Fireflies (2004): Season 1, Episode 7 - Hazard Reduction - full transcript
Fifi has to deal with her unpredictable brother Hank who has just returned from prison and has a different story to tell to everyone he meets. Back at home the Sharp family try to welcome this free radical element as Hank tries to wheedle his way back into Fifi's life. Lill and Perry are trying hard to deal with Taz, Perry's moody teenage daughter who's arrived for the holidays. She clashes with Lill over everything and confronts her father with her palpable distaste for her stepmother. Lill prepares for the fire controlled Hazard Reduction but is unprepared for the discovery she makes when she and Svettie clean out Peg's house. Elsewhere, Backa struggles with the responsibilities of a dangerous burn-off and the knowledge that his deal with his Uncle Jeff may well betray his brother.
- Waste that little time.
- Peggy rose, it's okay.
- My leg come home.
I want you to burn the letters.
- What letters, peg?
- Don't let my family
get them, some of them.
Just burn them, just burn
them, just burn them, oh.
- You come and work for me.
Together we'll keep her under control.
And in six months time
if things work out,
then I'll sign over 25%
of the trust to you.
- I can't just cut him out.
- Then why did you
come here on your own?
Seems you've already
cut Joey out of it.
Joey made his choice to get
that chap girl pregnant.
And no sharpe is gonna
say that out loud.
(Wondering music)
(Soft rock music)
♪ I have to pinch myself to feel ♪
♪ if what is going on is real ♪
♪ from the guards themselves we steal ♪
♪ night and day, night and day ♪
♪ a jug of wine, a
loaf of bread, thing ♪
♪ laying on a blanket underneath
that big 'ol spreading tree ♪
♪ it's such a beautiful feeling, oh ♪
♪ such a beautiful feeling ♪
- Request for assistance,
we're fine. (Firemen laughing)
- Okay, let's try something different.
I'm gonna put through a series of calls
and you respond, okay?
Um, lost river two, we have
a make of the vehicle,
it's a dark blue camry station wagon,
report of one deceased, a white male,
age approximately 50.
Does that remind you of anyone?
- Take it easy, fif.
- No Joey, I'm all right, okay?
They're not gonna be.
- Hey.
- Well done Fifi.
- Really?
I never kinda had to be the
teacher before, you know?
- You're running a really good class,
but maybe you could go a
little easier on them.
You don't want to lose them
before you've got them.
- Yeah, I just wanted to
give them a push, you know?
Get serious, you're gonna
have to at some point.
- Well, we've all gotta get
serious at some stage, Fifi,
even you.
- Yeah, for sure.
- Good, you're accepting then.
- What, have I missed something?
- You've just accepted
the job as beggers 2rc
for the has production.
- I have?
- There is only one person
in the ifs that'd doubt
your ability, Fifi, that's you.
- Yeah, I don't know about that.
- Maybe you need a push, eh?
(Telephone ringing)
(Helicopter chopping)
(Rhythmic music)
- Here's Tess.
- Well, here we go.
(Air breaks releasing)
Oh, she's made a friend already.
- He's typical luster,
irresistible to members
of the opposite sex.
- Oh, hang on, mate.
- What a burden that must be.
- Hey, good trip?
- Yeah, yeah.
- You can give us that.
- He was a bit of all right.
- Who?
- That cute boy you were flirting with.
- I don't know about you,
but when two people talk,
I generally call it a conversation.
- Um, I got the afternoon off,
so we'll go home and
I'll make some frappes.
♪ The joy in all ♪
♪ I can't take ♪
♪ something I know real ♪
- So you must know everyone
around here by now, dad?
- Or some, not all.
Lil's made more friends than I have.
- Yes, and done less
work because of it.
Lost revere either of
me, tell, bird, or aug?
- That's what Hank said.
- Hank?
Hank sharpe?
- Oh yes, a sharpe.
So you do know people.
- God, sovereignty just
sounds like the most hideous
and insane place.
- You covered a lot in a
short bass trip, didn't you?
- Dad, no one deserves
to be raped every night
for the first six months
of their sentence.
- That what Hank told you, is it?
- Not everybody gets
raped in prison, Tess.
- Oh, like you'd know.
You're so buji, you've
probably never met anyone
who've been near a prison.
They're alone
psychologically traumatized
by their incarceration.
- Psychologically traumatized
by their incarceration.
- [Tess] What's that awful smell?
- Incense.
- Yes, it's to cover the more
awful smell of dead rats
in the wall.
- Dead rats?
Ugh, disgusting.
- [Lil] That's a bit
buji of you, isn't it?
- Uh, lil thought you might
want to sleep in our bedroom.
- With that, our studies.
You can have a room to yourself.
And the smell is a bit
better in there too.
- Okay, but you better
have changed the sheets.
- Yes!
- Price check, please, price
check of major sparke's sister
aisle five!
- Hank!
Oh man!
I didn't think you were getting
out for another two weeks!
- Yeah, break out!
Dug a tunnel and crawled
through the sewer system,
ended up at lost river.
- Eh, where else?
- Smell like shit though.
See you later then.
- Hank, don't be a dick head.
- I'm not neeking them.
Besides, you used to never
walk out of here empty handed.
- It's not a joke if no one's laughing.
- Oh good day, we haven't met yet.
I'm Hank, Hank sharpe.
Seen you council one more chance, yeah.
Yeah, I thought you might
wanna put a face to the name
even if this body ugly is too small.
- [Cop] Just got out, have ya?
- Yeah, I was up in queensland
laboring at a friend's
for a couple weeks.
Wanted to get a bit of work
experience under my belt,
you know?
- I got on you.
- But you won't get any
trouble of out me.
But, if I slip up at all
you have my permission
to boot me up the ass, okay (Chuckles)?
- I reckon I'll do that.
- Yeah.
- [Cop] All right.
- Perfect.
- Good day, mate.
(Dreary music)
- The rain's really set us
up and we aren't gonna burn
on Saturday unless the
weather is perfect.
- What about the couple
of acres I want burned?
- Yeah, just, I don't know yet, okay?
I'll speak to Bryce
and see what I can do
about setting them.
- All right.
'Cause I'd like to do that.
(Coins jingling)
(Door slams)
(Door shuts)
- Good day, Baker.
- Good day.
- Dad?
- What?
Come here.
Oh, here you go!
- Thanks, dad.
- [Hank] Man in demand.
- Been back long?
- Nah, got to and went straight
to perth for two weeks,
surfing with mates.
You still saving our asses at the irfs?
- Not just me, Hank.
- [Hank] Suppose you're
looking for extra people, eh?
- No, not always.
- Maybe I should join.
Fight me own fires for a change.
Look, I know nobody gives a
shit if I live here or not
but I'm stuck here for now.
Country can be a bit
of a bitch, you know?
- Well, we just finished a
basic fire fighting course
and I don't know when
we're doing it again.
- Well maybe next time.
You'll let me know?
- Yeah, sure.
- How much do I owe
you for the earrings?
(Ball knocking)
- Just such a big burn
so late in the season.
- I wish we didn't have to
do it too our ass but we do.
That's part of the overall strategy.
- There hasn't been a
burn there in years.
- Well, that's my point.
- [Fifi] Yeah, but if we
do what we can control it.
- And if we don't do it,
you know as well as I do
we'll be back burning the
same area like maniacs
come Christmas.
- Maybe.
- Are there anymore snack packs?
- Eh, have mine.
I don't want it.
- When's Bryce get here then?
- He's coming, okay?
- So plenty of probationaries
to bet on Saturday, then?
- You just keep your eyes
on little Ziggy and Louise,
all right?
- Two sheilas and a feral.
Should be a laugh.
- Watch it.
- Hey, just, can we just put
the bloody ball away please?
It's suppose to be a meeting!
- Sorry I'm late.
- That's all right, Bryce.
We're just going through
stuff for Saturday.
Okay, if conditions
are good on Saturday,
then we'll be having three
crews here, Jeff burg's place,
doing containment lines.
