfully vague earlier today, trying to work out the real father of Marilyn's baby: Mr Sutcliffe, Adam or Arnold? Reg arrives home for luncheon and is similarly confused. Tanya is ready to leave for the airport and she asks if Andy will be here when she returns from playing "prodigal daughter"? He tells her not to return because he can't promise that he'll be waiting around. Lucy comes into the deli looking for Alf. Roma explains that he was in earlier. Now Lucy understands: Flo had called into the laundrette earlier and she gave Lucy the mail for Flat 8, because Alf wasn't home. There was also a letter for Arnold. He turns pale. Written in Patti's handwriting, the envelope is even scented with her distinctive perfume! Arnold sniffs the letter. Lucy suggests that the post office must have delayed delivering it, but it has yesterday's postmark! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

From this episode onward, my annotated synopses will be less detailed. The length of the official Cash Harmon synopses will inform the amount of detail to be featured in the "Facebook" group page. The MacDonalds' "Hawaiian Casserole" contains canned pineapple chunks, baked beans and camp pie, cut into cubes. It was a bit mushy because Edie MacDonald forgot to drain the pineapple. "Dame Edna Everage", namedropped in this episode, is the iconic character created by Barry Humphries.

714. (14/03) It is a sad day for Les, as Flo's piano ("the old goanna") is removed from Norma's Bar and returned to Cynthia Avenue. Flo is working behind the bar because Dudley and Carol have been summoned to Maggie's office. Dorrie comes in to inform Les that she will be suing him over the pumpkin incident. A tipsy Alf has just told her that Les, not Andy, was the actual culprit. Adam returns to Flat 7 while Vera and Trixie are preparing a bag of laundry. He has been visiting "Curly Meat" Jackson at the flop house. As Adam suspected, the drummer was the culprit, but the $640 was all spent on heroin. In Maggie's office, Dudley compares Maggie's interrogation about The Grapevine to an audition for a remake of The Wicked Lady. Maggie dined at the rival venue again only last night. The food was superb but not the service. The owner mentioned that a Mr and Mrs Butterfield were commencing work soon. Carol and Dudley try to explain that they were waiting for Norma to return, but when and how was Maggie to find out? Bush telegraph? They couldn't even wait for Don to die before proclaiming themselves as man and wife. Dorrie and Flo are about to leave Flat 3 in their finery for an appointment with Maggie Cameron; they intend to confront her about no longer wanting to be responsible for the collection of the tenants' rents. At the laundrette, Vera and Trixie decide to invite Maggie over to their flat, so they can bolster Adam up as he tells her about his role in the missing money debacle. Marilyn joins them and mentions the perfumed letter that Arnold received, supposedly from Patti. It was written in a "lovey dovey" way, and was full of regret that her nursing career was keeping them apart. Herb calls in to see Les in Flat 1. Les is practising his skills as a one-man band. When Herb tries to help, his head ends up between two cymbals and he is left feeling dazed and confused. Dorrie and Flo are sent into Maggie's office by Angela. Dorrie surrenders the cashbox and receipt book. Maggie decides to cover the $640 shortfall herself. She has too many other pressing matters, so insists that Dorrie and Flo continue to collect the rents. Maggie is interrupted by a phone call, put through by Angela. It is Vera inviting Maggie over for drinks this afternoon. The reason is mysterious but Maggie accepts. Will Adam Shaw be there? Maggie fondles the watch that Adam had posted back to her. In Flat 7, Vera is uneasy with the eagerness displayed by Maggie in accepting the invitation. Trixie wonders if Adam should make himself scarce after all? Vera thinks that Maggie is in a very dangerous mood. That afternoon, Maggie learns the truth about "Curly Meat" and the missing money. Maggie denigrates Trixie and wonders if she will soon launch into the second chorus of Roll Me Over in the Clover? The bickering continues and Maggie wonders if Adam got cold feet and decided not to be here? He emerges from the spare room. Maggie suggests that such a dramatic entrance requires a puff of smoke and a roll of drums. Trixie reckons that Maggie has been playing the Demon King in pantomimes for so long that she knows the stage directions! Adam insists that he will pay the money back himself. Maggie mentions the returned watch. She also declares that she never accepts money from children. The one-man band concept has Les is in a buoyant mood in the wine bar, but he is again unsuccessful in convincing Dudley and Carol to stay on in their old jobs. It's not the money. Vera has just seen Maggie out of Flat 7. Trixie reckons they should all go out to dinner, but Adam needs to dicuss wih Marilyn about moving into Flat 5. Vera wants him to stay on in Flat 7. Maggie calls by Flat 3. Dorrie is keen to hear about how the money issue was resolved, "or is it 'classical' information?" Flo tried to tell Herb that "everything is 'tiggidy-boo' about the rent money", but he can't hear her. Now that Dorrie and Maggie are in "perfect 'harmonium'" again, Herb is sure to snap out of it. Maggie departs for a dinner engagement and Flo remembers that Dorrie usually calls Maggie "a perfect bitch". Maggie might be "a female dog", says Dorrie, but "so is 'Lassie' - and look how we all like her!" Adam comes to talk to Marilyn at the laundrette. The phone rings: it is Patti Feather, wanting to leave a message for her husband, Arnold. Marilyn is very distressed. Adam says, "But she's dead; she was murdered, wasn't she?" It is after closing in Norma's Bar, and Maggie has come to talk to Les, without the presence of "those two degenerates". Les reminds her of the last time that Maggie created staffing problems through her own actions. Les is determined to follow correct procedure, with two weeks' notice given and received. Dorrie, Herb and Flo are preparing for bed after their late-night cocoa in Flat 3. Dorrie has discovered that Les Whittaker is responsible for Herb's current hearing loss. The phone rings. It is Flo's daughter, Raylene Shackleton, with "bonza" news: she and Tyrone are expecting a baby. (Dorrie is sure that the call wasn't from "Princess Grace of 'Monaro' [sic]".) Dorrie realises that Flo's grandchild must have been conceived right here in Flat 3! She blames Herb entirely, of course, but he can't hear her anyway. In Flat 4, Dudley hears Carol sobbing in her bed. He tries to comfort her, but Maggie's words about them betraying Don have cut deep. Dudley says to her, "We can't help what's happening to us!" They embrace affectionately. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The UK movie "The Wicked Lady" was released in 1945. When released in USA in 1946, it had some substituted footage, featuring higher necklines on some of the female characters' costumes. (The movie wasn't actually remade until 1983.) Sister Warren at the hospital, and Maggie Cameron's receptionist, Angela, are both namedropped in this episode. Angela was last seen onscreen in Episode #106. "Roll Me Over" was popular song in 1944 and just after World War II. It was sometimes sung as "Roll Me Over, Yankee Soldier", and some versions have much bawdier lyrics. The "Demon King" was "the baddie" in pantomimes. By tradition, this principal antagonist always appears "stage left", because left ("sinistra" in Italian) is associated with the Devil. Raylene Shackleton was last seen onscreen in Episode #627. Natalie Mosco's Tanya Schnolskevitska remains in the credits over Flat 6, although the character has returned to the USA.

715. (17/03) In Flat 8, Alf and Lucy are still concerned about the mysterious letter, seemingly written by the late Patti, claiming that she was on a shift at the hospital and busy with her exams. Who could be so cruel? If Alf had had his cab downstairs he would have taken Lucy down to the laundrette. She has a doctor's appointment, but Marilyn is coming in to cover for her. Lucy opens the front door; Marilyn is there, wanting to see Arnold. She tells them about the impossible phone message that she received from Patti last night. Arnold emerges from his room and hears his name being mentioned. Carol prepares breakfast in Flat 4. Dudley wants to apologise for last night, but Carol assures him that he only did what any friend would do: comfort her. Norma returns to utter chaos in Flat 1 after her blissful week in the Hunter Valley. Les is wearing his one-man-band instruments. There is a knock at the door. Maggie barges in - in a foul mood! - and falls down amid Norma's suitcases. Maggie doesn't care if Norma was visiting the Vatican! When there is trouble in the wine bar, Norma should be there. Norma learns that Carol and Dudley have given their notice to start working at The Grapevine, and Flo is no longer the pianist for Happy Hour. Norma is ropable. In the deli, everyone is concerned about how the letter in Patti's handwriting is affecting Arnold. His work is not up to its usual high standard, and he is even forgetting regular customers' names, confusing Mrs Greenbaum for Mrs Shultz. Arnold tells the Godolfuses of the phone message to the laundrette which claimed - in Patti's voice! - that she would be staying back late because her invalid patient, Graham Thompson, had had a relapse. Andy comes in for a magazine but "the freeze" is still on. Roma softens and enquires about Tanya. Andy remarks that she has gone overseas. Arnold, Roma and Aldo start bickering; each one has a different theory on Tanya's situation. Andy loses his temper and tells them to mind their own business. Maggie collides with Andy in the street and she threatens to throw him and Tanya out of Number 96. The argument escalates and Maggie slaps him! Carol and Dudley are feeling guilty about leaving the wine bar, but Norma is more understanding after realising that it was Maggie who caused most of the unrest. Meanwhile, Maggie turns up in the laundrette to confront Marilyn. Maggie had gone all the way up the stairs to find that no one was at home. (Daddy was at the TH, of course, and Mummy went to Blacktown to see the house.) Maggie intends to prevent Marilyn and "that student composer", Adam, from occupying Flat 5. "Hard cheese!" says Marilyn. Maggie intends to blacken Reg's name in both Paddington and Blacktown. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol burns her finger and suddenly she and Dudley realise that things are becoming more intimate. They share a passionate, yet guilty, kiss. Andy comes into Norma's Bar to use the cigarette machine. Norma offers him a conciliatory drink on-the-house, to bury the hatchet, but he has a lunch date with "a butch lady golfer". After he leaves, Les tells Norma that he is still dead against Andy for those sensationalised newspaper articles. Les is suspicious about Tanya's sudden disappearance. Has Andy "done away with her"? Aldo is peering out of the deli window and wishing that he was on the golf course. Roma wants Arnold to roster Aldo off but the Boulevard Cafe is in full swing. Arnold opens up the morning newspapers and shares the headline: "MISSING AMERICAN HEIRESS RETURNS HOME". In Norma's Bar, an elated Lucy meets up with Alf. She has just had a good report from the doctor. Dudley teases Alf about his virility, calling him "A regular Cary Grant, only not as pretty." Les offers an unpopular opinion on menopausal pregnancies. Arnold rushes in excitedly. Everyone crowds around the headline article in the paper, and they learn the truth about Tanya's real identity. According to her family, Rosemary Prior had been kidnapped in Europe and was only released after payment of a $500,000 ransom. Back in the laundrette, Lucy and Marilyn discuss the mysterious Tanya. Andy arrives with a bag of laundry, but he attempts to ignore Marilyn. She is keen to hear about his involvement, but he gets annoyed, gathers up his things and leaves for the Paradise Street laundrette. Les is pestering Alf with his theories about Andy: the doping of "I Kid You Not", the Pantyhose Murders and now this kidnapping. "The criminal mind in action." Les ropes in Alf to intensify their campaign against Andy. The afternoon papers have arrived in the deli. There is more information about Tanya's kidnapping, with the American press doubting the authenticity of the event. Arnold is convinced that Andy was an accomplice in the kidnapping. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Actor Cary Grant was married five times, but only had one child, a daughter. The deli's cigarette shelving has been revamped: now promoting Rothmans in blue signage, rather than Martins in metallic gold. Some of Pablo's colourful, abstract artworks on the wall of laundrette have been replaced by more traditional, framed landscapes. Pablo was introduced in Episode #455. Vera Collins' racehorse, "I Kid You Not" was doped in Episode #664. With this episode, Natalie Mosco's Tanya Schnolskevitska is removed from the end credits.

716. (18/03) Flo is to become a grandmother, and a rather jealous Dorrie is still upset about Raylene and Tyrone using Flat 3 for "procreational purposes"! Dorrie blames Herb, but he is still deaf from Les's cymbals. Dorrie nags Flo about how tired and haggard she is looking: "more wrinkles than the prunes we had for lunch". Reg comes to inform Dorrie of his family's intention to leave Number 96 for the Blacktown house and offers her a commission to locate a new tenant. Meanwhile, Marilyn and Edie are setting the table for dinner in Flat 5. All the houses in the street look the same! Edie claims that it is to confuse burglars. Marilyn and Reg are at loggerheads; she is determined to stay on in the flat. Lucy finds Arnold sobbing in his bedroom in Flat 8. She offers to burn the fake letter from Patti. They do agree that Arnold needs to hang onto the good times. Dorrie meets Maggie on the stairs and invites her in for Ovaltine, but Maggie is "trying to give it up". Maggie hears about Dorrie's arrangement with Reg. As long as the flat is leased to responsible, mature adults who pay their rent on time, Maggie doesn't care who moves in. They agree that Marilyn is too much of "a flibbertigibbet". Maggie surprises her by proposing that Dorrie could make some money on the side. Dorrie comes in to tell Herb in Flat 3, but he can't understand a thing. Maggie visits Vera in Flat 7. "Where's 'Loverboy'?" Adam? Trixie and Flo have taken him to see their club act. Maggie didn't come to discuss "the poor man's Leonard Bernstein". Instead, she is full of vitriol for Andy; he is surely up to his neck in the scandal surrounding Tanya's kidnapping. In Flat 8, Lucy is impressed with Arnold's knowledge of mothercraft. He once did a course about it. The phone rings and it is Patti's mother, Mrs Olsen, who wants to see Arnold tomorrow about something important. Maggie is quite sozzled and bitchy when leaving Flat 7 and she encounters Trixie and Adam on the landing. Trixie mutters, "Go and ride your broomstick, you old bag." Trixie is concerned about Flo because her performances at the club are no longer up to scratch. She heads to bed but Adam is concerned about Maggie's attitude. He intends to return the expensive suit that she had bought him. Vera thinks that Adam telling Maggie that she was "too old" for him explains the woman's demeanour. Adam's attitude towards Vera is very different. Next morning, in Flat 3, Dorrie is complaining to Herb about Flo's late nights and "laxative" morals. Herb doesn't hear her. Flo is the "veritable 'epi-tome' of vulgarity". Flo arises and mentions that Trixie is keen to move out of Flat 7; Dorrie realises that she may have found a prospective tenant for the MacDonalds' flat. Flo offers to ask Trixie but, as "conserge", it is Dorrie's "provocative". In Flat 5, Edie is washing her ceramic flying ducks, in readiness to display them in the Blacktown house. Reg agrees that they will look good on their new lounge room wall. As he prepares to leave for the TH, Marilyn warns him that he is making a big mistake in taking Mummy back to that place. All of her old friends "have one foot in the grave by now". Mummy worries about Marilyn's reluctance to move, but Daddy is sure that Dean's return will change her mind. In Flat 7, Trixie is on her way to the laundrette. Vera doesn't need to send anything with her and Adam is deep into writing his music manuscript. Dorrie arrives, with her ubiquitous clipboard, to broker a deal with Trixie to take over the lease of Flat 5. It is $50, $10 more than the MacDonalds currently pay. (The cost-of-living has been going up "astrologically".) Trixie immediately asks Adam to consider "shacking up" with her, strictly platonic, of course. At the Boulevard Cafe, a heartbroken Mrs Olsen wants to discuss condolence replies from the funeral with Arnold. She mentions those awful articles by Mr Marshall, which must have upset Arnold, too. Also her overall loneliness; her friends, who didn't know and love Patti like she did, just don't understand. Maggie arrives at Flat 7 full of rage. She interrupts Vera's lunch to say that the "ungrateful" Adam has returned the suit that she bought him. (Her secretary had described him as "a prissy, young squirt who preferred not to give his name".) Vera defends Adam as being too proud to accept Maggie's generosity. Maggie says that he is not too proud to sponge off Vera! She then insults Adam's music abilities and the concerto he wrote. "He is a big 'No Talent'!" Adam emerges from the spare room, having overheard everything! Maggie is pleased that he now knows her opinions of him, and suggests that he get "a decent job" for a change. Reg arrives home for his luncheon but Dorrie chases him up the stairs to announce that she has secured Trixie O'Toole to move into Flat 5. Edie is singing to herself as she washes her plastic flowers in the bathtub. Reg is pleased about Trixie's decision because now Marilyn will have to move with them to Blacktown. In the kitchen of Flat 7, Vera has given up on her sandwiches, after all the drama, and is cooking a hot lunch for herself and Adam. He is rather sullen, sitting at the small kitchen table. "Maggie does it to everyone," says Vera. Adam's temper explodes after Vera's attempts to get him to cheer up and smile. He is "a man, not a little boy". Adam slams the fridge door closed. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Leonard Bernstein was last namedropped in Episode #708. Edie MacDonald's first song is from the stage musical, "Paint Your Wagon" (1951). Clint Eastwood sang "I Talk to the Trees" in the 1969 movie version. The MacDonalds' ceramic flying duck set used to be displayed in Flat 8 in 1972. Susan Swinford returns to reprise her role as Patti Feather's bereaved mother, Mrs Olsen. Susan is also the writer of this story arc. "Chromakey" (bluescreen) is used to insert outdoor scenery into the Flat 5 kitchen window. Episode #708's streetscape background of the actual Moncur Street in Woollahra, is again used behind the actors and "Boulevard Cafe" furniture. The identical parked cars are still in place and the completed scenes still leave obvious bluish outlines. Edie sings again, this time a song made famous by Betty Grable in "Springtime in the Rockies" (1942). Maggie's secretary was Monica, who was introduced onscreen in Episode #180.

717. (19/03) Alf is having second thoughts about helping Les to continue trying to scare Andy out of the building with the skeleton. They have to do their scheming in Flat 8 because Norma has put her foot down. In Flat 7, Adam is terribly upset about Vera treating him like a child. Adam does have an apology for her, but Vera is concerned that the situation between them is evolving. Reg mentions that Trixie has signed the lease to sub-let Flat 5. Marilyn already knows about this; Trixie has invited her to stay on with her and Adam! She can even keep her same bedroom. In the wine bar, Andy and Norma have a heart-to-heart conversation about his love for Tracey Wilson, and how the editor had twisted the articles he wrote beyond recognition. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley tells Carol that he is regretting their decision to leave Norma's Bar for The Grapevine. Carol reminds him that Maggie's attitude left them with no choice. They agree that moving into that flat above their new workplace with be a defining step in their deepening relationship. Flo's health continues to deteriorate; traipsing around after Trixie on her club circuit is taking its toll, and Dorrie refuses to let Flo sleep in of a morning. Trixie and Flo go into the kitchen of Flat 7, so as not to disturb Adam. Flo is still keen as she is earning "decent dosh" for the first time in her life. Herb tries to read the newspaper in Flat 3 while Dorrie is doing her calculations aloud. She realises that they are making a $520-a-year nest egg from the sub-lease that she organised for the MacDonalds' flat. That will pay for Frank's funeral and it also one-ups Flo, with her "nouv-ay rich-ay" ideas. Dorrie suddenly realises that Herb has not been reacting to any of her banter. Something has to be done about his hearing! Dorrie is feeling so lonely; it is grounds for divorce. Vera arrives back from a fabric-shopping expedition in the hot weather. There were no cabs, so she had to catch a bus. The parcels spill to the floor and she and Adam share an awkward moment as he helps her to retrieve them. Vera offers that Adam can stay on in this flat, but he's already promised Trixie. They embrace and almost kiss - but Trixie and Flo suddenly emerge from the kitchen. A flustered Vera shows off her purchases. While Marilyn is sewing in Flat 5, Edie receives a call from Dean announcing his change of plans. He is still in Adelaide and won't be returning to Sydney after all. He has met a girl and wants to be with her. Edie's enthusiasm is depleted and Reg cannot convince Mother that moving to Blacktown is for the best. Reg is going to Blacktown even if it is alone! In Flat 4, Carol is trying to find good light to brush her hair and accidentally notices Don's framed photo on a shelf. She and Dudley discuss The Grapevine, which doesn't seem to be affecting patronage of Norma's Bar. Maybe they will tell the Whittakers that they will stay on after all? Edie is devastated in Flat 5 and Marilyn is unable to console her. Reg insists that it his decision, as head of the household, to take the whole family to Blacktown - or even Wagga Wagga if he chooses! Edie sobs that she'll feel all alone, with only the gnomes for company. "A gnome is not a home." Daddy reminds them that it is the prestige of his promotion to DTC that is at stake. Marilyn offers Mummy a place in Trixie's flat when she takes it over, but Edie will go to Blacktown. "Behind every good man is a woman," she admits. Norma is on the phone to Mr Dent of the Albatross Employment Agency yet again. There is still no one available to work in a wine bar? "I'm not a bloody octopus!", exclaims Norma. Dudley and Carol overhear the situation and offer to stay on. Norma is ecstatic! Up in Flat 8, an attempt to dangle the skeleton outside Andy's window is made. Of course, Alf and Les manage to let it drop! (The knot was "a clove hitch with a sheepshank influence".) Andy fails to notice the skeleton. It bounces off the deli's awning and onto Dorrie. She screams (again) and Herb tries to untangle her! While making their escape into the stairwell, Les and Alf bump into Lieutenant Swanson (Stuart Finch), an inspector with the CIB (Commonwealth Investigation Branch). He is looking for Andy Marshall. Alf goes back up to his flat while Les escorts the inspector down to the wine bar. Inside Norma's Bar, Dorrie is recovering from her altercation with the skeleton. Flo has it propped up on a stool beside her. Dorrie hopes the whole incident was "a fragment of my imagination" - but promptly faints when she sees it again! Lieutenant Swanson introduces himself to Andy. The American FBI want the inspector to make local enquiries about a Miss Rosemary Prior. [Episode written by Michael Lawrence; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Vera Collins' orange-wrapped, rectangular parcel has now featured as a prop in three recent episodes. (Firstly carried by Adam Shaw, then Tanya Schnolskevitska, and now Vera.) Edie MacDonald usually refers to the garden gnomes as her "little men", but not in this instance. Dean MacDonald is namedropped in this episode, with his mother chatting to him on the phone about his new girlfriend in Adelaide. That girlfriend will move to Sydney and appear regularly from Episode #776. The scene of Alf Sutcliffe and Les Whittaker at the front window of Flat 8 was again filmed by combining a shot of "Moncur Flats" in Woollahra with a replica window frame using "Chromakey" (bluescreen). The set-up is identical to Episode #709. The outline of the suspended skeleton, instead of a pumpkin, shows a bluish tinge. One hand essentially vanishes during the scene. Several of the same continuity errors remain: Alf and Les are too large for the window. All of the blinds are down on external shots of the Flat 6 windows, but the window of the internal set has at least one blind fully up. The skeleton changes colour from cream to stark white - and back again. Stuart Finch portrays Lieutenant Swanson. He returns in Episode #718. Previously he played Tim Grose, a porno film creator, appearing from Episode #311. Stuart would return as the recurring character, Ian Chester, from Episode #929, and a ute driver in Episode #1086.

718. (20/03) The Godolfuses bicker in the deli over Aldo's spine. ("My spine is fine!") Arnold is concerned about Mrs Olsen's welfare, so Roma offers to organise a dinner for them all. In Flat 8, Lucy scolds Alf for being late for dinner and getting involved in Les's latest mad scheme to scare Andy. Alf mentions the suspected underworld figure who was hovering around Flat 6. One of Andy's kidnapping cronies? Les is staring across the wine bar, trying to work out who is sitting with Andy? Norma is reaching the end of her tether. Lieutenant Swanson is keen to learn from Andy why Rosemary Prior's passport says that she was in Australia, even though the Prior family believes that their daughter was in Europe. Why did she put Andy's address as her own on her Immigration Arrivals card? Next morning, in Flat 8, Lucy wants to stay in bed for a while as she is not feeling well. Alf offers to bring her breakfast in bed - but suddenly Arnold is knocking on the bedroom door. He brings in a tray. Lucy's face indicates that she is not feeling like poached egg and creamed corn on toast. Meanwhile, in Flat 1, Norma is awoken by Les's one-man band. He is certainly no replacement for Flo and her piano, but he persists in rehearsing. Norma is shocked to meet little Chico (Herself) in her bathroom. Les has been training the capuchin monkey to collect his tips. Norma races out into the lounge room to answer the phone. It is Dorrie informing her that Flo is ill and can't clean in the wine bar today. Norma keeps trying to get Les to have a sleep after his night duty. Aldo comes into Flat 2 after an early morning round of golf at the Municipal course. Roma still thinks it will be good for Aldo when Arnold gets him approved for the Meadowvale Golf Club. While Arnold is on the phone to Mrs Olsen, a deli customer parks his ute full of caged chickens outside the shop and comes in for cigarettes. While the Godolfuses talk about the meal for Mrs Olsen, Arnold has a difficult time with a long, wooden plank, the postman, some pedestrians, and the chickens in the ute. Andy's breakfast is interrupted by the arrival of Lieutenant Swanson at Flat 6. He annoys Andy with endless questions. Andy denies knowing the details of Rosemary's kidnapping, nor the location of the $500,000 in ransom. Alf is making a bacon sandwich for lunch in Flat 8, but Les is eating all of the ingredients as Alf assembles it. Les is convinced there are clues hidden in Flat 6. "Breaking and entering?" wonders Alf. Les has studied the art of lock-picking. Andy and Norma discuss the kidnapping and she volunteers to be a friendly ear if Andy needs to confide in her. In the deli, Roma warns Aldo about not mentioning to Mrs Olsen about the fake letter and phone call from "Patti". Swanson comes to the deli to question Aldo about Rosemary Prior. As Tanya, she had begun working in the deli when Freda Fuller was the owner. Roma has too much to say on the matter when she mentions the $5000 in American money that once fell from Tanya's handbag. Outside Norma's Bar, Andy, Lucy and Norma chat together. The two women realise that their husbands have seemingly vanished. Inside Flat 6, Les startles Alf by wiring up the light fittings to make them flicker. They can hear Andy and Swanson approach the front door so they hide in the main bedroom. Once inside the flat, Swanson has more questions about Rosemary. A crawling rubber hand, ghostly sounds, and an exploding ashtray make Andy look like a complete fool in front of inspector. Swanson warns Andy that he might soon be on trial - and a fake severed head drops from the ceiling between them! In the wine bar, Norma tells Andy that Les has been missing all day and has had no sleep since last night's shift - and he is due to go to work again very soon. Norma is interrupted by a phone call: it is from Les and Alf, who are trapped in Andy's flat, thanks to the deadlock on the front door. Lieutenant Swanson comes in to tell Andy that his investigations have come to a stop following receipt of a cable from America. The FBI considers the matter closed. The dinner with Mrs Olsen is progressing as well as could be expected, with everyone trying not to mention Patti. Mrs Olsen breaks down as she reveals that she, too, has been receiving nasty phone calls from someone impersonating her deceased daughter. This morning there was a letter: it contained a lock of Patti's hair! [Episode written by Michael Lawrence; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The production code for this episode is "XA7222". An impromptu joke is made (on the unaired leaderstrip) about "Room 222", the US TV drama which sometimes pre-empted daytime repeats of "Number 96" at the time. "Chico", the capuchin monkey, can be seen staring off camera at her unseen animal wrangler. She also reaches out a hand to jingle the bells on Les Whittaker's helmet. This species of monkey was often trained to be used by European organ grinders. Audiences never find out what Arnold was doing with the long plank of wood.

719. (21/03) Herb is still as deaf as a post. Dorrie has taken to her swooning couch in Flat 3, still recovering from the skeleton incident. She notes that Flo is looking old with all of her late nights. Dorrie and Flo threaten to send Herb to an "Ear, Nose and Mouth" [sic] specialist, or perhaps an "aca-puncturist"? Dorrie would rather not spend the money to fly him to Mexico. Flo mentions how the Chinese stick the long needles into "very unusual places", so Herb ends his pretence that he has gone deaf. Carol and Dudley return to Flat 4 after their shift at Norma's Bar. Carol's feet are killing her and Dudley jokes about his foot fetish. The Godolfuses discuss the traumatic dinner over the washing up in Flat 2, and the loneliness of poor Mrs Olsen. The phone rings and Roma wonders at the lateness of the hour. "Someone must pay. My death has not yet been avenged," says the hoax phone caller pretending to be Patti. Next morning, Reg is leaving for the TH, leaving a maudlin Edie to continue wrapping her "little men" for the move to Blacktown. It's too late to change all the arrangements now. Adam and Trixie are busily packing their suitcases in Flat 7. It seems obvious that Vera now regrets setting in motion her lodgers' removal downstairs. The MacDonalds expect to be out by mid-morning. Flo is knitting booties in Flat 3 and Dorrie calls it "pathetic" and "silly". Maggie visits to collect the tenants' rent. She throws Dorrie into a panic with the expectation that Dorrie will be responsible for furnishing the vacant flat. Dorrie had assumed that the MacDonalds were leaving their furniture. In the main entrance of Number 96, Maggie accuses Dudley of being deceitful towards Don, especially considering his condition. Dudley breaks the news that he and Carol are no longer leaving for The Grapevine, then he pretends to trip over Maggie's broomstick. A huge argument breaks out in Flat 3 as Dorrie tries to coerce Flo into giving up some of her furniture to put them into Flat 5. Flo could sleep on the couch! Herb offers a better idea: the cellar has lots of furniture in it! Dorrie berates him for taking so long to share the idea. While trying to buy corned beef for Daddy's luncheon, Edie breaks down in the deli over the move to Blacktown. Even though the outer suburb's air is fresher, she doesn't want to go! "Blacktown doesn't have Bohemians and hippies and female impersonators and intellectuals" - nor all that lovely congestion. Edie would rather be dead. While Trixie packs in Flat 7, Vera wants to know about Adam's family. (He always changes the subject.) Trixie thinks that his mother died when Adam was quite young. The Dad was into music, but had no luck or success, and he eventually suicided. Trixie and Adam bid a fond farewell to a sad Vera. Dorrie will attempt to implement the scheme that Maggie had mandated. She and Flo return with Herb from the expedition to the cellar. Everything stored down there was rubbish, only a few broken chairs! Flo recalls that the "wicker whatnot" that used to be down there was donated to the Senior Cits' jumble sale. How can Dorrie afford to buy furniture while "living on a G-string, as we do"? Over luncheon in Flat 5, Reg wonders about his farewell gift from the TH, oblivious to his wife's emotional state. As Edie runs off to the bedroom, Trixie and Adam come through the front door. Dorrie had told them that the flat was vacant from today! Reg insists that it will be next week. In Flat 7, a dejected Vera has sandwiches and milk for lunch. There is a radio/cassette recorder on the coffee table; she puts on some music. (It is the melancholy Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninoff.) As soon as Vera puts her feet up, there is a knock at the door. "The prodigals return!" In walk Trixie and Adam, apologising for turning Vera's day into a comedy routine. Trixie takes her bags into the spare bedroom. Adam and Vera share a secret smile; he'll be under her feet for another week. Roma sweeps the footpath around the Boulevard Cafe furniture and warns Aldo not to breathe in the dust. Reg comes past on his way to the TH and the Godolfuses try warning him about his wife's fragile emotional state. He refuses to acknowledge the gravity of the situation. Roma tries to tell Reg that, from personal experience, "once you leave a place, it is very difficult to go back." The reunited residents of Flat 7 share a laugh. There is a knock at the door - and it is Maggie. She is remorseful for her recent bitchy behaviour and apologises. She informs Adam that the music agent, Clinton Mather, wants to see him. Despite Maggie's earlier comments to the contrary, Adam's concerto shows "great promise" and "flashes of genius", according to Dr Mather. Trixie remains dubious, convinced that this is yet another attempt by Maggie to get her hooks into Adam. In Flat 4, Carol has her head in Dudley's lap. She questions if he has always been homosexual? Dudley thinks that it is a fact, but perhaps he is bisexual? He adds that he has never felt about any girl the way he thinks of Carol. She admits to feeling guilty whenever she thinks of Don. Flo delivers the mail, pointing out that the airmail letter from Heidelberg is from Don. "That saves us wondering..." quips Carol. Fearing the worst, Dudley opens the envelope, reads the brief letter - and goes very quiet. Don is coming back to Number 96. Carol is stunned. [Episode written by Michael Lawrence; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Dorrie Evans assumes that acupuncturists come from Acapulco. Baroness Amanda Von Pappenburg gave Flo Patterson her antique four-poster bed when she moved to Heidleberg. However, it was described as "almost-new" when first given to Dorrie Evans in Episode #454. After a huge argument while trying to assemble it, during Episode #455, the bed ends up in Flo's room instead. A "whatnot" is a small, multi-tiered, ornament stand. Vera Collins' music selection would eventually be featured in the 1980 movie, "Somewhere in Time". "Chromakey" (bluescreen) is used to insert the same background of the actual Moncur Street in Woollahra behind the actors and "Boulevard Cafe" furniture as featured in Episodes #708 and #716. The same parked cars are still in place and the completed scene leaves obvious bluish outlines. In Episode #702, Dudley Butterfield had first revealed to Carol Finlayson that he was once married (to Jan Butterfield).

720. (24/03) Herb and Flo are in the deli where Flo is buying sausages. Sausages Provencarli [sic] again, because she is "too whacked" to make anything else. On his way out, Herb picks up a couple of rolls of Quick-Eze and asks Aldo to put them "on the slate". Arnold is on the phone to Mrs Olsen. Marilyn, Aldo and Roma discuss the nasty campaign that seems to be aimed at tormenting both Arnold and his mother-in-law, and Edie's reluctance to accept the move to Blacktown. Marilyn herself is gloomy, too. Arnold offers to take her to dinner at the Holiday Inn to relieve some of her, to coin a phrase, "Stygian gloom". She accepts, seemingly imagining a new, romantic future on the horizon, then races upstair to wash her hair. In the laundrette, Lucy receives a postcard from Hong Kong. It is signed by a Vanessa, whom she eventually realises is her niece, the daughter of Lucy's banker brother, George, and his wife, Myrtle. Vanessa plans to visit them for an extended stay very soon. The proposed visit really upsets Alf. He remembers the young girl as being a snob, even at age eight or nine. In Flat 3, Dorrie is on the phone to her daughter, Joan. Now that Raylene and Tyrone are expecting, Dorrie is anticipating a grandchild of her own. If germophobe husband, Dennis Parker, is not up to the job, Joan will have to be "artificially incinerated". Dorrie warns Joan to calm down or she'll get a nosebleed. Flo and Herb arrive home - Dorrie is unimpressed by the thought of more Sausages Provencarli. Herb mentions that he and Dorrie had no luck today trying to get a bank loan from Mr Fisher. Dorrie wants Flo to lend her $1000 - that would cover the basic essentials, a "mere fleabite" - to furnish the MacDonalds' flat, but Flo only has $253. Dorrie thinks that she might go quite "beresk". Edie is distraught about the impending move back to Blacktown. Many of the things in Flat 5 have been packed, including all of the knives. Maybe they could have baked beans? Reg is not impressed. Edie's spirits are lifted, somewhat, when Marilyn emerges from her bedroom, all dressed up for a date with Arnold. Marilyn greets Arnold with, "Hello Darling, let's get out of this madhouse!" Daddy almost feels sorry for Arnold Feather, with Marilyn so determined to stay in Paddington. Alf drops into the laundrette with several cans of beer, having eaten dinner at the pub. His shift starts in three hours. Alf hasn't forgotten that Lucy wasn't welcome to stay at her brother's house at "Wimbledon SW19, don't you know" because George and Myrtle thought that Lucy had married beneath her. Lucy recalls that Vanessa won a scholarship to attend the Slade Art School. Poor Arnold will have to put up with a camp bed while Vanessa is visiting, but she won't be staying as long as Alf's Mum did! If Vanessa comes to stay, Alf intends to move out. In Flat 3, Herb is belching after the Sausages Provencarli. That meal never did agree with him! A tired Flo has to head out for Trixie's next gig. Dorrie tells Flo that she should give up all of her club jobs and start acting her age. Flo wants to know how that would raise the money that Dorrie needs for Flat 5? Dorrie is speechless, for once. She belches in tandem with Herb. Over dinner at the Holiday Inn's The Red Baron restaurant, Arnold admits to Marilyn that he has always had affection for her, but she is still quite young and he thought she had decided that she was "neuter" gender? Marilyn tries to kiss him, but Hardy arrives with a tray of drinks. "Don't you want to marry me?" she asks Arnold. Over their liqueurs, Arnold explains that he cannot marry Marilyn because, "to coin a phrase, in point of actual fact, good Jewish boys don't marry Gentile girls." Marilyn gets very confused. Next morning, in Flat 8, Lucy is making plans to redecorate the guest room with new curtains, a pretty bedspread, a frilly lampshade and a "crinoline lady" bed doll to put on the pillow. Alf doesn't believe that Vanessa ever attended Roedean School in Brighton; her father just wanted people to think that she did. Over breakfast in Flat 5, Marilyn complains about Arnold being Jewish. She is not being racist, she just knows how difficult it would be to marry a Jewish man. Mummy is bewildered; isn't Marilyn "neutralised" or something? Marilyn got over being a lesbian, so surely she could get over being Anglican? Reg will be working through luncheon today, so he encourages Mother to go shopping. He gives her some money towards curtains and other essentials for the new Blacktown house. Marilyn's face lights up as she considers what she might do for lunch. With Aldo practising his golf in the parlour of Flat 2, Arnold and Roma are behind the counter in the deli. Arnold tells a startled Roma of his plan to become a Jew, partly inspired by Dudley's mention of a Gregory Peck movie. This would assist him in his campaign against anti-semitism at the Meadowvale Golf Club. He can start with a crash course in Yiddish. The Red Phone rings and it is Marilyn, who invites Arnold upstairs for lunch. He accepts. At the laundrette, Lucy wants some time off to shop for things for her guest bedroom, but Marilyn had planned to buy fish to cook a Kosher meal for Arnold. Perhaps some jewfish? Herb and Dorrie meet Edie in the deli and Dorrie mentions that she hoped the MacDonalds weren't taking their old "tacky" furniture to their beautiful new home in Blacktown. Think of what she could buy for $253! Aldo is hearing, for the first time, about Arnold's conversion to the Jewish faith. Flo comes in as Edie heads out. Dorrie thinks that Mr Feather being Jewish is "all my eye and Mary Martin". Flo has mail for Herb, who announces some great news: the bank has sent him a Bankcard, worth $1000! (Free money? Dorrie wears a self-satisfied smirk.) Aldo tells Roma that he is thrilled about Arnold's desire to convert to Judaism. He will be like their true son! "Our son, the manager!" Marilyn has invited Arnold up to Flat 5 for a nice Kosher lunch but she makes a terrible mess of her attempt at improvising "gefilte Fish Fingers". She so wanted to surprise him - and then the pan catches fire! In Flat 3, Dorrie is convinced that their bank manager, Mr Fisher, must have changed his mind and sent out the Bankcard to Herb. Arnold must return to the deli. He thanks his hostess for the baked beans, which are Kosher. Marilyn misunderstands the situation: she will become a Jew, too, and then she can marry Arnold. Poor Arnold looks worried. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Herb Evans' preemptive purchase of "Quick-Eze" antacids is a sly indication of Flo's cooking skills. The two names of Lucy's banker brother are never connected in a script, but he is... a George Harrison. Joan Parker appeared onscreen in a story arc from Episode #283. Her husband, Dennis Parker, had already been introduced in Episode #271. Bank Manager, Mr Fisher, appeared onscreen in Episode #633. "Wimbledon SW19" is the geographic postcode for the "All England Club". The prestigious "UCL Slade School of Fine Art" is at "University College London" is in London, England. The blond extra, Mark Markham, can again be spotted as Hardy, the "Maître d'hôtel" of "The Red Baron". "Roedean" is a private English boarding school, established in 1885. The Gregory Peck movie "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947) was previously referenced in Episode #708 but, here, Arnold Feather misremembers its title as "Darling" (probably thinking of 1946's "My Darling Clementine", a Western featuring Peck). Australia's "Bankcard" was officially launched in October 1974 by then-Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. A significant marketing campaign followed the card's launch including what was then the biggest direct mail marketing campaign in Australia to date. The concept of "gefilte Fish Fingers" is a very funny callback to Edie MacDonald's go-to frozen meal.

721. (25/03) Trixie and Flo are chatting in Flat 7. Trixie notices that Flo is still looking weary. There will be a break in performing, at least until that Maroubra one on the weekend - and the Queen Charlotte's Ladies' Club social, but "that'll be a breeze". Flo apologises for playing the finale last night, instead of Trixie's opening number. As Trixie breaks into a rendition of Stout-Hearted Men, Adam and Vera return from a concert at the Sydney Opera House. Vera will need Adam to teach her about music. Trixie decides that she and Flo should go out to dinner in Norma's Bar, giving Vera and Adam some alone time. Dorrie and Herb return to Flat 3 from a shopping spree, having spent the whole $1000 on Herb's new Bankcard. Dorrie will insist that Aldo and the laundrette start accepting Bankcard. She reprimands Herb for being "faecetial" when she is so tired. Herb remembers that the MacDonalds aren't moving until next week and the furniture order is set for immediate delivery. Dorrie insists that the stores are never so efficient. If the furniture arrives early, it'll have to be stacked in the spare room. "But what about Flo?" A litle inconvenience; after all, Dorrie just saved Flo $253. Norma is studying her wine books in Flat 1, preparing for the wine-tasting event she is planning. She is probably doing more tasting than studying. Les arrives home from day shift at the hospital with the bizarre news that Patti Feather had rung in, putting Sister Bottomley in quite a state. (The fake Patti could not come in to work today because her husband needed her.) The MacDonalds all talk at cross purposes in Flat 5. Mummy anticipates Tetron curtain fabric, patterned with purple daisies, and her future loneliness, Daddy has arrangements to confirm for the move, and Marilyn has failed as a heterosexual, a lesbian, a neuter and a Jew! She storms off to get drunk downstairs. Dorrie is determined to move the dressing table, from Flo's room in Flat 3, up into Flat 5. After all, "it is a well known fact" that Flo never uses its mirror! Flo points out that, according to Trixie, Bankcards must be paid back in full in 25 days! Dorrie is unconvinced. In the kitchen of Flat 7, Vera is preparing steak and salad for two. Adam compliments her on the choice of classical music. (She went into a record shop and picked out the cassette tape with the prettiest cover!) Trixie is off downstairs and she and Flo will probably end up at the Paddington RSL Club to play the pokies. (Trixie is known as the "Paddo Pokie Perp".) In the wine bar, Norma is frustrated by all of the wine varieties. Andy leaves; he has a date with... a typewriter. Marilyn's plans are upset by Trixie, who tries to convince her to go back to Blacktown instead of moving in with her and Adam. In Flat 6, a female figure emerges from the spare room. It is Tanya! She came back? "I had to, Andy, I just had to." Just as Vera and Adam finish dinner in Flat 7, and things are getting romantic, a phone call comes in for Adam from Dr Clinton Mather. He wants to see him about his concerto. Andy reacts badly to the surprise return of Tanya; he told her not to come back to Flat 6. Andy doesn't want her here and tells her to get out. He hands her a drink. Edie is ironing her doilies in Flat 5. They will look so shabby in the new house. Reg suggests buying new ones, but these were crocheted by Edie's late mother, for a wedding gift. Marilyn returns in a huff and announces that Trixie, too, has rejected her. She is coming to Blacktown after all, and will get a cat and a parrot and let the cobwebs grow over her. She will be an "old maid". Edie is thrilled. Dorrie receives a call from Maggie Cameron to say that she can add an additional cut for herself whenever a tenant's lease gets renewed. Dorrie imagines a future with an extra $80 per week. She could buy Joan a new home! Dorrie accidentally mentions that Herb is about to be a grandfather; following Dorrie's advice, Joan was "artificially incinerated". They are not telling Flo yet. "At last, all our storks are coming home to roost!" Andy tells Tanya about how he was a police suspect in the kidnapping and extortion debacle. He assumes that her rich parents paid the FBI to call off the investigation? Andy is also worried about Clark Harvey coming back, but Tanya states that her father had Clark killed. In the wine bar, Flo is about to call it a night. Norma invites her and Trixie to a wine-tasting on Friday afternoon. Some new wines from the Hunter Valley will be introduced. Trixie reminds Flo that that is the afternoon of the Queen Charlotte gig. Trixie is feeling guilty about rejecting Marilyn as a boarder. In Marilyn's bedroom in Flat 5, Reg tries to approach the subject of their return to Blacktown calmly, but Marilyn refuses to discuss the issue. After dinner, Vera and Adam are dancing in the subdued lighting of Flat 7. While discussing Adam's childhood - his composer father suicided when Adam was 12 - he declares that he wants to make good in his music career for his father's sake. An enemy composer stole Mr Shaw's unpublished symphony and burnt it. He was too depressed to redraft it. An aunt took over raising Adam and steered him away from music and his mad father's legacy. "A dangerous load of old rubbish!" After three years, Adam ran away. He did odd jobs, played music in pubs, and fell in with "Curly Meat" Jackson - until Trixie and Vera got him away from all that. Vera is confident that Adam will succeed if he believes in himself. They share a passionate kiss. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) was wife to King George III. In recent years, a fictitious Queen Charlotte has been a feature character in the "Bridgerton" (2020- ) streaming series. "Stout-Hearted Men" is an original song composed for the 1927 operetta, "The New Moon". The oft-mentioned Sister Bottomley can't get locked in the hospital morgue anymore (as in Episode #632) because a safety lock has been installed on the door.

722. (26/03) It is 8.15am in Flat 4 and Dudley is about to collect Don from the airport. Carol is beside herself with worry. Why is Don coming back when the plan was for him to die alone overseas? She won't be able to cope, pretending not to know that Don is dying. Dudley quotes the old Chinese saying, "Don't cross bridge until there is Honourable Bridge to cross." In Flat 3, Herb is still grappling with why the bank would send him $1000 on a Bankcard? Mr Fisher is only the Branch Manager, but the card came from Head Office. Three delivery men suddenly enter with a huge wall cabinet. Dorrie directs them into the spare room. Flo is bewildered; that's her room. Over breakfast in Flat 7, Vera and Adam almost get to talk about last night but Trixie suddenly returns from investigating all the shouting one floor below. Trixie mentions that she won $100 of the pokies, but Flo missed out on half because she went home early. Vera wishes Adam luck as he heads off to meet with Clinton. She returns to the table and Trixie asks how the music lesson went last night. "It went quite well." Tanya has made breakfast for Andy in Flat 6, but he still wants her to leave and get her own place. She claims to be down to her last 5 cents, not enough to buy a newspaper to check the Flats to Let section. After Tanya heard Mr Prior boast about having Clark killed, she realises just how much she detests her father for his hypocrisy. In Flat 5, Reg is leaving for the TH and Edie attempts to sound uplifted about the move to Blacktown. Edie reminds Marilyn of her old friends, like the Hamilton boy. "A pervy little freak!" - and Marilyn was ten at the time. Reg says that the Brothertons live on the corner and Mrs Brotherton is planning a welcoming party to introduce Marilyn to the social whirl. As soon as Daddy's gone (where he meets a concerned Trixie on the stairs), Edie breaks down in tears. Marilyn tries to comfort her, but Reg returns for a forgotten report on domestic pollutants that he promised to return to the TH archives - and overhears the truth! Edie dislikes the awful house and that Mrs Brotherton. A taxi pulls up in Lindsay Street and Dudley and Don emerge, just as Trixie reaches the foyer. Trixie and Don embrace. Flo comes out of the deli and hears Trixie's news about Don. Flo wants to follow him up the stairs but Trixie doesn't think he looks too well. "So he's come home to die, after all?" Don enters Flat 4 and affectionately greets his kid sister with "G'day, Fishface!" Flo and Dorrie are still arguing about the new furniture when Trixie arrives in Flat 3. Flo keeps locking her bedroom so Dorrie can't stack furniture in it. Herb is exasperated by all the bickering. Vera is working on a garment in the spare room of Flat 7 when Adam arrives, excited after his meeting with Clinton. If he scores the concerto for full orchestra, they can try it out with the Sydney Symphony, and add it to the next season at the Opera House! He should take Vera to lunch to celebrate. Tanya is pacing the floor of Flat 6 but darts into the spare room when she hears Andy returning home for lunch. Andy finds her sobbing on the bed, but he's angry and suspicious of her motives. She admits that she is in love with him. Andy leaves Tanya there and goes out for lunch. In Norma's Bar, Carol tells Don that they are celebrating his return with complimentary champagne. Vera and Adam come in and Vera is beside herself with happiness at seeing Don again. She introduces Adam and Don urges them to help him with the free champagne. Carol finds herself in a dilemma; she pulls Dudley aside and mentions that Don seems so ill. In Flat 5, Reg has returned from work, but is in no mood for luncheon. He breaks the news that his promotion has fallen through, and they will no longer be moving to Blacktown. A lesser qualified PS (Public Servant) was appointed as DTC of Blacktown. The man's wife is more socially prominent: a talented hostess who is untiring in her charity work. Edie is astounded: it is herself who is holding back Daddy's career aspirations? "If the cap fits, then you may wear it..." says Reg as he goes to pour himself a sweet sherry. Edie pleads for Daddy to grant her a divorce so that he can be free to advance his career. "Any grounds. You can say I slept with Mr Evans!" Reg reminds her that divorced men have no career path in LG. In the kitchen of Flat 7, Trixie sings A Good Man is Hard to Find but she transposes some words and it becomes the ribald version. Vera enters and Trixie muses about her risque version of the nursery rhyme, Ride a Cock Horse. Vera turns to Trixie for some advice; Vera is encouraged not to hold back her feelings for Adam just because he is young. Antonio the Juggler just got married at 68, to a girl who is only seventeen! Vera admits that she wants Adam but, for his sake, she must resist. Dorrie clambers over furniture to answer Flat 3's door. She learns from Reg that the MacDonalds are no longer moving away. Furthermore, Flo and Herb rush in with the news that the $1000 wasn't Herb's to spend; the Bankcard belonged to a Herbert Evans of Oxford Street. Don, Carol and Dudley return to Flat 4, where Don reveals that Amanda had informed him that no one expected to see him again. They were all expecting him to die overseas. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

"A Good Man is Hard to Find" (1917) was first sung by Trixie O'Toole in Episode #636, but has become a running gag. Reginald P. MacDonald's final handling of the withdrawn DTC (Deputy Town Clerk) promotion seems to be particularly cruel towards his wife.

