The Circuit (2007–2010): Season 2, Episode 1 - Sorry Business - full transcript
Facing new cases, new dilemmas, Aboriginal lawyer Drew Ellis' sweaty, dusty journey on the traveling court is interrupted by tragic news. The circuit team is devastated, particularly Bella, who seeks solace in Drew's arms.
[Staccato synth music]
- [Announcer] Aboriginal and
Torres strait islander viewers
are warned that this
program may contain images
and sounds that relate
to deceased persons.
Previously on "the circuit".
- This is Peter Lockhart.
He's our magistrate.
- [Peter] Drew, very pleased
to have you on board.
- You come up here to get your
degree in aboriginality, eh?
Only too happy to help you.
- You and me, bro, we're
never gonna fit in.
I mean, you're too flash to
be a proper black fella,
and me, well, I'm just
your average gay bloke.
- This is Diane, my wife.
- Diane you made it!
You must be happy as.
He was moping around when he
thought you weren't coming.
- You're not a father!
You're a fucking stranger.
- I love him!
He loves me!
- I'm gonna stay here
and work.
- I find I have no alternative
but to sentence you to
12 months imprisonment.
- I'm gonna take Billy away.
To an outstation.
My country.
- Do you know that client of mine?
Jack stallion.
He reckons he knows some of my family.
He's gonna take me out to meet them.
[Dramatic music]
[Engine sputtering]
- Wake up.
Wake up you fucking bastard!
- What do you want Billy?
- What'd you do to the car?
- What're you doing
with the car anyway?
- I'm getting outta here!
You can't fucking keep me here!
- You wanna cuppa?
- I don't want tea!
I wanna go home!
- This is home for now.
I'm not letting you
go and you know why.
So why don't you just have a cuppa?
- I don't fucking want tea!
I wanna go home.
I wanna get out of here!
You can't keep me here now fix it!
- Billy stop it.
- Fix the fucking car!
- You wanna go back to
what you were doing?
You're gonna have to kill me.
I'm not gonna let you kill yourself.
- Fuck you!
Come on!
Punch me back you
fucking piece of shit!
Be a man!
- Billy.
Look at me.
[Screaming]
[Sirens wailing]
[Dramatic music]
- [Ellie] What happened?
- There was a fight apparently.
- What did he do?
- Her husband knocked
her into a campfire.
- How bad is it?
- It's serious?
She'll need to be transferred
to perth when she's stable.
- Can I see her?
- [Doctor] Just for a second.
- Leonie.
My poor girl.
[Aboriginal music]
[Gentle music]
- Busted!
I've got some news.
- Diane?
- No my uncle.
The one I told you about.
He's agreed to meet with me.
- Hey that's good right?
- Yeah, of course.
Why?
- You've been really quiet
about meeting your family that's all.
You've barely talked about it.
- It's been a busy couple of weeks.
That's all.
- So when are you gonna
tell me what happened?
- [Drew] Soon.
I'm just trying to process it all.
- Well, maybe this uncle will
give you some answers eh?
- I hope so.
- Don't keep me in suspense too long.
- [Drew] Maybe tonight.
- [Bella] Okay.
See you inside.
- Ellie.
Do you know leonie's
husband's up today?
- I know.
He's guilty as sin drew.
He deserves to be locked
up for a very long time.
- He also deserves a defense Ellie.
- You wouldn't say that if
you saw what he did to her.
- Ellie we have to trust the process.
If he decides to plead not guilty,
there are enough witnesses
around to refute his claims.
And if leonie testifies-
- she will.
- She never has before.
- She has burns to half her body.
She'll be lucky to get out
of hospital inside months.
When she does, she'll still
be scarred for life.
He did this to her drew.
He beat her and, when she
tried to resist him,
he threw her into the fire.
Because he could.
Because he was a drunk.
Because she never stopped him before.
Never again.
I want him punished.
- I understand.
But that's not how this job works.
You know that.
[Gentle music]
- How you been?
I'm glad you came.
- Your uncle Tim was in town.
Rodeo.
- Yeah?
How'd he do?
- Yeah not bad.
Done all right in the roping.
He's not you though.
You have to go a long way
to find somebody who can
stick a horse like you can.
- That's 'cause I'm I'm
scared of falling off.
I'm sorry dad.
Sorry for shaming you.
- It's done.
- I told him to go back to Melbourne.
- Listen,
you got enough time in here
to sort yourself out, right?
That nonsense,
that's behind you now.
But when you come out of here,
you come out a real man.
- Dad I can't-
- we don't need to
talk about it anymore.
It's history.
You're my son and that's what matters.
[Gentle music]
How about you give your
mother some grandchildren?
Everything's gonna be all right.
You'll see.
- [Clerk] Russell Roberts.
- At approximately 4:45,
Saturday the first of November,
Mr. Roberts entered a hotel
room at the grove resort
and took a plasma
television from the room.
Leaving a note that he would
return it the next day.
Two days later, Mr.
Roberts was apprehended
returning the television
to the hotel room.
He admitted to unlawfully
taking the television.
There is a record your honor.
- Your honor, my client admits
to taking the television
so that he and a group of friends
could watch the west coast eagles.
That's a football team that
he's very passionate about.
They were playing the
fremantle dockers.
- Yes Mr. Ellis and
that is a football team
that I am very passionate about.
- Oh shit.
[Crowd laughing]
- My apologies, your honor.
Can't be swearing in court okay?
Well, as you know, your honor,
the local derby, it's a big deal.
He was never intending to
steal the television set,
he only wanted to borrow it.
As the note that he left
in the hotel stated.
- I told 'em I was gonna bring it back.
- Now you said you would take
the set back the next day
but in fact, you didn't
return it for two days.
What happened?
- Eagles won.
[Crowd laughing]
- Yes thank you for reminding
me of that fact Russell,
sit down please.
- [Russell] Thank you your honor.
[Gentle music]
- Hi I'm drew Ellis from
als, I'm representing you.
- Can you get me off eh?
Heard you done this before.
Heaps of times.
