I'm holdin' on your rope Got me ten feet off the ground...
Amerie?
I... I'm guessing you saw that?
That being you and Missy sucking face? Yeah, we all did.
It's not what you think. Hey.
I don't wanna do this, Malakai. I'm tired. Tonight was weird.
I wanted it to be you.
Look, uh...
I've always wanted it to be you.
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around and say
That it's too late to apologize
It's too late...
'Sup?
What the fuck?
Where are you going? It's like 4 a.m.
I'm wide awake. And you'll be up soon for training.
Will you come be little spoon until then?
You need sleep.
Okay.
What the hell?
Harder than I ever could've imagined.
- I mean, I am obsessed with this house. - Yeah.
Remember when Niko would just follow us...
Why am I suddenly going into fight-or-flight?
Oh, well, this is kind of an intervention.
About you throwing in the acting towel
over one bit of constructive criticism from that uni woman.
Constructive criticism?
It was a literal, emotional, and spiritual rug pull.
Darren, you can't just give up on something you love.
Love?
- It was a fling at best. - It made you happy.
I've moved on.
I have.
I'm thinking real estate agent.
Oh God.
No them-in-law of mine's going down that slimy path, Dazzler!
Okay, uh, how about I just make us some tea, yeah?
This way, if I sell a mansion a month, I'm set.
It's genius.
Is that so?
Darude?
No!
What's wrong?
Oh, Dougie...
Hey.
Hey, you wanted to see me? Um...
I...
Uh...
I need to pay you back for my ID.
Um, I don't really know what the exchange rate is.
Oh, you don't need to.
Yeah, thanks.
- So last night-- - You don't need to.
I know, it's just you... you and I, we almost...
Um...
And then I... I went and...
- I was there. - Should we maybe talk about--
Oi!
Hey.
This is awkward.
Why? No, it's not.
No.
So chill.
I... I should go on ahead.
Um, study. I need to study for modern history.
Um, foot rot.
Foot rot. Trench foot.
Uh, it's nasty, nasty stuff.
So bad for your feet.
Yeah.
Let's just focus on Showcase.
Tonight, I dance in your honor.
Hey, Spider. Everything okay?
Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?
Well, because her ex-boyfriend kissed your girlfriend,
who you apparently gave a hall pass to.
He's not my ex-boyfriend.
Well, he is. I just... I mean, I... I so don't care.
Hear that, guys? She definitely doesn't care.
All just a big joke, really, isn't it? It's not a big deal.
- Have you and Missy spoken? - Nope.
I'm letting her come to me.
She is the one that has to say sorry.
Good thing we're all graduating soon.
We all need a bigger dating pool.
This rate, the only two who haven't hooked up are you.
Bye. See you tonight.
He's awake, but not too with it.
Last thing he remembers is running towards the ride.
Well, I... I'm very sorry to hear that. That must be tough for both of you.
One of your students did this.
I, uh...
I don't see how a piece of material got you there.
Where I found it.
The fence was bent.
Someone was leaving in a hurry.
Why haven't you told the police?
What, and get fobbed off?
Do you think they give a crap about a showie?
I want answers. You can give 'em to me.
I don't see how.
Question your kids.
This show is my life.
Look, if you don't sort it...
I will.
- We were both tanked. - Mmm.
Yeah. Yeah, no. It was just... It was just dumb. Yes.
It didn't mean anything.
To us, I mean.
Totally, yeah.
I mean, not that, like, you and I wouldn't be, like...
Uh, the hottest couple to walk the Earth?
Obviously. But, um, like, I'm not...
- Oh, me neither. True God. - Oh. Cool.
Does Spider know that?
I don't...
- I haven't... Yeah. - Right, okay.
I mean, I... I kind of made my own mess too.
Right before...
I, uh...
Amerie and I almost kissed.
Did you hit on me to make her jealous?
Wait. Firstly, you made the move on to me.
Secondly, no.
I didn't make her jealous. She's done with me.
Mmm. Mmm.
Well, she asked to meet up so she could pay you back.
- Yeah. - With cash.
Mmm.
God, Amerie doesn't pay anyone back.
That bitch has owed me 50 bucks since Year Nine.
We can't let Jackie see us.
So we just hide out in the bathroom in silence?
Did you go and see him after we had it out?
- No. Why? - You were pretty pissed, so...
Fuck off.
You tell him a little something about what we did,
he mentions it to Jackie, suddenly she's here...
Clancy's awake.
It was in there.
Sorry, you and your girlfriend need to find another spot.