723. (27/03) Don explains to Dudley and Carol in Flat 4 that his illness is not a fatal blood disease after all. An endocrinologist, Doctor Eugene Zorfitch of Switzerland, has diagnosed a psychosomatic syndrome. In Flat 1, Norma uses a posh voice to telephone a journalist, Mr Leon Delgardie, to her wine-tasting on Friday afternoon. Les shows Alf the book, Social Etiquette for Beginners to help him adjust to living with Vanessa. Norma joins them for a beer and imagines how Vanessa might sound after her ballet, elocution lessons and Roedean education. Norma hopes that the Sutcliffes' niece arrives in time for the wine-tasting. She must remember to ask Don. They wonder why Don came back? In the deli, Arnold is keen to learn some more Yiddish phrases and Roma wants to learn Australian expressions from him. Mrs Olsen suddenly comes into the deli with a new letter, again supposedly penned by Patti. This time it mentions her and Arnold enjoying Tahiti. Arnold realises that whoever is forging these letters must know them very well, since the Tahiti detail never made it into the newspapers. In Flat 4, Dudley and Carol discuss the validity of Don's story. He overhears them and comes into the lounge room. Carol goes to make coffee and Don reminds Dudley that no cure is needed because his ailment is psychosomatic. In the deli, Aldo fails miserably at telling Arnold a Jewish joke because its punchline involves amputations. Arnold is already testy because Aldo was at golf all afternoon and there are delivery orders to fill. Aldo is insistent that Arnold has a Bar Mitzvah, but Roma thinks that he is too old. Aldo storms off into the parlour of Flat 2 to ring his sister, Selma, who knows these things. Lucy overhears this discusion; she had assumed that Arnold converting to Judaism was just Marilyn having a joke. In Norma's Bar, the Whittakers get some clarification about Don's condition from Dudley. Les tries pontificating about Freud and the workings of the human psyche, but Norma shuts him up. Les begins an anecdote about an intensive care patient of his, Mrs Brewster. Les could have cured Don much cheaper than a trip to Switzerland. In fact, he would have treated Don free of charge. Lucy is making pretty curtains in Flat 8, for Vanessa's room. Alf is fed up, assuming that they will soon be having dinner at half-past-bloody-eight, in bloody tiaras and monkeysuits, all to satisfy "Our Dear George's Bloody Vanessa". Lucy points out Alf's failings, including his appearance and his manners and - at the mention of Arnold's change of religion - his use of the derogatory term "ikey". Alf won't be giving up ham, bacon or rump steak, either! There is an unexpected knock at the door; Alf opens it - and the scruffy hippy, whom he mistakes for a beggar, turns out to be Lucy's niece, Vanessa Harrison (Wendy Hughes)! In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol and Dudley talk about Don no longer being at death's door. When is a good time to tell him about them? In Flat 8, Vanessa describes how she ended up penniless in Hong Kong and had to hitch a ride on a cargo plane filled with goats, opium and smugglers. (Probably lice as well, the way she keeps itching her head.) Lucy realises that Vanessa's room is not ready yet, but Vanessa reckons that she "can sleep like a top on a bed of nails". She is famished, though, having not eaten for three days. The Sutcliffes decide to take their guest down to the wine bar for dinner, and Lucy manages to convince her to have a bath beforehand. It is almost closing time in the deli and Aldo has the all-clear from Selma about a Bar Mitzvah for Arnold. Arnold sees Mrs Olsen arrive at the Boulevarde Cafe. She wants to get the police involved over the fake letters and phone calls, but Arnold worries about the press. Arnold advises a trip away, so that the perpetrator gets no response. No wonder Patti loved Arnold! In the wine bar, Les broaches the topic of the Baroness's finances that Don had to help her with, but Don tells the Whittakers that he knows that they know the real story. A relieved Norma invites Don to her wine-tasting, but Les mentions how Norma's forgets to spit out the wines she is tasting! Lucy and Alf come down to the wine bar, ahead of Vanessa, and are thrilled to see Don there. Alf warns them that Vanessa's last bath was in Istanbul, but it must have been half mud! Arnold arrives home to Flat 8, not realising that the naked Vanessa has taken over his room. They manage to miss seeing each other as Vanessa tries to fill the bath - and Arnold keeps turning off the taps. Arnold ends up seeing a lot of Vanessa when she asks him to help her choose between two garments. Next morning, Vanessa is sound asleep on the floor of Flat 8. Arnold whispers to the Sutcliffes that he would prefer that Vanessa takes his room. When Lucy tries to awaken her, Vanessa demonstrates quick reflexes from her time in Burma. She realises that Vanessa is naked inside the sleeping bag. Vanessa reaches for some nearby fabric, wraps herself in it, and jokes that it is suited to "dear old ducks at the church fete". She then realises that they are the new curtains for her room. In the deli, Aldo is excited about Arnold's Bar Mitzvah. Aldo will place an order with Barney Solomon for some exotic Kosher foods. Norma is in Flat 1, rehearsing for her wine-tasting. Les comes in fron night duty and mentions that Mrs Brewster, his asthmatic patient, is going home soon and considers Les to be the person who cured her. She has promised to drop by and thank him. Les is concerned that Norma is still swallowing more wine than she is tasting. Spitting it out is proper wine etiquette. Arnold visits Patti's grave at the cemetery. He notices a woman in a nurse's uniform tending the grave. He suddenly realises that it is Mrs Olsen, wearing makeup in Patti's usual style and a dark wig. "Don't you recognise your own wife?" she says, speaking just like Patti. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Arnold Feather was interviewed for a hotel management job based in Papeete, Tahiti, in Episode #669 (the day that Patti Feather died). Arnold holds a carton which had contained "Enavite" crispbread, a now long-deleted line of products. In the UK, "Ikey" was used as a derogatory term for Jews, derived from the popular name, "Isaac". Wendy Hughes, who portrays Vanessa Harrison, was a cast member of the TV pilot of 1971's "The Group", as Laura Bent, but was unable to commit to that show when it went to series. She was replaced by Roslyn Wilson. Terry O'Neill, Gregory Ross and Jenee Welsh were regulars who later also made appearances in "Number 96". Mrs Brewster will be mentioned frequently in dialogue, eventually appearing onscreen in Episode #740. The comedic sequence with Arnold and Vanessa is accompanied by the tune, "Admiral's Horn Pipe" by William Farran. We do not see Vanessa's arrival in the wine bar but, when Les Whittaker mentions how good Vanessa had looked in Arnold's shirt, it becomes obvious that Vanessa had raided Arnold's wardrobe in the earlier scene.

724. (28/03) At the cemetery, Mrs Olsen seems convinced that she is Patti Feather. To Arnold's dismay, it becomes obvious that Mrs Olsen was behind all the mysterious letters and phone calls. She notices the flowers that he is carrying and asks, "Are those flowers for me?" Arnold tries gently to ease his mother-in-law into reality. Mrs Olsen breaks down, sobbing. She has been trying to keep Patti's memory alive. Vanessa does her morning Tai chi exercises in Flat 8 and demonstrates a special Cambodian trance dance to Alf. She manages to put him into an actual trance! Dudley brings Carol a cup of tea in her bedroom in Flat 4. It is 9.30am, but she claims that she has been waiting for Dudley to get out of the bathroom. Carol wants Dudley to tell Don about their relationship before someone else does. Don finally emerges from his bedroom at 11.30am, just as Carol and Dud are due downstairs at Norma's Bar. Lucy comes to the deli to see Arnold. He is busy, but she is assured by Aldo that Arnold is serious about becoming Jewish. There is much that Aldo can help her with but, in the parlour of Flat 2, Arnold and Roma are with a distressed Mrs Olsen. Patti's mother needs to sort fact from fiction. She has no idea as to what she had been doing. Arnold convinces her to see a doctor. "Doctor Morgan, isn't it?" Roma offers coffee. Norma is fretting that she only has two hours to learn all the varieties before her 3.00pm wine-tasting event. Dudley tries to encourage Carol to get out of her funk; she is being "just the teensiest bit Bette Davis". Carol counters that Dudley is being "just the teensiest bit chicken". Dudley had a perfect opportunity to talk to Don and didn't take it. Vera comes in and asks Carol for a quiet word when she's free. Vera goes across to Norma. A slightly tipsy Norma is worried that inviting Mr Delgardie was a mistake, not to mention the threat posed by their new rival, The Grapevine! Vera is confused; she spent the morning with Maggie Cameron, who insisted that there is something between Carol and Dudley. Carol admits that it is true and she seeks Vera's advice. Carol says, "Oh my God, we're in a mess!" Arnold returns to the deli and informs the Godolfuses that Doctor Morgan thought that, after the traumatic revelations, Mrs Olsen should be on the mend. Roma comments that the woman always seemed so sane and in control before. They want Arnold to take the afternoon off. Roma suggests that he and Aldo should both attend the wine-tasting, while she minds the shop. Adam brings Vera a coffee in Flat 7. She is working on a garment that is being difficult. Would she prefer a drink? "Not with the orgy of the wine bar in front of me!" He has bad news: due to a reshuffling-of-the-reshuffle down at the TH, he and Trixie can't move into Flat 5. The MacDonalds are no longer moving to Blacktown! Vera reminds him that he and Trixie are always welcome here. Flo and Trixie are at their snooty women's club event. Adam tries to get romantic but Vera resists. Lucy arrives early; Marilyn relieved her at the laundrette early because she was so excited about no longer having to move away from Paddington. Vera selects what to wear to the wine-tasting as she has a heart-to-heart with Lucy. Vera is in love with that boy, isn't she! Lucy knows her friend too well. In Norma's Bar, Alf tells Adam about the trance and how Vanessa had to throw a bloody bucket of water over him to break it! Les puts a sign on the wine bar door: Wine Tasting by Invitation Only! Meanwhile, Norma is still tasting wines in Flat 1! Les comes in to tell her that the guests are arriving - and she passes out! Arnold, Aldo and Mr Delgardie arrive at the tasting. Dudley worries that they need to get some food into the guests before they all get rotten drunk. Les tries to host the wine-tasting in Norma's absence but no one is listening to his descriptions of the wines. ("A prattling little shop-girl of a wine proclaiming to the entire world her lowly origins...") Carol and Dud check on the slumbering Norma, then get more food from the kitchen. Things remain very strained between them. Carol tells Dudley that, until he says something to Don, she will move out of Number 96. Norma finally awakens, wig and tiara askew, and attempts to take over the disastrous wine-tasting. Roma, Aldo and Arnold are all enjoying the wine-tasting when they realise that no one is minding the deli! Leon Delgardie is really enjoying himself. Vanessa is soon teaching the attendees how to do the Zorba the Greek dance. Leon joins them and they all Zorba right out the front door and down Lindsay Street, leaving Norma to pontificate without them. Her only customer left is a stray labrador. He begs for a slice of cheese and is rewarded. Don escorts Vera up the main stairs. He convinces her to come into Flat 4 for a short visit. Don wants to tell Vera about his psychosomatic syndrome diagnosis, which Doctor Zorfitch had said was brought on by stress and his emotional insecurities. After the doomed relationship with Bruce Taylor, Don seemingly has a deep fear that Dudley, too, will come out as bisexual and leave him for a woman. (Vera is obviously uneasy, having only today learned the truth about Carol and Dudley's relationship.) Don admits that he was a fool to worry about Dudley. He should never have doubted him, and never will again. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

This was a Good Friday screening. Previously, special Easter programming had always preempted "Number 96". Patti Feather's gravestone reads "PATTI, Beloved wife of Arnold Feather. Born 1952. Died 1974." Hollywood actress Bette Davis was noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters. Andrew Peterson (aka Robert Neesam) can again be seen playing an uncredited wine bar patron. He was last seen in Episode #707. Robert played a hooded robber in the deli in Episodes #543 and #552, and would return in other roles, including a taxi driver (twice), and a policeman in Episode #1193. Tony Girdler seems to make an early uncredited appearance as an extra at the wine-tasting, prior to his later named roles: Larry Berringer from Episode #1053; the second actor to play Doctor Pearman (in Episodes #1090 and #1210); and a Catholic priest in Episode #1186. Gough was the real-life labrador belonging to Jeff Kevin. Gough was previously seen in Episodes #608 and #619 and would later be known as "the dog from the hardware store".

725. (31/03) Reg is irate as there is no sign of evening meal preparation in Flat 5, nor any slippers by his chair, and he must await Edie's return from Norma's wine-tasting. Marilyn has been invited to Flat 7 for dinner. Marilyn has also discovered her father's secret: Daddy learns of her encounter with Mrs Townie today. The daughter, Beckie Townie, and Marilyn were at Blacktown High together. Beckie now works for Blacktown TH and Mrs Townie has heard all about the new DTC turning down his promotion to remain in Paddington! Daddy did it because Mummy wanted to stay. "Are you afraid of being a sentimental, old 'fuddy duddy', Daddy?" Edie eventually arrives home, smashed, and in the company of an effervescent young Evzones dancer, Theodoros Popapopadopoulos (Harry Michaels). He is dressed in full Greek fustanella and plants a kiss on each of Reg's cheeks. Theodoros makes Reg join him and Edie in the Zorba dance. In the kitchen of Flat 7, Adam describes what happened in the wine bar - and out onto the street - after Vera and Don left the wine-tasting. It was crazy Vanessa from next door who instigated the Zorba dance. They even picked up a Greek dancer who was waiting at the bus stop. "In national costume?" Vera asks, while cooking her Chicken Marengo dish. Adam sounds disappointed to learn that Don and Marilyn will be joining them at dinner. Can't we have dinner alone sometime? "Moonlight, roses..." Vera changes the subject and sends him to answer the door. Arnold is a guest of the Godolfuses for dinner in Flat 2. Arnold is enjoying his learnings in Judaism. He has even made a sign for the deli door for tomorrow, announcing that they will be closed every Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Aldo almost explodes with frustration. Roma brings out a platter of... Lobster Thermidore! Arnold is aghast, as lobster is not considered Kosher. Aldo faints. Over the washing up in Flat 5, the MacDonalds chat about Theodoros, and Edie's desire to host a party to celebrate them staying at Number 96. Surprisingly, Daddy agrees. The mood is sombre in Flat 2. The expensive meal that Roma cooked sits uneaten while Arnold has a boiled egg from an eggcup. A sulky Aldo hasn't touched his own boiled egg. Why does Arnold choose tonight to turn Orthodox? As soon as Arnold departs, Aldo begins shovelling Lobster Thermidore into his mouth. "At $3.50 a pound, do you think of am that religious?" Meanwhile, in Flat 7, Vera's dinner party is also lurching towards disaster. Don and Vera are engossed in conversation but Adam is stuck listening to Marilyn prattle on about motorcycles. Vera askes Don about Maggie, but he hasn't seen her. Yet. Arnold returns to Flat 8 and finds Vanessa on the floor of the lounge room, cooking soya chunks on a camp stove. She invites him to join her. Although he's already eaten tonight, he agrees. Vanessa prefers being self-sufficient. "Three weeks from now, you'll understand..." The wine bar has closed for the night and Carol and Dudley return to Flat 4. Don must still be at Vera's. Carol insists that Dudley must tell Don about their relationship tonight. Don and Marilyn depart Flat 7 but Adam is sulking on the couch. He and Vera have a row over her ignoring him at the dinner party. She tries to disregard her attraction to him. Adam is to leave her alone! In Flat 5, Reg is in a jovial mood as Edie and Marilyn clear the breakfast table. The MacDonalds are going into the city so that Reg can get a haircut and Edie can do some party shopping. Marilyn starts a shift at the laundrette at 10.00am. Edie wonders if she should buy some balloons for the party, so they can play "that funny game, where you tie one to your bottom and sit over a lighted candle?" Vera apologises for shouting at Adam last night. Adam refuses breakfast and leaves Flat 7, only to bump into Vanessa on the landing. She grabs him by the arm to accompany her to the Paddington Police Church Bazaar. Vera watches them depart. Dudley is shaving in the bathroom of Flat 4. Carol is keen to know if Dudley spoke with Don, but he was late getting back from Vera's dinner party. Is Carol's situation with Dudley becoming more hopeless? Dudley gets so agitated that he cuts his face shaving. In the deli, Roma wonders if Aldo will be wearing his angry face all day? Aldo is unsure about the increase in tensions. Arnold has rostered himself off to go to the Synagogue and Aldo can't even go to golf because it is the Sabbath! "Three months, I tell you, Roma, he'll be a rabbi, for sure!" Adam and Vanessa call in to buy a Coke each on their way to the bazaar. They watch Arnold depart for the service at The Great Synagogue and his meeting with the Rabbi. Vanessa makes a chilling prediction: she knows that the world will end in three weeks, on a Friday. Vera meets Don on the landing outside Flat 4 and tries to pay him her overdue rent. Don jokes that it must go through "'bony fido' channels", in reference to the building's "conserge". Don is off to pick up his car, which is being serviced. Instead of knocking on Dorrie's door, Vera checks in on Carol and Dudley in Flat 4. Vera assumes that they have decided not to tell Don after all. From what she heard about Don's condition last night, she is sure that they have made the right choice. No one wants Don's condition to deteriorate. Reg comes to the deli to invite the Godolfuses to their party in Flat 5, while Edie is outside telling Arnold. Being the Sabbath, of course, Arnold must decline. Edie is puzzled at first, but assumes that Jewish people work on Israeli Time, hence their Sabbath is a day early. Arnold passes on Rabbi Finkelstein's greetings to the Godolfuses. Aldo says that, for Arnold, his 'Shabbat' has ended. He should roster himself back on so that Aldo can go golfing. Reg and Edie return home to Flat 5 with their party supplies, only to find their flat completely bare! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Harry Michaels makes an early (uncredited) cameo as a Greek "Evzones" dancer (named as Theodoros Popapopadopoulos in a later scene between the MacDonalds) before returning as a new regular character, the Italian Giovanni Lenzi, from Episodes #921-922. "Chicken Marengo" is a French dish consisting of a chicken sautéed in oil with garlic and tomato, garnished with fried eggs and crayfish. Jeff Kevin does some subtle acting on this episode when Arnold Feather sits on the floor next to Vanessa Harrison. Despite being told by producer Bill Harmon to ignore Arnold's prosthetic leg (some months after the amputation in Episode #446), because the limping was slowing down scenes, here Jeff takes his time positioning the leg, while continuing to deliver dialogue. "The Great Synagogue", in the Sydney CBD, was where Rose Godolfus and Doctor Julian Meyers were married in Episode #78.

726. (1/04) Where are the MacDonalds' belongings? Reg assumes the worst: Flat 5 has been robbed. However, it seems that it was Edie who made a terrible mistake. The telephone has been cut off, and she neglected to cancel the removalists! Tanya is up early in Flat 6. She has cleaned the flat and defrosted the fridge. She will now shop for groceries, but she needs some money. Yes, Andy gave her $40 yesterday - but has he seen the prices in the shops lately? She mentions smoked salmon and French champagne. Andy decides that they will have a counter lunch at Norma's Bar. Pie and peas, or whatever is cheap. Andy reminds her that he doesn't love her, but she promises that she will grow on him. Andy retorts, "Like a fungus!" In Flat 8, Alf quizzes Vanessa about Doomsday, which she is certain is coming. She heard it from some nomads on a camel in the Gobi Desert. It was written on stone tablets. Lucy enters the room and Vanessa shows off the shawl that Adam bought her at the bazaar. Reg and Edie come to Flat 8 to use the phone. Edie assumes that Marilyn left the door unlocked this morning. The removalists were those ones who pack everything for you. All that she and Daddy have now are the party supplies they bought today. Reg hangs up the phone. All the furniture has been offloaded at the repository in Blacktown and it won't reopen until Monday morning. At the wine bar, Tanya is unsure about Dudley's Devilled Kidneys. While Andy tries to eat, Les begins a gory story about Jack the Ripper's murder victims. Behind the counter, Norma is nursing a hangover, but she assumes that she had a good time at the wine-tasting. Norma mentions that she saw the MacDonalds' furniture heading off in a truck but Les is confused. According to Marilyn, there's a party in their flat to celebrate not going to Blacktown. Dorrie is in a snit in Flat 3, which is still crammed with all the furniture that Dorrie bought on the other Herbert's Bankcard. Despite all the inconvenience that the MacDonalds have caused her, Dorrie still intends going to the party in Flat 5. Why isn't Herb ready yet? Of course, she blames him for the entire muddle. Flo emerges from her room and realises that she has missed both breakfast and lunch. Flo doesn't want to go to the party but Dorrie needs her for moral support when she "ups" the MacDonalds' rent to $50. Andy heads up to Flat 6, closely pursued by Tanya. She wants to do whatever he wants to do! She loves him! Andy abuses Tanya for being spoilt and insincere. They have a huge argument about how quickly she had forgotten poor, dead Clark. (And she reckons her father is hard-hearted!) The MacDonalds decide to go ahead with the party after all. The Sutcliffes, the Whittakers and Vanessa have all arrived in the bare Flat 5. Reg finds it highly embarrassing, with everyone sitting on the floor, but Edie doesn't seem to care. The main topic at the party is Vanessa's wacky predictions about the forthcoming end of the world. There will be signs: "The Heavens will open up and the Angel of Doom will be heard to cry from Above." Dorrie, Flo and Herb join the party. Dorrie is shocked at the lack of furniture, then manages to plant her foot into the cheese dip. Vanessa continues: "In the night sky, a luminous comet shall pass "The Southern Cross'. A storm will rage without warning." Alf jokes that he will make sure that he is rostered off work that day, so he won't miss it. Flo tells Dorrie about The End of the World but Dorrie doesn't "indulge in idle gossip, that's a well-known fact." Ever since The Great Flood of the Old "Testamum" [sic], it has been said that it could happen again! Alf blames the Australian weather. Herb disagrees; the weather has been gorgeous lately. He and Mr Donkin have discussed organising the annual picnic for the Senior Cits. There is a crack of thunder! Shouting above the noise of the raging storm, Tanya realises that she must adjust to poverty, and is finding it difficult. Andy's high-and-mighty attitude isn't helping. Perhaps the time has come for her to make a confession? In her frustration, she proclaims to hate Andy. They embrace, and resolve their differences in Andy's bedroom. Later, Tanya and Andy are still snuggling, but Andy informs her that he has to work tonight; his editor won't accept a storm as grounds for "taking a sickie". Tanya apologises for her earlier tirade. Dorrie, Herb and Flo return to Flat 3, with Dorrie realising that she didn't get the chance to mention the rent rise. Flo reckons that Vanessa is straight from The Twilight Zone, but the first of her predictions - a thunderstorm - has already come true. Herb suggests that they should go to the pictures at Double Bay. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy are in a double feature. Herb misinterprets the newspaper ad as two film titles: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! and Last Days. The thunder crashes again. "Last days, eh Herb?" quips Flo. In Flat 1, Les lectures Alf about Doomsday prophecies, from Nostradamas to Nevil Shute. Norma reckons that Vanessa should get a job at the Weather Bureau. On their way to the pictures, Dorrie and Herb go to Flat 5 to offer their spare furniture, for a nominal hiring fee, of course, while the MacDonalds' own belongings are locked in the Blacktown furniture "suppository" [sic]. Reg and Edie were about to book into the Beauregard Hotel for the weekend. Instead, if they keep the plastic wrappings on the furniture, Flo can let them into Flat 3 to collect it all. Sheltering from the rain in the foyer of Number 96, Andy offers Vanessa a lift in his car. Vanessa is waiting for Adam, who is supposed to be taking her to an open-air concert at the uni. Herb and Dorrie join them, and are having second thoughts about the cinema. Vanessa reminds them that the prophecy has predicted sunshine after the storm. Right on cue, the storm ends! The sun comes out. Alf and Les help to move the spare furniture into Flat 5. Edie offers them sweet sherry, but Alf hustles Les upstairs. Norma has lent pots and kitchen utensils and Lucy has promised sheets and blankets. Reg suddenly realises that the electricity has also been cut off. In Flat 8, Alf gives Les a beer, an improvement on sweet sherry. Vanessa arrives home from the boring, but mercifully short, concert. Lucy heads downstairs with sheets and blankets. Les is keen to hear about The End. Over a beer, Vanessa claims it will be "a cataclysmic clash of a heavenly body into our Earth." The next sign will be a comet tomorrow night! Dorrie is serenading Herb up the stairs to Flat 3 by singing lyrics from Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life. They enter to find Flo, collapsed on the floor. Flo feels dizzy. "I think Flo's had a stroke!" exclaims Dorrie. Herb goes to ring for the doctor. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Mr Donkin is namedropped but not seen. Sometimes he is played by an uncredited extra. The character delivered lines onscreen in Episodes #465 and #466. The official Cash Harmon synopsis by Peter Pascoe states that Tanya Schnolskevitska and Andy Marshall argue, but "make it up and 'hop in the cot!!' Thought you'd get a laugh over that." The sleeves on Ron Shand's trenchcoat are way too long! Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy made eight films together. (From Dorrie Evans' later singing, it seems that one of the movies screened at Double Bay that afternoon was 1935's "Naughty Marietta".) The 16th-century mystic, Michel Nostradamus, would gain renewed notoriety in 1979, thanks to an Australian-made TV documentary about his writings. "The Prophecies of Nostradamus: The Man Who Saw Tomorrow would be produced for the Seven Network, and hosted by actor John Waters. Nevil Shute's 1957 novel, "On the Beach" is an apocalyptic story set in Melbourne, Australia. It became a film in 1959, starring Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner.

727. (2/04) In the bathroom of Flat 7, Trixie is impatient with Adam. She needs him to get out of the shower so that she can have one! Vera asks if this morning's rehearsal is for her South-East Asia tour? Trixie has been given only 48-hours notice for a six-week tour. "That's showbiz!" Will Flo be up to such a trip; her accompanist skills have been deteriorating? Trixie also detects that Vera is unsettled about being left fending off Adam alone. "Fending him off?" If Vera really wants Adam, she should stop worrying about age differences and "go get him". In Flat 3, Dorrie delivers breakfast in bed to "the little invalid". She attempts to dissuade Flo from going on the tour with Trixie. Carol has gone ahead with her threat to leave Flat 4; she will tell Don that she has met a great fellow and will be sharing a flat with him. Dudley reminds her that they can longer tell Don the truth without endangering his health. Maggie arrives to see Don - and barges into the bathroom where Don is showering. Is Maggie's brash manner just her unique, twisted way of welcoming him back? Since he hasn't died after all, she'll expect Don back in the office on Monday. Dorrie is off to church and chats to Arnold and Roma on her way past the deli. "One never knows,", she says enigmatically, referring to Vanessa's "No-man tribes of the Go-Bo Desert". She blames the Reverend Wormald for all of this, then mentions that Flo is currently "non compos Menzies", due to all her "running-herself-ragged, keeping up with Trixie. Aldo comes out of the deli in his golfing outfit. He wants to get in a game before all the slow beginners turn up at the course. He was too late to play yesterday, and Arnold took the day off to go to the Synagogue. Trixie arrives at Flat 3 to check on Flo and is shocked to find her "feeling crook" and laid up in bed. It's only blood pressure, Flo protests. Just give her a day. Maggie enjoys stirring Vera and Adam in Flat 7. Vera is astounded that Maggie berated Don for not dying. Maggie denigrates Vera's latest designs as "too matronly" but has heard that Clinton liked Adam's concerto. Maggie helps herself to a drink from Vera's bar - and advises her to "try thinking young". There is tension in Flat 4, with Carol packing to move into Phillip Harrow's flat, Don acting subdued, and Dudley being restless and uptight. Don is keen to meet the new guy; perhaps Dud can rustle up some "fair dinkum Aussie sheilas" again? An encounter on the stairs pleases Maggie when Trixie accidentally confirms that Vera and Adam are "nuts for each other". Herb and Flo play cards in Flo's bedroom in Flat 3. She is still not sure what to do about Trixie's trip. Dorrie comes in to check on Flo. She mentions that Reverend Wormald has sent his regards, just before Dorrie had a serious talk to him about the church hall being used for Housie Housie tournaments. This is promotion of vice and "sposmadic" gambling. Dorrie is not so "nave" to believe in Vanessa's predictions. Herb mentions the comet that is due tonight. Dorrie demands to know, "Why wasn't I told?" The Evanses will definitely be attending evening service tonight. Don and Dud play draughts in Flat 4, but Dudley is too anxious to concentrate. Don suggests a drive to Newport instead? Carol rings to say that she has settled into Phillip's flat. Dud is evasive and cranky when Don asks him for details. Herb visits the deli; Flo has a craving for green jelly. Aldo arrives from golf later than expected, and in a snit. "All the beginners out there, knocking their balls all over the place!" Herb mentions that Les is bringing his telescope up to the Sutcliffes, when it gets dark, to view the comet that Vanessa has predicted. Arnold, of course, is not convinced at all by The End of the World. Aldo ponders all the excess stock in the deli. In Flat 7, Adam brings a peace offering of coffee to Vera's bedroom. The drama between them is somewhat resolved when they express their love for each other. Don and Dudley have a candlelit dinner and realise that it has been a long time since they last had Flat 4 to themselves. Dud tries to get Don talking about "ever-so-creepy" Doctor Zorfitch. Don admits that, for a while, he was worried that Dudley would turn out to be the Pantyhose Strangler. Over the washing up in Flat 2, the Godolfuses dismiss Vanessa's predictions. Arnold's intensity over Judaism is driving a wedge between himself and Aldo. If Arnold becomes any more devout, Aldo is tempted to become Buddhist. "With the cost of haircuts these days, it is not a bad idea." Adam and Vera plan to celebrate their mutual affection over a restaurant meal. She is getting ready for their 8.00pm reservation at The Holiday Inn. Vera sends him down to hail a cab but an "ever-so-confused" Dudley calls in for a quick chat. Carol has moved out, and Vera notes that it is sensible under the circumstances. Poor Dudley, though, is "feeling the full Mary Astor". Once again, Vera warns him not to mention this situation to Don. Dudley admits that it's "a hell of a cheat" not to tell Don. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Julian Rockett, as Adam Shaw, makes Australian TV history as "the first bare, male bum in colour" in a shower scene, although viewers really only see a pronounced tanline. Just a few scenes later, Joe Hasham, as Don Finlayson, features in a similar shower scene. "Chromakey" (bluescreen) is once again used in several "Boulevard Cafe" scenes, intercutting with the studio set. The completed outdoor scenes leave obvious bluish outlines around the actors and furniture, but the use of moving footage of the actual Moncur Street in Woollahra gives some fresh angles. Opposite "Moncur Flats", the former "Moncur Street Uniting Church" opens a scene featuring Sunday morning church bells. Built in the Victorian Gothic style around 1877 as a Congregational church, it ceased being used as such in the 1980s, and was gutted by fire in 1989. Now repaired and privately owned, the building gives Jersey Road, on the other side of the block, as its preferred street address. When Flo Patterson is confined to bed, Mr Perky is on the nightstand beside her. The oft-mentioned local church rector, Mr Wormald (sometimes "Reverend"), is namedropped in this episode. He appeared onscreen in Episode #59. The reference to "fair dinkum Aussie sheilas" is a callback to Shirl Boothroyd and Petal Wagstaff of Episodes #668 and #669. In 1936, Mary Astor's movie career was nearly destroyed by scandal, after an affair with playwright George S Kaufman. She was branded an adulterous wife by her former husband, Franklyn Thorpe, during a custody fight over their daughter.

728. (3/04) "A heavenly body shall traverse the night sky: a 'Harbinger of Doom' announcing 'The Cataclysm'..." There is trepidation - and then great excitement - in the main bedroom of Flat 8, when Alf, Les, the Evanses and Vanessa, all witness the foretold comet through the telescope! Les offhandedly refers to it as Whittaker's Comet. A cranky Lucy is still unmoved by the predictions and would prefer going to bed. She goes to put the kettle on. Meanwhile, in Flat 5, Reg and Edie are spending an uncomfortable night sliding around on the polythene wrappings of their borrowed furniture. Edie wonders when the County Council will reconnect their electricity? A shape looms in the bedroom doorway and Edie screams! It is only Marilyn, who is also having a sleepless night. She squeezes into the bed between her parents but, when Daddy leans over to blow out the candle, he ends up on the floor! At The Red Baron restaurant in the Holiday Inn, Adam and Vera realise that they are both in love. Adam half-jokingly suggests that they take a late-night ferry to Manly and ask the captain to marry them. A drunken Maggie Cameron happens upon their table. She is on a bitchy rampage and intrudes upon their romantic evening with embarrassing commentary. Adam loses his temper and tosses his wine into Maggie's face. The couple make a hasty retreat. Next morning, in Flat 1, Norma brings out a breakfast tray and quizzes Les. How can a comet sighting bring about Doomsday? Les explains that Whittaker's Comet will set off a rogue planet that will collide with Earth. In three weeks, come Friday! Les is therefore not worried that The Grapevine is affecting the takings of Norma's Bar. In Flat 3, Dorrie complains that "'Go-Bo' Deserts and 'Neurotic' tribes" are whirling about her head. ("How dare that tribe keep 'The End of the World' a secret all those years...?) Dorrie's niece, Georgina Carter, rings from Coffs Harbour. She wants her "Auntie Dee" to come and look after Jeff Carter, Dorrie's brother, who has suffered a slight stroke. Georgina's mother, Lois, has probably gone completely "beresk". Herb points out that Flo is also ill and in need of help. Dorrie finds herself in a quandary. Alf is disgruntled in Flat 8. Why should he go to work anymore when the world is about to end? Lucy is off to the laundrette and notices Vanessa eating a bowl of wheatgerm. Lucy stirs her about the need for healthy eating when "we're all doomed". In Flo's bedroom in Flat 3, Dorrie frets over her dilemma. Flo is as much kith and kin to her as her brother, Jeff. The furniture shop is collecting everything from upstairs today. Meanwhile, Edie serves Daddy a meagre breakfast in Flat 5, made next door on Andy's toaster, thanks to the kindness of Tanya. Reg will have to negotiate with the Blacktown repository and Edie will have to organise the PMG and County Council to restore services. Marilyn races in, breathless, with her parents' freshly laundered dress and shirt. She giggles at Daddy draped only in one of Lucy's sheets; add a few bells and he could join the Hare Krishnas! In Flat 7, Trixie and Vera discuss Adam's encounter with Maggie in the restaurant. Trixie is desperately packing for tomorrow's tour but has no idea what to do about Flo. Maggie barges in. Surprising, she has no hard feelings about last night... towards Vera. Adam, however, is different. His music career will be over before it even starts. No one throws wine in Maggie's face and gets away with it. Flo has moved to the couch and Dorrie is dusting around her in Flat 3, but perhaps the end of the world is "just a 'fragment' of that girl's imagination"? As for the "'Go-Bo' Desert tablets"... Dorrie isn't sure they even had tablets in those days? They have decided to send Herb to Coffs Harbour instead. He is quite excited to go - he mentions the bananas and the good fishing - and has found details for the overnight train. Dorrie reminds him that this trip is not a holiday (and she wants him home before Doomsday). Flo catches her out, but Dorrie prefers "to remain ambiguous on the whole subject". The MacDonalds lock their front door and head out for the day. They meet Maggie on the stairs and she suggests coffee sometime. She wants some advice on a matter. Edie assumes that the invitation is for her, but Reg swiftly quashes that thought. Herb is ironing his shorts for Coffs Harbour and Dorrie has settled Flo back in her room. Maggie visits Flat 3 for the rent money. Trixie also arrives and the two women trade insults (about excess baggage and broomsticks). Trixie needs to break the news to Flo that she shouldn't come on the South-East Asian tour. Dorrie agrees, but she thinks Flo is determined to go. In Norma's Bar, Vanessa rolls a cigarette while Les pontificates about Doomsday. Adam comes in, looking for Vera. Marilyn suggests that he go with her to see a movie, but then Vanessa offers tickets for pianist Sean Hilliard in concert at the Sydney Opera House. Adam readily agrees! Trixie and Flo have a heart-to-heart chat in Flat 3. Flo was going to pull out of the gig but Trixie's reverse-psychology fails miserably. Flo will go on the tour. Trixie is aghast. On Lindsay Street, Reg sees Edie arrive home in a taxi. He informs her that there is to be a further two-day delay on the return of their possessions. Luckily they have the borrowed furniture! Vera and Trixie chat about Flo in the kitchen of Flat 7. Flo has decided not to go on the tour. Vera is cooking "a special meal for a special person" and Trixie promises to get out of the way by having an early night. Vera realises that it is 6.00pm and Adam isn't home yet. The MacDonalds enter Flat 5 - and, again, find it completely empty. Dorrie arrives to explain that she used her spare key to retrieve the borrowed furniture. A maudlin Vera is waiting in Flat 7, by a candle-lit dinner table. It is 8.00pm; where might Adam be? She hears a sound out on the landing - but it is only Alf. He tells Vera not to worry, as he is probably still out at a concert with "Our Vanessa". Vera is heartbroken. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

It seems that Maggie Cameron is wearing the man's watch that she once gave to Adam Shaw, but he had returned. Georgina Carter and her parents are often namedropped in scripts but Georgina was last seen onscreen in Episode #156. An establishing shot of Woollahra's Moncur Street at night is intercut with the studio set to enhance a scene with the MacDonalds on Paddington's Lindsay Street.

729. (4/04) Norma's Bar is strangely quiet due to the competition posed by The Grapevine. Dudley scrubs off Hot Bacon Loaf from the Blackboard Specials; he just burnt it to a cinder. Dudley wonders what to pack for Doomsday? He is reminded of the movie, The Day the Earth Caught Fire. Don walks in and guesses the plot easily. He greets Carol and mentions her new boyfriend. Norma is surprised; she hasn't noticed anyone new hanging around the wine bar? A distraught Tanya comes in, looking for Andy. He's been missing for two days and even his work hasn't heard from him. Alf and Lucy get ready for bed in Flat 8. They ponder Vanessa's questionable hygiene. Alf is concerned about Vera's behaviour concerning Adam. Lucy is actually pleased that Vanessa and Adam seem to be hitting it off, as Vera's "getting too fond of that boy". Andy finally shows up in Flat 6. Tanya finds him bedraggled, sensitive to light, and very confused as to where he has been. He collapses to the floor! Next morning, in Flat 8, Alf quizzes Arnold about his studies in Judaism. Alf doesn't like any organised religion: "poor, bloody Harry Collins - sent him right 'round the bend!" According to Arnold, Vanessa went for a constitutional around Centennial Park, but Lucy observes that she never cleans up after herself. Alf is suspicious of Arnold's "Shalom" as he leaves for work. ("He said 'Shallots', or somethin'?") In Flat 1, Les is back from night shift and has been reading Be Your Own Astronomer instead of sleeping. He tells Norma that he thought he saw Whittaker's Comet again last night, over Bondi Junction. "The Birds of the Air shall be the Carriers of the next sign." Should Norma expect a magpie through the window with a message in its beak? Aldo and Roma need to talk to Arnold about his Jewish studies. Aldo starts a heartfelt speech in the deli but he gets interrupted by Les, who has a new wild scheme: he is on the hunt for items to place into a time capsule for prosperity! Canned food, Beatles records... Aldo is puzzled, but presents Les with a can of baked beans to give to this Prosperity. Dudley gets a phone call in Flat 4 about The Grapevine job. Mr Camden increases the salary offer considerably, but Dudley says that he is happy where is is. Dudley lets it slip to Don that he and Carol had been planning to move out, to a flat above The Grapevine. As he attempts to cover up his slip, Maggie interrupts them. Her arms are laden with a whole day of work files. Dudley is ordered to make coffee. Later, in Norma's Bar, Dudley suggests some MGM movies, such as Singin' in the Rain, for Les's time capsule. Les is not convinced; film would deteriorate - and you'd have to bury a film projector, as well. Carol comes past but is short with Dudley. Norma notices that things seem to be strained between them. Norma is also suspicious about a package of good linen hankies that she has found in the flat. Les admits that the handkerchiefs were a gift from elderly Mrs Brewster, one of his former patients. This is his second gift from her. In Flat 6, Tanya rouses Andy from a 12-hour sleep. He claims that he was on "a rough assignment" when he went missing. In Norma's Bar, Alf is unimpressed by Les's time capsule contents list. Norma suggests adding Les himself, and the overly-grateful Old Mrs Brewster, to the capsule. Maggie and Don come downstairs for lunch and join Alf's table. Maggie comments about the sassy Vanessa. Alf reckons that all she needed was a young man as a distraction from her Doomsday prophecies: Adam Shaw. Maggie is intrigued. Don objects to her denigrating Vera. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol and Dudley debate about telling Don their secret. Carol seems to be contemplating leaving Norma's Bar. Lucy drops into the wine bar for a glass of wine and Alf makes out that he only just arrived. Vanessa is not pulling her weight with the housework. Andy and Tanya come in for lunch. The mystery around Andy deepens: their table is approached by a young, attractive woman, who interrupts to thank Andy for a great time the other night. She wishes Tanya luck with her date. In the parlour of Flat 2, Aldo is trying to calm his friend, Manny Goldman, over the phone. He and Roma will come around before you can say 'Roberts & Crusoe'" [sic]. Manny's wife, Rebecca, has left him, he has a stomach ulcer, and his restaurant needs looking after. Arnold rushes in to get assistance in the shop. He is taken aback that the Godolfuses are leaving immediately. In Flat 4, Maggie is getting rather sloshed. She flirts with Don. ("I do like you, you know, even if you're a little... poofta, Darling.") She delights in telling Don all about Dudley and Carol, but Don assumes that it is the drink talking... at first. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Another establishing shot of Woollahra's Moncur Street at night is intercut with the studio set to enhance a scene in "Norma's Bar". "The Day the Earth Caught Fire" was released in 1961. Harry Collins' fascination for religion came after meeting evangelist Adam Lord at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Episode #311. "Singin' in the Rain" was released in 1952. Les Whittaker's time capsule, to be buried under the cellar floor, will contain: a "Beatles"' record, a can of baked beans, a Sydney newspaper, a bottle of "Para Port", $2 of small change, and a copy of the "New Testament", and a box of Irish linen hankies. Seppelt's "Para Liqueur Tawny Port" is a well-known Australian wine, named after the Para River in the Barossa Valley. Although Paula Duncan's character has moved out of the building, her end credit is still over Flat 4.

730. (7/04) In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley is feeling very guilty about his relationship with Carol, but she decides that they will wait until Don is fully recovered before telling her brother the truth. Dudley knows how gossip spreads at Number 96; someone else is bound to tell Don first. Aldo returns to the deli, but he won't be staying to help Arnold behind the counter. Aldo must get back to Manny Goldman's little restaurant in Bondi Junction, where Roma is cooking the meals. But Arnold was planning to do get some study done into Judaism! Aldo says, "When one Jew is in trouble, another one goes to help. This is part of our faith." Vera arrives, laden with fabrics, and places a grocery order. She mentions that Trixie left on her tour before dawn. Vanessa comes in for a Coke on the Sutcliffes' account. Vera is frosty towards her because of Adam going to the concert. He was home after Vera's bedtime. In Flat 4, Maggie is filled with regret and tries to retract her statement about Carol and Dudley's affair. "It was the champagne talking." Don knows her too well; when drunk, Maggie invariably tells the truth. Don now believes that Dudley and Carol are in love. Vera enters Flat 7 and finds Adam working at the table. He didn't get in until 6.00am, something that Vera had noticed. She loses her temper with Adam for missing her special dinner, and hopes that he likes cold duckling leftovers for the rest of the week. If Vera had not run into Alf last night, she'd have had no idea of Adam's whereabouts. Arnold is busy with a deli customer, so Dudley goes behind the counter and serves himself. They discuss the Meadowvale Golf Club; Arnold hopes to get some answers this week. They again mention Gregory Peck in Gentleman's Agreement. The Sutcliffes come in, seeking advice on what to feed the vegetarian Vanessa. Arnold is horrified that Lucy is planning to cook pork chops. As an Orthodox Jew, Arnold can no longer eat them. At first, Dudley assumes that Arnold is joking. The Sutcliffes will soon be down to eating cheese and matzos. In Flat 7, Adam explains to Vera that, after Vanessa and her friend went to a vegetarian restaurant, he accepted an invitation to drinks at Clinton Mather's place. Sean Hilliard was there - and many others: a veritable Who's Who" of the music scene. Sean played Adam's concerto and loved it, then everyone argued if it was more like a latter-day Gershwin or a Prokofiev. Vera apologises and suggests that he should move into Trixie's now-vacant room instead of using the couch. Dudley comes into Flat 4, having seen Maggie fly past the deli on her broomstick. He notes the empty champagne bottles. "No startling revelations from Maggie?" Nothing that Don hadn't already guessed. Dudley is stunned and confused. Lucy has a decision to make. She wants Alf, as Man of the House, to talk to Vanessa about using Flat 8 as a hotel, especially after Lucy made a cheese and onion pie that Vanessa never came home to eat. How is the girl getting by without money or a job? Meanwhile, Adam and Vera giggle over Dudley trying to get Vanessa to settle her debt ($2.20 for drinks "on tick") in Norma's Bar. It'll all be meaningless after the world comes to an end. A suspiciously cordial Maggie comes in. When Adam is over at the bar, Maggie announces to Vera that she has organised for Vince Hansen, of Solange Fashions, to look at Vera's designs. Vera is not interested. Maggie surprises Adam with her about-face. She has heard about Sean liking the concerto; musical talent should be fostered. It is 11.00pm, but Maggie intends to go upstairs to visit Don. Dudley and Carol ponder what is planned for discussion? The Godolfuses get home very late, to find Arnold in their parlour in Flat 2 doing the shop's weekly accounts. Aldo reckons that Manny is heading for a "nervous breakup". Roma worked hard to get up a decent menu of goulash and sauerkraut at the beautiful Majestic Rooms, but only two couples came to eat there - and they wanted shish kebab and Wiener Schnitzel! Tomorrow, they'll go earlier. Arnold objects and Aldo tries to impress upon him why it is important that he and Roma help Manny. In Flat 4, Maggie tells Don about Mr McAlister's bar-room gossip regarding the Council's new arts centre. If true, they will need to offload their warehouse property promptly, before it becomes a compulsory acquisition of the Council. Maddie has ways of finding out such business. She again apologises for blabbing about Dudley and Carol. Dudley comes in from his shift as Maggie is departing. He wants to talk to Don about something very important that will affect both of their lives. Later, Dudley is bewildered that Don already knows about his and Carol's relationship, but won't say who told him. Does Don want Dudley to move out? "The ball's in your court, now," says Don. Getting ready for bed in Flat 2, the Godolfuses devise a plan: perhaps Manny would be willing to sell them The Majestic Rooms? It could be Aldo's dream restaurant! But how would Arnold react - and what about the delicatessen? In Flat 8, there is a crowd in Lucy's bedroom again. Vanessa, Alf and Arnold are staring at the Southern Cross with Les's telescope, hoping to see the foretold extra star. It won't appear until 1.00am. Alf sees a bright red star - and flashing, too! Arnold suggests it is only a plane. (When they finally see Alpha Centauri's comet-dislodged satellite, it will only be a pinpoint of light. It will then get larger because it is on a collision course with Earth.) Arnold and a grumpy, tired Lucy agree that it is all preposterous. She wants to sleep. Lucy reminds them that she's pregnant, not that it matters if the world is ending two weeks on Friday. "All the Winged Creatures of the Firmament shall speak with a loud voice of the Impending Doom," says Vanessa of the Fourth Portent. Lucy throws a feather pillow at Alf and orders the others out of her room. Vera is getting ready for bed in Flat 7. There is a knock at her bedroom door. It is Adam. She gives in to her desires and they begin to get romantic. [No writer credited. Episode directed by Peter Benardos.]

