The Murdochs

by
Jesse Armstrong

Draft 4 - 12.7.09
1 EXT. NEW YORK. DAY. 1

New York shimmers in the morning light as we take in

Manhattan. We home in on an art deco block on 5th avenue.

2 INT. 5TH AVENUE APARTMENT. DAY. 2

It’s early morning. The 3-floor, 20-room, 3-terrace

apartment is decorated in tasteful art deco style. Wooden
floors, expensive but not ostentatious furnishings.

We see the dawn breaking through the big windows. In the

distance a little girl is talking to herself as she plays.

We can hear water running as we move past the marble work-

tops of the kitchen, where newspapers lie, through the
bedroom, where a woman sleeps, and into one of the two en-
suite bathrooms.

There an old man is leaning over the basin pulling hair dye
through his hair, trying to keep it from dripping on
himself.

This is Keith Rupert Murdoch (KRM). 78-years old and with a

bit of stiffness in his back. He mutters to himself as dye
runs down his neck.

KRM
Oh Fuck. Shit. Fuck it.

He takes another towel from the stock of thick white ones

near the double sinks and wipes his neck, tossing the dirty
towel into the bath tub where several others lie.

Finally, satisfied with the dying procedure, he rubs his

hair dry with another towel, and sends that also into the
bath. Then, with a flannel he tries to wash away the finger
marks of dye that have sullied the sink. It’s messy,
annoying work. Satisfied, he puts the lid back on the dye,
then to his annoyance re-dirties the sink with the residue
from the bottle.

KRM (CONT’D)
Oh for fuck’s sake.

He wipes it down carefully like a criminal attending to

leaving no forensic evidence behind, and then crosses to
the bath where he turns on the taps full and gives the
dirty towels and flannels a swish around in the water -
leaving them to soak.

KRM walks through the apartment leaving wet footprints as

he goes.

He heads to the kitchen. Looks through the papers. Ripping

the pages over with a professional brutality. Today's New
York Daily Post, WSJ, New York Times.
 2.

He checks his watch makes a call, punching out the number

from a piece of paper.

KRM (CONT’D)
Murdoch here. Yeah I was told by
Doctor Benson I could get to you
on this number?

He looks around the room.

KRM (CONT’D)
Yeah that’s right, yeah, sure I
don’t need the soft soap. Yeah he
talked to me about counselling
and whatnot. But we agreed a
special arrangement. So what’s
the result?
(he listens)
‘Balign?’
(listens impassive)
Right, say that again? Benign or
Malign? Can you speak up?
He’s getting a very important piece of news but as we look
at his face in close up it is hard to clock exactly what it
is. Is it bad and he’s being stoical, or it good and he’s
very restrained?

KRM (CONT’D)
Uh-hu. Okay. And what’s the time
frame on that process? Okay. Yeah
will do, I’ll call the doc and
hook that up. Okay. Thanks. Thank
you.

He puts the phone down. Looks at the city out the window.
Then he looks down.

Faxed front pages of the Times and Sun and londonpaper and
a layout for tomorrow's Australian. He looks up to check
out Fox News playing on a TV with the sound down.

He makes a call. Hardly looking at the phone and punching

the number without looking it up anywhere.

KRM (CONT’D)
Hello. Jim. I’ve seen your paper
Jim.
(beat of silence - he
enjoys the pain he is
dealing out)
I’ve seen the pages.

Then He hangs up.

Looks at more pages. Dials another number - connects.

 3.

KRM (CONT’D)
Mike. Are you losing it?

CUT TO:

3 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 3

Michael Rowle, 50, thin and anxious, editor of an unnamed

Murdoch Sunday Broadsheet is on the phone. We cut between
the two of them.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Hello?

KRM
Are you losing it. Have you lost
it?

MICHAEL ROWLE
How do you mean Rupert?

KRM
Do you look at the circulation
numbers Mike? You know, how many
of my papers you’re selling?

MICHAEL ROWLE
Yes.

KRM
(he leaves a long beat,
turns a page, waits)

MICHAEL ROWLE
Hello?

KRM
Hello.

MICHAEL ROWLE
(long beat, then)
Sorry?

KRM
Yeah. So is it going up or down
how many papers you’re selling?

MICHAEL ROWLE
Well if you mean, I mean - year
on year or - I mean month against
- because, I forget but on the
month - not this month but last
month compared to the previous
year’s month that was actually
...
 4.

KRM
Yeah and if you compare a
strawberry to an onion it’s much
fucking sweeter.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Yes well, I mean, you know the
strategy ...

KRM
Uh-hu.

And Rupert puts the phone down. Leaving Michael spinning.

We spot Rupert’s daughter, Chloe, six years old is there.

Who knows for how long she’s been listening? She offers KRM
an envelope.

KRM (CONT’D)
What’s that honey?

He opens it. It's a birthday card. Drawn in felt-tip pens.

KRM (CONT’D)
Look at that. Thanks. Thanks
sweetheart.

He bends, with a little difficulty, to kiss her forehead.

Grace, his eight year old, is there too now smiling.

KRM (CONT’D)
Thanks girls, thank you.

A nanny appears, Lily.

LILY
(in Mandarin, with
subtitles)
Okay, away now, leave your daddy,
leave him to work.

They start to shuffle off.

KRM
No - girls, it’s fine, jump up
here. C’mon.

He lifts Chloe up on to one of the high stools - it used to

be easy, but she’s heavier, he’s older, he finds it hard.
Grace jumps up.

Lily gets them juice as Rupert sorts through a bunch of

cards that are laid out for him.

KRM (CONT’D)
Look at this - See I’ll put them
into four piles.
(with a twinkle)
(MORE)
 5.
KRM (CONT’D)
Family first.
(shuffles a few cards)
Presidents.
(lays out another pile)
Kings and Queens and all that
sort of nonsense.
(then another pile)
Then all these other jokers ...

The girls laugh. Grace is looking at the front page the New
York Times.

KRM (CONT’D)
What’s wrong with that? Eh?

Grace doesn’t know.

KRM (CONT’D)
Too long. Blah blah blah blah.
Bit of stuff
(the story carries on
inside)
- now go inside for the rest? No
thanks. I’m having my breakfast!
(he points to another
front page story)
Now this has great pictures. So
give it a page. It’s dying for a
page.

Wendi Deng, Rupert’s 39 year old wife is there too now.

She approaches Chloe who at the other end of the breakfast

bar, is staring at the bare-breasted woman on page three of
the Sun. Wendi closes the paper.
WENDI
(in Mandarin)
Okay, come on, goodbye to bad
rubbish. Run and get your book.

KRM
What?

WENDI
I was just saying to get her
book.
(to Lily in Mandarin)
I don’t want her looking at all
this, alright?

LILY
(in Mandarin)
I was cutting fruit.

KRM
What?
 6.

CHLOE
(in Mandarin)
I don’t want fruit, we already
had fruit.

WEDNI
You need fruit. Not just bagel.
More fruit. And let’s have this
rubbish away.

Wendi picks up the Sun. Folds it and puts it on the side.

KRM
What. What’s going on?

WEDNI
Nothing, we’re talking about
fruit, okay? Now. Happy Birthday
darling. C’mon. Let’s go back to
bed. Little lie-in okay?

Rupert checks the watch. He is a little reluctant.

CUT TO:

4 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - BEDROOM. DAY. 4

Wendi and Rupert are lying post-coital in their big, big

bed. Murdoch is breathing slowly and steadily, with some
concentration.

WENDI
You okay, honey?

KRM
Course I’m okay. I’m good.

WENDI
Listen, I want to tell you, for
later, I’ve arranged a surprise.

KRM
A surprise?

WENDI
Yeah - Lachlan, Liz, James,
Prudence, they’re flying in for a
surprise party.

KRM
What?

WENDI
I thought you’d want to know. I
didn’t want it to be too
surprising. You don’t like
surprises.
 7.

KRM
But - this is still a surprise.
You haven’t eliminated the
element of surprise, honey,
you’ve just moved it earlier.

Wendi gives him a kiss, she rubs his belly under the
sheets, kisses him again.

KRM (CONT’D)
I’m doing pretty good here Wendi,
but I’m not Superman.
(then)
Look. I might talk to the kids.
Today.

WENDI
Today? Good. Why? Did you speak
to the hospital?

KRM
Yeah.

WENDI
And?

Rupert delays a beat. Is he hesitating? Is he telling the

truth?

KRM
All good.

WENDI
All good?

KRM
All good.

WENDI
Oh that’s great. That’s just
great that’s excellent!

KRM
Yeah. So. That’s good.

WENDI
Right, oh honey I’m so relieved.
(she looks at him)
Why aren’t you jumping for joy?

KRM
(lying there still)
I am.
(she looks at him)
 8.

KRM (CONT’D)
Look I’ve got 10 to 20 billion of
market cap riding on the good
health of a little walnut hiding
away up my shitter. It’s not
relaxing. I have to keep it all
on the down-low.

WENDI
I know.

KRM
Exactly. Any news, good news, bad
news, no news, on my health,
that’s a stock-price roller
coaster. But yes, I’m pleased.
(she looks at him)
What? It’s good. I’m pleased I’m
happy.

Wendi looks at him. Is he being totally straight? She

kisses him. She fiddles under the sheets.

KRM (CONT’D)
Nothing doing honey. You’re just
yanking on a length of rope.

CUT TO:

5 INT. NEW YORK HOTEL SUITE. DAY. 5

Lachlan Murdoch, 37 is lounging on a bed in their penthouse

suite. Sarah, his wife, an ex-model, blonde, beautiful, 36
is changing out of her travelling clothes. Lachlan is
flicking round business news channels. CNBC, Fox Business.
He stops on Fox Business.

SARAH
You feeling okay about seeing the
old man? How’s your stomach.

LACHLAN
Good, I’m all good. Before the
party, I thought I might swing by
the old place.

SARAH
Oh. Okay? Great.

LACHLAN
It’s fine. It’s like water off a
duck’s back.

SARAH
I’m sure.
 9.

LACHLAN
I’m just going to roll in there.
Have a poke about.
(he glances at the
screen)
Ouch. Oh wow. Calgen’s down
again. I knew it. I knew that was
going to happen. We should have
sold. Wasn’t I saying before we
should sell?

SARAH
Uh-hu. Yeah, although you decided
in the end?

LACHLAN
I know, in the end I thought best
not. But I should have gone with
gut. Gut said sell. Why didn’t I
sell?

SARAH
How’s News Corp?

LACHLAN
I don’t even know, that’s what’s
funny! I hadn’t even thought till
you asked that. Can you imagine
that - when I was - big fucking
boss man I must’ve checked thirty
times a day.
(he takes a look in the
paper)
But I’m so easy about that now. I
don’t even track that shit.

SARAH
Yeah, it’s cool how you don’t
need to track it.

LACHLAN
(closes paper)
It is sweet being out of that
whole - nest ‘o vipers. Just
kicking back. Captain of my own
ship.

He relaxes, switches to some sports, Sarah heads in to the

bathroom. He switches back to Fox News.

CUT TO:

6 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 6

Michael Rowle is pacing on a call to a fellow editor.

 10.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Yeah he just called? Did he call
you?
(listens)
Have you got any clue what he’s
thinking? Have you talked to Cal
or Gary? Has Gary talked to Cal?
(listens)
Did Gary tell Cal that or was
that Cal saying what he thought
he wanted Rupert to hear he was
saying?
(listens)
No, I’m really asking. But if you
hear anything will you let me
know?

Michael Rowle arrives with his deputy, Jo, ends his call.

MICHAEL ROWLE (CONT’D)

Look can you just get me the
figures laid out so if Rupert
calls again I’ve got it there.
That number.

JO
Which number?

MICHAEL ROWLE
The good number. The good
circulation number. I just need
to be able to go - blam! - 12 per
cent! Or 17 per cent! 20 percent!
Whatever that good number was.

JO
I don’t think we have a number
that good? I think they said like
4 or something for something?

A woman a few desks along, the Foreign editor, Cassie,

shouts over.

CASSIE
Michael? Mike? I’ve got Leo Walsh
on here. I think you ought to
talk to him.

MICHAEL ROWLE
(picks up phone, hand
over receiver)
Urgh? He’s not a pain in the arse
is he Cassie?
(smiling at Jo)
He’s not going to bore me about
‘insufficient coverage for the,
Malawi electoral process’?
 11.

CASSIE
(re the phone)
He thinks it’s a ‘hot story’. And
I actually think it could be a
hot story.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Oh, well if it’s a ‘hot story’.
(he picks up his phone)

We cut between Michael and:

7 INT. LUSAKA HOTEL LOBBY. DAY. 7

Leo Walsh, 27 is making a call.

LEO
Hi, Michael?

MICHAEL ROWLE
Hello?

LEO
Hi, yep, just wanted to update
you directly. You’ve probably
been wondering what’s going on
with it the Zambian mine story?

MICHAEL ROWLE
(straight)
Yeah, good I’ve been on
tenterhooks about the Zambian
mine story.

Jo cracks up.

LEO
(not catching the
sarcasm)
Cassie’s told you the story,
right? I’ve been on it for a
week.

MICHAEL ROWLE
No sure, I remember it all. But
just remind me. Once more.

LEO
I’m heading out there. It looks
like the collapse might have been
a big one 150 or so dead?

MICHAEL ROWLE
Pictures?
 12.

LEO
I don’t know about pictures, I’ll
try to get some pictures. I think
there will be some pictures. But
it’s exclusive.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Okay, well good luck ‘Scoop’,
keep Cassie posted.