- [Bryce] What about the weather?
- Windy probably.
- Fine, eris!
It's fine on Saturday, eh?
2040 reasons to.
- All right, well I won't
be there on Saturday,
I'll be in the control room.
So good luck.
Good luck with the probies,
they won't know what hit them.
- They're probies,
they'll probably be there
in the cloud tall.
(Fireman laughing)
- Good luck to my two ic, I
know that you'll need it.
- Eh, bullshit.
- Saturday it is.
Let's blow some smoke.
- Hey Bryce, you want
a cup of tea mate?
- Sure mate.
- I gotta go.
Louise is doing a roast.
- Yum.
- Catch yah.
- Butt out.
- Thanks.
- You still hungry?
That's a good sign, isn't it?
- I'm starving.
- Hey, you want to go to
the bowl for some Chinese?
I'll pay.
- No, mom's doing pizzas.
- I heard your brother's back.
- Yeah!
- How's everything at home?
- I dunno, I haven't been there yet.
It's crowded probably.
- It'll be nice for
your mom though, eh?
Having the whole family together again.
- Yeah.
Wanna say goodbye to Bryce, see yah.
- [Bryce] So, where are you
thinking for hazard relations?
- [Baker] It was just a
couple of hectors that Jeff
wants to clear for his cattle.
- Baker, I went through this with Jeff.
He is right, it's right next
to a protected animal habitat.
I'd up the environmental core.
Besides, we haven't the
resources for anything else
on Saturday.
- Yeah, no.
I told them that would
probably be the case.
- [Fifi] Hi, sorry to interrupt.
- No, that's fine, I'm
just gonna go and gear up.
- Bryce, I found 50 bucks
at basic fire fighting.
I don't know who's it is though.
- All right, I'll ask around.
You've got a big day Saturday.
You getting nervous?
- Nope.
- Did Fanny eat heaps
when she was pregnant?
(Man chuckles)
- She would have gnawed my
arm like a chicken wing
if I left it on her side of the bed.
- Hey backy, you reckon I
could borrow your portal
for Saturday?
- Yeah?
What for?
- I was thinking about
moving into this old house
up in alaleah, start doing it up.
- You're sick of the caravan?
- Yeah, it's a bit small.
- It's not too small for one.
- What about you, eh?
You talk to uncle Jeff yet about
getting back to the land?
- No, now is not the
time mate, shall we?
- Well, now is always
the time, isn't it?
Seize the day, cape diem.
- Capping on is more like it, mate.
Jesus, you're gonna get
your hand off it, okay?
(Dreary music)
(Birds chirping)
(Car engine rumbling)
- Guess what!
- You're moving Karen's
bike out of Hank's room
'cause he's back?
- So who's gonna win the fourth
a grand week tomorrow then?
- I'm telling you, alright
dad, let me help you.
- That's all right, just around here.
Hank's bringing the rest.
- Yeah.
- [Fifi's mom] Oh shut the
screen door, would you?
You're letting the mozzies in.
- [Fifi's dad] Right-o.
- Oh well who's creeping?
Welcoming me home to the
bosom of the family!
- Oh, sorry I'm starving, I gotta eat.
- What do you think of
these two then, eh?
- The bread and gin of lost river.
- I was waiting for you.
You want some black frost cake?
- Mm!
- Hey, you like these?
- Yeah, pretty!
- You reckon?
Hank got 'em for me, had a
big casino down in Sydney.
- Oh yeah?
- Yeah, in his early days of freedom.
- Welcome home, son.
(Plates clashing)
Hope there isn't a
file in this, darling.
- Hank, that's dad's chair.
Let him sit down!
- No, you're all right mate.
- No, Hank, move.
Dad's banging, aren't you.
- I'm sorry, mate.
Bad choice of words for you, eh?
(Boys rummaging)
- Hope you guys are
walk out with tough.
Got nothing on you, hard man.
- Gah, one more male in
this house and it's already
a disaster here.
- [Hank] I need another beer, anyone?
Fifi?
- Uh, I'm gonna get changed.
- I think you already have.
(Eerie music)
(Hank knocking)
Sorry to interrupt your
strategic planning, captain.
- It's all right.
It's just a phone bill.
I gotta get rid of it though.
(Tongue smacking)
- God, your standards have
really nose-dived since Damien,
haven't they?
(Mouth blowing)
Shiny, shiny.
- What's up, Hank?
- You are, apparently.
Up the duff.
Mom couldn't wait to tell me.
I'm wrapped.
- Well, it's gonna be awhile
before there's a kid around.
- Well, don't worry, I'll help
out with the little bugger.
Do the dad thing.
Take him on a bush bash.
- Yeah, well what if it's a girl?
- Then I'll teach her how to shoplift.
Actually, you better do that.
Anyway, there's your present.
- Thanks.
- Well, half sharp anyway.
- 50 bucks!
Thanks, Hank!
Oh, thank you!
- You know we go shopping, Tess?
- Believe it or not, there
are malls in Sidney, lil.
Big ones, too.
Maybe I'll get some DVD's.
- We haven't got a DVD player.
- Well, not only are we
stuck in the country,
we're stuck in the last century too.
- Yeah, obviously.
- I'm gonna pop in and
get something for peg
before I see her, bye.
- Lil doesn't like me much, does she?
- Where do you get that from?
- It's okay, I know why.
I don't need her as a mother
and I don't want her as a friend.
- You can still be friendly.
- Dad, she's not 16 and she
pretends she is for my benefit
as if I'm gonna tell her all
my deepest, darkest secrets.
- Well, you'll just have to
confide in me then, won't you?
- So, are there enough screwed
up people around here
to keep you occupied?
- What do you think?
- I think living in lost river
is enough to send anyone
completely bonkers.
(Man coughing)
- Oh here, let me do that.
(High-pitched beeping)
Okay, what do you want, peg?
- To be six feet under,
thank you very much.
- You don't mean that.
- Hadn't I?
- Your children are due
home soon, aren't they?
- Yes, but I told them not to come.
I've got a few things
need to be sorted.
Don't know if...
- Don't you want your
kids to have to do this?
- No, and I don't want to
have to ask them 100 times.
- What about mina?
- She's got the flu.
- Okay, what about an
agency or something?
- Typical Sidney, pay somebody.
- All right.
I'll do it for you.
- So, you've already been
through some of this
while you were in jail?
- Yeah, they had this great guy there.
He ran the anger management thing.
I was really starting to feel
like I was getting somewhere.
- Well, the conditions
of your parole require
that you continue counseling.
- I know.
I don't want to slip back
into my bad, old ways.
I'm already doing it though.
- Doing what, exactly?
- Telling everybody all
this different stuff,
making shit up.
I'm getting sick of me own bullshit.
- Friday still okay with you?
- Yeah, Friday's is great.
I've got a good gut feeling
about this, Dr. luskin.
- I'm not exactly a doctor, Hank.
- Oh, I know, I know.
See, doing it again.
More bullshit (Chuckles).
- I'm gonna get my daughter.
- Bye bye.
- Hey, you ready?
- I'm shopped out.
- Oh hi, Tess!
- Hey!
- How you going?
- Remember, I told you
not to take anything
he says seriously, okay?
- Oh look, I got that money
I owe you too, by the way.
You haven't any cash
or smokes if you like.
- Oh, don't worry about it.
- No, no, take it.
Oh, can you, are you
headed back to lost river?
- No, we're going to the mall.
- Not.
- We're done now aren't we?
- Yeah.
- I'll see you later then.
(Telephone ringing)
- I'll get my bag and lock up.
(Dreary music)
- I'm not going back into
that pathetic mall, dad.
- Not even to get a DVD player?
- Just make sure you get a
good night's sleep, yeah?
- Yeah, no worries.
- Cheers!
- See yah.
- Shit.
- Backey's a bitch ain't he Fifi?
- Yeah, it's bloody hot and
we're about to light a fire,
remember?
- How's home, then?
- It's fine.
