New beginnings.
PEGGY: You want me to run a quick background check on him?
Court records, land title searches,
anything you can think of.
This is a love story, not an investigation. (LAUGHS)
JOE: Heading to the airport. See you in an hour.
Oh, Anton, it's probably gonna sound really stupid,
but I just, I thought I just saw Joe at the Falconer
with a w-woman.
COUNSELLOR: It sounds simplistic,
but you just might have to trust Joe.
BIRDIE: Everything alright?
JOE: No, there's been an accident.
Harry was running by the side of the pool,
and he slipped and he split his head open.
He's in the hospital. Mary's gone AWOL.
Oh, you've got to be with your boy.
..for the initial wind monitoring,
and the measurements so far are very promising.
Now, you put 10 of those gentle giants up,
you're looking at a minimum of 300,000 per year
for that piece of scrappy, unused land.
(DING!)
JOE: The bend in the river. Look out! I'm coming round it.
I'm dying to see you in the flesh.
Joe, where are you?
JOE: Oh, there was a bloody dreadful accident.
Anton, he was sick last night.
ANTON: Birdie, this is weird.
You haven't been round to his place,
you haven't met his friends or his children. (EXHALES)
Am I your dirty little secret?
JOE: Oh, hang on, where's this come from?
What, are your friends making you feel bad again?
Are you playing me?
JOE: (ON RECORDING) Please leave a message,
and I'll get back to you when I can.
They've shut the doors now.
Have you even booked?
(BANGING IN DRYER)
(LOUD BANGING IN DRYER)
JOE: Why is the bank selling my mum's house?
I did NOT make a late payment.
I've never made a late payment.
Look, I've been through this so many times,
I'm feeling like I'm a broken record.
Excuse me, what's your name?
Robert.
Alright, Robert, could you please
put me through to your manager?
(WATER RUNS)
MAN: You going to the skiing thing next week?
No worries, Bill, see you there.
JOE: Tradition.
Yeah, no-one cares about it anymore.
But I do.
Well, without tradition, there's...
..nothing has meaning, there's no value to anything.
No-one even bothers to find the tradition behind things.
Take the willow pattern design.
You know, everyone's seen it,
no-one knows the story behind it.
It's a love story.
Two lovers.
The daughter of a wealthy, well-respected man,
betrothed to a powerful duke,
and the poor, lowly assistant that she falls in love with.
The father builds a wall to keep her in,
but they escape.
Over the wall they go,
take some of the jewels
that the Duke had given as a marriage offering.
They run over the bridge, they pass the weeping willows,
off for a life together.
But the father's henchmen track them down...
..kill them and burn down their house.
He destroys them.
So the gods immortalise those two ill-fated lovers
as two doves that always appear in the pattern.
Yours is obviously a copy.
Does that bother you?
No, no, not at all.
I'm just, you know, I'm destined to spot a fake.
My grandfather had a full set of originals.
Yes, your grandfather, Roland Burt.
Oh, OK. OK, OK. Guilty, guilty.
You know, I'm proud of my grandfather.
You know, he was a great businessman.
He started an empire from scratch.
And then lost it again?
Uh, no, that was, um, that was Joe's dad.
- Right. - Can we...
..focus on Kirsty.
Joe was at Grammar with all of his friends
and then he had to go to a really rough public school.
So it wasn't an easy time for him, was it?
COUNSELLOR: It sounds like this narrative of Joe's past
is very present in your relationship.
- No, no, no. - Don't really think about it.
I'm not judging you, darling.
It was unfair.
I'm here to support you. I don't think my grandfather's
got anything to do with anything.
Oh, I...
I think it's relevant.
My grandfather's relevant to your trust issues?
(KIRSTY EXHALES)
She's, um, paranoid about my phone.
He angles it weird.
Oh, God. Um...
It sounds strange,
but sometimes I think he's cheating on me.
She, um... She has issues with trust.
Why would Susan lie?
Well, 'cause she's obsessed.
What other people think about me has got nothing to do with me.
You know, give Susan a bottle of Chablis
and she'll have a reason for anything.
I'm sorry, I'm on the cusp of the biggest deal of my life.
I've got reports up to here.
I promised that I wouldn't let the stress get to me.