The writer credit for this episode is missing, so the script may have been extensively rewritten - by Johnny Whyte? Ken Shadie had written the rest of this block of episodes. The movie "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947) was first referenced in Episode #708. George Gerswin (1898–1937) was an American composer and pianist, while Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor. Knowledge about the "Alpha Centauri" star system has been greatly expanded and refined since 1975.

731. (8/04) It is 6.30pm and Les is back in Flat 1 from his overnight hospital shift. He is disappointed that he missed the first sighting of the rogue planet - Planet Norma - knocked out of its orbit by Whittaker's Comet. Soon, it will be the biggest and brightest star in the heavens, hence Les named it after his wife. Norma is unsure whether to be jealous when Les shows off his King Kong Cologne for Men, the third gift given to him by Mrs Brewster! Norma bans Les from wearing King Kong again. "Give me Godzilla any day!" she says. The MacDonalds happily return to the empty Flat 5 after a night at the Beauregard Hotel. Roma has given them a saucepan of food for their tea. Dorrie manages to horrify Reg; she arrives to remind the MacDonalds of the rent owed on the furniture. "$50?" In Flat 8, Lucy thinks that Vanessa has moved on; all of her belongings are gone. Adam and Vera wake up after their romantic night in Flat 7. Vera has decided that she may as well follow up Maggie's suggestion of meeting Mr Hansen. Dorrie and Flo discuss the missing Herb while doing the washing up in Flat 3. How is he getting on in Coffs Harbour? Dorrie must do all of Herb's chores in addition to her own "consergical" duties. She forbids Flo from helping; her condition is still fragile. Maggie visits with Don in Flat 4. He invites her in for coffee but she worries that three is a crowd. No, Dudley packed a bag and left early this morning. Maggie is apologetic. She will now deliver good tidings and joy to Adam Shaw. She has business in Flat 5 as well. Telling Edie to stay home for the removalists, Reg departs Flat 5 and meets Maggie on her way up the stairs. They make plans for a business lunch at the Holiday Inn at 1.00pm. Inside the flat, Marilyn announces to Mummy her forthcoming marriage to Adam Shaw: just as soon as he proposes to her! In Flat 7, Adam and Vera's breakfast is interrupted by Maggie. She apologises "most humbly" for the threats that she made to end Adam's music career. Clinton Mather is one of the trustees of the Clarence Chapman Foundation for Needy Young Musicians. Adam's talent is worthy of a scholarship. Vera sends Adam to the kitchen for a cup for Maggie, then tries to find out what Maggie is "really up to"? Les spooks Dorrie in Flat 1 with talk of the rogue planet; Norma admonishes him. The passage of a large celestial body, such as Planet Norma, will cause all manner of natural disasters and destroy all organic life on Earth. Norma suggests taking safe harbour on the top of Ayers Rock. The centre of Australia is destined to return to being an inland sea. "What about a Yellow Submarine?" asks Norma. Dorrie suggests the Snowy Mountains, or booking a table at The Summit restaurant? Les warns that The Summit is likely to become an orbitting satellite! In that case, Dorrie agrees that the human race is doomed to extinction. Vera is ecstatic in Flat 7, as she describes to Maggie the love that she has found with Adam. Their love is like a ring with a setting, but no stone. Last night was the jewel! Maggie murmurs, "I may throw up." Dorrie and Flo have come to Flat 5 to collect the garbage. Dorrie warns that the seas will boil in two weeks. Edie exclaims, "The poor fish!" Is all of this just "flap doodle"? They plan to pack a bag and a first aid kit, and Dorrie will be making a booking with Miss Wendy, to get her hair done. She needs to look her best for The End. Marilyn and Lucy are in the backroom of the laundrette, discussing Adam Shaw. Is it fate that he and Marilyn are destined to be together? Marilyn takes a package of clean items out to Mrs Carson as Vera arrives with her own laundry. Vera is off on the Manly Ferry with Adam and then to the Zoo. Vera assures Lucy that, after last night, she has no doubts. Vera races out of the office, colliding with a startled Alf. Can Lucy be home by 12.30pm; his lunch shift has been changed? Lucy explains that Vera is "'ead over 'eels" in love. "Vera and young Adam? You're havin' me on." Lucy urges him not to spread the news. Only minutes later, in the wine bar, Norma tells Les what Alf just told her about Vera and Adam. "Cupid's aim was off a bit this time!" observes Les. Soon, Flo is in the deli, telling Edie the gossip straight from Les. Don and Dorrie also hear the news. Dorrie is aghast at this "'candlestine' affair". It is lunchtime at the Holiday Inn and Reg and Maggie are having their meeting in "The Red Baron" restaurant. Reg compliments Hardy on the robust claret. Does Maggie wish to discuss a drainage problem on one of her properties? No, she is planning a magazine spread on fashions for the more mature business executive and wants Reg to model for her. Is she being deliberately seductive as she tousles his hair and removes his spectacles? Although Reg claims to only them for reading, he suddenly becomes clumsy with the wine bottle. Edie calls into the laundrette to announce to Marilyn that the furniture has arrived back from Blacktown. Marilyn can't wait to invite Mummy's future son-in-law to dinner. If Marilyn means Adam, she needs to know that Adam and Vera are an item. Marilyn laughs, "She's miles too old for Adam!" In Flat 8, the Sutcliffes are finishing up lunch and Alf invites Lucy to dinner tonight. He notices that his wallet is empty. He is sure that there was $20 in it yesterday? They wonder if Vanessa took it. Don is lost in thought, alone in Flat 4. His mind races with recollections of Dudley's sayings and movie references. Don breaks down. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

"King Kong" (1933) and "Godzilla" (1953) are both huge movie monsters. A typo in some TV guides had Dudley [Butterfield], not Dorrie [Evans], horrifying Reg MacDonald. Since 1993, "Ayers Rock" is officially known by its dual name, "Ayers Rock - Uluru". "Yellow Submarine" is a reference to the 1966 song by "The Beatles". The song inspired an animated movie of the same name in 1968. Dorrie is correct in that the "Snowy Mountains" has the highest natural landmark in Australia, "Mount Kosciuszko". "The Summit" revolving restaurant at "Australia Square" tower in the Sydney CBD opened in 1968 as Australia's highest restaurant (until 1981). It has been known as "O Bar & Dining" since renovations in 2012. Vera Collins mentions "the Zoo"; this would be "Taronga Zoo" at Mosman. The blond extra, Mark Markham, who often plays Hardy, the "Maître d'hôtel" at "The Red Baron" restaurant, had moved across from "The Cosmopolitan" just before Episode #616. Maggie Cameron is still flirtatious with him. Dudley's voiceover has him telling Don Finlayson about Cecil B DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" (1956), which is on at "The Ritz", Randwick. He also recommends "The Garden of Allah" (1936) with Marlene Dietrich.

732. (9/04) Andy's behaviour again puzzles Tanya in Flat 6. Where does he get to when he goes missing for days at a time? Andy orders her to leave him alone. Arnold is run off his feet in the deli, which is filled with impatient customers. The most impatient is Dorrie. Flo tries to calm her. The Godolfuses walk into the noisy shop. Still in their street clothes, they go behind the counter and try to help Arnold. A worker and his mate, "Blue", get cranky and they storm off to the supermarket. Dorrie also decides to take her "clientelly" elsewhere. Arnold stands on "the little steps" and orders "Silence!". He rosters himself off for five minutes. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley learns of the rogue planet from Les. Dudley compares the situation to a movie, When Worlds Collide. Carol is surprised that Les still believes in the prophecies. Alf and Vanessa would have seen the planet first appear at 1.00am, but Lucy made them put the telescope away and go to bed. Norma comes in and warns Les that he needs to stop frightening Dorrie. Dudley reveals that he stayed at Aunty Brenda's last night. Carol lies that her friend is moving to Europe today; would Dudley like to move in with her? Dudley would like too, but he won't. He is feeling very... confused. "At a crossroads." In the deli, Arnold manages to hurt Aldo's feelings. Aldo questions tomorrow's roster: why does Arnold need four hours off in the morning? Arnold refuses to say, so Aldo insists on helping out Manny tonight. Roma thinks it is a pity to see The Majestic Rooms, such a beautiful restaurant that "runs down hill". Arnold decides that he will check out this establishment as soon as he can. Tanya is cooking Veal Escalopes with Mushroom Sauce in Flat 6, but gets angry when Andy announces that he will be going out instead. "I hate you!" yells the frustrated Tanya. She throws her spatula at him. Dorrie hangs up the phone in Flat 3; Herb has gone to the movies with her niece, Georgina. Flo wonders what they went to see. "Flo Patterson, that's entirely 'irrevelant'!" Les calls by, worried about Dorrie's state of mind as The End approaches. Les would know about such "scientifical" things. Les suggests: "Smile, laugh, be happy." Arnold tells Dudley in Norma's Bar about his plan to meet the Secretary of the Meadowvale Golf Club - on the green itself! - tomorrow morning. Tanya comes in, asking about Andy. Norma and Carol agree that he was in, but is not really himself lately. In fact, that girl from yesterday came in again and dragged him off with her. Tanya is beside herself. Next morning, Les is rehearsing Abide with Me on his one-man-band instruments in Flat 1, waking Norma at 7.00am. The band on the Titanic played that tune. In Flat 3, Flo is chatting on the phone to her daughter, Raylene, about the forthcoming baby. She felt the baby kicking and Tyrone is "tickled pink". Dorrie is watching Mr Perky for a sign of the Fourth Portent. Dorrie tells Flo that her Joan finally decided to get herself "artificially 'incinerated'" because Dennis Parker was so hopeless. Flo reminds her that it'll be like Joan's baby was adopted. Marilyn MacDonald was adopted, after all, and Flo accepts her. Arnold comes into the deli, dressed for golf. "Meadowvale Golf Club?" Aldo is exasperated! Andy arrives home to Flat 6, once again looking bedraggled. Tanya mentions the strange woman in the wine bar, but Andy says that Carol Finlayson is a liar! Norma saw the woman, too! Andy tells Tanya to lead her own life, and let him lead his. At the golf course, Arnold's instructor, Jimmy, introduces "Arnie" to Club Secretary Gordon Nicholson (John Stone). Arnold delivers his rehearsed line about being Jewish, but Gordon is also a Jew! Which Synagogue does "Arnie" attend? Arnold is more puzzled than ever as to why Aldo was not admitted to this golf club? Dorrie and Flo enter the deli only to find Tanya behind the counter. The Godolfuses had to go to see a friend at the last minute. Tanya spends too much time cooped up in her flat; she should find a regular job. Dorrie thinks it is strange that an American heiress needs to work. They are interrupted by the sound of Les's one-man-band outside. Les moves into the wine bar, still playing, and the customers quickly evacuate. Flo encourages Les to play Happy Days Are Here Again instead of Abide with Me. Andy is asleep on his bed in Flat 6 - and suddenly wakes up crying for help! Arnold is back from golf and tries to ascertain why "Miss Prior" is working in the deli again? The Godolfuses come in from the street and announce that Manny Goldman has agreed to sell Aldo The Majestic Rooms. Aldo will sell the delicatessen - and buy his dream restaurant at last! [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The movie "When Worlds Collide" was released in 1951. Carol Finlayson was supposedly boarding with a friend, "Phillip Harrow", but will later reference an air hostess colleague named Pam in Episode #735. The song "Abide with Me" by Leonard Gautier was published in 1861. "Happy Days Are Here Again" was released in 1929. The extra playing golf instructor, Jimmy, has lines but goes uncredited. The character of Gordon Nicholson is miscredited as "Nicholls" onscreen.

733. (10/04) In the deli, Tanya is curious as to why The Majestic Rooms restaurant is not listed in the Sydney Good Food Guide. Arnold is concerned about the business's viability. To anybody else, Manny would be selling at $50,000-60,000, but the Godolfuses can buy it freehold for the bargain price of $30,000. Lucy chats to Alf in Flat 8. She is still worried about the missing Vanessa. The prodigal niece suddenly appears, distributing gifts: a Navajo headband for Lucy and Sherpa beads for Alf. How did Vanessa buy these things? "With money!" Reg has been busy with a report on prefabricated plumbing, for the TC's symposium on Sewage in the 70s. He blames Edie for the ongoing disarray in Flat 5. She hopes that he can help move the furniture with her this evening. Meanwhile, Edie serves up shepherd's pie with pumpkin (instead of Brussels sprouts). She is trying to economise. If she can save $4 per week, it will take three and a half years to make up the expense of their aborted move to Blacktown. Reg would rather not see Marilyn's figures but then the phone rings and Edie makes no move to answer it. Reg finally leaves his luncheon to discover it is Maggie on the phone. They arrange a meeting for 7.30pm. Edie was going to reheat the cottage pie for dinner, but Reg now has other plans. He mentions doing some male modelling for Mrs Cameron. Tanya has a terrible shock when she finds Andy unconscious on the lounge room floor of Flat 6. Lucy relieves Marilyn at the laundrette for lunch. Marilyn intends getting some lunch for Adam. Lucy tries to remind her that Adam is with Vera now. "What if Vera had a child at her age? It's disgusting!" Marilyn is incredulous. Lucy shrugs, thinking of her own pregnancy. In Flat 4, Vera apologises for urging Carol and Dudley to avoid mentioning their relationship to Don. Don assures her that he does not carry a grudge. She feels so guilty because of her own happiness with Adam. She presses Don for his opinion, but he agrees with Lucy. Her relationship with Adam is ill-advised. Arnold explains to Aldo that his membership to the Meadowvale Golf Club was not due to anti-Semitism. According to Mr Nicholson, Aldo had two false declarations in his application: he had claimed to be a member of the Sunnybank Golf Club (but Mr Sampson had signed him in as a visitor), and he had claimed a handicap of 30, based on Mr Sampson's score of 29. The Godolfuses intend to take Arnold as a partner into their restaurant venture. Arnold will first check out The Majestic Rooms for himself. Outside on Lindsay Street, Marilyn sees Adam and tells him about the hilarious rumour going around about him and Vera being madly in love - and getting married! Adam assures her that it is all true. Later that afternoon, in Flat 5, Edie is unpacking while Marilyn skims through a book, How to be a Good Jewish Mother and plots how to marry Arnold. He is taking her to a beautiful, elegant restaurant tonight. Daddy emerges from the main bedroom, looking very suave, for his dinner with Maggie. An advertising model? Marilyn is impressed. Boasting that he has no need for spectacles, Daddy almost trips over a suitcase and collides with the front door. Don has been invited to dinner in Flat 7, but Adam is dressed up for his interview with the scholarship selection committee of the Clarence Chapman Foundation. Adam still can't understand Maggie's about-face. Don and Vera wish him luck. Tanya brings Andy scrambled eggs and salad, but he is not hungry. She is worried after the way he was wrecking things this morning. Andy explodes with anger, scattering his tray of food across the room. He storms off to his bedroom. In Bondi Junction, Arnold and Marilyn brave a meal at the run-down restaurant, The Majestic Rooms. The place is quite a mess! (Arnold was expecting faded Edwardian splendour.) Here, they meet the rather unsavoury waitress, Phyllis Pratt (Moya O'Sullivan). She is smoking a cigarette, wipes their table and plates down with a tea towel, calls everybody "Chook", and takes the menu away (because not much is available anyway). Manny's cat keeps eating the smoked salmon! Steak is off, avocado is off, chicken is off. "All we've got is some goulash muck that was cooked up by a couple of dago friends of Manny's. Gawd knows what's in it. It's a day old already." She piles cutlery into the centre of the table. "Don't blame me if you get a touch of the runs afterwards." Phyllis heads into the kitchen. A cat meows from within, followed by a crash of pots. In Flat 8, Vanessa stands on her head as Alf watches a Godzilla movie on TV. Vanessa moves to the lotus position to talk with Lucy. Vanessa is offended about being accused of taking money from Alf's wallet. She's been walking from house to house, doing charcoal sketches of babies, to get the money for those gifts. Over coffee in Flat 7, Vera would still like Don's approval of her new relationship, but Don doesn't want to see Vera hurt. A very subdued Adam comes in. His scholarship has been granted, but he wants to go straight to bed. Mysterious! A desperate Tanya is trying to check on Andy in Flat 6. He is behind a locked door, surrounded by pill bottles, and seems to be hallucinating! At The Majestic Rooms, Marilyn and Arnold eat desserts of Marmalade Roll while Phyllis flicks cigarette ash into Arnold's food and whinges about her boss ("Always at the pub, drowning his sorrows...") and her working conditions. Phyllis indicates Marilyn's dessert. "Bit leathery, eh? Should've had the rice pudding, not that it's much better." Arnold wonders if Mr Goldman will be back before closing, but he's at the pub, like always. They all hear a blowfly. Phyllis mentions that her cigarette smoke keeps the flies down. She squashes the fly into the table with her tea towel. A tearful Andy is on the phone in Flat 6, hoping to speak to Sergeant Short. He collapses to the floor, ranting, as Tanya, Don, Adam and Vera come rushing in. They manage to stop him diving through the bedroom window! They pin him to the bed and Andy looks confused. He fails to recognise any of them. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The fictitious book that Marilyn holds has its author's surname, "Teagle", visible. A similar, actual book, "How to Be a Jewish Mother: A Very Lovely Training Manual" by humourist Dan Greenburg, was published in 1964. (I once found a copy of this in the 1980s, as a gift for Elaine Lee, when she had been cast as a Jewish mother in a stage play.) The distinctive voice of Moya O'Sullivan (as Phyllis Pratt) was first heard in Episode #687, as one of Brian Bury's offscreen TV interviewees. "Godzilla" was last mentioned in Episode #731. Detective Sergeant Short investigated the Pantyhose Murders from Episode #650-680.

734. (11/04) Marilyn is in a great mood as she enters the kitchen of Flat 5 to find "Momma" stirring chicken soup on the stove while reading How to be a Good Jewish Mother. Despite The Majestic Rooms and its waitress being so "grisly", Marilyn enjoyed being with Arnold. Edie insists that Marilyn have some soup. Unsure about whether or not she approves of Marilyn's plans, Edie suggests that Marilyn is too old for learning ballet. Perhaps tap dancing? (Arnold couldn't do that with his wooden leg.) Maybe piano lessons? It is past 11.00pm but "Poppa" is not back yet? At The Red Baron, Reg is dancing with Maggie. He sings It's Almost Like Being in Love and reminisces that he first sang this to Edith when he been appointed Assistant Inspector of Drains, in the Industrial Effluent Section, at Blacktown TH. Maggie reminds Reg that he promised not to talk about LG tonight. "There's more to life than money, Darling," she says. Tanya is sitting by Andy's bedside in Flat 6. She insists on getting him medical help, but he says that it will only make matters worse! Flo and Dorrie are in the main foyer of Number 96, intending to shop in the deli. Dorrie is still complaining about Reverend Wormald using the church hall for Housie Housie - and running a lottery for the parishioners! They meet Les, who is returning from work. The rogue planet? The sky had clouded over before he could make any measurements. They are joined by Vanessa, who commands them to listen to... the silence. ("'Deathly silence', just as it was written. 'Neither Sigh of Wind, nor Cry of Beast'.") A dog barks, breaking the silence, so now they just have to wait for the birds. Over breakfast in Flat 5, "Momma" is keen to hear about "Poppa" and his forthcoming modelling stint. Will it help her pay the bills for not moving to Blacktown? As he is getting ready to leave for the TH, "Poppa" unexpectedly calls Edie "Darling" when he quotes Maggie. Dorrie and Flo return to Flat 3, pondering if Dorrie is righteous enough to be saved on "Doomsday"? They meet Reg descending the stairs and Dorrie is determined to remind him that he now owes her the increased rent on the MacDonald's flat. Reg responds with, "Darling, there's more to life than money...", which leaves Dorrie stunned. It is 8.30am and Norma awakens in her Flat 1 to see a strange man in a grey top hat in her bedroom! It is Les, wearing the suit that he hired from a patient in the psychiatric ward. (Known as "Winston Churchill", the man often delivers speeches to the nurses. He used to be a politician before the stress got to him.) Les explains that he needs the suit for a garden party he will be attending with Elena this afternoon. Norma almost explodes when she realises that he means the benevolent Mrs Brewster! Norma questions if Elena is really a litle, old lady? Tanya brings Andy some coffee to his bedroom in Flat 6. He is looking much better! Don realised yesterday that Andy was hallucinating. Now, Tanya guesses correctly that he has been tripping on drugs. He admits that it was LSD, supplied by that girl in the wine bar. He has been writing a series of articles on drugs - and maybe a book? - and needed first-hand experience. Tanya dismisses this an an excuse. Research? She reckons that he has "gone soft" and is trying to rationalise the mess that he has made of his life. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol can't understand why Dudley is staying on at Aunty Brenda's in Beecroft? He has made the break with Don; now he can move in with her. Les comes in with an order for three Chicken Pilafs, but gets distracted while making a sandwich and looking for more artifacts for his time capsule. Dudley offers his old Mickey Mouse alarm clock that he refound at Beecroft. Norma comes in, looking for the missing lunches. When the Whittakers return to the bar, Carol complains to Dudley that it is impossible to talk about personal issues with so many interruptions. Dudley agrees to visit her place this afternoon. In Norma's Bar, Les arrives with the MacDonald family's order. "Is 'Chicken Pilaf' Kosher?" (Edie whispers that chicken usually is.) Daddy - or "Poppa" - suggests that Edie should incorporate more continental dishes into her cooking. Edie is confused. As if on cue, Maggie comes into the wine bar. She warns Edie that she might be tempted to steal her husband away! Alderman Mrs Bullock tried to tempt Reg to Townsville, but Daddy - or "Poppa" - tricked April by hiding out in Woy Woy! Maggie learns that the family are eating in the wine bar because Edie was late back from morning tea with Dorrie, and hearing all about The End of the World. Maggie is unimpressed; she has a holiday booked in Singapore. Norma and Reg demand that Les stop carrying on about a fictitious "Impending Cataclysm". Vanessa rushes in to announce the arrival of the Fourth Portent. All the birds of Paddington can be heard making a cacophony outside. Upstairs in Flat 3, Mr Perky is squawking as he hops from perch to perch. Dorrie and Flo watch on, fascinated. Mr Perky asks, "Why wasn't I told?" Over lunch in the kitchen of Flat 6, Andy announces that he intends to call his book about LSD: Journey to Nowhere, but Tanya reckons that it's all been done before. Andy admits that all of his LSD trips have been bad ones, always focusing on Tracey Wilson's death. Andy is covering a big fight tonight, and then has to submit his copy, so he will be out until late. He warns about making sure to lock the door - but goes off on a bizarre tangent about the Pantyhose Strangler on the loose - and he addresses Tanya as "Tracey". Dudley arrives at Carol's flat and they embrace. (She was so afraid that he wouldn't come.) In Flat 3, Dorrie encourages Mr Perky to talk again. Flo brings her a letter from Joan and Dennis Parker. They have adopted a baby boy from an adoption society! A wistful Flo points out that, if "The Birds of the Air" are right about The End, she won't ever get to be a granny. On Lindsay Street, Norma is washing the wine bar window while a resplendent Les awaits Elena to come past in her silver Rolls Royce. They can only see a "dirty, great Council truck" coming down the road. They are joined by Vanessa, who commiserates about the garden party, since the Fifth Portent predicts that "The Heavens will open up and pour forth their Juices with a Mighty Sound". Norma observes that there's not a cloud in the sky. Suddenly the Council truck goes by - and all three are sprayed by the water jets of the street-sweeper. Dudley and Carol are in bed. A saddened Dudley apologises that it didn't work, and it isn't going to. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

When Marilyn MacDonald came back from a farmstay as a lesbian in Episode #700, her parents were "Mum" and "Dad" instead of "Mummy" and "Daddy". Now that Marilyn is dating a Jew, they are "Momma" and "Poppa”. Even Edie MacDonald is calling her husband "Poppa". "It's Almost Like Being in Love" is from the stage musical "Brigadoon" (1947) and subsequent movie (1954). Flo Patterson refers to Reverend Wormald as "Old Wormy". As seen in Episode #644, the back panel of box art on Kellogg's "Corn Flakes", as sold by the Godolfus delicatessen, is for a series of stackable plastic premiums called "Totem-Tribe". This collectible series dates back to the first few months of 1972, ie. a new release when "Number 96" began production. By April 1975, this cereal would have been rather stale! Used as set dressing and props, the old stock of empty cereal boxes will be replaced by Kellogg's with new product samples after the bomb explosion of Episode #839. Reg MacDonald's escape to Woy Woy was revealed in Episode #676. April Bullock was revealed to be in Townsville in Episode #679. Carol Finlayson's line about Dudley Butterfield reuses a double entendre delivered by Bev Houghton after the Black Mass in Episode #173. Joan Parker's letter to Dorrie Evans is in an airmail envelope. The comedic sequence with the Council street-sweeper truck reprises a memorable scene from Episode #437.

735. (14/04) Adam is objecting to being Vera's live dressmaker's dummy in Flat 7. She is working on a range for Solange Fashions. Vera tries to get Adam to admit why he is so grumpy, especially after winning his study grant. Did seeing Andy on his bad trip last night upset him? Adam even turns down her invitation to eat in the wine bar, claiming to have copying to do. The Sutcliffes encounter Les on their way into Norma's Bar. Is this Little Lord Fauntleroy? Les's hired suit shrunk after getting wet and he looks ridiculous. Norma is surprised by his appearance. When "Winston" gets out of hospital, he'll think he's grown! In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley admits to Carol that he's "not the big, butch man he thought he could be." Carol seems to think that talking to Don will resolve everything but Dudley realises that they have already burned their bridges. Over drinks in the parlour of Flat 2, Arnold admits to Aldo that he no longer wishes to convert to Judaism; it was a misguided attempt at revenge against the Meadowvale Golf Club. Roma is, at first, confused by this impromptu celebration, but hugs him. Arnold will be coming to dinner tonight to celebrate some more. In the wine bar, Norma has had enough of Vanessa and Les's predictions: a pack of squabbling starlings up a tree? Drenched by a Council water truck? Alf mentions the comet and, with a flourish, Norma pulls out this afternoon's newspaper, which has a report of a yacht rescue on the 13th, when the owner sent up... distress flairs! "Sheer coincidence!" Les reminds her about the tablets - and Norma decides that she wants the ones in her bathroom cupboard: aspirin, because all of this Prophecy of Doom stuff is giving her a headache. At another table, Lucy tells Vera that she thought they'd have some respite from Vanessa tonight. Alf's just as bad - and his meal is stone cold. Lucy wants to hear what's happening with the moping Adam. Vera is very defensive when Lucy describes Adam as "still only a boy, isn't he?" At the dinner in Flat 2, Aldo is full of praise for Roma's Chicken Paprikash, which will be one of the dishes to be served at The Majestic Rooms when the sale goes through with Manny. The Godolfuses are shocked that Arnold and Marilyn have already experienced Mr Goldman's restaurant. The dinner dissolves into a three-way shouting match! In Flat 4, Don wants to know what Carol expects to achieve by telling him that her lovemaking with Dudley was a complete disaster. Don should just take Dudley back and everything gets forgotten? Back in Flat 2, the dinner is reaching an awkward conclusion. Roma mentions that Herb has returned from Coffs Harbour. Aldo is pleased that the new salami is selling well. Arnold thinks that Roma's leftovers would be more palatable than the current bill of fare at The Majestic Rooms. Arnold always puts a dampener on everything: the soda fountain, the cosmetics counter, the "joke box" (juke box)! By gaining a restaurant, Aldo fears that he is losing a son. Alf is watching Ginger Rogers on TV, while Vanessa mediates standing on her head. Lucy is concerned the blood will rush to her niece's head, but that's the idea. Lucy can't say anything right, whether about cocoa, or baths, or the missing $20. Arnold comes in from the disastrous dinner downstairs, and Lucy pronounces him the only other sane person in Flat 8. Vanessa reckons that all Arnold needs is "a bit of sex" to cheer him up. There are less than two weeks, so they may as well enjoy themselves. Lucy says that she must be daft bringing a child into the world. In the just-closed Norma's Bar, a maudlin Vera quotes: "It's quarter to three. There's no one in the place, 'cept you and me. So set 'em up, Joe, I got a little story you oughta know..." She mentions to Norma how unexpectedly depressed Adam is after receiving the news about his lucrative scholarship. Vera departs the wine bar wistfully. Dudley puts a garbage bag outside the door of Flat 1 and meets Aldo at Flat 2, doing the same thing, but Aldo is in no mood for witty banter. Dudley returns to the kitchen and tells Carol about his brief encounter with "the butch half of the Godolfi". So where did Carol disappear to tonight? She admits that she went upstairs to talk to Don. Dudley is ropable; Don will think that Dudley was too spineless to do it himself. She screams back at him - and slams her hand on some glassware! In their bed in Flat 2, Aldo mentions that Arnold described the moonlit courtyard of The Majestic Rooms as "a garbage dump for rubbish". Then there are the fleas, rats and cockroaches. Roma is horrified. On Lindsay Street, Dudley apologises to Carol for the earlier argument. She wants Dudley to come over to her place, as Pam is on a flight, but Aunty Brenda and his mother are expecting him in Beecroft. Don wanders past; he has been on a walk, even though it's well after midnight. Don notices Carol's injured finger. The three go their separate ways. Adam knocks on Vera's bedroom door in Flat 7. He hadn't even looked up from his work when Vera arrived home; what has she done to be ignored like that? Adam admits that he has dreaded telling Vera the truth: he loves her - and nothing should ever separate them - but the grant from the Clarence Chapman Foundation is for two years of study in Stuttgart, Germany. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"Little Lord Fauntleroy" is an 1886 children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The character was also Les Whittaker's fancy dress costume in the 1974 "Number 96" movie. Alf Sutcliffe seems to be watching a 1963 "Hollywood and the Stars" episode, "The Fabulous Musicals", on TV. He claims to be wondering if Ginger Rogers will choose Fred Astaire or Dick Powell, but the three never made a movie altogether. (All three do appear in "The Fabulous Musicals".) Vera Collins' spoken quote is from the song, "One for my Baby (and One for the Road)", which was sung by Fred Astaire in the movie "The Sky's the Limit" (1943).

736. (15/04) At breakfast time, Edie is setting out scrambled eggs on the dining table in Flat 5. She warns Reg that they will go rubbery if he doesn't hurry, but Reg reckons that Mother's scrambled eggs are usually rubbery when they leave the saucepan! "Poppa" twitches as Marilyn measures his inside leg. "Clothes maketh the man," agrees Reg. Maggie Cameron is taking him to a barbecue event at Bellevue Hill, being run by a top photographer, so Marilyn has volunteered to buy him suitable clothes. Edie can still remember him winning the Egg & Spoon Race at the Blacktown Women's Amenities & Child Minding Centre Picnic in khaki shorts and shirt. The prize was a Bugs Bunny eggcup, with a carrot-shaped spoon that you put in his mouth when you weren't using it. Edie wonders what happened to it? Reg reminds Marilyn not to call him "Poppa", but she expects that Arnold will call him that, too, after they are married. Edie says that Arnold is coming for dinner tomorrow night. She then remembers Daddy going as a turnip to the Blacktown Harvest Festival Fancy Dress Ball. Edie went as a sack of wholemeal flour. In Flat 6, Tanya awakens to the sound of Andy's typewriter. He has started The Sweet Trap, the first in his series of articles about drug-taking from the inside. There'll be no more kickbacks from that second LSD trip; he woke up this morning with perfect clarity! Adam and Vera are still in bed in Flat 7. Adam is determined to give up the chance to study in Stuttgart so he can stay with Vera. Dorrie is cutting in her remarks about Herb, now that he is back in Flat 3 - and away from "the fleshpots of Coffs Harbour." Every time Dorrie rang to talk to him, he was off gallivanting with Georgina! Herb tries to explain that Jeff Carter wasn't all that ill, after all, and he and Lois insisted on Herb enjoying himself while he was there. Dorrie is unimpressed. As for Georgina, "That girl lives entirely for pleasure!" Flo quips, "Half her luck!" Dorrie warns Herb about Vanessa's predictions. Even Mr Perky had joined his feathered friends in going "beresk" [sic]. Dorrie also has a dig about Flo only having to decide on pink or blue booties for Raylene's first child. Dorrie complains that Herb had behaved like "a gay 'lethargio' [sic]" and he storms out to collect the garbage. In Flat 6, Vera and Tanya whisper on the couch, but Andy gets angry that he is still being distracted from his writing. Vera apologises and she and Tanya step out onto the landing. Vera is relieved that Andy seems recovered; Adam had recognised that he was under the influence of drugs? Adam descends the stairs on his way to deliver some copied manuscripts; Vera is worried that he will also pull out of his scholarship. Marilyn joins them on the landing. Does Adam know a really swinging men's boutique? He does, and they head off together. Tanya can see it in Vera's face that she is conflicted about Adam. Meanwhile, in the main foyer, Marilyn blabs to Herb about Adam's scholarship. Herb will be sure to tell Dorrie. Adam gathers up some cans that Herb drops. "Be careful of your hands on those tin cans!" Marilyn warns him. She recalls a movie she once saw with Dudley, in which a pianist's hands get damaged. Adam calls her an idiot. In Flat 3, Dorrie has taken over Flo's knitted booties project. She mulls over names for her adopted grandson: perhaps Kingsley? Or Craig? Flo reckons that Kingsley sounds "too queenie". Adam has made Maggie furious. She storms into Flat 7 looking for him. She tells Vera that she has just learned that Adam rang Clinton Mather to knock back that study grant. Clinton then rang Maggie and tore strips off her. Vera gets her to admit that Maggie knew the scholarship would mean two years overseas, but she claims she did it to save Vera from this "May-September affair", with a boy who is "practically young enough to be your son!" It is lunchtime when Reg encounters a harassed-looking Maggie on the stairs. He is looking forward to the barbecue at 6.30pm. Maggie tries to coerce him to join her in the wine bar, but Edith will be expecting him in Flat 5. Inside, Marilyn is setting the table for luncheon. She hasn't bought "Poppa"'s new clothes yet as she was in the laundrette all morning. Flo has a warning for Dorrie; Herb makes a discovery which surprises him. Marilyn tells "Momma" about Adams's overseas study grant, but Edie is concerned about Vera. Marilyn is slyly delighted. In Flat 3, Dorrie has spent three days trying to get Connie on the phone; she still owes the Evanses $500. Flo wonders if Connie "nicked off" because of The End of the World? Dorrie says, "Kindly don't be so 'faecetial'!" She will have to go to Epping in person this afternoon, but Flo reminds her that there is a game of bowls happening. Herb arrives ten minutes late for lunch. Dorrie complains that he is becoming very "laxative" since being up north. Herb says that his mates on the garbage truck have discovered dog food cans in the Number 96 bins. Of course, dogs are not allowed. Dorrie recalls those awful Whittakers who were harbouring Rover. Flo points out that Dorrie was harbouring him, too. And his name's Webster! Dorrie claims that it is "irrevelant". As "conserge", she intends to investigate. In Flat 6, Tanya tries to tempt Andy, "the ungrateful slob", to eat lunch. She has made corned beef and pickle sandwiches. At first, he resists. At Norma's Bar, Maggie rushes out, trying to hail a passing taxi. She runs into "the boy with no brains": Adam! They exchange more terse words about his relationship with Vera. Andy is irritated by Tanya creeping around Flat 6, trying to be quiet while he works - and he challenges her to go out somewhere. She doesn't know anyone outside of Number 96 and those two Russian cooks. On the landing, Tanya offers to hold Edie's grocery box for her while she opens up Flat 5. Tanya gets invited in for a cup of tea. Flo has a warning for Dorrie. On the bus to bowls, Dorrie starts planning a midnight search for dog food cans in all of the garbage bags and Flo is not happy about being co-opted to assist. Their raised voices catch the attention of the other passengers (including Alan Russell). In Flat 5, Edie is entertaining Tanya and Marilyn with the differences between Iced Vo-Vos and Lemon Crisp biscuits. Maggie arrives. "High Tea?" Edie notes that the tea is getting a little low, but offers Maggie some. She declines. Everyone's head is turned when Reg emerges in his dress-casual finery and softly-coiffed hair. He is still getting used to his new contact lenses. A glowing Maggie departs with Reg on her arm. Tanya has a dire warning for Edie: Maggie Cameron looks like a woman in love! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Flo Patterson is shown knitting lemon booties, often the colour of choice when the baby's gender is unknown. Marilyn MacDonald is referring to a 1960 movie, "The Hands of Orlac", which was based on a science fiction novel, "Les Mains d'Orlac" (1920) by French author Maurice Renard. "Webster" first turned up in Episode #567. His real name was revealed as "Stinky" in Episode #588. The Russian cooks, Joseph and his comrade, appeared in Episode #673. "Chromakey" (bluescreen) is used to insert a moving background to the back windows of a public bus, giving a fresh, new look for this episode. The no-line extras closer to the bluescreen have a bluish outline. One of the bus passengers is played by regular extra, Reverend Alan Russell. Over the years he also plays an ambulance officer, a policeman and a taxi driver, despite potential controversies created due to his outside profession as a church minister.

737. (16/04) The Sutcliffes are about to tuck into Lucy's hot pot in Flat 8, but they are curious about a strange smell? Like a drain? Vanessa is eating something from a bowl with chopsticks, but she maintains that she had a shower this afternoon! The conversation turns to Adam and how he unwisely gave up a scholarship to go to Stuttgart for two years. As they commence eating, Lucy and Alf are startled by an additional ingredient: Vanessa has added seaweed to Lucy's casserole dish while it was cooking. In the parlour of Flat 2, the Godolfuses are frustrated that Arnold sees no value in The Majestic Rooms. Arnold comes in from locking up the shop for the night and, while he does not wish to be a financial participant in the "unsuitable" restaurant, he does agree to help Roma and Aldo negotiate a better price for the transaction. They all share in Aldo's wine to celebrate. In Norma's Bar, Les rattles off some appropriate songs he can play as a one-man band, musical accompaniment as they hurtle towards Armageddon. Perhaps: Nearer, Thy God, to Thee, or Abide With Me or even Onward, Christian Soldiers. Norma would prefer he discuss this with Dudley and Carol in the kitchen, but the tension between them is electric. Norma is watching Reg and Maggie as they debrief at one of the tables. Reg enjoyed meeting the photographer, but Maggie complains that all barbecues are the same: "steaks charred to a cinder, limp salad, and red wine garnished with insects." Current trends in advertising are "away from teenyboppers to the more mature, still-attractive, father figures". Reg has a ten-minute session with the photographer tomorrow during his lunch break. Maggie notices Norma staring at them and regrets not taking Reg to her place. He reminds Maggie that he is a married man. Suddenly there is grit under one of Reg's contact lenses. Maggie lends him a handkerchief and Norma interprets this as Reg being reduced to tears by a skilled seductress. Next morning, as a council worker sweeps Autumn leaves from the path in front of the wine bar, Norma is being deafened by Les practising his one-man band. She wants him to come to breakfast. "You'll be hit by a couple of flying eggs right in the castanets..." Norma is worried that Dudley and Carol have been like a pair of zombies lately. Marilyn brings "Momma" breakfast in bed: baked beans on toast - and she opened the can herself! Edie is suffering a "silly headache", and Marilyn suggests that it was brought on by Tanya's comment yesterday suggesting that Maggie has designs on "Poppa". Reg comes in to say goodbye and Edie manages to get tomato sauce on his tie. She learns that he won't be home for luncheon as he has to do a photoshoot at Mrs Cameron's studio, and will probably eat with her. Edie is very distressed. Arnold arrives in Lindsay Street from Bondi Junction in Alf's taxi and gives him a 5 cent tip! Alf snorts, "Ta very much, Mr Rockefeller." Vanessa emerges from Number 96 dressed only in a bedsheet, and carrying all of her clothes in a garbage bag. She's "conforming": going to the laundrette to wash everything. She hops into Alf's taxi. In the deli, Arnold announces that he managed to renegotiate the purchase price of The Majestic Rooms to $20,000. Contracts will be exchanged this afternoon, but Arnold still thinks it will be the worst mistake of the Godolfuses's lives. At the laundrette, Lucy is perturbed about Vanessa's state of dress. The sheet was one of Lucy's dirty ones. Vanessa sheds the sheet - in front of the other customers - and adds it to her washing machine load. At The Red Baron, Maggie and Reg have lunch together after his photoshoot. She takes the opportunity to pump him for information about upcoming redevelopments in the area. There is another function tonight. Why let today's photographer have the exclusive on Reg's talents? In the junk-filled backyard of The Majestic Rooms, Aldo and Roma try to imagine how the patio area will look for romantic dining by moonlight. Miss Pratt is astounded: "No doubt about you 'refos', you've got some funny ideas!" What is to become of Phyllis's job? Vanessa holds court outside the deli with a group of passersby (including Ian Rawlings?, and Kitty Greenwood) and lectures them about The End of the World. Edie pushes past into the deli to get Arnold's advice on Kosher foods for his visit. She mentions Yom Kippers, but Arnold has to explain that Yom Kippur is a Jewish religious festival. He than makes a joke about Kosher Cola. He no longer wishes to pursue a change of religion and is also unable to accept the invitation for tonight. But Edie even bought a large bottle of gin! Marilyn rushes in to tell Edie and Arnold about Vanessa's scandalous behaviour in the laundrette. Arnold is more upset that she is blocking access to the Boulevard Cafe. While Arnold serves Mrs Dougherty, he explains to the MacDonalds that the Godolfuses will be away until closing time. Marilyn needs six boxes of washing powder for the laundrette, as they have run out. Vanessa and Les enter the shop. Vanessa wants to use her artistic talents to create something special with Les for the time capsule. After a big clean-up, the Godolfuses can see the potential of the restaurant's courtyard. Phyllis comes out to mention that Manny thinks the courtyard idea is "on the nose". He has supposedly resolved Miss Pratt's unemployment problem. "She's apples." ("It's an Australian expression!" exclaims Roma.) It is afternoon in Flat 1 and Norma has been napping in her bedroom. She emerges into the lounge room, walking into a bizarre scene: Les is naked, except for a shawl over his nether regions. Vanessa sketches him, a companion piece to the nude Norma painting in the wine bar. "All in the interest of posterity," says Les. "All in the interest of pornography, you mean!" Norma retorts. She covers Les up with the nearest spare cloth: an Australian flag! In Flat 5, Edie is getting sozzled on gin when Maggie arrives to take Reg out for the evening. He tells Mother that he may be quite late. Reg might be Maggie's pick for an advertisement for mini cigars. In Norma's Bar, Vera has rung to ask if Adam has been in. The Sutcliffes still don't accept Vera's choice of partner. Alf says that Vera is "bloody daft" when it comes to picking men. Aldo and Roma return to the deli and are castigated by Arnold, who has been left in the shop all day. When they exchanged contracts, the Godolfuses realised that Manny had instructed his solicitor to insert a proviso clause protecting the employment of Phyllis. "That dreadful woman?" Arnold is aghast. He is even more appalled at the solution they worked out. Phyllis walks in to get a gander at her "new stamping ground". She recognises Arnold immediately but has to put her foot up on the table. There is a corn on her toe, "as big as an emu's bum". Phyllis is Arnold's new deli assistant. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"Nearer, Thy God, to Thee" (1841), "Abide With Me" (1847), "Onward, Christian Soldiers" (words: 1865; music: 1871) are Les Whittaker's tune choices. John D Rockefeller Sr was a businessman and philanthropist, and one of the wealthiest Americans of all time. Vanessa Harrison turns up at the laundrette dressed only in a sheet. According to Johnny Whyte, the "stripping hippies" incident from Episode #13 was based on an actual event that occurred in South Kensington, London, UK. The notoriety of that laundrette sequence was reprised in the 1974 "Number 96" movie and now also here. The extra Mark Markham again plays the blond "Maître d'hôtel", Hardy, at "The Red Baron" restaurant. One of the no-line extras on Lindsay Street is Kitty Greenwood, who previously played a nun in Episode #590 and Mrs Thomas in Episode #691. (She next appears in Episode #738.) The young man next to her appears to be a 16-year-old Ian Rawlings (later of "Sons and Daughters", "The Power, The Passion" and "Neighbours" fame). "Chromakey" (bluescreen) is used to insert the Woollahra streetscape outside Moncur Flats, but the actors' outlines have noticeable blue outlines. Marilyn MacDonald buys six boxes of "Fab" washing powder. Shendelle Franklin, who portrayed Miss Manson in Episode #97, would become iconic as "the 'Lemon Fab' lady" in TV commercials of the day.

738. (17/04) Over the washing up in Flat 1, the awkward conversations between Carol and Dudley continue. Dudley remains unforgiving. He resents Carol speaking to Don on his behalf. It is very late when Reg arrives back at Number 96 and catches Dorrie apparently scavenging through the garbage bags in the main foyer. She commands him to "keep a 'civic' tongue" in his head. As "conserge", Dorrie has been inspecting the garbage for empty dog food cans. As they head upstairs, Dudley places another garbage bag outside Flat 1's door. Andy toils over his typewriter in Flat 6 and Tanya playfully tries to distract him. She needs ten hours in bed each night to maintain her reputation as "The Toast of Vladivostok". She accuses Andy of reading the gossip columns about her in Pravda by "Hedda Hoppervich". Tanya is anything but a "Red Square". She heads to her room. In Flat 5, Reg is obvlious to Edie's sadness over his stimulating night with Maggie and her business executive colleagues. Next morning, Dorrie is still trying to reach Connie, without success. When Herb enters Flat 3, Dorrie grills him about the dog food can mystery; she was interrupted by Mr MacDonald last night. Herb can't check the bags in daylight hours. Dorrie agrees; tonight they'll search the building "with a fine toothpick". The phone rings, but it is only Myrtle McIntyre wanting to speak to Flo. Will they both be playing bowls this afternoon? Dorrie will be on a mission of mercy instead, but will remain "ambiguous" about the whole thing. Dorrie decides: she will go to Epping. She suspects that Frank's death has turned Connie to the cooking sherry and she is drinking herself to "oblivity". Tanya enters the lounge room of Flat 6 to find Andy sound asleep over his typewriter. To Andy's surprise, it seems that he actually finished the last article in the wee hours. The final one in the series is entitled The Acid Test. His next series will be more relaxing: A Personal Investigation into the Current Delights Being Offered in Sydney's Massage Parlours. In the parlour of Flat 2, Aldo and Roma are hiding out from Arnold. "Suddenly, Roma, he hates us!" Arnold enters to hear the Godolfuses saying that Phyllis would scare away their restaurant customers, but what about the deli customers? Phyllis is already over an hour late, so maybe she has changed her mind? The deli's bell rings and they hear, "G'day Chooks, how yous goin'?" In the main bedroom of Flat 5, Reg is trying to master his contact lenses. Marilyn demonstrates how she puts her own contacts in, but drops one on the carpet. As they look for it, Edie comes in, spots a piece of glass on the floor and tosses it out the window. Marilyn races down to the street below while wearing her shorty pyjamas. While Herb vacuums in Flat 3, Dorrie is in her bathrobe, with her hair in a towel turban, debating about which outfit to wear over to Epping. Herb reckons that Connie won't even notice if she's "shickered on cooking sherry". The doorbell rings. Dorrie wouldn't want to see Connie while looking like "a raggle-taggle gypsy". She opens the door - and Connie Meadows (Delore Whiteman) is there, resplendent in a Cornelius fur coat and hat. "Hello, Dot. Thought it was about time I came to see ya." Don helps Marilyn look for her contact lense on the footpath outside Norma's Bar. They catch the gaze of a passerby (Kitty Greenwood) on her way to the deli. Marilyn will have to order a new lense on prescription and charge it to Mummy's housekeeping money. She goes back upstairs, bumping into a wall. Phyllis is dragging on a cigarette and hoping that Don will be her first customer at the Boulevard Cafe. He likes his coffee strong and black, so she orders him a Harry Belafonte. Phyllis gets reprimanded by Arnold for smoking near the food and drink, but she claims that her smoke keeps the flies away! She describes Don as "some Swami guy" who wants coffee. Dudley arrives on Lindsay Street in a taxi and Don encourages him to sit with him, if only to check out the new deli assistant. She is "ever so Thelma Ritter", which Dudley recognises as his own catchphrase. The Godolfuses greet Don on their way to The Majestic Rooms. Dudley rattles off the many changes that have happened lately. Don invites Dudley upstairs, if he wants to talk about Carol. They leave, just as Phyllis arrives with Don's coffee. She sits down, pours the spillage back into the cup and drinks it. In Flat 3, Herb makes an excuse to leave Dorrie alone with Connie. Dorrie stands up to get changed. Connie likes to think of her as "plain and simple. You always was the homely one, Dot." Dorrie is about to be offended but offers her a drink. There is no cooking sherry, but Flo has a bottle of "muskrat". Connie much prefers champagne. Connie has become quite a wealthy woman since the death of her husband: $50,000 from an insurance policy that Connie didn't even know about until the will was read. She presents Dorrie with a cheque for the $500 that she still owes for Frank's funeral. Connie goes off on a tangeant about BP Pick-a-Box on the radio, and then the telly, with Bob and Dolly Dyer. "'The money or the box': well, I got the money and Frank got... the box, didn't he?" With all that new jewellery, Connie looks like "a veritable Rada Penfold Rascal! Or Mrs Claire Houghton..." Connie is off to bury her grief on a world trip tomorrow: London, Paris, New York, the Virgin Islands... In the kitchen of Flat 4, Don assures Dud that he has no hangups about him and Carol. Now Don sounds just like Ingrid Bergman in Spellbound. Dudley has realised that he is not bisexual. Don reminds Dudley about his ex-wife, Jan Butterfield, and Lorelei and Carol. Just because nothing happened, doesn't mean that Dud didn't want it to. Over luncheon in Flat 5, Daddy is complaining about his contact lenses and Marilyn is blind without hers. There is a knock at the door and Edie answers it to save Marilyn trying to open the TV set again. Dorrie enters to inform them that, now she has come into some money, she won't be charging the increased rent on their flat. She interprets Reg's watering eyes (from the contacts) as him being emotionally overcome by Dorrie's generosity. Phyllis spends her Independent Activity Period in the wine bar. The toffee-nosed twit in the deli insisted on her taking the break. Dudley pulls Carol aside to tell her about Don's stance on the relationship. It's definitely over. Andy wakes up confused and convulsing in Flat 5. The bedroom is filled with swirling colours. Andy wanders out and confronts Tanya in her room. Through the hallucinations, Tanya screams - as Andy attacks her! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Hedda Hopper was a real-world American gossip columnist and actress. The oft-mentioned Myrtle McIntyre is a part of an offscreen phone call with Dorrie Evans. Delore Whiteman, who portrays Connie Meadows, had recently appeared as a regular character, Mrs Tripp, in Cash Harmon's abruptly-axed soap opera, "The Unisexers". The passerby on Lindsay Street is Kitty Greenwood, who previously appeared in Episode #737. She also played a nun in Episode #590 and Mrs Thomas in Episode #691. Harry Belafonte was an American singer, actor, and civil rights activist who popularised calypso music with international audiences. Thelma Ritter was an award-winning American character actress known for her plain look, which gained her numerous working-class roles in movies. Connie Meadows' debt to Dorrie has been owed since Episode #635. The heiress Rada Penfold Russell was an Australian artist and socialite. Maggie Cameron referenced Rada Penfold Collins in Episode #695. On the wine bar menu tonight is Dudley Butterfield's goosed up beef stew, now called "Bengal Delight". "BP Pick-a-Box" was a gameshow that ran on radio from 1948 and on TV (1957-1971). The movie "Spellbound" was released in 1945. A mylar mirror was probably used to create Andy Marshall's LSD hallucinations.