LEO
Will do boss. ‘Hold the front
page!’

MICHAEL ROWLE
Will do!

Phones down. Leo is hyped-up.

Michael’s deputy, Jo looks at him.

MICHAEL ROWLE (CONT’D)

Fuck all. African mine - no
pictures.

CUT TO:

8 INT. LIMO - NEW YORK STREET. DAY. 8

James Murdoch, 35, is in the back of a chauffer-driven

Prius. He’s talking to an associate on his mobile. His
assistant is there next to him.

JAMES
Okay, that’s all good. Super
smart. You’re a rockstar.

He hangs up, looks at some papers from his assistant.

JAMES (CONT’D)
Okay - cool. Coolio. So this is
the bundle.
(taking out a few
sheets)
This, this and this? For the
Chinese networking site deal?

JAMES’S ASSISTANT
Uh-hu.

Even when James acts like a prick - his observations are

not stupid.
 13.

JAMES
(looking at the papers -
they are bound with a
glossy cover)
Is this it?

JAMES’S ASSISTANT
That’s recycled.

JAMES
Great. Good. It looks kind of
snazzy though. You know? I don’t
want to be trying to sell him
anything? It’s more like, ‘hey
old man, you want to miss out on
Chinese Facebook?’

JAMES’S ASSISTANT
Uh-hu. Plus, strategically, the
co-venture with a provincial
Government. That’s sexy.

JAMES
(considers)
It sounds kind of bullshitty
doesn’t it? Provincial ...
(makes it sound
pathetic)
One ‘Chinese Province’?

JAMES’S ASSISTANT
100 million people? Bigger than
Germany and Australia put
together?

JAMES
Make me a note of that. Pen that
shit up for me. Just pen that
shit on there
(points to a spot on a
sheet)

James’s phone goes.

JAMES (CONT’D)
Cal. Whatup motherfucker?

CUT TO:

9 INT. LEARJET. DAY. 9

Cal Pawsey, 56, News Corp senior exec is on the phone to

James on a small corporate jet. We cut between them:

CAL PAWSEY
(winces)
Hey James?
 14.

JAMES
Where you at? Are you flying in?

CAL PAWSEY
On my way. On the Learjet.
Chinese Take-away.

JAMES
Ready to back me up on this
pitch, bitch?

CAL PAWSEY
(winces)
Course.

JAMES
We got to keep it simple Cal.
Live and direct.

CAL PAWSEY
Right, don’t want to bamboozle
the old fella.

JAMES
(beat, bit too rude
about the old man?)
Exactly.

CAL PAWSEY
I can’t believe I mean I really
can’t believe he’s hesitating on
this.

JAMES
I know, I know. I guess he has
his doubts.

CAL PAWSEY
Yeah, sure. But do you think he’d
be flip-flopping if this was a
paper he was buying?

JAMES
(he laughs indulgently)
Okay, listen, see you later
motherfucker.

CAL PAWSEY
(winces)
Later James.

CUT TO:

10 EXT. CAR/6TH AVENUE. DAY. 10

Claire, 24, a young journalist is getting a ride into work

with Iain, a guy she knows from journalism school.
 15.

They are both anxiously looking at the numbers on the

office buildings on 6th avenue as cars honk at their slow
progress. Claire leans out straining to check their
progress up the street.

IAIN
Okay?

CLAIRE
Hu-hu. I think ... I can’t
believe I didn’t Google this?
(looking)
Are you sure? We didn’t go past?

IAIN
No. I think .. Okay, here we go
... Nearly 1211... Yup.

They pull up outside a 60’s/70’s skyscraper office

building.

CLAIRE
Okay. Great. Well, thanks for the
ride.

IAIN
Okay. And
(with what he hopes is
twinkle)
Thanks for the ride.

Claire shivers.

IAIN (CONT’D)
Ouch. Shit. Sorry. Bit creepy.

CLAIRE
Fine, it was - nice.

IAIN
It was ‘nice’? Oh God, kill me
now.

CLAIRE
(preoccupied)
Hehe. Look, I’ll call you.

IAIN
I’m sorry - if I - you know, a
little too early? I was very
excited. You’re an exciting
woman.

CLAIRE
(too much info for the
morning)
I’ll call you. I need to get in.
 16.

IAIN
And you’ll be okay? Fox will rape
your ideals and dreams, you do
realize that? They’re dream
rapists. They’re putting that on
a banner ad.

CLAIRE
Hey well, I’m not Noam Chomsky, I
think I’ll be okay.
(she gets her stuff
together)
Well, thanks.

He goes in for a kiss of farewell as she goes to open the

car door. It’s a mismatch. Then she goes back to kiss him
as he withdraws. They fumble a kiss and hand-shake. He
watches her go in. She is all about the day ahead, doesn’t
look back.

CUT TO:

11 INT. LIMO. DAY. 11

Liz Murdoch, 40 and Matthew Freud are in a car heading into

New York city. Matthew has a mobile to his ear.

MATTHEW
Kelly can you do me a conference
with Zeddy and Steve and the
Sarahs?

ELIZABETH
What have you got him?

MATTHEW
(hand over phone)
Hey? What?

ELIZABETH
Dad. What have you got him, for
his birthday?

MATTHEW
Oh? I thought we’d be going
joint? He won’t mind, will he?

ELIZABETH
(yes)
Er. I don’t know? No. I guess.

MATTHEW
I mean what do you even get the
man who has everything?
 17.

ELIZABETH
What do you get the man who has
everything? Well something
fucking nice might be advisable.

MATTHEW
(into phone)
Okay, that’s fine. Tell thin
Sarah to call fat Sarah and say
I’ll throw an hour at it. Prunch.
Pre lunch. Prunch tomorrow. And
I’ll email Zeddy and he can bcc
the agency like I didn’t intend
for them to see it?

He puts the phone down.

MATTHEW (CONT’D)
How old is he even going to be,
140?

They travel in silence. But Matthew likes stirring things

up.

MATTHEW (CONT’D)
I heard about this Chinese
Facebook? You cool with all that?

ELIZABETH
Obviously I’m cool with it. I
think it’s a James thing. It’s
fine.

MATTHEW
Yeah. Be good to see him. Looking
forward to it. Me and the old
man.

ELIZABETH
What Matthew? What’s your problem
with him now?

MATTHEW
Nothing! We’re cool now. He’s
charming, we get on good now.
(she looks at him)
What? We like each other.
(under his breath)
That’s the line.
(then)
Because nothing at all is wrong
with him.
(beat, then playfully)
With the obvious exception of
everything he stands for.

Liz Looks at him. That’s a bit much. But she knows he’s
being playful.
 18.

MATTHEW (CONT’D)
I’m kidding. Obviously I’m
kidding.
(then)
It’s got to be close though. Soon
he’ll be able to stop building. I
mean when is the company going to
be finished?

Liz smiles, then.

ELIZABETH
I think Mum thought if she
commissioned enough statues and
bought enough houses and chairs
and sofas he might eventually sit
down on one and stop. But he’s
never going to stop. He thinks if
the diary’s full, the reaper
can’t get a slot.

MATTHEW
Uh-hu.
(then)
How many personal friends do you
think we’ve got who’ll eventually
be commemorated by public
statues.
(thinks)
Nine, right? Am I right?

CUT TO:

12 INT/EXT. NEWS CORP/FOX BUILDING NEW YORK. DAY. 12

Clare is heading into the building. At the same time James

Murdoch is getting out of his limo. James marches in to the
building, just ahead of Clare. Holds the door for her. He
gets guided through to an open lift, heads off to the
heights of the building.

Clare stands, confused in the atrium, looking around at the

hive of activity.

CUT TO:

13 INT. KRM’S CAR. DAY. 13

KRM’s in his chauffeured car - heading through the New York

Streets towards the News Corp building. He’s talking to an
assistant, mid 30s.
 19.

KRM
(bit weary)
So, listen I looked at the
numbers, but what’s the protein
on this Chinese Facebook
bollocks? What’s the buzz?

MURDOCH’S ASSISTANT
Apparently there was a Beijing
political reaction to the idea of
being involved. You know - that
you’re a ‘right-winger’.

KRM
We made their fucking website!
The People's Daily website. We
gave them Sky’s encryption and
what did I get? I'm a right-
winger?

MURDOCH’S ASSISTANT
Uh-hu.

KRM
Do you want to go back scream
that in their ears that they
fucked me fair and square?

MURDOCH’S ASSISTANT
We could make a subtle - mention
of ...

KRM
No nah. I’m a pretty hairy fucker
but you don’t screw with China.

KRM laughs. His assistant chuckles.

They zoom through the traffic. KRM looks at the papers.

Putting the prospective deal together in his head.

14 EXT. ZAMBIA. DAY. 14

Leo Walsh is at a check-point in the middle of the

countryside.

LEO
Journalist. Journalist.

SOLDIER
BBC?

LEO
(a beat, then)
Yes BBC.
 20.

SOLDIER
Which BBC?

LEO
Which BBC?
SOLDIER
Radio? TV? Online?

This soldier is more media literate than Leo’d hoped. He’s

fingering Leo’s credentials

LEO
Look - No. Paper. Newspaper.

SOLDIER
Oh, newspaper now?

LEO
(seeing this is not
going to make an
impact)
England. British Newspaper.
(nothing)
Sky TV? Michael Owen? David
Beckham? Rupert Murdoch? Homer
Simpson?

SOLDIER
Homer Simpson?

LEO
Yeah. Homer Simpson company. I’ve
got DVDs?

Things look more promising.

CUT TO:

15 INT. NEWS CORP. DAY. 15

KRM is at a desk, on a call.

James enters, he too is on a call. Rupert stands, they hug

one another, while both staying on the line.
KRM JAMES
That’s all bad. None of that Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
is good, okay? Yeah? You yeah yeah. Yeah. Cool. Okay.
understand, all of that is
not good.

They end their calls.

KRM
Hey, how are you doing son?
 21.

JAMES
Good. You ready to rumble?

MURDOCH
What already? You’ve been here
one minute and already you want
me to throw my money at
something?

JAMES
Chinese Facebook dude, its hot.
It ain’t hanging around.

MURDOCH
Yeah yeah. I’ve seen plenty of
Chinese Facebook sites. Problem
is - they all look the same.

JAMES
Did you look at the numbers?

MURDOCH
Yeah I looked at the numbers.

JAMES
Exciting. Today’s the day to
pounce right?

MURDOCH
Look. Do you really want to get
into this right away?
(James does)
What about this line?
(pointing to a line in a
bundle of printed out
spreadsheets)
And this line is flakey when you
examine it. And this line is just
- I mean who do they think I am?
Uncle Cunt? Where does this go?

JAMES
(looking too)
That? Is that even - that’s a
projection that ... is that ...
that’s okay isn’t it?
(then)
Look Dad, you can interogate the
figures lots of ways but I mean,
if it feels right, do it, yeah?

MURDOCH
I’m not running a fucking hippy
bus firm James.
 22.

JAMES
But Dad man it’s got to be today.
It can be slid through on the
down-low today. We won’t crow
about it, they won’t get heat
from Beijing.

MURDOCH
Sure, and it’s all very nice.
Till the shit starts to fly.

He picks up his phone.

MURDOCH (CONT’D)
Can you get me Senator Finch. And
Irwin and the UK PM.

JAMES
The cash need to be in play today
Dad.
(he knows the deal isn’t
sealed)
This is right. You know when
sometimes you just feel it?

MURDOCH
Yeah I’ve felt it a lot of times.
About half the time I was right.
(picks up phone)
And Wendi, can you get Wendi for
me?

Another assistant puts her head round the door.

MURDOCH’S ASSISTANT
UK PM on the blue phone.

MURDOCH
(right)
Guh.
(beat to James)
I think Wendi’s input might be
valuable.

JAMES
Uh-hu?

KRM’s mobile goes.

MURDOCH
Irwin. Hi Hi Hi - look, James is
busting my chops about this deal
hokum did you take a look?
(listens)
Uh-hu? Hu. Right. Guh. Exactly.
Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Guh.

CUT TO:
 23.

16 INT. NEWS CORP HQ. DAY. 16

Lachlan is walking into the same lobby we saw James walk

through. He heads over to a lift in the far corner James
used (his assistant carried his swipe card.)

He hits a button but a security guy heads over to intercept

him.

SECURITY GUY
Hello? Do you have an
appointment?

LACHLAN
No boss.

He jabs the button again.

SECURITY GUY
I’m afraid you can’t use those
lifts sir, can I take a name?

LACHLAN
(pissed off now)
Lachlan.

SECURITY GUY
Lachlan? And you’re here to ...

LACHLAN
Lachlan Murdoch?

SECURITY GUY
(putting his body
infront of the lift)
I can call up - who are you here
to see?

LACHLAN
That isn’t necessary.

SECURITY GUY
Well it is necessary.

Another functionary/receptionist has spotted the situation

and has a word in the Security Guy’s ear.

SECURITY GUY (CONT’D)

I’ll call the lift for you right
away sir.

CUT TO:

17 INT. KRM’S OFFICE. DAY. 17

James is lying flat out on the sofa flicking pages in his

print outs, also on the phone. KRM picks up the blue Phone.
 24.