- Your wife and half the people there
are giving evidence that you two fought
and that you pushed her deliberately.
- She was getting in my hair.
Put right in her place.
You understand, right?
- You're better off owning up.
You know, showing that you feel sorry,
feel bad for what happened.
You're more likely to
get a better sentence.
- I got no record for this.
I'm not going to jail.
- I can't guarantee that.
You understand.
I mean it's your choice if
you wanna plead not guilty
but if you do, and the
magistrate believes
that the witnesses are
telling the truth,
he's more likely to send
you to jail for longer.
- You deserve to burn in
hell for what you did.
- You shouldn't be talking
to my client, Ellie.
- You're nothing but a coward.
- You go on and leave me be.
Or you'll get what's coming to you too.
- Walk away now Ellie!
- You see that?
Dude!
- I'm sick and tired drew.
You haven't seen what he
does to her time after time.
- I know but you can't just hit him.
What you wanna lose your career?
He could lay charges,
I am a witness Ellie.
- He doesn't care, look at him.
You'll let him keep winning.
- You're letting him win right now.
Walk away.
Now!
- I hope you rot in prison.
- I want her arrested.
She hit me.
You saw it, you have to say.
- Yeah you're right.
I'll just say what I saw.
And I will.
- She slapped me.
I can't have no white woman
slap me and get away with it.
- So let's lay charges and
then we'll take her to court.
- Yeah.
- But if they ask me what I saw,
then I have to tell them that
I heard you threaten her.
So let's talk to the police
and then we'll talk
about your plea later.
My client has no record of assault.
He has, in fact, only a minor record
for driving under the influence.
He is doing the right thing
by pleading guilty to the charge.
He's saving the court's time
and the witness' distress your honor.
Even though he asserts that
the worst of the assault,
the pushing into the
fire, was an accident.
My client regrets the
altercation with his wife.
Mr. Williams has employment
and his family to support him
through the process of giving
up drinking your honor.
- Thank you, Mr. Ellis.
Whether or not you intended
to burn your wife, Mr. Williams,
it was your violence that
caused her to land in the fire.
It was your violence that
caused her permanent
and severe disfigurement.
What you have done cannot be undone.
Do you understand that?
I sentence you to three
years in broome prison.
With a non parole period
of 18 months, that is all.
[Solemn music]
- [Drew] Thank you your honor.
- There's some tea in the Billy.
I reckon we need to dig up the pipes.
I think there's a crack in the line
we're gonna need to fix
before we get the bloody thing going.
Will you give me a hand?
- So now I just gotta get
myself through all of this.
Come out, start fresh.
Be the kind of man dad can be proud of.
- You're already that man.
He'll see that.
You let him see who you really are,
the way everyone who loves you
sees you and he'll be proud.
- How's drew?
- Okay.
- Diane not come back?
Called?
How do you feel about that?
- None of my business.
- Come on sis.
- [Bella] Come on nothing.
- Tell him I said hi okay?
Tell him how good I think it
is that he's found his mob.
- Archie wants to see you.
- Bella please.
- You love each other.
Why are you shutting him out?
- I can't.
I had to make a choice.
I can't go back, I can't.
I can't be that person anymore.
- You don't have to.
You've got a chance
to give up the grog,
make things different.
- That's not it.
Dad wou...
It's hard now, but he'll get over it.
He will.
I thought I might do some
studying while I'm in here.
Something with animals you know?
Might even become a
coconut myself, like you.
- And give up your chance
to give me a hard time?
- You know I'm only teasing you.
You're my hero.
You know that?
- You can find better heroes.
- No I can't.
[Gentle music]
- [Bella] So are you ready to talk?
- I guess I expected...
I don't know what I expected.
Driving out there with old Jack
I just felt so excited.
On the verge of something really big.
- And?
- I don't know.
Maybe I built it up too much.
I wanted
a movie moment.
You know?
Crying and people hugging me and...
- And it wasn't like that?
- A little bit.
But no.
Wanna drink?
It's my fault.
Well, I thought when I'd got there that
I'd get all the answers.
- You're being too hard on yourself.
These things take time.
Besides, you're meeting
your dad's brother,
your closest blood relative,
he's going to be able to tell you
the things you want to know.
- You charge for therapy?
- First session's free.
Drew
I know it's been a hard few weeks
but things will get better.
They will.
[Gentle music]
- I'm sorry.
Sorry.
- It's okay I should go.
- Bella.
- Really.
[Upbeat music]
- You keep doing drugs
and causing problems
you're gonna end up in the
big house you know that?
What you get your cousin
involved in this stuff now?
Is that how you want things to go down?
He's got no record.
He could make a life for himself.
Even if you don't want to.
- Like what?
There's nothing to do around here.
- Well you could get through school
and you stay clean and you can
be whatever you wanna be.
- Could I be a coconut lawyer like you?
- Yeah, well, if you want to, why not?
- Nah I'm right.
- Who'd wanna wear a
shirt like that man?
You look like shit.
- Don't you go anywhere.
We're up this afternoon.
Bella, wait.
- We're late.
- Yeah I know that.
I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
- You don't have to be.
It's fine.
Friends?
- My client has no
employment your honor
but he does work voluntarily
for the local fire brigade.
- He knows what he did
was wrong you honor
and he's very sorry for driving...
- [Peter] Thank you I've heard enough.
- We will be pleading
not guilty your honor.
- Thank you mr Ellis.
Case to be heard on...
- 18th of November.
- [Peter] November the 18th.
- Francis has only a
minor prior your honor.
And his mother has agreed
to periodic visits
by a social worker and
to delivering Francis
to a outpatient rehabilitation program.
Stand up.
- Francis.
People call you Francis?
- Nah.
Only my mom calls me Francis
when she's angry at me.
Friends call me freeze.
- So Francis
I'm looking at you and I
don't see a complete idiot.
But, for somebody so young,
you've headed into some serious
territory, dealing drugs.
Somebody's got you pegged for a fool.
They figure you're the one
that's gonna get the record
while they get all the money.
They're just using you and your mates.