Uh, what I need to do is pee.
And I'm not her girlfriend.
Yeah, no, she's not my girlfriend.
That would be so weird and, like, really awkward.
Would all Year 12 students
please come to the gymnasium at recess
and bring your leavers jackets.
Jackets.
- Oh! - Jackets. Jackets...
Damn it. Why do we even have a reverb button?
Sorry about that. Gymnasium. Recess.
Bring your jackets.
What's that about?
The fence when we were running away from the carnival.
My jacket got snagged.
Oh my God.
What do I do?
Harper, please.
Maybe it's time we tell the truth.
There you go, sweet Darude.
Thanks for coming, Quinn.
Oh yeah. Um...
Um...
You were my best mate. Um...
I just never thought this day would come.
Oh...
Uh...
Darude.
The story goes that...
Ca$h saved your life.
Mmm.
And I think you saved his too.
I saw the way he loved you and...
...how you loved him, so
thank you for looking after him.
I'll take care of him now.
Amen.
Thank you.
It's time.
Goodbye, Darude.
Hey!
What do you think you're doing?
Run!
Let's get this over with, yeah? I've got a showcase to prepare for.
Quickly. The other sleeve too, please.
I'm just gonna...
All right, thank you.
Have you two talked since last night?
No.
Go on, spit it out.
Did you kiss Malakai because you wanna break up with Spider?
No. Just...
Spencer.
- I'm trying to figure it out. - Sleeves. Thank you.
- It's not like this is easy. - Thank you.
- Yes. Thank you. - I don't wanna hurt him.
But you'll talk to him?
Well, he's probably gonna act weird about it anyway.
Here, remember he's got Showcase tonight?
Like, do what you gotta do, but...
Yeah. Actually, nah.
It's all right. I'll just wait until after.
What, Miss? It's fashion.
My office.
Now.
Where are the sleeves?
Sleeve heaven? These guns deserve to be free.
Wouldn't you say so?
This is serious, Amerie.
There's been an accusation that one of our students was present at an incident.
It's not ringing any bells. Um...
- Okay, well, if that's all, then I'll be-- - Sit down!
Have you been hanging out at the carnival that's in town?
Not really.
Well, a piece of one of those jackets has been found nearby.
Theory is that one of our students tore it while fleeing the scene.
It's a bit of a stretch.
Yeah, I thought so too, until you turned up wearing that.
When something goes wrong, why do Hartley kids always get the blame?
Oh, I don't know, Amerie. Maybe because our logo is on the evidence.
Who found this alleged evidence? What does it even prove?
Are you saying that the carnival owner is lying?
Well, their insurance claim got turned down, so...
And how do you know that?
- Amerie, how do you know that? - Harper works there.
She sees them do dodgy stuff.
Will Harper confirm this?
That was a beautiful eulogy, Darren. Darude would have loved it.
It was nothing. I stole it from a Julia Roberts film.
Oh.
I'll get the first round.
Why do you have to take the piss like that?
I don't know. It's just what I do.
Well, it just kinda cancels out everything you say if you shit on it after.
It was a throwaway joke.
Yeah, it always is with you.
But that's the VIP Darren experience, remember?
Do a bit, crack a joke, use memes instead of therapy.
No.
I think you're just scared.
Of what?
Of people seeing you care.
About Darude.
About acting.
About anything.
So you just threw Jackie under the bus?
Woodsy had me cornered.
She's not dodgy, Amerie. She's the victim. They all are.
Yeah, I didn't cause that accident, Harps.
If they find out that I was there, I'm gonna get blamed.
So you trashed a woman's reputation just to save yourself?
Okay, I went too far. I get it. I'm sorry. I really am.
But please, Harps, when Woodsy asks,
just please back me up.
I would do the same for you.
I thought the only thing I was good for was throwing my own life away.
Harper, please.
Hello.
- Hi! - Hey! Hey Liam, it's good to see you.
You said this time, right?
Yeah. Yeah.
You, um, you keen to get the show back on the road
now that, um, Clancy's awake?
Most of our summer bookings have canceled on us.
- Amerie was just leaving. - We haven't actually finished.
Bye.
Sure. Okay. Um...
See you at Showcase.
All right. Where's this leak?
Yeah.
- True art. - Mm-hmm.
A culmination of a very eventful year.
- Yeah, it was eventful, wasn't it? - Mmm.
- I mean, this is... - It's... it's artistic.
Very artistic.
What would you call that?
