EPISODE 670 Merle finds a new friend and a hiding place from the authorities. Craven threatens Lorelei and Ann suffers the consequences. First broadcast ... 1986 (Melbourne) Broadcast on Channel 5 Saturday 02 December 2000 04:40 DVD release: volume 39 disc 6 (AUS) Duration: 0:44:38

Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Joan ~ Maggie Kirkpatrick Ann ~ Gerda Nicolson Joyce ~ Joy Westmore Rita ~ Glenda Linscott Alice ~ Lois Collinder Kath ~ Kate Hood Lorelei ~ Paula Duncan Merle ~ Rosanne Hull-Brown Rodney ~ Philip Hyde Delia ~ Desiree Smith Spider ~ Taya Stratton Lisa ~ Terrie Waddell Spike ~ Victoria Rowland Vicki ~ Rebecca Dines James Dwyer ~ James Condon Ernest Craven ~ Ray Meagher Tommy Kipman ~ Bradley Kilpatrick Sister Hall ~ Gael Andrews Blackmoor Off. ~ Matt Brown Storekeeper ~ Monty Maizells Written by John Coulter & Andrew Kennedy Directed by Tony Osicka

Lorelei is found next morning in a state of shock by Lisa and Rodney when her breakfast is delivered. Lisa reports back to the women, but Rodney's main concern is whether he will be blamed. Joan hears about the rape when she arrives at work and is outraged so she goes to Craven and threatens to expose him to the police if there are any more incidents. Lorelei is unable to identify her attackers: Sister Hall advisers Ann there is no immediate physical evidence of intercourse, and that further tests are necessary so Lorelei must not shower. Craven blames Rodney, but Ann demands he provide an account of his officers' movements. Joan tries to tell Lorelei she had no idea what would happen when she sent her to solitary. Rita chokes Joan to get her to admit that Craven was responsible, and tells her to inform Craven she is dropping the charges over Bongo's death, and will settle it personally instead. Ann sees Rita comforting Lorelei, and decides she is too upset to be faking and calls in the Minister immediately. Kath, Rodney and Merle go shopping and Merle befriends a young boy in a Captain Marvellous costume , catching a bus to go home with him. Kath and Rodney realise too late to catch her. The women start a chant of "Rapist" when Craven enters the dining room: Rita grabs a fork and goes for him. He coshes her and has her sent to solitary. Joyce tells Ann that Craven provoked Rita: Ann replies that she is requesting his suspension. Craven visits Lorelei in sick-bay, threatens to harm Zoe if she will not withdraw her allegation and tells her to shower. Kath persuades Rodney to delay reporting Merle's absence to give them a chance to find her. Meg finds Lorelei wandering the corridor after her shower. Ann places the charges against Craven before the Minister: he is not impressed and Joyce makes matters worse by reporting Merle missing. As the Minister is about to interview Lorelei, Meg tells Ann that Lorelei has showered. Spike tries to work out a way of getting a message from solitary to the other women, which treads on Spider's toes. Alice tells Spike and Spider that they have to work together. The Minister questions Lorelei: she denies the rape took place and implicates Ann in a plot to get rid of Craven. The Minister appoints Craven as Acting Governor in Ann's place. Spider spitefully sends Joyce to the boiler room where Alice and Spike are checking the pipes. Joan threatens to change her evidence if Craven won't stand down in her favour. Alice and Spike block a toilet to get a plumber to come in to steal his plans. Rodney gets a rocket from Craven for losing Merle. Tommy takes Merle to his garden shed, and she agrees to stay there. Craven tells Joan he has stepped down as Acting Governor: Joan is not feeling magnanimous and sneers at him to "get out of my chair". ***

Story Editor: Bevan Lee
Script Editor: Neil Luxmoore
Storyliners: Tony McDonald, John Coulter, Bob Greenberg

ITV regional broadcast dates:-
Broadcast on Westcountry Monday 11th August 1997 23:45

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