Source:	Web Archive, Savant’s scripts
Published:	2003-09-27
Archived:	2008-04-15

Script – Season three

Episode 16

Dianne:	We have the proof. There is a fault line. I demand a tribunal hearing.
Commander:	We have stopped blasting, doctor.
Dianne:	Yes, but for how long?
Hellegren:	Only until it is clearly established that our construction work had nothing to do with this natural phenomenon.
Dianne:	Who do you think you’re kidding? Of course it has.
Kellar:	Where is your evidence?
Commander:	Please, there will be a hearing in due course. In the meantime, doctor, may I remind you we have a conference to attend on the mainland?
Dianne:	Of course, life goes on.
Hellegren:	Would you wish to stop it?
Dianne:	At this rate it may well be stopped for us.

Benny:	This is amazing.
Cass:	Hot news.
Neri:	Yes.
Lena:	I think we’ve found another piece of the synchronium.
Neri:	Good. We now only have small time.
Neri:	HELEN’s zoomed in on a local newspaper article about a bright red glow in the southern sky.
Benny:	Where was it sighted?
Lena:	Somewhere here along the western plains.
Brett:	Ace. So we get Kal to assess a landing point.
Neri:	He will not come out of spaceship.
Brett:	So we front him down there, then.
Neri:	You must, Brett. With me and Jason he is still angry.

Brett:	Kal! You down there?
Cass:	After you.

Kal:	So, Kal useful.
Brett:	Hey, don’t give us a hard time. Nobody else can do it.
Cass:	That’s the general area, and those are the points and times of the sightings.
Kal:	I think.
Cass:	Wish I knew how he does it.
Brett:	Yeah.
Kal:	Shhhh. Whisper, whisper.
Brett:	We’re just saying that it’s good…
Kal:	Neri and Jason whisper, too. All time secrets.
Cass:	You’re jealous, that’s all.
Kal:	Jealous?
Cass:	You want them to like you more than they like each other. We all feel like that sometimes. It’s no big deal. Okay?
Kal:	It’s not okay.
Brett:	All right, so you’re feeling bad, but what’s more important? That or this?
Cass:	Look, if we don’t get the synchronium together the whole world is in big trouble.
Brett:	We could all be history, including you.
Kal:	Fell there.
Brett:	Somewhere called – dean’s gully.

Cass:	How much longer?
Brett:	About an hour.
Cass:	We got to get her to more water before that.
Brett:	Okay, We’re try that place over there.
Guy:	What’s going on?
Brett:	Ah, she just needed a drink.
Guy:	I can see that. So where’d you lot spring from?
Brett:	Um, we’re on an excursion from school.
Cass:	Geology.
Guy:	How’d you get here?
Brett:	Ah, bus to emu flat.
Women:	Then I’ll bet you’re tired and hungry then.
Brett:	Well…
Women:	Well, you’re in luck. I’ve just made some scones and biscuits.
Brett:	It’s about lunch time. What do you think?
Cass:	Yeah.
Women:	Good. Come on in. Getting warm, isn’t it?
Brett:	Yeah, it is.
Women:	There you go. Straight through to the kitchen.
Brett:	Thanks.
Cass:	Okay.

(music)

Neri:	Beautiful.
Women:	Yes. People always admire that one.
Brett:	Something smells good.
Women:	Okay.

Dianne:	What are they doing on this level?
Winston:	A very wise old saying, “don’t look at me.”

Dianne:	We’re talking about canisters of radioactive, heavy-metal isotopes being pushed around this complex on a trolley. Why wasn’t I informed?
Winston:	As environmental officer.
Commander:	I had to make a quick decision and there wasn’t time to consult you.
Dianne:	Is this something to do with the new reactor UBRI are installing for ORCA city?
Commander:	A minor glitch in the storage arrangements. They will be installed in the next couple of days.
Winston:	But commander, when we saw the canisters they were on the gamma level.
Commander:	That’s right. All the normal store rooms are in use. So the safest option I could find was the school section.
Dianne:	You’re storing potentially lethal material in a school area?
Commander:	It’s holidays. The place is deserted.
Dianne:	Terrific.