MURDOCH
Hello Prime Minister. How’s
things? Crisis over?
(the PM responds)
Hu. I guess I assumed there was a
crisis. There’s usually a crisis?
(the PM responds)
I wanted to pick your brains, on
this Chinese deal. Am I going to
get my cock burned on that, so to
speak?
(listens)
Okay - right. Okay. Exactly.
That’s what I thought
(looking at James)
It is a difficult climate.
(James makes the wanker
sign)
How’s everything there?.
(listens,)
Well I hear you. And I’ll see.
But there’s not much I can do.
They’re animals.
(listens)
Sure they’re my animals. But you
know, I can’t wade in, that’s not
my style. Guh. Huh.

Phone down. Through this James is on the phone, tense

talking to legal counsel trying to firm up his facts on the
Chinese figures. Anxious but acting cool.
JAMES MURDOCH
(over KRM) (picking up the next
Yeah, exactly, that’s all I phone)
want, that would be cool. Senator, so what you hearing,
Well, whenever, no drama, who’s saying what?
just make it happen, yeah
dude?

The door opens Lachlan is there. He is speaking to an exec

who is out there.

LACHLAN
(hanging at the door)
Great to see you man. Brilliant
to catch up.

Lachlan comes in.

KRM
What kind of a fucking surprise
party is this?

LACHLAN
Hey Dad, love you man.
 25.

KRM
Love you Lachlan. What’s going
on?

LACHLAN
Just thought I’d pop in.

James and Lachlan hug.

JAMES
Cool. You pining after the old
place?

LACHLAN
Are you kidding? Nah man. Nah. I
did my time. No, this is like -
coming back here is - it’s I’m
... what’s the word?

JAMES
I don’t know?

LACHLAN
I’m nonchalant. I’m just -
nonchalant dude. I’m just sitting
here peering in at the hamster
hutch.

KRM and James choose to accept this gloss.

LACHLAN (CONT’D)
(re the papers)
So, what’s happening?

KRM
Oh just looking at some figures.

LACHLAN
Uh-hu, what?

James and Rupert look at one another.

LACHLAN (CONT’D)
Oh, what, commercially sensitive,
from me? Are you shitting me?

There’s a brief beat.

LACHLAN (CONT’D)
What the fuck? You scared of
getting corporately raided?

JAMES
Chinese web deal.

LACHLAN
Oh dude, seriously? Nah. The
internet’s over.
 26.

JAMES
(incredulous)
The internet is - over?

LACHLAN
It’s maturing. The gold rush is
over. It’s a new paradigm. That’s
my analysis.

CUT TO:

18 INT. FOX NEWSROOM. DAY. 18

Claire is with Sophia a producer they are in the quiet hive

of activity which is the Fox newsroom.

SOPHIA
Okay - you’ll be over in that
area.
(motions vaguely)
Do you have a login?

CLAIRE
No.

SOPHIA
Okay, it’s hard getting a login.

CLAIRE
Right, how do I ...?

SOPHIA
I don’t have time to babysit a
media studies grad Claire. Am I
going to need to babysit?

CLAIRE
No.

SOPHIA
Good. It’s hard okay. Ask around.
Now, what I need is ...

She waits.

SOPHIA (CONT’D)
You might want to write this
down?

Claire grabs pen and paper.

SOPHIA (CONT’D)
Contributor management. Lock down
everyone for today, prep them,
check them, flip them and fry
them, see how they test under
heat.
(MORE)
 27.
SOPHIA (CONT’D)
Except guys we know - don’t piss
them off by asking stupid
questions. What’s a stupid
question?

CLAIRE
I’m sorry?

SOPHIA
Give me an example of a dumb
question you’re not going to ask?

CLAIRE
Oh - uh, I guess, I don’t know,
stuff, we already know, details
we already have?

SOPHIA
Sure. That’s a basic stupid
question. Plus I have a hole. I
need someone tasty for 5.15 on
BattleLines. I have a hole there.
I need a piquant little pepper to
go up against John Kendal on the
environment there. A tree-hugger,
an owl toucher. But one thing -
spare me the boredom, yeah? When
you tap up some contacts just
think - ‘is this person boring?’

CLAIRE
Of course.

SOPHIA
As you speak to them, ask
yourself, are you experiencing
boredom? Because if you are, then
- good luck to them but they’re
not going on television. There’s
enough pain in the world. All
set?

CLAIRE
Uh-hu?

SOPHIA
Any questions, just ask. Don’t
free-lance it. But I will be very
hard to contact.

And she’s off.

Claire is left in her ‘area’.

She looks around. There are computer terminals and

keyboards. She hesitates. Goes to one - next to a harassed
looking guy, it looks free. He’s on the phone.
 28.

FOX JOURNALIST
Yeah I said to graphics ‘a pie
chart with a flag on it’ and they
go, ‘which flag?’ and I said,
‘take a flying fucking guess
dipshit’.

Claire motions - can I sit here? He looks at her, hand over

mouthpiece.

FOX JOURNALIST (CONT’D)

No.

He carries on his conversation. Claire backs off. Moves

around the corner to where there is a spare terminal. She
sits, hits a key. ‘Enter login name and password.’ She has
none. She hits another key. Nothing.

She looks around for help. There is none.

CUT TO:

19 INT. NEWS CORP HQ. DAY. 19

James and Lachlan are there, KRM is looking out of the

window, down far, far below to the huddle of journalists
who are smoking out at the back of the building.

KRM
Look at them. There they go.
Killing themselves on my time.

Claire comes out of the doors and joins the huddle. Another
guy heads off across the street.

KRM (CONT’D)
Now where's he going? Get a
sarnie before you start mate!
Guh.

Murdoch’s assistant pops her head in.

MURDOCH’S ASSISTANT
Hi. Alan wanted you to know the
papers he’s been preparing for
Wendi and you? They’re through
for you to have a look over and
sign off.

KRM
Tell him if they’re right I don’t
need to look at them, if they’re
not, he needs to look at them.

MURDOCH’S ASSISTANT
And Peter and Kennedy and the
rest are here.
 29.

KRM
Okay. Fine, send ‘em in.

JAMES
(to Lachlan)
Okay, well dude, this is it -
we’re getting down to the nitty
gritty.
(and it is therefore
time for you to go)

LACHLAN
Okay, well if you want my input?

This hangs in the air. KRM pretends to be fascinated in a

newspaper headline. James looks at him.

JAMES
(definitely not)
Yeah - that could be cool, but it
might not be that cool.

Lachlan looks to his Dad. Is he going to trump his younger

brother? KRM, looks up, pretend to be oblivious.

LACHLAN
(gives up on staying)
Okay, cool, Dad, I’ll surprise
the shit out of you later?

KRM
You’re going?

LACHLAN
Love you Dad.

KRM
Love you Lachlan.

LACHLAN
(he embraces James)
Love you dude.

JAMES
Totally.

There’s an uncomfortable beat as a guy from legal, a guy

from finance and a banker arrive. They all know Lachlan.

LACHLAN
Guys. I’m just ... Later guys.

Lachlan goes slowly, James watches, him smiling, friendly,

but waiting till he’s left and closed the door to start
speaking.
 30.

JAMES
So, I guess we know the business
paradigm we envision in the short
and medium and long term and the
figures we might expect from a
social networking site in an
immature market it’s just a
question of finalising our offer
based on ...

KRM
Look. I’m not sold on this
whatsoever, but if we go. We
offer 75 bucks a share.

JAMES
That’s a lot.

KRM
That would be the bid.

JAMES
Because?

KRM
If we go, you want the
shareholders getting hard-ons the
first time they hear our number.
It’s got to be a sexy number.
Once you've counted up how much
you might be getting out the
piggy bank- it's fucking hard to
forget.

BANKER
And are you happy with the
commercial environment?

KRM
No.
(hits intercom)
Is Wendi still there? Can you get
Wendi?

MURDOCH’S ASSISTANT
(over intercom)
She’s in the bathroom.

KRM
We’ll wait.

There is silence. They all look at one another for a few

beats. It’s uncomfortable. KRM clearly doesn’t mind silence
or discomfort.

JAMES
(to the guys)
Be interesting to get her take.
 31.

BANKER
Absolutely.

WENDI
(on phone)
Rupe? You got your strength back
honey?

KRM doesn’t react. The three functionaries manage to keep

their faces still.

KRM
(didn’t totally hear)
What?
(then)
Wendi you’re on conference here.

WENDI
Oh - hi?

EVERYONE
Hi?/Hi Wendi/Hello.

KRM
Just want your input Wendi. If we
go for this deal, what’s your
take on the situation - can we
grow a business with a Chinese
Regional Authority, is that a
viable model, in your opinion?

WENDI
I think it’s a waste of money
Rupert.

KRM
Do you think?

WENDI
You gotta spend all this money
and what do you get?

JAMES
Potential Wendi ... You get ...

WENDI
Maybe but I don’t see it. I don’t
think you’ll ever make your money
back. I think you’ll lose some
money on this.

JAMES
We were really asking for inside
info on the Chinese system of ...

WENDI
I think you won’t make money,
you’ll lose money. Okay?
 32.

KRM
Thanks for that Wendi. Thanks
honey.

The call is over.

KRM (CONT’D)
She’s right you know? You suck up
to these guys. How many copies of
Deng Xiaoping’s fucking biog have
we pulped? Half the cardboard
boxes in China are made from that
big bastard book. But what do you
get?

JAMES
But the opportunities ... In the
long run

KRM
In the long run we’re all dead.
(beat)
‘Cept me. I have no plans in that
direction.

They all laugh.

CUT TO:

20 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 20

Cassie is on the phone.

CASSIE
Hi. Leo, just a heads up. There’s
a hitch with the lead - if you
can get something - soon, then
there’s a slot - but obviously,
it does need to be big.

Michael Rowle, the editor, is watching, Cassie needs to be

more precise, though she finds it distasteful.

CASSIE (CONT’D)
I mean I wouldn’t say this if we
both didn’t know that I’m not
really saying it and I don’t mean
it as it sounds, but if it is
African dead, obviously there
will need to be - it needs to
reach a certain threshold for
Michael to feel like it’s a story
he can highlight.

WE CUT TO:
 33.

21 INT. VILLAGE HALL - ZAMBIA. DAY 21

Leo is edging away from a family, two of whom are crying.

LEO
Uh-hu, no obviously, of course.

CUT TO:

22 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 22

CASSIE
I mean no one can put a figure on
what makes a newsworthy number.
That would be horrible - to even
try. So I’m not about to.
(Michael nods
encouragement)
But I guess in the grim economics
of these things if you could let
us know if it’s going to be over
a hundred or so, that would be
something for us to think about?

CUT TO:

23 INT. VILLAGE HALL - ZAMBIA. DAY 23

He’s managed to find a corner.

LEO
Totally, totally understand. I
don’t think we’re going to be at
that figure, but this does feel
like a big story to me.

CUT TO:

24 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 24

CASSIE
(shaking her head at
Michael)
Well good work, keep me posted.

The call is over. Michael is not encouraged.

MICHAEL ROWLE
(over her, to Jo)
How does the Treasury thing look?

CUT TO:
 34.

25 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT. DAY. 25

Prudence, KRM’s eldest child, 46, is there. She is playing

dolls with Chloe and Grace by the couch, as her husband
Alisdair looks at the papers. Elizabeth and Matthew Freud
are watching Prudence play - drinking orange juice. Lachlan
is pacing the room. His wife, Sarah, and James’ wife,
Kathryn Hufschmid are talking.

PRUDENCE
And then this little girl says -
‘teacher I want to go to go
outside!’

CHLOE
(defiant, taking doll)
No. She doesn’t want to go
outside.

Wendi arrives from fixing more drinks and overhears this

fragment of defiant sounding dialogue.

WENDI
Chloe - no! Don’t be rude, play
nicely with your sister here.

Prudence, older than Wendi, takes this in. Just then James
arrives, breathless, he’s dashed ahead of Rupert.

JAMES
He’s on his way! Everyone!

WENDI
Everyone - through here!

JAMES
(motioning to the other
side of the apartment)
Wouldn’t we be better obscured
this side? Then we can all just
step out?

He has a point.

LACHLAN
Or - behind the couches - that
might be nice cos we could jump
up?

WENDI
No I was just thinking ...

JAMES
(the man of action)
He’s coming. This side!

WENDI
Fine. Whatever.
 35.

ELIZABETH
The couches sound good?

LACHLAN
The couches would be cool?

PRUDENCE
He’s coming.

LACHLAN
Go for it.

Wendi goes through a doorway to where she was planning.

Lachlan behind the sofa, James to his side of the room. The
others go to join them - Chloe and Grace with Wendi,
Prudence and Alistair too. Lachlan and Sarah, Liz and
Matthew behind sofas, James and Katherine to his side of
the room.

KRM enters. He is playing a role, knows what is coming.

KRM
Hell-o? Hi honey ...

LACHLAN
(just jumping in a beat
to early in his
eagerness to be first)
Surprise!

Momentarily later ...

WENDI
Surprise!

Then everyone else.

EVERYONE
Surprise.

KRM
Oh - wow. Wow. What a surprise.
Now this is a surprise. Jeez,
you’re all here. Wow. Pru.

He kisses Prudence, the wives.

KRM (CONT’D)
Liz. Matthew. Alisdair.
(gathers himself)
Well isn’t this fantastic?

Looks around the room.

KRM (CONT’D)
Look at you all.
 36.

LACHLAN
Happy birthday Dad.

ELIZABETH
Happy birthday.

Rupert seeks out Wendi’s eye. He's is carrying a package of

envelopes. Winks at her.