Do you get that?
Okay Francis.
Let me tell you what
your future looks like.
You can keep shrugging
your way through cases
and then going back to doing
exactly what you like.
And eventually you'll come
before this court so many times
that we have to put you in juvie.
And half of your gang are there
because they shrug their way
through their cases too.
But you don't learn your lesson
because you know better.
And this goes on and on
until eventually one of
three things happens:
One, you spend your life inside,
two, you die
or three, you wake up to
yourself and you figure out
there's a better way to spend
the rest of your life.
Are you hearing me Francis?
Because I guarantee you
everything I've said today
is the absolute truth.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
If this continues, we're gonna
have to extend the circuit.
Which means more cases
backed into broome.
- Jason Freeman's taken Sam's job
but it'll still be a few weeks
'til he gets up from perth.
- Then you have to train him.
- [Officer] Peter can I have a word?
- Hanging for a ciggie.
Excuse me.
Mum?
Everything...
[Dramatic music]
- Bella
I'm so sorry.
- Hello?
Rose, it's drew.
[Sobbing]
Oh my god.
I'm so sorry rose.
I will.
I'll get her back there.
Okay.
Bye bye.
- How?
How did it happen?
- They found him hanging
in his prison cell.
A few hours ago.
- Oh my god.
- We'll fly back now.
I'll organize a filling clerk.
- If this is a deaths in custody issue,
we need to get Sam involved.
He knows how to handle these things.
- Yeah.
- I'll be back soon.
All right?
But you call me anytime you need me.
- Has anyone called Archie?
- I don't know.
Look after her for me please.
[Dramatic music]
- [Diane] Hi it's Diane.
I'm not here right now
but leave a message
and I'll get back to
you as soon as I can.
- Didn't expect to see you out here.
So what's going on?
Long way for a social call.
- I've got some bad news.
- [Sam] Do they know when
the funeral's gonna be?
- There'll need to be an autopsy.
- Why wasn't he on watch?
- [Drew] We don't know.
- Try to talk to the aboriginal
visitors service mob.
See what their take on it was.
Poor Bella.
Cuppa?
- How are you doing Billy?
- Yeah.
- Drew come out to let me know
that Bella's cousin passed away.
You met him.
Played bass with her band.
- So you'll be going
back into town then?
- [Sam] Billy.
- Fucking typical.
- Billy that's enough.
- I'm sorry.
- Not your fault.
Can't expect miracles overnight eh?
I'm not gonna be able to
leave here for the funeral.
It's too soon.
Tell rose and Bella
I'm thinking of 'em.
I'd be there if I could.
- They'll understand.
- He was a good mate to you eh?
- Yeah.
Two fish out of water.
It's just
such a fucking waste that's all.
- It always is.
[Gentle music]
- How's Bella?
And Archie?
- Beside himself.
Not made any better by the fact that
he feels that the family are
freezing him out already.
- Bella and rose won't let that happen.
- They've got their own
pain to live with.
And Joe is the boss.
- There'll be an inquest?
- Has to be.
It was a death in custody.
- Will you do it?
- The state coroner'll have to come up.
- How long?
- Could be months.
Ah.
Our new elder representatives.
- They picked a great time to start.
My client understands that
drinking is causing problems
in his life your honor.
And he has already began
a outpatient rehabilitation program.
He does, however, need his car
to continue his work as
a fencing contractor
as he is required to
travel long distances.
- How far does Mr.
Abbott have to travel?
- Sometimes up to 600
kilometers your honor.
- Thank you, Mr. Ellis.
Stand up please [Phone ringing]
Mr. Abbot.
- Hello?
Yeah.
Why you calling me?
You know you're not allowed to call me
when I'm bloody court.
No I can't talk.
Show disrespect.
- Elder ranald.
- I'll call you after.
Maybe six o'clock.
Might be before.
Supermarket?
Wonderful.
I'll ring you back after.
I'm sorry.
Keep on.
- My client was gainfully employed
up until a few months ago.
This drug has been rapidly
destroying his life
and he knows that.
With some rehabilitation I'm convinced
that he can turn his
life around your honor.
- Where are the hospital reports
on the injuries to the other men?
- They've been tendered, your honor.
- My client has recently broken up
with his common law wife, your honor.
- What happened, she leave you?
- Yes his wife did leave him
and she also took my
client's children to perth.
- Oh you chased her out?
You treat her bad?
Or she hooked up with a new fella?
- I don't think that is
relevant, it doesn't matter.
- Well it matters to him.
- Yes but
you don't need to question him.
You need to listen to what his
lawyer says on his behalf.
- We have say something.
- Well yeah.
You don't have to say
something about every case.
- Then what are we here for?
[Solemn gentle music]
- I'm so sorry.
How's everyone coping?
- Sad.
Worried.
You know lots of times
when someone passes,
especially like this,
there comes this whole
new circle of death.
Family, friends.
Some people find it hard.
You end up with more people to bury.
I'll fetch us a cuppa.
- Thanks rose.
Is there anything I can do?
- Uncle's handling the funeral.
It's gonna be a church service so
pretty much what you'd expect.
No photos for the old fella's sake.
But pretty standard.
I need to know why he
was taken off watch.
I mean, I know he seemed
better the last few days but
he's been so down.
Someone should have known
that it would come to this.
- Hey, hey we'll find out okay?
- My beautiful cousin drew.
- I know.
- My beautiful boy.
[Sobbing]
[Gentle music]
- [Drew] I'm so sorry Archie.
I'm sorry arch.
- Come in, come in.
- How you doing?
- Oh you know...
Ellie's been here a lot.
I feel bad for her.
Leonie in the hospital and me here.
- I'm sorry I wasn't here.
- Yeah I know.
There'll be an inquest.
Find out what really happened.
They can't get away with you
saying it was a suicide
we're not stupid.
- What you think it was...
- He didn't kill himself.
I mean
maybe he just wanted someone
to listen you know but
they left him there.
I've been going through the albums.
I'm trying to find a
photo for the coffin.
Here what you think?
- Yeah.