You know, it's... it's thought-provoking. I'm thinking a lot of things.
- My thoughts are provoked. - They are.
It's hard. It's true.
Anyway, no, thank you so much for helping out with this.
Jesus, Dad was gonna help drive me, but, you know...
You're so free to just run off now.
What, and miss you torture everyone else?
Oi, you got this.
I mean, it's pretty weird, but it's very you.
Guys, if you are performing, you need to get backstage and stay there.
See you later?
Yep.
- Go well. - Thanks.
See what you can do with these.
Hi. My name's Jacinta, and I was just wondering
if you'd like to buy some tickets for the Hartley High raffle?
I know what you're thinking, but all proceeds go to Wheels with Feels.
A raffle as well?
Trust Hartley to find a way to double-dip.
Well, $50 can buy an orphan in need a brand-new Razor scooter.
Put me down for two tickets.
- Stretch it to a bicycle. - Wow.
Amazing. Thank you.
My pleasure.
Dumbass.
I didn't know we were doing a raffle.
Yep.
Well, all the proceeds are going towards a good cause.
Ooh, what's that?
I'm saving up for a Turkish hair transplant.
- What are you really doing this for? - Um, a quick escape.
You can't leave.
Yeah, well, Woodsy will get sick of me eventually.
She won't. She's family.
Doesn't mean shit.
So this time, I wanna be prepared with enough money to get my own place.
Look out for number one.
Hey, do either of you know anything about an orphan bicycle auction?
That's the name of one of the artworks...
- Yeah. - ...is what I've heard.
I will... I will help you find it. I think it's this way.
Stupid, beautiful dress.
Let me have a go. Here, let go.
- Oh no. - What the hell?
- It's okay. We can fix it. - Did you just break my dress?
- It's okay. We can fix it. - This night is cursed.
Are you freaking out over Harper?
- What if she spills to Woodsy? - She won't.
She's got a wide-on for that Liam guy. You didn't see her look.
She's also your best friend.
And I'll be right beside you, no matter what happens.
Just hold still.
Beautiful.
Mum said she stormed your school today. Did you see her?
Yeah. Is she okay?
No, not really.
She found a scrap of one of your school jackets.
It's got her all paranoid. She's even a bit iffy on you.
So I should steer clear of Jackie for a bit then?
Might be smart, yeah.
Check it if you want.
Nah, I don't need to.
Mum's got it in her head that someone caused the accident.
Oh, but it was Clancy's stuff up, right?
His memory's still patchy, but he thinks he saw someone there that night.
Where? Like, on the ride?
In the doghouse. At the controls.
House goes live soon, Darren.
Great.
Hey, you good?
Ca$h thinks I'm putting up a front, and that's why my acting's shit.
Like, I'm sorry, literally everyone puts up a front.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing,
because most of the time, that's actually necessary. Like, hello?
I mean, yeah, yeah, you're right.
Thank you.
But I don't know, it's also a bit of a cop-out.
I mean, I'm not perfect. Have you seen me at parent-teacher night?
"I completely understand, sir,
but, um, little Tommy cannot vape in the bathroom."
Who is she?
And I don't know, sometimes it's easier to play into that than to challenge it.
Or challenge yourself.
I've been this version of Darren. I'm good at it.
It's what people like.
If they don't like it, who cares, 'cause it's not
really me.
Okay, but is it serving you?
Or is it holding you back from something else?
Darren, you have the chance to just... just show everyone something real.
No front, no pandering...
No Darren.
Yeah, just you.
Chookas.
Um, have you, um, spoken to Missy today?
Have you?
No.
She's the one that cooked it.
No comment.
Well, it sounds like the judgment queen has something to say.
Oh yeah, I'd rather drown in my own Mooncup.
Yeah, I get it.
Too busy with your latest smash, eh?
This whole thing sucks.
She's coming tonight.
Missy is?
When someone shows up for you, that means something.
All my friends said I would cry
But I still haven’t yet
I’m a little bit surprised
That I’m wishing you the best
When I think of your true colors
Doesn’t even make me shudder
Crazy we were so in love
Now I couldn’t care less
You get your artistic streak from me, obviously.
I wish I could've held him while he went.
Important thing is you held him while you could.
I think that love's gonna hang around forever, I reckon.
All I really think is
Thank goodness
I really dodged a bullet...
If I go like that duck did, I'll be happy.
- Not for a while though. - Oh, of course not, kiddo.
These are awesome, dude.
Uh, yeah, I just, I don't know, I was in this, like, really Zen place,
and that's what came out.