KRM
Aw, isn’t this great? This is
fantastic.
(then)
But now listen, just before we
get going on my 23rd birthday
celebrations. And since you’re
all here, can I just - ask all
the adult children -
(to Grace and Chloe)
I’ll fill you in later girls,
it’s boring - to come to my study
for five?

They all look at one another.

CUT TO:

26 INT. RUPERT’S PRIVATE OFFICE. DAY 26

Everyone is filling in. Matthew hovers, almost joins the

queue to enter but is subtly blocked by KRM.

MATTHEW
I thought? ... Shall I just?
Is this a biggie, ‘cos Liz would
probably like me to ...?

KRM
Matthew, I don’t want to waste
your time.

KRM’s not letting Matthew in. He being cut out of the

action but slides away. Rejoins Alisdair.

MATTHEW
I’m just going to leave them to
it. Keep my nose out that’s what
I’ve learned.

CUT TO:

27 INT. RUPERT’S STUDY. DAY 27

The kids chat to one another, something of a buzz. Rupert

closes the door, looks at some papers, sits on the corner
of a sofa as the kids joke.
 37.

JAMES
This is when he tells us we’re
all adopted.

LACHLAN
Only you mate.

PRUDENCE
The research has paid off? Have
you found the elixir of eternal
life Dad?

ELIZABETH
And it’s not the coconut milk -
it’s human blood.

JAMES
It’s a quest. One of has to go
kill a fucking dragon.

ELIZABETH
He’s coming out.

JAMES
Is that right, have you gone gay
Dad?

KRM
(looking at papers)
Why did the pooftah get fired
from the sperm bank?

JAMES
(reproachful)
Dad.

ELIZABETH
I don’t know.

KRM
Drinking on the job.
(nothing)
What? Bekka told me that one.
That’s good.
(off their silence)
What? I’m breaking the tension.

PRUDENCE
At least this old geezer doesn’t
have any way of getting his
repellent views into the wider
world.
(comedy ‘thinks’)
Oh, wait?
 38.

KRM
Yeah yeah, so listen. I hope this
isn’t going to be a big deal for
you guys. But it’s my birthday
and this is my birthday wish.

JAMES
Suicide bomb the New York Times,
and BBC?

KRM
So look - terms of the divorce
from your Mum.

PRUDENCE
Not my Mum.

She’s still kidding around but the atmosphere has changed.

ELIZABETH
That’s settled.

KRM
Let me finish.
(beat)
Look - that was then. And the
money was sorted and obviously,
it’s all equal financially with
Grace and Chloe. And everyone’s
very happy and I don’t want to
upset the apple cart cos, as Anna
wanted, you’re all on the board
with voting rights for News Corp
and they’re not.
(beat)
Well, that was a decent deal for
us all then. But - things have
changed? So I was thinking, I’d
like to make a technical
amendment so Chloe and Grace get
voting rights, on the board.
Okay?

There is silence.

JAMES
When they’re adult?

KRM
Yeah.
(like it’s nothing)
Wendi naturally would take the
votes till they’re 30.

This sinks in.

 39.

KRM (CONT’D)
Good?
(no one says anything)
Good. Okay ...

ELIZABETH
Well, look - we need to think
about this - cos, what about when
you ...
(die)

LACHLAN
(jumps in)
If you...

ELIZABETH
If??
JAMES
If and when you go Dad

LACHLAN
Right.

ELIZABETH
We’d be on one vote each, right?

KRM
Relax! I’m not about to die.

JAMES
And Wendi would have two? And -
if it wasn’t real clear who was
in charge of the firm?

ELIZABETH
Wendi would have a lot of power?

JAMES
A fuck of a lot. Five of us. Her
with two votes? She’d be the
kingmaker Dad. She’d be picking
the new you.

KRM
Look. It’s what I want. It’s my
company. I think it’s fair.
(this has an air of
vague threat)
But sure, chew it over. I’m not
asking you to sign up now.

JAMES
When do you want us to sign?
 40.

KRM
Loads of time.
(gets up)
After lunch.

JAMES
After lunch?

KRM
(pats some papers)
I’ve got the papers here.
Birthday wish kids?

He heads out.

There is a beat of silence. They are all weighing up what

this means.

JAMES
Fuck a duck.

LACHLAN
(pretending to enjoy the
moment)
Oh fuck!

CUT TO:

28 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT. DAY 28

Wendi is anxiously waiting on a couch.

KRM
So. I asked them.

WENDI
Just like that?

KRM
Yup.

He’s energized, he picks up a tangerine and bounces it off

his arm. It’s clear situations like this don’t bump him,
they adrenalize him.

WENDI
What did they say?

KRM
It’s just a deal Wendi.

WENDI
Oh God, just like that? That’s
too much. Isn’t it? Won’t they
react?
 41.

KRM
Course they’ll react.

WENDI
I thought you’d do it slowly.

KRM
I can handle it. This is just
right. I need to make things
right. It’s your birthday present
to me. You know I love a deal.

CUT TO:

29 INT. RUPERT’S PRIVATE OFFICE. DAY 29

The kids are still reeling. After a long beat.

LACHLAN
So. What do you think? What are
we going to say?

JAMES
Oh right - you’re going to lead
the response?

LACHLAN
Dude, I’m just saying? We can’t
sit here in fucking silence, I’m
just intrigued to know what you
all think.

JAMES
Look - let’s cut the crap. We all
want to say no - why wouldn’t we
want to say no? Only thing is -
who’s scared of Daddy. Right?
Well, fuck that shit. No. It’s a
no.

James looks round.

JAMES (CONT’D)
Or shall I get Mum on the line? I
mean, after what she did for us?
The divorce. This is her deal.
It’s a no, right?

Silence.

LACHLAN
Yeah well I want to say no but
it’s not that simple though is
it?
 42.

PRUDENCE
It is his birthday. They are his
kids?

JAMES
Nah. Look - he never worries what
people think of him. That’s one
of his super powers. He isn’t
always thinking if I do X, if I
shaft Y, what will people think?
Same should go for us. One
question. Do you want this?

There’s silence.

JAMES (CONT’D)
Look. What would you say you were
going to say if you weren’t going
to be boxed in by that answer
subsequently? If you didn’t have
to actually say what you say you
want to say, what would you say?

LACHLAN
If I didn’t have to say what I
was going to say but I could just
say anything?

ELIZABETH
This is classic.

JAMES
What?

ELIZABETH
He throws a hand grenade in,
locks the door, and pisses off?
He wants to play happy families -
but he also wants us to have a
survival of the fittest Twister
match.

JAMES
It’s a no right? Is anyone here
not happy with a no? Cos I think
we need a joint position on this?

LACHLAN
The head of the family speaks.

JAMES
I was just fucking saying.

LACLAN
Sure whatever.
 43.

JAMES
‘Sure whatever’. Fuck you. C’mon
man we need to get on this.

LACHLAN
Look - I don’t give a fuck James.
I’m out of it all yeah? Sure I
care about Mum, but the power
play? The board? Who’s the right
guy, person, to run the firm, if
Wendi’s in there, it’s actually
no longer any big potatoes for
me? Whatever.

JAMES
But you’re also cool with a no?

LACHLAN
What-fucking-ever.

JAMES
Liz? Pru? Status quo? Shall we
say no?

PRUDENCE
You’re all against?

ELIZABETH
(to James)
You’re going to tell him?

JAMES
Sure I’ll tell him. I’ll tell him
right now. We say no, yeah?

Liz wants to say no. Prudence doesn’t want to be isolated.

ELIZABETH/PRUDENCE
Sure./Well okay.

JAMES
Okay. Thank you.

James goes out.

CUT TO:

30 INT. FOX NEWSROOM. DAY. 30

Claire is on the line to a potential contributor.

CLAIRE
Have you done Fox before Sharon?
... Okay well you’d be on
against, not against, with, John
Kendall at 5.45.
 44.

Sharon is in the small book-lined office of her New York

apartment. We cut between them.

SHARON GEORGSON
Oh, I’d be against John Kendall.

CLAIRE
Yeah? Do you feel you could make
some good points against him?

A colleague approaches Claire. She’s hot-desked into his

place.

SHARON GEORGSON
I would eviscerate the guy. He’s
a straight-up oil stooge. Isn’t
his wife on a retainer from the
open-cast guys.

CLAIRE
(trying to listen and at
the same time, to her
colleague)
This is a hot desk - I’m hot
desking.

FOX JOURNALIST 2
It’s too hot for you. That’s my
desk.

CLAIRE
(hand over phone)
But it was empty - I was - I’m on
the line.

FOX JOURNALIST 2
Get - out - of - my - face.

CLAIRE
(into the phone)
Uh-hu.

SHARON GEORGSON
... I mean that puts carbon
emissions through the roof. It
would be more efficient to burn
solar panels. I’m serious.

All the while, Claire is trying to walk with a fixed phone

round the corner of the long desk, to find another work
area. At one point she has to unplug the phone and then run
round and slot the cable back in, Claire is still talking.

CLAIRE
Uh-hu, that sounds, great Sharon.
 45.

She is enthused with Sharon as a contributor though.

CUT TO:

31 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - LIBRARY. DAY. 31

James comes and finds Rupert. Rupert is looking at papers

in his little library.

KRM
So?

JAMES
Look Dad, here’s how it breaks
down.

Rupert reads it in James’ face.

KRM
What? You’re kidding? Who’s
against?

JAMES
I can’t say ...

KRM
Look just - don’t say it.

JAMES
But it’s a no. From the group.

KRM
(doesn’t hear)
What?

JAMES
It’s a no.

KRM
I said don’t say!
(then)
That’s not the answer.

JAMES
That’s the answer.

KRM
No, no it’s not.

JAMES
Look - I don’t want to talk out
of school, but between us - I
tried. But it’s a no.

KRM
Okay. Fine. That’s the initial
response.
 46.

JAMES
That’s our response.

KRM
That’s your initial position.

JAMES
No Dad.

KRM
I’ve noted your initial position
and we’ll come back to it.

Murdoch gets up to head out.

JAMES
Where are you off?

KRM
Just these Chinese figures.

JAMES
What?

KRM
I want to run them again
They starting to look flakey as
fuck again to me.

James watches him go.

32 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT. DAY 32

Elizabeth is talking to Matthew.

MATTHEW
What’s going on, Liz, what’s
happening??

ELIZABETH
I’m thinking.

MATTHEW
Who dropped the stink bomb? What
was it? Who’s fucking who? Is
there a body under the floor? Do
I need to manage this shit for
you Liz?

Liz walks off, catches her Dad, they head out onto the roof
garden as Lachlan and Sarah come off it. There is an
awkward series of smiles.

At the door, Cal Pawsey, long time News Corp courtier and
also family friend arrives with a gift. Wendi greets him.
He pays her elaborate court. Kisses her hand.
 47.

Lachlan watches with distaste.

LACHLAN
Oh fucking great. The Man Who
Would Be King. The corporate cock
cleaner.

SARAH
Lachlan, it’s okay.

LACHLAN
What on his birthday? The turd in
the punch-bowl. He pushes me out
the firm, and then rolls in. Is
he family now or what? This is
bullshit.

Cal waves to Rupert through the glass, he waves back.

James arrives where Wendi is greeting Cal.

JAMES
(apparently totally
polite, re the catering
and party set-up)
Wendi, I have to say, you’ve
arranged everything beautifully.

There’s a beat, she could take it another way.

JAMES (CONT’D)
Well done. Congratulations. Thank
you.

WENDI
(ignoring any potential
edge)
Thank you James - I hope it’s a
nice party.

JAMES
Well it is a nice party. So you
should be very pleased.

WENDI
Well I am pleased.

JAMES
Of course, and so you should be.
(uncomfy beat, then)
Cal, when you have a moment, can
I get five?
(explaining to Wendi)
It’s just a corporate issue.

WENDI
Of course. I keep out myself. You
know?
 48.

She motions to business stuff whistling over her head,

smiles.

Back with Lachlan and Sarah:

SARAH
So what did you say?

LACHLAN
We said no.

SARAH
Okay. That’s what your Mum would
want right?

LACHLAN
I know.

SARAH
Then it’s all settled?

LACHLAN
I guess.
(beat)
I feel sick.

SARAH
Is it bringing it all up again?

LACHLAN
No.

SARAH
No?

LACHLAN
No. God no. No man. Nah. No.

Lachlan is scanning the room - looking anxiously out at

Liz. He’s working out the angles with difficulty.

CUT TO:

33 EXT. ROOF TERRACE. DAY. 33

Elizabeth and Rupert are out on the roof terrace.

As caterers take round some nibbles, each of the kids is

hyper aware of where every other one of their siblings is.

Liz having Rupert alone is a big deal for them all. And as
they all try to carry on talking normally, enjoying the
family occasion. But their eyes all flick out to the roof
garden, checking the body language, the atmosphere, between
Liz and Rupert.
 49.

Rupert is looking down to the street again.

KRM
Look at them all down there.
(beat)
You know ...?

He pauses. She lets the grand old patriarch finish

expanding his philosophy. We maybe feel he’s on the verge
of some thoughts. On mortality? On life?

ELIZABETH
Yes?

KRM
It’s a fucking long way down.

Liz clocks Cal.

ELIZABETH
So Cal came in on his Learjet?

KRM
(mishears, testy)
Cal ‘called me Lear again’?

ELIZABETH
What?

KRM
King Lear?

ELIZABTH
No. Learjet. He's come in on the
Learjet?

KRM
Right. Sure. Cos I'm more fucking
Romeo than whatever.

