*** COURTROOM FOYER - 10:30 AM ***

Doctor Pierce is talking with June outside the court. Polly and Ian are seated on the bench behind them. The children look bored but June is keeping a close watch on them so there is no chance of them wandering away again.

Doctor Pierce:

I just wish they'd hurry up and call me. This waiting is doing my head in.

WPC Ackland:

Tell me about it. It could be worse though, at least you're only second.

Doctor Pierce:

When are they calling you?

WPC Ackland:

Just before Polly.

Doctor Pierce:

I think you'll have a long wait. Ahhh, here we go.

Doctor Pierce looks on with interest as Hilary is led out of the courtroom.

WPC Ackland:

All the best.

Doctor Pierce:

Thanks. Same to you.

Hilary walks past. She smiles and nods at Doctor Pierce when she recognises him.

Doctor Pierce:

Hello Hill. Didn't just stop at a broken arm, then?

Doctor Harding:

No, I'm sorry to say that it went quite a bit further. Watch out for the defence. She'll try to cut you into little pieces.

Doctor Pierce:

I'm used to it, Hill. I sometimes wonder if defence lawyers are human, especially the female variety.

The bailiff calls Doctor Pierce and he walks into the courtroom. Hilary makes her way over to the children and June.

WPC Ackland:

How did it go?

Doctor Harding:

Hard to tell, really. The defence lawyer certainly knows her stuff. Hope these two make it through.

WPC Ackland:

So do I. It's so wrong expecting kids that young to testify in court. Especially considering the nature of the case. You'd think they would be a bit more sensitive about these things.

Doctor Harding:

I know. One day they'll get their act together and approve video taped statements. Until then we'll just have to make the best of a bad system.

Hilary sighs and nods towards the children.

Doctor Harding:

How have they been? They look kind of bored.

WPC Ackland:

They had a bit too much excitement before. The press got hold of them and started asking them all sorts of questions. Polly was really upset about it but they didn't care.

Doctor Harding:

Oh fantastic, that's just what Polly needs. How did it happen?

WPC Ackland:

Well, Ian ran away and Polly chased after him. Apparently Ms Page left them alone so they took the initiative and ran outside. Straight into the arms of the waiting media mob. Viv was none too pleased about it.

Doctor Harding:

I'll bet. Those vultures would have loved that window of opportunity.

WPC Ackland:

Yeah. Journalists can be lower than criminals sometimes.

Hilary grunts in reply.

Doctor Harding:

Only sometimes?

WPC Ackland:

You know the doctor who was just called as a witness?

Doctor Harding:

Ben Pierce? Yes, I've been to a couple of training days with him.

WPC Ackland:

He seems like a nice man.

Doctor Harding:

He is. He specialised in paediatrics and then decided to do a stint in accident and emergency. He's a fine surgeon too, a credit to the medical profession.

WPC Ackland:

Is he married?

Doctor Harding:

Divorced, as far as I know. It seemed to be a bit of a sore point with him so I didn't inquire too closely. I think he has a couple of kids, all grown up now of course. He's free for the taking if you're interested.

Hilary grins at June. Ian jumps down from the bench and wanders over to the two women. He looks up with interest at Hilary.

Ian Page:

Who are you, lady? Are you one of June's friends?

Hilary looks down with amusement at the little boy.

Doctor Harding:

Ian, isn't it? I'm a doctor. My name's Hilary.

Ian Page:

Hello Hilary. That's a nice name. Have you been in that funny building? What's it like in there?

Hilary chuckles.

Doctor Harding:

Yes, I just came from in there Ian. It's a pretty big room and there's a judge sitting there wearing a funny wig. You'll get to go in shortly.

Ian Page:

Is it scary? Are there lots and lots of nasty people in there?

Hilary bends down to the child's height and softens her voice.

Doctor Harding:

It's not scary, Ian, but you'll have to play a game. There's this mean woman who will try to confuse you but you have to be strong and always tell the truth no matter what she says. Is that okay?