Honestly, I don't give any thought to how,
you know, how I hold my phone.
COUNSELLOR: If you two want to live together,
Kirsty, can you believe what Joe is saying?
I really want to.
COUNSELLOR: But?
I guess, since the operation,
I feel... unusually vulnerable.
COUNSELLOR: Is that something you both want to work on?
Yeah. Yes.
Maybe that's something you can work on together.
Reconnect.
Go away for the weekend.
Are you right for this time next week?
Yeah.
Monthly would probably be better.
Weekly will really help Kirsty to keep making steps forward.
Please, Joe.
- Yeah. Yeah, of course. - OK.
Plus, I have to hear the rest of your story.
You didn't get to the bit about the willow pattern
being stolen from Chinese designs.
So it's already an imitation.
Mm.
(EXHALES)
Should we stick with her?
Or do you want to try someone else?
Well, would it be helpful if I come up to Beijing soon
and we can discuss it further?
Yeah. We'll discuss it further.
- Yes. - OK.
Yeah, we'll fly out. No problem.
- That's be really good. - Yeah.
What's your favourite airline to fly?
Oh, here we go...
This is Allan. Allan, this is Birdie.
ALLAN: Nice to meet you, Birdie. I've heard a lot about you.
Oh! Well, surely there's not much to tell.
- Oh! Don't be modest. - (BIRDIE LAUGHS)
A personal article in the Weekend Magazine
about her own IVF struggle - won a major award.
She is a fantastic writer.
That was a long time ago.
Rah Hou.
Well... Well, at least I showed up to court. Did you?
MAN: No, not personally.
No, no, no, no. I know you didn't.
Now, look, aside from yourself,
because I can actually hear your voice, I tell you,
your whole bank is being run by bots.
MAN: Sorry, did you say 'bots'?
Yeah, bots. Computers.
Computers are making decisions
that should be made by people,
and these decisions are affecting people.
I can tell you from experience.
And they're affecting people in a very major way.
MAN: OK. I understand your frustration, sir.
Oh, thank you. I'm glad you understand. Thank you.
MAN: So you're saying you made the outstanding payments
- on the loan? - Yes, I did. Yeah, I did.
MAN: Can you provide us any evidence of the payments?
I'm sorry, say again?
MAN: Can you provide us receipts
or any evidence of these payments?
Yes. Hang on.
Well, let's just park, for a minute,
the fact that I didn't default on the loan.
MAN: Sure.
And I'm asking you why has the bank decided to
take the nuclear option? Why?
Why has it gone to... and wants to sell the house?
MAN: I can answer that. The guarantor, your mother...
In that case, you're sitting there...
You're sitting there in front of your computer,
can I just ask you, with a little touch of the button then,
if that's the case, can you just cancel the ticket
and just get rid of the erroneous default?
MAN: I'm sorry, sir. I don't have the authority
or the power to cancel your default.
The foreclosure is in process
and your mother's property is being sold at auction.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Oh!
Nymph, nymph, what are these beads?
Oh! My special Joe.
My homecoming jewels.
- Thank you. - Yes.
It'll be homecoming soon, Mum.
MOTHER: Dawn Harrison says there's a...
an auction sign up on the front lawn.
Oh, Dawn Harrison's got dementia, Mum.
Oh, no, I...
I don't think so. She...
- She's still teaching. - (KNOCKING)
Yeah, well, there's probably a teacher shortage.
Joe! I didn't see your name on the log.
Oh, Maria, no, I wouldn't want all my admirers
to know I'm here if I can't spend time with all of them.
I'll come back for your shower.
No, you go have a cup of tea.
I'll put Mum in the shower.
Come on, Mum. Quick sticks.
- Shower time. - Oh.
- You alright? - Mm.
That's it.
Up. That's it. Up, up...
And away! Good on you, Mum.
OK...
- I can do it. Go away. - OK.
Just testing the temperature. Hang on.
(TURNS WATER ON)
Oh...
- OK. I'll be back in a minute. - OK.
Mum?
Are you keeping your papers safe?
MOTHER: What's that?
Where are you keeping your papers?
MOTHER: Your brother cancelled my subscription.
JOE: (SOFTLY) Shit.
MOTHER: It'll be good to be back home again.
I know your brothers think I'm better off here.