ELIZABTH
Right. You've never stayed awake
through either of them.

KRM
If Shakespeare was alive now,
he'd be working on the soaps,
he'd be writing the fucking -
Simpsons.

ELIZABETH
Yeah, I tend to think if
Shakespeare was alive now he'd
actually be a shoo in for
director of the Royal Shakespeare
Company.

KRM chuckles.
 50.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)
Look Dad? How long did the
divorce negotiation take? Hasn’t
this has all been settled. Why
drag it up? What’s changed.

KRM
Well you know, Grace and Chloe
...

ELIZABETH
They’re six and eight Dad.

KRM
Exactly, I think they’re ready to
step up to board level.

ELIZABETH
(doesn’t appreciate the
joke in these
circumstances)
This is bullshit.

KRM
Liz, one thing depends on another
thing. A good deal today is a bad
deal tomorrow. Everything
depends.

ELIZABETH
Yeah, so we sign up today - then
we get shafted again tomorrow?

KRM
Everything’s always changing.

ELIZABETH
Dad, we’re not - you know - the
Monopolies and Mergers that just
has to be squared and, and, then
everyone goes back to sleep as
you cold-cock them and the Sunday
Times or whatever. We’re not the
Bancroft family to be flipped and
dicked?

KRM
Course you’re not. You’re - you
know I - love you.

ELIZABETH
Or are we? Just the next bunch of
suckers to get taken in by you
looking them straight in the eye
and telling them a lie they want
to believe?
 51.

KRM
There’s one thing I regret Liz.

ELIZABETH
What?

KRM
I’ve changed pretty quick in my
life, but maybe I’ve been slow
about women, in the firm?

ELIZABETH
(sniffs)
Um. I smell carrot. Are you
dangling me a carrot now?

KRM
Who’s built the biggest business
outside the fold?

ELIZABETH
Uh-hu.

KRM
I’m just saying. Is your no a
firm no? Are you negotiable.

ELIZABETH
Look everything is negotiable.
(he looks at her)
That’s just a fact.
(looks down)
You know what Matthew reckons?

KRM
I don’t know? Does he reckon you
can sell ethical flapjack on a
70% mark-up?

ELIZABETH
He reckons cos Gran’s still
alive, it makes you think you’re
still a kid. A teenager.

PRODUCTION NOTE: POSS SHOOT ALTERNATIVE LINE - ‘Cos Gran

lived so long’)

KRM
Uh-hu. Thanks for the insight,
how much do I owe him?

ELIZABETH
Like - nothing you do, really,
actually, ever finally, actually
really when it comes down to it
actually, matters, you know?
 52.

KRM
Right. Brilliant.

ELIZABETH
And maybe today and - everything,
all the buying and the selling.
Maybe you’re looking for your
Mum’s attention. Love.

KRM
(enough)
Alright thanks a bundle for the
second-hand third-generation
Freudian analysis, he may want to
do his Mum but I’m normal in that
department okay?

There’s a tense beat. Then Prudence comes out on to the

roof terrace.

PRUDENCE
Look can I just say something?

ELIZABETH
Shall I go?

PRUDENCE
I don’t mind. But Dad, you might
prefer it?

KRM
I’m easy, I’m not playing any
games, you can say anything in
front of Liz you want.

PRUDENCE
Okay, it’s just Dad, I was
looking at you out here from in
there and I just thought, you
know, please, please, really,
you’ve got to stop doing the
dyeing on your own, you need a
professional job. You just do.

CUT TO:

34 INT. BATHROOM. DAY. 34

Cal Pawsey and James are plotting in the only private space
they could find. The medium sized bathroom off the entrance
hall. James is sitting on the closed toilet, Cal is pacing.

CAL PAWSEY
Today’s the day for the China
deal man. What is he saying? It’s
pay or play.
 53.

JAMES
Yeah. It’s in the balance.

CAL PAWSEY
Really? Still? Man. I can’t
believe it. I mean who’s looking
after the ten year strategy? The
fifteen year strategy?

JAMES
Yeah.

CAL PAWSEY
I mean whoever’s running the firm
then ...

He motions to James.

JAMES
Right. Or ...

He motions to Cal.

CAL PAWSEY
You’re too kind. But you know,
China, India, these are the
markets we need to be hitting,
right? We need to get him on-
board.

JAMES
Right. Sure. It’s just today.
Today’s kind of a weird one.

CAL PAWSEY
Uh-hu.

Someone tries the door. Cal and James don’t say anything.

LACHLAN (O.S.)
Hi?

CAL PAWSEY
(then)
Hi?

LACHLAN (O.S.)
Cal?

CAL PAWSEY
Uh-hu. Lachlan?

LACHLAN (O.S.)
You seen James, Cal?

James and Cal look at one another. No way out here. They
need to admit James is in there.
 54.

JAMES
(beat, then)
Hi bro.

LACHLAN (O.S.)
James?

JAMES
Yeah?

LACHLAN (O.S.)
Cal?

CAL PAWSEY
Uh-hu?

LACHLAN (O.S.)
You two fucking each other?

JAMES
Uh-hu. That’s right.

Outside the door, Lachlan walks away. Past Matthew.

LACHLAN
Cal and James fucking.

Back in the bathroom.

JAMES
I mean, I guess you’re going to
hear anyway so ...

CAL PAWSEY
What?

Decides in the mathematics of things, he doesn’t lose

anything by giving Cal the full down-load.

JAMES
Dad’s talking about tearing up
the divorce agreement. Give Chloe
and Grace voting rights.

Cal doesn’t take long to process.

CAL PAWSEY
Uh-hu so Wendi’s got two seats
till they’re what?

JAMES
Thirty.

This changes a few things. Cal thinks. James clocks him

thinking.
 55.

JAMES (CONT’D)
You trying to remember what you
bought her for Christmas?

CAL PAWSEY
Hahhah. I’m just a humble servant
(beat)
So is this happening?

JAMES
I don’t know. We don’t know. No,
I don’t think so.

CAL PAWSEY
But no one wants to upset the big
Silverback right?

JAMES
No, I rolled in and I said no. I
took it on the chin. But you
know, there may be repercussions.

Cal is momentarily pleased. He reckons his position has

been advanced by this turn of events.

JAMES (CONT’D)
Nice for you, you have clean
hands.

CAL PAWSEY
Oh? What. Nah. Nah.

James returns to more pressing concerns.

JAMES
But you know what, on China,
nothing changes. We both need to
push, yeah?

CAL PAWSEY
He’s not focused. You know he was
talking with Gary about buying
more papers?

JAMES
I know. Jesus. That’s a great
business model. ‘Hey dudes you
know all the news you get free on
the web? How would you like to
pay for that, but the good bit is
- it'll all be between 12 and 36
hours out of date? Cool huh?’

Cal laughs. They head out of the door.

James takes a call, nips around the corner. Leaving Cal to

bump into Lachlan.
 56.

CAL PAWSEY
Hey. Lachlan. Let’s do a proper
catch up later? I might grab a
word with your old man.

LACHLAN
I think he’s busy.

CAL PAWSEY
Family business?

LACHLAN
Oh dude, it’s all family business
in the end, you know that.

CUT TO:

35 EXT. ZAMBIAN LOCAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. DAY. 35

Leo is finishing up an interview on the steps of a

building.

LEO
So no collapse? Nothing. Nothing
to report.

LOW LEVEL OFFICIAL

Bits and bobs. Bits and bobs but
nothing of a major complexion.

LEO
Well, thank you for your help.
(heading off, under his
breath)
Yeah, fuck you very much for your
help.

Leo heads off with his minder. They are making their way
through a small crowd of people checking out what is going
on.

Leo stops to buy a coke from a vendor.

VENDOR
Here you go. Good day?

LEO
Not really.

VENDOR
Uh-hu. They’ve all been paid up.

LEO
Uh-hu.
(realises this could be
something)
How do you mean?
 57.

MINDER
Okay, we should go.

LEO
Give me five.

MINDER
(taking Leo aside)
This guy is not reliable. He’s
known for that.

LEO
You know him?

MINDER
Yes yes. He’s a goat fucker.
Unfortunately he is not reliable.

LEO
Oh okay. Well will you go and
check the phone?
(the minder doesn’t want
to go, then)
I think the phone needs checking.

MINDER
What needs checking?

LEO
The phone.

MINDER
What part of the phone?

LEO
All the main elements.

MINDER
I don’t even think I can check
the phone?

LEO
Will you please check my phone
please now?

Reluctantly, the minder heads off. Then:

LEO (CONT’D)
Who - got paid off?

VENDOR
200, 250 dead guys. At the mine.

LEO
Those are big numbers.
 58.

VENDOR
Yeah, foreigners paid off people
big time now - nothing.

LEO
And this happened?

VENDOR
Oh yeah, sure. My sister’s
husband was there.

LEO
If I pay you, will you take me
there, to talk to him?

VENDOR
If you pay me, no.

LEO
Why not?

VENDOR
I’m joking.

LEO
... About the dead guys?

VENDOR
No about the dead guys I’m
serious.

LEO
What are you joking about?

VENDOR
About coming with you.

LEO
So you won’t go with me?

VENDOR
No I will go with you. The joke
was I wouldn’t go with you.
(Leo’s confused)
Let’s go. You pay, we’ll go. No
more joking.

CUT TO:

36 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM. DAY. 36

Amongst the family, Cal Pawsey makes contact with Rupert.

CAL PAWSEY
Happy Birthday boss.
 59.

KRM
Guh. So.
(brightening)
.. what’s the news, what’s
everyone saying?

CAL PAWSEY
Oh - not much. The trade
commission thing is up in the
air. Senator Shitface is
squealing.
(beat)
But listen, boss, can I just say,
the Chinese thing, that to me is
hot button news.

KRM
Uh-hu. Sure.

CAL PAWSEY
I just wanted to say that.

KRM
Guh.

CAL PAWSEY
I mean, you know me, I’m a
friend. And this is your thing,
but I was talking to James.

KRM
Okay. Yeah.

CAL PAWSEY
And he’s got this - obviously he
told me about your proposal which
I imagine is okay with you?

KRM gives a look which might be read as assent.

CAL PAWSEY (CONT’D)

So, I guess, just as a friend I’d
say, boss, is this the right
time? Are you doing the right
thing?

KRM
Okay. Thanks.

This really is the limit. But Cal pushes on. KRM makes to
move off.

CAL PAWSEY
Or should you be more focused on
the China thing which I really,
really think is a toe- hold on a
gold-mine you know?
 60.

Pawsey is giving too much advice.

KRM
(heading off)
Thanks for the advice Cal.

Following KRM.

CAL PAWSEY
I hope I haven’t crossed a line,
I just wanted to ...

KRM
Exactly. Brilliant.
(after Pru)
Pru?

37 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM. DAY - CONTINUOUS 37

KRM is away after Pru.

PRUDENCE
Dad?

KRM
Yeah look - James gave me the
initial response and I have to
say I’m very disappointed.

PRUDENCE
Oh. Right.

KRM
Yeah. I’m pretty angry and I just
want to knowif you feel it’s a
good way to respond to your
father?

PRUDENCE
Oh I don’t know. Maybe you should
speak to your three children?

KRM
(beat)
You still annoyed about that?

PRUDENCE
I’ll always be annoyed about
that.

KRM
It was a slip of the tongue in a
bullshit interview.
 61.

PRUDENCE
Yeah you make a lot of slips of
the tongue don’t you? You’re
always letting your mouth run
away with you. It’s cos you’re so
unguarded and freewheeling. A big
dumb hippy spouting off the first
thought that floats into your
soft head. That’s you all over.

KRM
I guess I never thought you were
as interested in the business so
I guess, that’s why I talked
about the ‘three kids’ so - I’m
sorry.

PRUDENCE
Yeah well.

KRM
So might you have a rethink
though about Chloe and Grace? I
mean. That’s the bottom line
honey, I think - why shouldn’t
everyone - all my children get
treated exactly the same?

PRUDENCE
Yeah that sounds nice.

KRM
Exactly. And I mean I know you’re
not a business head but -
Alisdair and the kids. I’d love
to see them prosper.

She lets this hang there.

PRUDENCE
Your light touch is like a
gorilla with a baby hamster, you
know that? You think you’re
petting, and then there’s a
squeeze and a squeak and all
you’ve got left is a bloody smear
on your hand.

She heads off, she walks through the apartment, we follow

her as she thinks, she crosses past Lachlan.

38 INT. JEEP. DAY. 38

Leo is bumping along with his reluctant minder driving and

the bottle vendor by his side. He has a laptop on his knee.
 62.

LEO
(on his phone)
Hi, yeah, look, I’m getting very
good stuff. Very good. It looks
like this was a major incident.
And the mine’s Chinese owned.
(listens)
How do I know?
(taps on the keyboard)
No, not Wikipedia. I’ve got
sources. Look - they’ve paid wide
for a hush up and I reckon I
could well get this nailed. Okay?

CUT TO:

39 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM/POOL ROOM. DAY. 39

Lachlan and James are in the pool room. They start to rack
up the balls.

LACHLAN
So, how did he take it?

JAMES
He didn’t take it.

LACHLAN
How d’you mean?

JAMES
He just fucking wouldn’t take it -
said that was just an initial
position.

LACHLAN
Oh. Classic!

JAMES
He’ll get the message though,
eventually. If we keep a united
front.

LACHLAN
Yeah right. About that.

JAMES
What?

LACHLAN
I’ve been having a think.

JAMES
Oh for fuck’s sake?