Ian Page:

Sure. I can handle mean women. Is Greg in there?

Hilary hesitates before replying.

Doctor Harding:

Yes, Ian, I'm afraid he is. The mean woman in there is on his side. But you don't have to worry about that. All you have to do is tell the truth. Greg has to sit across the room and he's not allowed to interfere with you in any way. He will get into heaps of trouble if he says anything.

Ian Page:

Cool. Can you play aeroplanes with me, Hilary?

Hilary smiles and stands up again.

Doctor Harding:

I'm afraid I have to go now, Ian. I have patients to attend to. Are you bored?

Ian Page:

Yeah, I am. I wanna play aeroplanes but June and Polly are being mean and won't play with me. It's almost like they don't trust me.

Doctor Harding:

What about something else Ian? Maybe June could take you both to get some food? Boys your age are hungry twenty-four hours a day.

June looks at Hilary with mock despair.

WPC Ackland:

What have you done? Rule one in childminding is never to volunteer to get food unless you absolutely have to.

Hilary shrugs.

Doctor Harding:

The kid's bored. He'll be better prepared for his testimony in court if he's feeling relaxed and comfortable.

WPC Ackland:

I guess, but it's not you who has to take him! All right, grab your stuff children and we'll go get something to eat.

Doctor Harding:

Have fun.

Hilary smiles and heads out of the front entrance. Ian and Polly grab their coats, whooping excitedly, and leave with June.

*** COURTROOM - 10:55 AM ***

Alison is halfway through her cross-examination of Child Psychologist Janet Baker.

Alison Ashley:

Mrs Baker, in your professional opinion, what is the current state of Polly's mental condition?

Janet Baker:

Well, there are many elements to consider in answering that question. I would prefer if you were more specific.

Alison Ashley:

Would you say that her alleged experiences have harmed her in any way or had any lasting effect on her?

Janet Baker:

I am not entirely sure where I should start, considering the broadness of that question. As far as I have been able to establish, she displays an understandable distrust of strangers, particularly males, a heightened degree of subservience and a great deal of confusion regarding issues of discipline and sexual behaviour.

Alison Ashley:

Would you say that she can be easily led? That she follows the leader?

Janet Baker:

On the contrary, I believe that she is a naturally dominant and assertive child. However, the prolonged effects of this abuse have forced her to create a far more compliant personality.

Alison Ashley:

So she is very subservient? She does what people tell her to do?

Janet Baker:

To a certain degree, that is true. She is used to doing what people tell her to do because she has an innate fear of being reprimanded. She doesn't question orders.

Alison Ashley:

So if someone that Polly respected, say her mother or a police officer, told her to do something in very strong language then she would follow their instructions? Because she is afraid of being reprimanded?

Janet Baker:

Yes, I believe so.

Alison Ashley:

So if a police officer ordered Polly to say something in court then she would say it despite the fact that it might be a blatant lie?

Janet hesitates.

Janet Baker:

I do not recall claiming that she would say anything. My words were she would be likely to do as she was told.

Alison Ashley:

Exactly. And if she was told to lie then would she do that?

Ms Baker sighs heavily.

Janet Baker:

Yes, I believe she would.

Alison Ashley:

Thank you Ms Baker. No more questions.

Alison sits down with a smug smile on her face. Viv, up in the public gallery, is utterly outraged.

*** COURTROOM - 11:10 AM ***

Daniel is just beginning his interrogation of Anne Page.

Daniel Harker:

So what exactly is your relationship with the defendant, Mr Matthews?

Anne is extremely nervous. She is very distressed after hearing Janet's testimony.

Anne Page:

Our relationship? Well� We were married in October 1978.

Daniel Harker:

And would you say that you had a happy marriage with him?