- You know you can always
stay with me if you want.
- What the two of us in a caravan?
Come on, that's like
living in a shoebox.
- Actually, I'm gonna
move out of the caravan.
And rent around here.
Look for some more work.
- Oh yeah?
Come pull.
(Man chuckling)
Joey no jokes, eh.
- Everyone else is gone
and I've just finished
checking my staff.
So much prep for little fire.
- Paper starts a little late, eh?
- Yeah, anyway I gotta go.
Next obligations calls.
- What's your first haste to
fight and fire them, all right?
- Yeah, we're gonna get hooked here.
- Dunno,
reckon you'd be knackered
at the end of it though.
- [Lil] What about you, you
looking forward to it?
- When it's over, everything's
gone perfectly fine,
nobody's hurt, someone says
hey backard, drink this beer.
Now, that's what I look forward to.
- See yah.
- See yah.
(Sad music)
- Svitty, high.
Do you keep air freshener or something?
I've got to air out peg's place for her
before her kids arrive.
- Why can't the kids clean
up their own mother's house?
They're the family.
- Well, that's what I said.
- I've seen those kids,
monsters both of them.
- Something's strange about
the whole family I think.
I feel a bit weird going over there
but I promised peg, so.
- Do you want me to come with you?
- What about your kids?
- They're at their friends.
May as well close five minutes early.
It's as slow as death in here.
- All right.
- Smells of disinfectant
and depression.
Why would anyone live like this?
- Two televisions, a dishwasher,
and no clothes dryer.
I will never, ever
understand the country.
- We better put them on the line.
- Yeah.
- Oh my god, look at
these, these are enormous!
- Get used to it!
That's the way it goes.
Downwards.
And after a couple of babies,
it just gets worse and worse.
- Well, Perry and I
will just have to stop
at one baby then.
- Men will get it too, you know?
When I was little, I was about five,
I saw my grandfather get
out of the bath naked,
unbelievable.
Balls hanging down to his
ankles, just dangling there,
like this big old emo.
- God, stop it.
- He went to get his robe and
they were always scraping
along the ground!
- Oh svitty!
- It's true.
- Well baby, I have a serious
investment in my husband's
ear muffs.
- Oh yeah?
- Calm down.
I'm not making any
announcements or anything.
I just feel kinda ready so, I
just don't want to go home
and imagine Perry getting
gravel rash on his testicles
just now.
(Svitty laughing)
(Jazz music)
♪ Everybody wants to touch me ♪
♪ they all love my skin ♪
♪ they all want to take me home ♪
♪ they don't even care
where I've been ♪
♪ everybody wants to touch me ♪
♪ everybody wants a little pat ♪
- That suits you, actually.
- Of course it does.
Always some of the place.
I gotta go now.
- That's okay.
- Yeah?
- I still haven't finished my list yet.
- Hey, I'm taking the kids
to the movies tonight.
Do you think Tess would want to come?
- I dunno but I'll ask her.
- I'll call her.
- Thanks, sweetie.
That was fun.
If I ever have to clean out
an old woman's house again,
it will be you that I call.
- Thank you.
- Bye bye.
(TV chattering)
- Hat box.
(Saxophone music)
- Mmm, DVD player, you must be happy!
- Dad, you need audio
and visual cables.
What did you buy?
- I don't know, you were there too.
I bought cables.
- Great, this is hopeless.
- What's the problem?
- Dad just bought a
completely useless DVD.
- Just give me a minute,
I'll have it working.
- Did svetty call you?
- Yeah, I'm going to fox cove
but that stupid multiplex
better be playing something
other than kids films.
- Well you're such an
emotional infant, Tess,
kids film would be perfect for you.
- Well, it's better than staying
here with Cruella de vil.
(Car horn honks)
- Tess...
Why do I feel like I'm doing
more anger management at home
than at work these days?
- I'm sorry, I shouldn't
have taken the bait.
I promised.
I shouldn't have said anything.
I'm a bitch.
I'm a complete bitch.
- What's all this?
- Pandora's box.
I opened it.
They're letters that peg
asked me to burn for her.
- Love letters?
- Love letters, hate letters,
they're all in there.
- A bit close to home are they?
- Yeah, at least I wasn't
married with kids at the time.
- No, only your friends were.
- Well see?
How can you be with me?
I mean, I'm a terrible friend.
I'm a terrible step mother.
And I doubt I'm going to
be a terrible mother, too.
- Don't be so hard on yourself.
- Maybe I should go
back into counseling.
- Come on, what's this all about, huh?
- I don't know.
I just got so upset.
I thought I was fine and then I just...
It's all just in my face again.
It's all just come back at me
again and I can't make it.
It's just there.
Maybe I should go back
on anti-depressants.
- Okay now, there are certain
wounds that are always
gonna be there.
It will open up, you'll purge
a bit making you scared,
and then they'll leave you
alone again for a few years.
It's all part of the process.
(Lips smack)
- How can you kiss me?
I'm a hideous wound.
- Hardly stand being in
the same room as you.
♪ All day long ♪
- The same, we've only got one room.
(Man chuckles)
You know, you're lucky
I'm pretty screwed up.
- Right?
- Been wasted on the same woman.
(Lips smack)
♪ Once I had a place I
could call my own ♪
♪ now we're over and lay my hands on ♪
♪ went into some trouble ♪
♪ back on down the road ♪
♪ I didn't like the look of me ♪
♪ someone took a hook at me ♪
(Singer humming)
♪ I keep on looking ♪
♪ for smoke under the bridge ♪
(Drink pouring)
♪ Keep on walking to smoke ♪
- He was peg's sister's husband
- oh, that's complicated.
- It's hard to believe these are peg's,
so beautifully written.
Why do I still keep these?
Old letters of mine?
- I don't know, mementos,
family heirlooms, talismans.
- Talismans?
- Evil eye, to protect against
it ever happening again.
- Silly isn't it?
- No, just human.
(Somber jazzy music)
(Birds chirping)
(Man humming jazzy music)
♪ Keep on looking for
smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ a little shelter ♪
♪ a friendly fire ♪
♪ is company under the bridge ♪
♪ keep on walking ♪
♪ gotta keep walking ♪
- Got the room to yourself.
- So you never made it home.
What did you bring those for?
- Well, I went through
the list and cleaned up
and found your letters.
- And you read them, yeah?
- Peg, what if I keep them for you?
- No.
- Just until after your children leave?
- No.
I should have burned them years ago.
- But you didn't.
- So?
- Peg, lots of people
have wounds that open up
every so often...
- what are you going on about?
- I don't know exactly.
It sounded good when
my husband said it.
- I thought you were no nonsense?
- Me?
- You handled those two air
bows in the car all right.
- Anyway, I just wanted to make sure.
- Well, I'm sure.
She was the lucky one.
She left a neat bed.
No loose ends.
(Car door closing)
- What are you wearing?
- Oh shit, I picked the wrong vest.
- At least it's the right color.
(Fire truck engines rumbling)
(Truck horns honking)
- I should have brought the
kids down so they can see
their father being the
divisional commander.
- Ah, I'm intern on trail, actually.
- I don't care what you
bloody call yourself
as long as you're the bloke in charge.
- Yeah, listen, I spoke to Bryce,
it's a no go on that excess
area for your cattle.
I'm sorry.
(Man whistles)
All right everyone,
gather round please.
All right, this is a briefing.
So I'll be brief.
(Man clears throat)
- Coming through.
Coming through.
(Man grunting)
Me foot!
- Better get up, Stewart.
Gotta clear that tree.
- Lil, could you neaten that up?
Don't want loose ends hanging around.
(Men grunting)
- What's that smoke?
That's not Leo is it?
- Leo, this is lost river one.
Who said you could light up?
I didn't give the word.
- This is Leo one, you
said start after lunch.
Sorry mate, we're happening.
- We gotta get cracking.
We can't have one flame
burning by itself.
- Yep.
- Okay all crews, this is
backup we're starting back.