You know, it's great.
Do you think it's right?
To have the picture?
- You know, I look at this and
I can't believe he's not
just gonna walk in the door.
Been working on the eulogy.
Putting the writing skills
to good use anyway.
Funny how the things you
have most to say about
are the things you just can't seem
to find the right words for.
- Arch...
Have you told the whole
family about these plans?
- They got no choice.
- But you need to talk to Bella
'cause there are some cultural things-
- no.
I've lost my partner.
I have a right to say
goodbye the way I want,
the way he'd want me to.
How about that scotch eh?
- Sure.
[Gentle music]
Oh hello, can I help you?
- [Mick] I'm Mick.
- Mick.
Mathers.
- Oh uncle Mick.
Oh hi.
Come in.
Can I get you a drink?
Tea or coffee?
I just boiled the kettle.
- Tea.
- [Drew] How do you have it?
- Black.
- Have a seat.
I hear you've been out on a survey.
- Yeah had to come to broome
to do some more paperwork
before I head back.
How long you been a lawyer?
- Eight years.
- Married?
[Phone ringing] - I'm
sort of separated.
Hi it's drew, leave a message.
- [Archie] Drew?
It's me.
You have to help me, they won't
let me talk at the funeral.
They won't let me do anything.
They can't just...
Shit drew.
Call me.
Please.
- Client?
- No.
A friend.
His mate recently passed away.
He hung himself.
- Coward's way.
- That's a bit unfair.
You do know that my father,
your brother, he hung himself.
- Yeah.
Doesn't change a thing.
Still the coward's way out.
- Well that's your opinion
and I'd appreciate it if
you keep it to yourself.
- You wanna know about your father?
- Well yeah, anything.
- He broke my mother's heart.
She was never the same.
Always something missing after that.
That's what your father
did, tore her apart.
- He had his reasons.
- Reasons.
What reasons?
Only reason he had was he
left with that white slut.
- Please don't talk about
my mother like that.
- Everyone said it was the
wrong thing to do, everyone.
- That's enough.
- They said, he'd come
back then nothing.
No words for my mother,
no words for me, nothing.
- Get out.
- Your fancy mother leaves him
and he gets pissed every night.
- She didn't leave him!
He left us!
You don't know what
you're talking about.
Now I'd appreciate it if you leave.
- You wanted to hear it.
That's what you come here for right?
There's nothing for you here.
You don't belong.
Your father is dead
and he left nothing for you.
He left nothing for none of us.
[Phone ringing]
- Hey arch.
- I know he's hurting
but what can I do?
He's not gonna budge
and I can't keep pushing.
- All I'm saying is the
rest of the family knew,
most of them accepted it.
Surely Joe just can't sweep
that all under the carpet.
- I'm not saying it's right
but uncle doesn't understand.
He blames Archie for everything.
- Oh how can people just
be allowed to live with their
own version of history
without bothering to find out
what the truth really is?
Now that he's gone,
Joe needs to accept who his son was.
- If clarry couldn't accept
it, why should uncle?
- Look I'm not trying to
throw this all on you okay?
I'm just saying what's
going on here is wrong.
And you know it.
Hey Joe.
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
- Thanks.
And you'll be there?
- Of course.
- He can come and sit with us.
- I don't want to intrude Joe.
- No, no you're welcome.
- Excuse me.
- Look I don't mean
to be disrespectful,
but Archie's a good friend of mine
and he was very important to your son.
He just wants to say a few words,
he doesn't want to embarrass you.
He just wants to say goodbye.
You know, to his best friend.
- Coming to the funeral, that's enough.
[Dramatic music]
[Sobbing]
- Come on Archie.
- I'd like to begin by thanking you,
on behalf of the family,
for being here today
at the farewell Clarence long.
Now, clarry's father Joe
will give the eulogy.
- Clarry was a good boy.
He loved his sisters.
He always bought them back presents
when he'd been away driving.
Or out on a rodeo tour.
We knew he was going to follow
in his grandfather's
footsteps as a stockman.
It made his pop proud to
see him ride so well.
He left the kimberley for
awhile, went to live down south
but he was never really
happy down there.
He belonged here.
In this country.
His country.
We're not just mourning our boy here.
We're mourning what we lost.
Grandchildren, nieces and nephews
that we'll never have now.
Clarry had lots of friends.
He had family.
We all miss him.
- I have something I wanna say.
- Archie don't.
- Show some respect.
- You show respect.
- Arch.
- Let me go drew.
- You got no right interfering here.
- I have every right.
You have no right to stop me.
Clarry was my lover, my
husband, my partner.
- Get out!
- I deserve to be here!
Look at these.
Look at these pictures!
Now you tell me these are
pictures of just friends.
Look!
Look at them.
- Get him out of here
before I kill him!
- Come on mate.
Archie come on.
- Bella please!
Don't let them do this.
You know, you understand.
- Archie please stop, for all of us.
- Get him outta here!
- Fuck you!
Fuck you all!
- Get him outta here!
- You think this is what he wanted?
You have no idea.
We loved each other!
Do you think he'd want
you to ignore me?
- [Drew] Arch!
[Gentle music]
[Sobbing]
- It's
it's the little things
that you miss the most.
I miss your smile,
your beautiful hands,
your noodle omelets.
I'll miss lying on the beach
in the middle of the night
watching for shooting stars.
You could always see them
in your peripheral vision.
I'd have to keep turning my head
and you'd laugh at me and say
that my eyes were too small.
I miss the way you kissed me.
But I won't miss the way we fought.
I know that you're sorry
and I'm sorry too.
I only ever wanted to love you.
That's all.
I only wanted us to be able
to tell the world that
and I'm sorry that we
caused each other pain
and I'm sorry that that's
what I'm left with.
But I will fight for you
and I'll make sure that no one forgets.
[Gentle music]
- Just for tonight.
Okay?
I need someone.
♪ I give my truth to the vision ♪
♪ my body mind
- come on.