But I know I'm better odd at home with all my things.
You'll tell them it's all sorted out with the bank,
won't you, Joe?
Joe, where are you?
Joe, I need help with the tap.
Oh!
Joe?
Hello?
(STARTS ENGINE)
Do you want to get out of here?
Yeah.
Yeah, I think that's a good idea.
Oh...
I had a lovely night, thank you.
You're not coming?
No, I've got to get back to the farm first thing in the morning.
The bore's been pumping out mud,
so I'm going to have to dig it a little bit deeper,
otherwise I'm going to have to bore it out again.
- Oh. - Yeah.
You know, I've got responsibilities, unfortunately.
People, animals, farm equipment that depend on me.
Yeah, of course.
Thank you.
- 'Night. - 'Night.
(LINE RINGS)
Hey, Allan.
Can you bring us a tie?
I'm just coming back from the farm
and I'm not going to have time to swing by home.
Alright, I'll see you soon. Bye.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
- Oh! Are you OK? - Hey!
- Yeah, thanks for that. - They'll be here in a minute.
OK, can you stay here for a second?
I'm just going to go upstairs and see which room
my partners have organised for us.
Uh...
You just make them comfortable and I'll come down
as soon as I know where we're going to meet.
(PUSHES BUTTON)
Next one, mate.
Ah.
- Ni hao. Ni hao, Biyu. - Ni hao.
Could you please tell the delegation
the room that we had booked,
it's not suitable for sensitive information,
so I think it's better that we have the meeting here.
(TRANSLATES INTO MANDARIN)
(SPEAKS MANDARIN)
The meeting's going to be here in the foyer?
The walls upstairs, they're very, very thin.
I just think it's more ideal
that we conduct the meeting here.
(BIYU TRANSLATES)
- JOE: Please. - (BIYU TRANSLATES)
Can you not?
I've just got some work to do.
Oh, sorry!
(TYPING)
JOE: Dear Kirsty,
I've been thinking about the windows for the beach house
and I think we should investigate triple glazing
for trapping the warmth of the sun.
I'll be back Wednesday to collect Mercy.
I hope she's not licking your son to death.
She's a big love bucket.
She got that from me.
Eh? Gone for so long I thought you'd left me.
Eh? Please don't leave me.
Promise?
BIRDIE: I promise.
I love you.
(MERCY WHINES)
(PHONE RINGS)
JOE: Yes?
BIRDIE: Working hard, or hardly working?
JOE: What are you doing?
BIRDIE: It's my mum's wedding anniversary on Saturday night.
I was thinking I could take you out for romantic twilight drinks
on my boat that night.
BIRDIE: It's just it's Mum's first anniversary
since Dad died.
JOE: Oh. Well, why not bring them along?
I mean, I don't mind.
Who doesn't love a twilight pleasure cruise?
I'm on my way.
And a boat has right of way
if it's approaching from which side?
- The... port side. - (CLEARS THROAT)
Oh. Starboard. I meant starboard.
I'll give you an interim pass.
There you go, Captain.
So, what have you got on this afternoon?
You got a party planned?
This is literally the oldest boat in the WORLD.
Alright, Livvy, well, if you're willing to
forfeit your share of the boat in the future,
I'm sure that Harry will be happy to oblige.
OLIVIA: As if.
(TYPES ON PHONE)
(DING!)
JOE: There's been an accident.
(LINE RINGS)
OLIVIA: So are we actually going to drive this?
Yeah, when I get the solenoid replaced.
Um, I thought it'd be ready by this afternoon,
but there was a delay in the workshop.
So we're looking pretty good?
Yeah, no, she's a beauty.
I'll come by the office in a tick.
- (PHONE ALERT) - Oh, yeah. Good-o.
- Good on you. - Mum's here.
Come on, mate.
Ooh, where did this come from?
OLIVIA: We went to Uncle Bill's on the way.
Do you ever shut up?
Because he can't come to Harry's party.
Oh, you ARE having a party. Excellent.
It's just a, you know, little gathering.
It's good to have a party.
Just be careful of your uncles, yeah?
You don't know what they might want.
Just stay here for a tick, kids, I'll just have a word with Mum.
Come on, kids, let's go.
- HARRY: Bye, Dad. - OK. See you, mate.