LACHLAN
What?
 63.

JAMES
Is this a power-play?

LACHLAN
Relax bro fucking hell, we’re
just two brothers having a chat
about what’s fair on their old
man.

JAMES
Why can’t you let it go?

LACHLAN
What?

JAMES
If you want to have a pop at the
fucking champ, have a pop.

LACHLAN
Oh you’re the champ, right? Okay.
I get it. Everyone tells me
you’re the ‘real thing.’ The
fucking coca cola kid. Well if
you’re the real thing, what does
that make me? A long glass of
piss? The unreal thing? The
phoney?

JAMES
Look, if you want to talk about
this. Let’s go to it. Let’s have
a fucking bar fight, don’t skulk
around like a bitch making out
it’s about ‘fair’.

LACHLAN
It is about being fair.

JAMES
You want to make eyes at the big
fucker.

LACHLAN
Everything isn’t a fucking
powerplay James - I just think
...

JAMES
Bullshit.

LACHLAN
Look I walked away. I was there,
I walked. I don’t want the firm,
the firm is fucking yours if you
want it.
 64.

JAMES
Sure.

LACHLAN
Just cos you’re a little fuck-me
operator that doesn’t mean
everyone is.

JAMES
How do you think Mum would feel?
Shall we get Mum on the line?

He gets his phone out.

LACHLAN
Don’t fucking wave mum at me.

JAMES
(pretends to talk)
Hey Mum! Yeah, we’re thinking of
fucking you. Yeah for some
momentary advantage. Is that
cool? If we fuck you?

LACHLAN
Don’t act the white knight, dick.

JAMES
Don’t dick me, bitch.

LACHLAN
Bitch.

JAMES
Dick.

LACHLAN
(after a beat)
Well it was nice having this
chat. Fuck you.

Starts to go.

JAMES
That’s right - hand the power to
Wendi, she’s the wise-apple. Suck
up to new-mommy-Cultural-
Revolution.

Lachlan is heading out. KRM has walked in hearing the last

words

KRM
Go on?
 65.

JAMES
(covering)
We were just talking about the
Cultural Revolution.

KRM
Sure.

JAMES
Interesting period.

KRM
Oh that is nice. That is fucking
nice. In my apartment? I heard
you called her that, but here?
Very fucking suave.

Lachlan doesn’t help his brother out.

JAMES
What? Dude, Dad it’s just a name,
wasn’t that her name? We get on
great now so ..

Wendi is there.

WENDI
We might do the presents now?

She has heard a bit of the discussion.

KRM
Sorry honey.

WENDI
It’s fine. Wen Gi means Cultural
Revolution. I changed my name.
I’m not ashamed. If you were
called ‘Holocaust Murdoch’ you
might change your name right?

JAMES
Wendi, honestly. I was horsing
around.

WENDI
And maybe you mock me cos you’re
a bit scared of me, right? But
there’s nothing to be scared
about James.

JAMES
I know. Wendi I know.

Wendi heads off. Rupert goes after her.

CUT TO:
 66.

40 INT. FOX NEWSROOM. DAY. 40

Claire is pitching her candidates for the show slot she’s

in charge of to Sophia her producer.

CLAIRE
So I think the best candidate for
the enviro-slot is probably -
Sharon Georgeson. You know her?

SOPHIA
Have we used her before?

CLAIRE
Er, not so that I know, she
fronted a half hour for somewhere
and that was ...?

Claire looks through her notes.

SOPHIA
Is she TV?

CLAIRE
Urgh, yeah, I think, she’s
bright, she’s articulate.

SOPHIA
But she comes over?

CLAIRE
On the phone I thought, she’s
just good value. Very factish.

SOPHIA
Okay, cos we want the protein, I
love giving value but the item
needs to zing? It can’t just lie
there like a box of dead kittens
on CNN? I mean this woman is she
sparky?

CLAIRE
(no)
Er, yeah I’d say, yeah, yes.

SOPHIA
Great. Just maybe keep an eye out
for a back- up? Someone who
people will see and just go -
‘Yeah! Okay!’

CLAIRE
Okay.
 67.

SOPHIA
Plus we do need to throw John a
bone? Somebody he can chew on.
Not easy pickings ..

CLAIRE
Not easy pickings?

SOPHIA
No, not easy pickings, but he’s a
great host for us so we want
somebody he can get into? Not
someone who’s going to make a
fool of themselves, but not
somebody who is necessarily not
going to make a fool of
themselves?

CUT TO:

41 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT. DAY. 41

Murdoch is talking to Wendi. Prudence approaches.

PRUDENCE
Hey. Are we ready for presents?

His phone goes. He peers - can’t make it out, hands it

Wendi to read the display

KRM
Uh, honey, on this one I can’t...

WENDI
(she reads the caller
display)
Michael Rowle?

KRM
What?
(he takes the call)
Michael?

CUT TO:

42 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 42

Michael Rowle is on the phone, he has lots of figures

spread out before him. We cut between him and Rupert.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Yeah, so listen the figure, the
figure I was after was 4%.
(MORE)
 68.
MICHAEL ROWLE (CONT'D)
Four per cent - up if you compare
a like-week with a like-week -
because if you strip out Easter
and ...

KRM
Guh.

MICHAEL ROWLE
So. Thought I’d let you know
that.
(beat silence)
Yeah. And the paper’s looking
great.

KRM
Oh right. And what’s the lead,
what’s the word?

MICHAEL ROWLE
Well actually we’ve got this
African mine collapse. But it’s
looking big and looks like we’ve
got an exclusive.

KRM
Right.

MICHAEL ROWLE
And it’s not just all - ‘the
horror, the horror!’? There’s a
connection. The mining firm’s
Chinese. Party leaders’ firm and
they’ve hushed it all up, so, it
has an angle.

KRM
(doesn’t say anything)
...

MICHAEL ROWLE
Hello?

KRM
Uh-hu.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Do you like it Rupert?

KRM
(long pause)
...

MICHAEL ROWLE
Hello?

KRM
Hi.
 69.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Okay, well, listen, we’ll speak
again later maybe?

KRM
Guh.

Phone goes down.

CUT TO:

43 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM. DAY 43

Prudence joins Matthew and Elizabeth who are talking in the

kitchen as caterers buzz around.

ELIZABETH
(as Pru approaches)
So. What are you thinking?

PRUDENCE
Well, we said no, right?

ELIZABETH
Apparently he’s taking that as an
initial position.

PRUDENCE
Of course.
(then)
He’s born Australian. Then he
needs to be American, and it
turns out Australian was just an
initial position.

MATTHEW
Oh yeah he can be cold.

PRUDENCE
No. Nah. He can come across
autistic. But he gets it. He gets
blood. Families. Vanity. The
Carrs, the Bancrofts, the Times,
The Dow Jones. He gets blood
alright.

ELIZABETH
What are you thinking?

PRUDENCE
Oh well, you know, I’m tempted to
invite him to stop bullying us
and just for once let this happy
family be fucking happy.
 70.

MATTHEW
I guess the interesting thing is
for you two that it’s all
academic?

PRUDENCE
What?

MATTHEW
Well you know, the sisters -
(to Pru)
first born, and
(to Liz)
first of Anna’s kids, but you
never had a look in, right?

ELIZABETH
Yeah, well, there’s a number of
factors that have stopped us from
...

MATTHEW
Yeah but one big, long, dick
shaped one, lacking, right?

PRUDENCE
It was another era. He’s come
along way since it was ‘no
blacks, no pooftahs, no suede
shoes.’

MATTHEW
Right although. I mean the whole
operation. It’s not exactly on
the side of the angels is it?

ELIZABETH
If it’s not on the side of the
angels, whose side is it on?

MATTHEW
Fox? The Sun. The New York Post?
The News of The World? Have you
seen them lately? I mean don’t
get me wrong, I love them.
They’re fun and great and
pernicious little hate beacons
and incredibly popular and ...

ELIZABETH
(to Pru)
He’s trying to shock you - are
you shocked?

MATTHEW
Okay. Media training 101: defend
the Sun, tell me what positive
good the Sun newspaper does?
 71.

PRUDENCE
(prickled)
Apart from the jobs and the
investment?

ELIZABETH
Look - worst case scenario,
absolute worst case, heaviest
charge sheet, Dad had maybe, only
maybe - cos who knows what would
have happened - but maybe has
coarsened the public sphere - the
debate - in the UK, by I don’t
know, three or four percent,
maybe four or five percent in the
US and overall improved it by two
percent in Australia. Okay? So
that’s the charge sheet.

MATTHEW
Right? And what about The Sun
‘wot won it’ - what about Fox
calling it for Bush. That right
there, one call, might have
boiled the planet Liz. Fucking
hell. What about BBC off Star,
out of China?

ELIZABETH
Where’s all this come from?

MATTHEW
I just think, obviously I love
your dad he’s a great guy ...
I just hate it when he does the
puppet master thing.

PRUDENCE
(pointed)
Uh-hu? Really? Wonder why?

MATTHEW
(takes the implication)
Yeah, yeah sure maybe.

Wendi calls everyone through to the living room.

WENDI (O.S.)
Okay! Present time! Everyone come
see some presents opened.

ELIZABETH
(re Wendi)
You know - when she first came
over, she stayed on the bunk bed
of whats-his-name’s five year old
daughter? Her first husband.
(MORE)
 72.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
That’s where she slept? Two years
later she’s the kid’s step-mom.

PRUDENCE
Look, there’s lots of rumours,
but she’s decent right?
Basically.

ELIZABETH
Exactly. I totally agree. There’s
a lot of rumours.

Pru smiles at Liz.

CUT TO:

44 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 44

Michael is on the phone to another editor in another

country.

MICHAEL ROWLE
What’s he thinking? Have you
talked to anyone about what he’s
thinking?
(listens)
Gary says he’s talked to James
and he might not be thinking
anything?

He ends his call. Enters a small room off his office, Jo is

there

MICHAEL ROWLE (CONT’D)

Thanks Jo, yeah, just wanted to
run this past you cos I was on
the line with Rupert and it was
like this
(he leaves a beat of
four seconds)
Like that.

JO
Right?

MICHAEL ROWLE
What do you think? I mean I’ve
known him go sort of
(leaves a pause of three
seconds)
Loads of times and it usually
means something, but
(does a four second
pause)
That is pretty big isn’t it?
 73.

JO
That is a very lengthy pause.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Dead right it is. I mean ...
(he pauses again for
four seconds)
It’s for fucking ever.
(beat)
Do you think I should spike the
mine story?

JO
That’s definitely what you were
talking about?

MICHAEL ROWLE
We were talking about a number of
things circulation, there was
some noise ... but that was the
one, yes.

JO
You’re certain?

MICHAEL ROWLE
Fuck. What if he was you know,
flossing his teeth and then I
spike it? And his attitude is,
‘why the fuck did you spike
that?’ when someone else picks
the story up?

JO
Yeah.

MICHAEL ROWLE
(beat)
I think I have to go with it. I
think I just have some balls. And
he likes it sometimes when people
stand up to him? Apparently. I’ve
heard that. Sometimes he respects
that. That’s my decision. We
roll.

Off his attempt to be heroic we:

CUT TO:

45 INT. DINING ROOM. DAY. 45

The family are all gathered around the dining table.

KRM
Well, what a day. Great to have
you all here and can I just say -
(MORE)
 74.
KRM (CONT'D)
(raises a glass, then,
wryly)
happy birthday to me.

They all raise their glasses.

EVERYONE
Happy birthday, to you.

They all clink.

KRM
(tucking in)
So - what’s anyone heard, what’s
the news and reviews. What’s
everyone saying?

There’s a beat.

ELIZABETH
I guess everyone’s a bit pre-
occupied, Dad.

KRM
We can still have a chat, right?

ELIZABETH
Sure.

Cutlery clinks. The party has been soured by Rupert’s

request to the kids, but he won’t let it lie.

KRM
Okay - fine, come on then, if no
one’s got any gossip. Let’s play
Family Fortunes. Okay, come on,
pitch me kids. What should we be
doing at the firm. News Corp?
What’s the next hundred years all
about?

Silence.

CHLOE
I think you should do more
cartoons Dad.

There are chuckles.

KRM
You see - someone’s broken rank.
Dead right Chloe. Good girl.

CAL PAWSEY
(attempting a light
tone)
Well can I just say. Could we
have a think about the name?
 75.

KRM
Guh.

CAL PAWSEY
‘News Corp’? Could we not have
spent five more minutes on the
name? Are we going out of our way
to make it as ugly as possible?

There are chuckles but Rupert doesn’t see it as that funny.

KRM
I suppose you’d have me drop 10
million on a company make-over?
Glad I got you covering corporate
strategy.

As always, he’s joking and not joking.

KRM (CONT’D)
C’mon let’s play, what’s the
pitch? Brains trust?

The kids are all judging what they should say. Pru jumps in
- playing the role she has taken, the straight talker.

PRUDENCE
Well, if I’m honest, I think you
should re-balance Dad. America.
Sure. But remember Asia? Alisdair
was saying - go on Alisdair?

He’s not about to start laying down the law to his boss. He
demures.

KRM
Liz?

ELIZABETH
(still brittle)
What do I think? Well ...
(pause - builds
anticipation)
keep going. You’re doing a good
job.

KRM
That’s - it?

ELIZABETH
I’m serious. Don’t necessarily
listen to some young buck who
says, ‘sink everything into some
Indonesian fibre optic’ or
something. Do what you do well.
Popular media.
 76.