♪ I ask them for change
♪ came on defensing oh no
♪ can't keep it in so the
truth will come out ♪
♪ bring it on on and show it ends ♪
♪ you can put me down but
you won't break me ♪
♪ I've done nothing to you
♪ whad wrong with you
♪ whad wrong with you
- [Announcer] Aboriginal and
Torres strait islander viewers
are warned that this
program may contain images
and sounds that relate
to deceased persons.
Previously on "the circuit".
- This is Peter Lockhart.
He's our magistrate.
- [Peter] Drew, very pleased
to have you on board.
- You come up here to get your
degree in aboriginality, eh?
Only too happy to help you.
- You and me, bro, we're
never gonna fit in.
I mean, you're too flash to
be a proper black fella,
and me, well, I'm just
your average gay bloke.
- This is Diane, my wife.
- Diane you made it!
You must be happy as.
He was moping around when he
thought you weren't coming.
- You're not a father!
You're a fucking stranger.
- I love him!
He loves me!
- I'm gonna stay here
and work.
- I find I have no alternative
but to sentence you to
12 months imprisonment.
- I'm gonna take Billy away.
To an outstation.
My country.
- Do you know that client of mine?
Jack stallion.
He reckons he knows some of my family.
He's gonna take me out to meet them.
[Dramatic music]
[Engine sputtering]
- Wake up.
Wake up you fucking bastard!
- What do you want Billy?
- What'd you do to the car?
- What're you doing
with the car anyway?
- I'm getting outta here!
You can't fucking keep me here!
- You wanna cuppa?
- I don't want tea!
I wanna go home!
- This is home for now.
I'm not letting you
go and you know why.
So why don't you just have a cuppa?
- I don't fucking want tea!
I wanna go home.
I wanna get out of here!
You can't keep me here now fix it!
- Billy stop it.
- Fix the fucking car!
- You wanna go back to
what you were doing?
You're gonna have to kill me.
I'm not gonna let you kill yourself.
- Fuck you!
Come on!
Punch me back you
fucking piece of shit!
Be a man!
- Billy.
Look at me.
[Screaming]
[Sirens wailing]
[Dramatic music]
- [Ellie] What happened?
- There was a fight apparently.
- What did he do?
- Her husband knocked
her into a campfire.
- How bad is it?
- It's serious?
She'll need to be transferred
to perth when she's stable.
- Can I see her?
- [Doctor] Just for a second.
- Leonie.
My poor girl.
[Aboriginal music]
[Gentle music]
- Busted!
I've got some news.
- Diane?
- No my uncle.
The one I told you about.
He's agreed to meet with me.
- Hey that's good right?
- Yeah, of course.
Why?
- You've been really quiet
about meeting your family that's all.
You've barely talked about it.
- It's been a busy couple of weeks.
That's all.
- So when are you gonna
tell me what happened?
- [Drew] Soon.
I'm just trying to process it all.
- Well, maybe this uncle will
give you some answers eh?
- I hope so.
- Don't keep me in suspense too long.
- [Drew] Maybe tonight.
- [Bella] Okay.
See you inside.
- Ellie.
Do you know leonie's
husband's up today?
- I know.
He's guilty as sin drew.
He deserves to be locked
up for a very long time.
- He also deserves a defense Ellie.
- You wouldn't say that if
you saw what he did to her.
- Ellie we have to trust the process.
If he decides to plead not guilty,
there are enough witnesses
around to refute his claims.
And if leonie testifies-
- she will.
- She never has before.
- She has burns to half her body.
She'll be lucky to get out
of hospital inside months.
When she does, she'll still
be scarred for life.
He did this to her drew.
He beat her and, when she
tried to resist him,
he threw her into the fire.
Because he could.
Because he was a drunk.
Because she never stopped him before.
Never again.
I want him punished.
- I understand.
But that's not how this job works.
You know that.
[Gentle music]
- How you been?
I'm glad you came.
- Your uncle Tim was in town.
Rodeo.
- Yeah?
How'd he do?
- Yeah not bad.
Done all right in the roping.
He's not you though.
You have to go a long way
to find somebody who can
stick a horse like you can.
- That's 'cause I'm I'm
scared of falling off.
I'm sorry dad.
Sorry for shaming you.
- It's done.
- I told him to go back to Melbourne.
- Listen,
you got enough time in here
to sort yourself out, right?
That nonsense,
that's behind you now.
But when you come out of here,
you come out a real man.
- Dad I can't-
- we don't need to
talk about it anymore.
It's history.
You're my son and that's what matters.
[Gentle music]
How about you give your
mother some grandchildren?
Everything's gonna be all right.
You'll see.
- [Clerk] Russell Roberts.
- At approximately 4:45,
Saturday the first of November,
Mr. Roberts entered a hotel
room at the grove resort
and took a plasma
television from the room.
Leaving a note that he would
return it the next day.
Two days later, Mr.
Roberts was apprehended
returning the television
to the hotel room.
He admitted to unlawfully
taking the television.
There is a record your honor.
- Your honor, my client admits
to taking the television
so that he and a group of friends
could watch the west coast eagles.
That's a football team that
he's very passionate about.
They were playing the
fremantle dockers.
- Yes Mr. Ellis and
that is a football team
that I am very passionate about.
- Oh shit.
[Crowd laughing]
- My apologies, your honor.
Can't be swearing in court okay?
Well, as you know, your honor,
the local derby, it's a big deal.
He was never intending to
steal the television set,
he only wanted to borrow it.
As the note that he left
in the hotel stated.
- I told 'em I was gonna bring it back.
- Now you said you would take
the set back the next day
but in fact, you didn't
return it for two days.
What happened?
- Eagles won.
[Crowd laughing]
- Yes thank you for reminding
me of that fact Russell,
sit down please.
- [Russell] Thank you your honor.
[Gentle music]
- Hi I'm drew Ellis from
als, I'm representing you.
- Can you get me off eh?
Heard you done this before.
Heaps of times.
- Your wife and half the people there
are giving evidence that you two fought
and that you pushed her deliberately.
- She was getting in my hair.
Put right in her place.
You understand, right?
- You're better off owning up.