739. (18/04) In Norma's Bar, Flo inquires after Les. Norma says that he is off with Mrs Brewster today. He supposedly reads to the elderly woman from David Copperfield. The conversation turns to Adam and Vera. He is no longer going to Stuttgart so he can stay with Vera. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley tries to lighten the mood by comparing himself and Carol to Ollie and Stan. Carol dropped three glasses today and is now convinced that she is a jinx. Dudley considers the themes of The Way We Were. ("Did you see it, it was ever so good!") In Flat 3, Dorrie is regretting letting the MacDonalds off the hook for their increased rent. And, although Connie finally repaid the $500, what about the interest and travel expenses to and from Epping? Herb expects that they will be doing the garbage bag checks tonight, but Dorrie wants to do it early in the morning. Someone has a secret dog in the building! Andy has had a terrible shock in Flat 6. He's been asleep all day but Tanya awakens him with a meal. He is convinced that he raped Tanya during another vivid LSD hallucination "kick-back", but Tanya assures him that she is okay. It was only a dream. Vera and Adam are finishing up breakfast in Flat 7 and they continue skirting around Adam giving up his scholarship. Maggie arrives, wanting to see progress on Vera's designs for Solange. She has let herself get a bit behind due to the current complications in her private life. "Private life? It's been as private as 'Watergate'!" Maggie calls Vera an idiot and "an over-aged Juliet". She grabs Vera by the shoulders and shoves her onto the couch. Adam rushes in to console her. Maggie knew that they'd ruin each others' lives but it has happened much sooner than she thought. Andy is heading off to the newspaper office with his finished articles. He and Tanya meet Maggie on the landing but she is in a foul mood. Andy quips, "The Iceman Cometh; and Goeth." Tanya says to never mind about "Lady Macbeth", but she wishes he would seek medical attention. The LSD is still in his system. They agree to lunch together in the wine bar. Flat 3 is littered with green garbage bags. Herb finds one bag full of burnt Fish Fingers. Flo emerges from her bedroom to see the lounge room resembling the Council tip. They continue searching for dog food cans. Dorrie tells Flo that she told Don to pass on her feelings to Vera about that relationship with Adam, which had caused that nice young man to reject his study grant. Dorrie finds the motherlode of empty dog food cans - "and just look who that bag belongs to!" Maggie is in Flat 4, on her second cup of coffee. She is ropable about the pair of "blithering idiots" in Flat 7. She wants Don to reason with Vera. Maggie is the second person to ask him to do that today; the first was Dorrie. Don mentions the rumours about Maggie and Reg and she reminds him of the Council's plans for an arts centre. She's been stringing Reg along to get inside information. In Flat 1, Les is preparing his one-man band for The End. Norma inquires about Mrs Brewster and Les mentions that Elena felt much better when he got there, so they just went out to dinner. Norma is furious. Was all of this a ruse? The restaurant at the Sydney Opera House? Dorrie barges in looking for the animal the Whittakers have hidden. She expects to see Rover. Or Webster? "It's all my eye and Mary Martin!" The old arguments rise again and Dorrie produces five empty dog food cans from Flat 1's garbage bag. Carol is visiting Vera in Flat 7. Over coffee, Carol talks about how she and Dudley seem to turn every discussion into a yelling match, followed by tears - and yet Don seems quite unaffected by it all. Adam comes through, on his way out. He and Vera agree to meet downstairs for lunch. Carol worries that she has been insensitive to Vera's problem. Despite the gossip, Adam isn't a problem for Vera. She wishes the gossip would return to Taylor and Burton, who are far more glamorous. Vera opens the door to let Carol out and Don is there, in mid knock! Don tells Vera to get the Tarot cards out. He wants to know what the cards have in store for him. Vera replies, "That makes a change from people telling me what's in store for me!" Even Lucy disapproves! Over the years, Don has surmounted so much discrimination. Vera astounds him when she suggests that Don get his own sex life in order before offering her any advice. During lunch in Flat 3, Dorrie is feeling triumphant about the dog food cans even though no dog was found. Even she is not so "nave" [sic] to think she could do a more extensive search without a warrant. Flo disagrees about the Whittakers hiding a muzzled dog somewhere. Dorrie says, "That's entirely your provocative". In the wine bar, Les pontificates to Norma and Carol that it is "mass hysteria" that Dorrie has brought upon herself: caused by a guilt complex for taking Webster away that time. At another table, Maggie apologises to Tanya and Andy. Tanya quips, "Gee, when you get riled, you are a deadringer for Joan Crawford!" An angry young man returns his Spaghetti Bolognese to Norma. "It's bloody awful. It's bloody terrible. I'm not eating that muck!" Maggie and Norma go through to the kitchen and Dudley camps it up about this unexpected visit from the Aristocracy. "Oooh, and me without me pinny on! Greetings, me ladies. It's very 'Upstairs, Downstairs'!" They all taste the sauce. It's vile. Maggie warns that, with the rivalry from The Grapevine, if Dudley has chosen now to let his cooking standards drop, he should be well hung! Dudley replies with a smirk: "Well, I am, what's that got to do with it?" Adam arrives home to Flat 7 and hears Vera sobbing in the bedroom. Everyone thinks that Vera is being selfish by keeping Adam from his overseas study opportunity. She sort-of agrees with them; she does feel selfish. Adam tells her, "Some people need medals. Diabetics need insulin. I need you!" In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley has whipped up a new batch of bolognese sauce. Don drops in after overhearing the kerfuffle in the bar. Dudley again camps it up as he deals with so much criticism and rejection. Tanya and Andy have moved to the bar. Maggie worries that the earlier drama has put them off eating, but Andy is only concerned about his editor's reaction to his new series of articles. Norma is more worried about Adam and Vera looking forlorn in a far corner. She goes over to them but Vera is very cold towards her. "You came over to join the club. The Knock Vera Collins and Adam Shaw Club?" Vera has just made a snap decision and she stands up to make an announcement to the whole wine bar, specifically naming Maggie, Andy, Les and Tanya: in the face of everyone's rotten gossip, Adam will be going to Stuttgart after all. And Vera will be going with him! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The establishing shot for "Norma's Bar" has the camera zoom-in to Norma Whittaker through the "O" on the window signage. The novel "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens was published in 1850 after it had been serialised a year earlier. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were a comedy duo in the silent film era, who successfully transitioned to "talkies". The movie "The Way We Were" was released in 1974. The phenomenon of persisting manifestation of previous LSD experiences is now called "Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder" (HPPD). The "Watergate Scandal", during President Richard Nixon's US term, occurred in June, 1972. Two Shakespearean characters are name dropped: Juliet (from "Romeo and Juliet") and Lady Macbeth (from "The Tragedy of Macbeth"). "The Iceman Cometh" (1939) is a play written by Eugene O'Neill in 1939. It premiered on Broadway in 1946. The burnt "Fish Fingers" were no doubt found in Flat 5's garbage bag. The restaurant referred to by Les Whittaker would be the expensive "Bennelong", which opened in 1973. Vera Collins refers to the tempestuous relationship of Hollywood's Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The TV serial, "Upstairs, Downstairs" (1971–1975), was a contemporary of "Number 96". Today the wine bar menu includes: "Crab Meat Patties", "Artichoke and Anchovy Salad" and the usual "Spag Bol". The official synopsis suggests that Vera's speech to the wine bar crowd ends with "so up 'em all". Maggie Cameron appears in the episode but Bettina Welch's onscreen credit is missing.

740. (21/04) Dorrie and Flo are dressed in their bowling whites. Flo castigates Dorrie for having her eye to the keyhole of Flat 1's front door, looking for a mythical dog. Dorrie hears a growl, but it's Flo's stomach. She shouldn't had had those radishes at lunchtime. Vanessa comes up behind them. "The ladies in white: off to fiddle while Rome burns." The Gobi tribesmen and their sacred tablets have been spot-on so far. Dorrie can't be concerned with "triviana". Next, "All the Waters of the Land Shall Dry Up... And All Life Shall Cease from Thence On." Flo wants Vanessa to save her some of those sacred tablets: "My 'tum' is playing up something dreadful!" Dudley sums up today's lunch session in the wine bar: complaints about the food; screeches and screams from "La Cameron"; and Vera Collins going "beresk" out there over "Baby Mozart" [Adam]. Dudley intends to spend two hours with Jeanette [MacDonald] and Nelson [Eddy] in Naughty Marietta at Double Bay. He invites Carol to join him, but Don has asked to see her. They enter the lounge room of Flat 1 and find Les in his suit, polishing his shoes. As they depart the flat, Norma also notices Les's suit. Les has omitted to mention this afternoon's excursion: an art exhibition wth Elena! "Doesn't she know you're a married man?" Les replies, "She doesn't mind, Love." Over coffee in Flat 4, Carol assumes that Don is going to tell her that she's "a romantic, schoolgirl mess". Don wants Carol to move back in. She makes one more attempt to get her brother to take Dudley back, to no avail. In Flat 6, Andy has just typed up a promotional blurb for his series on drugs, which is to be syndicated across Australian newspapers. Tanya brings him a vodka to celebrate. Andy suggests dinner in Norma's Bar, but will it be as eventful as lunch, when Vera "blew her top"? Dorrie is filling the bathtub with water in Flat 3, trying to thwart the next portent of the Gobi tablets. "Herbert, Vanessa is a dirty girl, a promiscuous girl, and a girl I'd certainly wouldn't like to have around the house, but she is definitely not 'silly'!" Later, over crumbed sausages, discussion of The End of the World hoax continues. Herb mentions "that place in Balmoral in the 20s". Dorrie approves of the sausages - bought by Flo from that Paradise Street butcher - and she will buy more on Saturday. But the world ends on Friday? In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley is preparing Veal Cordon Bleu when Carol arrives, running late. Carol admits that she has moved back into Flat 4. In Norma's Bar, the Sutcliffes, Vanessa, Tanya and Andy are drinking white wine. Alf remains sceptical and jokes that he hopes the world doesn't end before Friday's Matlock [Police] episode. Flo and Herb join the group's table, since Dorrie has gone to see Reverend Wormald about The End. Why is Dorrie so convinced that the Whittakers have a dog? "Because she's halfway round the twist!" says Norma. They hear a dog bark nearby - and Carol emerges from the flat with a Maltese terrier in her arms. She found him in Flat 1? Les is in a tight spot; he introduces the testy Norma to Mrs Elena Brewster (Olga Dickie) and her Maltese terrier, Impetu (Itself). The dog had slipped away from the Rolls while "Daddy" [Les] was supposed to be holding the lead. Norma is furious. In Flat 6, Andy is on the phone with his editor, Joe. They change the articles' series title from Tragedy of Addiction to Horrors of Addiction. Andy and Tanya are getting along famously. Tanya heads into the bathroom for a shower. Vanessa is critical of Lucy's typical greasy breakfast in Flat 8. Alf arrives home from his shift and notices Vanessa's see-through negligee. It's actually one of Lucy's, but Alf observes that his wife always wears something underneath. He tries to fill the kettle but there is no water. Meanwhile, in Flat 6, Tanya's shower runs dry. In Flat 3, Dorrie shows Herb that "the Waters of the Land have dried up". Dorrie boasts of her foresight in filling the bath last night. In a drought, it is like "liquid gold"! She enters to bathroom to fetch a saucepanful of the last water left in Australia... only to find Flo having a bubble bath! Les comes into Flat 1 from his night shift. Sister Bottomley was knocked down and injured by runaway equipment while on duty. Norma apologises for not believing that Elena was a little, old lady. Breakfast is in the oven but Les'll have to drink milk as there's no water. ("The Waters of the Land... It's a sign, don't you see?") He races upstairs to see Vanessa. In Flat 4, Don brings Carol a coffee - made on milk because there's no water. He has decided to introduce Carol to Bernard Spaulding, an old law school colleague: "a beaut, solid, reliable bloke." As Don races off to a meeting with Maggie, he meets Dudley on the landing. Dud had hoped to talk, but Don gives him the brush-off. Alf finds Vanessa meditating in Flat 8. She is wrapped in a towel, like Dorothy Lamour. The water has been off for four hours now, but Vanessa thinks that things are speeding up. Now the world may end as early as Wednesday! Lucy comes in, having spoken with the Council. The water is coming back at 2.00pm. It was a burst water main in Cynthia Avenue. In the wine bar, Les reckons that the Council is stalling for time. They are running out of clean glasses. Norma sends a message to Dorrie, via Herb, about the dog rumours. Herb lets on that it was the garbos who reported the dog food cans. At one of the tables, Tanya can't believe that Andy is so calm about his articles coming out. They mention that their goulash is below standard. Norma takes their food back out to the kitchen, where Dudley is battling with all the unwashed plates. Norma tries to bring up the issue of dog food cans with him - and Dudley explodes at the mere hint of an accusation that he is using dog food in the meals. [Episode written by Robert Bruce; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Flo refers to "Armageddon" as "The Armada". "Naughty Marietta" was released in 1935. Dorrie and Herb Evans saw this film at the same theatre in Episode #726. In 1924, "The Star Amphitheatre", a Grecian Doric-style building, was built at the northern end of the beach at Balmoral in Sydney. Supposedly, it was in preparation for a Messianic event coming through Sydney Heads. The structure was demolished in 1951. "Matlock Police" was established as one of Alf Sutcliffe's favourite TV shows way back in Episode #6. Reverend Wormald gets another namedrop. "Impetu" means "a force a nature". Dorothy Lamour's appearance as "Ulah" in the movie, "The Jungle Princess" (1936), brought her a career-long association as the "Sarong Queen". A persistent rumour of the day concerned a "Hartee's" restaurant in Bankstown, Sydney, that had supposedly been found adding dog food to their burger patties.

741. (22/04) During a phone call with Maggie, which is interrupted by passionate kisses shared with Adam, Vera confirms that her mind is made up; she was serious about Stuttgart. Adam has confirmed the trip with Clinton Mather. Someone else will have to finish the designs for Solange. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol tries to calm Dudley about Norma's accusation with the dog food cans. He feels like Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce! Carol needs to get to a hair appointment, but Dudley is unimpressed by "Cinderella's night out" that Don has organised for her. "An ex-law student? Watch out for your glass slipper!" Dudley reckons that tonight's menu will be Pig Swill Soup and Horse Meat a la Grecque - and maybe he'll "go mad" with the washing up water - "Hmmmm, delicious!" In the deli, Arnold tries to alter the roster to accommodate the addition of Miss Pratt to the staff. The Godolfuses are off to The Majestic Rooms again. Roma has found their guidebook to New York restaurants. Aldo wants to model their restaurant on one from the book, but that one revolves! Arnold takes delivery of some soda syphons. Phyllis emerges from the kitchen in Flat 2, with six coffees on a tray and a "coffin nail" [cigarette] in her mouth. She had thought Arnold to be "a bit of a prawn" at first, but he's all right. She suddenly remembers her Boulevard Cafe customers but, by the time she gets there, the tables are empty. Arnold tries to tutor Phyllis in how to serve - but Aldo races back inside the shop for his book - and the whole tray of crockery drenches Arnold, and then the floor. Andy tells Tanya in Flat 6 that he is sure that he has fully recovered. She has encouraged him to start socialising again. In Norma's Bar, Don introduces Vera and Adam to Bernard Spaulding (Craig Ashley), a law colleague who seems to be knowledgeable about music. When he hears that they are going to Stuttgart soon, Bernard recommends the music museum. Andy and Tanya turn up while Don is over at the bar, talking to a very testy and jealous Dudley. Carol mentions that she, Don and Bernard are off to the Holiday Inn. Arnold and Phyllis suffer a series of disasters in the deli. First, when Arnold explains the credit system, Phyllis misinterprets that he is suggesting other, more romantic, activities during the brief lull in trade. No, he means the closing up procedure. Phyllis can smell something burning. Her cigarette has set fire to the credit system's file cards! She tries to use a soda syphon on them, but only manages to squirt Arnold in the face. At the The Majestic Rooms, the Godolfuses get excited about their romantic, outdoor terraced area - until the noise of a cat fight shatters the peace of Roma's Room? Or is it Aldo's Al Fresco? Aldo and Roma simply can't agree. Bernard tells an anecdote about Sir Percival Quail in The Red Baron, and is about to start one about the Rex vs Gilling case from the 1940s when he is interrupted by a friend: "a mad medical student" named Miles Cooper (Scott Lambert). He very swiftly escorts "Toots" [Carol] to the dance floor. According to Bernard, Miles is attempting his fourth year of his degree for the second time. The Spauldings are family friends of Miles' father, Sir Paul Cooper. Bernard needs to depart as he has a big case tomorrow but he thanks Don for introducing him to his beautiful sister. (It is obvious that Miles' unexpected appearance has cancelled out Bernard's chances with Carol.) In the foyer of Number 96, Andy encourages Vera to have a great time with Adam in Germany. Adam and Tanya join them on the stairs. While Andy pours drinks, he starts getting another LSD kick-back. He moves to the bedroom. Coloured orbs, the lampshade, a chair, and Andy himself, all start defying gravity. He screams out, "Please help me!" and Tanya rushes in to do what she can. In the bedroom of Flat 7, Adam brings in a nightcap beverage each. Vera is engrossed in Andy's first article on recreational drugs. They agree that they are off to Stuttgart, with no second thoughts. Miles walks Carol up to the door of Flat 4. He saved her from "a slow death from boredom" with Bernard by taking her to a nightclub. Miles drops hints about a nightcap but she agrees to see him tomorrow instead. Don is waiting inside in the dark and stirs her for not making an effort with Bernard. Carol's been known to pick the wrong guy before, but this time seems different. In Flat 6, Andy sees a weird vortex outside the open window of the distorted bedroom. Tanya struggles to drag him away from the vortex. Next morning, Tanya wakes up in Andy's bed and he's offering her coffee. He has a swimming carnival to cover for the newspaper today. She warn him that there may be more kick-backs. He apologises, and thanks her with a kiss. Miles turns up at Flat 4 to set a date with Carol. They agree on the Boulevard Cafe after her wine bar shift. She tells Don that Dudley rang while he was in the shower, but Don is not keen to see him. At The Majestic Rooms, Arnold calculates that renovations and rewiring to the restaurant might cost up to $8000, "in point of actual fact". Aldo likes the old-fashioned approach. Roma mentions her friend, Sid Levenson, who has many contacts in the trade. Arnold is horrified: if Roma is here, that means that Miss Pratt is on her own in the delicatessen. Meanwhile, in the deli, Phyllis is overrun by customers. She should be on her "smoko". Phyllis uses a long pole to dislodge packets of cereal and they cascade to the floor. A man in a singlet demands three pies, and then sauce. The hot pies also hit the floor and are put back on the counter by customers. The man is double-parked and wants cigarettes, too. Phyllis places her own cigarette into a hole of the large wedge of Swiss cheese on the counter. Tomato sauce flies from the bottle and showers Vera, Adam and the man! Andy walks into the melee. In Flat 4, Don is trying to deal with a angry and resolute Dudley. He wants to sue Norma for suggesting the he had been using dog food in his cooking. If Don won't help him, he'll find another solicitor who will! [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Peter Benardos.]

"Mildred Pierce" (1945), a movie based on the 1941 novel, concerns a woman's struggle to achieve financial successes as a restaurateur when her oldest daughter believes it is degrading their social status. "The House of Music", referred to by Bernard Spaulding, is at "Landesmuseum Württemberg State Museum" in Stuttgart, Germany. Sir Percival Quail is first referenced in a legal storyline from Episode #115 to Episode #120. Scott Lambert, who portrays Miles Cooper, had recently appeared as a regular character, Brian Parry, in Cash Harmon's abruptly-axed soap opera, "The Unisexers". The LSD trip in this episode is a director's "Chromakey" (bluescreen) nightmare, but no doubt innovative for a TV show on videotape in 1975. On this day in 2025, "Brollie" announced the return of all surviving episodes of "Number 96" to their Australian streaming platform. Streaming commenced May 16, 2025.

742. (23/04) Dorrie and Herb are reminiscing in Flat 3 as they flip through their photo album together. Flo is told to keep a "civic" tongue in her head as Dorrie prepares herself "spiritually and morally" for The End of the World. They find a photo of Herb with a full head of dark hair, and some of Eric Patterson, Flo's late husband, talking to the elephants and feeding the monkeys at the Zoo. Since she won't be home for The End, Flo offers to buy the others lunch at Norma's Bar; she will be at Mr Wormald's session of Housie Housie at the church hall tonight. Dorrie orders Herb to collect his best suit from the drycleaner's. If he leaves it until tomorrow, the suit - and all of them - may be floating in outer space! The Godolfuses take a lunch break from redecorating The Majestic Rooms. Roma worries that "it won't be apples", to modify an Australian expression that Miss Pratt taught her. Roma frets over Arnold's $8000 costing estimation but Aldo reckons that Arnold can make "a mole hill out a mountain". Aldo insists that he and Roma must pay half each; Roma is not to use all of her own money. In the wine bar, Reg presents Edie with a birthday card from the TC. (He happened to mention the occasion at yesterday's Sewage Disposal Debate.) Edie reads her card aloud:
"Though your hair has turned to silver, and your song of youth's been sung,
Though the world grows old around you, you will e'er to me be young."
The Sutcliffes congratulate Edie. Lucy can't stay to eat because she has to relieve Marilyn at the laundrette. Reg notes that Marilyn has an appointment for new contact lenses. Vanessa is sketching Les again, for posterity. Norma is confused that The End is happening two days early; at 2.00am precisely, according to Les's astrological charts. All this talk of The End on Edie's birthday? The final portent: "The Whole of Earth Shall Go Dark." Norma quips that that shouldn't be too difficult at 2.00am. Maggie sweeps into the bar and asks Edie if she can borrow her husband for the evening, not waiting for an answer. Maggie completely ignores that it is Edie's birthday and moves off with Reg to another table. Lucy notices that Edie is upset. Daddy won't be home for The End of the World! Later that afternoon, in Flat 5, Edie prepares for the end of the world by dusting her "little men". Marilyn is in a snit because "Arnie" keeps wriggling out of her net and spoiling her plans for marriage. Edie says that everyone is going up to Flat 8 because they realised that higher is safer. She will be taking some treasures with her. Marilyn declares, "Vanessa's freaky; she's 'round the twist!" Edie is off to Hair 2000 to be looking her best. She will also put her foot down about Daddy going out with Mrs Cameron. This has given Marilyn an idea! Dorrie decides to take candles, sandwiches and a flask of tea for tonight's vigil. Alf will get some beer in. Flo asks Herb about the key to the cellar. She has some mementos in there. "Aha! So, you do believe...!" says Dorrie. Norma tells Les that, according to Carol in the kitchen, Dudley "downed tools" and walked out on his job ten minutes ago. At The Majestic Rooms, Aldo reattaches a leg to a table, puts a large tin of paint on it - and the whole thing collapses, spilling paint everywhere! "To make money, you have to spend money." Roma tries to tell him an anecdote about the late Uri Lubinski's restaurant, but Aldo cuts her off. He knows! Uri was a genius, a brilliant and clever man, but Aldo is just a "schlemiel"! He leans on a pipe and causes a disaster. In the laundrette, Marilyn is excited: her scheme worked! Marilyn is convinced that Arnold has something to tell her. She told him that she was scared about The End of the World! Lucy warns her that Arnold is not yet over Patti's death. Norma arrives on the pretext of collecting the bar towels, but she actually wants to talk to Lucy about Dudley. First there was Maggie giving him a hard time about the menus, then the mystery of the dog food cans. Now that Norma has seen the account books, she wonders just how Dudley has been meeting his food budgets? In Flat 3, the Evanses are packing the food for tonight. There is also a huge pavlova, covered in fruit. Herb wonders if Flo will be joining the party upstairs after Housie Housie, but she'll be going to a Ladies' Prawn Night at Myrtle McIntyre's club. Dorrie is unimpressed. "That Mr Wormald deserves to be defrocked!" Flo reminds Herb that she has the key to the cellar. Flo farewells Mr Perky and tells Dorrie that she'll meet her at the Pearly Gates. (Or maybe the other place, eh?) Herb jokes that a pavlova, being light, will be easy to eat in outer space. Dorrie mentions that the Bible does tell us that Armageddon is going to happen sometime. Mr Perky suddenly gets rather loud and Dorrie orders him to shush. Herb wonders if they should take Mr Perky upstairs? Dorrie scolds Herb for bringing up "irrevelencies". Mr Perky is Flo's responsibility, so the bird will just have to "stew in his own juice". As they leave the flat, Mr Perky says, "Why wasn't I told?" At the bar of The Red Baron, Maggie tempts Reg to partake of a cigarette before dinner. The barman lights Maggie's cigarette but has to prompt Reg to turn his around, as the filter is at the wrong end. Maggie mentions that many business deals and budding romances have been clinched at this establishment. Reg says that LG matters are usually settled within the confines of the TH, but the ATC has been known to get a "knotty problem" resolved over a glass of sherry at the Hotel Regent. Maggie's ex-husband used to be a close friend of someone in TP (Town Planning). Mr Sherman? Reg doesn't have much to do with TP but, as ADTC, he does attend their planning conferences. That must give Reg quite a feeling of power? In the parlour of Flat 2, Roma awakens Aldo, who had fallen asleep on the couch. They apologise to each other for all the bickering. Aldo has had an idea: instead of Roma's Room or Aldo's Al Fresco, they should call the new restaurant Romaldo's! Maybe a candlelit dinner with Marilyn will do him good? Roma says that, although Arnold has Phyllis to help him now, it was "a pandemonium" in the deli this afternoon. Neither have any idea of the meaning of this word. Did Arnold mean Les Whittaker's one-man band? Meanwhile, in Flat 8, Les is rehearsing Abide With Me yet again, while the others prepare to party. Edie expects to see a rogue planet through the telescope already, but it's only 10.15pm. Vanessa's candles are dripping wax onto Dorrie's pavlova, but they need to be prepared for imminent darkness at any time. Edie sees Australia Square through the telescope! Lucy arrives home from work but is appalled by the party that is underway, and Vanessa standing on her head. "Less than four hours to go!" Herb wants to watch the late movie, which he says is Batman Strikes Back!, but Dorrie won't let him. Lucy is going downstairs to be with Norma - and might sleep down there as well! It is 1.56am. Dorrie places a candle in Les's ukelele. Herb is dozing. Alf is drinking beer. Edie nurses one of her little men in a chair. "What can have happened to Daddy?" she wails. Alf checks the telescope. Dorrie thanks Herb "for everything" and wonders if they'll ever see Flo again? Meanwhile, a taxi pulls up in Lindsay Street after the Ladies' Prawn Night. A rather tipsy Flo waves goodnight to "Myrt" [Myrtle] and "Beg" [Daphne Begley] and the other women. Giggling to herself, she makes her way around to the cellar. Norma and Lucy are playing cards in Flat 1 after they closed up the wine bar. As "The Darkness" hasn't descended over the land, Lucy intends to clear "that daft lot" out of her flat. Suddenly the lights start flickering and they are plunged into darkness. In the cellar, a snickering Flo is fiddling with the electricity board. The lights flicker in Flat 8, as Les plays softly on his mouth organ. Everything goes black! A large bolt of light explodes outside the window - and Edie screams and faints. "This is it! This is it!" says Vanessa. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Flo Patterson mentions "the Zoo"; this would be "Taronga Zoo" at Mosman. It is no longer permitted to feed the animals. Last namedropped in Episode #672, "Hair 2000" in Pitt Street, Sydney, was Elaine Lee's regular hair salon at the time. There may have also been a connection between that business and a resident of 83 Moncur Street, Woollahra; several businesses of actual tenants were namedropped in scripts in compensation for the fame of their building. Uri Lubinski was Roma Godolfus's first husband and the father of Irving. The "Hotel Regent" is in Redfern. In Episode #706, it was the base for Lenny Levine's orchestra. Maggie Cameron's husband was Victor Cameron. He was introduced onscreen in Episode #54. He was last mentioned in Episode #451. "Australia Square" tower, in the Sydney CBD, was last mentioned in Episode #731. Columbia's two "Batman" serials were rediscovered in 1974, when an intact version of Chapter One (1943) was incorporated into "The Three Stooges Follies" (1974). Part Nine of the second serial, "Batman and Robin" (1949) is actually titled "The Wizard Strikes Back!". The TV promos for Episode #742 included a closeup of Mr Perky, Flo Patterson's budgie, saying, "This is the end of the world!" (He usually says, "Why wasn't I told?")

743. (24/04) Lucy and Norma are sitting in the dark in Flat 1, holding candles. The huge bang outside reminded Lucy of The Blitz, when one of her neighbour's houses had a direct hit by a German bomb. They venture into the main foyer, but it is totally dark there as well. Andy and Tanya pull up in a car in front of Number 96. Norma and Lucy greet them. All the street lights are out, too. Andy assumes that there has been a gas main explosion. In Flat 8, Edie is roused from her fainting spell. She says, "There you are, Doc!" to her "little man" - and Dorrie thinks that poor, deluded Edie believes that she is in the hospital! Les thinks it is possible that they are all light years away from Lindsay Street if the rogue planet knocked the Earth out of orbit. Arnold wanders out of his room, wondering about the explosion. Edie wants to find Daddy, but Les suspects that the whole staircase might be gone. Once they are reassured that the building is still intact, Herb escorts Edie down to her flat. Dorrie takes charge, tells Vanessa to "Shut up!", and Alf and Les to stop bickering. Obviously the world did not get blown up; it is time to gather up the remaining shreds of dignity. Just then, Flo comes in, apologising: "It was just a joke; will you all forgive me? I didn't mean to blow up the world!". Next morning, Dorrie, Herb, Flo and Mr Perky return to Flat 3 from the emergency evacuation centre at the drafty church hall. Mr Wormald conducting hymn-singing "sposmadically" at 4.00am was not appreciated, and neither was Flo alternating with renditions of Boomps-a-Daisy and Run, Rabbit, Run. Mr Perky had joined in - "he had a beaut, old singalong" - until Dora Platten arrived with her cat! Flo doesn't think that cats should be on consecrated ground. Herb is surprisingly upbeat, but he angers Dorrie when he mentions how Mr Donkin had shown him the double bed amongst the props behind the stage curtain. The dramatic company was playing the Maples Room yesterday. "The whole of Lindsay Street knew about the double bed... Why wasn't I told?" The Whittakers arrive home to Flat 1. Les continues to defend Vanessa's predictions. Norma orders him to leave his one-man band in Flat 8 and get to bed. Maybe Lucy will throw the instruments in the bin? Norma gets melancholy; she has just remembered that, without Dudley, the wine bar is understaffed. In Flat 8, Lucy tries to convince Vanessa to change her stinky clothes, and not to flash her boobs at Uncle Alf. Lucy needs to clean up the messy flat before going to the laundrette but Alf reminds her that she's having a baby. "Not at this very moment." Alf insists that she relax - and she does - then he wonders who will get his breakfast before it burns? Phyllis is making beetroot and corned beef "sammos", and also serving Dorrie, in the deli. Phyllis mentions the "bloody great crater" in Lindsay Street. "You could have all been blown to Buggery!" Dorrie leaves when Arnold offers to bring her order upstairs later. Edie comes in for a headache powder and a bottle of soda water for Daddy, who has a hangover. The Pratt family remedy for a hangover is pickled onions and castor oil. ("You either brought it up or kept it down.") She flips the counter open and the container of beetroot goes all over Arnold. On the landing outside Flat 1, Norma checks the garbage bag which Herb has not collected yet. She shows Les... four more empty dog food cans! And Dudley wasn't even here last night! Someone is deliberately planting the cans. Tanya brings coffee into Andy's bedroom in Flat 6. Andy is awake and jotting down all the hilarious pantomime details of last night's debacle at the church hall. Andy realises that he never properly thanked Tanya for her help during his LSD "kick-backs". Andy already lets her stay in the flat; Tanya reckons they are now even. In Norma's Bar, Flo is buying apology sherries. Dorrie won't forgive Herb for his comfortable night on a double bed. They discuss Carol's menu and how Dudley "shot through". A tipsy Edie is complaining about Daddy staying out with Maggie. Les fields a phone call from Elena, who wants to meet up with him at 4.30pm. Arnold emerges from Flat 2 to see Phyllis serving food to the lunchtime rush while smoking again. Arnold goes out to the Boulevard Cafe and meets Vanessa, who is about "to split the Sydney scene" and head to Anchorage, Alaska. According to the Gobi tablets, the next date for The End of the World is 2075, so she will be sticking herself in "deep freeze" until then. How will she get there? "I'll just get a lift to Taylor Square; that'll be a start, anyway." She kisses Arnold "Ciao" and tells him to "Be happy." Arnold then collides with Phyllis in the doorway and ends up with a face full of whipped cream. In Flat 6, Andy sees Tanya in her underwear and tells her that she looks "good enough to eat". She is; it's her new avocado moisturiser! He tries to get amorous, but Tanya doesn't want that from him anymore. The wine bar is closing up after lunch. Carol did well with the food, but there were few customers, even though the deli was packed out with diners. The dog food rumour must have spread. Norma tells Les that she overheard his call with Elena. Norma was pleased the day she found out that Mrs Brewster was old enough to be his mother! In the back room of the laundrette, Arnold tells Lucy about another disastrous day with Miss Pratt. Luckily, the Godolfuses returned at 3.00pm and he was able to get away for a while. Alf comes in to show Lucy the farewell note from Vanessa, who's "buggered off!" Life in Flat 8 is back to normal, although Arnold is still stuck with Phyllis. Les is serving China tea and cucumber sandwiches to Elena in Flat 1. Elena wants to ask a tiny favour. Would Les be able to get Jim Parnell, the hospital security officer, away from his post? Between 2.00am and 2.30am? He and Jim often have a tea break together around that time, but this would have to be on a particular day. There is $1000 for Les if he can arange it. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Peter Benardos.]

"The Blitz" was a sustained period of German aerial bombing raids on London and other British cities from September 1940 to May 1941, during "World War II". The song "Hands, Knees, and Boomps-a-Daisy" (1939) was also mentioned in Episodes #655 and #661. "Run, Rabbit, Run" (also 1939) was played by Flo Patterson in Episode #702. Since the oft-mentioned Mr Donkin was among the gas main evacuees, he must also live on Lindsay Street.

744. (25/4) In Flat 5, Edie and Marilyn discuss the anticlimactic fiascos of The End of the World and Marilyn's valiant attempts to woo Arnold. Mummy says, "You couldn't have been married in outer space!" and then remembers that "they did it in an episode of 'Star Trek'!" To top off the evening's failures, they all spent the night in the church hall, where Arnold fussed over Mrs Sutcliffe. Reminded that Lucy is expecting "a little stranger", Marilyn realises that she could go off the Pill. But she'd still have to get Arnold into bed! Marilyn is filling in a magazine questionnaire: Are You Irrestible to Men? and she gets 95 points out of 100. Marilyn is convinced that Daddy and Mrs Cameron's meetings are just business. Mummy declares, "Funny business, if you ask me!" Edie thinks that today's trip to Gosford on LG business is a lie. "A wife knows these things." The phone rings; it is Daddy telling Edie not to wait up tonight as he'll be home late. During her "smoko" break, Phyllis chats with a dejected Dudley on the Boulevard Cafe. He's been in Beecroft at his Aunty Brenda's. "Very posh!" Arnold hurries her back into the shop and unsuccessfully tries to make small talk with Dudley. Don sees Dudley and rushes up, pleased to see him. He tried ringing Beecroft several times! Dudley's mother and Aunty Brenda went to the Blue Mountains for a few days and he "got all Barbara Stanwyck, if you know what I mean" and chose not to answer the phone. Poor Carol has been doing all the wine bar cooking. The mere mention of Norma and the mystery of the dog food cans reminds "loveable, old, easy-going Duddles" that he is now thought of as "the Lucrezia Borgia of Lindsay Street". He has been in the pub "all arvo" and is heading back there now. Over dinner at The Red Baron, Maggie pumps ADTC Reg for information about the new arts centre building now in the pre-planning stage. That is the concern of Welfare and Town Planning, but drainage and sewage problems and septic tanks are more to his interest. When Reg goes to the restroom, Maggie calls over Hardy, the "Maître d'hôtel", for "something to wash her mouth out". Edie has called into Flat 4 to see Don. He finds it hard to believe that Maggie is interested in her husband romantically. Maggie usually goes the younger style of man. Marilyn had agreed with that, but Edie is certain that she is right. Edie would like another gin. In the deli, Arnold is upset that the Godolfuses are ignoring his rosters. They are always at the restaurant in Bondi Junction, now known as Romaldo's. When Arnold points out that there are five delivery orders still to go out, Aldo and Roma insist on doing them themselves. Into this melee walks Marilyn, still hoping to go on a date. Phyllis watches the spectacle, still smoking. Arnold tells Marilyn that he is unable to go out to the cinema, dinner, or the discotheque. It is almost midnight in Norma's Bar, and Miles wants to take Carol out, but she is still working. She gives him another drink. At another table, Adam wants to go upstairs with Vera, but she is being all introspective. Ever since Andy gave his blessing, it is like she is having second thoughts about Stuttgart. Vera says that Andy is hardly a good advertisement for "connubial bliss". Marilyn arrives after her solo visit to the disco. Miles immediately begins chatting to her. Getting ready for bed, Roma makes Aldo even more furious. Aldo wants to sell his half of the deli so he can use $5000 on the restaurant renovations. "If Arnold doesn't lump it, he can like it!" Don has a late-night visitor to Flat 4. Thinking it is Carol having forgotten her key, he opens the door to... a very intoxicated Dudley. "When is the last train to Beecroft?" Dudley explains that he has moved back to Mrs Parallel's. He wants to apologise to Norma but Don convinces him to have some black coffee and aspirin. Dudley mentions seeing Carol with a new man [Miles] but passes out on the couch. It is almost 8.30am in Flat 5, and Reg claims to have a CLGA meeting with the DTC, but Edie knows that he is going out to lunch with Mrs Cameron. Marilyn is convinced that Miles was more interested in her than Carol, his actual date. Marilyn and Mummy talk at crossed purposes about Daddy and Miles. In the bedroom of Flat 7, Adam pretends to be asleep before surprising Vera with kisses. They will be in Stuttgart in less than two weeks and they have to organise visas. Aldo tells Roma in the deli that he is still determined to sell his share of the shop to Arnold. Arnold comes in for more deliveries and urges the Godolfuses to study his new roster. It gives adequate time for Independent Activity Periods at the restaurant. As Arnold packs his little car with grocery orders, he sees Marilyn working on Tilly, her motorbike, on the footpath. Phyllis arrives, very late for work, but jumps into the passenger seat of Arnold's VW when she hears he is about to do deliveries. "Good training for me!" Miles comes by and strikes up a conversation with Marilyn about the spark plugs. They are interrupted by Maggie. "Is this a private orgy, or can anyone join in?" She makes a beeline for Miles, the "delectable, young mechanic". Marilyn is miffed. In Flat 4, Dudley is nursing a sore head and a sore back, and Carol is wondering where Miles could be. They are supposed to be going to the beach. She looks out the window to see Miles chatting with Marilyn and Maggie! She rushes out only seconds before Maggie appears at the flat. Maggie wants to talk to Dudley about the dog food rumours but he storms off. "Heaven protect me from touchy queens!" quips Maggie. Don quizzes Maggie about her intentions with Reg. Poor Edie was in a dreadful state last night. "That little suburban mouse?" Maggie explains that she is trying to extract information about the arts centre from Reg. "He's a bigger bore than offshore oil," but to get the information they need, Maggie may have to go to bed with him. Marilyn is in the laundrette's back room telling Arnold about the shift of her affections to Miles. Phyllis comes in and sees that Marilyn is merely "having a praco", or rehearsing a conversation, to a rolled-up towel. When Phyllis hears that Miles is practically a doctor, she decides that she will get him to look at her "crook foot". Phyllis wants help with the washing machines. Arnold's third stained deli jacket this week? There was an incident with some eggs during deliveries. They can smell something burning. Phyllis's cigarette has set fire to Marilyn's towel! In Flat 7, Vera begins laughing hysterically upon hearing about Maggie and her growing affection for... Reg MacDonald! Maggie gets offended and slaps Vera across the face. At least Reg isn't some innocent young boy, barely out of the classroom. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The space wedding episode of "Star Trek" (1966) referenced by Edie MacDonald would be "Balance of Terror". Actress Barbara Stanwyck was known for playing ambitious, independent and sophisticated characters. Notorious tales of the Borgia family usually cast Lucrezia as the ultimate "femme fatale". The regular "Maître d'hôtel" of "The Red Baron" restaurant is played by blond extra, Mark Markham. The character is finally given a name; Maggie Cameron calls him Hardy. When Don Finlayson accuses Dudley Butterfield of being "high", Dudley sings lyrics from "(I'm In Love With) A Wonderful Guy" from the musical movie, "South Pacific" (1967), but substituting the word "flag" with "kite". He also launches into "I Remember It Well", a song from "Gigi" (1958). Dudley last stayed at Mrs Parallel's boardinghouse in Episode #604. The cliffhanger scene of Vera Collins getting slapped by Maggie does not appear in the original Cash Harmon synopsis.

745. (28/04) Dorrie is making Herb help her to do the housework and return Flat 3 to "miraculate" condition. Flo reminds Dorrie that she was neglecting the housework during The End of the World preparations. Flo can't help as she has to clean the wine bar, but she hasn't been able to rouse anyone in Flat 1. Herb needs to collect the garbage before lunch. Dorrie intends to check all the bins again for dog food cans. She is still convinced that there is an illegal dog in the Whittakers' flat. Flo tries again at Flat 1. Les arrives behind her. It is 11.00am, but he got back from work at 8.00am and went out again. He assumes that Norma has overslept because he over-medicated her last night. (The dog food mystery has been keeping her awake.) In the kitchen, Flo notices a bowl of mince on the table and Les tells her to put it back in the fridge for him. Norma comes into the room and orders him to put the mince straight into the bin. Norma must now rethink her attitude towards Dudley as she realises that Les left the mince out while rummaging in the fridge for his breakfast bacon. Did he do this last time as well? The mystery of the failed bolognaise is solved! Meanwhile, Dudley and Don arrive at the front door of Flat 1. Dudley is determined to apologise for his attitude of late, but he will be taking up the job offer from The Grapevine. Norma is pleased to see them and invites them both in. Les, "the absent-minded clown", gives a reserved apology for what Norma calls "a 99.9 dead cert". Dudley wants to resume his duties. Don reminds everyone that the dog food can situation is still unresolved! Sabotage? In the foyer of Number 96, Dorrie and Herb encounter Adam. Is the rumour true that Adam will soon be travelling to "Strudelgart" [sic] with "a certain woman of mature years"? Dorrie knows about these "sposmatic" attachments between young men and "women in the autumn of their lives", but marriage? Adam makes an excuse to escape upstairs. Outside the deli, the Evanses run into Miles and Carol. They have just returned from a swim. Herb assumes that they went to Bondi Beach but Miles says it was Lady Jane Beach. Herb asks, "Is that where they sunbake in the raw?" Carol adds that is was all quite innocent. Miles quips that "There is nothing wrong with a 'skinny dip' on a fine day." They head off, leaving Dorrie aghast. "A 'skinny dip'? And that Miss Finlayson, the niece of a High Court judge...?" Carol races into the wine bar to apologise to Norma for being late, and to reheat yesterday's goulash, but is stunned to learn that Dudley is back. Miles thinks that spaghetti bolognaise sounds good and orders a plate of it. At another table, Les and Don discuss the motives for empty dog food cans being planted in Flat 1's garbage. Someone stands to gain financially. Les confides that he has come up to a foolproof scheme... In Flat 7, Vera and Adam look over tourist pamphlets for Stuttgart. With Vera by his side, Adam's confidence about his career aspirations are so much stronger. Everyone, except Andy, seems to be against them, always making snide comments. Vera mentions Maggie's attitude and Adam repeats Dorrie's warnings about their age difference. Vera can't wait to tell Dorrie off to her face. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol is glad that Dudley is back. Business has been awful. Carol has known Miles for four days but, after only four hours, she knew she was crazy about him. Carol is sure that Miles is "a one-girl guy". Meanwhile, in the wine bar, Miles is chatting with Marilyn over drinks. He mentions that he wanted to be a racing car driver or a mechanic, but his "old man" insisted that he go to medical school instead. Miles' father and both grandfathers are doctors. Marilyn can relate; her own father is against Marilyn's motorbike. Norma indicates to Les that Miles and Marilyn are clinking glasses; she notes that Carol may have some trouble coming up. Later, in Flat 1, Les demonstrates his latest invention, Whittaker's Prowler Guard, to Don, Norma and Dudley. The prototype can "electrify the garbage" and catch the saboteur. (Will he light up, and flash on and off, like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, Dudley wants to know.) The optional extra is an alarm system. When the saboteur touches the ends of the live leads, a fire alarm rings. This is when Dudley will leap out to catch them! Dudley realises that he has been volunteered. Les is called away by a phone call. It seems that the company which bought the patent on Les's Wine-o-Matic has gone bust, and Les can buy it back "for a song"! He can market it himself "and make a fortune". Dorrie, Herb and Flo are having coffee at the Boulevard Cafe. Dorrie is outraged about Carol and her new boyfriend parading around on a public beach "in their birthday suits" and Vera's infatuation with Adam, and jetting off together to "Strudelgart". Vera is on her way to the deli and happens upon Dorrie's malicious gossip. While Dorrie rants on, Herb and Flo try to indicate to her that she's being overheard. Vera gives Dorrie a piece of her mind, calling her "an interfering, old busybody". Marilyn encounters Don on the staircase and urges him to tell Carol that Miles now only has eyes for her. Miles and Marilyn are practically engaged! Elena Brewster had noticed Norma working in the wine bar so she came around to Flat 1 to chat to Les. Has he decided on the $1000 proposal that she made him: to distract Jim, the security guard for one hour during the night shift? Les has decided to decline the offer, but Elena thinks he may come to regret that decision. Out on Lindsay Street, Miles comes up to Marilyn, who is working on Tilly again. Can Miles please help her with the "carby"? And the clutch cable? Adam is finishing a music manuscript in Flat 7 when Vera opens the door to a very contrite Dorrie. Vera is surprised but invites her in. Dorrie points out, "What does it matter if you're 25 years older than him?" Vera is amused at the "slight exaggeration". Adam reminds Dorrie that they are in love. Dorrie surprises Vera by giving them her best wishes. "May your journey to 'Strudelgart' be most joyous and... informative." In Flat 4, Don is bewildered that Dudley has agreed to spend tonight on the Whittakers' couch and catch the dog food saboteur. Dudley just hopes that the person isn't a six foot, 17 stone, all-in wrestler. Dudley asks Carol if he needs to keep aside a plate of paella for Miles, but Miles needs to study instead. Exams are coming up and he's repeating his fourth year. Les is sitting with Elena on the Boulevard Cafe. She explains more about her nephew, Bruce, who is a documentary filmmaker. He wants to make a frank exposé about hospital administrations. Bruce has been refused permission to film at Les's workplace. If Les can distract the security guard, Bruce can sneak in with his camera. Elena wants Les to think about the proposal some more. Carol and Dudley are emerging from Number 96 while she talks about Miles' dedication to his medical studies - just in time to see Miles - with Marilyn as his pillion passenger - roaring off along Lindsay Street on Tilly. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"Lady Bay Beach", aka "Lady Jane Beach", was not officially declared legal for nude bathing beach until 1976. The Neville Wran Labor Government of NSW declared that nudity was only permitted on the beach and in the water. Dorrie Evans' mention of Carol Finlayson's uncle is a reference to Sir Arnold Ashton, who first appeared onscreen in Episode #201. Miles Cooper wears no helmet on the motorbike. ("In NSW, mandatory helmet laws for motorcycles were introduced on January 1, 1991, for adults and July 1, 1991, for children under 16. This law applies to all riders and passengers of motorcycles, including sidecars.") No official Cash Harmon synopses survive for Episodes #745-#749. The TV magazines of the day, which would have been derived from official synopses, assume that Episode #744's cliffhanger takes place in the body of Episode #745: ie. "Maggie's change of heart amazes Vera."

