*** CANTEEN - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 9:45 AM ***

Frank is sitting at a table in the middle of the room surrounded by party food and a few of his colleagues.

DI Burnside:

I hate parties, especially when they're organised by Reg Hollis.

Frank scowls at Ted and Jim. Ted grunts his agreement.

DS Roach:

A complete waste of time, if you ask me.

June and Viv stroll back into the canteen, Viv heading towards the CID group.

WDC Martella:

Trust we're not interrupting anything, are we boys?

DI Burnside:

Well you are but I never say no to a pretty face.

Jim snorts. Viv blushes as June rolls her eyes.

DS Roach:

Would you care to join us, ladies?

June nods.

WPC Ackland:

So, anything interesting been happening?

DI Burnside:

Jim here has been amusing us with tales of his latest exploits in the romantic area.

Jim blushes.

DC Carver:

Leave it out, guv.

Viv looks very amused.

WDC Martella:

Do tell, Jim.

Jim looks embarrassed.

DC Carver:

Well, there's nothing to tell, really. It was just a one night thing.

Jim trails off, leaving Bib expectant.

WDC Martella:

Oh, they're the best ones! Come on, spill!

DC Carver:

Well, her name was Rachel. She was very nice but I don't think I'll be seeing her again. She's a lot younger than me.

Viv looks sceptical.

WDC Martella:

I thought you went for the older ones?

Jim laughs. He appears to be slightly drunk.

DC Carver:

No, older women wrap you around their little fingers and get you all involved. If all you're looking for is a bit of fun, you go for a younger women.

Ted sniggers.

DS Roach:

How true. I could tell you some tales about my exploits with WPCs that'd make your hair stand on end..

Frank grins.

DI Burnside:

You've told me most of 'em already Ted. There's nothing like a bit of plonk on the side. Or a good drop of plonk for that matter.

Frank pours himself another glass of wine. June tries to hide her offence, shaking her head.

WPC Ackland:

You lot are pathetic, ya know that?

WDC Martella:

Leave 'em alone June, they're just having a laugh!

DI Burnside:

Don't knock what you haven't tried, June. Or wait up, you have tried it. Remember Roy Galloway?

Frank winks at Viv. June turns a very red colour.

WPC Ackland:

How, how..

June trails off in shock.

DI Burnside:

Word gets around, June. Just 'cause you have a hopeless love life, don't try to spoil everyone else's!

June feels her shoes melting into the floor.

DS Roach:

Hear, hear.

WPC Ackland:

Oh cheers!

Frank smiles at her discomfort.

DI Burnside:

What about you, Viv? How's things in the romance department?

Viv smiles cheekily.

WDC Martella:

Can't complain, guv.

DI Burnside:

So who's the lucky guy?

WDC Martella:

Now that'd be telling, wouldn't it!

Viv sips her white wine slowly. Frank looks interested.

DI Burnside:

Oh, do tell. I mean, let a man know if he's in with a chance.

Viv raises a single eyebrow.

WDC Martella:

You, guv? Why I thought you were the happily married type?

DI Burnside:

Been there, done that. Casual relationships are far more fun. How about we talk about it over dinner some time, Vivian?

Frank is drunk and getting drunker by the minute. June is looking in pure disbelief between the DI and WDC.

WDC Martella:

Fine with me but I'm warning you, I have expensive tastes!

DI Burnside:

Well, I'm on a DI's salary. Let's see how things go, shall we?

Ted and Jim are staring at Frank, admiring his 'technique'.

*** DIU - 11:45 PM ***

Polly has her hands full, keeping Donna's toddler entertained with the Lego, while Norika is breaking up yet another fight between Jacqui and Jamie.

Jacqui Monroe:

Nintendo rules!

Jamie Burnside:

It does not! Sega Master System kicks butt!

Jamie glares angrily at Jacqui.

Jacqui Monroe:

The NES is way better than your crappy little Master System, you punk!

Jamie kicks Jacqui in the leg.

Jamie Burnside:

Shut up you whore!

Jacqui tweaks Jamie's nose.

Jacqui Monroe:

You just don't appreciate a dominant woman!