I'm sorry if you haven't had lunch yet,
we'll try and get it to you.
But you've gotta start
the burn now, over.
- [Radio] Copy that, Becker.
Yeah, copy that...
- good call, fif.
Good call.
- Okay, do it in a zig zag,
you'll cover more ground that way.
- Uh huh.
- That's it.
- Oh, look at it go so fast.
- Faster, splash it around a bit mate.
- Oh, it gets so hot so quickly.
Oh, look at it go so fast!
- Oh my god!
- Look at it go!
- Stewart!
- You lead the way, that's it mate.
- Stewart mate, Stewart mate, come on,
you've done all that work.
Just sit down for a minute.
- Oh, I gotta go. I've gotta.
- Larry, go check on him?
- Yeah mate.
- That's it lil, keep it going.
That's the way, a bit faster now.
That's it, stay close behind now.
- Straight ahead.
- [Male] Keep going.
That's the way.
♪ This is the very last train ♪
(Car engine revving)
- Ah, he did it, bloody Jeff.
I told you to leave
this area untouched.
What the bloody hell is going on?
- All those embers flying up
where you've been burning.
Must have been a spot fire.
- No way this is a spot fire.
- Look, it's a couple of
hectors of useless stuff
next to a protected habitat area, Jeff!
- It's my bloody land.
- Oh, it's your bloody land, is it?
- So you want to go through
with the deal now, do you?
No, you don't know
what you want, do you?
- Charlie, are you finished?
- Not quite yet.
I'm just gonna help Adam.
- No mate, I need your crew
up here near the protected
scrub area.
- What about Toby?
- That's all right, just
leave Taylor to keep an eye
on things but I need
you guys up here now.
- Copy that, backer.
- You're not gonna put it out, are you?
(Jazzy music)
- Give it a good bloody soaking, Joey!
- Yeah mate, I'm drowning it.
♪ This is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
♪ this is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
♪ people get ready ♪
♪ people get ready ♪
♪ people get moving ♪
♪ people get ready ♪
♪ this is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
- Charlie, give me your back pack.
♪ This is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
(Fire sirens blaring)
(Radio chattering)
- Did you talk to Stewart?
- Yeah, yeah we sent him home, mate.
At least he had a go, eh?
- Alls well that ends well, yeah?
The rest of those probies did well, eh?
- Yeah.
How did Louisa?
- No, she just did fine.
- Yeah, I'm on it.
- Good on you
(firemen chuckle)
- Gonna ask me if I'm hooked?
- No, I'm gonna tell you to
get down out of that tree.
Come on!
Quick!
- Pretty intense.
Must be happy with today?
- Yeah, just got ahead okay.
- That why you look so miserable?
- Nope, none of this is gonna
stop the fires coming through
you know.
If we're lucky, it'll slow
'em down a little bit.
That's all.
- But that's just part of
the process, isn't it?
- Then we have to do it all
over again in a couple years.
- Well, we'll just have
to do it all over again
in a couple years.
(Firemen chuckling)
- You're putting your
hand up already are you?
All right then, back to work.
- What's this I hear about a spot fire?
- Yeah, um, near that protected area.
We stopped it in time though,
didn't do any damage.
- 'Cause I'd hate to have
an inquire, you know?
- Yeah, I know.
- Hey fif.
Hey, till I say the beer now.
- How'd you go?
- Just terrible, no use at all.
Not keeping her eye on the ball,
not thinking ahead
completely unalarmed.
- Yeah, I could have
predicted that, yeah.
- Good call.
(Car engines revving)
(Men chuckling)
- Hey Stewart.
- Good day.
- Here you go, mate.
Get a beer into you, eh?
- I uh, I dunno.
I dunno, I just...
- it's okay, mate.
Don't worry about anything.
Cheers, eh.
- [Man firefighter] Sit down mate.
Come on, mate, down this way.
- [Tess' dad] Hey.
- Ah, thank god.
- Sorry I'm late.
Big day, eh?
- Ginormous.
- Went well?
- Well enough, she's not bad
with a hose, your misses.
(Firefighters chuckling)
- See yah.
- Give me your number.
- Tess?
- Yeah, just a sec.
- [Tess' dad] Come on, we're leaving.
- See you guys.
- [Tess' dad] Thought you
were gonna wait in the car?
- I was just saying hello.
- No you weren't.
You were just about to have a beer.
- I didn't even touch one.
- It's hardly binge drinking, come on.
(Car engine starting)
- Oh good day Ms. commissioner,
I was just hearing about you.
- Hey, you can drink
at home but not here.
- I'm not.
- You were about to though, you idiot.
- It's okay fif, we're gone, sorry fif.
- [Friend] What did I say
about drinking in front
of your sister, eh?
(Dreary music)
- Won't you top up?
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
It's all swings and
round-a-bouts isn't it?
Bloody Jeff.
- What do you mean?
- Trying to burn all that scrub land
when you weren't looking.
You're not a bloody
idiot for god sakes.
I just wanted to let you
know that it sorta went down
real well, eh?
- You're so bloody naive, Charlie.
- Oh okay, what's that suppose to mean?
- What difference is it gonna make, eh?
Hazard reduction, not removal.
(Swings squeaking)
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Want a beer?
- No, how's backer?
- Oh, he's sweet as any.
So how was bntrc?
- It was better than making sandwiches.
Now I just organize them.
It was good actually,
it was a bit scary.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- Didn't miss the front line?
- No, not really.
Still sink of smoke though.
- No you don't.
- I bloody do!
You wanna smell my hair?
- Come here.
Smells nice.
- Yeah, whatever you think
that means, it doesn't.
(Swings squeaking)
(Fif chuckling)
- You can have the bedroom tonight.
- Thank you.
Oh, I am so tired I can't breathe.
- Come on, arms up.
There you are.
- How'd you go with Tess today?
- All right until we got
to the fire station.
- What was it?
The boys or the alcohol?
- A combination I think.
- Do you think she's still a virgin?
- I'm not worried about that,
I'm worried about her taste.
(Boxes crumbling)
- Hank, what are you doing?
- What, I'm helping you out!
Oh look, what are you doing
this shitty little job for
anyway?
I mean, you're paid crap.
- Yah, well at least it's a job!
- And what are you gonna
do when the baby comes?
You won't get a cent
out of those birds.
- Yeah, well I don't want their money.
- You need to make some
serious cash, Fifi, now.
- Hank, can you piss off?
I'm fine!
- No, you're a pregnant checkout chick
in a heat country town.
Hey, why don't you just
put on the ugg boots
and call it a day?
Fif?
You're better than this!
(Candy bars thudding)
(Cash register beeping)
- It's $10.80.
- Gotta have possit.
- Sorry, it won't let
me take your card.
It must be damaged.
- Nah, I'm all right.
That's okay, I'll cover it.
It's fine.
- Thanks.
- He can pay for it, you know?
- Maybe, but if I'm lucky
and he cuts his throat
with it, I'd like to
know I paid for it.
- Well that's bad isn't it,
'cause it's a safety razor.
- Wild at heart.
Love that film.
- Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it?
Dad's never seen it.
- Enjoy.
- Where you going?
- Hazard reduction.
- Didn't you just do that?
- A few loose ends to tie up.
- We'll be here when you get back.
(Somber music)
(Shovels stabbing)
♪ All day long I've been walking ♪
♪ mostly to myself I've been talking ♪
♪ lonesome nights too quickly falling ♪
♪ in this unfriendly town ♪
♪ it's cold when the sun goes down ♪
♪ so I head for the river ♪
♪ look for smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ I'll keep on moving till I
find smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ a little shelter ♪
♪ a friendly fire under the bridge ♪
♪ keep on walking ♪
♪ just smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ a little shelter ♪
♪ a friendly fire ♪
♪ is company under the bridge ♪
♪ keep on walking ♪
♪ gotta keep walking ♪
(Exciting jazz music)
♪ We're chasing a beautiful rainbow ♪
♪ our story hasn't been told ♪
♪ it takes rain to make a rainbow ♪
♪ takes a sun dying ♪
♪ to turn the world gold ♪
♪ the days run outside my window ♪
♪ like wild horses across the plain ♪
♪ fireflies dance in the shadows ♪
♪ love don't shine steady ♪
♪ it waxes and wanes ♪
(happy jazzy music)
- Peggy rose, it's okay.