746. (29/04) Tanya once again puzzles Andy. In Flat 6, Tanya is getting ready for a date with a guy whom she met in the wine bar. She tells Andy that she regrets trying to bully him into a relationship when she returned from the US. Andy thinks he may be in love with her, after all, but Tanya is not sure that she knows what love is anymore. Dorrie waxes lyrical about Vera and Adam's "romantic tryst in 'Strudelgart' [sic]". Herb is astounded by the change of heart. "It is a woman's 'provocative' to change her mind; it's a well-known fact." Flo guesses that the "dressing down" that Vera gave Dorrie yesterday had something to do with it. Dorrie, of course, blames Herb. Dorrie only failed to recognise true romance because Herbert has let all the romance slip away from their own "conjugative affairs". Dorrie accuses Flo of "shirking" and is "quite ardamant" that Herb will be helping to shampoo the carpet tonight. "How romantic!" quips Herb. One can't be romantic in "unsanitary conditions"! Over cottage pie in Flat 5, Edie is pleased that Daddy didn't go out with Mrs Cameron tonight. Maggie has meetings with her contacts in the fashion industry tonight, but there will be a modelling contract to sign soon. Reg has a dinner appointment with Maggie tomorrow at the Holiday Inn. A besotted Marilyn comes in from her motorbike ride with Miles. He didn't break the speed limit because Tilly can't go over 80kph. Marilyn turns down dinner as she and Miles stopped off for fish and chips at a cafe; she is avoiding the wine bar because of that dreadful Carol Finlayson. Reg is concerned about the standard of cuisine in Norma's Bar. The Council workers have reported finding empty dog food cans in their garbage. Marilyn can't wait to stir Miles about eating dog food! Reg is sending in the Health Department. Next morning, in the parlour of Flat 2, Aldo is convinced that if Arnold buys Aldo's share of the deli they can use the money for the renovations to Romaldo's. Roma is not sure if Arnold could afford that? Should he add $1,500 for inflation? In the deli, Marilyn arrives with Arnold's clean jacket and will take the one he is wearing to the laundrette. Phyllis comes in, late again, and Marilyn walks backwards into her bicycle. Arnold orders her to remove it from the shop. It cost her $15, so she won't be putting it out on the street for someone to steal. She needs it to get back and forth to "Bondi Junno" [Bondi Junction] every day. Phyllis helps Arnold with his buttons and smears bicycle chain grease all over his freshly-laundered jacket. In Flat 3, Flo and Herb wonder why Dorrie has come out for breakfast "all glammed up"? She is even wearing pearls. Dorrie breaks into song with Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life. Andy fields his third phone call from Melbourne; there is great interest in his writing after his series of articles on drugs. It looks like he is moving from horse writer to features editor! Tanya has an interview for a secretarial job this morning, but Andy assumed that she'd be coming to Melbourne with him as his personal assistant. Tanya knows that Andy is still in love; not with her, nor Tracey, but with Pam Marshall! After all she put him through? Tanya tells Andy that, during one of his LSD "kick-backs", she sat with him all night and he kept calling out for Pam. Dorrie sings Tiddley-Om-Pom! as she does the dusting in Flat 3. Herb is trying to read the paper. Flo comes in with a letter for Dorrie, postmarked "Gulargambone, NSW". Herb recognises the name "Claude Tufnell" immediately, as does Flo. Dorrie and Claude grew up together and Herb remembers that he was quite the "ladies' man, always dressed to the nines". Until Eric Patterson and Herb came along, Dorrie and Flo would be at each others' throats over Claude. He has just retired as the manager of Lingard & Warburton's, the drapery people. He was given Dorrie's address by Marge Enderby. Claude's letter announces that he will be coming to "the Big Smoke" [Sydney] soon. Does Dorrie still keep in touch with Flo Flanagan? Flo remembers Claude as "a Bobby Dazzler" and bets that he still is. Their attitudes remind Herb of a couple of schoolgirls mooning over Clark Gable. Edie has been experimenting with making meals of more elegant variety, and serves the family a Tahitian salad from Dishes of the Great South Seas. Daddy says that it tastes quite foul. "Oh, it's not poultry, Dear, it's bream." Instead of cooking the fish, it is marinated in lime juice for three hours. Edie had no limes on hand, so she used lime juice cordial. Edie so wanted to be sophisticated like Mrs Cameron. Flo finds a photo of Claude when he was ten, at Dorrie's birthday party: "A regular 'Little Lord Fauntleroy'!" They reminisce about the Marrickville Amateur Theatrical & Light Opera Company. ("Good ol' 'MATLOC', eh?") Claude was a tenor with a glorious voice. During their time with MATLOC, they did White Horse Inn, Naughty Marietta and The Merry Widow. Flo recalls that it was a bit of a fluke that Dorrie won the lead in The Merry Widow. Flo couldn't audition because she was needed as Musical Director and conductor. (Or were they just trying not to hurt her feelings?) They bicker so much that the casserole is getting cold, so a disgusted Herb goes downstairs to eat. Dorrie refuses to let Flo's petty jealousies "imprude" upon her "precious, precious memories of dear Claude". Even while angrily disagreeing with each other, Dorrie and Flo start reenacting the musical together in the lounge room. Meanwhile, Herb orders a sandwich from Phyllis on the Boulevard Cafe. She offers to "open a 'tinny'" to make him a spaghetti "sammo", but he'd prefer ham. Inside, the Godolfuses try to sneak past Arnold to go to Romaldo's. He notices them and complains that they have not helped in the shop all morning! But he has Miss Pratt to help him! Arnold finds the current staffing arrangements to be "totally inadequate for our needs". Aldo says that neither he nor Roma wish to work in the shop any more. Roma warns Aldo to stay calm but he does not "make mincemeat" with his words. Aldo wants Arnold to buy his share of the delicatessen. $15,000! "For you, I sell it for $10,000!" Flo calls by Flat 5 to collect the rent and finds Edie sloshed! She just needs a minute to finish poisoning a bottle of gin. It's the only solution to save Daddy from Mrs Cameron; she's coming tonight for martinis. In Flat 6, Tanya is back from job hunting. The agency sent her on a few more interviews. Andy just accepted the position of Features Editor at The Melbourne Guardian. He insists that she is coming with him, and challenges Tanya to look him in the face and tell him that she doesn't love him. They embrace and kiss passionately. In the deli, Phyllis is still smoking while serving customers. The Godolfuses enter the deli to see if Arnold has made up his mind yet? He is too busy preparing deliveries, which are overdue. He refuses to discuss the issue now, but they press him for an answer. Therefore, the answer is "No!" Phyllis interjects with the perfect solution to this morning's overheard "ding-dong". During her lunchbreak, Phyllis went to see her friend, "Spider" Jones. He is loaded with "Do-Re-Mi" from his days as an S.P. bookie up the "Junno"! ("Spider" has gone respectible these days.) He will back Phyllis "to the hilt", so that she can buy out Aldo, thus making her partners with Mr Feather. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life (The Dream Melody)" is from "Naughty Marietta" (1935). Dorrie and Herb Evans saw this film in Episode #726. "Tiddley-Om-Pom!" is a music hall classic from 1907. Claude Tufnell will finally turn up onscreen in Episode #757. "Lingard & Warburton's" was probably a namedrop to theatre identity Doreen Warburton, OBE. Flo Patterson's maiden name, as revealed by Claude's letter, was "Flanagan". "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (1886) was last mentioned in Episode #735. The novel character was also Les Whittaker's fancy dress costume in the 1974 "Number 96" movie. The stage musicals mentioned are "White Horse Inn" (1930), "Naughty Marietta" (operetta, 1910) and "The Merry Widow" (1907).

747. (30/04) Norma's Bar is almost devoid of customers due to the gossip about the empty dog food cans. Les will be on night duty, but is keen for Dudley to sleep on the couch in Flat 1 tonight. Someone has to be ready when Whittaker's Prowler Guard goes off so they can catch the saboteur. Carol accuses Miles of being "a fink". She saw him riding Marilyn's motorbike last night - with Marilyn as pillion - when he was supposed to be studying. The Sutcliffes and Don are in Flat 7 apologising to Vera, over drinks, for not being supportive of her relationship with Adam. Vera intends to leave her flat vacant for the two years they'll be in Stuttgart; if she sublets it, she'd have to pack away all of her personal belongings - and they leave in three days! In Flat 5, Edie convinces Maggie to stay for just one drink because Reg and Maggie will be leaving for Cocktail Hour at the Wentworth Hotel in the city. Edie offers her a gin and tonic, but Maggie isn't drinking gin tonight. Edie starts rambling about the drink not being poisoned, because Mrs Patterson had convinced Edie to be more subtle. Reg is bewildered by this bizarre conversation and offers Maggie a sweet sherry. Edie suggests that Maggie use the bathroom. Edie prompts, "Your nose is very shiny!" Edie knocks into Daddy and he spills sherry all over his good trousers. Edie desperately tries to stop him from entering the bathroom himself - and a bucket of water over the door drenches him! In the dark of night, Dudley is asleep wearing Les's gas mask when the Prowler Guard bells and hooters go off. Dudley rips off the mask, awakens Norma, and then leaps out into the foyer, armed with only a detached phone receiver. Norma carries a whole lamp stand. They find Les suffering an electric shock! "I'm afraid your husband has been hoist by his own petard!" Meanwhile, in Carol's bedroom in Flat 4, Miles has stayed the night with her. He must make an early start; he needs to find somehere to live. Miles is often late with the rent and his landlady is sick of him always tinkering with The Rocket in the driveway. He is also not supposed to ask young ladies in. Carol tells him about Vera's flat upstairs. The rent is probably $40, so he'd have to take in a flatmate. Miles' father only gives him an allowance of $80 per week, to keep him on his toes. Norma is tending to Les who is recovering on the couch in Flat 1. Luckily, Les had his rubber-soled shoes on. "I got the shock of my life!" jokes Les. "Your 'Current Affair' for the day!" replies Dudley. Norma castigates Les fondly for being so carefree around electricity. Les is called to the phone while Dudley complains that the contraption he had to wear to bed made him feel like Elsa Lanchester in The Bride of Frankenstein. It seems that it will cost Les $1000 to buy back the patent on his Whittaker Wine-o-Matic. If he'd only held onto that patent, he'd have "made a fortune". Maggie comes to Flat 4 to give Don an update on Reg MacDonald. Every time she tries to pump him for information about the arts centre planned for their warehouse site, the conversation inevitably turns to drains. Maggie wants more time but Don sees the urgency: they must sell the site before they receive a compulsory acquisition order. In the wine bar, Les pressures Alf to invest some of his lottery winnings into the Wine-o-Matic patent. Alf wonders why the original Melbourne company that bought it went broke? Les has already prepared a partnership agreement from Be Your Own Solicitor. Don can witness the signatures. Lucy urges Alf to read everything through first. Alf agrees; with a baby on the way, he must be cautious. "Don't come crying to me when I become an overnight millionaire," says Les. At lunchtime, Reg arrives home to Flat 5 but fails to notice that Edie is practising elegance. She is wearing her best outfit and smokes from a long cigarette holder. She has prepared fried squid, but Reg only came home to get changed. He is lunching with Maggie. Edie thought that Daddy would enjoy eating by candlelight, but Reg reminds her that those candles were purchased for power failures only. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Dudley asks Carol about her and Miles. She hopes that Miles will move into Flat 7 while Vera is away. He would need someone to share, of course, but Dudley is quite content at Mrs Parallel's. Carol wonders if Don and Dud are really finished? As Doris Day would say, "Que será, será". In the wine bar, the dog food mystery is again the topic of conversation between Norma, Don, Vera and Adam. Miles comes in and Carol introduces him to Vera and Adam. Is Vera's flat still available? Vera has been impatient with Don and Alf's advice. On the spot, Don grants permission for a subletting on behalf of him and Maggie. Les realises that Miles is the son of Sir Paul Cooper and he makes a pitch for a rare investment opportunity, not realising that Miles is perpetually broke. Lucy explains the concept of the Wine-o-Matic. Les has already prepared the papers! Even if Miles had $1000, he would probably spend it on a souped-up engine for his car. Poor Les... literally! At The Red Baron, Maggie steers Reg into a discussion about his charisma, star quality and... inner glow. She insists that they are on a first-name basis. Just as Maggie attempts to whisk him back to her place, Hardy arrives with their meals. In Norma's Bar, Dudley whispers to Carol about Les's latest scheme to catch the saboteur. Les is more worried about the patent; maybe he and Norma could donate some organs and extremities for cash, like they do in the US. The phone rings and it's Elena. While he is once again politely attempting to fob off her earlier offer, he realises that Elena's $1000 would pay for his patent buy-back! He suggests 2.15pm at the Boulevard Cafe to finalise the deal. In Flat 4, Miles and Don have come to an agreement with Vera. In three days, Miles can move in. Vera has already paid two weeks' rent in advance. Vera advises not to share with anyone in the theatre. "You're likely to come home to find a flat full of unicyclists, or a seven-piece band.". Adam mentions when Vera was previously sharing with Trixie O'Toole. She was like a travelling circus! Trixie sent a postcard from Penang the other day. Her latest flame is a Chinese sword-swallower; he performs his act on water and calls it Deep Float. There is a knock at the door and Edie rushes in. She is desperately worried about Mrs Cameron. "She's after Daddy, you see, and you know what she's like! She's cast an evil spell over him." Meanwhile, in the restaurant, as Reg and Maggie eat, he elaborates that drainage is the key to history. Reg's cherished ambition is to write a definitive treatise, Effluent Throughout the Ages. Over afternoon tea at the Boulevard Cafe, Les clarifies what he has to do to earn Elena's $1000. Since Jim is a keen stamp collector, it shouldn't be too difficult to keep the security guard distracted while Bruce films his documentary. Les promotes himself as a medical advisor to the film and Elena agrees, but he must tell no one about the plan. "Easiest money you've ever earned!" says Elena. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The introductory audio on the video mastertape has the booth operator complaining, "I can't hear myself!" The former "Sheraton Wentworth Hotel" is adjacent to Wynyard Station in Sydney. It was previously namedropped in Episodes #604 and #703. It is now the "Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel" and has recently undergone a major renovation. Mike Willesee's "A Current Affair" had begun in November 1971. (Michael Schildberger took over as host during 1974. One night, a parody report called "Number 98" purported to be about the stories of the raunchy residents living in an identical Paddington building right next door to "Number 96".) The original "ACA" format stayed a consistent mainstay of the Nine Network until April 1978. Versions of the show have appeared ever since. "The Bride of Frankenstein" was released in 1935. "Que Será, Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" became Doris Day's signature song after it featured in the movie, "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1956), and TV's "The Doris Day Show" sitcom (1968-1973). The blond extra, Mark Markham, again plays Hardy, the "Maître d'hôtel" of "The Red Baron" restaurant. The pornographic movie "Deep Throat" (1972) was last referenced in Episode #697.

748. (1/05) Over lunch at The Red Baron restaurant, Reg is boring Maggie to sleep with a diatribe on drainage techniques, latrines and flush toilets in ancient Crete. Reg suddenly realises that he is 20 minutes late for the TH. He calls for the bill. Maggie is finally able to confirm that the Paddington Council's arts centre project is real, but not yet gazetted. The new arts centre will be on the corner of Tilford and Waterview Streets (which is the address of Don and Maggie's investment warehouse). The Council does intend to do a compulsory purchase of the land. In Flat 1, Norma walks in on Les rehearsing his speech about hospital administration for the documentary. Tanya serves lunch to Andy in Flat 6 as he is finishing up his newspaper piece on the Randwick Races. Soon he will be Features Editor of the The Melbourne Guardian - and Tanya, who must be crazy, is going with him! She answers the phone and informs Andy that it is his wife, Pam. "Well, tell her I don't want to talk to her." He then changes his mind: "Just hang up." Dorrie, Flo, Herb and Arnold are all appalled by Phyllis Pratt's antics in the deli. Her uniform is putrid! Phyllis boasts that she, thanks to "Spider", is the new part-owner of the shop - and the price "the Godolfos" are asking for it "is a dead giveaway". She describes Arnold as "no Billy Muggins". Is Phyllis "a rough diamond" or "a good sort at heart"? Aldo and Roma come in, exhausted from their redecorating antics. They just want to rest in the flat. In the parlour of Flat 2, Roma reminds Arnold: "Business is business" is what he always says. Aldo worries that Arnold will work himself into "a nervous breakup". Roma suggests that Arnold could sell the Norman Lindsay painting that she bought him and Patti for their wedding. It was worth $5,000 when she bought it. Surely now, it would be worth more? Aldo is confused. Who is this Norman Lindsay? Aldo had always assumed that the gift was one of Roma's own paintings? You spent $5,000 of a wedding present? Phyllis strolls through the flat to use the private phone to ring "Spider" about "financial matters". Arnold tells the Godolfuses that it is like some hideous nightmare! Phyllis tells them, "It's in the bag, Chook... She'll be apples." The wine bar is quiet again. Les has a new scheme for catching the saboteur. Norma doesn't want to hear about it; it had better not involve a manslaughter charge. Norma brings champagne over to Andy and Tanya's table. Without journalists like Andy, the world would be a duller place. The Whittakers wish them good luck. Are Andy and Tanya "the 'Sonny and Cher' of journalism"? Reg arrives home to Flat 5 just as Edie walks to the door with her suitcase and umbrella, and wearing a large coat and a rain bonnet. I'm leaving you, Daddy. Mrs Cameron won." Reg begins smiling. Mrs Cameron is merely a business aquaintance and a platonic friend. He scoops Edie up and takes her into the bedroom. ("Pick a number between 1 and 20.") It is 7.00am and Les gets up out of bed to check the garbage trap. Norma follows him out and makes him describe the nature of this new boobytrap. Meanwhile, out on the stairs, Dorrie and Herb are going to inspect the Whittakers' garbage. Dorrie still reckons that there is a dog in Flat 1, perhaps a South African basenji dog? She looked it up in a book of canines in the Paddington Public Library. Basenjis don't bark! Dorrie opens the boobytrapped garbage bag - and gets covered in soot! Later, in the deli, Flo sniggers with Phyllis about the successful boobytrap. It took Dorrie hours to get clean. Arnold comes in, late, having had a night of insomnia. Phyllis assures him that "Spider" came good with the "Do-Re-Mi". Arnold races into the parlour where the Godolfuses are eating breakfast. He pleads with them not to accept "that woman"'s money and thereby thrusting him into partnership with Phyllis. The cigarettes, stubs everywhere, beetroot stains on his jacket (twice!), the bicycle.... In Flat 5, Edie is clearing away the breakfast things while Daddy polishes his shoes. They discuss Marilyn's good mood of late. Edie decides that it is Miles' good influence. Maggie knocks on their door to invite Reg to lunch in the wine bar later today. Reg is reluctant, due to the rumours about the standard of hygiene but, as part-owner, Maggie needs to check on things. Once again, Edie is left all alone. Dorrie is on the couch in Flat 3, where Herb calls her a stickybeak - and he storms off to have lunch in the wine bar. Flo comes in with a package for Dorrie - from Gulargambone. When opened, it is a gramophone record, inscribed on the label, "To Dorrie, with fond memories. Ever yours, Claude." As Dorrie listens to Claude's personalised audio message, she daydreams about the Marrickville Amateur Theatrical & Light Opera Company and performing with Claude in The Merry Widow. A young Herb Evans is collecting tickets at front-of-house, and pulling the curtains from the wings. A young Florence Flanagan is conducting. And Dorothy Carter and Claude Tufnell are singing and dancing. They receive a standing ovation. In Norma's Bar, Norma denies to Reg that she serves dog food in the meals. Herb agrees that his spaghetti bolognaise tastes "real beaut". Reg will be sending in the food inspectors, which riles up Norma. Maggie arrives and orders two spaghetti bolognaises. At their table, Reg is caught unawares when Maggie asks, "Do you realise that I'm crazy about you?" But Reg is a married man and a public servant! Maggie intends to sleep with him. She blackmails Reg by informing him that he has passed on Council business to a private citizen. Maggie could have him fired by reporting him to the TC. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The Feathers' Norman Lindsay portrait wedding gift is entitled "Seated Nude in an Interior". Roma Godolfus gifted the painting to them in Episode #536. It usually hangs over the couch where Patti Feather was murdered in Flat 6, hence Arnold Feather's mixed feelings about whether he is willing to sell the painting. The nostalgic "Pick a number..." sex game is from the MacDonald's honeymoon. The distinctive (but uncredited) voice on Dorrie Evans' gramophone record belongs to Noel Brophy, who will finally turn up onscreen as Claude Tufnell in Episode #757. Previously, Noel had played a risque hospital scene as a patient in Episode #157. The English stage adaptation of "The Merry Widow" debuted in London in 1907. The Marrickville Amateur Theatrical & Light Opera Company's poster misspells Claude's surname as "Tuffnell". Dorrie is credited as "Dorothy Carter". Florence Patterson's maiden name of "Flanagan" is featured on the poster. This episode was preceded by the premiere of the one-hour television special, "Hasham", which launched Joe Hasham's LP record of the same name. The Network 0-10 special also gave the world a famous TV blooper, when Joe was accidentally swept off rocks, mid-song, into the ocean.

749. (2/05) Miles and Carol are making love in Flat 4. They are going to be neighbours soon! He managed to tell his landlady - "the old bag" - that he was leaving just before she was able to give him notice. On the Boulevard Cafe, Dudley and Don have a chat while waiting for their coffees. Inside, Phyllis is telling Alf that she and Arnold will be partners. Alf mentions that Arnold was packing up the painting that Roma gave him, to take it to an art dealer. He looked so "down in the dumps" about it. Phyllis says that there's no need for him to do that. "Spider" has the "Do-Re-Me" for her to buy an equal share of the shop. Phyllis tests how tepid the coffees are - with her finger - and takes them out to the "Boulevard-ay". Alf notices a "brown bomber" about to put a parking ticket on his cab! He races off down the street. Phyllis assumes that Don and Dudley are "watching the girls go by". She joins their table and tells them about her 17-year old daughter, Pandora, who a boarder at the exclusive St Agnes' College. In the deli, the Godolfuses worry that Arnold is "down in the 'dumplings'"; Aldo can't make him buy the other half of the business, but how else can they afford the renovations to Romaldo's? Phyllis finally goes inside to serve customers. After only seconds alone, Marilyn races up to Don and Dudley to announce that Miles, her new boyfriend, is moving into Flat 7 tomorrow and she'll be "underneath him all the time"! In Flat 7, Vera fails at closing her suitcase and takes out several dresses. She tells Adam that she can make more in Stuttgart while he's studying. Miles arrives with the first of his belongings - and a fullsized skeleton named "Olivia". Vera notices that it is 4.00pm - "smoko time" - so she sends Adam downstairs to buy her two packets of "ciggies". Vera has been trying to ring Miles' previous "digs" all day, but now she can reveal a secret to Miles that no one else can know... Arnold arrives at Flat 8, and he still has the wrapped Norman Lindsay painting. He tells the Sutcliffes that he was offered a good price for it but has decided that he can't part with it, after all. Alf wonders how Arnold can cope with Phyllis Pratt? The phone rings and it's Aldo, inviting Arnold to dinner. Lucy says that Arnold can be downstairs in 15 minutes. In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol is excited that Miles is moving into Flat 7 but Dudley is already sick of hearing about him. Dudley admits to feeling jealous that things are going well for her. He attempts to face the truth that Don is no longer interested in him. Carol admits that it is all her fault. In Flat 7, Vera decides that she needs reconciliation with Maggie before they leave. She phones her about their "tiff", but Maggie hangs up on her. Adam urges her to forget everyone at Number 96; she doesn't need any of them anymore. The Godolfuses have a problem to resolve. Over dinner in Flat 2, Aldo admits his change of heart: he will continue on as Arnold's partner in the deli. Arnold is relieved that he won't have Miss Pratt as a partner. "This lady, she sends you up a gum tree," says Aldo. Roma will be buying Aldo's share of Romaldo's. Aldo adds, "A bird in the bush is worth two in the hand." Phyllis barges into Flat 2 with her bicycle to announce that "Spider" has "shot through" on her - and everyone! Now she can't be Arnold's partner! Aldo is confused. "This 'Mr Spider', he shoots someone?" No, "he's 'done a bunk' with all the 'Do-Re-Me'!" Soon they are sobbing [with happiness]. Phyllis knew she should have waited 'till morning! In Flat 4, Don hears about Maggie's stubborn stance. He is more bewildered that Vera won't be putting anything into storage. "Miles is a quiet boy," she says. Don points out that Miles is a fourth-year medical student. He has plans to share with a fellow student. They'll have wild parties...! Adam wonders if some things should be put into a tea chest? Vera is determined; there is no need to pack things away. Lucy brings Alf his Ovaltine. Tomorrow they'll be seeing off Vera and Adam. They might be gone longer than two years if Adam's career takes off. Alf suggests that they can visit Vera in Europe when the baby is born. Lucy says that it's not really practical. Then they realise that they will need Arnold's room for a nursery when the baby comes. Lucy wonders where Arnold is now at such a late hour? The Godolfuses and Arnold celebrate that everything is as it should be, but then Arnold realises that they are still stuck with Phyllis! Aldo and Roma argue about whether Miss Pratt now belongs with the deli or the restaurant. They decide to draw a playing card each from a deck. "Lowest card wins Miss Pratt!" Roma and Aldo both draw a "3". Arnold is pleased that the statistical probability is on his side. Then he draws a "2". It's closing time in Norma's Bar and it has been another quiet night. Dudley, Carol and Don tell Miles about the dog food rumours. Miles promises Don that he'll put away Vera's valuable items. Carol offers to help Miles in the morning. There is awkward tension between Don and Dudley at the front door, with Dudley mentioning that Mrs Parallel worries about him when he's late, as much as his Mum and Aunty Brenda! Next morning in Flat 4, Carol tries to contact Miles but he's already left his old place. Don hurries her upstairs to Flat 8 so they can farewell Vera and Adam. As they step out onto the landing, Miles and Marilyn pass by, carrying boxes. Carol gives them a frosty look. In Flat 7, Adam reminds Vera that they'll soon be in the air. "Goodbye, Sydney!" he announces. Vera sighs, "And goodbye 'Number 96'! So much has happened in this flat." Miles has one more box to fetch, but he won't be needing Marilyn's help. It's only textbooks. In Flat 8, Alf says, "Bon Voyage, Happy Landings, and look after each other." Aldo urges Adam not to be swayed by German music styles. "You write what you want to write." Don wants Vera to say hello to Amanda for him, if she gets to Heidelberg. Miles comes in to join the party, having just encountered a delivery person on the stairs. He gives a box of red roses to Vera. The card reads: "Bon Voyage and all that. Please forgive me for being such a bitch. All my love, Maggie." Everyone heads out of the flat, but Miles and Vera stay behind to have a brief exchange. Vera apologises for ruining all of Miles' plans. "How long will it be?" he wants to know. "Two weeks... if I'm lucky!" Vera says. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Following this episode, there are once again longer official synopses to use. Miles Cooper's skeleton prop, "Olivia", was previously seen as part of Les Whittaker's "Project: Andy Scare" from Episode #707 to #717. Vera Collins' airways bag appears to be a reuse of the one used by Dudley Butterfield in Episode #643 and Aldo Godolfus in Episode #663. Don and Carol Finlayson's aunt, the Baroness Amanda Von Pappenburg, has been in Heidelberg since Episode #634. Red roses would be an impractical gift to give to someone about to pass through Customs for an overseas flight.

750. (5/05) Les comes home to Flat 1 from a trip to town. It is 11.00am. Norma thought his meeting about the patent was at 9.00am. (It was!) He quickly changes the subject to the dog food saboteur. Les has a new scheme for catching the perpetrator. Norma has been going through the account books and is worried about the lack of customers. She points out that Les missed seeing Vera off. Norma couldn't get up to the party but saw her as she and Adam departed in Alf's taxi. How would Norma feel about Les hiring a bloodhound to follow the scent? Arnold is run off his feet in the deli. He apologises to Mrs Gibbs. The Godolfuses are at Romaldo's and there is no sign of Miss Pratt! Lucy, who has a doctor's appointment this morning, and Edie chat about the baby - Lucy's "little stranger" - while they wait. As Natalie says, "'Dare we live in hope, the things undreamed of...'" Edie explains about Natalie Faces Life, a new daytime serial on the TV, between 12.30pm and 1.00pm. In the rush, Arnold has given Mrs Gibbs the wrong cheese; she wanted Dutch gouda. Phyllis arrives with her bicycle and its broken chain. Don answers the Flat 4 door to Maggie, who is in a rare, good mood. She mentions how expensive Vera's flowers were. Maggie has been able to confirm the plans for the new Paddington Arts Centre on their warehouse site. They definitely need to unload that property before the compulsory purchase order. Maggie says, "This is not the time to get ethical!" Don must pretend he knows nothing about the Council's proposal, and get on the phone to start selling. There are no customers whatsoever for lunch in Norma's Bar. Les wants to try his sandwich board idea: "Eat at Norma's" on one side, and "Definitely no dog food used" on the back. Dudley wonders if the pub is responsible for the rumours? No, Norma used to work for "old Jack" for a year, remember? In Flat 5, Daddy arrives for luncheon to find Edie glued to the TV. She is intrigued as the narrator (Dal Myles) mentions Gillian's little Bradley in the hospital on Natalie Faces Life. Edie tells Daddy that little Bradley heard his parents discussing divorce, ran outside and was hit by a gravel truck. Reg thinks it is drivel. "But it's so true to life." Edie has some nice devon from the deli for lunch. Reg mentions plans to take Edie to dinner tonight at the Holiday Inn's restaurant. "Alone, you mean? Without Mrs Cameron?" How romantic! "'Like a fresh, summer breeze blowing across Hillsdale, to bring happiness and love into my life...'" quotes Edie. "Tomato sauce or pickles on your devon?" In the laundrette, Arnold asks Lucy what he should do about Miss Pratt. Lucy would sack her! Arnold "won" her, but he won't elaborate. Since Phyllis arrived at the deli, Lucy's workload in the laundrette has increased noticeably, but one of Arnold's jackets still has an old beetroot stain on it. Lucy agrees that Phyllis is a character. Alf comes in to ask about Lucy's checkup. The doctor wants her to rest more during the day and to put her feet up. Marilyn is already doing overtime and Valerie Mason has a little lad now and can't do full time. If Arnold may be so bold, he might suggest a solution? Meanwhile, Phyllis gossips about the Godolfuses to customers at the Boulevard Cafe. She mentions how those "new Australians yabber away to each other all the time", not realising that one of the women is regular customer, Mrs Abramowitz. When Phyllis leaves, they converse curtly in their native tongue. The shop has filled up with customers, yet Phyllis comes back outside to ask the two women for a match for her cigarette. In Norma's Bar, Maggie is sure that someone from The Grapevine is the saboteur. Don has some advice for Maggie; she can't make such accusations without evidence, or she'll be heading for a slander suit. Dudley laments that there has not been one lunch order yet. On the street outside the wine bar, Les confides in Alf, who is curious about "Mrs Rooster". Les corrects him: "Mrs Brewster!" Les explains the whole documentary scenario but Alf is incredulous! "It's a big con job!" Les is confident that Elena is just a very nice, old lady. Why would they like want to con Les? In Flat 5, Reg is heading back to the TH after their light luncheon. Edie's flowery conversation sounds like dialogue straight out of Natalie Faces Life as she uses a K-TEL Brush-o-Matic on his clothes. She is so looking forward to tonight's romantic dinner, with will brighten up her "otherwise drab life!" She will be getting her hair done this afternoon. Edie wants to splurge on a prawn cocktail tonight, and hopes that the lettuce with be shredded and not a whole leaf that can't be easily cut. Reg then surprises her with money for a new dress. Phyllis helps to load Arnold's VW with the deliveries, and is about to put a box of groceries into its engine. She forgot that it was "one of those foreign jobs". ("Spidey" used to have one of these before he bought a Mercedes.) Phyllis wonders why he "shot through" on her? Norma approaches Arnold to ask about Miss Pratt. He is about to complain bitterly about her, but then inquires if Norma is looking for "extra staff"? Norma is amused. She can hardly afford to keep herself on the books. Thus, Arnold's brilliant idea to hire out Phyllis totally misfires. Norma comes into the wine bar and reminds Alf that its closing time. While Les closes up, she'll make "a cuppa". The topic returns to Elena and her nephew. "Where's the harm?" asks Les. Alf reckons that Les would fall for "the three-card trick". If Les waylays that security guard, as directed, he'll "end up in bloody prison". Les is "a bloody twit". Edie and Phyllis chat in the deli before Edie goes to the hairdresser's. Natalie's hair always looks good, even when doing the housework. Natalie always says, "It's every woman's duty to look her best for her husband." Edie starts telling Phyllis about Roger and Geoffrey, who has been unfaithful with Ruth. While Phyllis talks about "Spider" coming into The Majestic Rooms, and her beehive hairstyle with all the pins, a customer gets sick of waiting and leaves. Arnold rushes in to tell Phyllis that there are Boulevard Cafe customers waiting to be served. Can Arnold help her with her bicycle chain later? Edie doesn't need anything, but she notices that it is getting late. Arnold must be pleased to have such a friendly lady working for him. Maggie listens in to a phone call in Flat 4; Don is pitching the warehouse property to a Mr Bradshaw. Don hates doing business this way. Maggie's stance is that buying and selling - with insider information from Reg - is "money for jam". Any time that Maggie wants Reg... he is a fingersnap away. "When those glasses come off, he's quite a man!" The work day over, Arnold arrives at Flat 8 in need of a brandy after another miserable day with Miss Pratt. Lucy says that she obviously means well, but is accident prone. Arnold holds up his bandaged finger, which happened when Phyllis turned the pedal while he was refitting the bicycle chain. He's not really hungry and Lucy suggests an early night. Suddenly, Phyllis is at the door. She carries in plastic tubs of piping hot, takeaway Chinese food: there's sweet and sour, curried prawns, and fried rice. Arnold was looking stressed today. "Bog in, there's plenty for everyone!" Edie and Reg are at The Red Baron. Again, her dialogue sounds like it is straight out of a bad TV soap opera. She realises that she had promised not to talk about Natalie and Geoffrey. Maggie suddenly sweep up to them. She is so pleased to see Reg! Something has come up and Maggie needs his advice. He invites her to join their table but the papers that need signing are all back at her place. She tells Edie that she'll have her husband home before midnight. (If it wasn't related to "the information you gave me", Maggie wouldn't have bothered.) Reg sheepishly gives Edie money for the bill and a taxi home. I'll see you at home... later," he says, as Maggie drags him off. A tragic Edie is left alone. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

"Natalie Faces Life" is a parody/homage to a real world radio serial, "Portia Faces Life" (1940-1953). It spun-off a TV version (1954-1955) that lasted only one season. (It was also known as "The Inner Flame".) A local Australian radio version was launched on 3UZ Melbourne in 1952 and was still running until 1970. Don Finlayson jokingly refers to "Bruce Faces Life" when Bruce Taylor's love life is complicated by Maggie Cameron in Episode #2. Channel TEN identity, Dal Myles, is the uncredited voice of the narrator of "Natalie Faces Life". Later, he will provide the voice of a radio announcer in Episode #839 and Episodes 1003-1004. Valerie Mason gets a namedrop. Her onscreen appearances were in Episodes #315 and #515. She will next appear in Episode #775. One of the uncredited extras on the "Boulevard Cafe" was previously identified as a regular deli customer, Mrs Abramowitz (in Episode #656 and #659), a typical surname of Ashkenazic Jews. The uncredited "Maître d'hôtel", Hardy, played by Mark Markham, can be seen in the background of "The Red Baron" scenes. From this episode, the actual location of the "Holiday Inn" is identified in the credits as being Crows Nest, no longer North Sydney. Guests appearing in the series stay in this hotel. "The Red Baron" restaurant, within the hotel, continues to be the venue for regular meetings of the series' writers.

751. (6/05) Tanya wants to know if Andy's workplace is upset about him leaving? The current publisher has presented him with several tempting offers so that he won't take up the new job in Melbourne. Andy's ex-wife, Pamela, comes to see him in Flat 6. Pam is quick to remind him - and Tanya - that they are still married. Tanya wants to give them privacy but Andy insists that she stays. In the parlour of Flat 2, Roma announces that she will meet with Sid Levenson about managing Romaldo's. She will do the cooking but, with Aldo now committed to the deli again, she needs Sid's support to run the restaurant. Today, when they were in Mr Locksley's office to sign the paperwork, Roma was close to tears that Aldo wasn't a part of their dream restaurant. At least Roma can support Aldo in his old age! In Flat 6, Pam admits that she has come to beg for financial assistance. Andy can't believe that the cash settlement - "a bloody fortune!" - that she bribed him into paying her before, is all gone. Why not lean on Barney Mallison? ("He ran out on me.") Barney talked her into investing everything into a business he was starting. It went bankrupt and Barney is "living it up in South America." As Andy shows her the door, he tells her that he and Tanya are moving to Melbourne at the end of the week. He's not in the mood for "sob stories". Edie has returned, alone, to Flat 5 after the abrupt end to her night out. Marilyn is incredulous that Daddy went off to Maggie Cameron's! Reg walks in and wants Marilyn to go to her room so he can talk to his wife. Marilyn refuses, and Edie doesn't want to discuss anything with him. "Wasn't Mrs Cameron's bed comfortable enough?" quips Marilyn. Daddy didn't leave enough money and Edie had to use $3 of her own money. She tells Marilyn to make a bed for Daddy on the sofa. Marilyn will get the sheets, but he can make the bed himself. She thinks that he is disgusting! At 7.00am, Carol and Miles wake up in the main bedroom of Flat 7. Momentarily, it seems that Miles can't remember Carol's name. (Is this why he calls everyone "Toots"?) Carol wants to rearrange the room - and redecorate the whole flat! Miles isn't sure that Vera would approve. Maybe some scatter rugs - and abstract art for the walls? If Carol's going to move in, she wants the place to look nice. Miles likes the place just as it is! Carol grills him on Marilyn, but he assures her that they are not interested in each other. Marilyn decides to interfere and give Edie some assistance. They completely freeze out "Reginald" during breakfast in Flat 5. Marilyn fills Mummy in on her new love, Miles Cooper. "The one I'm going to marry." Miles will be a doctor, just like Doctor Geoffrey in Natalie Faces Life. Edie does hope that little Bradley will come out of his coma. Reg tries to defend his time spent with Maggie. No one will pass Reg the sugar. When Marilyn finally gives him the salt instead, she says that she is taking Daddy's story with a grain of it. In Flat 4, Don is incredulous that Maggie tried to seduce Reg last night. Nothing happened because was suddenly slouched in a drunken stupor as soon as they caught their cab to her place. Originally, she wanted only information, but now he's a challenge. Maggie is detemined to get Reg into bed! Once he was unconscious, Maggie had to pay the driver to take him to Number 96 instead. Don has only had a few nibbles on selling their property. Arnold is very jumpy in the deli. He is looking out for the arrival of Phyllis. Aldo thinks that Arnold is headed for "a worry ulcer". Aldo tells Roma that Arnold is "a bundle of nervous wrecks". Even though they have just opened the shop, Arnold takes his Independent Activity Period for a coffee. Roma heads off to enlist Sid as her restaurant manager, then she can come back and help out in the shop. Andy departs Flat 6 fo a pub crawl with his "boozy" mates; they'll finish up at the Journos' Club, so Tanya is not to wait up. Tanya dials the number for Pam Marshall. Arnold assures Aldo that he is feeling much calmer and that Phyllis has been rather subdued in the deli this morning. He even persuaded her to secure her bicycle in the lane. She took Aldo's suggestion of buying a chain to attach the bike to Mrs Maloney's back fence. Roma arrives and Aldo is full of questions, but she sends him out to the kitchen with the used cups and saucers. Roma confides in Arnold that when she offered the manager's position to Sid, he offered to buy the restaurant: for $5000 more that the Godolfuses paid for it! "If Aldo should find out...!" Maggie and Don finish up dinner in the deserted wine bar. When Maggie leaves, Carol puts in another plea for Don to reconnect with Dudley, or a least let him move back in. It must be miserable at Mrs Parallel's. Don's not having the three of them in the flat together again. Carol now claims that Miles is pestering her to move in with him. Behind Carol, Don notices that Miles and Marilyn have just entered the wine bar together. Marilyn is keen to visit Miles upstairs, but he needs to "check his schedule". Carol approaches their table and Miles says, "Hi Carol, long time, no see!" Why does Roma keep making money? Tanya comes into the deli, asking for directions to Randwick and Arnold suggests a bus or a taxi. She goes to the Red Phone to book a cab. Roma swears Arnold to secrecy. Over luncheon in Flat 5, Reg wonders if he is permanently on the couch? Yes, Edie delivers a flowery, soap opera speech about the current state of their marriage. "Ours is a marriage in name only." Yesterday, Roger told Natalie about Geoffrey having an affair with the heartless, man-eating neurosurgeon, Ruth. Gillian told them about the neurosurgeons' convention. Thank goodness that little Bradley is much better! As for Maggie, Edie says, "It's either her, or me!" Arnold comes back to the deli, but Roma says that Phyllis is off getting the other chain on her bike repaired, since it went "clunk", and it's her only mode of transport to and from the "Junno". Roma believes that Phyllis should get "the flaming thing fixed so she's apples, and the traffic policemen won't have to pull in their skulls no more!" Aldo brings out coffee for the three of them. Just so long as Roma doesn't make too much of a fortune from her restaurant! If Aldo always earns more than Roma, then everything is "dunky hory". The Red Phone rings and it's Mr Levison for Roma. She sends Aldo to the kitchen for extra milk and hears the worst news: Sid has withdrawn his offer to pay $5000 more. Now he offers... $10,000 more. Tanya is in for a terrible shock. She visits Pam in the poky little apartment where she has lived for the last two months. Tanya thinks that Andy was too hard on her yesterday. "Weren't you a model before all this? Can't you take it up again?" Pam confesses that she has a three-month old baby. Barney Mallison abandoned the child? "He hated it." The baby, she admits, is Andy's! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Louise Howitt returns in the role of Pamela Marshall. Often namedropped in scripts, Pam was last seen onscreen in Episode #616. Although still credited as "Tanya Schnolskevitska", Andy introduces Natalie Mosco's character to Pam as "Tanya Prior". John Rayner was seen onscreen as Mr Locksley in Episodes #162 and #270, and the character has been namedropped in Episodes #205, #272 and #364. Aldo Godolfus was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer in Episode #424.

