Title: In Time…part 1 Author: Butch Email: the_feedback_hotline@yahoo.com Disclaimer: I don't own Stingers, I have no association with them. I have no association with Channel 9 or anything else to do with Stingers. Summary: A look into the personal lives of our 5 operatives. "Wow look how beautiful they are!" "What the trains or the drivers?" "Well now that you mention it" "We should take a trip on one of them on day" "Angie Piper get your mind out of the gutter you dirty girl" "Not the guys you idiot the train" "Oh that’s even worse!" "God your dirty all you think of is sex" "Rubbish, I think about other things too" "Like what" "So where are we going to walk to dogs?" "Don't you go changing the subject on me." "I'm not I'm just asking" "Bull, your changing the subject cause you know its true, that’s all you think about" "Angie, shut up" "It must be true then you've told me to shut up" Danni pushed Angie away, the two were walking from the Colonial Stadium car park to the busy Spencer Street. "Oi you didn't answer my question, where we walking the dogs?" Danni classes shopping as walking the dog, exercising the credit card in other words. "Oh well I thought we could walk down to the Burke Street Mall and anything we stumble across on the way." "Sounds great!" "Hey, you think we should have invited Mac too?" Angie was sort of shocked, where did that come from she thought. "I don't know, she's not really into shopping and wondering around is she?" "Nah I guess not" There was silence. "But don't you feel just a little guilty?" Danni was being caring, that’s new. "I guess a little, hey I'll make a deal with you. We'll make today a no mention work day, what'd say?" "Okay deal, but Mac's our friend." "Ok fine…yes I feel guilty." "That’s good then…. Cause so do I" The two had finally made it off the bridge and were now on their Mary shopping way. OSCAR'S PARENT'S PLACE "Oh Cameron it's so good to see you." "You too mum, Dad how are you?" "Now Cameron, tell me, how was your trip up? You did take regular breaks didn't you?" "Yes mum" "And you didn't use that phone of yours while you were driving did you?" "No mum" "And Cameron, how is that beautiful girl Michelle?" "Give the boy a break Shirley" "I'm just making sure he's okay" "I'm fine mum, Michelle is good too" "Son, we want to see her next time, you know that" "Yes dad I know, she's just been really busy lately" "You two haven't had a fight now have you?" "No mum, work" "Oh well yes, you young people today, your lives revolve around work" "It’s the only way to live these days mum." "I know luv, anyway lets get you unpacked, we've got all weekend to talk come on Brad help your brother unload" "All right all right, in a minute. Cam mate, how's work, not too full on I hope." "Nah its good, how about things with you?" "Yeah good, oi fancy a beer later at the pub and a good feed?" "Oh well…why not hey? Ma not prepared anything?" "Don't think so, may as well bring them too!" "She must be sick, she's cooked nothing" "Yeah I know!" The two laughed, Brad always got on with Oscar, and they were always close. PETE'S PLACE "AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW YOU PIECE OF SHIT, bloody plaster, who ever invented bloody renovations." Just as he'd recovered from his mishap, the light fitting…down it came! "SHIT…that’s it I'm out of here" Pete stormed out in disgust. "All right now just calm down, its only a little bit of plaster and an entire LIGHT FITTING." Pete was pacing up and down his driveway thinking how to relieve his anger. "I've got it." He ran in, grabbed his keys and sped off. MAC'S WEEKEND AWAY "This is beautiful, no annoying drivers, no annoying people, just me my car and the wineries. What more could a girl ask for?" It was the perfect time to go to the wineries. Snow was just starting to fall on the mountains in the distance and the grass would be all frosty in the mornings. The motel she was staying in had a pool, restaurant, bar, in house movies, wake up calls and it was only a few hours away from the wineries. She wanted to see at least two over the weekend. Monday morning she was due back at work so she started early…first visit was The All Saints winery. PETE'S CAR He knew where he was heading, maybe Mac wanted to come for a drive with him up to the Dandenongs, after all that was their special spot. "Mac you here?"