- My leg come home.
I want you to burn the letters.
- What letters, peg?
- Don't let my family
get them, some of them.
Just burn them, just burn
them, just burn them, oh.
- You come and work for me.
Together we'll keep her under control.
And in six months time
if things work out,
then I'll sign over 25%
of the trust to you.
- I can't just cut him out.
- Then why did you
come here on your own?
Seems you've already
cut Joey out of it.
Joey made his choice to get
that chap girl pregnant.
And no sharpe is gonna
say that out loud.
(Wondering music)
(Soft rock music)
♪ I have to pinch myself to feel ♪
♪ if what is going on is real ♪
♪ from the guards themselves we steal ♪
♪ night and day, night and day ♪
♪ a jug of wine, a
loaf of bread, thing ♪
♪ laying on a blanket underneath
that big 'ol spreading tree ♪
♪ it's such a beautiful feeling, oh ♪
♪ such a beautiful feeling ♪
- Request for assistance,
we're fine. (Firemen laughing)
- Okay, let's try something different.
I'm gonna put through a series of calls
and you respond, okay?
Um, lost river two, we have
a make of the vehicle,
it's a dark blue camry station wagon,
report of one deceased, a white male,
age approximately 50.
Does that remind you of anyone?
- Take it easy, fif.
- No Joey, I'm all right, okay?
They're not gonna be.
- Hey.
- Well done Fifi.
- Really?
I never kinda had to be the
teacher before, you know?
- You're running a really good class,
but maybe you could go a
little easier on them.
You don't want to lose them
before you've got them.
- Yeah, I just wanted to
give them a push, you know?
Get serious, you're gonna
have to at some point.
- Well, we've all gotta get
serious at some stage, Fifi,
even you.
- Yeah, for sure.
- Good, you're accepting then.
- What, have I missed something?
- You've just accepted
the job as beggers 2rc
for the has production.
- I have?
- There is only one person
in the ifs that'd doubt
your ability, Fifi, that's you.
- Yeah, I don't know about that.
- Maybe you need a push, eh?
(Telephone ringing)
(Helicopter chopping)
(Rhythmic music)
- Here's Tess.
- Well, here we go.
(Air breaks releasing)
Oh, she's made a friend already.
- He's typical luster,
irresistible to members
of the opposite sex.
- Oh, hang on, mate.
- What a burden that must be.
- Hey, good trip?
- Yeah, yeah.
- You can give us that.
- He was a bit of all right.
- Who?
- That cute boy you were flirting with.
- I don't know about you,
but when two people talk,
I generally call it a conversation.
- Um, I got the afternoon off,
so we'll go home and
I'll make some frappes.
♪ The joy in all ♪
♪ I can't take ♪
♪ something I know real ♪
- So you must know everyone
around here by now, dad?
- Or some, not all.
Lil's made more friends than I have.
- Yes, and done less
work because of it.
Lost revere either of
me, tell, bird, or aug?
- That's what Hank said.
- Hank?
Hank sharpe?
- Oh yes, a sharpe.
So you do know people.
- God, sovereignty just
sounds like the most hideous
and insane place.
- You covered a lot in a
short bass trip, didn't you?
- Dad, no one deserves
to be raped every night
for the first six months
of their sentence.
- That what Hank told you, is it?
- Not everybody gets
raped in prison, Tess.
- Oh, like you'd know.
You're so buji, you've
probably never met anyone
who've been near a prison.
They're alone
psychologically traumatized
by their incarceration.
- Psychologically traumatized
by their incarceration.
- [Tess] What's that awful smell?
- Incense.
- Yes, it's to cover the more
awful smell of dead rats
in the wall.
- Dead rats?
Ugh, disgusting.
- [Lil] That's a bit
buji of you, isn't it?
- Uh, lil thought you might
want to sleep in our bedroom.
- With that, our studies.
You can have a room to yourself.
And the smell is a bit
better in there too.
- Okay, but you better
have changed the sheets.
- Yes!
- Price check, please, price
check of major sparke's sister
aisle five!
- Hank!
Oh man!
I didn't think you were getting
out for another two weeks!
- Yeah, break out!
Dug a tunnel and crawled
through the sewer system,
ended up at lost river.
- Eh, where else?
- Smell like shit though.
See you later then.
- Hank, don't be a dick head.
- I'm not neeking them.
Besides, you used to never
walk out of here empty handed.
- It's not a joke if no one's laughing.
- Oh good day, we haven't met yet.
I'm Hank, Hank sharpe.
Seen you council one more chance, yeah.
Yeah, I thought you might
wanna put a face to the name
even if this body ugly is too small.
- [Cop] Just got out, have ya?
- Yeah, I was up in queensland
laboring at a friend's
for a couple weeks.
Wanted to get a bit of work
experience under my belt,
you know?
- I got on you.
- But you won't get any
trouble of out me.
But, if I slip up at all
you have my permission
to boot me up the ass, okay (Chuckles)?
- I reckon I'll do that.
- Yeah.
- [Cop] All right.
- Perfect.
- Good day, mate.
(Dreary music)
- The rain's really set us
up and we aren't gonna burn
on Saturday unless the
weather is perfect.
- What about the couple
of acres I want burned?
- Yeah, just, I don't know yet, okay?
I'll speak to Bryce
and see what I can do
about setting them.
- All right.
'Cause I'd like to do that.
(Coins jingling)
(Door slams)
(Door shuts)
- Good day, Baker.
- Good day.
- Dad?
- What?
Come here.
Oh, here you go!
- Thanks, dad.
- [Hank] Man in demand.
- Been back long?
- Nah, got to and went straight
to perth for two weeks,
surfing with mates.
You still saving our asses at the irfs?
- Not just me, Hank.
- [Hank] Suppose you're
looking for extra people, eh?
- No, not always.
- Maybe I should join.
Fight me own fires for a change.
Look, I know nobody gives a
shit if I live here or not
but I'm stuck here for now.
Country can be a bit
of a bitch, you know?
- Well, we just finished a
basic fire fighting course
and I don't know when
we're doing it again.
- Well maybe next time.
You'll let me know?
- Yeah, sure.
- How much do I owe
you for the earrings?
(Ball knocking)
- Just such a big burn
so late in the season.
- I wish we didn't have to
do it too our ass but we do.
That's part of the overall strategy.
- There hasn't been a
burn there in years.
- Well, that's my point.
- [Fifi] Yeah, but if we
do what we can control it.
- And if we don't do it,
you know as well as I do
we'll be back burning the
same area like maniacs
come Christmas.
- Maybe.
- Are there anymore snack packs?
- Eh, have mine.
I don't want it.
- When's Bryce get here then?
- He's coming, okay?
- So plenty of probationaries
to bet on Saturday, then?
- You just keep your eyes
on little Ziggy and Louise,
all right?
- Two sheilas and a feral.
Should be a laugh.
- Watch it.
- Hey, just, can we just put
the bloody ball away please?
It's suppose to be a meeting!
- Sorry I'm late.
- That's all right, Bryce.
We're just going through
stuff for Saturday.
Okay, if conditions
are good on Saturday,
then we'll be having three
crews here, Jeff burg's place,
doing containment lines.
- [Bryce] What about the weather?
- Windy probably.
- Fine, eris!
It's fine on Saturday, eh?
2040 reasons to.
- All right, well I won't
be there on Saturday,
I'll be in the control room.
So good luck.
Good luck with the probies,
they won't know what hit them.
- They're probies,
they'll probably be there
in the cloud tall.
(Fireman laughing)
- Good luck to my two ic, I
know that you'll need it.