The brothers have cleared out Mum's house
and have taken Harry's present.
Do you think I'm an idiot?
No, Mary, I think you're the smartest woman I've ever met.
I'm not talking again until you sign the divorce papers.
I can't sign them today, it's Harry's birthday.
MARY: Say bye to Dad.
- HARRY: Bye, Dad. - OLIVIA: Bye.
Have a good party, mate.
See you, Livvy.
BIRDIE: Joe, where are you?
Oh, there was a bloody dreadful accident,
a speedboat, going too fast.
Idiot, guy with his wife and kids,
and the kid... went in the water.
The parents were too shell-shocked to do anything,
so I had to dive in and pull him out.
Yeah, look, he's fine,
but, well, the Blue Loon's taken some damage.
It'll be back to the workshop for her, I'm afraid.
- I'm so sorry. - That's OK.
BIRDIE: Well, everyone, this is Joe.
- TOVEY: Hey! - ANTON: Our hero is here.
- Hi. I'm Joe. - Margeaux.
Hi, Margeaux. Pleased to meet you.
Kirsty, what do you think of this one?
Absolute beachfront.
KIRSTY: Oh, Joe, it's perfect.
JOE: Eldorado...
It's a grand, old house, on just over 100 acres -
prime grazing land.
Ooh, how about we go up there, Birdie,
have a look?
BIRDIE: What is this?
JOE: Well, didn't I say it was grand?
BIRDIE: You didn't say it was a castle!
Look, I think I'd put the land in the children's trust fund,
and then I can put the property in my name for us,
so that Mary can't get her hands on it.
Don't know if we're going to find anything
for the beach house in here.
Come on, let's have a little explore.
- Oh. (DINGS BELL) - That's expensive, Joe.
- Oh, don't worry about that. - (LAUGHS)
Don't worry about that.
Would you prefer the downstairs study or the upstairs?
(BIRDIE EXHALES)
JOE: I want you to write.
To bloom.
KIRSTY: Oh, they're beautiful!
Ah... Oh, yes, I feel beach-house.
This might be a little more comfy.
Oh, thank you.
Very coastal. Yes. Good?
JOE: I have a disgusting amount of money.
JOE AND KIRSTY: Oh!
- It's a table. - I know it's a table.
I've been wanting a table.
I know you have. That's Jacobean.
So you'd probably get two extra leaves in there.
I don't know, 16 people, easily, around there.
- KIRSTY: 16? - Yeah, dinner parties.
Don't invite Susan.
- Do you like it? - I love it.
It's $9,000, Joe.
(whispers) Shh, don't look at the price. Put the price down.
KIRSTY: What do you think about this beauty for the bedroom?
I think so.
You know, she's holding the whole world in her hand.
- Do you like it? - KIRSTY: Mm-hm.
You love it, it's yours.
OK, done.
I told you we'd find some things.
Touching the art?
- That's very naughty. - Stop it. (LAUGHS)
Can you see yourself living here?
Would you consider renting out your apartment?
Of course.
I'll see you in the car, and I'll go and, uh...
I'll go and fix things up.
- OK. Yeah. - Yeah?
- OK. Alright. - Alright.
WOMAN: So, will you be taking the table and the chairs?
- Yes. - Excellent.
Excuse me, is that an original willow pattern?
Oh.
1990s copy, I'm afraid.
How much is that?
Just $200, for the whole set.
I'll take it.
Excellent. Will that be on card?
It's $30,000, all up, for today.
Um, I'll tell you what, I think I'll just pay cash
for the dinner set now.
I'll come back with a larger vehicle for the other ones.
WOMAN: Oh, of course. Would you like a receipt for that?
No, it's all good. There you go.
Well, we look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
- Yeah. Have a good day. Bye. - You too.
JOE: Are you preparing yourself
for your five-star accommodation?
(KIRSTY LAUGHS)
- Here we are. - Lucky for some.
Cannot wait.
(LAUGHS)
Are you sure?
KIRSTY: I trust you.
I trust you.
KIRSTY: Babe.
- Hello, you two. - Oh, hey, Susan.
How's Amelia going? Has she been enjoying rehearsals?
Yeah, great.
Oh, I discovered we have a mutual friend, Joe.