752. (7/05) It's 2.00am in Flat 8 and Lucy rouses Alf for his early shift in the taxi. Lucy has been up with a headache, but she resists taking medication because of the baby. In Flat 3, Herb awakens to Dorrie performing The Merry Widow Waltz in her dreams. (Again!) She sleepily refers to Herb as "Claude". Herb thinks of Claude Tufnell as "a silly-looking prawn". He comes out to the lounge room to find Flo also unable to sleep, reminiscing in the dark about the Marrickville Town Hall, when Dorrie and herself were "flappers", and Herb and Claude were getting about looking like The Great Gatsby. Flo recalls that they were called "The Lost Generation". Herb wishes that Claude had stayed lost! Alf descends the main staircase and encounters an elderly woman loading up the Whittaker's garbage bag with empty dog food cans. He corners her and knocks on Flat 1's front door. "You're in more trouble than 'Speed Gordon'," warns Alf. Later, in Flat 1, the Whittakers tell Dudley about the mystery dog food can saboteur, old Miss Winthrop (Colleen Clifford). They had to send her home for a rest; she only lives a few doors down from Number 96. The Whittakers' garbage just happened to be the closest to the main entrance. Miss Winthrop returns to apologise. Les, who fancies himself as "a dietitian, of sorts" is keen to know if Miss Winthrop eats the dog food. No, she has a piece of bread with cooking margarine, or sometimes bread and milk. "So who eats the dog food?" asks Dudley. "My six little puppies!" Miss Winthrop discloses. She lives all alone with them in her single room. When the landlord comes around for the rent, she has to hide the puppies under the bed. If the landlord saw the empty cans, he would put her out! "I use my pension for my little doggies and I do love them so." Dudley promises to put the empty tins into a box and he will run them out to the tip in his friend's car. Miss Winthrop produces two large paper satchels - filled with even more empty cans - and loads them into Dudley's arms. In the deli, an enthusiastic Aldo explains to Phyllis that they will be working together, as both Arnold and Roma are to be out all day. He wants nothing to spoil their day. Roma is off to see Sid. Aldo suggests that whatever Sid wants to be manager, "offer him half!" Phyllis notices that everything in the freezer is defrosted. She turned off that power point last night! In his panic, Aldo keeps telling Phyllis to stay calm. In the kitchen of Flat 3, Dorrie reminds Flo that Claude is coming to see her, not Flo. (Flo thinks back to the time when Dorothy Carter emerged from her dressing room to encounter Florence Flanagan and Claude locked in a romantic embrace!) Dorrie and Flo continue to bicker, with Dorrie claiming to have often ridden with Claude on his "Harvey-Davidson" [sic] motorbike. Herb tries to break in with the news of the dog food can culprit being caught. They ignore him. Furthermore, Dorrie even went to Fairy Bower Beach with Claude! While sweeping the footpath outside Norma's Bar, Dudley meets Miss Winthrop again, with her pramful of six, black poodle puppies! She is taking them to the park, having just smuggled them past the landlord. Alf comes out of the main entrance and sees the puppies. Dudley reckons it is one way to stop dogs from chasing cars. Inside the wine bar, Les tells Norma that his phone call was from the hospital advising of a roster change. He admits to Alf that it was actually Elena, to give him the details of "D Day", or "Diversion Day". Alf is horrified that Les is going ahead with the deal. Phyllis apologises to a customer that the deli has no frozen food. Aldo's finger is bandaged from a different disaster. He has piles of coins neatly stacked on the counter when Norma comes in for chips and peanuts for the wine bar. Phyllis lifts up the counter top - and Aldo's coins go everywhere! In Flat 3, Flo assures Herb that Claude is no threat to his and Dorrie's marriage. It was Flo whom Claude was hot for! Dorrie brings out "photogenic" [sic] evidence that she did, in fact, ride on Claude's bike. Herb gets angry and doesn't want to hear about Claude again. He slams his newspaper down - and the gramophone record of Claude's message starts up again! It must have gained a scratch, as his name goes into endless repeat. Herb storms out. Aldo visits the laundrette and desperately tries to sing praises for Phyllis to Lucy. Lucy notices that Aldo now has two bandaged fingers and a filthy jacket. Arnold already tried to palm off Miss Pratt to Lucy. Aldo notices that Lucy isn't looking well. Meanwhile, Phyllis botches Alf and Les's coffee orders on the Boulevard Cafe. She comes back out to sit with them for her "smoko". Aldo returns - and realises that the deli door is locked. Phyllis can't believe that her boss has managed to lock them all out of the shop! In Flat 1, Dudley and Norma wonder how to fix the dog food rumors without publicly implicating Miss Winthrop? At the laundrette, Dorrie and Flo discuss Herb's jealousy of Claude. Flo wants to declare a truce. She notices that Lucy looks unwell, but Lucy is concerned that it is not just a tension headache. Roma is on her second drink in Norma's Bar. Mr Levenson has now upped his offer to $20,000 more than she paid for the restaurant. She swears Norma to secrecy, just as Aldo comes in. He tells Norma that it took an hour to find all of the scattered coins. So many accidents today! They had to wait for Arnold to return from the wholesalers to unlock the door! Phyllis comes in to join her employer for some drinks. Dorrie and Flo have settled Lucy into bed in Flat 8 and notified her doctor. Alf arrives upstairs and Lucy says that her vision is not good. She thinks she is going blind again! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The waltz that Dorrie Evans dreams about is from the English stage adaptation of Viktor Léon and Leo Stein's "The Merry Widow" (1907). That musical is based on the 1861 comedy play, "L'attaché d'ambassade" ("The Embassy Attaché"), by Henri Meilhac. The "flappers" were a post-"World War I"/"Roaring Twenties" cultural phenomenon: young women who challenged traditional social norms with their fashion, behaviour and attitudes. The "Lost Generation" refers to young adults who came of age during and after these times and often felt disillusioned and aimless. The 1925 novel, "The Great Gatsby", is by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The movie version had premiered in Australia on 23rd August, 1974, at the "Barclay Theatre" in Sydney. The saboteur is revealed to be Miss Winthrop. (Coincidentally, it will be revealed in Episode #910 that Herb was once acquainted with a Gladys Winthrop of Bundaberg.) Alf Sutcliffe's reference to "Speed Gordon" recalls the Australian title of the "Flash Gordon" space-opera comic strip by US cartoonist, Alex Raymond, first published in 1934. The character and strip were retitled here to avoid the local, negative "dishonesty" connotation of the word "flash". (How likely is it, though, that Alf would use the unique, Australian title?) The dog food can props are labelled "Duncan Bros 'WOOF'". (An obscure reference to the two Paddington TCs: Ian Duncan and Edward Duncan Buchanan?) The labels read: "A Dog's Dinner. Power packed with vitamins. Makes every dog have his day." "Fairy Bower" is a beach in an affluent area of Manly in Sydney. The cab driver who helped Delores Hackenback in Episode #698 passes Miss Winthrop and Dudley Butterfield on Lindsay Street, outside "Norma's Bar". Dorrie Evans greets a young, bearded man by first name in the laundrette, but it is inaudible. Usually, Dorrie tends to use surnames unless it was someone she knew well. Lucy's first bout of blindness was brought on by an assault by louts in Episode #314.

753. (8/05) Andy is in Flat 6 packing for Melbourne. Tanya sees him tearing up a photo, presumably of Pam. Tanya accidentally mentions Pam's dreary one-room apartment and then must confess that she went there to talk to her. She mentions the baby, which Andy assumes is Mallison's, as Andy and Pam broke up ten months ago. The baby is three months old. Andy gets angry with Tanya for being so easily taken in. In the parlour of Flat 2, Roma tells Arnold that she has another appointment with Sid Levison. She will try to stall him. There is a loud crash from the deli and Aldo races through the plastic fly-strips, again terrorised by "that shrimp that calls me a chook! Already she turns me into a nutshell." Phyllis comes through from the shop and Aldo wonders what she has done this time? No, there are just customers to serve. He runs into the deli and Phyllis wonders what the others did to Aldo to make him so agitated? Doctor Pearman (Edward Lansdowne) examines Lucy in Flat 8 and assures her that the vision problems are temporary, brought on by a migraine. He reminds her that she is a woman of 50; a pregnant woman of 50. Doctor Pearman is frank with Alf about the need for Lucy to get plenty of rest. Pregnancy can be dangerous in her situation. Tanya visits Pam again and tells her that Andy disbelieves the story about the baby. Tanya can't see any baby in this one-room apartment, but Andrew is downstairs with the landlady. She minds him for a few hours each day, to give Pam time to look for work. "Andy's yours now," yells Pam to Tanya, "So don't rub it in!" Carol is pleased to see Miles when he comes into the laundrette. He seems to have forgotten Carol's offer to come up and cook Steak Diane for him on her night off from Norma's Bar. She'll be there at 6.30pm. Marilyn tosses the wine bar's clean laundry into Carol's lap and immediately chats up Miles. Carol leaves. Marilyn hopes that Miles hasn't forgotten that she's coming up tonight. (He had!) Valerie has agreed to cover for Marilyn so she will see Miles at 7.30pm. In Flat 8, Alf has brought Lucy her evening meal while she is in bed. He tries to convey the doctor's concerns. In the deli, Arnold and Roma agree that there is something shady about Sid's offer. If he wants Romaldo's as an investment, wouldn't he be trying to get it for the lowest price possible? Aldo shows Roma the damage that Phyllis did to the scales with a large block of cheese. He and Arnold sent her home. An ecstatic Aldo misinterprets Roma's feelings of guilt and concern as meaning that she will take Miss Pratt back to the restaurant. Tanya returns to Flat 6 and admits that she has seen Pam's baby. She decides that if Andy won't visit his estranged wife, Tanya will refuse to go to Melbourne. "Blackmail?" Miles makes a muddle of his private life. He convinces Carol not to do the washing up and enthusiastically steers her into the main bedroom. (She wondered why he wolfed down his dinner?) He quickly dials the MacDonalds' to feign laryngitis, but Marilyn is already at the front door, right on 7.30pm! Marilyn is not perturbed by any germs; she'll stay overnight and look after him! Miles puts her in the spare bedroom. Carol comes out to check on him. She thought she heard Miles talking to someone? He pushes her back into the room. "Two minutes, 'Toots'!" In Flat 2, Arnold is invited by Aldo to celebrate Roma taking on Phyllis as a waitress at her restaurant. Arnold can't stay with them long tonight, as he is needed upstairs to look after Lucy. Maybe Miss Pratt won't want to go? It is all up to Arnold; he won Phyllis when he chose the lowest card. In Flat 7, Miles pretends that he must work on his thesis, which is due tomorrow, and also must gargle his sore throat. Neither Carol nor Marilyn want to be patient. Arnold arrives in Flat 8. Lucy is still in bed, and seems much better. She wants to hear more about the Miss Pratt situation. Lucy worries that she made the wrong choice to have this baby, but Arnold insists that she must follow all of Doctor Pearman's advice. He admits to being envious. In Flat 7, Miles is in the longeroom and torn as to how to proceed. He tiptoes towards the spare bedroom, but Carol suddenly checks on him from behind. He slumps into a chair - but then Marilyn comes out again! Miles is fast running out of excuses. In frustration, he plants a kiss on "Olivia" the skeleton. Next morning, Miles is slumped over his books and the skeleton. He rouses as Marilyn comes out of the spare bedroom, fully dressed and needing to get downstairs before Daddy notices that she was gone all night. He goes into the main bedroom, where Carol is sleeping, and collapses onto the bed. "I never want to put in another night like that." Phyllis is already causing disasters in the deli. She is early this morning, having found "a 'wacko' shortcut from the 'Junno'!" Arnold, "the clockwatcher", arrives two minutes late, after waiting for Alf to get home. The Godolfuses quickly escape to the parlour to discuss "the private business". Arnold is left to tell Phyllis that he has something delicate to discuss with her - and she assumes it is something personal. "Yeah, sure, Chook... You go right ahead. Nothing'd shock me. Mix with all sorts." Just then, Tanya enters the shop! Arnold is surprised; he understood that she and Andy were off to Melbourne. "It's completely in the lap of the gods at the moment. I may not be going." Andy gets no answer at Pam's bedsit, so he enters. Pam is collapsed on the bed. He tries to wake her and a bottle of pills drops from her hand. She is unresponsive. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The oft-mentioned Doctor Pearman is portrayed here by Edward Lansdowne. Among his patients are members of the Evans, Sutcliffe, Finlayson, MacDonald and Chester families. Edward is next seen onscreen in Episode #826. In later years, Tony Girdler takes over the role. The comedic Miles/Carol/Marilyn storyline is classic "bedroom farce". With roots in Vaudeville, the English stage farces by Ben Travers were popular in the 1920s and 1930s, such as "A Cuckoo in the Nest" (1925) and "Rookery Nook" (1926). The French farce, "Boeing-Boeing" (1960), is by Marc Camoletti. Alan Ayckbourn's aptly-named "Bedroom Farce" was about to premiere in London in June 1975.

754. (9/5) Don and Maggie receive a phone call in Flat 4. Mr Bradford has agreed to purchase the warehouse property that is supposedly destined to become the site of the new Paddington Arts Centre. They will be losing money on the deal, but at least they won't have to settle for the what the Council would offer. Now that the matter is settled, Don hopes that Maggie will "lay off" Reg. Poor Edie is heading for a nervous breakdown! Maggie is still determined to get Reg into bed. She will shout Don lunch in the wine bar. In Flat 5, Marilyn only has half an hour for lunch as Valerie can't relieve her for any longer. What was Daddy doing on the sofa this morning? "Nothing dreadful, I hope," says Edie. Sleeping on the couch is what Natalie made Doctor Geoffrey do in Natalie Faces Life. Edie adds, "It was just a stage I was going through. I'm going to divorce him instead." Marilyn offers advice to Mummy: "Divorce is so messy! Why don't you pack your bags and leave Daddy for a few days? Natalie would do it!" Reg comes in for luncheon, a little late after inspecting a new incinerator at the Waverley TH. Reg mentions to Marilyn that he is aware that she arrived home in the early hours. She hints that Mummy has "far more sinister" plans for her "Don Juan". An apologetic Andy visits Pam in the hospital after her suicide attempt. She is filled with self-loathing for "crawling" to him, and for the way she had treated him. Andy admits that he visited little Andrew Clayton Marshall this morning. He has seen photos of himself at the same age and he now has no doubt that the boy is his son. Andy and Pam share a tender moment of mutual forgiveness. Over lunch in Flat 3, Dorrie, Herb and Flo discuss Lucy's health. Dorrie had offered to help out in the laundrette. Extra money would be useful with all the rampant inflation these days. One never knows when one might have to entertain a houseguest. Herb realises that she means Claude Tufnell and he leaves the table. In Norma's Bar, Maggie wants Don to show some enthusiasm about their big deal. She orders champagne. Norma has noticed Carol walking on air; she must be in love again? Maggie is keen to know more but Don snaps at her. It is past time that Don and his boyfriend got back together. Marilyn comes in looking for Miles but Dudley has already heard about Miles all morning from Carol. Maybe the two women should put a bell around his neck? Marilyn drops hints to Maggie that Mummy is not a "timid, little mouse". She has a secret lover and is going away with him for a few days. "We're a pretty swinging family, actually." In their bedroom in Flat 5, Edie boasts to Reg of her upcoming trip to Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains. She is going with her new love interest. "We were two lonely souls, looking for a shoulder to cry on. I suppose it was inevitable that we would be flung together, like waves on the shore." As Edie packs her suitcase, she muses that Daddy would really like him: "strong and dependable, but lonely... like me. Remember, 'love hath no fury like a woman scorned'." Andy rings Brian at The Melbourne Guardian to urge him to have the boss hold the new position for a week. That won't be possible. Andy tells Tanya that psychiatric reports are necessary and Pam's landlady can't do all the babysitting until then. Tanya makes the decision for him: he should go to Melbourne immediately. She won't be coming with him, but Pam and the baby can join him there. It's not pity for Pam, it's love. In the wine bar, Don and Dudley collide in the doorway. Could Dudley come upstairs for a while? He was given a new Judy Garland LP but has nothing to play it on at Mrs Parallel's. Maggie hears all about Miss Winthrop and the dog food cans: the mystery exposed. Maggie should have been told immediately. Last night she confronted the management at The Grapevine and accused them of sabotage in front of everyone. Don is livid! Maggie has opened herself up for a slander lawsuit. Les wants to know the difference between libel [written] and slander [verbal]. Maggie tells them all to go to Hell. Reg is now running late to return to the TH. Edie reminds him of Mrs Cameron, and Alderman Mrs Bullock before her. There's plenty of tinned food in the cupboard. On the Boulevard Cafe, Les and Herb discuss Claude, "er, 'Thingo'". He was a "smart alec" whom they used to hang around with in the old days. Dorrie and Flo though he was "the ant's pants". Herb admits to being jealous of the "mug lair". Les asks Herb to consider, "What has this bloke got that you haven't?" Herb quips, "Hair, for a start.". Edie passes their table, wondering if the 310 bus had gone past? She mentions going to Katoomba with her lover. In Flat 3, Flo interrupts Dorrie serenading her feather fan. There is a postcard from Connie, who is "sunbaking herself in the Bahamas on Frank's insurance". Dorrie and Flo bicker about which one of them almost married Claude. After discussing Carol's infatuation over Miles with Don, Dudley is about to put Judy on the record player in Flat 4 when Maggie barges in. She has been served with a slander writ for her accusations towards The Grapevine but Don has no sympathy for her. Andy and Tanya bring flowers for Pam's bedside. Andy's mother has met little Andrew and is besotted. Andy leaves for Melbourne in the morning. Pam can stay with Mrs Marshall until she's ready to bring Andrew down so they can be a family. Tanya says to Pam, "Don't look at me! I'm happy for you to take him off my hands." Pam requests some women's talk time alone with Tanya. Pam believes that Tanya saved her life. In the wine bar, Maggie is still unimpressed about her slander suit and Les offers his help to Don after having studied 1001 Libel Cases. Marilyn is gobbling down her meal to get back to the laundrette in ten minutes' time. Dudley teases her that he finds Miles "gorgeous". Marilyn races off, asking Norma to watch out for Daddy, who might be feeling lost without Mummy around. Maggie is contemplative. Over dinner and champagne in Flat 6, Andy regrets not taking Tanya out for one last night on the town. Tanya assumes that she will hang around Number 96 for at least a few weeks. Andy has paid a month's rent in advance. They toast to the future, with Andy promising to never forget what she has done for the Marshall family. Reg is alone in Flat 5 at 7.00pm, eating baked beans on toast. There is a knock at the door. Thinking that it is Edith, returned to her senses, he opens the door to... a predatory Maggie! She locks the door, hides the key, and edges Reg into the main bedroom, knowing that they have three hours until Marilyn gets home. This time, he is not to pass out on her! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Don Juan is a legendary, fictional Spanish libertine known for his prolific seduction of women. The oft-mentioned Connie Meadows was seen onscreen in Episode #738. Alderman Mrs April Bullock was thought to have absconded with Reg MacDonald in one of the end-of-season cliffhangers of 1974, and resolved in Episode #679.

755. (12/05) Maggie tries to seduce a startled "Reggie" in Flat 5. "My God, but you're elusive," says Maggie. "Maybe that's why I want you so much? The excitement of the chase!" She throws him onto the bed and tries to unbutton his shirt. Despite protests that he is a married man, Reg manages to roll onto her, and they kiss with passion. In Norma's Bar, Les lectures Don about the nuances of libel versus slander, according to 1001 Libel Cases. Don rebukes his theories: ipso facto, whatever slanderous things Maggie screamed in The Grapevine could be enough to get her hanged. ("Hanged?" Les is shocked, but fails to notice Don's smirk.) Dudley can recommend his superb Scaloppine if Don is staying for dinner. Don reassures Les that the word he should have used, in regard to Maggie, was "lynched". Carol is concerned for Miss Winthrop if Maggie "blabs". The old lady will get evicted! Miles is spotted at another table and Carol races over. In Flat 5, Maggie is smoking in the MacDonald's bed. She calls out to Reg and he eventually comes in from the lounge room with some paperwork in his hand. He has been catching up on reading a report about activated sludge. Desperate to get Reg into bed, she threatens to talk to the TC about the classified information that Reg gave her. Reg announces that he knew what she was up to all along. The Council was not going to buy her warehouse property for an arts centre; he was leading her "up the garden path", to see to what depths she'd sink. She sold that property at a loss! Maggie calls Reg a lying bastard. He orders her to dress herself - and "get out of Mother's bed!" Tanya comes to do some washing at the laundrette and tells Marilyn that Andy returned to Melbourne early this morning, soon to be joined by his wife. They both agree that he still loves Pam. Lucy, dressed in her work uniform, surprises them; shouldn't Lucy be home in bed? She snuck out! Lucy snaps at the two women's well-intended advice and insists on helping. In the bedroom of Flat 1, Les lectures Alf about migraines with a medical chart. His diagnoses and remedies actually match Doctor Pearman's. Luckily, Alf knows that Lucy is safely relaxing upstairs. Despite Alf's misgivings, Les still plans to go along with the $1000 agreement he made with Elena Brewster. Alf calls him a fool. Carol and Dudley turn up early. Dudley has had a great idea on how to use up yesterday's leftovers. In the laundrette, Marilyn scolds Lucy for sneaking out against Alf's wishes. Marilyn is ensuring that her ironing is impeccable for Miles; she informs him that she'd do anything for him. No charge for his laundry! On the first floor landing, Reg tells Don that he knows about a certain recent property deal. Don and Maggie's financial loss was only their "just desserts". "'He who digs a pit will surely fall in', eh?" quotes Reg. Alf has discovered Lucy working in the laundrette. He drags her towards the front door, threatens to lock her up, and abuses the customers who are staring at him. Dudley opens the wine bar at 6.00pm but there are no customers waiting. Only Don is in the bar, still looking for Maggie. Tanya comes in and encourages them to drink to happy endings. Maggie is sloshed, and knocking on the door of Flat 4. Miles comes past and she jumps at the chance to proposition him, inviting herself upstairs. Miles turns her down. "You'll keep, lover," she says, and goes to the wine bar to search for Don. Meanwhile, in Norma's Bar, Tanya describes her current situation without Andy. If Don hears of any stenographer jobs, he'll let her know. A distraught Maggie joins Don's table and Tanya takes her cue to leave. Don is furious with Maggie, who refuses to take the blame for her own actions. As soon as tea is over in Flat 8, and Alf has done the washing up, Lucy is shunted off to bed. Les is due for his shift at the hospital and comes up to see Alf first. Les claims to be helping the hospital superintendant and the police to catch Elena and her nephew in the act of whatever crime they are planning. Les says, "I'm not as green as I'm cabbage-looking." He's no longer worried about the $1000; there is sure to be a reward that will "earn him a fortune!" It's 11.00pm in Flat 5, and Marilyn is bored by the TV and is heading off to bed. She tells Daddy that she won't be getting relieved at the laundrette tomorrow, as Alf has confined Lucy to bed. Marilyn speculates that Mummy is probably enjoying the company of a gorgeous Austrian ski instructor at Thredbo. Reg reminds her that Mother went to Katoomba. Maggie turns up at Reg's door again, totally smashed. She pleads for Reg to let her go to bed with him. "You were wrong about me. I want to go to bed with you, you pompous stuffed shirt." Reg's sexual needs are quite adequately catered for. He closes the Flat 5 door on her. In Flat 7, Miles is on the phone, fending off Barbara, who wants to come over. ("What about tomorrow?") Carol thumps at the front door. She got away from work an hour early and has brought Miles a plate of Dudley's Stroganoff. He tries to eat while she hugs him from behind. Carol can't wait till Miles learns what is for "afters". Later, at the hospital, Les commences his doublecross. As organised by Elena, Les engages the security guard, Jim Parnell (Robert Bruning), in a convoluted 2.00am discussion about how he once converted a confetti machine into a sausage machine. Jim proclaims Les a genius and asks to hear more about the ham radio idea. Finally, Les tells Jim about his crimebusting reputation: did Jim realise that Les was cleverly distracting him under police instructions? He tells Jim about Elena's trumped up tale of fiction. Jim probably knows about the big shipment of drugs that was shipped to the dispensary. While they speak, the police would be clapping the gang into handcuffs. They should head up there now, so that Les can be congratulated by the head of the drug squad. Jim tells Les that he's too clever for his own good. He holds up Les with a gun pointed at his "fat stomach". Les only got one thing wrong: Les wasn't keeping Jim out of the way; it was Jim keeping Les out of the way. (Les has a known habit of wandering all over the hospital.) Jim ushers him out slowly, with the gun covered by Jim's security hat. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Dudley Butterfield makes a flippant comment about rapists that would cause consternation to modern audiences. Les Whittaker was consulting "1001 Libel Cases" in Episode #696. His confetti machine debuted in Episode #536. The sausage machine first appeared in Episode #691. The ham radio arrived in Episode #85. In March 1974, Robert Bruning (Jim Parnell) and Pamela Garrick (the late Patti Olsen Feather), a couple at the time, had attended opening night of Tom Oliver's new wine bar, "Jack's Cellar", in Kensington, Sydney.

756. (13/05) In Flat 3, although Dorrie is miffed that Vera sublet her flat to Miles without advising the "conserge", she tells Herb that she rather likes the idea of her personal medical advisor living so close. Miles is practically a doctor - and the son of Sir Paul Cooper himself. Herb is no judge of character; Miles makes such a change from the usual "raggle-taggle gypsies", like that Tanya "Whatever-she-now-chooses-to-call-herself". Herb mentions the crowd Dorrie knew when they lived in Marrickville - and she is surprised that he even brought it up, due to his jealousy of a certain person. Flo arrives with the mail: just circulars and a bill, of sorts. She keeps winking at Dorrie, who wonders why Flo's eye is twitching. Dorrie finally realises that she must send Herb out to the kitchen with the washing up. She and Flo then tear open the latest letter from their mutual teen heart-throb, Claude Tufnell. He arrives in Sydney tomorrow at noon. It's 10.00am, and a glowing Carol comes into Flat 4. Don sarcastically comments that it was a long night in the wine bar. She is to return a phone call from a Mr Healey regarding South Pacific Travel. Don's problem is that he has no romance in his like. In the deli, Aldo thinks that they should pay Miss Pratt to stay away! Arnold is opposed to such an unbusiness-like solution. Once more, it is Arnold's duty to dismiss Phyllis, as the Godolfuses scramble away into Flat 2. He brings up the topic of retrenchment but Norma interrupts them, looking for Les. He's usually home from his shift by 8.00am. Phyllis comments that she seems to be the only one working today, as she takes coffees out to the Boulevard Cafe. Norma is at the main entrance to Number 96 when Alf comes out from the foyer to start his taxi shift. By his concerned expression, she guesses that something is up. In Flat 1, Norma rings Mr Stevenson, the hospital personnel officer. Norma is exasperated: "Les, up to his neck, playing 'Cops & Robbers'!" Dudley wonders if Mr Whitt locked himself in the boiler room? Apparently, Les was seen walking out of the main gates with the security guard at 2.30am! Don arrives home from a fruitless meeting in town over the property deal that Maggie "goofed on". Carol is late for the wine bar but couldn't find her "blasted" key. Don shows the "blasted" keyring to her and playfully scolds the "ex-hostie" for not being tidier. Carol's job offer was from South Pacific Travel. It is based in New York but she told them that she didn't want to be away from her fiancé. Don tries to point out that it is obvious to everyone, but her, that "Romeo" upstairs [Miles] plays the field. Dorrie sends Herb out of Flat 3 to get something nice for lunch so that she and Flo can discuss Claude's arrival. They assume that Claude will go straight to his hotel from Central Station tomorrow, then pick them up for lunch. Well, he'll be picking up Dorrie. Then there'll be dinner. How do they get rid of Herbert for eight hours? Flo notices something in the newspaper and gets an idea. Arnold returns from deliveries to find Phyllis on the Boulevard Cafe having an early lunch. The Godolfuses insist that he join her say that her services are no longer required. Arnold is stymied when she presents him with a yellowed photograph: her little girl, although she is now almost 17. "My 'Pandy', short for Pandora; took last speech day at 'St Agnes' College', the posh school out near Bowral." She assumes that Arnold wonders "how a 'prawn-head' like me could have a daughter like that?" It has been difficult to get the funds together, but now she is safe in this "beaut" job at the deli. In Norma's Bar, at least there are some customers today. Carol tells Dudley that Don wants the lunchtime special Chicken Casserole, but she hopes that he chokes on it. Dudley agrees that she should go to New York. Norma races in, having been at the police station all morning. She wants to stay by the phone in the flat, as Les has "vanished into thin air". Maggie sweeps in, accusing Don of "taking it easy" while she has been saving this business from going under. She took the story of the pathetic little woman and the dog food to the newspapers. Carol is appalled; Miss Winthrop will get evicted! "This is a business, not a charity!" says Maggie. Carol states that she will leave the wine bar if the old woman is evicted. "Some loss!" quips Maggie. Dudley gives the same warning. Dorrie and Flo spring their plot to get Herb out of the flat when Claude is visiting: they have bought Herb a ticket to a special event at the Sydney Opera House and pretended that they opened the letter by mistake. It must be like "that Stuart Wagstaff thing" where someone receives a free ticket and find that they are sitting next to Mr Wagstaff. This ticket is for 11.00am, so Herb will have an early start. He is in Row D13, a "bonza" seat! Flo wonders who will be in D14? Herb is not sure that he wants to go. Dorrie insists that not going would be "flying in the face of nature". Aldo finishes serving Mrs Horovich in the deli and questions if Arnold fired Phyllis yet? "She is a disaster like a cyclone!" Arnold promised Miss Pratt that her job was safe until Mrs Godolfus opens Romaldo's restaurant. In Flat 4, Carol tells Don and Dudley that South Pacific Travel put a proposition to her and she said that she'd consider it: Assistant to the chief P.R. guy in New York. It comes with a terrific salary, allowances, an apartment and a car. Dudley and Don can't believe she didn't snap it up. Maggie enters, without knocking. She shows Don today's paper with the news of Miss Winthrop's eviction. She is being sent to an old people's home and the dogs will be destroyed. There is a quote in support of Miss Winthrop by fellow pensioner, Mrs Dobby. Maggie has already been blackballed from the Black & White Committee and someone threatened to bomb her office. She demands that Don fix it. He recommends her organising alterative accommodation for Miss Winthrop and her six dogs, which will cost her even more money. In Flat 1, Norma wants to know why Alf said nothing about Les's scheme. The police were supposedly involved, so Alf kept his own mouth shut. The police did catch most of the gang but won't release details yet as the investigation is ongoing. Jim Parnell is with Les and he seemed a sensible sort of bloke the time that Alf met him. Detective Constable Simmons (Don Philps) arrives. The gatekeeper saw Jim and Les leaving together but Parnell seems to be "part of the gang", so Simmons needs Norma and Alf to look at some mugshots back at the station. In the deli, Arnold give Phyllis the rest of the afternoon off - "'Ooroo, Chooks!" - so that he can tell Aldo about Pandora. Phyllis's sister, who lives in Bowral, looks after Pandora with the proviso that Phyllis reliquished all contact with Pandora, but continues to send monthly payments. Roma pretends that the iron is faulty and needs Aldo's attention in the parlour. She tells Arnold that Sid Levenson rang again; why is he so anxious to buy the business? Dorrie and Flo cajole Herb into having a walk or, even better, a lie down. Dorrie rings Miss Wendy for a hairdressing appointment for a shampoo and set ("and a tint," she whispers). She secures the last appointment (at 10.30pm), but Flo is already booked in at 9.00am. Norma and Alf go through the book of mugshots - and Norma recognises Mrs Brewster as part of the gang! Her aliases include "Nellie Hopgood" and "Sarah Goodman", and half-a-dozen others. She's wanted by Interpol and half of the police forces in the world! Drug trafficking, robbery with violence, assault, kidnapping, murder... Simmons says that they caught most of the gang, but not the leaders. It would seem that Les is being held as a hostage. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The photo of Pandora [Scott] is of a young, uncredited Jennifer Cluff, who will begin appearing onscreen from Episode #771. "Sunday Night at the Opera House" with Stuart Wagstaff, was a regular concert series in the 1970s. Established in 1936, Australia's high society "Black & White Committee" has been synonymous with sophistication and social responsibility. Don Philps, who portrays Detective Constable Simmons, is identified by name in the script but credited only as "Detective". Don will soon return in a new role, Gilbert Barton, in Episode #825.

757. (14/05) Poor Herb! In Flat 3, Dorrie is having another dream about performing on stage with Claude. In her sleep, she embraces Herb, calling him her "Prince Charming". Herb happens to mention that it is 7.00am and Dorrie leaps out of bed! There is so much to do and Herb has to be at the Opera House at 10.00am. Meanwhile, Flo is dreaming about conducting The Merry Widow stage musical - until Dorrie shakes her awake. They are both excited about Claude's arrival at noon. Marilyn puts a broken-yolk fried egg down in front of Daddy in Flat 5. She wonders if Mummy is still in bed with her Austrian ski instructor? Daddy wishes Marilyn would get her story straight: is she in Katoomba, Thredbo or perhaps Mount Everest? Marilyn accuses him of just not caring. She heads out to work at the laundrette. In the bathroom of Flat 4, Carol defends the carefree Miles to Don. Suddenly, Maggie enters with a head of steam. She has old Miss Winthrop and her menagerie downstairs in her car. One of the dogs has been sick all over the seat, and they are all covered in fleas. She had them at her penthouse overnight, but she demands that Don provides a solution. He suggests the vacant cottage that they own, and a rent-free lease, but Maggie will have to provide furniture. She insists that Don gets the story out to the newspapers. As Maggie barges onto the landing, she collides with Reg. Dudley brings coffee out to Tanya, Miles and Carol at the Boulevard Cafe. Miles offers to pay, but then needs to borrow $5 - no, $10 - from Carol. Tanya and Dudley both remind him that he still owes each of them $5, so Carol's loan goes straight to them and Dudley shouts for the coffees. Miles is very keen to become Tanya's new flatmate and he almost gives it away that Vera will be back next week. Dudley jokingly suggests that all Tanya needs is a red light and a cash register at the door. She might need to take up that suggestion! In Flat 3, Herb is still not convinced that his free concert ticket is "legit" and Dorrie is getting panicky. It is a "'promotionalistic' advertising thing". Flo comes in from the hairdressers' and realises that Herb hasn't left for the city yet! Flo tells Dorrie that she saw Mrs Terry down at the shops and she wants Dorrie to partner her at bowls this afternoon. They start bickering, and Herb decides that he will only be free of their arguing at the Opera House. Flo mentions that Miss Wendy's was very busy. Dorrie is unlikely to get back in time, so Flo will just have to entertain Claude by herself. In Norma's Bar, Dudley and Don discuss Les's hostage situation. Norma is back at the police station. Mrs Brewster reminds Don of the plot from a bad movie. Don has settled Maggie's problem with The Grapevine; they will settle out-of-court for $5,000. Don warns Maggie that every time she opens her mouth, it costs the partnership more money. Edie races home to Flat 5 for the next instalment of the TV soap opera, Natalie Faces Life. Daddy is home, with a meat pie and tomato sauce for lunch. The TV won't come on, but the plug is switched off at the wall! Edie tries to give Reg a potted history of the serial's recent events: Geoffrey has been frightful towards Natalie, due to Ruth's lies. Digby, Gillian's big-game hunter cousin, has turned up from Africa. Reg thought that Mother might be back today. For the past two days, he has glimpsed Edie, with her nose glued against the glass of the electrical goods store on Oxford Street. (There was no TV set at Mrs Parallel's boarding house!) "There, in the park. It's Natalie's little boy, Benji." (It was Bradley who was almost killed by the gravel truck.) Reg tries to tell Edie that he missed her but, engrossed, she dismisses him to keep watching her episode. Flo again tries to cajole Dorrie to go and play bowls with Mrs Terry. There is a knock at the door of Flat 3 and Dorrie tries to dismiss the wheezing man as an unwanted door-to-door salesman, but it is Claude Tufnell (Noel Brophy) from Gulargambone. He has really let himself go: unattractive, boring and asthmatic. The taxi driver brings a suitcase to the door. Claude has no money to pay him and Flo can be seen raiding a vase of spare coins. Can Dorrie show Claude to his room? In Norma's Bar, Carol and Dudley discuss Les and Jim. They are astounded that Jim Parnell was part of the gang. Marilyn comes into the wine bar and starts stirring Carol about Miles and they realise that he was two-timing them last Thursday night. Miles comes in, greets them with "Hello, 'Toots'!" and starts chatting to Tanya at the bar. As Edie's serial concludes for the afternoon, Reg has another attempt at talking to her. "Our farce of a marriage must go on, Geoffrey, even if only in name only," she quotes. He storms off from Flat 5 to the TH. Miles again has no money to pay for the drinks in the wine bar. He taps Dudley for $10 until his allowance comes in this afternoon. Carol estimates the size of Miles' harem. "Two a night, seven nights a week?" In Flat 3, Flo and Dorrie discuss Claude, who is coughing and wheezing in the bathroom. "Herbert will murder him," says Dorrie. Flo shrugs, "That won't be difficult; he seems half dead already." Herb arrives home angry. He realises that he was tricked into seeing War and Peace. In Russian. There was no beautiful blonde next to him, only a guy with a beard and bare feet. Herb does find it amusing to see the "Merry-Go-Romeo" from the past coughing and spluttering everywhere. Don is home when Carol comes into Flat 4. She has considered the New York-based job and will be seeing Mr Healey to accept his offer. In the laundrette, Marilyn sarcastically stirs Miles about how easily he gets embarrassed when borrowing money. She hands him $10. He tells her that she's "a doll". Marilyn quips, "Doormat, you mean." She decides that she will continue to see him as she has no pride. Dudley calls in to see Don in Flat 4. Don's on the way to see Mr Banner, the accountant, for drinks at 5.00pm. Don says that Carol will be taking the New York job after all, partly because of "Don Juan" upstairs. As they chat about Mrs Whitt's health, and the still-missing Les, Dudley is putting away some law books - but Don still needs them. Dudley says, "You Finlaysons are apt to create disasters around you." He offers to pop up in the morning and whip the Hoover around. With Carol leaving, Don offers Dudley the use of the spare room again. Claude is having afternoon tea in Flat 3. Too many carbohydrates can cause palpitations of his "old ticker". (With his mass of ulcers, Claude is "a walking miracle".) Herb wants to hear about the store. Claude claims that, as manager, he made Warburton & Lingard's Drapers one of the finest in the world. (Claude puts a hand on Dorrie's knee.) Jim Lingard came up from Sydney to plead with Claude not to go. In his retirement, Claude returned to the arts, reformed the musical society, "and soon licked them into shape". It is almost 4.30pm and Claude needs his nap. Flo offers to book him a room at the Holiday Inn, but he prefers staying with his old friends. Herb knows that Miles from upstairs is looking for a lodger. ("Upstairs? Oh, but my asthma?") No, Herb has already arranged it: Claude can have Flo's room, Flo can bunk in with Dorrie, and Herb will be staying with Miles... for as long as he likes! [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Mrs Terry is again namedropped. She appeared onscreen, but uncredited, in the 1974 "Number 96" movie. Miles Cooper is referred to as a "Don Juan", who was only recently referenced in Episode #754, when the term was applied to Reginald P MacDonald. Noel Brophy, who portrays Claude Tufnell, previously played a risqué scene as a hospital patient in Episode #157; the cast listing mentions the word "bare" next to his name. "War and Peace" was the 1956 movie version of the 1867 novel by Leo Tolstoy. When "Warburton & Lingard's" was mentioned in Episode #746, it was "Lingard & Warburton's".

758. (15/05) Alf is in Flat 1 offering comfort to Norma, who is increasingly convinced that Les has already been murdered by Elena and her gang. Aldo is serving Lucy in the deli. They agree that the hospital drug heist is like a terrible television play. "Let's hope it has the same kind of 'appy ending," says Lucy. Arnold returns to the shop, but Aldo is miffed that he has been left on his own all afternoon. Arnold had given Phyllis the afternoon off before Arnold, himself, left the shop on other business. Arnold goes through to the kitchen where Roma is putting on the dinner. Lucy calls out that that there is nice cod for tea. Aldo complains that he gets castigated whenever he takes time off. "Equal partners? But how equal is this?" Sid Levenson still wants to buy Romaldo's, Arnold tells Roma in Flat 2. He has discovered that the businesses on either side of the restaurant have amalgamated, and now they wish to expand. They want to pull the restaurant down - and Sid plans to make "a killing". Arnold suggests holding out until the other business itself makes an offer. Roma is devastated. Aldo will be so upset if she makes even more money! It is breakfast time in Flat 7 and Herb impresses Miles with a indulgent array of food items. "Mr Evans, I just might marry you!" declares Miles. Herb doesn't recommend marriage, with all the carry-on down in Flat 3. Miles agrees that he needs a chaperone. His father will cut off his allowance if he doesn't get down to serious study. Between coughing fits in Flat 3, Claude regales Dorrie with anecdotes from his time at Warburton & Lingard's. Due to Claude's sensitive "tum", Dorrie prepared poached eggs, as they are light. "Cholesterol! Cholesterol!" he complains. Claude had a difficult night's sleep, but it wasn't Flo's bed, it was the noise of the traffic. Trying to escape Claude, Flo sweeps past in her bowling whites. She will be cleaning the wine bar and then will be straight off to the bowling green for teams practice. Dorrie objects. Flo and Dorrie insult each other through gritted teeth. It is 8.15am in Flat 8 and Alf thanks Arnold for the lamb's fry breakfast. Lucy comes into the kitchen, worried about Marilyn trying to cope on her own every day in the laundrette. Alf is insistent that she stays away but, instead, she wants to help poor Norma in the wine bar. Les has been missing for three days! Tanya walks into a disaster in the laundrette; Marilyn is run off her feet trying to help all the customers. Valerie Mason is unable to do any shifts. Lucy has lunch in Norma's Bar and is pleased to see Norma a little more relaxed (or just fatalistic?). Lucy complains that Alf has been nagging her to slow down. Norma would "rather be busy than broodin'". Lucy would "rather be busy than broody!" Tanya arrives but can't afford even a glass of wine. She mentions that Marilyn is not coping - and Lucy offers Tanya a job. Can she start immediately? Tanya can relieve Marilyn for her lunch break. Now Tanya can actually afford a large dry white to celebrate her new job. Aldo is being driven up the wall with Dorrie shopping in the deli for "bacon without 'chlorophylls'" [sic]. She rejects his suggestion of Fish Fingers because they are "saturated with 'carbohydrills'" [sic]. Roma and then Arnold beat a hasty retreat! But Dorrie's important guest, Mr Tufnell, suffers from "peptic ulcerations" and "chronic bronicles"! In desperation, Aldo suggests going to a butcher's and getting a thick, juicy steak. "Oh, but red meat could very well be fatal! In that case, Aldo recommends feeding the steak to him just the same, and hoping that it's fatal! In the parlour of Flat 2, Roma worries about the future of Romaldo's. She realises that men who can manage a first class restaurant are "as scarce as hens". Arnold tries to explain "hen's teeth", an old Australian expression. Renovations to the restaurant are now estimated at $18,000. It is no longer the Godolfuses' dream restaurant. She must sell it, but not make a profit. An amorous Claude gets physical with Dorrie in Flat 3. She fights him off and escapes to the stairs. Meanwhile, Herb is placing phone bets with his bookie, Sam, in Flat 7. Dorrie races in from "that 'Don Caruso', who is almost 'beresk' for passion!" In Flat 3, Claude is in the bathroom, daydreaming about the stage, when Flo arrives home. Assuming that Dorrie has returned, Claude rushes out to molest her again. He quickly starts cornering Flo and gets aggressively passionate. Flo also escapes from the flat. Meanwhile, Herb is "quite 'ardamant'" [sic] that he won't be getting involved in her dilemma. A panicked Flo joins them in Flat 7, complaining of Claude's bad breath and wandering hands. They are getting exactly what they deserved, and he will be staying with Miles until Claude leaves. Herb locks the door, but someone starts knocking! Herb hides Dorrie and Flo in the main bedroom. It is Miles at the door, in the company of two young blondes, as promised, and they are ready for partying with Herb tonight. In Flat 2, Arnold is on the phone to Sid. To Roma's horror, Arnold accepts the new offer; he has managed to make Roma a $40,000 profit. Roma is distraught. Aldo walks in behind them. They lie to him and underestimate the result. He accuses Arnold of being a poor businessman, "in point of actual 'pooey'!" Tanya tells Marilyn that she is getting the hang of her duties in the laundrette. The Sutcliffes come in to check on them on their way out to have tea. Marilyn is off to cook dinner for Miles tonight, because he is home alone. Alf informs her that they just saw Miles in the company of "two smashing blondes". In Flat 7, Herb is being castigated about the two blonde women by Dorrie and Flo. So much for him accusing Dorrie and Flo of being immoral! Herb defends himself; he had no idea that Miles was bringing home those dates, but if he had known, he would have been in it, "so there!" He tells them that they have made their beds, so they can lie on them - with or without Claude! Herb is resolute; he won't return home until that "ricketty windbag" goes back to Gulargambone. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Brian Phillis.]

When Aldo Godolfus fetches a newspaper off the rack, it has been folded with the banner headline on the inside. Valerie Mason gets another namedrop. She will next appear onscreen in Episode #775. Herb Evans' oft-mentioned S.P. bookmaker, Sam, is never seen onscreen in person. Dorrie Evans manages to mix up the fictitious Don Juan and the opera singer, Enrico Caruso. Flo Patterson has developed a limp after being chased by Claude Tufnell, but the injury is never mentioned in dialogue.

759. (16/05) In their bedroom in Flat 5, Reg tries to talk sense to Edie. She says that it's too late. Reg points out that it's only 10.15pm, and their normal retiring time is 10.30pm. He admits that, initially, the rift was caused by him feeling flattered by Maggie's attentions. "You're exactly the same as Geoffrey!" she complains. When Edie mentions affairs with neurosurgeons, Reg realises that she is again quoting lines from Natalie Faces Life. How long must their "travesty of a marriage" go on? She pulls the blankets off the bed and goes out to the sofa, "away from your animal lust!" Edie will no longer be "a sex object" to Reg. "Oh, and don't forget to wind the clock, will you, Daddy?" In Flat 8, Alf is disgruntled by the late movie he has been watching, while Arnold sits beside him reading a book on calculating profitability. Lucy must still be with Norma, but she's been gone for over an hour. Nothing has been heard from Les's kidnappers. Lucy reminds Norma in Flat 1 that Les had told Alf about the police swearing him to secrecy. Detective Constable Simmons arrives and admits that he fears the worst for Les. One of the men they arrested had revealed under questioning that Jim Parnell was definitely part of Elena's gang. The Godolfuses discuss the dilemma concerning Miss Pratt with Arnold. He is loathe to cast her into the ranks of the unemployed. Roma had not heard about Phyllis's daughter. Right on cue, Phyllis arrives on her bicycle: "Ah, g'day chooks!" She has lost her key on her way in from the Junno, so she can't lock her bike to Mrs Maloney's fence. She wheels it through to Flat 2. Roma wonders if Phyllis has invented a whole new language? In Flat 5, Edie deliberately ignores Reg as she vacuums and sings to herself. He unplugs the vacuum cleaner to request his conjugal rights and Edie tells him about what Gillian said to Roger after being Ruth's lover in Natalie Faces Life. Edie tells "Reginald" that "a vow once broken can never be repaired." She tells him never to come home early for lunch, as she loses the thread of her serial. With Phyllis singing Love for Sale, Lucy enters the deli and narrowly avoids Phyllis's broom. "I've got me eyes in the back of me 'ead and both of them 'bungies'..." says Phyllis. Lucy mentions Alf and Arnold spoiling her with breakfast-in-bed, and how nothing more has been heard about Les. Phyllis places a Boulevard Cafe order for "a couple of 'Harry Belafontes' and some of that 'gawd streuthal'" [sic]. "Strudel," corrects Arnold. Lucy encourages Roma to visit Norma and help to cheer her up. Phyllis mentions an anecdote from "Spider" Jones about his friend's encounter with "a bunch of crims". The man had all of his toes removed with a boltcutter! Aldo tries flattering her for her waitressing talents, that are wasted in his little deli. "'Don't worry, I'm stickin' here', as the 'blowie' said to the flypaper." Phyllis makes Aldo feel very ashamed that he ever wanted her fired. In Flat 1, Norma finally receives a call from Les, but the phone is suddenly swept to the floor by one of his captors. In the deli, Aldo again insults Arnold's negotiation skills. Roma could have made double what she did. (Arnold squirms as he knows that Roma had managed exactly that!) Edie comes in to place an order, quoting lines from her serial. Aldo wonders who Natalie is? Edie tells Aldo and Phyllis all about that terrible Ruth Prendergast from Natalie Faces Life, but they think that she is referring to real people. When Edie realises the time [12.30pm], she races out of the shop to go upstairs and turn on her TV. Alf arrives home and finds Lucy with a casserole in the oven and doing a major spring cleaning of Flat 8. "To be 'appy, I've got to be busy!" she complains. In Flat 5, Edie is making a dreadful mess, stirring a bowl on her lap while her eyes are glued to the TV. After a major decision, Natalie is finally feeling "free and alone". Reg comes home just as the serial concludes for the afternoon. Edie announces that luncheon shall be Salmon Souffle and Creme Caramel. She tells Reg that the TV magazines predict that the serial may go on for years and years. She goes into the kitchen and Reg tastes one of the white drips on the TV. Roma comes into the deli from signing the contracts and says that Mr Locksley will handle the exchange. Phyllis offers to get Roma a coffee. "No skin off my nose!" Arnold's calculations confirm that the deli can't afford a staff of four. One of them will have to go. Reg has hardly touched his flopped souffle in Flat 5! (Natalie's didn't flop!) The caramel in the Creme Caramel has the consistency and aroma of Dead Ant, and the cream is sour. Edie must have used the wrong carton! Reg will have to have a sandwich at the TH canteen. Edith puts on her hat and goes out into the world "to face life". It's career women who have all the fun; she might become a fashion photographer, or a model, or even a neurosurgeon? In Norma's Bar, Alf boasts to Norma that getting his wife "pie-eyed on wine is the only way to keep her quiet. Alf had refused to eat the casserole that Lucy cooked. Norma agrees with Alf that Lucy needs to slow down. Alf reckons that Les "can worm his way out of any situation". Elena Brewster realises that, by now, the police will have the Whittakers' phone tapped, but she wanted to inform the police that Les was still alive. Les boasts to Jim that he knows that keeping him alive as a hostage increases Jim and Elena's chances to flee safely. They will be travelling to Orange, and then leaving the country in her private plane. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Don Philps, who again portrays Detective Constable Simmons, is still credited only as "Detective". "Love for Sale" is a song by Cole Porter in the 1930 musical, "The New Yorkers". Written from the viewpoint of a prostitute advertising "love for sale", it created controversy when a newspaper labelled it as "in bad taste", and radio stations avoided broadcasting it. Porter shifted the setting of the song to the "Cotton Club" in Harlem, where it was now sung by an African American, Elisabeth Welch, instead of white singer, Kathryn Crawford. A "Harry Belafonte" is Phyllis-speak for black coffee. (Belafonte was the American singer, actor, and civil rights activist who popularised calypso music with international audiences in the 1950s and 1960s.) "Natalie Faces Life" must air on Channel TEN, as the familiar station identification theme music (ie. the interlude from "MacArthur Park") of the day can be heard, and the narrator is Dal Myles. Mr Locksley gets another namedrop; he was last seen onscreen in Episode #205. Searles' "Dead Ant" pesticide is still sold today. Lucy Sutcliffe is often seen drinking wine while pregnant. On this day in 2025, "Brollie" began streaming all 21 surviving b/w episodes of "Number 96" to their Australian streaming platform.