- Yeah, it felt peaceful, you know? - Hmm.
Yeah, I see that.
This is so, so amazing, Ca$h.
Mmm. Thanks, Am.
I better, uh, check on Nan.
She's been making eyes at your principal all day.
Is that Ca$h's as well?
Yeah, yeah, it's all him.
...doesn't mind me grabbing it.
What... what is...
Is everything all good with you two?
Not really, no.
Welcome, everybody, to the Hartley High Year 12 Showcase.
Well, thank you.
Uh, we are not at Hartley High, obviously, as it is undergoing some renovations,
but thanks to, uh, Principal McMahon,
we have the use of St. Brunos's state-of-the-art theater.
Thank you.
Tonight is an incredible accomplishment for our Year 12's,
who have worked all year to create the art, drama, dance,
and music performances you are about to enjoy.
We are so proud of all of them.
It's hard to believe they will soon fly the coop.
But we know they have bright futures ahead.
Hmm.
"Pieces of a Life"?
Ooh...
This is bad.
Don't quit your day job.
Keep moving, dickwart.
What? Sorry?
Literally can't hear you over your poverty. Speak up.
Would you... What is that smell? Does it smell like...
...coupons and... ...sadness?
Or, what is that, chronic minimum wage? Or is that just your future?
Harper.
- Hi, Miss. - Hi.
This is... It's wonderful, Harper.
Thanks, Miss.
- You've really pulled through. - Thank you.
So Amerie tells me that you're working at the carnival.
Was, yeah. Um, they closed.
Hmm.
She also tells me that the people running it
aren't exactly on the up and up.
- Have you seen anything like that? - Here we go.
You can tell me the truth.
Uh, well, you know, they're always running some kind of scam, Miss.
I'm really proud of you.
It's great.
Thank you.
- Thank you so much again. Thank you. - It's the least I could do.
Oh, you're too kind.
Right, let's give it a go, Jojo. 90 minutes of creative joy.
Ninety minutes? Have you seen the length of the program?
Ay, no.
No, ay.
For I must nothing be.
Therefore no, "no,"
for I resign to thee.
Now, mark me how I will undo myself.
I give this heavy weight from off my head,
and this unwieldy scepter from my hand.
Western black rhinoceros.
Female autonomy.
- Podcasting. - Podcasting.
- Stop. - Mmm.
Diversity initiatives.
History.
Things they like, or that the patriarchy has ruined?
- AI. - AI.
Wow.
Mmm.
Know I did that, uh Day one, know I been bad, uh
Don't stop
Can't touch that
Whip-whiplash
One look, give 'em whiplash
- Wow! - Oh!
I think Darren's coming on now.
Hey, um, I need to take a leak.
- No, Darren's about to come on. - I'll be super quick.
I promise.
Sorry, guys. Sorry.
Sorry.
Okay. Okay.
This is it. Good? You good?
We are the finale.
- Hmm. - So don't screw it up.
Hey, it's gonna be fine.
Just be funny like you always are. Yeah?
You're gonna be okay.
- What you doing? - I can't do this.
What's happening? What's happening?
Darren, put that egg back on.
Hmm. I knew she wouldn't dog you.
Ah, I wasn't so sure.
I felt my whole future disappearing like a near-death experience.
I thought it was supposed to be like a flashback,
through your past, all your regrets or something.
I regret my fedora phase.
I really, really hope I don't see that on my deathbed.
I regret doing a Santa stakeout when I was nine.
Yeah, couldn't handle that one.
Aw, poor baby Malakai.
I regret what I said to Harper.
My... my main regret is you.
I need to tell you what was in the letter.
Hey, sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
Sit down, Hewson!
He was an average egg.
Living life on the edge.
Of a wall.
It started off as some harmless fun...
until...
..."weekends only" turned into "weekdays."
Until "every now and then"
turned into "always."
"Just one more time,"
he said.
"One more climb."
"One last high."
Now within wooden walls...
his potential is silenced.
His future stolen.
A life abandoned and left to rot.
To never know who he would have been.
That chapter was closed, and...
I had to let go...
of all the king's horses
and all the king's men...
who couldn't put my son
together again.
A choice was made,
tormenting regret...
dwelling on
everything I should have said.
To keep you near,
to hold you safe.
To tell you you were loved...
and didn't need an escape.
It's too late.
You're too late.
Darren,
that was it.
You both killed it.
Hi, guys.
- Hi, guys! - Oh my God, you guys...
You were amazing.