Birdie Bell?
Who's Birdie Bell?
- Can I be honest with you? - Please.
I'm finding it really triggering being here at the moment.
I just need to know that you've got my back.
Promise me?
Yeah? Promise... Promise you love me.
- What? - You promise?
- I love you. - OK.
Then don't talk to Susan anymore.
She is... She is a bully.
She's got a very negative energy and it just infects everything.
- OK. - You know...
We're doing our work, with the counsellor, yeah?
- Our very expensive work. - (LAUGHS) Yeah, well, OK.
- I promise. Mm. - OK?
OK, You go inside. I'll just... Grab a seat.
I'm just gonna make a call.
Sure. OK.
- I'll see you. - Alright.
JOE: Can't wait to see you in that green dress we bought.
(DING!) JOE: Stuck in meetings all day.
See you tomorrow. Love you.
Hey, Allan, I'm checking on the deposit.
Message me ASAP. Bye.
Joe Burt?
Nearly didn't recognise you.
What are you doing here?
Mr Whitney, you haven't changed.
What's your connection here today?
Well, my partner's got a son who goes here.
He's in the choir.
So the legacy lives on, eh?
In a sort of way.
Yeah, I wouldn't send my kid's here.
Fair enough.
So, what are you doing with yourself these days?
Oh, I'm involved in finance,
interested in renewables.
Oh, fantastic. That's wonderful.
Well done, you,
for not letting circumstances define your future.
And what's that supposed to mean?
Well, it was touch and go for a while there, no?
I mean, it was a real shame when you got expelled.
If only you'd put half as much energy into studying
as you did cheating on the exams. (LAUGHS)
How did you avoid jail?
(CHOIR SINGS CHORAL MUSIC)
(DOOR OPENS)
MAN: Last visit to Grandma's house, Harry?
(HARRY EXHALES)
(DOOR SHUTS) MAN: What the fuck?
It smells like petrol.
MAN 2: Get the hose.
(WATER SPRAYS)
MAN 2: Oh! He's so vindictive!
(BIRDS CALL)
(DOG BARKS)
(EXHALES)
(BARKING)
JOE: Mercy!
(WHISTLES)
Hey, girlie!
WOMAN: I was worried when I didn't hear from you,
but we had fun anyway.
- I took her to the doggy spa. - Did you?
I'm so sorry.
Yeah, well, bloody Mary.
Things will be sorted in a couple of weeks.
You know, we can go away to the beach... beach house then.
- Beach house? - Yeah, the, uh, the farmhouse.
Are you OK? You look a little bit...
Do you mind if I have a, um, a shower?
I've got an early morning breakfast meeting.
Of course, of course.
Mwah. The only thing is I might have to call the cops.
Because it's against the law for you to shower
without me joining you.
(LAUGHS)
Oh...
- I LOVE the smell of petrol! - (LAUGHS)
I'll drop Mercy at the kennels.
I'll finish some stuff off at the office.
So I'll grab my suit at the dry cleaners,
then you swing by, pick me up in an Uber.
Mm-hm. Which dry cleaners?
The dinky one. South Melbourne, just near my office.
Can't believe it's tomorrow.
You gonna pack that shirt
that I bought you for your birthday
with little blue birds on it?
Perfect for a country wedding.
Yeah, you're gonna tell me which undies to wear, too?
(LAUGHS) While I'm at it.
Alright.
See you soon.
Yeah, I've just spoken to the bank and, uh, look,
they've finally admitted that they've made an error.
So could you send through the auctioneer's phone number?
I'll give him a cancellation fee.
You don't have to check!
It's a... Have a look at the forms. It's in my name.
Brendan... Brendan, please.
I don't think you want to sully your reputation
as a very fine real estate agent,
but if you don't do it, I'll be forced to seek legal action.
Could you please just send through
the auctioneer's phone number?
(PHONE RINGS)
- Hi. - JOE: Oh, guess what?
Liam's gazumped us.
He's put a last-minute offer on Eldorado.
How much?
Oh, he's blown it up by an extra... extra million.
BIRDIE: Oh, no!
Yeah, so I'm gonna I'm gonna have to see my business partner
and move some money around.
BIRDIE: Oh, no, Joe, you're gonna be late!
I'm not gonna be late.