…No reply. "MAC, Its Pete"…no reply again. "Oh well I guess it's your loss then sweetheart." He drove off but rang Angie to see if Mac was with them. "Angie Piper?" "Hi Angie its Pete, How are you?" "Good Pete what about you?" "Oh yeah you know" "How the renovations going?" "Uh well for now their not…lets just say I got annoyed." "Oh ok" Angie started laughing "What's so funny?" Danni felt left out. "Never you mind sticky beak" "Your no fun Angie" Danni replied in a sulking child's voice. "Hey is that Danni" "Yeah it is…couldn't you recognise her?" "Yeah…um is Mac with you?" "Nup…what's happened?" "Nothing I just went round to her place and she's not home. Thought she was out with you. Anyway what are you and the child accompanying you doing?" "Walking the dogs." She looked at Danni who was chuckling to herself. "Walking what dogs? You or Danni don't have dogs? Do you?" Pete was confused. "Well we better go Pete. Talk to you later!" Angie hung up burst out with laughter. "What is so funny now…" "Pete has no idea what we were talking about" Danni started laughing. "What did the pest want anyway?" "He was looking for Mac, who else." "Yeah I think he's a bit protective of her." "He properly still loves her, wouldn't surprise me OOOOOOOO lets go in here" OSCAR'S PARENT'S HOUSE "Cameron have I told you its good to see you?" "Yes mum, about 10 times you know." "Well I'm just making sure you know…just in case. That job, it really is risky." "Mum we've been down this road" "I know luv but I worry about you, and so does your father and brother" "I'm not giving up my job. You know I love it. Please don't take that love away from me" "But Cameron" "Mum…" "I just thought I could change your mind" "You can't ok?" "Hey Cam we better get going…don't want miss out on a seat at the pub." Oscar's brother was waiting in the car he'd heard everything. "Yeah no worries mate, I'll see you later mum" "Bye boys…BE CAREFUL" ANGIE AND DANNI'S SHOPPING SPREE "Phew wow this is hard work" Danni was tired, and it was only lunchtime. "So wonder women, where we going for lunch?" "Oh I don't know, your choice" "Ok hmmm do you feel like Chinese?" Angie knew a great noodle bar type of place. "Yeah why not, you know any good places?" "Yeah this place called The Onge. Noodles, soup, rice, curry. What'd think?" "Great, lets go!" MAC'S WINERY TOUR Mac had made it to the All Saints Winery, beautiful old place. As you drove in beautiful large mature oak trees surrounded the driveway. A pebble on the ground horses in surrounding paddocks and as you entered the car park beautiful green grass with flower beds full of blooming roses. "What I wouldn't give to live here" Instantly Mac feel in love with her surroundings. She made her way up the entrance. Old buildings, slate floors, wooden seating outside for those who just wanted to sit and take in the views, and inside was just as good. "Hi how are you today mama'?" "I'm good thanks" "Can I help you with anything?" "Uh yeah I think you can. I'm looking for a good red." "Red, right well how about I get a few different types for you and we can go from there?" "Ok" PETE'S CAR "Well, since no one wants to entertain Pete may as well go back to my bomb site, at least the walls will listen to me." Pete was thinking, about the past year. Mac's AIDS/HIV scare, Oscar's shooting, his break up with Collette, the death of his father. Renovating would be like starting over again. That’s what he wanted. ANGIE AND DANNI'S SHOPPING TOUR "Mmmm this is delicious, such a small place yet good food." "Yeah but its always busy in here though" "Good people only know the best places." Danni thought she was sitting high. "And who told you about this little gem? Huh I believe her name would be Angie?" "Get out of here I was the one who said we should eat here." "Danni get the pole out of your arse" "What pole?" "Hey, why do you think Pete wanted Mac…is something going on between them?" "Nah I don't think so." Angie was lost at what Danni was trying to get at. "Well he wouldn't want to just for nothing" "Danni, Mac and Pete have heaps of history together, they're as close as anything." "Yeah and…" "Well they confide in each other." "But when Pete was seeing Collette Mac really kept her distance" "What are you getting at Dan?" "Nothing I'm just saying how its odd that now Pete isn't seeing Collette anymore that he and Mac are mates again. Don't you think its weird?" "Nup…but I think your weird." Angie started laughing, Danni just screwed her face up. "Thanks for backing me up!" OSCAR'S PARENT'S HOUSE "Don't you think you were a bit tough on mum today?" "I guess I was a bit. I'm just sick of people telling me quit my job just to make them happy." "Cam they're only worried about you, we all love you, you know that." "Yeah I know but I love the job too…its who I am. With out it I'd be lost." "Guess so. Beer?" "Yeah that'd be great!" MAC WINERY TOUR "Thanks for all your help. I'll take 3 bottles of the red and 3 of the white." "Right I'll just get them for you mam." Mac was having a ball, after a spot of afternoon tea she'd have a look around and then head back to her hotel. The man returned. "There you are" "Oh great thanks. Can you tell me do you need to have a booking for the café?" "Nope, come my way and I can get you a table, lets just sort these bottles out first." "No worries." Mac paid and put them in her car. By the time she got back the nice guy had