760. (19/05) Dorrie and Flo have come up to Flat 7 to convince Herb to return home with them. Poor Miles is trying to study over the noise of the vacuum cleaner and the three-way bickering. Herb won't come back until Claude is gone. Dorrie interprets that Miles is treating Herb like a servant. Herb ushers them out. On the stairs, Flo has a bright idea; they have made it too easy on him. They could put Claude onto a starvation diet to coerce him to leave. Meanwhile, Claude seems quite content in Flat 3, with his mid-morning snacks in Flo's four-poster bed. In Flat 4, Carol is on the phone about the New York-based Assistant Public Relations Officer position. Even though she messed them about a bit, Carol was the best applicant. Don is puzzled as to why Carol doesn't seem very excited? "It's just a job." Carol suggests coffee, even though Don thought that champagne was warranted. Jim Parnell enters the escape-proof, gloomy attic of the condemned warehouse where Les is being held hostage. Jim finds Les climbing a pile of furniture to reach the barred window. Les starts eating the food he was brought. They will leave tomorrow, and Les will be safe so long as they get free passage to Orange. Flo puts her plan into action: as dressed-down pensioners living frugally, Dorothy and Florence have "run out of money" in the second week of their fortnightly pensions. On a "G-string budget", they can only afford to serve stale cabbage leaves, bruised turnips and "squashy" pumpkins for lunch, and have had to pawn their clothes. The bed linen will be next. Claude is confused, as the fridge was full earlier? While Claude was resting, all of their pensioner friends had come begging for morsels: Myrtle McIntyre, Hilda Dynasty - and Daphne Begley, who is "on her last legs". Claude decides that this is the perfect opportunity to adopt his doctor's advice and become vegetarian. This is so beneficial! In the kitchen of Flat 1, Carol brings Dudley some lunch orders. They discuss Norma's state of mind. Carol has not yet built up the courage to break the news to Mrs Whitt that she is leaving at the end of the week. She is unsure if she even wants the job, as all of her friends are at Number 96. When she mentions Miles, Dudley goes on a teasing tirade about "young 'Doctor Kildare'". Miles is in the wine bar now - with Marilyn! The guy is not a bit selfish; he shares himself out with all of the birds! Carol retorts that "Marilyn is only a child!" Dudley observes that so, too, was Lolita, but that didn't stop James Mason. In Norma's Bar, Marilyn tells Miles of her plans to buy him dinner tonight. He chooses Dudley's lasagne. She is pleased that Tanya will be too busy in the laundrette to spend any time with Miles. They commiserate about Mr Whittaker's disappearance. Meanwhile, in the warehouse, Les uses his fork to tap out a Morse Code message, "S.O.S.", on an old water pipe. Next morning, a jovial Herb sings Our Avenue to himself in Flat 7 as he alerts Miles that breakfast is ready. Miles is in bed with Marilyn. It is 7.15am. Panicked, she must get downstairs before Daddy gets up at 7.30am, although she is not particularly worried about what her father thinks anymore. Before she can get out the door, Herb comes into the dining area, so she pretends that she has just arrived. In Flat 4, Carol has had a restless night, still concerned about abandoning Miles. She promises Don that she intends to clarify her relationship with Miles this morning. Flo is in Flat 3's dining area, dishing out bowls of thick, oatmeal slop into bowls. There is no tablecloth and the placemats are simple sheets of newspaper. Dorrie apologises to Claude that all of the bed linen and blankets had to go to the pawn shop after tea yesterday, but Claude claims to have "slept like the proverbial top". After last night's helpful meal, he didn't even need a peppermint for his digestion. As for the porridge, it takes him back to his childhood. "Mother used to say that it will 'stick to my ribs'." Tomorrow the crockery and cutlery might have to go, and then they'll have to sell themselves. Claude worries that Florence won't get much "looking like that". Flo goes in search of Dorrie and finds her in the main bedroom, gorging on all the quality food they had hidden in the wardrobe. Dorrie wouldn't serve that porridge to her worst enemy - even Norma Whittaker! Claude seems to be thriving on their misery! Next thing, he'll be sending them out to get "orgasmic" health food! Les wakes up, still in his warehouse prison. He tries more Morse Code. Carol comes to Flat 7 to see Miles but soon learns from Herb that Marilyn has already visited. Miles is in the kitchen eating a sumptuous breakfast, prepared by Herb. After establishing that Miles has neither the intention, nor the means, of settling down with one "chick" anytime soon, Carol announces that she is taking the New York position with South Pacific Travel. She is suddenly very excited about it. In Norma's Bar, Herb finds Dorrie and Flo in their pauper pensioner outfits. Flo's plan to chase away Claude is not working. The famished Dorrie puts in an order for "steak and salad - and a 'lasaggney'" [sic]. Herb hears about what they have been up to - and laughs at their misery! At another table, Miles worries about how Carol reacted to his admission, but Don appreciates his frank honesty. Now Carol can depart without a care in the world. Marilyn states that she will be on hand to comfort Miles. In Flat 1, Carol is on the phone to her friend, Jean, about the New York job. Jean wants to throw her a farewell party. Dudley interrupts, as he has six meals ready to get served. With all of Mrs Whitt's worries, she needs to know that Carol is leaving. Les continues his "S.O.S." - and, eventually, he receives an answering tap to his message! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The warehouse set appears to be a repurposing of the cellar at "Number 96". The oft-mentioned Myrtle McIntyre, Hilda Dynasty and Daphne Begley all get namedrops. "Doctor James Kildare" is a fictional American medical doctor, originally created in the 1930s by Frederick Schiller Faust, under the pen name, Max Brand. The character appeared in numerous magazine serials, movies, radio and a popular TV series, "Dr Kildare" (1961-66). The controversial movie, "Lolita" (1962), was based on a 1955 novel by Vladimir Nabokov. The song, "Our Avenue" (1925), is by RP Weston and Bert Lee; music by Harris Weston; and sung by Gracie Fields. Even though Herb Evans has moved into Flat 7, Ron Shand's end credit remains over Flat 3.

761. (20/05) Reg is walking briskly towards the main entrance of Number 96 when Maggie calls him over to her parked car. She wants him to get in so that they can speak privately. Maggie again tries to entice him into something amorous but Reg rejects her outright. She refers to Edie as "that vague, snivelling, twit of a woman" but Reg actually cares for "that vague, snivelling, twit of a woman". Maggie is furious! In Norma's Bar, Dorrie and Flo have snuck down for dinner, still in the pauper clothes, but Claude wanders in and catches them eating hearty dinners. Dorrie lies that they were out for an afternoon of scavenging when she collapsed on the path - from malnutrition! Norma Whittaker, one of Dorrie's "oldest and dearest friends, and a very good-living Christian to boot" insisted that they eat these meals, and they can pay her back when their pensions come in next week. Claude wrangles the comment into a charitable invitation to a "chalked-up" meal with them. He then has a coughing fit over Flo's meal. At another table, Maggie downs a glass of red in one go. The Sutcliffes worry about Norma's health; Lucy has just put her into bed. Maggie realises that she had come in so consumed with her own problems that she neglected to ask about Les. Alf reckons that "bloody Australian police" couldn't track down a herd of elephants in a backyard! Lucy suggests that "no news is good news"? Meanwhile, Jim orders Les around. Les wonders what will happen to him when they get to Orange and Elena's plane? Jim mentions that Bali is their next destination, but not for Les. He will soon outlive his usefulness. Les is off to see Elena now - at gunpoint - and Les doesn't really want a shatterered kneecap? Jim flings the door open - and he is pounced upon by two uniformed policemen! Les snatches the gun. "Sorry, Jim, I'm meddling again!" It is past Reg's usual bedtime, but neither Mother, nor Marilyn, seem ready to retire. Despite being late home for dinner for Edie's (typically-overcooked) leg of lamb, Reg had matters to discuss at the TH with the TC on the QT. Reg realises that Marilyn is sewing buttons onto Miles' shirts. She is happy to feel useful and wanted. Edie mentions adding stripper to her list of potential jobs and Reg is aghast. She can't be serious? "That's what they said to Natalie when she wanted to become a lady brain surgeon." Is there any future in skindiving? Les turns up in the wine bar! Old Amos, a homeless wino, had crept into the ground floor of the warehouse, through a broken window, to keep warm. It was Amos who had answered the Morse Code message and notified the police. Jim and Elena are "under lock and key, being detained 'at Her Majesty's pleasure'". Maggie pours another drink for the "dear, little wino" and ponders the Queen's dubious sense of humour if she gets her pleasure from locking people up? Maggie proposes a toast to the heroic Les, but he defers the congratulations to Amos. When Les is told that Norma is ill in bed he races into Flat 1. Claude, Flo and Dorrie have been watching a Veronica Lake movie on Channel TEN. Dorrie thinks it will be the last they see of her for while, and Flo refers to Veronica having recently "snuffed it". However, with the aim of alienating Claude, Dorrie fibs that they are six months behind on the rent for the TV. Claude is reminded that "television is bad for the eyes... and the intellect." Songs around the piano? Dorothy has no piano. Claude points out that they do have a gramophone! Claude finds a positive angle for every ploy that Florence's plan has tried. In any society, it is the peasants who are the happiest! Claude has never felt so healthy and he could stay here forever and ever! The Sutcliffes put Amos into a taxi to take him to comfortable overnight accommodation. Heading back into the wine bar, Alf promises to see Social Welfare tomorrow to make sure that Amos is looked after. Les is concerned that Norma is so unwell. Sister Warren just rang to say that the whole hospital is buzzing about Les foiling the drug heist and the Board of Administration wants to thanks Les with a presentation. Alf thinks that Les might have just made his fortune! Next morning, in Flat 5, Reg wonders why he is eating breakfast alone? Marilyn is fixing Mummy's hair so that she can go job hunting. Reg claims that the only position that Edie is suited to is that of being a housewife. Marilyn detects all of the "old, familiar traits of a 'male chauvinist pig'!" Edie says, "It's just a stage he's going through." In the main bedroom of Flat 3, Dorrie and Flo are feasting on chunks of bread, cold baked beans, canned red herrings in tomato sauce and condensed tomato soup. Another day of pretending to be poverty stricken and tending to Claude's needs! They should have been "content to leave sleeping dogs down 'Memory Lane'!" Claude comes in with a breakfast tray, causing Dorothy and Florence to hide their food under their dressing gowns. He found last night's boiled carrot tops and celery leaves on the stove and decided to heat them up! He won't leave until they are well-nourished. On Lindsay Street, Edie has a chance encounter with Maggie and assumes that she is visiting Daddy, but he will be going to the TH. Even though they are "rivals for Daddy's affections", Edie is surprised when Maggie gives her a tip on a job that is based just around the corner. Flo is cleaning the wine bar when Les comes in from the Flat. The doctor diagnosed shingles, bought on by Norma's worrying about Les going missing. Flo will be glad to help out where she can; anything to stay away from Claude! Lucy calls into the laundrette to check on Marilyn. Lucy needs to keep busy but Alf is driving the taxi so he won't know that she is out. Marilyn mentions that Mummy is excited about a new job prospect, thanks to Mrs Cameron! Lucy is mystified about Maggie's motives. In the wine bar, Les says that he must attend the big presentation at the hospital, but Norma is too ill to go. Flo wonders how they will cope with Carol leaving? This is news to Les! Flo opens up and Maggie is the first through the door, not as a customer but to check something in the books. They tell her about Norma and then hear about Maggie's "sweet revenge" on Reg. She sent Edie to see some interior decorators - a pair of militant homosexuals - who are looking for a Public Relations Officer for the Gay Liberation Movement! In Flat 3, Claude is forcing Dorothy to reenact their waltz from The Merry Widow while Florence is stretched out on the couch. Claude dips his partner into Florence's lap. Dorrie has had enough, and she is quite "ardament" about that. But the theatre is in Claude's blood! He recently essayed Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly! for the Gulargambone Light Opera Company. He offers a reenactment, which is quickly refused. Dorrie does not claim to be the next "Barbra Strident" [sic]. Is it tea time already? The afternoon "has positively raced by", says Dorothy. "On wings of song..." adds Florence, who is planning Pigs' Cheeks Provencarli with bruised tomatoes and limp celery, for dinner. She races out to the kitchen, leaving "the Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald of Marrickville" to relive their Merry Widow Waltz. Again. Alf arrives home to Flat 8 a little early for tea, since his last fare was dropped off at the nearby corner. He finds Lucy cleaning the oven, against his orders. A letter has arrived from "Ma" Sutcliffe, Alf's mother in Perth. Lucy wants him to "say nowt" about her pregnancy when he writes back. Alf assumed that Lucy would have been at the loud party in the MacDonalds' flat. Meanwhile, Reg arrives home to Flat 5 and encounters the outrageous party in full swing. The flat is full of flamboyant young men. They hear Edie call Reg "Daddy" and assume that, if he is her father, he must be taking monkey glands. Or is it a very good "nip and tuck" job? She explains that "Daddy" is a pet name for her husband. "How butch can you get?" says a partygoer oggling Reg. It's not an orgy, just a party to celebrate Edie's appointment to the Public Relations Officer position for Gay Lib. Predictably, Reg is horrified. He wants the room cleared immediately! "Daddy, you are camp!" she declares. He goes to the bathroom to wash, but it's already occupied. Reg has finally found "someone normal". The drag queen in a blue feather boa turns around from the mirror and wants Reg to "pucker up those thin lips, Sweetie" for a kiss! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Amos is played by an uncredited, no-line extra. Maggie Cameron's comments on "Her Majesty's pleasure" will return to haunt her in Episodes #1055-1056. The TV in Flat 3 is turned to Channel TEN, as the familiar station identification theme music (ie. the interlude from "MacArthur Park") of the day can again be heard. Actress Veronica Lake had passed away in July 1973. The soon-to-be oft-mentioned interior decorators will make an onscreen appearance in Episode #768. The Merry Widow musical (1934) is again a feature of Claude Tufnell's story arc. "Hello, Dolly!" was previously referenced in Episodes #623 and #633. Claude seems to mispronounce "Horace Vandergelder" as "Vandengerger". Dorrie malaprops the 1964 movie version's "Barbra Streisand" as "Strident". "On Wings of Song", aka "Auf Flügeln des Gesanges" (1827), is a poem by Heinrich Heine, and a 1934 musical composition by Felix Mendelssohn. Pigs' cheeks used to be a very cheap cut of meat but have risen in cuisine status since the 70s. Flo Patterson's infamous "Sausages Provencarli" is a staple food in Flat 3. Mrs Sutcliffe Sr first appeared onscreen in Episode #227 and departed for Perth in Episode #253.

762. (21/05) Dudley is in Flat 1, checking up on the bed-ridden Norma, when Les arrives home from his first shift: the "conquering hero of the hour", who was treated as such by the hospital staff for thwarting the heist of a million dollars worth of drugs. Did Sister Warren crown him with a surplus of finger splints? Dudley has cooked breakfast for both of them and, while they eat, Les assumes that the hospital will be giving him a sum of money on his presentation day. He'll be able to buy back the $1000 patent on his Wine-o-Matic! Imagine if his reward was only 1% of the amount he saved them? If he solved one crime like that a month, he and Norma could retire! Miles thanks Herb for breakfast. Since it appears Claude is still living with Dorothy and Florence, Herb will probably be sticking around Flat 7. Herb is enjoying his independence and he even won $20 on the races without sneaking around. Herb helps Miles with a plan: Tanya is coming up for lunch today. Maybe Herb could whip up something? The kitty's a bit low, but Miles knows that Herb is good for a $20 loan. Miles kisses the top of Herb's head. Roma notices that Aldo is not feeling talkative in the deli this morning. He worries that the shop can't support four people working in it. Roma and Arnold agree that it is a dilemma as to what to do, especially now that they know about Phyllis supporting a daughter. Arnold has a tough decision to make; if Phyllis can't be fired, he must be the one to go. The Godolfuses hear more about Pandora ("No cracks about boxes!"). The name was Milly's idea; if Phyllis's sister was going to raise the girl, then Milly claimed the right to name her, too. Phyllis would have preferred something less fancy, like "Bernice" or "Sandra". While Arnold is on deliveries, Phyllis has a sneaky cigarette break. She trusts that Aldo won't "snitch"? She compares him to Manny, who's heart was also in the right place, insisting that Phyllis was guaranteed a job with the sale of The Majestic Rooms. While sweeping the footpath outside the deli, Roma checks with Arnold about the $40,000 that he is holding for her, profits from the sale of the restaurant. She has decided to hide the money from Aldo! Instead of investing it, Arnold can use the money to "cook the books", boosting the takings of the deli each week. Phyllis has accidentally set fire to the deli's newspaper stand! Aldo rushes the entire rack out onto the footpath and Arnold beats the flames out with his jacket. Roma uses her broom. In Flat 7, Miles sets the mood for Tanya's visit. Herb has prepared Steak & Kidney, with two vege. Wouldn't a dinner be more romantic? No, "clever, little Marilyn" keeps rostering Tanya to do nights in the laundrette, to keep her away from Miles. Tanya arrives and comments on the mood lighting and the aroma of lunch. Miles gets frustrated by Tanya's interest in Herb. In Flat 1, Les is dressed in his suit for the function at the hospital. Dudley uses the K-TEL Brush-o-Matic on him. Dudley admits that he will be on his own in the wine bar because he let Carol go to a briefing in the city about her South Pacific Travel job. Herb delights Tanya with his cartwheels in Flat 7, but Miles is unimpressed. Herb is quickly shunted off to Norma's Bar for lunch. Before Miles can get much further on his date, Herb has returned already. "Guess who's back?" It is Vera, making her surprise return from Stuttgart - but without Adam! Later, Vera explains to Tanya: "It's a woman's perogative to be unpredictable. You, of all people, should know that!" Vera wonders what smells so good? It is the lunch that Herb prepared for Miles and Tanya, but there is more that enough for four people. Miles looks crestfallen about his now-abandoned tryst with Tanya. In Flat 2, the Godolfuses worry that soon the whole shop might be ashes. They use emotional blackmail on Arnold to get him to fire Phyllis. Maggie is being served in the deli but Phyllis is trying to relate the story of this morning's newspaper rack incident. Arnold still can't fire Phyllis, and he is overcome with pity. She is sobbing when Aldo and Roma come through from the flat. They retreat quickly! In Norma's Bar, Dudley is being castigated by Maggie for letting Carol finish up without serving her two weeks notice. Herb rushes in for champagne. He tells them that Vera is back. Dudley and Maggie are stunned by the news, but encourage Herb to bring her downstairs. In Flat 2, Roma offers Aldo strudel with his coffee. He can't settle knowing that there is "a fire buggar" in his shop! Aldo regrets withdrawing from Romaldo's. He urges Roma to put her money from the sale into her bank account to earn interest. Arnold comes in to tell them about Vera's return. He thought that they might like use the remainder of their lunch break to join the impromptu party in the wine bar? At the gathering in Norma's Bar, Miles reveals to Tanya and Herb that Vera had told him, in secrecy, that her flat would only be vacant for two weeks. Tanya offers Miles the chance to move into Flat 6 with her, but it is a strictly business arrangement. They head upstairs to see the flat. A dejected Les comes into the bar. Everyone wants to see his reward cheque, but he received... an awful-looking, ceramic vase. The Godolfuses must hurry back to their shop. ("Will it be flooded? Burnt to the ground?") Dudley suggests putting the vase in the flat with the rest of Les's junk. The Chairman of the Board had given a very nice speech. The vase is something "of sentimental value"; it came from the Board Room of the hospital, where it had been on display for years! Maggie then approaches Vera. She wants the real story of her unexpected return. Tanya has finished showing Miles around Flat 6. "Seen one, you've seen them all, I guess," says Tanya. She insists that Miles will be a tenant, not a lover. Returning to Flat 7, Vera begins to relate the story of her trip to Maggie. "Everything went according to plan," says Vera ominously. What she did to Adam in Stuttgart was... horrible! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Phyllis Pratt giving up custody of her daughter, and her offhand mention of "R & R (Rest and Recreation)", suggests that she may have spent time in prison. The term typically refers to the time that inmates have for leisure activities, exercise, and relaxation. The Godolfuses don't pick up on the shameful way she refers to it and think that she means something like Arnold Feather's rostered "Independent Activity Periods". Herb Evans was also demonstrating cartwheels in Episode #697.

763. (22/05) Over morning tea in Flat 3, Flo and Dorrie complain to each other about their unwelcome visitor. Claude is still "a veritable 'milestone' around our necks" but has gone off to scrounge old 78rpm records at the second hand store. He is looking for "musical comedy gems". What did they see in the old bore all those years ago in Marrickville? Whatever he had has Gone With the Wind now. Claude's empty flattery just rolls off Dorrie's back "like a duck". Flo seems to be developing a runny nose and a headache, and Dorrie orders her to the couch. Dorrie blames Herb for moving out; if he won't come back to help them get rid of Claude, she will sue him for divorce. In Flat 7, Vera tells Maggie that she warned Miles that she would be back in two weeks. That was the amount of time she needed to make Adam hate her. Had she stayed, he would certainly have developed new interests, and new friends, while he studied. She deliberately acted like a bitch towards him, to convince Adam that their affair wouldn't work. He was at the Conservatorium by day and had to go over notes and complete assignments at night. Vera played "the dutiful housewife". After the first week, Vera began to put her plan into action. She complained about getting bored waiting all day for him to come back to their confining, little flat. Adam suggested sightseeing and she snapped at him. "Like the American tourists with loud clothes and cameras 'round their necks?" Not her scene at all! One night, Vera seized an opportunity. Adam came in very late; he and the other students were offered tickets to a Mahler concert. Vera didn't come 12,000 miles to be neglected! She felt "imprisoned in this dreary hole!". Vera gave up her career for him! She hoped that Mahler's music satisfied him better than he ever satisfied her! Adam offered to help her pack but Vera was already packed - and raring to go! Now that Vera is out of Adam's life, he'll become a brilliant composer. Maggie is rather stunned by this new, changed Vera. While seeing Maggie out, Dorrie appears at the front door. Still wearing her pauper clothes, Dorrie sheepishly greets them both. Vera is expecting Dorrie to ask, "Why wasn't I told?" After enquiring about Adam settling in "Strudelgart" [sic], Dorrie wants to speak with Herb. Vera explains that Herb and Miles moved into Flat 6 with Tanya. "Tanya Schnolskev-, Schnol-, you know, the Russian girl?" Vera corrects her: "American." Why is Tanya setting up "a menagerie-au-trois" with Dorrie's husband and Miles Cooper? In Flat 6, The Three Musketeers raise a toast to their future happiness as flatmates. Tanya thinks that Herb will make a great chaperone to keep Miles in check. Dorrie turns up, looking for Herb. He won't come back until Claude is "turfed out". Tanya offers Dorrie a sweet sherry. She accepts one, "but without the olive". Apparently Flo is unwell but refuses to have a doctor check her over. Herb will come downstairs later, and Miles, although he is not a doctor yet, promises to check in on her, too. In Flat 4, Carol is getting ready for her farewell party and wants Don to come with her. He knows what dreary topics are discussed when airline hosties and stewards get together: the shopping in Acapulco, who-bought-what in San Francisco, and who-made-who in a Hong Kong bar. Carol is borrowing Don's car; he won't be needing it because he'll be eating at the wine bar. Don assures Carol that Dudley is welcome back in the flat, on a purely platonic basis. Miles comes to Flat 3 and Flo, in Dorrie's bed, jokes that she might be "preggers". Maybe she got up to mischief with Claude? Dorrie tells her, "What a time to be 'faecetial'!" Hypochondriac Claude apparently locked himself in Flo's bedroom at the first mention of illness in the flat. Miles pronounces that Flo merely has a chill and only needs bed rest. Once away from the bedroom, though, he gives Dorrie a terrible shock. He didn't want to worry Flo, but Miles will have to notify the Health Department. Flo has all the symptoms of cholera. In Norma's Bar, Don mentions attending a party in Edie MacDonald's flat a few nights ago. Dudley is a little jealous that Don met so many nice guys there, but amazed to hear that Edie is now the Public Relations Officer for the Gay Lib Movement. Phyllis approaches the bar, wondering if enrolling at birth is the only way to score a drink here? Phyllis has been having a difficult time of late, but it sounds like "that MacDonald sheila upstairs" is doing all right as "Queen of the queens". She warns Don and Dudley not to get uppity with Edie just because she's "mixing with homos". Phyllis continues, "It's all right for you normal fellas. They can't help what they are; they're born like that, the poor chooks! Can't do a thing for 'em. They just have to suffer." When asked if Phyllis supports Gay Lib, she says, "Some of my best friends are 'poofters'!" In their bedroom in Flat 2, Aldo wishes that Roma had insisted on Sid including Phyllis with the sale of the restaurant. Aldo interprets Roma's reluctance to talk about the sale as meaning that she failed to make a reasonable profit. It is important to Aldo that his wife doesn't have more money than himself. It is very late at night, but Maggie drops in to see Vera again in Flat 7. She was passing the block on her way home from a media party, and wanted to check on her. Vera invites her in for a nightcap or coffee. Maggie also caught up with several trade reps, including a director from the Solange Fashion Group. Unfortunately, they are on the verge of signing with another designer, but Maggie will keep an eye out for other opportunities. Vera turns down the offer of Maggie's help; she wants to do it on her own this time. Carol arrives home, extremely drunk, to Flat 4. She finds Don sound asleep on the lounge. She feels sad about the people she will be leaving behind, but "New York, here I come!" Don announces that it is bedtime, or he'll "have to pour you onto that plane in the morning." In Flat 3, Herb hears an update from Miles on the phone. Another cholera case has already been reported. Dorrie is masked up and spraying the furniture with Glen 20 disinfectant. "It's like the 'Black Plague of Calcutta'!" Herb suggests checking in on Claude, but Dorrie won't let him. As for the sleeping Flo, Dorrie has seen "better looking corpses". They go into the kitchen to make tea, while they wait for the Department - and the masked Claude makes a hasty retreat from the flat with his suitcase and hat! Next morning, in Flat 4, Don knocks on Carol's bedroom door to ensure that she is awake for her flight. He promises black coffee. There is someone at the front door. "And Scarlett returns to 'Tara'..." announces Dudley, as he enters with his suitcase, "determined to restore the ol' Southern mansion, back to its former glory..." Hoping that Dudley didn't skip out on Mrs Parallel without paying the rent, Don explains about Carol's hangover. Dudley goes to the kitchen to whip up a Trixie O'Toole-type prairie oyster, which is likely to goose Don's darling sister all the way to New York! In Flat 3, both Dorrie and Herb are asleep on the couch, when Herb accidentally pushes Dorrie out. She realises that the floor is covered in "infectionate germs" - and that it's morning. Still no sign of the Health Department, who were "supposed to carry Flo away, never to be seen again?" Dorrie goes to awaken Claude - but he's gone! "Spreading cholera germs all over New South Wales!" Flo comes out to investigate all the screaming. The "wog" she had must have cleared up in the night. There is a knock at the door, but it is not the Health Department. It is Miles and Tanya. The scheme to rid the flat of Claude has worked exactly as according to plan. Flo's disease was just "a fragment" of Herb's imagination! In the deli, Roma has received a letter from Delores Hackenback in the USA. Delores doesn't understand why they no longer sell Oomph! cosmetics in the shop? How does Roma admit that she was forced out of business not by Helena Rubinstein or Elizabeth Arden, but by Arnold Feather? Phyllis arrives and spills the news: she met Manny Goldman "up the Junno" and he was ropable! "Bought it for a song", but Mrs Godolfus made $40,000 on the restaurant sale! [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

The movie, "Gone with the Wind" (1939), was adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell. Vera Collins story of her time in Stuttgart with Adam Shaw is shown in flashback with a sepia border. Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was an Austro-Bohemian Romantic composer, and one of the leading conductors of his generation. "The Three Musketeers" (aka "Les Trois Mousquetaires") is a 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas. Coincidentally, an actual cholera scare occurred in Sydney around the time of this episode. The "Black Plague" was a pandemic that swept through Calcutta, India, in 1898. Calcutta is now known as "Kolkata". Dudley Butterfield mentions Scarlett [O'Hara] and the "Tara" homestead, callbacks to the previously mentioned "Gone with the Wind". Delores Hackenback last appeared onscreen in Episode #699. Previously namedropped in Episode #703, Helena [Chaja] Rubinstein (1872-1965) was a Polish American cosmetics entrepreneur. Elizabeth Arden [Graham] (1881-1966) was a Canadian American businesswoman who founded a cosmetics empire in the USA. They were both among the wealthiest women in the world.

764. (23/05) Reg finds it difficult to accept the new Edie. She is loving every minute of her new job with the Gay Libs. Reg sees the light when Edie reveals that she got the job from Maggie. Carol apologises to Don about a dent on his car after she hit a signpost. She wants to pay for the damage, but Don is unconcerned. Roma must provide some answers; Aldo is upset that she hid the fact that her restaurant sale resulted in so much profit. Roma walks out on him. Vera retreats into her hard-headed businesswoman persona and won't reveal details about Adam to Lucy. Others also notice the change. A telegram brings the Sutcliffes news that Alf's mother has had an accident and they need to travel to Perth. Marilyn is to take over the laundrette in Lucy's absence. Arnold visits Roma at the Holiday Inn, where she is staying, to tell her he invested the $40,000 on the stock market, but it made another $20,000. Roma is horrified. A policeman (Arthur Faynes) visits Don, wanting to inspect his car, but it is at the panel-beaters. It seems it wasn't a signpost the car hit on Ferguson Street, but a now-comatose pedestrian. Don admits to being the driver. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

765. (26/05) Norma recovers from her illness. Les is depressed; the hospital gifted him a vase instead of a cheque and he had plans for the money. Don sticks with his statement that it was him, not Carol, driving the car when it hit a pedestrian. Phyllis and Arnold try to help Aldo in his separation from Roma, but Aldo is unbending and tells them to mind their own business. Maggie organises a replacement for Carol's wine bar shifts. Dorrie gets hooked on Natalie Faces Life. Maggie tells Vera she will never get the Solange contract back again. Phyllis receives bad news about Pandora's wish for a pony. Dudley has offered advice to Don about the consequences of a statement to the police, but will Don follow it? Dorrie and Les decide to help Aldo and Roma patch up their differences. Aldo is miserable. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

766. (27/05) Tanya hits up Miles for the rent money. Maggie may be able to provide the solution to Norma's problem: Prue Rhinegold (Camilla Rountree), the daughter of wealthy, socialite friends of Claire, wants to work in the wine bar "for a giggle". Dorrie goes to the Holiday Inn, where Roma is staying, to attempt some marriage guidance counselling. Roma thinks Dorrie and Les are romantically involved. Vera meets Prue. Perpetually-penniless Miles wonders about accepting Maggie's new proposition: she requires an "escort" for business functions. Prue arrives for her first shift, accompanied by all of her friends. Miles tries to talk Tanya into having an affair with him, to keep Maggie away. Vera secures the Solange Fashions contract from Vince Hansen without Maggie's help. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Camilla Rountree, who portrays Prue Rhinegold, had appeared in a guest role in Cash Harmon's abruptly-axed soap opera, "The Unisexers". Prue's parents, Ozzie and Rita, have been namedropped in scripts since Episode #49, but never seen onscreen.

767. (28/05) Dudley and Prue have their first confrontation. He decides he can't stand her. Edie continues with her Gay Liberation Campaign. Marilyn thinks she has achieved a promotion at the laundrette and gets very business-minded. Vera is shocked about Don's involvement in Carol's car accident. Marilyn plans to marry Miles. Prue almost arrives late for work because Daddy's Volvo was in for a respray, her Aunty Grace had the Rolls Royce and Mummy was driving Prue's little Mercedes. Dudley suggested she could have caught the bus. "Luckily, 'Bunny' Pycroft called by - and he gave me a lift right to the door." Les gives Edie the vase he received from the hospital. Maggie again tries to seduce Miles. Marilyn walks in on them, but Miles gets rid of her. Tanya discovers the source of Miles's nest egg. Marilyn tells her mother that Reg was never in love with Maggie and that he gave up the job at Blacktown for Edie. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

"Bunny" Pycroft's son, Roger, is mentioned in Episode #877 and appears in an onscreen story arc from Episode #881. Roger Pycroft's connection to Prue Rhinegold is specifically addressed in Episode #884.

768. (29/05) Edie is still obsessed with Natalie Faces Life. A surprise overwhelms Roma: a huge bunch of flowers is delivered to her. The card has been signed by Aldo. Phyllis worries about Pandora's pony. Aldo receives a box of cigars, with a card signed by Roma. Reg goes to lunch with Rodney (Alan Faulkner) and Adrian (Sean Myers), Edie's oft-mentioned gay friends, and gets along with them like a house on fire. Rodney and Adrian are interior decorators and antique dealers. They tell Dudley that the vase, which Les gave to Edie, is a collector's item. They declare Edie's furnishings to be "kitsch taken to its sublime." Roma and Aldo are reunited. Tanya seeks Arnold's advice. Marilyn fires Tanya, then tells Miles that she plans to marry him, but will she be hurt yet again? Phyllis's sister, Millicent (Brenda Gayle), arrives with terrible news. [Episode written by Johnny Whyte; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The oft-mentioned Rodney and Adrian, first mentioned in Episode #761, finally make their onscreen appearance. Sean Myers (aka Sean McEuan), who porays Adrian, was a lead actor in "The Set" (1970), which was based on a then-unpublished novel by two-time "Number 96" alumni, Roger Ward. Like several other characters, Rodney and Adrian were based on friends of David Sale's. Brenda Gayle, who portrays Millicent Scott, previously appeared as Major Duval's hotel manageress in Episode #177. She would return as a magistrate in Episode #911.

769. (30/05) Phyllis is in a quandary, while Dudley loses his temper. Don is in a predicament over Carol's accident. Flo decides to go to Mittagong to visit her daughter, Raylene. [Episode written by Johnny Whyte; directed by Brian Phillis.]

On this day in 2025, "Brollie" began adding all colour episodes of "Number 96" (ie. from #585, at the rate of five episodes per week) to their Australian streaming platform. This date was also the debut of a special "bridging episode", consisting of all of the surviving b/w clips from the doccumentary, "Number 96: And They Said It Wouldn't Last" (1976) and segments from the ABC's "This Day Tonight" (including "lost" footage from Episodes #275, #311 and #313).

770. (2/06) Edie tells Les that Reg requires her to return the vase, but Les is distracted as he is preparing to leave for work. Maggie is pleased. Vera has apologised for not offering her a commission on the Solange deal, but Maggie refuses it, saying she never intended to take one. Dudley gives Norma an ultimatum: either Prue goes, or he does. Reg intends to take Edie to Cascades Hotel at Minnawarra Falls for a week and she is ecstatic. Tanya can't afford to keep helping out Miles She tells him to stop avoiding Maggie and ask her for money. Not knowing its value, Norma gives Dorrie the vase for the church bazaar. Don and Dudley argue about the car accident. Les needs $1000 to buy back his patent on the Wine-o-matic. Maggie tells Norma that Pol magazine will be doing a fashion shoot in the wine bar. Norma anticipates good publicity but Vera is uninspired and has not started on the Solange Collection yet. Maggie orders her to "pull her socks up". Don has a court appearance and Maggie is furious about it. Reg finally gets through to Les about the value of the vase, but Norma's news leads to disappointment. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

771. (3/06) Edie has bought the vase from the church bazaar but neglects to tell anyone, due to her excitement about Minnawarra Falls. Cascades Hotel was where she and Reg had spent their honeymoon. Phyllis tells the Godolfuses that Pandora intends to marry a man named Tom Lloyd. Phyllis worries that her daughter will be ashamed of her. She suggests that Roma go instead, pretending to be Phyllis. Roma plans to learn Origami and Aldo thinks it is a foreign language. Maggie warns Don that the court case is bad publicity. Phyllis asks Vera to impersonate her. The Pol magazine shoot is underway in the wine bar and the situation angers Dudley. Vera meets the model, Bernadette (Charne Marshall), at the shoot. She agrees to work for Vera on her new collection. Aldo is in for a shock: an encounter with the topless Bernadette. A woman enters the deli asking for a "Mrs Pratt". Phyllis is horrified and realises it is her daughter, Pandora Scott (Jennifer Cluff). [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

According to Charne Marshall, who played Bernadette, her scene with Johnny Lockwood was described as "the longest topless scene in the history of TV", resulting in the embarrassed Charne developing hives.

772. (4/06) Phyllis has denied to the snobbish Pandora that a "Mrs Pratt" works at the deli, but Roma enters and calls Phyllis "Miss Pratt". Les is still trying to retrieve his vase. Pandora just wants her permission to get married. Dorrie wants a reluctant Herb to help her with her marriage guidance counselling. Pandora claims to have a week off school but her Aunt Millie says that she is an uncontrollable runaway. Alf is back, but Dorrie suspects a rift because Lucy is still in Perth. The Godolfuses attempt to help Phyllis. Pandora doesn't want Phyllis to meet Tom, but is convinced to return to school. Alf creates problems. Les hears that George Turner, the injured pedestrian, is sinking fast. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

773. (5/06) Dudley tells Don about Les ringing the hospital and Don blows his stack, first with Dudley, then with the Whittakers. Norma fears trouble with Maggie because Dudley has replaced Prue with Tanya, and Prue was Maggie's appointment. Maggie is fine with the decision and Prue finds it amusing because she is heading off to St Moritz anyway. Vera is successfully handling negotiations, much to Maggie's fury. Don apologises to Les and Norma. Maggie announces that she is now managing Bernadette's modelling career, angering Vera. Miles is expected to be available at any time in return for financial assistance. Tanya has an ultimatum for Miles and is pushing him towards Maggie. The Wine-o-matic patent is up for auction. Vera remembers that Don couldn't have been driving at the time of the accident because she saw him at home, wearing pyjamas. Don tells her off. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

774. (6/06) There is a surprise for Alf. Tanya explains to him how Marilyn had fired her from the laundrette. Marilyn is aghast about some news; Lucy did not give her the business. Alf demands that Marilyn transfer the laundrette profits back out of her account. Roma discovers that Origami is not a language. Arnold confesses that he has been unsuccessful and Roma's investments are making even more money. She doesn't want Aldo to find out, but he is standing nearby and hears everything. To Arnold's relief, Aldo will now manage all of Roma's business affairs. Alf argues with Marilyn and fires her. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

775. (9/06) A shock awaits Marilyn, while Maggie is up to her old tricks. Alf faces a new problem: Valerie Mason (Sally McMaster) has a new permanent job at the local Woolies' supermarket checkout and can't take on any shifts at the laundrette. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Sally McMaster makes a return appearance as the oft-mentioned Valerie Mason, last seen onscreen in 1973. Her end credit reads "Sally McMasters".

776. (10/06) Alf offers Arnold a bribe and Roma agrees to keep a secret. Pandora needs Phyllis to give her permission to marry Tom Lloyd (Bruce Barry) because she is underage. A young woman, Liz Chalmers (Margaret Laurence), arrives at the door of Flat 3, looking for the vacationing Macdonalds. She collapses at Dorrie's feet. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Margaret Laurence arrives as a regular character, Liz Chalmers. She claims to be Dean MacDonald's fiancée from South Australia. Margaret's real-life husband was Brandon Smith, who had portrayed Clark Harvey from Episode #708.

777. (11/06) A medical emergency involves Dorrie and Herb: Liz has collapsed outside their door, into what Flo assumes is a diabetic coma. Pandora is horrified by how common Phyllis is, and plans to get as much money from her as she can. Maggie finds out that Don is covering for Carol. Dudley forces Don to lose his temper. A revived Liz reveals that she is Dean's fiancée from Adelaide. Edie rings Flo to find out what has been happening in Natalie Faces Life. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

778. (12/06) Arnold has reached the end of his tether and tells Alf. Maggie throws a spanner into Miles' plans. Don visits George Turner (Ray Bennett), the injured pedestrian, in the hospital. George remembers that it was a woman driving Don's car, but he hasn't told police. He wants $10,000 from Don to keep quiet. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Ray Bennett, who portrays George Turner, was previously seen as Mr Jeffries in 1973.

779. (13/06) Tanya is furious with Miles. Les has a delightful surprise. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

780. (16/06) Arnold attempts to intervene in a crisis. Maggie continues to upset Miles. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

On this day, a single by Maureen Elkner (who had played Monica, Maggie Cameron's secretary, in 1972) entered the Australian pop charts at #60. "Rak Off, Normie", an "answer song" to Bob Hudson's comedic "The Newcastle Song", performed almost as well as the original. "Rak Off, Normie" peaked at #11 on 4/08/1975.

781. (17/06) The mystery surrounding Bernadette deepens. Norma is fed up with the fuss over Les and his Wine-o-matic patent. Marilyn cannot believe the stories Liz is telling about Dean. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

782. (18/06) Marilyn is agitated, while Vera is infuriated. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

783. (19/06) Don is in a quandary. Arnold makes a shattering discovery and Norma also suffers a shock. Detective Constable Roberts (Mark Kelly), a plainclothes policeman, learns about Don's perjury in the "hit and run" case. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Mark Kelly portrays Detective Constable Roberts. Previously, he played Detective Sergeant Miller, who had investigated stolen money in relation to Flat 8 and, in Episode #239, the morphine stolen from the chemist shop. He also played Detective Inspector Mitchell in Episode #861.

784. (20/06) Reg is angry with Edie and Dudley offers a warning to Tanya. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

785. (23/06) Norma tries to be firm with Les. Don loses his temper again. Tanya is hurt and angry. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

786. (24/06) Edie is upset and Alf loses his temper with Marilyn. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

787. (25/06) Herb has an remarkable surprise for Dorrie and Flo. At the courthouse, Don introduces Vera to his Counsel, Charles Brent (Eric Wright). Bernadette loses her patience. David Palmer (Vince Martin) comes into the wine bar to meet Don and Maggie about leasing Flat 6. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

788. (26/06) Arnold seeks a solution to Aldo's problem, while Norma offers assistance to Tanya. Now that the lease on Flat 6 is signed, David is revealed to be a friend of Miles, thus foiling Maggie's plan to evict Tanya and Miles. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

789. (27/06) Flo is willing to help out Lucy. Dorrie, Herb, Flo and Edie are auditioning acts for the Ladies' Prawn Night at the Paddington Senior Citizens Club. They have a terrible shock when a performer, Count Copernicus (Himself, aka David Albert Clark), does his striptease act for them. Dorrie mistakenly calls him "Count Copper Knickers". [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

During this episode, Pat McDonald hides a plaster cast on her forearm with a tea towel. The injury occurred during a serious real-life car accident but her character was not able to be temporarily written out for several more episodes. Count Copernicus was a notorious male stripper on the club circuit.

790. (30/06) Roma will be surprising Aldo. There may be bad news for Lucy. [Episode written by Colin Eggleston; directed by Peter Benardos.]

791. (1/07) A new event leaves Dudley agog. Dorrie is served with a writ for disturbing the peace after Count Copernicus appeared at the Ladies' Prawn Night. Miles is able to foil Maggie's plans. Ernst Bremerski (Louis Wishart) reveals grave news to Roma. [Episode written by Colin Eggleston; directed by Peter Benardos.]

During this episode, Pat McDonald hides the plaster cast on her forearm with a shawl. During this month, Marty Rhone, who had portrayed Dean MacDonald in the series in 1974, had a single, "Denim and Lace", peak at #2 on the Australian pop charts. He sang the song in character as high school student, Tom Carter, in an episode of the TV soap opera, "Class of '75".

792. (2/07) Roma is upset, while Maggie has harsh words for Don. Miles auditions a string of hopeful models while pretending to be David. Girl 1 is almost discovered in the bedroom by Tanya. She "wasn't interested". Girl 2 (Susan Hannaford) claims to be "very versatile" but brought her model sister, while Girl 3 (Robyn Bartley) brought along her agent (Brian Anderson). Word gets around about the auditions and soon there are nine women in the flat when David arrives. Maggie tells Don that Sir Percival Quail informed her that Judge Erickson loathes homosexuals. A message from "ALAN" is left in lipstick on Bernadette's mirror. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Brian Anderson, who portrays the theatrical agent, will return as Arnold Feather's doctor in Episode #896.

793. (3/07) Dorrie tries to remedy a situation. A strange visitor calls on Bernadette again. It is her troubled brother, Alan (Peter Weston), who accidentally pushes Dorrie down the stairs. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Peter Benardos.]

From this episode, Dorrie's scenes were minimised to accommodate Pat McDonald's recovery from her serious car accident.

794. (4/07) Vera shares a confidence with Don. Flo and Herb are concerned. Alf has other problems. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Peter Benardos.]

On this day, the "Mark Foy"'s heiress, newspaper owner/journalist and activist, Juanita Nielsen, disappeared from Kings Cross, in one of Australia's most notorious unsolved Underworld crimes. The incident would inspire three Australian movies: "The Killing of Angel Street" (1981), "Heatwave" (1982), and "The Beehive" (2018). The first two productions featured numerous "Number 96" alumni. Coincidentally, "Number 96" was winding up its storyline concerning the kidnapping of the heiress of a wealthy family.

795. (7/07) Maggie embarrasses everyone and Roma mystifies Aldo. An American journalist, Ross Leggett (Brian Evis), arrives at Flat 6 and tries to interview Tanya about "Rosemary Prior" and her father, who has announced a plan to move into US politics. She tricks Miles into throwing him out. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

796. (8/07) Production Assistant Grace "Prim" Primrose (Pamela Gibbons) arrives in time for David's deliberately-terrible TV commercial shoot for Ninotchka Vodka. Miles tries to console a very upset Tanya. Edie has a new problem. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Grace "Prim" Primrose was undoubtedly named for the lead character in a 1966 comedy TV series by NLT Productions, "The Private World of Miss Prim", with Dawn Lake (wife of Bobby Limb) and several "Number 96" alumni, Owen Weingott, Marion Johns and Benita Collings. Bill Harmon was closely associated with NLT, which was founded in 1961 by Jack Neary, Bobby Limb and Les Tinker (whose surname initials suggested the production company's title). Peter Benardos directed the episodes of "The Private World of Miss Prim" and Dick Barry and Stan Mars were writers. All went on to work for Cash Harmon Productions.

797. (9/07) Norma threatens Les and Vera's strange behaviour confuses her friends. Reg is consulting with Herr Humpernickel (Raymond Duparc) of the Hamburg Sanitation Department. They stumble into the craziness of David's TV commercial. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Raymond Duparc, who plays Herr Humpernickel, was previously Doctor Riley in 1972 and Doctor Alistair Pascall in 1973.

798. (10/07) Tanya causes troubles for Miles. Phyllis introduces the residents to her boyfriend, Cuthbert "Spider" Jones (Don Reid). A tragedy brings the Godolfuses together. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

799. (11/07) Alf is unable to find Lucy. Norma talks about her relationship with Les and wants advice. Reg discusses effluent recycling systems with Mr Osito (Terry Woo) of Tokyo. When they arrive at Flat 5, Edie and Les have organised a special Japanese tea ceremony for the visitor. Phyllis and Spider are married in the wine bar by the celebrant, Mrs Smedley-Beaston (May Howlett). Pandora sends a congratulatory telegram. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

800. (14/07) Tanya's situation confuses Miles. Dudley's letter causes him concern. Tanya opens to door the man she has been trying to avoid: her father, Mr J.G. Prior (Brian Adams). He enters Flat 6 and says, "Hello, Rosemary." [Episode written by Kate Harvey; directed by Peter Benardos.]

801. (15/07) Lucy tries her hand at matchmaking and Aldo has a terrible shock. A large Swastika has been daubed across the shop window. [Episode written by Kate Harvey; directed by Peter Benardos.]

This and the next three episode scripts were originally assigned to Ken Shadie, but are credited to Kate Harvey.

802. (16/07) Reg is convinced that Edie is a failure at hostessing social events, but Liz and Edie are out to prove him wrong. Miles discovers the truth about Tanya: that she's actually an American, by the name of Rosemary Prior. A policeman (Russell Jordan) challenges Edie's right to hold a fundraising fruit stall in Lindsay Street. Aldo admits that Ernst Bremerski's information, about "a man named Godolfus" being responsible for a massacre in the German town of Lindorf during World War II, is true. [Episode written by Kate Harvey; directed by Peter Benardos.]

803. (17/07) Alf is bitter towards Lucy, while the Godolfuses are beside themselves with worry. Edie encounters another policeman while running her fruit stall and she assaults him with tomatoes. Vera is wooed by Warwick Thompson (Kit Taylor) about an intriguing offer. [Episode written by Kate Harvey; directed by Peter Benardos.]

804. (18/07) Norma violently disagrees with Les's suggestion that the latest disaster is good publicity. A judge (Norton Howarth) heading the panel of three presiding over Don's case advises him that he is likely to be disqualified from practising in the legal profession. [Episode written by Kate Harvey; directed by Peter Benardos.]