- Eh, bullshit.
- Saturday it is.
Let's blow some smoke.
- Hey Bryce, you want
a cup of tea mate?
- Sure mate.
- I gotta go.
Louise is doing a roast.
- Yum.
- Catch yah.
- Butt out.
- Thanks.
- You still hungry?
That's a good sign, isn't it?
- I'm starving.
- Hey, you want to go to
the bowl for some Chinese?
I'll pay.
- No, mom's doing pizzas.
- I heard your brother's back.
- Yeah!
- How's everything at home?
- I dunno, I haven't been there yet.
It's crowded probably.
- It'll be nice for
your mom though, eh?
Having the whole family together again.
- Yeah.
Wanna say goodbye to Bryce, see yah.
- [Bryce] So, where are you
thinking for hazard relations?
- [Baker] It was just a
couple of hectors that Jeff
wants to clear for his cattle.
- Baker, I went through this with Jeff.
He is right, it's right next
to a protected animal habitat.
I'd up the environmental core.
Besides, we haven't the
resources for anything else
on Saturday.
- Yeah, no.
I told them that would
probably be the case.
- [Fifi] Hi, sorry to interrupt.
- No, that's fine, I'm
just gonna go and gear up.
- Bryce, I found 50 bucks
at basic fire fighting.
I don't know who's it is though.
- All right, I'll ask around.
You've got a big day Saturday.
You getting nervous?
- Nope.
- Did Fanny eat heaps
when she was pregnant?
(Man chuckles)
- She would have gnawed my
arm like a chicken wing
if I left it on her side of the bed.
- Hey backy, you reckon I
could borrow your portal
for Saturday?
- Yeah?
What for?
- I was thinking about
moving into this old house
up in alaleah, start doing it up.
- You're sick of the caravan?
- Yeah, it's a bit small.
- It's not too small for one.
- What about you, eh?
You talk to uncle Jeff yet about
getting back to the land?
- No, now is not the
time mate, shall we?
- Well, now is always
the time, isn't it?
Seize the day, cape diem.
- Capping on is more like it, mate.
Jesus, you're gonna get
your hand off it, okay?
(Dreary music)
(Birds chirping)
(Car engine rumbling)
- Guess what!
- You're moving Karen's
bike out of Hank's room
'cause he's back?
- So who's gonna win the fourth
a grand week tomorrow then?
- I'm telling you, alright
dad, let me help you.
- That's all right, just around here.
Hank's bringing the rest.
- Yeah.
- [Fifi's mom] Oh shut the
screen door, would you?
You're letting the mozzies in.
- [Fifi's dad] Right-o.
- Oh well who's creeping?
Welcoming me home to the
bosom of the family!
- Oh, sorry I'm starving, I gotta eat.
- What do you think of
these two then, eh?
- The bread and gin of lost river.
- I was waiting for you.
You want some black frost cake?
- Mm!
- Hey, you like these?
- Yeah, pretty!
- You reckon?
Hank got 'em for me, had a
big casino down in Sydney.
- Oh yeah?
- Yeah, in his early days of freedom.
- Welcome home, son.
(Plates clashing)
Hope there isn't a
file in this, darling.
- Hank, that's dad's chair.
Let him sit down!
- No, you're all right mate.
- No, Hank, move.
Dad's banging, aren't you.
- I'm sorry, mate.
Bad choice of words for you, eh?
(Boys rummaging)
- Hope you guys are
walk out with tough.
Got nothing on you, hard man.
- Gah, one more male in
this house and it's already
a disaster here.
- [Hank] I need another beer, anyone?
Fifi?
- Uh, I'm gonna get changed.
- I think you already have.
(Eerie music)
(Hank knocking)
Sorry to interrupt your
strategic planning, captain.
- It's all right.
It's just a phone bill.
I gotta get rid of it though.
(Tongue smacking)
- God, your standards have
really nose-dived since Damien,
haven't they?
(Mouth blowing)
Shiny, shiny.
- What's up, Hank?
- You are, apparently.
Up the duff.
Mom couldn't wait to tell me.
I'm wrapped.
- Well, it's gonna be awhile
before there's a kid around.
- Well, don't worry, I'll help
out with the little bugger.
Do the dad thing.
Take him on a bush bash.
- Yeah, well what if it's a girl?
- Then I'll teach her how to shoplift.
Actually, you better do that.
Anyway, there's your present.
- Thanks.
- Well, half sharp anyway.
- 50 bucks!
Thanks, Hank!
Oh, thank you!
- You know we go shopping, Tess?
- Believe it or not, there
are malls in Sidney, lil.
Big ones, too.
Maybe I'll get some DVD's.
- We haven't got a DVD player.
- Well, not only are we
stuck in the country,
we're stuck in the last century too.
- Yeah, obviously.
- I'm gonna pop in and
get something for peg
before I see her, bye.
- Lil doesn't like me much, does she?
- Where do you get that from?
- It's okay, I know why.
I don't need her as a mother
and I don't want her as a friend.
- You can still be friendly.
- Dad, she's not 16 and she
pretends she is for my benefit
as if I'm gonna tell her all
my deepest, darkest secrets.
- Well, you'll just have to
confide in me then, won't you?
- So, are there enough screwed
up people around here
to keep you occupied?
- What do you think?
- I think living in lost river
is enough to send anyone
completely bonkers.
(Man coughing)
- Oh here, let me do that.
(High-pitched beeping)
Okay, what do you want, peg?
- To be six feet under,
thank you very much.
- You don't mean that.
- Hadn't I?
- Your children are due
home soon, aren't they?
- Yes, but I told them not to come.
I've got a few things
need to be sorted.
Don't know if...
- Don't you want your
kids to have to do this?
- No, and I don't want to
have to ask them 100 times.
- What about mina?
- She's got the flu.
- Okay, what about an
agency or something?
- Typical Sidney, pay somebody.
- All right.
I'll do it for you.
- So, you've already been
through some of this
while you were in jail?
- Yeah, they had this great guy there.
He ran the anger management thing.
I was really starting to feel
like I was getting somewhere.
- Well, the conditions
of your parole require
that you continue counseling.
- I know.
I don't want to slip back
into my bad, old ways.
I'm already doing it though.
- Doing what, exactly?
- Telling everybody all
this different stuff,
making shit up.
I'm getting sick of me own bullshit.
- Friday still okay with you?
- Yeah, Friday's is great.
I've got a good gut feeling
about this, Dr. luskin.
- I'm not exactly a doctor, Hank.
- Oh, I know, I know.
See, doing it again.
More bullshit (Chuckles).
- I'm gonna get my daughter.
- Bye bye.
- Hey, you ready?
- I'm shopped out.
- Oh hi, Tess!
- Hey!
- How you going?
- Remember, I told you
not to take anything
he says seriously, okay?
- Oh look, I got that money
I owe you too, by the way.
You haven't any cash
or smokes if you like.
- Oh, don't worry about it.
- No, no, take it.
Oh, can you, are you
headed back to lost river?
- No, we're going to the mall.
- Not.
- We're done now aren't we?
- Yeah.
- I'll see you later then.
(Telephone ringing)
- I'll get my bag and lock up.
(Dreary music)
- I'm not going back into
that pathetic mall, dad.
- Not even to get a DVD player?
- Just make sure you get a
good night's sleep, yeah?
- Yeah, no worries.
- Cheers!
- See yah.
- Shit.
- Backey's a bitch ain't he Fifi?
- Yeah, it's bloody hot and
we're about to light a fire,
remember?
- How's home, then?
- It's fine.
- You know you can always
stay with me if you want.
- What the two of us in a caravan?
Come on, that's like
living in a shoebox.
- Actually, I'm gonna
move out of the caravan.
And rent around here.
Look for some more work.
- Oh yeah?
Come pull.
(Man chuckling)
Joey no jokes, eh.
- Everyone else is gone
and I've just finished
checking my staff.
So much prep for little fire.
- Paper starts a little late, eh?