found a table for her. "Especially for you!" "Gee thanks…you're so sweet!" He walked off smiling to himself. PETE'S PLACE "I need someone to help me…this is to big to do it all by my self. Well I could but I can't be bothered." He tried Mac's mobile again. No answer. "It can't be off…maybe she's out of range or something." Pete eventually gave up and went to have a nap of the couch. MAC'S WHINERY TOUR Mac started to drive back to the hotel. Her mobile was back in range. She'd call Pete when she got to the hotel to see how his renovations were going. "If only I could come here and share the experience with someone." ANGIE AND DANNI'S SHOPPING TOUR "It's getting late, how bout we head back to my place we have a drink and stay the night?" The came in Danni's car it was easier then coming separately. "Well why not." The two walked back to the car park and headed back to Danni's place. OSCAR'S PARENT'S HOUSE “Another mate??” Brad was shouting the last round of beer. “Na no more for me thanks mate.” “You sure Cam, its not like you to refuse a free drink.” “Well if you’re shouting, then count me in.” “After this round we better head home, mum will start to worry” “Yeah” MAC’S WHINERY TOUR “Hello?” A male’s voice answered. “Hi, it’s me how are you?” “Oh hi Mac, I’m good what about you…hey where are you by the way I went past your place today and you weren’t there I even rang your phone and you didn’t answer?” “Oh yeah sorry about that, I’m up in Wangaratta doing the tour of the wineries. They are so beautiful Pete, you have to come up here and see them.” “Yeah that’d be good” “Mmmm, so how are renovations going?” “Oh don’t even mention that word, it’s really a two person job.” “Yeah I know what you mean. Hey how about I drive back tonight and help you a bit tomorrow?” “Oh Mac I don’t want to spoil your weekend…sounds like your having a ball. Have you actually gone to any wineries?” “Yeah I went to the All Saints one today and picked up a few bottles. So what’d ya say?” "No" Pete's voice was stern and serious. "But I thought you wanted them finished?" "Yes I did but they can wait. You are more important then any renovations and that’s all there is to it" Mac was gob smacked, she didn't know what to say. She finally broke the silence. “I’ll make a deal with you.” “I’m listening…” Pete was interested. Mac hadn’t been herself lately, Pete or anyone else didn’t know why. Just support her is what the others had said to each other. “Ok well if I help you with your renovations next week, then you have to come with me and spend the weekend up here and we’ll do the wineries.” “A weekend with you?” “Yes…a weekend with me. Interested?” “Hmmm well I could be” “Peter Church if I were sitting next to you, you know that I would have clobbered you by now.” Pete laughed “Yeah I know I was waiting for it” Mac laughed too. The both of them talked for at least a good hour. “Well Pete, I’m coming back tomorrow night.” “Oi you better not be driving back at night time. If you are Ellen Mackenzie…” Before Pete could finish his sentence Mac cut him off. “No no no I’m leaving here late afternoon, bout four so I won’t be driving at night.” “Lucky for you then.” “Had you worried didn’t I” Pete didn’t answer…he knew if he did she’d make a big deal out of it. “No comment hey” Mac started laughing. “Well call me when you get back ok and when you leave so I know it's not night.” “Yes!” She rolled her eyes, why did he have to be so damn protective. “Good, then I’ll talk to you tomorrow” “Sure will” “Night Mac” “Night Pete” Mac hung up, got changed into her bathers and went for a dip in the pool. Mac was up early Sunday morning. She wanted to see just one more winery before she had to head back to Melbourne. DANNI'S PLACE "Angie you up yet?" The two had stayed up late drinking and talking the night away. "No I'm not." Angie replied sleepily. "Oh…well then I guess I should let you sleep then?" Angie just moaned and moved her head. "Ok" Danni whispered and made her way towards the kitchen. PETE'S PLACE Pete had been sleeping on the couch lately, with stuff everywhere it was had to get down to the bedrooms so the couch was his new bed for now. "Bloody couch, one of these days its going to get chucked out, uncomfortable piece of shit." He kicked it and went to find some clothing. OSCAR'S PARENT'S PLACE "Toast Cam?" "Yes thanks Ma" "What time where you going to head off today?" "I was thinking round about after lunch, that was I've got time to just take it easy." Oscar didn't want to worry his mum. "Oh good, at least I know you'll be safe then and you won't have to rush back. What do you feel like for lunch?" DANNI'S PLACE "Jeez Ang how much sleep do you want, its like 9:30 in the morning" "Shut up Dan" Danni laughed. "Got a wee bit of a head ache today do we?" Angie picked up the closest pillow and piffed it at Danni, orange juice landed all over her and