805. (21/07) The Jewish Board of Deputies believes that Franz Godolfus, Aldo and Selma's brother, is still alive and living in Israel. Alf is confused by Prim's behaviour. Reg has harsh words for Edie. Susan Temple (Debbie Baile), a child psychology student at the same university as Miles, encounters him in the wine bar. Reuben Levy (George Pollak), of the Board of Deputies, arrives at the deli to interview Aldo about Franz's accusations. Mr Levy reveals that Franz is a respected export merchant in Tel Aviv and a generous contributor to Jewish charities, with a son who is a sergeant in the Israeli Army. [Episode written by Bill Simpson; directed by Brian Phillis.]

806. (22/07) Surprisingly, Maggie is in need of help. Les still refuses to notice Norma's scheming. [Episode written by Bill Simpson; directed by Brian Phillis.]

807. (23/07) Roma tries to pacify Aldo's sister, Selma Horowitz (Lea Denfield), about Franz's accusation about Aldo. Aldo confirms some horrifying news to Selma. Dudley believes that all his dreams are about to come true. Prim is left alone to run the wine bar on her very first shift. Susan confirms to Miles that she is pregnant - with his child. [Episode written by Tom MacLennan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Lea Denfield, who previously featured in several episodes as Mrs Buchanan (from Episode #533), becomes the third actress to portray Selma Horowitz, following Marion Johns in 1972 and Hilda Scurr in 1973 and 1974.

808. (24/07) The wine bar is chaotic on Prim's first night and Edie - playing barmaid, and supported by her "Gay Lib" boys - is no help. Arnold loses his temper. Miles keeps a problem close to his chest. Maggie tries to tempt Warwick while Vera is in Melbourne. Dorrie entertains several visitors in the hospital. Maggie and Reg make front page headlines. Dorrie causes concern by living in the past and Edie manages to injure herself during a visit. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

809. (25/07) The nursing sister (Trish Hughes) on Dorrie's ward begrudgingly allows Herb and Flo to visit her outside official visiting hours. Aldo is firm with Selma, while Vera has an eye-opener for Warwick and Maggie. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

810. (28/07) Lucy loses her temper with Alf. Dudley springs a surprise on Don. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

811. (29/07) David receives advice from Prim. Aldo surprises an intruder in the deli. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

812. (30/07) Norma and Edie are so suspicious of Les's activities that chaos ensues. Doctor Julian Flaxman (Rob Dallas) drops into Flat 6 with a surprise for his friend Miles: Susan is three months pregnant with "a beautiful little bastard". [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

813. (31/07) Dudley has a new plan. What has happened to Arnold? [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

814. (1/08) Vera is unforgiving. An upset Liz confides in Lucy. [Episode written by Eleanor Witcombe; directed by Peter Benardos.]

815. (4/08) Edie has begun to feel unwanted. Alf refuses Les's help. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

On this day, a single by Maureen Elkner (who had played Monica, Maggie Cameron's secretary, in 1972) peaked in the Australian pop charts at #11. "Rak Off, Normie", an "answer song" to Bob Hudson's comedic "The Newcastle Song", performed almost as well as the original (#1 in March.)

816. (5/08) Miles is muddled, while Flo is suspicious of Herb's antics. A bearded Don arrives home quite enebriated, having hitched a ride with Bill the truckie. Aldo hears some shocking news from Selma: Franz is the guilty one, after all, even though he was only 14 at the time. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

817. (6/8) Something has happened to change Don. Liz offers her assistance again. Maggie suffers a terrible shock. Who is the mysterious caller? [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

818. (7/08) Maggie has an accusation for Vera. Liz surprises the MacDonalds. Julian throws Miles' life into confusion again. The woman who came to him for the pregnancy test was not Susan. [Episode written by Colin Eggleston; directed by Brian Phillis.]

819. (8/08) There is a nasty surprise awaiting Miles and disappointment for Vera. Alf needs Don's help. [Episode written by Colin Eggleston; directed by Brian Phillis.]

On the weekend, in journalist Frank Fairfax's newspaper column, "Fair in the Middle", it was revealed that Executive Producer Bill Harmon and Channel TEN's General Manager, Ian Holmes, had come to an agreement to scrap 50 completed Number 96 scripts, at a cost of $70,000, to create a dramatic crisis for the characters under a veil of secrecy. This "crisis" would become the infamous bomb blast (in Episode #839) that would revamp the direction of the series over three more years, hopefully creating an upswing in the TV ratings (which it did, at least for a while). The producers wanted to combat speculation that the series was to be axed, but also bring in new "sex symbol" characters, such as Anja Seleky (as Jaja Gibson), and return of past popular cast members, including Tom Oliver (as Jack Sellars). The new contractual agreement also embedded the creation of "backdoor pilots", that would spin off popular characters. This footage could also be presented as cost-effective scenes within episodes of the parent show to gauge viewer approval. These pilots would become "Mummy and Me", "Fair Game" and "A Law To Himself" in 1976, and "Hope'll Help" in 1977, ultimately, all unsuccessful.

820. (11/08) Prim is firm with Miles. Arnold puts his foot in it. Alf is in trouble again. [Episode written by Ken Hayles; directed by Peter Benardos.]

821. (12/08) Vera is unable to calm a terrified Maggie. Liz has a warning. Sir Paul Cooper (Phillip Ross) promises to finance Miles' forthcoming marriage and honeymoon, so Prim is swiftly pronounced his fiancée. Maggie tells Vera about how Warwick has treated Vince Hansen (David Nettheim) of Solange Fashions. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

822. (13/08) Herb seems to be hiding something, which puzzles Flo. Dudley has an important meeting with Francis, an advertising executive. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

823. (14/08) Arnold's discovery angers Aldo. Liz has a shock for Lucy. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

824. (15/08) Alf's luck seems to be changing. Prim ensures that Miles' latest plan will go awry. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

825. (18/08) Roma surprises Alf. Don receives bad news and refuses to help out. Gilbert Barton (Don Philps) and Norma share an intimate evening. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Don Philps, who portrays Gilbert Barton, previously played a detective in Episode #756.

826. (19/08) Norma confides in Lucy, while Dorrie's promise of assistance leads to disaster. Doctor Pearman gives Lucy an ultimatum: with only five weeks remaining of her pregnancy, she must give up work. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Edward Lansdowne returns for another onscreen appearance. He was last seen in Episode #754. Tony Girdler takes over the role in Episodes #1090 and #1210.

827. (20/08) Don delivers a shock to Maggie, while Prim has some surprises for Miles. Dudley finds a blonde, female stranger on Don's side of the bed. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The blonde stranger, portrayed by Anya Saleky, will turn out to be Dudley's country cousin, Jaja, whom he hasn't seen since she was ten years old.

828. (21/08) Lucy is upset with Alf, while Dudley has a surprise. His cousin, Jacqueline "Jaja" Gibson (Anya Saleky) from Forbes, has turned up. Vera finds a note warning of a bomb in Number 96 and Sergeant Davey (David Williams) organises an evacuation of the building, leaving Edie behind in the cellar. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

David Williams, a former policeman, appears here, and next episode, as Sergeant Davey. Previously, he appeared in Episodes #139 and #140, and as a constable on the beat in Episode #91.

829. (22/08) There was good reason to panic at Number 96; Sergeant Davey and his partner, George, search the cellar and find an explosive device. After deactivation and analysis, the bomb from the cellar is pronounced to be real! Dorrie is worried about Flo. Aldo catches the shoplifter! [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

As he is being evacuated to the laundrette, Mr Perky, Flo Patterson's budgie, once again says, "Why wasn't I told?"

830. (25/08) The shoplifter is revealed to be a boy named Kerry Braddon (Ashley Grenville). Jaja poses a problem for Dudley and Don. Aldo makes a horrifying discovery. [Episode written by David Brogden; directed by Peter Benardos.]

831. (26/08) Don has a proposition for the Sutcliffes. Maggie makes some accusations. A Magistrate (Les Foxcroft) presides over Kerry's case. The probation officer, Mr Parker (Rob Steele), paints a dire picture of Kerry's current circumstances. [Episode written by Tim Mitchell; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Les Foxcroft, who portrays the Magistrate, previously played Mr Holloway's office caretaker in Episode #22. He will return as Quentin Flemming in Episode #905, and the recurring character, Sir William Mainwaring, from Episode #1008.

832. (27/08) Jaja's latest escapades infuriate Prim. The new DTC, Nigel Morgan (John Allen), arrives. Norma can't understand the new mystery. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Peter Benardos.]

16 consecutive colour episodes (#832-847) were released on DVD in 2012, "Number 96: The Beginning and the Bomb" (Volume 3), by Umbrella Entertainment Australia. The other 16 episodes were from the b/w era.

833. (28/08) Dudley's latest plans amaze the Sutcliffes. Maggie confronts Jaja. In the wine bar, Liz has an encounter with a strange man (Peter Morris) who is nursing a bag and talking about bombs. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Peter Benardos.]

834. (29/08) The MacDonalds receive a nasty shock and Roma loses her patience with Aldo. Film producer Louis Spiro (Jeff Ashby) has advice for David. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Peter Benardos.]

835. (1/09) Roma speaks harshly to Aldo. Flo's behaviour baffles Dorrie. [Episode written by Kate Harvey; directed by Brian Phillis.]

836. (2/09) Reg and Edie are unsure how to handle a situation. Maggie has strong advice for Vera. [Episode written by Kate Harvey; directed Brian Phillis.]

Vera Collins and Warwick Thompson depart "Mon Coeur", an actual restaurant at 51 Moncur Street, Woollahra. This is stock footage from a scene in the movie, when Vera is out with Nick Brent. The restaurant eventually became "Big Mama's Trattoria Italiana"! It still has the distinctive awning.

837. (3/09) Flo is desperately unhappy, while it seems that Vera has overplayed her hand. [Episode written by Tom MacLennan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

838. (4/09) Maggie has infuriated Warwick. Some unlikely visitors call on Reg at 1.00am in the morning. [Episode written by Tom MacLennan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

This episode was later showcased in Foxtel/Austar TV1's "Television's Greatest Hits: The Best of Number 96" (2000), introduced by Andrew Mercado.

839. (5/09) The new Flo raises Dorrie's suspicions that her friend is shoplifting. Lucy and Alf think they have solved their house-hunting troubles: they decide to swap flats with Don. Les finds a note about a bomb in Number 96 and sounds a warning to all the residents, but will he have enough time? [Episode written by Derek Strahan (uncredited) and Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Many of the scripts in the bomb arc were hastily rewritten by Derek Strahan, but it was too late to credit him for the work. In this episode, very few of Ken Shadie's original scenes were left intact. Instead of the traditional shot of the building and individual flats during the closing credits, the text appeared over footage of the smouldering aftermath of the bomb, and no closing theme music. This episode, also, was showcased in Foxtel/Austar TV1's "Television's Greatest Hits: The Best of Number 96" (2000), introduced by Andrew Mercado.

840, 841. (8/09) The explosion in the deli has claimed the lives of Aldo, Roma, Miles and Les. Alf is worried about Lucy and the baby, while Vera turns to Warwick for comfort. Lucy's obstetrician (John Faassen) is pleased with her progress. Norma's doctor (Graham Dixon) has grave news for Don and Dudley about her condition. Nigel takes over and Maggie is determined to solve a new mystery. Arnold is shocked by a visit from Aldo's daughter, Rose Myers (Vivienne Garrett). [Episodes written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Two episodes were screened back-to-back to create a sixty-minute presentation. An airbrushed photograph of the building showed the damage during the opening and closing credits sequences, much cheaper than redressing the actual Moncur Flats building in Woollahra. Closing credits for the characters of Flats 5 and 6 are accidentally transposed. John Faassen, who appears as Lucy Sutcliffe's obstetrician, previously appeared as Sir Montague Porter in Episode #277, Warren Davies in Episode #236 and Maurice Hardy in Episode #277. Vivienne Garrett returns in Episode #841 for a guest arc as the former Rose Godolfus. The character had moved to Port Moresby, Papua-New Guinea with Julian Myers and raised a family there. Episode #840 was later incorporated into an episode of "The Golden Years of Television" entitled "Salute to Australian Soaps" (1986). Both of "the bomb" episodes were showcased in Foxtel/Austar TV1's "Television's Greatest Hits: The Best of Number 96" (2000), introduced by Andrew Mercado. On the 2012 DVD, "Number 96: The Beginning and the Bomb" (Volume 3) by Umbrella Entertainment Australia, Episode #840 includes an archived audio commentary with director Peter Benardos and TV historian, Nigel Giles.

842. (9/09) Arnold tries to offer comfort and explanations to Rose. Aunt Selma's interference again! Don has some plans afoot. Norma's nurse (Josephine Townsend) can't let Liz in to visit her patient. Two more former residents return to Number 96in response to the bombing incident: Gary Whittaker (Mike Ferguson), who had been doing an Army-related course in Washington DC; and Jack Sellars (Tom Oliver), who now lives in Paris, France, with his wife, the former Helen Sheridan. Warwick's publicist, Martin (John Bennett), is keen to get Vera's finished designs so they can be photographed for the salon's campaign. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Mike Ferguson and Tom Oliver return for guest arcs as Gary Whittaker and Jack Sellars respectively. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

843. (10/09) Dudley runs into trouble, while Reg has some explaining to do to Edie. Lucy discovers the truth about the tragic bomb blast. Mystery continues to surround Maggie. Jack lends a hand to trap the bomber. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Maggie Cameron's receptionist, Angela, gets a namedrop in this episode. She was last seen onscreen in early 1972.

844. (11/09) Alf blames himself for his awful mistake. Detective Sergeant Symons (Tony Wager) questions Maggie Cameron about her role in the fatal delicatessen bomb blast. Dorrie has a mystery to solve. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed Brian Phillis.]

Tony Wager, as Detective Sergeant Symons, returns to the role he first played in 1972. The character is seen again in 1977. This episode was later showcased in Foxtel/Austar TV1's "Television's Greatest Hits: The Best of Number 96" (2000), introduced by Andrew Mercado.

On a Sunday night in September, "The Norman Gunston Show" returned for its second season on the ABC and now featured six three-minute mini-episodes entitled "The Checkout Chicks". The recurring sketch was a send-up of melodramatic TV soap operas, and set in a supermarket. Sonia Hoffman featured, plus a host of "Number 96" alumni: Abigail, Philippa Baker, Vivienne Garrett, Judy Lynne, Candy Raymond, Anne-Louise Lambert and Johnny Lockwood.

845. (12/09) What is the truth behind Flo's strange secret? [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

846. (15/09) Dudley's reaction to Jaja's adventures thrill her. Arnold makes a noble sacrifice. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

847. (16/09) Dorrie is not sure if she approves of the changes in Flo. Alf and Lucy's baby has been placed in the Observation Ward with a chill. Some news brings out a strange reaction in Liz. Warwick tells his butler, Fletcher (David Bradley), that there will be two for breakfast in the morning; Vera is expected to stay overnight. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Last of 16 consecutive colour episodes (#832-847) released on DVD in 2012, "Number 96: The Beginning and the Bomb" (Volume 3), by Umbrella Entertainment Australia. The other 16 episodes were from the b/w era.

848. (17/09) Edie is suspicious of Liz. Herb and Dorrie argue over the latest disaster with Flo. Harvey Williams (John Armstrong) is being considered as a replacement tenant for Flo's room. Jack tells Norma about little Jackie Jr, his pet name for his and Helen's baby. The boy's name is actually John. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

John Armstrong, who plays Harvey Williams, previously appeared as Barry Deprose in Episode #134.

849. (18/09) Nigel ruffles Dudley, while Don advises Vera. Warwick's fashion photographer (Jeff Murray) is being very thorough at the salon. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

850. (19/09) Prim is given frightening news, via a thug (Ron Hansen), which she must pass on to David: "Louis wants to see you, like yesterday." Warwick does some straight talking. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Peter Benardos.]

851. (22/09) Reg is annoyed with the way Edie is treating Liz. Dudley chooses the wrong moment to interrupt. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Peter Benardos.]

852. (23/09) Flo's latest escapade horrifies Dorrie. Don meets Jack's solicitor, Laura Trent (Mary-Ann Severne), who is nothing like he expected. Vera decides to confide in Don. Arthur Partridge (Gordon Glenwright) arrives at Flat 3, posing as "Mr Jones", to view Flo's room. It seems that Warwick already knows Laura. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Peter Benardos.]

853. (24/09) Jaja manages to confuse Gary. Vera is determined to confront Warwick. [Episode written by Ken Hayles; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Mike Ferguson had returned as Gary Whittaker for an extended stint.

854. (25/09) David doesn't react according to Prim's plans. Dorrie, Herb and Flo have come up with a new scheme. Vera wants to know about Warwick's connection to Laura. He knew her bankrupt father, Patrick Trent, Warwick's first senior partner. Warwick admits that he loves Vera. At the opening of The House of Danielle, Loueena Derwent (Lorraine Bayly) thinks of Vera as "the woman who tamed Warwick Thompson". [Episode written by Ken Hayles; directed by Peter Benardos.]

855. (26/09) Vera is acting strangely, while Liz and Jaja clash. [Episode written by David Phillips; directed by Brian Phillis.]

856. (29/09) Dudley's news amazes David and Prim, while a confused Norma suffers pangs of guilt about her friendship with Gilbert. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

857. (30/09) Nigel and Reg disagree. Warwick has some advice for Vera. Vera is unimpressed by the efforts of the seamstress, Eileen Chester (Patti Crocker). Eileen has been with Warwick's company for 15 years, but Vera demands that Miss Townsend (Patricia Craig) fire her immediately. [Episode written by Peter Thorburn; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Patti Crocker, who portrays Eileen Chester, made a previous appearance as a hospital matron in Episode #157.

858. (1/10) Arnold is gullible, while Norma is put into a spot by Liz. Alf and Lucy's son, Jim Sutcliffe (Brendan Lunney), is back in Sydney for a surprise trip. Warwick's wife, Muriel Thompson (Rowena Wallace) finally meets Vera. Who put a bag of heroin in David's camera bag? [Episode written by Tom MacLennan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Brendan Lunney makes his third onscreen appearance as the oft-mentioned Jim Sutcliffe. Previously he had a brief story arc from Episode #41 and another from Episode #247.

859. (2/10) David confronts Louis Spiro about the bogus Bali trip, while Dorrie disapproves of Flo's new friend, Arthur. Reg is depressed about Nigel's popularity at the TH, and is impatient to take over as DTC. Louis gives David a new assignment, which he passes with flying colours. What are Arthur's intentions regarding Flo? While outside a Paddington fruit shop, baby Emma is taken from her pram by a mysterious woman. [Episode written by Tom MacLennan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

860. (3/10) Gary has a warning for Dudley, while a distraught Lucy tries to cope with a disaster; a woman referred to as "Mad" Stella (Anne Charleston) has taken Emma. Alf has no time for the reporter (Douglas Stark) from The Clarion newspaper, who turns up at Flat 4 to do a story on Emma's kidnapping. A plainclothes member of the Vice Squad is looking for David. [Episode written by Joel Sweetenson; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Anne Charleston, who portrays Stella, previously appeared as Madame Jacqueline in Episode #600.

861. (6/10) Liz is playing a strange game with Arnold. Lucy breaks down over little Emma Sutcliffe's disappearance. Mayor Charles Gough (David Whitford) and his lover, Sandra (Peta Peter), trick Edie MacDonald into giving them the run of Flat 5 for a secret rendezvous. Detective Inspector Mitchell (Mark Kelly) attempts to resolve the kidnapping of Emma Sutcliffe and gives advice to Alf. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

David Whitford, who portrays Charles Gough, first appeared as Paul Mathews in Episode #228. He will return as Mayor Gough in Episode #1059. 861 Since David was a taxi driver in real life, when not acting, he can often be seen as an extra, driving his own taxi, in many Australian productions of the day. David is the brother of Peter Whitford, who will eventually play the regular character of Guy Sutton. Mark Kelly portrays Detective Inspector Mitchell. Previously, he played Detective Sergeant Miller, who had investigated stolen money in relation to Flat 8 and, in Episode #239, the morphine stolen from the chemist shop. He also played Detective Constable Roberts in Episode #783.

862. (7/10) Dudley's plans don't proceed according to his expectations. Herb believes that Dorrie may have acted in haste. Liz accepts Arnold's proposal of marriage. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

863. (8/10) David's situation worries Prim, while Norma gives advice to Louis. Dorrie is excited to show Flat 4 to the prospective tenants, the Reverend Mr Humphries (Robert Eagen), a retired Borneo-based minister, and his wife. Flo realises that she has been duped. Tomorrow's trip to Melbourne is actually for the christening of Kingsley Parker, Dorrie and Herb's grandson. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

864. (9/10) Gary causes David to lose his temper, with disastrous results. Arnold makes a special announcement about his and Liz's future. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

865. (10/10) Gary attempts to convey the truth to Arnold but Liz is always a step ahead. Arthur proses marriage to Flo. Eileen moves into the vacant Flat 4 with her youngest daughter, Debbie Chester (Dina Mann). Flo meets Cookie (Himself), Arthur's pet cockatoo. Gary overhears Gilbert talking to Norma and takes action. [Episode written by Richard "Dick" Barry; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Future regular script and synopsis writer, Dick Barry, is credited here as Richard Barry.

866. (13/10) Don has some advice for Vera. Prim is positive that David is hiding something. [Episode written by Richard "Dick" Barry; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Future regular script and synopsis writer, Dick Barry, is credited here as Richard Barry.

867. (14/10) Debbie's older sister, Jane Chester (Suzanne Church), arrives at Flat 4 to find that Eileen has finished unpacking. Reg is outraged, while Don's suggestion horrifies Laura. What is the strange hold that Celia Palmer (Margaret Christensen) has over her son, David? [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

868. (15/10) Arthur's model trains and Cookie take over much of Flat 3. Gary has his suspicions about Gilbert and Norma. Prim finds out the truth about David's relationship with Celia: she is actually his wife, not his mother. Arnold's latest news is a surprise to Flo, but she and Arthur agree to witness a marriage. Vera is baffled by Muriel's actions. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

869. (16/10) Don and Laura have a plan, while Edie is distressed by Liz's announcement. The marriage celebrant (May Howlett) officiates at Arnold and Liz's wedding. Debbie's school friend, Teresa (Julieanne Newbould), introduces her to a new thrill: a hypodermic of heroin. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Jane Chester references a boyfriend, Bill Degotardi, presumably a namedrop for commercial real estate agents, Graeme and Brian Degotardi, who have operated on Sydney's North Shore since the 1960s. Debbie Chester was shown mainlining heroin, in a scene made with police participation. The censors decreed that Rose Godolfus had to be shown to dislike the effects of smoking a marijuana cigarette in Episode #19. Chris Benaud and Angela Punch-McGregor had portrayed cannabis-smoking teenagers, in more graphic scenes, in Episode #523.

870. (17/10) Prim has a proposal for Vera; she would like to be a boarder in Flat 7. Gary makes Liz furious; she then begins acting very strangely. Jaja moves in with Laura. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Peter Benardos.]

871. (20/10) Edie is told to take a good, hard look at herself. Eileen is still oblivious to what is going on with her younger daughter, Debbie. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

872. (21/10) David can't see a way out of his dilemma. Warwick is angry with Muriel. David finds Celia in the bathtub - with her wrists slashed. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

873. (22/10) Reg receives a mysterious telephone call from his son, Dean. David is threatened by Celia. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

874. (23/10) Edie is the recipient of some harsh words from Arnold. Laura is concerned about Jaja. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Peter Benardos.]

875. (24/10) Muriel makes a suggestion to Warwick. Flo must come to a decision. Vera tells Don that she is pregnant to Warwick. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Peter Benardos.]

876. (27/10) Edie is forlorn over Reg's oversight. Mr Mandelburg's fur shop has a Persian lamb coat in the window, which Edie covets, and had believed that Reg would buy for her as a 25th wedding anniversary gift. Eileen fails to notice Debbie's ill health, and is called into the school to speak with the headmistress, Mrs L. Macreadie (Lynne Murphy). Teresa's drug pusher, Nick (Terry Camilleri), has been lurking on Lindsay Street and threatens Debbie about monies owed for services rendered. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Lynne Murphy, who plays Headmistress Macreadie, will return as the regular character, Fay Chandler, from Episode #989.

877. (28/10) Don's first new client with Sir Percival Quail is one Roger Pycroft, a young man charged with multiple traffic offences. The local "garbos", Frank "Weppo" Smith (Roger Ward) and his colleagues, "Chinka", "Armpits" and Clarence, aka "Nutsy", are celebrating with lunch in the Norma's Bar, instead of their usual pub venue. It is the last day on the truck for "Chinka". Muriel demands to see Laura immediately and Don wonders what the problem might be. Arnold attempts to smooth things with Edie. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

The Pycrofts (in Episode #767) were said to be high society friends of the Rhinegolds (Ozzie, Rita and daughter Prue). Roger Ward portrays Weppo Smith. Previously, he had played a licensing inspector posing as a deli customer, in Episodes #87 and #89.

878. (29/10) Dorrie plays the part of Flo's fairy godmother. Liz threatens Gary. Athol (Brian Barrie) and his wife (Betty Cheal), tourists from Auckland who are staying at a nearby motel, wander into the deli looking for toiletries. They are stunned to recognise Liz, calling her "Beckie Wilson". They offer condolences on the fate of Beckie's husband, but Liz is perplexed, denies knowing them, and warns that it is almost closing time. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

879. (30/10) Debbie loses control in front of Dorrie and Flo. Gary makes a promise to his mother. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

880. (31/10) Prim attempts to help Vera. Gary ignores his promise and seeks a showdown. [Episode written by David Phillips; directed by Peter Benardos.]

881. (3/11) Jane tries to reason with Debbie. Arthur takes charge of Dorrie's landscaping plans... and the Sunshine Patio takes shape at the rear of Number 96. Debbie, using the alias "Joan Thomas of Smith Street, Paddington", tries to pawn Eileen's engagement ring with a local Pawnbroker (Noel Mitchell). Roger Pycroft (Andrew Grant) gets physical with Don when it is suggested that Roger should plead "Guilty" in court. [Episode written by David Phillips; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Roger Pycroft is finally seen onscreen, played by Andrew Grant. Previously, Andrew played Detective Sergeant Wellington in a story arc from Episode #335.

882. (4/11) Gary is playing games with Liz. Debbie's proposition stuns Dudley. [Episode written by David Phillips; directed by Peter Benardos.]

883. (5/11) Gary's news startles Prim. Liz threatens the garage mechanic (Don Goldenburg) about having Arnold's car repaired after all. Reg has a suggestion for Weppo: he should move into Flat 5 as a boarder. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

884. (6/11) Jaja believes that she has found true love. Arnold unexpectedly returns to Liz's chagrin. Roger confirms that he knows Prue Rhinegold and her parents, Ozzie and Rita. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

885. (7/11) Don is mystified about an incident. Roger is sure that he has an inoperable brain tumour. There is a shock in store for Debbie. Teresa's mother (Jennifer West) tells her that her daughter is in hospital, following an overdose. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

886. (10/11) Liz continues with her strange game. Prim tries to comfort Vera. Jaja meets a scantily-dressed tart named Victoria (Terry Herlihy) coming out of Flat 6 and realises that David is not just setting up an escort agency, but a high-class prostitution racket, just as Prim had said. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Terry Herlihy, who portrays Victoria, will return as Naked Lady in Episode #1149.

887. (11/11) Don is in trouble, but Debbie is in deeper trouble. While waiting to meet her pusher, one of Debbie's schoolgirl friends (Wendy Horton) warns her not to be late for roll call. Jane tries to get Dudley to see reason. [Episode written by Lynn Foster; directed by Brian Phillis.]

On this day, after a series of dramatic political events, including a 1974 double dissolution of Federal Parliament, the "Khemlani Loans Affair" and a budgetary supply crisis, the Gough Whitlam-led Labor Government became the first (and only) government in Australian history to be dismissed by the Governor-General (Sir John Kerr). Malcolm Fraser was installed as caretaker Prime Minister. While this constitutional crisis overshadowed the Whitlam years, his administration left a lasting legacy of social and political reform. Many of the cast members of "Number 96" had participated in the "It's Time..." winning election campaign that had seen Whitlam first rise to power as Prime Minister.

888. (12/11) Dorrie places some blame solely on Reg's shoulders. Muriel makes her move; she is divorcing Warwick. Vera's obstetric specialist, Doctor Hunter (John Charlton), delivers grim news after the miscarriage of her baby. A previous history of abortions, including a badly botched one, means that she will never be able to bear children. Portrayed by [Episode written by Lynn Foster; directed by Brian Phillis.]

889. (13/11) Debbie loses her temper with Arnold, while David makes a stand. Jaja is offered a job for the evening by a visiting Dubbo businessman (Hugh Sawkins) who can't find a suitable escort from David's listings. On the recommendation of her pusher, Debbie gets "tarted up" and heads to Kings Cross, but has little success raising drug money. [Episode written by Lynn Foster; directed by Brian Phillis.]

890. (14/11) Dudley is worried about his sexual prowess. Reg seeks Weppo's help to resolve the problem of "The Dustbin Dispute". In Kings Cross, a prostitute (Jinx Huber) castigates Debbie and points out the nearby Wally, the protector of her interests. A sinister man (Robert Driscoll) tells David about the protection racket; they are holding Jaja hostage until David agrees to pay 50% of his agency's earnings. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Jinx Huber (now Jinx Lootens), who portrays the Kings Cross prostitute, was the then-wife of Executive Producer Bob Huber. Jinx had previously appeared as Samantha Vanderhum (from Episode #235), and as a nurse in 1973. She would return in other roles, Mrs Hadley in Episode #1149, and several appearances as Coral Fuller (aka Olga Medcalf) from Episode #1187.

NOVEL: The plotlines for an original paperback novel, "Number 96" (Stag, Published early 1976), take place around the time of Episode #890. There is even a reference to the ongoing garbage strike happening in the series. The two main story arcs feature Jaja Gibson and Grace "Prim" Primrose prominently, but no actors from the series appear on the cover. Uncredited, this novel was supposedly written by Carl Ruhen, who did the "Neighbours" paperbacks a decade or so later. He is also credited with novelisations for "Alvin Purple", "Mad Max 2", "The Young Doctors", "Sons and Daughters" and "Melvin, Son of Alvin".

Characters:

Norma and Gary Whittaker of Flat 1 and Norma's Bar. (Gary is only briefly mentioned.)

Arnold and Liz Feather of Flat 2 and A. Godolfus, Delicatessen. (The Feathers were married in Episode #869.)

Dorrie and Herb Evans and Flo Patterson of Flat 3. (Herb is consistently called "Herbie".)

Eileen, Jane and Debbie Chester of Flat 4. (The Chesters are not mentioned in this novel.)

Reg and Edie MacDonald and Weppo Smith of Flat 5. (Nigel Morgan is frequently involved. Introduced in Episode #832.)

David Palmer and Jaja Gibson of Flat 6. (David is away for work. He and Jaja are kidnapped in Episode #902.)

Vera Collins and Grace "Prim" Primrose of Flat 7. (Vera is only briefly mentioned. Prim is said to be missing David.)

Don Finlayson and Dudley Butterfield of Flat 8.

Note: The Paddington Council garbage strike in the series: Episode #885 (Weppo tells Reg about it.) Episode #890 (Reg asks Weppo to resign.) Episode #892 (TV journalist Brian Proud covers strike.) Episode #894 (Norma gets involved.) Episode #896 (The Mike Walsh Show interviews Dorrie and Weppo.) Episode #898 (Strike is over.)

A crank caller rings a young woman. The reader eventually realises that the victim of these calls is Prim.
Dorrie, Herb(ie) and Flo discuss a forthcoming island cruise, and a Paul Newman movie.
Norma's Bar - Don, Dudley, Prim (who is missing David), Jaja.
Reg MacDonald (consistently misspelt "Mc") and Nigel, Norma. There is mention of her son, Gary, and deceased husband, Les.
Christmas party with Mayor (Charles Gough), TC (Edward Buchanan), DTC (Nigel Morgan?), Town Engineer, at Paddington TH. Miss Celia Carmichael in filing room, tell the DTC, attempt to blackmail Reg.
Prim interacts with the bar regulars, including George Meadowes, who wants divorce from his wife, "The Puff Adder"; The Undertaker, and Constable Peter Wills (who has just moved into the upper floor of a terrace around corner).
David is filming in the country, Prim getting crank calls, the caller knows all about her.
Michael Hooper, who drives a Datsun sportscar, works in a studio called Superior Photography
Garbage strike is ongoing.
Liz often lies awake at night after a traumatic incident with Gary.
Herb wants to get rid of a monstrosity of a vase - he sneaks it down the back stairs and will say that he broke it accidentally.
Dudley’s fling with with his cousin, Jaja, is affecting Don. Dudley gets hung over and has brought home a young man Shane, a country lad who is about 17 or 18.
Jaja and Michael - strip.
Dorrie and the missing vase - where are their tickets and travellers cheques?
Deli order for Vera. References to departed tenants: the Sutcliffes, Patti(e), the Godolfuses, Les and the tragic Maggie, Liz's experience with Gary.
Vase is gone.
Reg and Edie - he will visit Celia.
Michael and Jaja make love, watched by a man, Clive.
Herb tells Arnold about vase and tickets.
Prim tells Peter about the caller know everything.
Clive: Porn is chic, compared to Linda Lovelace.
Reg visit Celia’s apartment block.
Caller obsesses on Prim.
Mrs Marks’ gossip. Senior Cits’ need to buy a gift for Dorrie as retiring Secretary. Colour TV?
Miss Carmichael in a ground floor flat - smell of gas. George infers she is a prostitute and assumes that Reg is her “ponce”. George called away by woman.
Naked man in her room - Nigel. A betrayal? Reg could be the Eastern Suburbs Rapist?
Herb searches for vase.
Shane watching Abbott & Costello on TV. His young friends in the Western Suburbs are invited over. Dudley is needed by Prim down in the bar.
Clive and Michael argue. Fight, flagon to head. Jaja hurls camera out window.
Prim tries to entrap caller as Peter had advised. Keep him talking.
Suspicion falls on The Undertaker, who comes in, George has a cut. Dudley has seen four friends of Shane, two guys, two girls.
Don arrives home to a blocked driveway, and must park in street.
Nigel has bluffed Celia.
Prim to meet guy in park, Peter to follow.
Mrs Marks's speech, Mr Fogarty drops walking stick, Herb almost sneezes during speech..
Michael takes Jaja back. White slavery racket revealed. Michael must leave.
Don wants the youths out of his flat. Threatens them with police. Eddie grabs the phone. Don knocked out.
Dorrie opens her gift: her own missing vase! No two such ugly vases could exist. Herb and Dorrie wrestle over vase. It smashes! Tickets and travellers cheques were still inside.
Prim goes to the park. Peter is following. She challenges Peter, as she had never told him the time of the meeting, and yet Peter knew. They struggle. Two police turn up. Prim won’t press charges.

891. (17/11) Don is furious with Dudley. Vera breaks down and makes a confession to Prim. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Peter Benardos.]

892. (18/11) Gary makes a suggestion to Liz. Arnold receives an unexpected windfall. Reporter Brian Proud (Himself) attempts to cover the story of the garbage dispute for TV's Eyewitness News. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

Brian Proud, an actual Network 0-TEN reporter, returns to present stories on a Randwick bank robbery in Episode #931, Herb Evans' skyjacking incident in Episode #1136, and to interview Opal Wilkinson on TV in Episode #1207.

893. (19/11) David has a warning for Jaja. Meanwhile, Arnold gives Liz a nasty shock. A hood (Jim Clifford) from the protection racket collects his cut - $325 - from David, but then complains that it doesn't seem enough for an agency with 12 girls on the books. He insists on taking Jaja for the evening, to receive his 30% share. David reluctantly agrees that she should go with him. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

894. (20/11) Norma enters the fray of the strike and Debbie is in trouble again. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Peter Benardos.]

895. (21/11) Liz's move fails to concern Debbie. Dorrie sets out to defeat the council after Weppo is attacked by three of his former friends. [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

896. (24/11) Norma loses her patience with Gary. David needs comforting. Dorrie and Weppo appear as guests on The Mike Walsh Show, to be interviewed by Mike Walsh (Himself), about the garbage strike in Paddington. Don tries to get Laura to see reason. Arnold's doctor (Brian Anderson) thinks that he has a virus and writes a prescription for antibiotics. Liz tells the doctor that she believes her husband "is being slowly and systematically poisoned". [Episode written by Susan Swinford; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Mike "Shirley Temple" Williams makes a brief appearance as himself on "The Mike Walsh Show" set. He had previously been an extra in Episode #353. Brian Anderson, who portrays Arnold Feather's doctor, previously appeared as a theatrical agent in Episode #792. Note that antibiotics are no longer considered a suitable treatment for a virus, only secondary symptoms.

897. (25/11) Reg sides with Weppo. Jane has a shocking confession for Eileen. Three of Weppo's angry garbo colleagues come to Flat 5 looking for him, as a result of what was said on The Mike Walsh Show. One of them, Dunleavy (Ray Meagher), is keen to hang Dorrie "on a meat-hook and leave her for the crows". Weppo soon calms the situation and ends up sharing beers with them. One of Debbie's schoolgirl friends (Terrie Lynn) seems unapproachable about hard drugs, but would be interested in getting some pot. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Ray Meagher, who plays Dunleavy the garbo, returns in 1977 as the recurring character, Fred Shrimpton.

898. (26/11) Jane does not think too highly of Dudley's idea of discretion. Muriel is plotting to destroy Warwick's happiness. Simon Thompson (Sean Hinton), Warwick's young son, delivers a disturbing message to Vera at the penthouse. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Sean Hinton, who portrays the oft-mentioned Simon Thompson, is the real life son of actor Phillip Hinton. Phillip Hinton appears as a faux K.G.B. spy in Episodes #1208 and #1209.

899. (27/11) Gary has a tirade of harsh words for Norma and remains unforgiving. The police have been called in to investigate Arnold's health situation. Senior Sergeant Murphy (Max Osbiston, credited as "Orbiston") and Detective Johns (Alan McGuiness) find a bottle of potassium antimony tartrate in Gary's pocket and insist on taking him to the police station for questioning. [Episode written by Ross Napier; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Max Osbiston, who portrays Senior Sergeant Murphy previously appeared as Charles in Episode #5. Alan McGuiness, who portrays Detective Johns, returns as a fisherman in Episode #1110 and as Mark in Episodes #1209, 1210 (credited as "McGuinness").

900. (28/11) Gary refuses to go to the police station. Debbie feels trapped: Nick refuses her $40, telling her that the price is $50 unless she agrees to push drugs for him. David warns Jaja about the tour to the Far East once again, but she won't take him seriously. Gary is charged with poisoning Arnold. He tells Laura that it was Liz. Edie intends to be a candidate in the local council elections. Jaja signs a contract with Oscar Barry (Redmond Phillips), believing his theatrical agency is for showgirls and hostesses to travel to Singapore and perform in shows. [Episode written by Lynn Foster; directed by Howard Scrivener.]

Redmond Phillips, who portrays Oscar Barry, would return to play the recurring role of Mr Bingham in 1976.

901. (1/12) Liz feigns surprise about Gary's arrest. Jane inadvertently triggers a disaster. After Simon's visit, Vera breaks down and confesses a secret to Warwick. $50 is missing from the delicatessen's till and Jane has found Debbie's heroin implements. Prim reluctantly incriminates Gary. Reg arrives home to find a gathering of councillors, including Aldermen Sinclair and Palfrey, and Alderman Mrs April Bullock. They are meeting to discuss tactics to defeat Clem Benson in the local elections. Jane tries to help Debbie go "cold turkey", without success. [Episode written by Lynn Foster; directed by Howard Scrivener.]

902. (2/12) Debbie's doctor (John Larking) tells Jane what to expect regarding her sister's recovery. The latest scandal about Gary has not met with Dorrie's approval. Liz makes an accusation about Debbie to Eileen. Jaja tells David that she has signed the contract for the tour, which instigates another row. Eileen blames Jane for Debbie's condition. David proposes to Jaja. No barrister is willing to take on Gary's case. Detective Cord (John Vale) from Police Headquarters visits David about the reports he has given them about the white slave racket. Cord is concerned that David and Jaja are continuing to involve themselves. Dorrie searches for bodies in the Sunshine Patio and is overheard by Senior Sergeant Murphy. A disappointed Oscar Barry orders a taxi for Jaja, who has backed out of the tour. David has walked into a deadly trap - and is quickly joined by Jaja. She sees David, bound and gagged, in the back seat of the taxi. The bogus Detective Cord pushes her inside and the vehicle drives off. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Howard Scrivener.]

John Larking, who portrays Debbie's doctor, previously appeared as Mr Pelham in Episode #183, and will return as Mr Hogan in Episode #1046.

903. (3/12) Muriel does some fast talking and Warwick is left feeling confused. Norma is resigned to the fact that Gary is going to prison. Eileen is unforgiving. Reg acts as MC for Dorrie's grand opening of the Sunshine Patio, but nobody turns up. After a trip to the zoo, Warwick's daughter, Caroline Thompson (Belinda Grose), and son, Simon, tell their father exactly how they feel about his relationship with Vera. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Howard Scrivener.]

On the video leaderstrip to the episode compile, the audio transmission date has a homage to Weppo's appearances. "As Shakespeare would say, 'Whenever and however...'" can be heard, instead of the usual "TBA" ("To Be Announced").

904. (4/12) Dudley and Prim share concern over David and Jaja's welfare. Don has questions for Liz, but she manages to bluff her way through. Edie and April plan a political rally. Don visits the oft-mentioned Eunice Springer, who supports Liz's story, but Gary knows that the woman is lying. Warwick wants to make plans for a trip to Europe with Vera. Dorrie is annoyed that Edie's rally on the patio interrupts her peace and quiet. Muriel asks Laura to hold off the divorce proceedings for the time being. At the police station, Dudley is told by the desk sergeant (Digby Thomas) that a body of a girl fitting Jaja's description has been found, washed up on rocks at Turimetta Head. Dudley then identifies a body at the morgue: it is Jaja's. [Episode written by David Sale; directed by Howard Scrivener.]

In the leaderstrip to the episode compile, the audio announcement is accompanied by a resounding theatrical echo. Digby Thomas, who plays the desk sergeant, will portray Henry Dunmore's chauffeur in Episode #985.

905. (5/12) Don realises that something has upset Dudley. He must now organise for his Uncle Vern and Aunt Elsie, Jaja's parents, to travel to Sydney from Forbes. Eunice Springer (Anne-Marie Wiles) sticks to her story. Edie puts Reg in a quandary; should he be worried or elated about her political aspirations? Alderman Mrs Bullock introduces the asthmatic "Bill Stickup", who will be responsible for pasting Edie's campaign posters all over Paddington. Don has lunch with a barrister, Quentin Flemming (Les Foxcroft), "a top QC" and a friend of Bunny Pycroft. He urges Don to drop Gary's case or, at least, get more tangible evidence. Journalist Oliver Hobbs (Reg Gorman) does not instill confidence about the accuracy of the article he is writing. Arnold threatens to lodge a formal complaint about Don's treatment of Liz. Muriel realises that Laura, too, is in love with Warwick. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Quentin Flemming mentions that Bunny Pycroft is up for Commodore at his local yacht club. Flemming is played by Les Foxcroft, who was last seen as the Magistrate overseeing Kerry Braddon's case in Episode #831. Previously, he was Holloway's office caretaker in Episode #22, and will return as the recurring character, Sir William Mainwaring, from Episode #1008. Reg Gorman, seen here as Oliver Hobbs, previously played Constable Wyatt and Irate Father in 1972, and Bert Kelly in 1974. The episode has a running gag of characters being referred to by their incorrect names ("Rex", "Ron", "Rob" and "Ray" MacDonald, "Bill Stickup", Alderman Mrs "Bollocks", Edie "McDougall", especially by journalist Mr Hobbs. The joke extends to the end credits: the actors for the characters of Hobbs and Flemming are actually switched. Quentin Flemming is miscredited to Reg Gorman. Oliver Hobbs is incorrectly attributed onscreen to John Cobley, an actor who would play Zeke Bolton in "The Young Doctors".

906. (8/12) Warwick undergoes a change of mind. A funnelweb spider is an uninvited guest at Dorrie's barbecue. Vera tries to bring Warwick and the children closer together. Arthur finds an advertisement in a Queensland paper asking for Herb to contact a solicitor and Dorrie is convinced he will receive an inheritance. Arnold gives Don a piece of his mind. Liz threatens Eunice; she has to stick to their story, after all, Eunice was the one who obtained poison for Liz last time, during an incident in New Zealand. [Episode written by Ken Shadie; directed by Brian Phillis.]

907. (9/12) Arnold makes a confession to the police, claiming that he poisoned himself, but Detective Sergeant Murphy doesn't believe him. Eileen does her best to cover up for Debbie, but Jane is furious. Jaja's funeral takes its toll on Dudley. Vera refuses to give Eileen time off to visit Debbie. The police ask Norma about Gary's attempt to shoot his estranged wife, Anna Maria, years before. Edie goes missing while campaigning. During a family outing to the beach, Warwick finds Muriel floating face down in the water. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

908. (10/12) Herb is thrilled by news of an inheritance, which will require a plane trip to Brisbane. Vera hears grim news about Muriel. Prim tries to help Dudley. Dorrie causes an accident and Arthur may never be the same. While seeing Herb off at the airport, Flo meets faded Hollywood actor, Trevor Banks (Kev Golsby) and he kisses her hand. Later, and his manager, Scott Taylor (Robert Davis), seek out Norma's Bar, where Trevor asks for his "little lost baby", whom he hasn't seen for over 20 years. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

Kev Golsby, who portrays Trevor Banks, previously appeared as the recurring character, Rudi Savanto, from Episode #605. That time he was credited as "Kevin" Golsby.

909. (11/12) Reg is frantic over Edie's disappearance on polling day. Arthur is suffering from a concussion. Eileen prepares for Debbie's hearing with the magistrate. Despite a plea from Scott, Prim refuses to forgive her unexpected visitor: her alcoholic father, Trevor. Will Magistrate Breverton (John Rayner) recommend that Debbie be placed in a detention centre for delinquents? Arthur needs a wife to take up a job at the train museum in Bowral. Edie defeats Clem Benson in the election. Muriel's operation has been only partly successful. [Episode written by Derek Strahan; directed by Brian Phillis.]

John Rayner returns to the magistrate character he first played in Episode #92. He is given the surname "Breverton" in dialogue used in Episode #911. Over the years, John Rayner also portrayed a lawyer, Mr Locksley, an attorney, and the recurring role of TC Ian Duncan. In Adelaide, scheduling had fallen behind. This episode would be aired in a one-hour timeslot with Episode #910, but not until Thursday 13/05/1976. (Episodes in South Australia were being played at 9.35pm, following a one-hour compilation of episodes of "The Box" at 8.35pm.)

910. (12/12) Prim still has no time for Trevor, and throws him out before he can tell his side of the story. Don is coopted as a waiter in the wine bar. Dorrie announces that she and Herb have great expectations but, instead of money, Herb inherits a 51-year old son from the deceased Gladys Winthrop's will. He and Flo desperately try to hide the truth. Liz shows Don an incriminating letter which Norma confirms as being in Gary's handwriting. Vera learns that Muriel will never walk again. In private, Liz tells Gary that she wishes he would hang. Inexplicably, Jaja is back from the dead. [Episode written by Johnny Whyte; directed by Peter Benardos.]

This episode's cliffhanger endings would not be resolved until the 1976 ratings season, when episodes would be screened twice weekly, in one-hour blocks. On Saturday 13/12/1975, a federal election would be held. After a bitter campaign, the conservative Fraser Government is confirmed in power. Christmas messages from the cast (often in character as Reg & Edie MacDonald, Trixie O'Toole, Dorrie & Herb Evans with Flo Patterson, Arnold Feather & Giovanni Lenzi, Don Finlayson & Dudley Butterfield; and Norma & Gary Whittaker with Jane Chester) are included in the "Special Features" section of the 2010 DVD, "Number 96: Aftermath of Murder" (Volume 2), by Umbrella Entertainment Australia.

Number 96 synopses © 1994, 2020, 2025 Ian McLean and Lindsay Street Productions. They have been rewritten and annotated from information derived from Sydney and Melbourne editions of TV Week and TV Times, cross-referenced with original Cash Harmon documentation (including synopses by Peter Pascoe) and viewings of episodes. No text may be reproduced without the express permission of the author. To use this material in research, you are requested to inform the author and credit his contribution accordingly. Thank you.

Page last updated May 2025.