Anne Page:

Well, I� I thought so, yes. I mean, in some ways he was better than Bill. He didn't drink and he actually thought about me as a human being, not just a housekeeper. That's probably why I had an affair with Greg in the first place. He had a good job and I think we loved each other. When Bill broke up our marriage and left me alone with two children after finding out about the affair the only person I could turn to was Greg. Bill left the country with our eldest daughter, Tess, and most of the money in our joint account so I was struggling financially. Greg offered to help. With me away from home a lot and him doing relief work it worked quite well. He was always at home looking after the kids.

Daniel Harker:

So he was a sort of babysitter most of the time?

Anne Page:

You could say that, yes.

Daniel Harker:

And you trusted him with your kids?

Anne Page:

Of course I did. He� He was my husband!

Daniel Harker:

Did you ever suspect that he wanted to hurt your children in any way?

Anne Page:

Well, he was always on about discipline. He kept telling me that you have to put in the effort when they're little or they'll walk all over you when they're grown up. He firmly believed that it's too late to start when they're quitting school or shoplifting. So I left disciplining Polly and Ian in his hands.

Daniel Harker:

Did he ever tell you why he felt this way?

Anne Page:

He said it was because he had come from a large family and that his Dad had been very tough on him but that you have to be cruel to be kind. I wasn't too sure at first but after a few months I noticed an improvement in the kids' behaviour. Polly was more helpful around the house and Ian� Well, he was still a baby but he didn't seem to throw tantrums as often as he used to.

Daniel Harker:

Do you think he applied his own methods of discipline to Polly and Ian? So that they would obey his orders?

Anne Page:

I� I don't really know. I mean, I never saw him lay a finger on either of them. He never had to. I always thought it was because they respected him.

Daniel Harker:

They always did what he told them to do? They never questioned his orders, even if they seemed unreasonable?

Anne Page:

Well, yes. I mean, I didn't notice it that much with Ian, probably because he is younger, but Polly always did as she was told. Even when I asked her to do something. I couldn't believe it. I thought� Well I didn't think it could be that easy to keep your kids well behaved.

Daniel Harker:

Did you ever suspect that he had harmed your children or been violent towards them in any way?

Anne sighs and tries to think back.

Anne Page:

The only thing that I can remember at the moment is one day when I noticed that Polly had a bruise on her cheek. Greg said that her hockey coach Chester had accidentally hit her with his stick. I believed him. I didn't really have any reason not to and Polly confirmed the story when I asked her later on.

Daniel Harker:

Weren't you at all suspicious? Did you always accept his explanation of these events?

Anne Page:

There weren't that many incidences that I can recall. I was always worrying about my next flight out of the country so I never really had the opportunity to spend much time alone with my kids. I trusted Greg to look after the little day-to-day matters like cuts and bruises. I never suspected that he was� I mean, Polly seemed a little bit moody every now and then, but� But I thought she would have told me if�

Anne breaks down in the witness box and starts to sob.

Anne Page:

She was my baby. I thought she could tell me anything.

Anne trails off. She dabs at her eyes with her sleeve.

Daniel Harker:

Did you ever suspect that your ex-husband was sexually abusing Polly, Ms Page?

Anne Page:

Of course I didn't! If I had even dreamed that such a thing was possible I would have reported him� But there were no signs!

Daniel Harker:

So how do you explain the injuries brought to the court's attention by Doctors Harding and Pierce? They clearly indicate that your daughter has been subjected to sexual abuse on a regular basis.

Anne Page:

I� I can't explain it. I mean, the last few months I've been travelling internationally so I've only been able to be home a few days here and there.

Daniel Harker:

I'm sure we can all appreciate the strain that you have been under, Ms Page. Did you always leave your son and your daughter in the sole care of your ex-husband while you were travelling overseas?

Anne Page:

Yes. I mean, he's looked after them for years. I thought he liked taking care of the children while I was away.

Daniel Harker:

Did you ever notice signs of distress in Polly or Ian when you returned home from one of your flights?