You know, showing that you feel sorry,
feel bad for what happened.
You're more likely to
get a better sentence.
- I got no record for this.
I'm not going to jail.
- I can't guarantee that.
You understand.
I mean it's your choice if
you wanna plead not guilty
but if you do, and the
magistrate believes
that the witnesses are
telling the truth,
he's more likely to send
you to jail for longer.
- You deserve to burn in
hell for what you did.
- You shouldn't be talking
to my client, Ellie.
- You're nothing but a coward.
- You go on and leave me be.
Or you'll get what's coming to you too.
- Walk away now Ellie!
- You see that?
Dude!
- I'm sick and tired drew.
You haven't seen what he
does to her time after time.
- I know but you can't just hit him.
What you wanna lose your career?
He could lay charges,
I am a witness Ellie.
- He doesn't care, look at him.
You'll let him keep winning.
- You're letting him win right now.
Walk away.
Now!
- I hope you rot in prison.
- I want her arrested.
She hit me.
You saw it, you have to say.
- Yeah you're right.
I'll just say what I saw.
And I will.
- She slapped me.
I can't have no white woman
slap me and get away with it.
- So let's lay charges and
then we'll take her to court.
- Yeah.
- But if they ask me what I saw,
then I have to tell them that
I heard you threaten her.
So let's talk to the police
and then we'll talk
about your plea later.
My client has no record of assault.
He has, in fact, only a minor record
for driving under the influence.
He is doing the right thing
by pleading guilty to the charge.
He's saving the court's time
and the witness' distress your honor.
Even though he asserts that
the worst of the assault,
the pushing into the
fire, was an accident.
My client regrets the
altercation with his wife.
Mr. Williams has employment
and his family to support him
through the process of giving
up drinking your honor.
- Thank you, Mr. Ellis.
Whether or not you intended
to burn your wife, Mr. Williams,
it was your violence that
caused her to land in the fire.
It was your violence that
caused her permanent
and severe disfigurement.
What you have done cannot be undone.
Do you understand that?
I sentence you to three
years in broome prison.
With a non parole period
of 18 months, that is all.
[Solemn music]
- [Drew] Thank you your honor.
- There's some tea in the Billy.
I reckon we need to dig up the pipes.
I think there's a crack in the line
we're gonna need to fix
before we get the bloody thing going.
Will you give me a hand?
- So now I just gotta get
myself through all of this.
Come out, start fresh.
Be the kind of man dad can be proud of.
- You're already that man.
He'll see that.
You let him see who you really are,
the way everyone who loves you
sees you and he'll be proud.
- How's drew?
- Okay.
- Diane not come back?
Called?
How do you feel about that?
- None of my business.
- Come on sis.
- [Bella] Come on nothing.
- Tell him I said hi okay?
Tell him how good I think it
is that he's found his mob.
- Archie wants to see you.
- Bella please.
- You love each other.
Why are you shutting him out?
- I can't.
I had to make a choice.
I can't go back, I can't.
I can't be that person anymore.
- You don't have to.
You've got a chance
to give up the grog,
make things different.
- That's not it.
Dad wou...
It's hard now, but he'll get over it.
He will.
I thought I might do some
studying while I'm in here.
Something with animals you know?
Might even become a
coconut myself, like you.
- And give up your chance
to give me a hard time?
- You know I'm only teasing you.
You're my hero.
You know that?
- You can find better heroes.
- No I can't.
[Gentle music]
- [Bella] So are you ready to talk?
- I guess I expected...
I don't know what I expected.
Driving out there with old Jack
I just felt so excited.
On the verge of something really big.
- And?
- I don't know.
Maybe I built it up too much.
I wanted
a movie moment.
You know?
Crying and people hugging me and...
- And it wasn't like that?
- A little bit.
But no.
Wanna drink?
It's my fault.
Well, I thought when I'd got there that
I'd get all the answers.
- You're being too hard on yourself.
These things take time.
Besides, you're meeting
your dad's brother,
your closest blood relative,
he's going to be able to tell you
the things you want to know.
- You charge for therapy?
- First session's free.
Drew
I know it's been a hard few weeks
but things will get better.
They will.
[Gentle music]
- I'm sorry.
Sorry.
- It's okay I should go.
- Bella.
- Really.
[Upbeat music]
- You keep doing drugs
and causing problems
you're gonna end up in the
big house you know that?
What you get your cousin
involved in this stuff now?
Is that how you want things to go down?
He's got no record.
He could make a life for himself.
Even if you don't want to.
- Like what?
There's nothing to do around here.
- Well you could get through school
and you stay clean and you can
be whatever you wanna be.
- Could I be a coconut lawyer like you?
- Yeah, well, if you want to, why not?
- Nah I'm right.
- Who'd wanna wear a
shirt like that man?
You look like shit.
- Don't you go anywhere.
We're up this afternoon.
Bella, wait.
- We're late.
- Yeah I know that.
I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
- You don't have to be.
It's fine.
Friends?
- My client has no
employment your honor
but he does work voluntarily
for the local fire brigade.
- He knows what he did
was wrong you honor
and he's very sorry for driving...
- [Peter] Thank you I've heard enough.
- We will be pleading
not guilty your honor.
- Thank you mr Ellis.
Case to be heard on...
- 18th of November.
- [Peter] November the 18th.
- Francis has only a
minor prior your honor.
And his mother has agreed
to periodic visits
by a social worker and
to delivering Francis
to a outpatient rehabilitation program.
Stand up.
- Francis.
People call you Francis?
- Nah.
Only my mom calls me Francis
when she's angry at me.
Friends call me freeze.
- So Francis
I'm looking at you and I
don't see a complete idiot.
But, for somebody so young,
you've headed into some serious
territory, dealing drugs.
Somebody's got you pegged for a fool.
They figure you're the one
that's gonna get the record
while they get all the money.
They're just using you and your mates.
Do you get that?
Okay Francis.
Let me tell you what
your future looks like.
You can keep shrugging
your way through cases
and then going back to doing
exactly what you like.