Jamie grabs Jacqui's hair and tugs it hard. Jacqui punches Jamie in the groin and the fight is on, no holds barred. Polly leaves the toddler and bounds across the room, pulling Jacqui away from the boy but the back of her shirt.

WPC Page:

What's with you two!

Jacqui Monroe"

He's a sick little boy and he can't keep his hands to himself!

Norika pulls Jamie awkwardly to his feet.

WPC Datta:

What's your explanation?

Jamie ignores Norika and faces Jacqui instead.

Jamie Burnside:

I'm gonna tell my Daddy about you!

Jacqui points her nose in the air disdainfully.

Jacqui Monroe:

Oh yeah, I'm so scared. If you're anything to go by, he'll be a big wuss!

Norika raises her hands, in defiance.

WPC Datta:

Alright, calm down the pair of you! Jacqui, let Jamie play on the Nintendo for a while, you come over with us and do a puzzle or something.

Jamie sinks his teeth into Norika's leg. Norika pulls the tyke off her, furiously.

WPC Datta:

Right, get over here, I've had just about enough outa you!

Jamie meekly obeys. Norika pulls Jamie across the room.

Jamie Burnside:

I'm gonna tell my daddy about you too!

WPC Datta:

You're just lucky I'm not arresting you for assault!

Polly follows, taking a seat back with Amanda, as Nori lectures Jamie.

Jamie Burnside:

My daddy's gonna arrest you, you mean evil cow. He's a police officer!

Jacqui slowly inches towards the door of the crèche as Nori yells at Jamie. Jacqui takes advantage of the fact that both WPCs are occupied, to sidle out into the corridor. Sophie notices the older girl slip out the door and quietly follows behind her, down the corridor. Jacqui notices that she's not alone, turns around and waits for Sophie to catch up.

Jacqui Monroe:

Hiya squirt, why are ya following me?

Sophie shrugs.

Sophie Prior:

You look like you're having more fun than I am.

Jacqui Monroe:

Yeah, I like fun. Would you like to play with me?

Sophie smiles keenly.

Sophie Prior:

Sure, you know your way round this place? Dad only let me come here once and he never showed me nothing.

Jacqui Monroe:

Sure! My Daddy's a big man here and he lets me do what I like.

Jacqui grabs Sophie's arm and walks around the deserted corridors arm-in-arm with her.

Jacqui Monroe:

That's the CAD room where all the big butch women officers hang out.

Sophie Prior:

So, where's the best place? Where are all the bad people?

Jacqui points at the CAD room door and a rather hacked off Custody Sergeant gives them a black look.

Jacqui Monroe:

The bad people? Oh, they're kept in this place called Kus-toad-e.

Jacqui spells out the words carefully. Sophie's big brown eyes open wide.

Sophie Prior:

Cool, can we go there?

Jacqui Monroe:

No, we might get raped.

Jacqui speaks very matter-of-factly.

Sophie Prior:

What's waped?

Jacqui stops and stares at her.

Jacqui Monroe:

Rape is when a boy makes you have babies with him.

Jacqui continues her explanation.

Jacqui Monroe:

He goes into your tummy and a baby comes out.

Jacqui looks knowledgeable. Sophie looks petrified.

Sophie Prior:

That's disgusting!

Jacqui Monroe:

Yeah, you get boy germs from it too.

Sophie waves her arms, stepping backwards.

Sophie Prior:

No boys waping me, ever!

Jacqui smiles in agreement.

Jacqui Monroe:

Come on, this is Daddy's office!

Jacqui manhandles Jacqui into Andrew's office. Sophie skips over to the pin board, picking out all the green pins.

Sophie Prior:

This is heaps cool, he gets this room all to himself?

Jacqui Monroe:

Yeah, he sits in here all day and plays with his little radio. He's a cool Dad.

Jacqui sits in the swivel chair behind Andy's desk. Sophie dashes from the file cabinet to the desk.

Sophie Prior:

Let's play police officers!

Jacqui is still wearing Norika's hat.

Jacqui Monroe:

Okay, well you're the suspect so I get to interview you.