KRM
Uh-hu.

JAMES
Well, here goes, if we’re playing
parlour games, I’ll tell you what
we should do with the firm.

KRM
Okay here we go.

JAMES
Get out of papers.

KRM
Right?

JAMES
You’re addicted Dad dude. The
Post - has any media operation
ever lost as much money as your
New York Post?

CAL PAWSEY
Maybe only his London Times?

JAMES
People think you’re a hard nosed
bugger but you’re putty for a
paper. Five, ten year strategy
get out of papers before they
curl up and die.

LACHLAN
Nah, get out of all news. Into
entertainment.

JAMES
Dude, news is entertainment
that’s the whole insight. An
opposition is an old paradigm.
We're a brand that has a
relationship with a community of
customers. We’ve got to embrace
that. But constantly re-evaulate
it. We’ve got to say, ‘today
we're going to eat change for
breakfast, for the sake of it.’

KRM
Yeah, so out of papers? Get rid
of 80% of our profit stream.
(to Cal)
I like this guy, what’s his name
again?
 77.

JAMES
Everyman should kill what he most
loves. A wise man once said that,
and that’s right. We oughta take
the brands, hollow out the papers
- leave them as cash husks and
project the value online.

CAL PAWSEY
I have to say, obviously I
disagree with what he says, in
many ways, but big picture. I
think James is talking real words
there.

KRM looks at Lachlan.

LACHLAN
Look, I don’t want to play.

KRM
You’ve got to play.

JAMES
Leave him alone Dad. He already
had a go.

LACHLAN
What?

JAMES
I’m just saying you already had
your go - running the train set.

Lachlan gets up.

LACHLAN
What? What?! I never ... had the
train set.

JAMES
I’m sorry?

LACHLAN
Cal had the train set. Dad set up
the track. I was on points but
... the timetable ... was -

JAMES
This metaphor is really not
working for you dude.

LACHLAN
Just - look man, just, fuck you.

JAMES
Yeah okay, now I get it.
 78.

LACHLAN
I apologise, Dad, Chloe, Grace. I
apologise. I love you.

Lachlan heads out.

CUT TO:

46 INT. INTERNET CABIN - ZAMBIA. DAY 46

Leo is at a terminal. Typing at an old grey keyboard. A few

people are around checking him out as they do their
emailing.

Leo is on his mobile.

LEO
Yeah the file didn’t attach. And
it won’t take a dongle. There’s
no stick hole. So I’m typing it
into the body of an email. But
this keyboard is fucked so where
there are dollar signs - those
should be U’s and where there’s
colons put commas. Except the
third colon which is a colon.
Yeah? I’ll call when I send.

He types some more. Hurriedly. Then suddenly the screen

blips. Goes dark. There is a general sigh of discontent in
the cabin. Then the power blips on again. The cursor blinks
as the machine boots up.

LEO (CONT’D)
Fucking .... What? Did this just
...?

But everyone else is getting on with re-typing their

emails. Leo makes another call.

LEO (CONT’D)
Okay. I just lost my webmail
page. I’m out of here.
(past the owner)
This is bullshit.

WEBSHACK OWNER
(laconic)
Come back again friend.

Leo leaves a few bank notes at the front desk and heads out
onto the street. Sits on a bench with his notebook.
 79.

LEO
Okay I’m going to have dictate
the copy to you, is that okay?

CUT TO:

47 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 47

The assistant on the foreign desk, MIA, is there. We cut

between them.

MIA
Okay. Okay. Go ahead.

LEO
So. Paragraph.

MIA
What?

LEO
Paragraph.

MIA
Paragraph? That’s the first word?

LEO
No. Paragraph. Start. The first
paragraph. Isn’t that what you
say?

MIA
I don’t know. I’ve never done
this before. Why don’t you just
start?

LEO
Okay. Fine, then - starting now:
Er, A mining disaster in Western
Zambia that may have killed or
injured up to 200 local miners
has been covered-up by the mine’s
Chinese owners. Paragraph. As in
new paragraph. Not just the word
paragraph inserted for no reason.
Nor all these words I am now
speaking recorded and written in
the paper.

MIA
Okay - sorry, I’m on ‘A mining
disaster in’ ... where?

CUT TO:
 80.

48 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM. DAY. 48

After Lachlan’s outburst people are hushed in knots

talking. Murdoch comes out of his bedroom in gym gear.

He comes down a flight of stairs. He’s in sour mood.

Everyone wonders what he’s going to say or do. But he walks

through the room. Says a few words to Wendi and then heads
on through to his gym up a corridor.

CUT TO:

49 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - GYM. DAY. 49

KRM is pounding away on a running machine. His feet hit the

track - slap slap slap - and sweat drips onto the belt. He
looks at himself in the mirror. He’s not happy.

Things are looking bleak. He is feeling tired. He looks

like he might switch the machine off.

But he hits the button in front of him to take it up a

notch. AS Cal Pawsey enters.

CAL PAWSEY
You okay Boss?

KRM
Guh.

CAL PAWSEY
Wendi said maybe you’d like a
word?

KRM
Uh.

CAL PAWSEY
(re Rupert’s running)
Squirting off a couple of klicks?

KRM
Uh-hu.

Cal checks KRM’s speed. Rupert takes it up another notch.

CAL PAWSEY
You okay. Not - too much?

KRM
What?

CAL PAWSEY
All that? Bit of a shit storm?
It’ll be okay though.
 81.

KRM
Guh.

CAL PAWSEY
Yeah. I reckon, you want my
opinion, I do not think this is
the correct strategy right now,
the Chloe and Grace thing, you
know that?

KRM
Guh.

CAL PAWSEY
But strategically speaking, if
you push through I guess, you’ve
got Pru on-board? Liz, I think,
is persuadable. James, I don’t
know, but he’s inside. Lachlan’s
the one though. He’s going to be
tough.

KRM pounds away in silence.

CAL PAWSEY (CONT’D)

(starts to head out)
Okay. Well, I might - I’ve got
this Foreign Affairs dinner and I
might ...

KRM
Yeah so I’ve been thinking.

CAL PAWSEY
(stops)
Okay.

KRM
Yeah. Maybe it’s time you took a
rise.

CAL PAWSEY
Okay, well - gut reaction? I
think that will work! Great.
Shares or cashola?

KRM
And maybe moved up a level?

CAL PAWSEY
Okay? Sounds good. Up to the
stratosphere. And what would my
remit be?

KRM
Wide remit. Light duties.
 82.

CAL PAWSEY
(beat, waits for more)
So like, what?

KRM
Watching brief. Effective
immediately.

CAL PAWSEY
Right but ...

KRM jumps his feet to the sides of the machine and heads
off to grab a towel and a shower.

KRM
Yeah? Good?

CAL PAWSEY
Er - yeah. I guess?

KRM
Good.

Cal isn’t sure what just happened. He looks around the

room. He’s gobsmacked. Murdoch exits.

CUT TO:

50 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - OUTSIDE STUDY. DAY. 50

Coming out of his gym, Murdoch spots Lachlan and nods does
he want a quick chat?

Lachlan follows his Dad into his office.

LACHLAN
What?

Murdoch pulls on a tracksuit over his gym gear.

KRM
I just thought we should clear
the air.

LACHLAN
Yeah? Go ahead. Clear the air. I
wasn’t the one who - f-f-farted.

KRM looks at him, Lachlan feels like a petulant kid

LACHLAN (CONT’D)
Look, it’s just James Dad. You
know how he is? I don’t think he
ever did a thing, just for the
thing? He’s always working the
angles.
 83.

KRM looks at him, he couldn’t possibly comment. But is

there wry acknowledgement?

LACHLAN (CONT’D)
You know why I think he’s all
green? He wants some world left
to fucking dominate. He’s like
China, he doesn’t want to get to
top dog and inherit a shit pit.
He wants some earth left to
broadcast to.

KRM
(after a beat)
I just fired Cal.

LACHLAN
I’m sorry?

KRM
Yeah. He’s been swinging his dick
around for a while and I’ve been
thinking about it so ...

LACHLAN
Wow. How long has he been with
you?

KRM
Ten years?

LACHLAN
Double that Dad!

KRM
Maybe. You think?

LACHLAN
He was there when you did Wapping
wasn’t he?

KRM
Was he?

LACHLAN
Well yeah.

KRM
Look, he was getting so big in
his strides he was popping a
bollock. Don’t worry about him.

LACHLAN
Yeah, I’m not really worried
about him.
 84.

KRM
He’ll get his nut. He’ll get his
little fucking nugget.

LACHLAN
‘s fine by me Dad. I never really
clicked with him, you know that.

KRM
Exactly. Plus he was unlucky, you
know? If it was raining cunt he'd
get hit by a poof.

LACHLAN
So, what? His corpse is a peace
offering?

KRM
No. Just business.

LACHLAN
Dad I’m happy doing my own thing.
There’s lots of opportunities.
I’m gonna be rich, don’t worry.

KRM
Whatever. Rich is easy. Every
bone head you meet has 10 million
sitting on fucking deposit.

LACHLAN
Rich is easier if you start rich.

KRM
Money’s just the mercury in the
thermometer mate. Where’s the
fun? Power. There’s no one in the
whole wide world from the pope on
a rope to the Queen of fucking
England who wouldn’t take a call
from that phone.
(he points)
And you know what?

LACHLAN
What?

KRM
That’s just a hell of a lot of
fun. So think about it son. Think
about coming back in, yeah?

Lachlan thinks.

LACHLAN
You really fired him?
 85.

KRM
Yeah. But the cunt’s so thick I
don’t think he clocked it yet.

KRM heads off to his bedroom.

CUT TO:

51 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - GYM. DAY 51

Cal is still reeling putting the situation together in his

mind.

James enters in the background.

JAMES
So? What up? Did he bite on
China?

CAL PAWSEY
I don’t know.

JAMES
What do you mean?

CAL PAWSEY
I think ... I think - I think, I
just got fucking fired?

CUT TO:

52 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - BEDROOM. DAY 52

KRM is breathing heavily after his exercise. He doesn’t

look great. He goes to put one leg in some trousers.
Steadies himself. Is he going to be okay?

Matthew knocks on the door.

KRM (OOV)
Guh?

Matthew enters.

MATTHEW
Hi, Rupert?

KRM
I didn’t fucking say come in, did
I?

He’s there in his boxer shorts - his clothes laid out.

MATTHEW
Shall I ...?
 86.

KRM
No, you’ve seen the goods now,
you may as well stay.

KRM carries on dressing. He’s restored after his mini-

wobble.

KRM (CONT’D)
So - listen, Mr PR.

MATTHEW
Uh-hu?

KRM
I maybe have a job for you.

MATTHEW
Okay? What am I selling, to who?

KRM
Very small list of targets. Very
high end.

MATTHEW
Okay. Opinion formers? Government
bods?

KRM
Liz.

MATTHEW
What?

KRM
Yeah. Just a thought.

MATTHEW
You want me to PR Liz? Why? What
do you want her to buy into?

KRM
Me.

MATTHEW
Right?

KRM
Look - I’m talking to her but I
could do with some help ...
(does it pain him
slightly to say this)
mate.

MATTHEW
You want me to mount a campaign?
 87.

KRM
Yeah. No. I don’t know. I just
want her to say yes, alright? To
my proposal. If she says yes, I’d
be very grateful.

Matthew likes it when people feel grateful.

CUT TO:

53 INT. FOX NEWSROOM. DAY. 53

Clare is in a booth watching VT of a climate change

activist..

Angle on the VT. We hear the activist.

THE VONK
I am the Vonk and I demand
climate change. Damn right. I
demand we change the climate
back. That’s right, I’m, the Vonk
and I’m turning back the clock.
We’re going to de-industrialise
this nation if we have to do it
with our bare hands!

Clare looks incredulous as she watches this self-publicist

addressing a public meeting.

Behind her watching is another more senior researcher, Dan.

DAN
Who’s this?

CLAIRE
Nut-job.

DAN
He looks - sparky.

CLAIRE
Yeah he’s semi-literate, mostly
phoney, totally sparky.

DAN
Who are you pitching for the
booking right now?

CLAIRE
Sharon Georgeson?

DAN
Oh right. Who occasionally writes
in the
(mimes saying it through
a yawn)
(MORE)
 88.
DAN (CONT'D)
New York Times.
(then)
You sure?

CLAIRE
(she looks at him)
Why? What do you think?

DAN
What do I think?

Dan looks at Claire - will he help or lie? Further his own

career by doing her down or try to make a connection?

DAN (CONT’D)
Seeing this freak getting torn up
like barbequed chicken I’d watch
that. So?

CLAIRE
He doesn’t even know the basic
arguments?

DAN
Sure. Look, do what you think.

Dan heads off. Clare watches him go. She’s wondering if

she’s doing the right thing.

CUT TO:

54 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - STUDY. DAY. 54

KRM is on the phone.

KRM
Yeah put calls in to the White
House. The line is yes there’ll
be restrictions, but information
grows. It’s like cancer. Healthy
cancer. Once it’s out there - it
just grows and grows? It feeds on
itself.
(listens)
(listens)
And this website would further
American interests. And if they
help us I would be very grateful,
in forthcoming situations.
(listens)
The current owners? Give them
whatever fucking assurances they
want. Whatever they need to
believe. They know the score. You
don't sell a car and say ‘you can
have it as long as you don't
drive it on the road’.
(MORE)
 89.
KRM (CONT'D)
Sure, I'll promise not to drive
the car on the road to make you
feel better but we all know if
you sell it me, I'm going to
drive that fucking car anywhere I
fucking well like.