And eventually you'll come
before this court so many times
that we have to put you in juvie.
And half of your gang are there
because they shrug their way
through their cases too.
But you don't learn your lesson
because you know better.
And this goes on and on
until eventually one of
three things happens:
One, you spend your life inside,
two, you die
or three, you wake up to
yourself and you figure out
there's a better way to spend
the rest of your life.
Are you hearing me Francis?
Because I guarantee you
everything I've said today
is the absolute truth.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
If this continues, we're gonna
have to extend the circuit.
Which means more cases
backed into broome.
- Jason Freeman's taken Sam's job
but it'll still be a few weeks
'til he gets up from perth.
- Then you have to train him.
- [Officer] Peter can I have a word?
- Hanging for a ciggie.
Excuse me.
Mum?
Everything...
[Dramatic music]
- Bella
I'm so sorry.
- Hello?
Rose, it's drew.
[Sobbing]
Oh my god.
I'm so sorry rose.
I will.
I'll get her back there.
Okay.
Bye bye.
- How?
How did it happen?
- They found him hanging
in his prison cell.
A few hours ago.
- Oh my god.
- We'll fly back now.
I'll organize a filling clerk.
- If this is a deaths in custody issue,
we need to get Sam involved.
He knows how to handle these things.
- Yeah.
- I'll be back soon.
All right?
But you call me anytime you need me.
- Has anyone called Archie?
- I don't know.
Look after her for me please.
[Dramatic music]
- [Diane] Hi it's Diane.
I'm not here right now
but leave a message
and I'll get back to
you as soon as I can.
- Didn't expect to see you out here.
So what's going on?
Long way for a social call.
- I've got some bad news.
- [Sam] Do they know when
the funeral's gonna be?
- There'll need to be an autopsy.
- Why wasn't he on watch?
- [Drew] We don't know.
- Try to talk to the aboriginal
visitors service mob.
See what their take on it was.
Poor Bella.
Cuppa?
- How are you doing Billy?
- Yeah.
- Drew come out to let me know
that Bella's cousin passed away.
You met him.
Played bass with her band.
- So you'll be going
back into town then?
- [Sam] Billy.
- Fucking typical.
- Billy that's enough.
- I'm sorry.
- Not your fault.
Can't expect miracles overnight eh?
I'm not gonna be able to
leave here for the funeral.
It's too soon.
Tell rose and Bella
I'm thinking of 'em.
I'd be there if I could.
- They'll understand.
- He was a good mate to you eh?
- Yeah.
Two fish out of water.
It's just
such a fucking waste that's all.
- It always is.
[Gentle music]
- How's Bella?
And Archie?
- Beside himself.
Not made any better by the fact that
he feels that the family are
freezing him out already.
- Bella and rose won't let that happen.
- They've got their own
pain to live with.
And Joe is the boss.
- There'll be an inquest?
- Has to be.
It was a death in custody.
- Will you do it?
- The state coroner'll have to come up.
- How long?
- Could be months.
Ah.
Our new elder representatives.
- They picked a great time to start.
My client understands that
drinking is causing problems
in his life your honor.
And he has already began
a outpatient rehabilitation program.
He does, however, need his car
to continue his work as
a fencing contractor
as he is required to
travel long distances.
- How far does Mr.
Abbott have to travel?
- Sometimes up to 600
kilometers your honor.
- Thank you, Mr. Ellis.
Stand up please [Phone ringing]
Mr. Abbot.
- Hello?
Yeah.
Why you calling me?
You know you're not allowed to call me
when I'm bloody court.
No I can't talk.
Show disrespect.
- Elder ranald.
- I'll call you after.
Maybe six o'clock.
Might be before.
Supermarket?
Wonderful.
I'll ring you back after.
I'm sorry.
Keep on.
- My client was gainfully employed
up until a few months ago.
This drug has been rapidly
destroying his life
and he knows that.
With some rehabilitation I'm convinced
that he can turn his
life around your honor.
- Where are the hospital reports
on the injuries to the other men?
- They've been tendered, your honor.
- My client has recently broken up
with his common law wife, your honor.
- What happened, she leave you?
- Yes his wife did leave him
and she also took my
client's children to perth.
- Oh you chased her out?
You treat her bad?
Or she hooked up with a new fella?
- I don't think that is
relevant, it doesn't matter.
- Well it matters to him.
- Yes but
you don't need to question him.
You need to listen to what his
lawyer says on his behalf.
- We have say something.
- Well yeah.
You don't have to say
something about every case.
- Then what are we here for?
[Solemn gentle music]
- I'm so sorry.
How's everyone coping?
- Sad.
Worried.
You know lots of times
when someone passes,
especially like this,
there comes this whole
new circle of death.
Family, friends.
Some people find it hard.
You end up with more people to bury.
I'll fetch us a cuppa.
- Thanks rose.
Is there anything I can do?
- Uncle's handling the funeral.
It's gonna be a church service so
pretty much what you'd expect.
No photos for the old fella's sake.
But pretty standard.
I need to know why he
was taken off watch.
I mean, I know he seemed
better the last few days but
he's been so down.
Someone should have known
that it would come to this.
- Hey, hey we'll find out okay?
- My beautiful cousin drew.
- I know.
- My beautiful boy.
[Sobbing]
[Gentle music]
- [Drew] I'm so sorry Archie.
I'm sorry arch.
- Come in, come in.
- How you doing?
- Oh you know...
Ellie's been here a lot.
I feel bad for her.
Leonie in the hospital and me here.
- I'm sorry I wasn't here.
- Yeah I know.
There'll be an inquest.
Find out what really happened.
They can't get away with you
saying it was a suicide
we're not stupid.
- What you think it was...
- He didn't kill himself.
I mean
maybe he just wanted someone
to listen you know but
they left him there.
I've been going through the albums.
I'm trying to find a
photo for the coffin.
Here what you think?
- Yeah.
You know, it's great.
Do you think it's right?
To have the picture?
- You know, I look at this and
I can't believe he's not
just gonna walk in the door.
Been working on the eulogy.