Sophie whines.

Sophie Prior:

Why do I have to be the bad guy, I wanna be a police lady.

Jacqui Monroe:

Because I've got the hat. And you're just a dumb kid, so I'm the boss yeah?

Sophie rolls her eyes.

Sophie Prior:

Whatever.

Jacqui looks happy, pleased to have got her own way.

Jacqui Monroe:

Okay, well we need to go to an Interview Room, there's one just down the corridor.

Jacqui grabs her father's baton and radio from the desk and marches Sophie out of the room towards the Interview Room. Jacqui and Sophie reach the room and nervously walk into the darkness inside. Sophie is very impressed.

Sophie Prior:

Aw, wow, this is where all the bad people come?

Jacqui Monroe:

Yeah and you're one of them now! So get up there on the seat.

Jacqui points towards the seat on the other side of the room as she reaches up and turns the light on. Sophie looks hesitant but follows orders.

Sophie Prior:

Now what?

Jacqui looks around the room.

Jacqui Monroe:

Now we set up the tape player. Go and do it 'cause I'm the boss and I give the orders.

Sophie looks lost.

Sophie Prior:

What?

Jacqui Monroe:

Go and check the tape player!

Jacqui waves her hand. It's obvious that she considers such a task beneath her. Sophie jumps off the chair and heads for the big tape machine.

Sophie Prior:

What do I press?

Jacqui Monroe:

The big red button, you silly kid! Don't you know anything?

Sophie shrugs and hits the red one, the machine buzzing into life.

Sophie Prior:

Cool!

Jacqui looks slightly startled that the tape is operating.

Jacqui Monroe:

Right, now you sit up there and I sit opposite you and we do the interview!

Jacqui busily rearranges things until they are to her satisfaction.

Sophie Prior:

Interview? What's that?

Jacqui Monroe:

It's where I get to ask you a lot of questions and you have to answer them.

Sophie looks nervous.

Sophie Prior:

Ok.

Jacqui smiles but that doesn't cheer Sophie up at all.

Jacqui Monroe:

Okay, I'm Inspector Monroe and I'm the boss of Sun Hill and I'm here today interviewing the famous burglar Sophie Prior.

Jacqui Monroe:

Say your name for the tape, Sophie.

Sophie looks at Jacqui strangely.

Sophie Prior:

Sophie.

Jacqui Monroe:

Okay, what were you doing two nights ago when this load of very valuable stuffed toys was nicked from my home?

Sophie Prior:

Huh?

Sophie is totally lost. Jacqui sighs.

Jacqui Monroe:

I suppose you deny that it was you who nicked them?

Sophie Prior:

Whatcha mean, nicked?

Jacqui Monroe:

I mean that you took them! You stole my collection of teddy bears.

Sophie Prior:

No, I didn't, I only met you today!

Jacqui looks angrily in Sophie's direction.

Jacqui Monroe:

That's because I arrested you today!

Sophie Prior:

You did?

Jacqui looks frustrated.

Jacqui Monroe:

Okay, what were you doing just after dinner two days ago?

Sophie Prior:

I dunno, which night?

Jacqui Monroe:

The night when Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds was on TV.

Sophie thinks back.

Sophie Prior:

You mean the movie with that big black cool dog?

Jacqui looks encouraged.

Jacqui Monroe:

Yeah, good girl. What were you doing earlier that night?

Sophie Prior:

You mean before the movie?

Jacqui Monroe:

Yes, what were you doing before the movie?

Sophie shrugs.

Sophie Prior:

Why?

Jacqui loses her temper.

Jacqui Monroe:

Because I'm older than you and I'm ordering you!

Sophie rolls her eyes.

Sophie Prior:

Daddy was giving me a bath.

Jacqui scoffs.

Jacqui Monroe:

You still have baths? How.. how quaint!

Sophie frowns.

Sophie Prior:

So. Don't you?

Jacqui looks as sophisticated as an eight-year-old kid can look.

Jacqui Monroe:

Nah, I'm grown up enough to have showers! And by myself, not with my Daddy! I even had one with little Davie from next-door!