Anne Page:

No. They were always very excited to see me. Ian often runs up to me at the terminal and jumps up into my arms when I walk off the concourse. I was glad about it because I used to worry that they would begin to resent me for being away so much.

Daniel Harker:

Did you ever ask Polly about what she did with Greg while you were away?

Anne Page:

Never like that� I mean, why should I? I had no reason to suspect anything. Ian took up most of my time at home and Polly was so quiet that I sometimes almost forgot that she was there. Plus, jet lag has always been a problem with me so I spent a lot of time asleep in bed.

Daniel Harker:

Do you think that you should have noticed what your ex-husband was doing to your daughter?

Anne Page:

I� I think that I should have been less trusting. I always left Polly and Ian with Greg so that I could focus on my career. Now that I think about it, the abuse must have happened gradually over a long period of time. I'm ashamed of myself for missing the signs.

Daniel Harker:

All right. No further questions.

Daniel sits down and the Judge's voice booms across the courtroom.

Judge Richards:

We will adjourn for lunch. The court will resume at one o'clock.

*** OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE - 12:00 PM ***

Daniel and Anne are waiting outside the courthouse. Daniel is not happy with his most recent witness.

Daniel Harker:

That was pathetic, Ms Page! Do you want him to get off?

Anne looks helpless and vulnerable.

Anne Page:

I'm sorry but I didn't know what to say. I couldn't lie.

Daniel Harker:

Of course not, but you were no help to us at all. You made it sound like Greg was a nice person when the key to our success is making the jury hate him for what he did. Didn't you have any suspicions whatsoever?

Anne Page:

Look, you know that I didn't. Don't you think I feel bad enough about this already?

Daniel Harker:

Well I hope you can live with yourself when your ex-husband walks out that gate after the jury finds him not guilty.

Anne looks Daniel straight in the eye for a moment before turning and rushing out of the courthouse. Viv is leading Polly and Ian up the corridor when she sees Anne leave. She walks forward and stares at Daniel quizzically.

WPC Martella:

What was that all about?

Daniel Harker:

Did you see the mess she made of her testimony?

Viv shakes her head.

WPC Martella:

It didn't go too well?

Daniel Harker:

She fluffed it. She didn't remember a thing according to her.

WPC Martella:

So where's she off to?

Daniel Harker:

No idea. It looks like she's decided to abandon her kids. Again.

WPC Martella:

Well, if she's that upset, it's probably best that she's not around them. Anyway, I'm taking these two out for lunch. You're welcome to join us.

Daniel Harker:

Lunch with a spunky young WPC? How can I refuse?

Viv manages to conceal her blushing as the kids catch up to them.

Polly Page:

What's happening? Why did Mum run off like that?

Daniel Harker:

She's got a lot on her mind right now. Now what are we having for lunch?

Viv smiles as Ian jumps in with his various requests.

*** COURTROOM - 2:30 PM ***

The court is hearing Ian's testimony.

Daniel Harker:

And do you remember when he used to hit her, Ian?

Ian Page:

It depended. He used to hit her all the time! But the worst was when he broke her arm coz I heard it snap. It was really gross. It was really, really horrible! And Greg was heaps angry so I went up and hid in my room.

Daniel Harker:

Did he ever hit you?

Ian Page:

Nope, he hardly ever got mad at me. We were mates. He even coached my football team this year and we would've won too but we didn't get to play.

Daniel Harker:

Because he was arrested?

Ian Page:

Yes. It was all Polly's fault coz she told the policewoman something and she made us come down to the station and we ate some horrible food instead. I missed out on playing in the football match!

Daniel Harker:

Thank you Ian. No further questions.

Daniel sits down with a sigh. Ian looks around curiously.

Ian Page:

Is that it? Does that mean I can go now?

Alison stands up and snaps at the young boy.

Alison Ashley:

No, stay there. You have to wait.

Ian looks up at the stern, harsh woman. He gulps.

Alison Ashley:

Do you love your sister, Ian?