Putting the writing skills
to good use anyway.
Funny how the things you
have most to say about
are the things you just can't seem
to find the right words for.
- Arch...
Have you told the whole
family about these plans?
- They got no choice.
- But you need to talk to Bella
'cause there are some cultural things-
- no.
I've lost my partner.
I have a right to say
goodbye the way I want,
the way he'd want me to.
How about that scotch eh?
- Sure.
[Gentle music]
Oh hello, can I help you?
- [Mick] I'm Mick.
- Mick.
Mathers.
- Oh uncle Mick.
Oh hi.
Come in.
Can I get you a drink?
Tea or coffee?
I just boiled the kettle.
- Tea.
- [Drew] How do you have it?
- Black.
- Have a seat.
I hear you've been out on a survey.
- Yeah had to come to broome
to do some more paperwork
before I head back.
How long you been a lawyer?
- Eight years.
- Married?
[Phone ringing] - I'm
sort of separated.
Hi it's drew, leave a message.
- [Archie] Drew?
It's me.
You have to help me, they won't
let me talk at the funeral.
They won't let me do anything.
They can't just...
Shit drew.
Call me.
Please.
- Client?
- No.
A friend.
His mate recently passed away.
He hung himself.
- Coward's way.
- That's a bit unfair.
You do know that my father,
your brother, he hung himself.
- Yeah.
Doesn't change a thing.
Still the coward's way out.
- Well that's your opinion
and I'd appreciate it if
you keep it to yourself.
- You wanna know about your father?
- Well yeah, anything.
- He broke my mother's heart.
She was never the same.
Always something missing after that.
That's what your father
did, tore her apart.
- He had his reasons.
- Reasons.
What reasons?
Only reason he had was he
left with that white slut.
- Please don't talk about
my mother like that.
- Everyone said it was the
wrong thing to do, everyone.
- That's enough.
- They said, he'd come
back then nothing.
No words for my mother,
no words for me, nothing.
- Get out.
- Your fancy mother leaves him
and he gets pissed every night.
- She didn't leave him!
He left us!
You don't know what
you're talking about.
Now I'd appreciate it if you leave.
- You wanted to hear it.
That's what you come here for right?
There's nothing for you here.
You don't belong.
Your father is dead
and he left nothing for you.
He left nothing for none of us.
[Phone ringing]
- Hey arch.
- I know he's hurting
but what can I do?
He's not gonna budge
and I can't keep pushing.
- All I'm saying is the
rest of the family knew,
most of them accepted it.
Surely Joe just can't sweep
that all under the carpet.
- I'm not saying it's right
but uncle doesn't understand.
He blames Archie for everything.
- Oh how can people just
be allowed to live with their
own version of history
without bothering to find out
what the truth really is?
Now that he's gone,
Joe needs to accept who his son was.
- If clarry couldn't accept
it, why should uncle?
- Look I'm not trying to
throw this all on you okay?
I'm just saying what's
going on here is wrong.
And you know it.
Hey Joe.
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
- Thanks.
And you'll be there?
- Of course.
- He can come and sit with us.
- I don't want to intrude Joe.
- No, no you're welcome.
- Excuse me.
- Look I don't mean
to be disrespectful,
but Archie's a good friend of mine
and he was very important to your son.
He just wants to say a few words,
he doesn't want to embarrass you.
He just wants to say goodbye.
You know, to his best friend.
- Coming to the funeral, that's enough.
[Dramatic music]
[Sobbing]
- Come on Archie.
- I'd like to begin by thanking you,
on behalf of the family,
for being here today
at the farewell Clarence long.
Now, clarry's father Joe
will give the eulogy.
- Clarry was a good boy.
He loved his sisters.
He always bought them back presents
when he'd been away driving.
Or out on a rodeo tour.
We knew he was going to follow
in his grandfather's
footsteps as a stockman.
It made his pop proud to
see him ride so well.
He left the kimberley for
awhile, went to live down south
but he was never really
happy down there.
He belonged here.
In this country.
His country.
We're not just mourning our boy here.
We're mourning what we lost.
Grandchildren, nieces and nephews
that we'll never have now.
Clarry had lots of friends.
He had family.
We all miss him.
- I have something I wanna say.
- Archie don't.
- Show some respect.
- You show respect.
- Arch.
- Let me go drew.
- You got no right interfering here.
- I have every right.
You have no right to stop me.
Clarry was my lover, my
husband, my partner.
- Get out!
- I deserve to be here!
Look at these.
Look at these pictures!
Now you tell me these are
pictures of just friends.
Look!
Look at them.
- Get him out of here
before I kill him!
- Come on mate.
Archie come on.
- Bella please!
Don't let them do this.
You know, you understand.
- Archie please stop, for all of us.
- Get him outta here!
- Fuck you!
Fuck you all!
- Get him outta here!
- You think this is what he wanted?
You have no idea.
We loved each other!
Do you think he'd want
you to ignore me?
- [Drew] Arch!
[Gentle music]
[Sobbing]
- It's
it's the little things
that you miss the most.
I miss your smile,
your beautiful hands,
your noodle omelets.
I'll miss lying on the beach
in the middle of the night
watching for shooting stars.
You could always see them
in your peripheral vision.
I'd have to keep turning my head
and you'd laugh at me and say
that my eyes were too small.
I miss the way you kissed me.
But I won't miss the way we fought.
I know that you're sorry
and I'm sorry too.
I only ever wanted to love you.
That's all.
I only wanted us to be able
to tell the world that
and I'm sorry that we
caused each other pain
and I'm sorry that that's
what I'm left with.
But I will fight for you
and I'll make sure that no one forgets.
[Gentle music]
- Just for tonight.
Okay?
I need someone.
♪ I give my truth to the vision ♪
♪ my body mind
- come on.
♪ I ask them for change
♪ came on defensing oh no
♪ can't keep it in so the
truth will come out ♪
♪ bring it on on and show it ends ♪
♪ you can put me down but
you won't break me ♪
♪ I've done nothing to you
♪ whad wrong with you
♪ whad wrong with you