It was good, right?
- It felt good. - I'm so proud of you.
- Thank you so much for coming. - Like, it was... it was incredible.
You... you blew everyone away. Seriously.
It was a bit iffy when they first started, but...
- What if I want to act? Like for real? - Then I think you should go for it.
- You do? - Yes.
Okay.
But auditions for drama school are over.
The plan was to hone my craft for three years
and then take Broadway by storm.
Well, you know, maybe, you know, skip that step.
There's plenty of ways to cut a snake.
So pivot. Like
maybe go overseas.
- Like school in America. - Why not?
I have U.S. citizenship.
- You can come. - Sure.
You can tattoo the hipsters of NYC.
Ca$h, we could really do this.
Oi.
What was that?
What was what?
What the hell did you say to Amerie to make her upset?
You had your shot, and you lost.
When you gonna leave her alone, huh?
Oi. Let's go.
Come on. Oi.
- What was that? Are you all right? - I'm fine.
Oi!
Oi, back the fuck off.
What?
Aren't you sick of hitting on people's girlfriends?
- Settle down, Spider-- - Uh-uh-uh. No, no, no.
You do not wanna mess with me, dickhead.
Oi, just stop. Just go. Go!
- What are you doing? We're just talking. - Oh, yeah? Like you were last night?
Yeah, that's it, Mr. Innocent. Walk away.
Nah, nah, nah. Just leave him out of this.
You didn't.
Is this on the program?
Spencer, don't even think about it!
Oh!
Oi, you wanna go?
Then go.
Okay, let's do it. I'm comin' up...
Spencer!
Oh my God!
I've got another rush of adrenaline...
Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.
I'm comin' up, I'm comin' up...
Throw a punch, pussies.
Like this?
I've got another rush of adrenaline
Rush of adrenaline...
Oh, my vase!
Malakai and Spencer...
...put down the pool noodles now!
Why don't you fuck off back to Geneva? No one wants you here.
Yeah, fair enough.
We will talk.
Incredible.
You all right?
Hmm.
Oh my gosh. That group goes heavy on the drama, eh?
Oh, yeah. You should have seen the shit we got up to last year.
Yeah, well, probably a good thing you don't hang out with them anymore.
Hey, and I'm glad I came and saw your thing.
- Really? - Yes, you should've seen the audience.
They were like...
It was mind-blowing, honestly. It was really cool.
Thanks.
Hey, we should go on an actual date.
Like, it's kind of time, right?
What?
Oh my God. I can't believe I'm having to ask this, but
like, what are we, Taz?
Just casual, I thought.
Uh...
But, like, if you're... if you're not cool with that, we can call it quits.
Oh my God, no! No! I'm... I'm...
Unless you want to, 'cause I'm...
No, I'm... I'm good to hang.
Yeah. Yeah, me too.
Okay, well, I'm hungry,
so I'm gonna go raid the food truck while they're doing clean-up.
Yeah.
- Yeah, you go do that. - I will.
Hey.
Got your sling.
He's right.
No one wants me here.
I wish I'd never gone to Hartley.
I can make my own way home.
Oh, I know.
Humor me.
You know, it might get easier if you talk about it.
Or not talk about it. That's fine too.
I can see you're in a lot of pain.
You know, the body is an amazing thing.
Remembers trauma that the brain is maybe trying to ignore
or wanting to forget.
About that night...
at Mardi Gras with the cop, I just...
I haven't really felt like myself since then.
What you went through was a lot to carry, Malakai.
For anyone.
And you can push it down, pretend it's not happening...
but it won't go away.
And ignoring it will just make it worse.
I just keep messing things up.
I'm so angry with myself all the time. I just...
I just wanna...
Did you do this to yourself?
What? No.
No.
I did it at the carnival.
We, um...
We took the bust from Brunos and...
Harps!
Harps! Malakai just said all this stuff to me, and I didn't...
Thank you so--
I'm never doing anything like that for you ever again.
There's the psycho!
You should put some ice on that.
Get in the car.
Hey.
- Do you wanna talk about before, or... - No. No. I'm fine, I promise.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Well, uh...
Whose car?
Seb's got new wheels.
It's an apology present from his dad for driving over his golf clubs.
Please tell me you're joking.
I'll be driving this big baby home.
What did you call me?
I called you a big baby.
Penetrator?
I wanna meet Penetrator.
Seb totally knew we stole the bust.
Clancy thinks he saw someone in the control booth.
So Seb...
Oh my God.
That trust-fund motherfucker!