Brett:	Thanks.
Women:	My, you have got a thirst.
Neri:	Sorry.
Women:	That’s okay, there’s plenty. So I thought this was vacation time.
Cass:	It is, but we’re doing a project.
Patti:	Hi.
Women:	Oh, hi, darling. I didn’t think you’d want to come out.
Patti:	Is someone sitting in my chair?
Women:	Oh, Brett, would you mind?
Brett:	Oh, yeah, here you go.
Patti:	Thanks. Sorry, I’m just used to sitting in the same spot, that’s all.
Neri:	Why you feel the chair in that way?
Brett:	She’s blind, Neri.
Neri:	Blind?
Women:	Ah, Patti has no sight at all, unfortunately.
Patti:	That’s okay. It’s no big secret. There was a car accident. I hit the windscreen. I’m blind. End of story. So how come you wanted to keep the visitors all to yourself? I’m Patti.
Cass:	Cass.
Brett:	Brett.
Neri:	Neri.
Patti:	Neri. That’s a strange name.
Neri:	Cannot see. Feel.
Women:	These young people are on an excursion. Looking for fossils.
Brett:	Yeah, we heard there’s some great ones around here, um, somewhere called dean’s gully.
Patti:	Oh, see that picture up there, that’s dean’s gully.
Cass:	Who painted it?
Patti:	No one special.
Women:	It’ll be really lovely out there now, too.
Patti:	Yeah, with the gum trees in blossom.
Neri:	You come with us.
Guy:	Ah, no. No, that’s impossible, I’m afraid. Patti never goes anywhere without us.
Women:	No, we have to be very careful.

Brett:	It’s no use. Kal must’ve been wrong.
Neri:	No, he cannot be wrong.
Cass:	Yeah, well, maybe it’s you that’s wrong.
Brett:	Me? Don’t be crazy. It’s got to be here. Look, the co-ordinates, north-east one –
Cass:	Good one, klutz.
Brett:	Guys!
Cass:	The capsule.
Neri:	Gone.
Brett:	Someone’s been here.
Cass:	Yeah, UBRI.
Brett:	No. It’s been gone for a long time. No tracks.

Brett:	We’ve come to say goodbye to Patti.
Women:	She’s in her bedroom.
Cass:	Thanks.
Cass:	Patti?
Patti:	Neri, thanks.
Cass:	Look.
Brett:	Hey, where did you get this?
Patti:	Don’t. Sorry. I never let anyone touch that. Ever.

Cass:	Did you talk to her?
Neri:	A little. She found the synchronium piece when here eyes could still see.
Brett:	She found the capsule?
Neri:	Yes. Walking alone. She said she kept it because she felt it was beautiful.
Cass:	Well, did you tell her we really need it?
Neri:	No. Not know way to say it.
Brett:	Problem, huh? Well, at least UBRI haven’t got it.
Cass:	Yeah, well, we’ve got a bit of time to work on her. Brett called ORCA and said we’d be staying the night.
Neri:	Good.
Cass:	There must be something we can say to her.
Neri:	I will ask her. When time is right.
Cass:	Good luck. What’s that supposed to be?
Brett:	Dr. Hellegren. On a good day.

Hellegren:	What are you doing on board ORCA?
Lena:	I live here.
Hellegren:	With whom?
Lena:	Dr. Bates.
Hellegren:	I wouldn’t plan on a long stay.
Lena:	There is nothing you can do about it.
Hellegren:	Indeed.
Lena:	I’m on work experience. I’ve been assisting Dr. Bates with her work and I’ve been registered as a guest of the family.
Hellegren:	I can easily change all that.
Lena:	If you don’t leave me alone, father, I will go public with all the hidden files I saw in UBRI’s computer and that’s a promise.
Hellegren:	You’re bluffing.
Lena:	Try me.

Guy:	So why colonize the oceans? You’ll only pollute them even more.
Cass:	No way. ORCA’s there so we can research things that might solve all the problems.
Guy:	Yes, well, if we hadn’t abused the earth in the first place, there’d be no need to look for an escape in the oceans.
Patti:	Mum, I can manage. So, Neri, do you live on ORCA, too?
Neri:	I go there. Often.
Patti:	Sounds wonderful.
Women:	Oh, yes. I remember. Out there near the reef. I went out there once when I was really little. Oh, the millions of fish and coral. The most fantastic colours and shapes.
Patti:	Oh, sorry.
Women:	It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ll get it.
Patti:	Mum, please don’t fuss.
Women:	Okay.
Cass:	If you’re interested, there’s some information on ORCA we could send you… In braille, I mean.
Patti:	No, that’s okay, thanks. What’s the point of finding out about something if I’m never going to see it?
Women:	Oh, Patti.
Patti:	I think I might go to my room. Goodnight, everyone.
Cass:	Yeah, ’night.
Guy:	Outsiders. It’s always the same.

Patti:	Who?
Neri:	Neri. I can talk?
Patti:	If you want to.
Neri:	I know you hurt.
Patti:	They treat me like I have to be wrapped up in cotton wool and then I go and do a clumsy thing like that.
Neri:	There was no harm.
Patti:	Except I spoiled the evening. I just wanted to be like a normal person. But I’m not normal, am I?
Neri:	Is so important to be normal? You are special, I can tell. But I do not think you know it.
Patti:	You sound so gentle. I know you have a lovely face.
Neri:	And these pictures. You made them, yes?
Patti:	Mum insists on putting them up. I don’t care one way or the other.
Neri:	And you are angry because you cannot make these pictures any more.
Patti:	Wouldn’t you be?