Ian Page:

Well, she can be a real bossy boots some of the time but she always lets me beat her at noughts and crosses, so I think she's okay.

Alison Ashley:

How did you feel when your stepfather allegedly broke her arm?

Ian Page:

It would've hurt heaps. I'm glad it wasn't me.

Alison Ashley:

Are you sure it was him who broke her arm?

Ian Page:

Who else could it've been? They were both it the kitchen and I heard Polly yell at him so I poked my head round the door. That's when I saw him grab her by the arm.

Alison Ashley:

But did you actually see him break it? She couldn't have fallen on her arm, for instance?

Ian Page:

Uh-uh. He grabbed her and pushed her up against the kitchen cabinet. And then he twisted her arm behind her back!

Alison Ashley:

But could it have been an accident? Was she struggling?

Ian Page:

She went to leave the room. Greg turned and grabbed her by the arm and pushed her against the cabinet, saying that she'd better not talk to the police bitch again or she knew what'd happen. Then he twisted her arm again. I ran off then coz I didn't want him to know I was there.

Alison Ashley:

Ian, you remember this very clearly don't you? Have you been talking with WPC Martella?

Ian Page:

Yeah, but I only told her what happened. She and that blonde woman asked me the same questions that you're asking me. And I told them the same thing!

Alison Ashley:

You stayed the night at WPC Martella's home once didn't you?

Ian Page:

Yeah, that was heaps cool! Except Polly won the monopoly game and I had to sleep in Mickey Mouse pyjamas!

A few members of the jury chuckle at the young boy's enthusiasm.

Alison Ashley:

And did WPC Martella talk to you at all while you were staying there?

Ian Page:

Yeah, a little bit. I talked to Jim most of all. The girls were all fussing over Polly.

Alison Ashley:

WPC Martella was talking to Polly?

Ian Page:

Yep, so was June. Polly told me about Viv ages ago, though, after she'd met her at school.

Alison Ashley:

Would you say that Polly and WPC Martella are close, Ian?

Ian Page:

How do you mean?

Alison Ashley:

Are they friendly with each other?

Ian Page:

I dunno. I know Polly likes Viv 'cause she told me that Viv said she could talk to her anytime. And during all the police stuff I was always left with June while they went off and talked. Or this weird guy called Reg.

Alison Ashley:

So WPC Martella and Polly are great friends?

Ian Page:

Polly doesn't have friends.

Alison Ashley:

But she listens to WPC Martella? If Viv asked her to do something then she'd do it?

Ian shrugs.

Ian Page:

Polly does whatever Greg tells her to do.

Alison Ashley:

She resents Greg?

Ian Page:

No, she's scared of him.

Alison Ashley:

So she doesn't like him?

Ian Page:

Nope, she hates him. Which is really unfair coz he's heaps cool.

Alison Ashley:

She hates him. Thank you Ian, you can step down now.

Ian jumps triumphantly down from the stand and is escorted out of the room.

*** OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM - 3:35 PM ***

Daniel and Alison are walking out of the courtroom's front doors together.

Daniel Harker:

You were out of order in there, Alison.

Alison turns to face her colleague.

Alison Ashley:

We all have our jobs to do. I let you do yours in peace. Why can't you show the same consideration to me?

Daniel Harker:

Yes, but you seem to take a certain amount of satisfaction in yours.

Alison Ashley:

I'm good at what I do, same as you. Is there a problem?

Daniel Harker:

I think so. There are some cases that a decent lawyer just wouldn't touch. And you always seem to enjoy those sort of cases the most!

Alison Ashley:

Well, they're usually the most challenging types of cases. I like getting my hands dirty. Unlike some!

Daniel Harker:

Well, your hands are dirty, my dear. I might even venture to say putrid.

Alison smirks at Daniel.

Alison Ashley:

Never used to bother you at three o'clock in the morning, sweetie.

Alison briskly makes her way out the front entrance, leaving a speechless Daniel behind her.

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