the table. "Oh shit now look what you've done" Angie was in hysterics. "Bullseye!" "Bitch so what are we doing today?" Danni was still trying to get the juice off herself while Angie was still laughing. "Uh, don’t know…come and clean my place?" "Um no, in your dreams sister. What about furniture shopping?" "Furniture shopping…didn't you have enough yesterday?" Angie grew tired just thinking about it. "Nup. Out door furniture. Backyard, you know" "Oh ok, well I guess so” They really didn't buy much yesterday more looking the spending but they still had a great time doing it. "So what in particular are you looking for?" "A hammock and maybe a small table. Want breakky?" "Yep" PETE'S PLACE "Hummm laaa laaa duummmm" Pete was humming to himself to break the silence. "Jobs for today…the garden!" He decided to stay in and wait for Mac to ring to say she was coming back. For some reason he wanted to protect her lately. What harm could it do, as long as she was happy then he was. He walked outside to search for a few gardening tools. MAC'S WINERY TOUR Mac had reached the Buller's winery. It wasn't as flash as the others were but it had a sort of hedge surrounding the premises and then had two openings. One was for the sales part and where they kept the wine and the other led to a small garden with birds and table and chairs for a sit down. "Morning' mam, great day for it!" "It sure is" "Where bouts you from?" "Melbourne, just having a bit of a weekend away" "Great idea, we all gotta get away sometimes. Can I help you with anything or you right?" The inside was very much like the outside, wooden floors, a bench that separated the server and the customer, the back wall was full of wine and champagne and then a little corner was dedicated to home made jam, sauces and syrups. "I think you can help me, could I try one of your champagnes please?" "You sure can did you have anything in mind?" OSCAR'S PARENT'S PLACE Breakfast had finished at the Price household. "Hey Cam, feel like helping round up some sheep and cows?" "You know I haven't done that in ages, I won't remember how to do it." "Sure you will, come on I'll teach you if you've forgotten." Brad was determined to get Oscar out of the house. "Go on Cam, just remember to take it easy" "Mum don't encourage him anyway I've gotta get packed" "Rubbish I can pack your stuff for you." "Oh mum I couldn't let you do that" "Course, I'd love to do it, I've missed packing you bags. Anyway your father's down there so it won't just be you and Brad" "Well…ok, I'll see you around lunchtime then." "Good." Oscar and Brad made their way towards the paddocks. The one and only reliable way to get there…a horse! DANNI'S PLACE "Hey I reckon we need a man to help us" "A man" "Yeah, I'm certainly not going to carry anything." "Oh damn I though we could have used you" "Ah ha your so funny…not" Angie laughed. "So Danni, who do you suggest we take with us. Oscar isn't here…" Danni cut her off. "You call Oscar a man, I'm talking about a real man." "God you're harsh. So who's your suggestion then hmmm…let me guess…" Angie put her hand on her chin, trying to make herself look important. "Pete, lets go annoy him" "Ok but if he asks who's idea this is I'm gonna tell him it was yours." "Yeah yeah whatever" They looked up and headed over to Pete's. MAC'S WINERY TOUR Mac had bought ten bottles of Spumante, beautiful champagne and stared to make her way back to the hotel." "Gotta love the late checkout!" Her phone rang. "Yeah?" "Hello I've been trying to talk to you all weekend, what's going on?" "You know I don't want to talk to you. I've said everything I need to when we broke up." "Ellen, I didn't mean what I said. You know that." "Oh it sounded to me you knew exactly what you meant and you knew it." "Bullshit you know it is." "It's not Bill. You know it and I know it. You took advantage of me because I was depressed. You knew I was and all you wanted was to please your self. Well there I hope you're happy. Real friends don't do that. You are full of shit Bill and you know it so don't say you didn’t mean it." "Come one Ellen, we were great together lets just forget about what happened and start a fresh." Mac was getting upset, flustered and teary. "Is that what you want…" She hung up. "Bald arsehole" OSCAR'S PARENT'S PLACE "How much land have you got, this place is huge" "Oh mate we've got enough to bring in a good pay" "Sheep don't bring in that much do they?" "Na they get sheered in summer and we get paid big bucks then but we've got cows now so that brings in a little extra." "I thought dad wasn't big on cows?" "He wasn't but its extra money and it helps, we all need extra sometimes" "Yeah" "That was an enthusiastic yeah, what's wrong?" "Nothing, I was just agreeing with you" "You sure that what you were doing?" "Look if I was tight for money which I'm not I'd tell you" "Oh yeah and pigs fly too" "Hey