Sophie looks jealous.

Sophie Prior:

You're lucky. Daddy always baths me, I hate having baths!

Jacqui looks at Jacqui scornfully.

Jacqui Monroe:

What sort of girl still gets bathed by her Daddy?

Sophie looks back defensively.

Sophie Prior:

Hey, it's not my fault. He says it's his job.

Jacqui looks mildly interested.

Jacqui Monroe:

His job? He must love you a lot.

Sophie shakes her head.

Sophie Prior:

Nuh-uh. He hates me, coz he hurts me!

Jacqui gives Sophie a funny look.

Jacqui Monroe:

Don't be stupid. Daddies don't hurt their little girls.

Sophie looks back at Jacqui innocently.

Sophie Prior:

Mine does.

Jacqui doesn't believe her ears.

Jacqui Monroe:

How?

Sophie shrugs.

Sophie Prior:

Depends. Different stuff. Ya know.

Sophie trails off. Jacqui looks almost concerned.

Jacqui Monroe:

Oh come on Sophie, you can tell us.

Sophie Prior:

He pinches me and stuff. Or he makes me love him.

Jacqui looks confused.

Jacqui Monroe:

He makes you love him?

Sophie Prior:

That's what I hate the most. He puts his willy in my mouth and it tastes yukky!

Jacqui looks repulsed.

Jacqui Monroe:

That's just sick! You're lying!

Sophie Prior:

I am not, it's true! What would you know anyway!

Jacqui picks up her baton, radio and hat and starts to storm out of the room. Sophie is really upset.

Sophie Prior:

What's wrong with you! I thought you were interviewing me!

Jacqui stops by the doorway.

Jacqui Monroe:

Yeah but that's before I knew what a sick lying bitch you were.

Sophie steps closer towards Jacqui.

Sophie Prior:

You're just jealous!

Jacqui Monroe:

Jealous of what?

Sophie Prior:

Jealous coz your Dad don't love you!

Jacqui steps towards Sophie and puts her in a headlock.

Sophie Prior:

Let go, will ya! What'd I do!

Sophie pulls away from Jacqui, digging her nails into the girls' arm.

Jacqui Monroe:

You lied on tape, you twisted cow!

Jacqui bites into Sophie's upper arm.

Sophie Prior:

Ouch! Stop that!

Sophie drags Jacqui across the room. Jacqui takes another bite-sized chunk out of Sophie's arm. Polly, who has begun a search of the station, hears the noise from the corridor and bursts into the room.

WPC Page:

What the hell do you two fink you're playing at!

Jacqui springs apart from Sophie and they both stare sullenly at Polly. She raises an eyebrow.

WPC Page:

Well?

Jacqui Monroe:

It was her, she started it!

Jacqui glares at Sophie.

Sophie Prior:

Was not! You grabbed me!

Jacqui Monroe:

You're the one with the dirty mind!

Sophie glares at Jacqui. Jacqui and Sophie lapse into silence. Polly isn't impressed.

WPC Page:

One of you, out with it!

Jacqui stands deliberately on Sophie's toe to prevent her from saying anything.

Jacqui Monroe:

It was nothing, we're sorry.

Sophie Prior:

Yeah, nothing.

Sophie trails off.

WPC Page:

I'll bet. Just how did you get in here then?

Jacqui Monroe:

We saw the door open and we walked in. We're sorry if we've done something wrong.

Polly sighs and frowns down at the children.

WPC Page:

And just where did you get all this stuff, Jacqui?

Polly gestures towards the radio and baton.

Jacqui Monroe:

It was on Daddy's desk! He always lets me play with the baton at home!

WPC Page:

Well, you're not at home, now are you!

Jacqui is intimidated by the big stern woman. Polly escorts the girls back to the corridor. Upon turning back to switch off the light and close the door, Polly notices the red light glowing from the tape machine. Sighing, she quickly heads back across the room, turning the machine off and slipping the tape into her pocket, returning back to the corridor.

WPC Page:

Right, you two, back ya go!

Jacqui Monroe:

Yes miss.

Jacqui and Sophie run off.