- Yeah, anyway I gotta go.
Next obligations calls.
- What's your first haste to
fight and fire them, all right?
- Yeah, we're gonna get hooked here.
- Dunno,
reckon you'd be knackered
at the end of it though.
- [Lil] What about you, you
looking forward to it?
- When it's over, everything's
gone perfectly fine,
nobody's hurt, someone says
hey backard, drink this beer.
Now, that's what I look forward to.
- See yah.
- See yah.
(Sad music)
- Svitty, high.
Do you keep air freshener or something?
I've got to air out peg's place for her
before her kids arrive.
- Why can't the kids clean
up their own mother's house?
They're the family.
- Well, that's what I said.
- I've seen those kids,
monsters both of them.
- Something's strange about
the whole family I think.
I feel a bit weird going over there
but I promised peg, so.
- Do you want me to come with you?
- What about your kids?
- They're at their friends.
May as well close five minutes early.
It's as slow as death in here.
- All right.
- Smells of disinfectant
and depression.
Why would anyone live like this?
- Two televisions, a dishwasher,
and no clothes dryer.
I will never, ever
understand the country.
- We better put them on the line.
- Yeah.
- Oh my god, look at
these, these are enormous!
- Get used to it!
That's the way it goes.
Downwards.
And after a couple of babies,
it just gets worse and worse.
- Well, Perry and I
will just have to stop
at one baby then.
- Men will get it too, you know?
When I was little, I was about five,
I saw my grandfather get
out of the bath naked,
unbelievable.
Balls hanging down to his
ankles, just dangling there,
like this big old emo.
- God, stop it.
- He went to get his robe and
they were always scraping
along the ground!
- Oh svitty!
- It's true.
- Well baby, I have a serious
investment in my husband's
ear muffs.
- Oh yeah?
- Calm down.
I'm not making any
announcements or anything.
I just feel kinda ready so, I
just don't want to go home
and imagine Perry getting
gravel rash on his testicles
just now.
(Svitty laughing)
(Jazz music)
♪ Everybody wants to touch me ♪
♪ they all love my skin ♪
♪ they all want to take me home ♪
♪ they don't even care
where I've been ♪
♪ everybody wants to touch me ♪
♪ everybody wants a little pat ♪
- That suits you, actually.
- Of course it does.
Always some of the place.
I gotta go now.
- That's okay.
- Yeah?
- I still haven't finished my list yet.
- Hey, I'm taking the kids
to the movies tonight.
Do you think Tess would want to come?
- I dunno but I'll ask her.
- I'll call her.
- Thanks, sweetie.
That was fun.
If I ever have to clean out
an old woman's house again,
it will be you that I call.
- Thank you.
- Bye bye.
(TV chattering)
- Hat box.
(Saxophone music)
- Mmm, DVD player, you must be happy!
- Dad, you need audio
and visual cables.
What did you buy?
- I don't know, you were there too.
I bought cables.
- Great, this is hopeless.
- What's the problem?
- Dad just bought a
completely useless DVD.
- Just give me a minute,
I'll have it working.
- Did svetty call you?
- Yeah, I'm going to fox cove
but that stupid multiplex
better be playing something
other than kids films.
- Well you're such an
emotional infant, Tess,
kids film would be perfect for you.
- Well, it's better than staying
here with Cruella de vil.
(Car horn honks)
- Tess...
Why do I feel like I'm doing
more anger management at home
than at work these days?
- I'm sorry, I shouldn't
have taken the bait.
I promised.
I shouldn't have said anything.
I'm a bitch.
I'm a complete bitch.
- What's all this?
- Pandora's box.
I opened it.
They're letters that peg
asked me to burn for her.
- Love letters?
- Love letters, hate letters,
they're all in there.
- A bit close to home are they?
- Yeah, at least I wasn't
married with kids at the time.
- No, only your friends were.
- Well see?
How can you be with me?
I mean, I'm a terrible friend.
I'm a terrible step mother.
And I doubt I'm going to
be a terrible mother, too.
- Don't be so hard on yourself.
- Maybe I should go
back into counseling.
- Come on, what's this all about, huh?
- I don't know.
I just got so upset.
I thought I was fine and then I just...
It's all just in my face again.
It's all just come back at me
again and I can't make it.
It's just there.
Maybe I should go back
on anti-depressants.
- Okay now, there are certain
wounds that are always
gonna be there.
It will open up, you'll purge
a bit making you scared,
and then they'll leave you
alone again for a few years.
It's all part of the process.
(Lips smack)
- How can you kiss me?
I'm a hideous wound.
- Hardly stand being in
the same room as you.
♪ All day long ♪
- The same, we've only got one room.
(Man chuckles)
You know, you're lucky
I'm pretty screwed up.
- Right?
- Been wasted on the same woman.
(Lips smack)
♪ Once I had a place I
could call my own ♪
♪ now we're over and lay my hands on ♪
♪ went into some trouble ♪
♪ back on down the road ♪
♪ I didn't like the look of me ♪
♪ someone took a hook at me ♪
(Singer humming)
♪ I keep on looking ♪
♪ for smoke under the bridge ♪
(Drink pouring)
♪ Keep on walking to smoke ♪
- He was peg's sister's husband
- oh, that's complicated.
- It's hard to believe these are peg's,
so beautifully written.
Why do I still keep these?
Old letters of mine?
- I don't know, mementos,
family heirlooms, talismans.
- Talismans?
- Evil eye, to protect against
it ever happening again.
- Silly isn't it?
- No, just human.
(Somber jazzy music)
(Birds chirping)
(Man humming jazzy music)
♪ Keep on looking for
smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ a little shelter ♪
♪ a friendly fire ♪
♪ is company under the bridge ♪
♪ keep on walking ♪
♪ gotta keep walking ♪
- Got the room to yourself.
- So you never made it home.
What did you bring those for?
- Well, I went through
the list and cleaned up
and found your letters.
- And you read them, yeah?
- Peg, what if I keep them for you?
- No.
- Just until after your children leave?
- No.
I should have burned them years ago.
- But you didn't.
- So?
- Peg, lots of people
have wounds that open up
every so often...
- what are you going on about?
- I don't know exactly.
It sounded good when
my husband said it.
- I thought you were no nonsense?
- Me?
- You handled those two air
bows in the car all right.
- Anyway, I just wanted to make sure.
- Well, I'm sure.
She was the lucky one.
She left a neat bed.
No loose ends.
(Car door closing)
- What are you wearing?
- Oh shit, I picked the wrong vest.
- At least it's the right color.
(Fire truck engines rumbling)
(Truck horns honking)
- I should have brought the
kids down so they can see
their father being the
divisional commander.
- Ah, I'm intern on trail, actually.
- I don't care what you
bloody call yourself
as long as you're the bloke in charge.
- Yeah, listen, I spoke to Bryce,
it's a no go on that excess
area for your cattle.
I'm sorry.
(Man whistles)
All right everyone,
gather round please.
All right, this is a briefing.
So I'll be brief.
(Man clears throat)
- Coming through.
Coming through.
(Man grunting)
Me foot!
- Better get up, Stewart.
Gotta clear that tree.
- Lil, could you neaten that up?
Don't want loose ends hanging around.
(Men grunting)
- What's that smoke?
That's not Leo is it?
- Leo, this is lost river one.
Who said you could light up?
I didn't give the word.
- This is Leo one, you
said start after lunch.
Sorry mate, we're happening.
- We gotta get cracking.
We can't have one flame
burning by itself.
- Yep.
- Okay all crews, this is
backup we're starting back.
I'm sorry if you haven't had lunch yet,
we'll try and get it to you.
But you've gotta start
the burn now, over.
- [Radio] Copy that, Becker.
Yeah, copy that...
- good call, fif.
Good call.
- Okay, do it in a zig zag,
you'll cover more ground that way.
- Uh huh.
- That's it.
- Oh, look at it go so fast.
- Faster, splash it around a bit mate.
- Oh, it gets so hot so quickly.