you just concentrate on riding you horse, I'll concentrate on how fat my wallet is." "Yeah yeah" "How much further to go? My arse is starting to get sore" Brad started to laugh "Yeah you get that, not much further now" "So what exactly are we going to do when we get there again?" "Milk cows" "Oh…great" PETE'S PLACE "OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH, SHIT PRICKLES" Danni and Angie had just arrived. "Sounds like someone is not having a good time" "hum" Pete was up the back. Angie opened the gate while Danni went in. "Let's scare him" Angie shut the gate and started to creep up to Pete with Danni. He was leaning into the garden, head totally in the tree shrubbery and couldn't see them coming up. Danni had focused on him. One word popped into her mind…. Wedgie. She went behind him and grabbed his pants. "Hey Churchie" "AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW" Along with the wedgie, Pete hit his head on the tree branch. Angie and Danni were laughing so much it bought tears to their eyes. "Jesus Danni, next time why don't you just tap me on the shoulder." They were still laughing. Pete took advantage of it. "RUGBY TACKLE" Before they knew it they were both flat on their backs, but still laughing. After a while they stopped. "So what brings you two here. And don't tell me it was just for the wedgie" "Na we need a man. We’re going furniture shopping. And we want you to come." "OH yeah…well I can't" "Awwww Pete come on. Don't be a 'tight arse'" Danni started laughing again. Angie just looked at Pete. "Cuckoo" "So who's calling ya? Huh?" "Fine then I'll come with you two morons." "Yay then get changed and we'll be off." "Yes sir" Pete went inside to get changed. MAC'S WINERY TOUR Mac had packed her stuff, loaded the car, paid and made her way back to Melbourne. "Hello?" "Hello, it's me…how are you?" "Oh yeah not too bad, yourself?" "Yeah ok I guess. Just calling like you wanted me to." "Yes so I can hear. You on your way back?" "Yeah just going to get a bite to eat then head off." "Ok, great…well I guess I'll see you tomorrow? You'd be pretty tired tonight hey?" "Yeah I guess so.” “Mmmm” There was an awkward silence. “Ok, then I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow then?” "No worries…drive safely." Mac on the verge of tears replied "Yep" She hung up. She felt so alone, and from the sounds of it Pete had company. OSCAR'S PARENT'S PLACE "See that wasn't so bad was it son?" "Na it was great fun I had a ball" "So did I, spending good quality time with both of my sons." "Well I guess your all hungry then hey?" The whole family sat down to a Sunday roast. "I'd like to make a toast please?" Everyone listened. It wasn't often Shirley made toasts. "To Cameron, and his job." There was an awkward silence. Then Oscar's dad, his brother all raised their glasses. "To Cameron." PETE'S PLACE "Come on Pete your worse then a girl" "All right I'm ready, I couldn’t find my bloody phone" "Yeah well you've got it now so lets go." "Oi I want lunch first" Angie was starving "Macca's? All hands raised for Macca's?" All hands were raised. "Let's go get a seat!" MAC'S WINERY TOUR Mac had found a little pub to get lunch at. Small little place but it was cheap and had not too bad food. After she'd finished lunch she set off home! To an empty house but at least it was home. "Oh what I wouldn't kill for a hot bath!" OSCAR'S PARENT'S PLACE "Well mum, dad, Brad, I better be off. Thanks for a great time and lunch was beautiful mum" He went and gave his mum a kiss on the cheek. "Bye Cameron, take care, and take it easy don't rush" "Bye." Oscar waved and beeped the horn as he pulled out. "I love you" PETE'S PLACE "Ok Baboons so now that you've been fed, where now?" "Barbecue's Galore. There bound to have outdoorie stuff. If not I know this great little place in Richmond…oh wait lets go there instead." They set off. Danni of course drove with poor old Pete in the back seat. MAC'S PLACE She'd finally reached home. "Home at last!" She unloaded the car and went to the bathroom to run the bath. "What a weekend!" She locked the car, all the doors, put the answering machine on and went to soak in the bath. OSCAR'S PLACE Oscar arrived home safely. He rang his mum as soon as he stepped in the door to let her know he was ok. "Hi mum its Cam, yeah I got home fine. Yep no worries what so ever. Yeah, early start tomorrow. All right, I'll talk to you soon. Bye mum love you" He hung up, made himself a hot drink, sat down and relaxed. DANNI'S PLACE "I think I got a good purchase." Angie had gone home, it was just Pete and Danni. They were out side admiring her table and sitting in the hammock. "So…" There was an awkward silence. Danni leant over to Pete and kissed him. He didn't resist mind you. The two broke away. "I think I should be going." "Yeah" "I'll see you tomorrow at the factory?" "Yep sure, Night Church.