Sallyanne:	Ah, I missed it. You’re up early. Studying again?
Benny:	Yeah, ah, bride duty again?
Sallyanne:	What’s new?
UBRI:	Did you forget your card, kid?
Benny:	Yeah.
UBRI:	Let him in.
Benny:	What about –
UBRI:	We’ll leave it open for you.
Benny:	Thanks.

Commander:	Before we return to the conference, a brief reminder to keep on your toes. The routine monitoring of a complex like this is never quite routine. Carry on.
Morgan:	Full systems check, HELEN. Back-up confirmation from every post, starting with you, Sallyanne.
Sallyanne:	I’m ready when you are, Morgan.

Brett:	Hey, good morning.
Cass:	Hey.
Women:	Good morning. Sleep well?
Cass:	Yes, thanks.
Brett:	Yep.
Women:	Oh, good. I better get some breakfast on then, eh? Where’s Neri?
Brett:	I think she’s already up.
Cass:	She probably went for a swim in the creek.
Guy:	Where’s Patti?
Women:	What?
Guy:	Well, she’s not in her room and she’s nowhere in the yard. Patti! Patti!
Women:	It’s just not like her, Doug. She hasn’t been herself lately.
Guy:	She was all right, ’til yesterday.
Women:	Patti!
Patti:	We’re over here, mum.
Neri:	She makes my picture.

HELEN:	Attention. Seismic activity detected. Tremor imminent. Tremor now occurring. Please secure all unsecured objects.
Morgan:	Keep your eyes on those monitors!
HELEN:	Attention, radiation leak on gamma level. School section, storeroom one-seven west.
Sallyanne:	HELEN, confirm location. Gamma level?
HELEN:	Confirmed. Bulkheads will now be sealed.
Jason:	Must be those canisters mum was talking about. Lucky there’s no one down there.
Sallyanne:	Benny!
Jason:	What?
Benny:	I saw him go in.
Morgan:	His entry isn’t registered.
Sallyanne:	He didn’t use his card.
Jason:	Wait, HELEN. There’s someone in there.
HELEN:	Negative. All personnel are clear. Fatal contamination level in that section will be reached in 4 minutes 23 seconds.

HELEN:	Attention. Radiation leak. Stand clear of all bulkhead doors.
Benny:	Leave it open. No!

Morgan:	We can’t over-ride HELEN unless I notify the commander and I am not gonna drag him out of the conference on some wild theory.
Jason:	We gotta go down there.
Sallyanne:	HELEN won’t let us open the bulkheads.
Jason:	Oh, yes, she will.
Morgan:	What are you doing?
Jason:	Taking the daily code. Come on.
Morgan:	That is against orders. Get back here!

Benny:	HELEN! Come on, HELEN, let me out!
Jason:	Theory is, in a code two emergency, this can over-ride.
HELEN:	Daily code over-ride mode. Please state your requirements.
Jason:	Open the bulkhead door, HELEN.
HELEN:	Negative. Please refer to the commander. Fatal contamination level in 31 seconds and counting.
Jason:	She won’t listen.
Sallyanne:	Tell her you’re authorized.
Jason:	HELEN, you’ve got my voice-print. I’m acting first officer Jason Bates. Open the door. Come on, hurry up. Let’s go.
Benny:	What happened? What’s going on?
Jason:	Don’t worry about it. Just get in. Come on.

Women:	Isn’t it like her? I can’t get over it, Doug.
Guy:	It’s not bad at all.
Patti:	Don’t make a fuss.
Cass:	So, you all set to bake it?
Women:	Oh yes, I’ll just stoke up the over.
Neri:	And you will make more hand paintings?
Guy:	Oh yeah, We’re sending off for some armature and some modeling clay this afternoon.
Brett:	We really gotta go now or we gonna miss our bus.
Cass:	Yeah, thanx for everything and the great food and all.
Women:	It’s been a pleasure.
Guy:	Yeah, hey thanx.
Patti:	Neri, come. I don’t understand but I know you need it.
Neri:	Yes. But I no like to take from you.
Patti:	No, it’s okay. You’ve given me something better.

(music)

Commander:	Acting contrary to orders. Leaving posts without permission. Unofficial use of daily code. Word on the boy, Dr. Bates?
Dianne:	Yes, commander. The doctor’s put Benny through every radiation test we have. He’s in the clear.
Commander:	Good.
Winston:	The clean-up team have resealed the broken canisters and sent them back to the mainland.
Dianne:	Where they should’ve gone in the first place.
Commander:	Did the doctor mention what would’ve happened to Benny if he’d stayed down there any longer?
Dianne:	If Jason and Sallyanne had delayed their rescue for even a few minutes longer, the dose of radiation would have been deadly.
Commander:	There’s a lesson here. In an emergency the rules don’t always fit the case. Something, which perhaps on this occasion, cadet Clayborn, you forgot. Congratulations on a job well done.
Jason:	Thank you, sir.

(music)