Oh, look at it go so fast!
- Oh my god!
- Look at it go!
- Stewart!
- You lead the way, that's it mate.
- Stewart mate, Stewart mate, come on,
you've done all that work.
Just sit down for a minute.
- Oh, I gotta go. I've gotta.
- Larry, go check on him?
- Yeah mate.
- That's it lil, keep it going.
That's the way, a bit faster now.
That's it, stay close behind now.
- Straight ahead.
- [Male] Keep going.
That's the way.
♪ This is the very last train ♪
(Car engine revving)
- Ah, he did it, bloody Jeff.
I told you to leave
this area untouched.
What the bloody hell is going on?
- All those embers flying up
where you've been burning.
Must have been a spot fire.
- No way this is a spot fire.
- Look, it's a couple of
hectors of useless stuff
next to a protected habitat area, Jeff!
- It's my bloody land.
- Oh, it's your bloody land, is it?
- So you want to go through
with the deal now, do you?
No, you don't know
what you want, do you?
- Charlie, are you finished?
- Not quite yet.
I'm just gonna help Adam.
- No mate, I need your crew
up here near the protected
scrub area.
- What about Toby?
- That's all right, just
leave Taylor to keep an eye
on things but I need
you guys up here now.
- Copy that, backer.
- You're not gonna put it out, are you?
(Jazzy music)
- Give it a good bloody soaking, Joey!
- Yeah mate, I'm drowning it.
♪ This is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
♪ this is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
♪ people get ready ♪
♪ people get ready ♪
♪ people get moving ♪
♪ people get ready ♪
♪ this is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
- Charlie, give me your back pack.
♪ This is the very last train ♪
♪ this is the train I'm on ♪
(Fire sirens blaring)
(Radio chattering)
- Did you talk to Stewart?
- Yeah, yeah we sent him home, mate.
At least he had a go, eh?
- Alls well that ends well, yeah?
The rest of those probies did well, eh?
- Yeah.
How did Louisa?
- No, she just did fine.
- Yeah, I'm on it.
- Good on you
(firemen chuckle)
- Gonna ask me if I'm hooked?
- No, I'm gonna tell you to
get down out of that tree.
Come on!
Quick!
- Pretty intense.
Must be happy with today?
- Yeah, just got ahead okay.
- That why you look so miserable?
- Nope, none of this is gonna
stop the fires coming through
you know.
If we're lucky, it'll slow
'em down a little bit.
That's all.
- But that's just part of
the process, isn't it?
- Then we have to do it all
over again in a couple years.
- Well, we'll just have
to do it all over again
in a couple years.
(Firemen chuckling)
- You're putting your
hand up already are you?
All right then, back to work.
- What's this I hear about a spot fire?
- Yeah, um, near that protected area.
We stopped it in time though,
didn't do any damage.
- 'Cause I'd hate to have
an inquire, you know?
- Yeah, I know.
- Hey fif.
Hey, till I say the beer now.
- How'd you go?
- Just terrible, no use at all.
Not keeping her eye on the ball,
not thinking ahead
completely unalarmed.
- Yeah, I could have
predicted that, yeah.
- Good call.
(Car engines revving)
(Men chuckling)
- Hey Stewart.
- Good day.
- Here you go, mate.
Get a beer into you, eh?
- I uh, I dunno.
I dunno, I just...
- it's okay, mate.
Don't worry about anything.
Cheers, eh.
- [Man firefighter] Sit down mate.
Come on, mate, down this way.
- [Tess' dad] Hey.
- Ah, thank god.
- Sorry I'm late.
Big day, eh?
- Ginormous.
- Went well?
- Well enough, she's not bad
with a hose, your misses.
(Firefighters chuckling)
- See yah.
- Give me your number.
- Tess?
- Yeah, just a sec.
- [Tess' dad] Come on, we're leaving.
- See you guys.
- [Tess' dad] Thought you
were gonna wait in the car?
- I was just saying hello.
- No you weren't.
You were just about to have a beer.
- I didn't even touch one.
- It's hardly binge drinking, come on.
(Car engine starting)
- Oh good day Ms. commissioner,
I was just hearing about you.
- Hey, you can drink
at home but not here.
- I'm not.
- You were about to though, you idiot.
- It's okay fif, we're gone, sorry fif.
- [Friend] What did I say
about drinking in front
of your sister, eh?
(Dreary music)
- Won't you top up?
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
It's all swings and
round-a-bouts isn't it?
Bloody Jeff.
- What do you mean?
- Trying to burn all that scrub land
when you weren't looking.
You're not a bloody
idiot for god sakes.
I just wanted to let you
know that it sorta went down
real well, eh?
- You're so bloody naive, Charlie.
- Oh okay, what's that suppose to mean?
- What difference is it gonna make, eh?
Hazard reduction, not removal.
(Swings squeaking)
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Want a beer?
- No, how's backer?
- Oh, he's sweet as any.
So how was bntrc?
- It was better than making sandwiches.
Now I just organize them.
It was good actually,
it was a bit scary.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- Didn't miss the front line?
- No, not really.
Still sink of smoke though.
- No you don't.
- I bloody do!
You wanna smell my hair?
- Come here.
Smells nice.
- Yeah, whatever you think
that means, it doesn't.
(Swings squeaking)
(Fif chuckling)
- You can have the bedroom tonight.
- Thank you.
Oh, I am so tired I can't breathe.
- Come on, arms up.
There you are.
- How'd you go with Tess today?
- All right until we got
to the fire station.
- What was it?
The boys or the alcohol?
- A combination I think.
- Do you think she's still a virgin?
- I'm not worried about that,
I'm worried about her taste.
(Boxes crumbling)
- Hank, what are you doing?
- What, I'm helping you out!
Oh look, what are you doing
this shitty little job for
anyway?
I mean, you're paid crap.
- Yah, well at least it's a job!
- And what are you gonna
do when the baby comes?
You won't get a cent
out of those birds.
- Yeah, well I don't want their money.
- You need to make some
serious cash, Fifi, now.
- Hank, can you piss off?
I'm fine!
- No, you're a pregnant checkout chick
in a heat country town.
Hey, why don't you just
put on the ugg boots
and call it a day?
Fif?
You're better than this!
(Candy bars thudding)
(Cash register beeping)
- It's $10.80.
- Gotta have possit.
- Sorry, it won't let
me take your card.
It must be damaged.
- Nah, I'm all right.
That's okay, I'll cover it.
It's fine.
- Thanks.
- He can pay for it, you know?
- Maybe, but if I'm lucky
and he cuts his throat
with it, I'd like to
know I paid for it.
- Well that's bad isn't it,
'cause it's a safety razor.
- Wild at heart.
Love that film.
- Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it?
Dad's never seen it.
- Enjoy.
- Where you going?
- Hazard reduction.
- Didn't you just do that?
- A few loose ends to tie up.
- We'll be here when you get back.
(Somber music)
(Shovels stabbing)
♪ All day long I've been walking ♪
♪ mostly to myself I've been talking ♪
♪ lonesome nights too quickly falling ♪
♪ in this unfriendly town ♪
♪ it's cold when the sun goes down ♪
♪ so I head for the river ♪
♪ look for smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ I'll keep on moving till I
find smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ a little shelter ♪
♪ a friendly fire under the bridge ♪
♪ keep on walking ♪
♪ just smoke under the bridge ♪
♪ a little shelter ♪
♪ a friendly fire ♪
♪ is company under the bridge ♪
♪ keep on walking ♪
♪ gotta keep walking ♪
(Exciting jazz music)
♪ We're chasing a beautiful rainbow ♪
♪ our story hasn't been told ♪
♪ it takes rain to make a rainbow ♪
♪ takes a sun dying ♪
♪ to turn the world gold ♪
♪ the days run outside my window ♪
♪ like wild horses across the plain ♪
♪ fireflies dance in the shadows ♪
♪ love don't shine steady ♪
♪ it waxes and wanes ♪
(happy jazzy music)