*** DIU - 5:10 PM **

Polly is on her hands and knees collecting Lego pieces from the carpet.

WPC Page:

This is ridiculous, we'll never get it done.

Norika shrugs her shoulders.

WPC Datta:

It's out job!

Polly sighs, with a slight laugh.

WPC Page:

I never counted on nappy changing being in the job description either!

WPC Datta:

Well nappy changing is part of being a WPC, I guess. Along with sexist comments, getting punched in the face and being groped by your colleagues.

Norika has a bitter look on her face. Polly drags the heavy box back onto the table, beginning to stack colouring books.

WPC Page:

It is?

Norika realises that she's said too much.

WPC Datta:

Well it can be. Don't tell me you haven't had to put up with some sexist comments since you arrived here!

Polly looks distracted, her glance shifting across the room.

WPC Page:

You kidding..

Polly trails off.

WPC Datta:

I wish I was. You ever heard of PC Phil Young, the copper who killed himself last year?

WPC Page:

No, well, I mean, I heard about the suicide. Why?

WPC Datta:

Yeah, well the papers made him out to be some sort of hero but he wasn't. He was a real creep.

Norika finishes sweeping Lego pieces into the shovel, stands up and brushes past Polly. Polly nods slowly, a dead silence falling over the pair. Norika looks towards Polly and smiles and the tension eases.

WPC Datta:

Never mind, that's all in the past. Hopefully one day things will improve and we can get some real equality into the job.

Polly nods, not convinced.

WPC Page:

Yeah, in an ideal world.

Polly sorts through the crayons, tossing the broken ones into a bin.

WPC Datta:

Anyway, on a more cheerful note are you doing anything tonight, Poll?

Polly looks up.

WPC Page:

No, why?

Norika bites her tongue.

WPC Datta:

Well a couple of the other girls and I are planning a night out on the town and I was wondering if you'd like to join us?

Polly considers the offer, deciding a nice long hot bath is more appealing.

WPC Page:

May some other time? I'm beat after today.

Norika looks disappointed.

WPC Datta:

Never mind, some other time maybe? When we haven't been looking after hoards of kids all day?

Polly smiles.

WPC Page:

Sure.

Norika looks around the room one last time.

WPC Datta:

Are you okay with finishing the cleaning up?

Polly looking around at the few papers.

WPC Page:

Yeah, that's fine. I owe you after the Jamie stuff. What a little monster!

Norika shudders.

WPC Datta:

He really takes after his father, that one!

Norika winks and leaves Polly alone in the room. Polly quickly finishes pushing chairs under tables and picking scraps of paper off the floor. Polly shakes her head.

WPC Page:

I'm gonna kill Reg for this. Never again.

Polly sighs as she dumps a load of papers on the table, sorting the reusable books from the loose sheets.

WPC Page:

What am I, a kindy teacher or a plonk?

Polly scans the brightly coloured drawings as she sorts them, doing a double take as she nears the end.

WPC Page:

What the..

Polly suspiciously scans the family portrait, eventually making out the "Sophie P." in big red crayon. Polly frowns, quickly stuffing the drawing into her nearby handbag and finishing restoring the room to order.

*** CORRIDOR LEADING TOWARDS FRONT OFFICE ***

Polly is heading back towards the locker room as she notices Ben and Renee Prior coming in the opposite direction, Ben with Sophie in his arms, the child very sleepy. Ben is patting Sophie's shoulders with his free hand. Ben nods in Polly's direction as he walks past her.

PC Prior:

Long day, yeah? Thanks for looking after me kid.

Polly nods slowly, exhausted.

PC Prior:

I hope she wasn't a bad girl. You weren't, were you Sophs?

Sophie mumbles sleepily into her father's shoulder.

Sophie Prior:

Uh-uh.

Ben pats her gently.

PC Prior:

Good. Is that true, WPC Page?

Polly is caught off-guard.

WPC Page:

Oh, oh yeah, she was fine.

PC Prior:

That's nice to know. And were you a good girl Polly?

Polly ignores his comment and continues off down the corridor. Ben smirks and leaves the station with his family.

Continue...