Look, I'm... I said I'll be there.
I'm sorry. I'm stressed. I just have to...
...find another 100K by 3pm this afternoon
to make up the shortfall for the deposit.
Otherwise, I'm... I'm gonna lose it.
Have you got another 100K?
JOE: Of course I've got it.
You know, It's just tied up in a trust fund
for Harry and Olivia,
and Mary's make it difficult for me to access it, so...
I c... I can't get a bridging loan until 9am tomorrow morning.
BIRDIE: Oh, my God.
She's... (STAMMERS) She's off her rocker.
BIRDIE: Well, there must be something we can do.
I don't want to lose Eldorado.
Yeah, well, you know, I think we should brace ourselves
for that eventuality.
Unless you can magic up $100,000 you can lend me
until 9am tomorrow,
- uh, it's going to be Liam's. - (BEEPING)
Oh, hang on a second. Here's my business partner.
- I'll call you back later. Bye. - BIRDIE: Well, wait, Joe...
Yeah?
Uh, well, yeah.
Tell them that I've, uh,
I've sent through the land evaluation
and the company docs,
and get them to deposit the funds immediately.
Yeah, as soon as they deposit the funds,
uh, uh, ring me and let me know.
OK. Right, bye.
BIRDIE: Uh, can I borrow some money until tomorrow?
MARGEAUX: Yeah, how much? What for?
- 40 grand. - What the fuck?
I can pay you back by 9am.
I just can't get it out of my bank quick enough.
(BEEP!)
Allan, Allan, please call me.
Look, if five mil is too scary for them,
just tell them they're wasting my time.
Thanks. Call as soon as you can.
MAN: Well, very good afternoon to you, ladies and gentlemen,
and welcome to the auction sale
of this magnificent mid-century classic.
A beautiful home right on the cusp of parklands and the river.
BIRDIE: Joe, I got the 100K! Call me!
Spectacular views at the rear there.
Such a select opportunity.
This has been in the same family for some 60 years.
A beautiful home.
Who'd like to start us off with an opening bid?
Can I see a start of $3 million?
Who'd like to start me at 3... I should think so.
Welcome to the bidding. $3 million.
I'll call upon the rest of you
for a $100,000 rise from here.
At $3 million on the left.
And I'll call upon it for a $100,000 rise from there.
At $3 million. And 3.1, I have.
3.1 on the right. And back against you, sir.
Would you like to say 3.2... (PHONE BUZZES)
- Yeah? - (AUCTIONEER CONTINUES)
Allan, I have sent you the documents.
I've sent the documents and I've re-sent the documents.
Just tell them to transfer the money,
otherwise the deal's off. Thank you. Bye.
AUCTIONEER: Can I say 3.5?
Saying no at this stage, at 3.4?
Yes, got you there. Fresh bidding in the centre.
Welcome, sir. 3.5 million dollars.
3.6, can I say? And 3.6 I have now.
3.7's the next bid. 3.7 at the back.
At 3 million 7 at the back. Can I say 3.8?
Saying no, that could be it.
At 3.7 million.
Once, twice, third and final call.
- Four. - 4 million.
Cutting it fine there, sir.
Nerves of steel, good bidding.
knows good value when he sees it.
Bid's on the left now
for fresh bidding at 4 million.
At 4 million, can I invite you back in now?
I'll take your $50,000 rise.
At 4 million now, what do you say?
At 4 million, can I say 50 now?
At four million dollars, yeah, 50 I have,
fresh bidding at the front, at 4 million and 50,
It's come back at 4.1. 4.1 back on the left.
4.15's the next bid.
At 4.15 now, what do you say, sir?
- 4.5. - Strong bidding.
4 million, 500.
At 4.5 million,
what are you going to do from here?
Bid's on the left at 4.5. Saying no.
Are you out over here? You are.
At 4 million 500...
Once, twice, third and final call.
We are selling. We're selling.
We're sold. Congratulations, sir.
Welcome to the neighbourhood.
Thank you for your attendance, folks.
Have a wonderful weekend.
BIRDIE: They've shut the doors now.
I'm going alone, aren't I?
None of this makes sense!
But why couldn't you just call me?
- (MERCY WHINES) - Aw...
You're cheeky. I'm coming.