CUT TO:

55 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 55

Michael’s deputy, Jo, has taken a call. Michael Rowle is

the other end of the newsroom talking to someone.

JO
(shouting)
Mike?
(louder)
Mike?!
(louder)
Tell Michael, it’s Rupert.

MICHAEL ROWLE
What?

JO
It’s Rupert!

Michael tries to walk, quickly, but ends up running the

length of the newsroom as colleagues try not to laugh at
the indignity.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Rupert? Sorry to keep you
waiting. It’s just, this story.
It actually could be quite a
splash. I’m excited.

Rupert is in his office. We cut between the two of them

talking.

KRM
Yeah. Just one question Mike.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Shoot.

KRM
Is anyone really interested in
African fucking mines?

MICHAEL ROWLE
Er, well, it depends doesn’t it
on the context, I mean ...

KRM
Straight up question: are they?
 90.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Well they should be, I think and
I think ...

KRM
Mike, it’s just a question. Do
whatever you think. Huh?

Phone down.

Michael is left standing there. Wondering what to do.

56 INT. MURDOCH’S APARTMENT - ROOF GARDEN. DAY. 56

Lachlan is thinking hard. He sees James out on the roof

garden with Cal.

James is on his mobile. Cal is looking down towards the

street.

JAMES
Okay okay. Cool. That is
definitely cool.
(ends call, to Cal)
Looks like it’s going to fucking
go man! The owners are not not
going to accept the bid and
Beijing aren’t gonna kick up a
shitstorm!

CAL PAWSEY
Uh-hu?

JAMES
Chinese Facebook motherfucker. We
did it. I did it. You did it!

CAL PAWSEY
(depressed)
Congratulations.

JAMES
Cal man, are you sure you’ve even
been fired?

CAL PAWSEY
(pathetic)
I don’t know, what do you think?

It’s obvious he’s been fired. They look at one another.

JAMES
I think, this is still a massive
achievement.
 91.

CAL PAWSEY
Fuck. He’s such a - he’s a
terrible manager you know that?
He makes good deal - but he
breaks people. He has these
absurd favourites who think
they're king dong. These tin pot
Hitlers, who get shit poured on
them and then it’s a cavalcade of
shit cascading down the ranks.
Then he gets bored and chops
their nobs off and leaves them as
these eunuchs bleeding to death
while the caravan moves on.

James smiles. Now is not the time to defend his Dad.

Lachlan emerges. He’s by the edge of the railing. Cal tries
to smile at James. He heads past Lachlan. AS he does so he
stops for a beat. Puts his hands on Lachlan’s shoulders.

For a beat things feel a little out of control. Cal is

emotional. Lachlan’s on the edge of a roof garden 50
stories up. Cal has him gripped by the shoulders. Cal
leaves it a beat.

CAL PAWSEY (CONT’D)

Good luck.

And he heads back inside. Lachlan is in a new mode, he

approaches James.

LACHLAN
So dude.

JAMES
Hey! You okay.

LACHLAN
Oh yeah. Hell yeah. I’m good.

JAMES
Good.

LACHLAN
And look - sorry if things got a
bit rich, earlier.

JAMES
Yeah?

LACHLAN
Yeah. No worries yeah?

JAMES
Oh sure, no worries.
 92.

LACHLAN
I guess this whole thing would be
a hell of a lot easier if we
didn’t know whatever we agree
will end up on the front page of
all the papers.

JAMES
Not all the papers. The Post and
the Journal and the Sun and the
Times, they tend to show some
delicacy, you know?

LACHLAN
Well, they’re quality papers
aren’t they mate?

JAMES
Exactly. Old school. Fucking old
school.

They laugh.

LACHLAN
It’s like Dad always says, they
wouldn’t be this interested in us
if all we ran was a sausage
factory, would they?

JAMES
Yeah and it’s like I always say,
we don’t run a fucking sausage
factory do we? We run the biggest
news outfit in the world, so.

Lachlan wants things to stay cosy.

LACHLAN
You know, I tell you what I think
was an interesting time period.

JAMES
Right?

LACHLAN
After, after the Visigoths and so
on - the Roman Empire. The - the
Byzantines and the Western Roman
Empire.

JAMES
(scarcastic)
Oh fuck yeah. Let’s get into all
that.

LACHLAN
Serious. I mean that worked
pretty well, right? Two Emperors.
 93.

JAMES
I don’t think so. Didn’t they all
get totally fucked?

LACHLAN
No I mean, look I can’t remember
but I think it lasted a thousand
years or some shit?

JAMES
Oh right?

LACHLAN
Look - say it did, the two
Empires set up? Say that lasted
like a thousand years - that
would be pretty impressive
wouldn’t it?

JAMES
Yeah, I guess?

LACHLAN
So that’s something to think
about?

JAMES
You’re warbling six kinds of shit
dude. I’m getting nauseous. I’m
going to throw up.

LACHLAN
I just think, if and when Dad
should - you know?

JAMES
Right.

LACHLAN
Maybe. I might be inside?

JAMES
Oh.

LACHLAN
Maybe he might want me back and
maybe I might want to come back?
And maybe it wouldn’t have to be
a blood bath. We could talk about
spheres of influence?

JAMES
Oh, right? Two Emperors? Right?

CUT TO:
 94.

57 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - STUDY. DAY. 57

Prudence knocks comes in. Rupert’s on the phone.

KRM
Just make the bid. Yes I’m happy.
(listens)
That’s how much anything costs -
too much. Everything’s over -
priced, pal. Just make the bid,
that’s my instruction.

PRUDENCE
Can I?

KRM
(phone down)
Of course Pru.

PRUDENCE
Are you busy?

KRM
Always. But not for you.
(re phone)
Just business and a fucking
editor.

PRUDENCE
Sending out the orders from HQ.

KRM
Nah nah. If you have to grab the
pen off a guy, you hired the
wrong guy. Only a jerk has to
grab the pen.

PRUDENCE
Yeah I know this speech.

KRM
(after a beat)
So?, what’s the news? Chloe and
Grace?

PRUDENCE
Look ...
(beat, she looks at him)
Dad, you know me, I’ll always
help you out when I can.

This says it all for Rupert.

KRM
Oh that’s great news honey!

PRUDENCE
The others though?
 95.

KRM
Oh, right? Yeah?

PRUDENCE
I think it’s tough. It’s tough
for them.

KRM
Yeah?

PRUDENCE
Yeah. But, I mean I’ll do what I
can.

KRM
That would be amazing.

Before she goes.

PRUDENCE
Quick quiz though?

KRM
Okay?

PRUDENCE
No thinking time, off the top of
your head. How many kids have you
got?

KRM
(tries for a burst of
emotion, but it’s a
little stiff)
Easy. Six. Two new ones. Three
ungrateful ones. And one solid
gold diamond, right?

PRUDENCE
Okay, I might be sick.

KRM
Sorry I can’t really do this -
stuff.

PRUDENCE
That’s alright.

KRM
But seriously, your kids.
Alistair, you know it’s great to
have the hubby on the firm.
Sometimes I wonder if he hasn’t
actually been held back by his
relationship - to the firm. He’s
talented. Be great to see that
flower.
 96.

Prudence look at him. It’s a carrot but there’s just the

hint of a threat there too.

Just then Cal knocks and enters.

CAL PAWSEY
Right, so look, I think that’s me
done.

KRM
You’re going?

CAL PAWSEY
Well yeah I think I’m going, so.

Cal is getting annoyed by the subtext. Pru heads out past

Cal.

CAL PAWSEY (CONT’D)

Yeah, so just before I go. Can I
just check, am I sacked? I was
sacked right?

KRM
I just think it might be time for
you to move up.

CAL PAWSEY
So that’s it?

KRM
That is it.

Cal is pumped up and ready to pop. But instead of keeping

him in the private office, KRM shows him out - walking him
into the living room. They’re in the public arena. Cal’s
all flustered. He picks up the wrong coat.

CAL PAWSEY
This isn’t my - where’s my coat?
(gathering his stuff, to
himself)
Fucking bullshit.

Wendi takes the young kids out, but the older ones start to
notice this disturbance in the room, start to gather, or
pay closer attention.

KRM
(did he mishear or is he
poking?)
What’s that mate?

CAL PAWSEY
(louder)
This is fucking bullshit.
 97.

For a quiet life Rupert should show him out, but for some
reason he needles him a little.

KRM
Yeah, you see it’s for insights
like that I’ve always enjoyed
having you round.

Wendi has looked out another coat. She hands it to him.

CAL PAWSEY
This isn’t my coat alright! It
isn’t the right fucking coat!!

KRM
Did you even have a coat?

CAL PAWSEY
You fuck everything, don’t you?

KRM
That’s right Cal.

CAL PAWSEY
You fucked Australia. You fucked
the UK. Now you’re fucking me and
the USA. That’s what you do isn’t
it?

KRM
Oh okay? You’ve been taking the
pay but now let’s hear what you
really think big man?

CAL PAWSEY
You take the papers and the cable
stations and the - fucking
anything - and you hollow them
out and you pump them up full of
shit and then you sell these
baubles of shit and you fuck
them.

KRM
You were happy enough til today.
Funny that.

CAL PAWSEY
Yeah well, I thought I could do
something. I thought we would do
something. I guess I thought
there was something fucking
decent here. But you know what
it’s just a big fat bauble of
shit.

This is too much for Lachlan. He’s boiling up.

 98.

LACHLAN
Two billion people can get their
news from us Cal.

CAL PAWSEY
Yeah, whatever. Someone else
would have done it. What's he
done that'll last?

JAMES
Bullshit.

CAL PAWSEY
Do you know what you are Rupe?
You’re a fucking sub.

JAMES
C’mon mate, fuck off now.

CAL PAWSEY
Once a sub - always a sub. He's
fucking Beeverbrook’s sub at
heart. It's all about the strap-
line, isn’t it Rupe?

ELIZABETH
Bollocks.

CAL PAWSEY
We don’t do content. We do the
promise of content. The most
fucking tantalizing way of
plating up one single gram of
media protein.

JAMES
Mate. Come on dude.

CAL PAWSEY
That's what he's does. He slaps a
fat stupid strap-line on
everything and the whole world
goes, 'oh shit, better have a
look.'

KRM
If I’m the problem, Cal? Who are
the good guys, eh? Who are these
guys you want running the news?
The good old days? Hearst? Fat
Bob Maxwell? Nazi Rothermere? Are
these the guys you want? Conrad
Black in jail? Russian spooks
buying up London? Are these the
guys I should sell out to?
(MORE)
 99.
KRM (CONT'D)
Cos I tell you one thing, it’s
not going to be the Scott-Trust-
Sulzberger-Bancroft family
selling wedges of National Public
Radio 4 on eco-friendly shit
roll. It’s going to be some hard
nosed bastard who gives people
what they want.

CAL PAWSEY
And you know, don’t you? You
always know?

KRM
No. No I don’t. But I tell you
what, you find out. Cos people
don’t buy what they don’t want.

CAL PAWSEY
People buy the shiniest shit on
the shelf - and that’s what we
sell.

KRM
You know who the cynical fuckers
are? Not me giving people what
they want, it’s the pricks who
think they know what people want.
I trust the man on the street.
They hate him. They think he’s
getting - reprogrammed by Fox and
jerking off to page three, but I
know it’s just not that fucking
serious, Cal. He’s listening to
this, he’s listening to that, and
he doesn’t want some toffee nosed
cunt telling him what’s what?

CAL PAWSEY
Yeah well, see you around.

KRM
Yeah go on Cal. No need for a
thanks. No need for that. Who
built this firm? Who is this
firm. It’s my firm, I do what I
like, mate.

Cal is gone, but this is aimed at the kids too.

KRM heads to the kitchen to get a coconut milk drink from

the fridge.

KRM (CONT’D)
Kids - c’mon, let’s do it shall
we? Five minutes - in my study,
yeah? Bring your pens.
 100.

58 INT. KRM’S STUDY. DAY 58

Wendi follows KRM, concerned.

WENDI
Rupe. Rupe, you okay?

She catches his arm. She expects him to be a bit shaken by

this big bust up. Who wouldn’t be? But he seems very calm.

KRM
Oh sure.

WENDI
I was worried, you don’t normally
do - that stuff?

KRM
Well I guess, today ain’t a bad
day to circle the family wagons,
right?

There’s a twinkle there. Things are going to plan.

KRM (CONT’D)
Slowly slowly fuckee monkey.

WENDI
(whispers)
You should be careful Rupert. You
think everything is a game.

KRM
Everything is a game though
honey. How is it not a game if
I’m playing?

CUT TO:

59 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. DAY. 59

Cassie, the foreign editor is on the phone.

CASSIE
How are you doing?

Leo is in the internet shack we saw him at earlier. We cut

between them.

LEO
Great. Just - writing up a bit of
eyewitness first person stuff
colour. Might not make it for
today but it could work as a
follow up next week?
 101.

CASSIE
Yeah, the thing is Leo I just
think, we’re spiking the story.

LEO
What?

CASSIE
Hello?

LEO
What?

CASSIE
Yeah. I’m not sure it stands up.

LEO
Did you read it? It totally
stands up.

CASSIE
Yeah, I’m not sure. Michael’s not
sure.

LEO
It stands ten feet fucking tall.
It stands up.

CASSIE
(pained)
Yeah, his thing is, sure, maybe
it does, but does it?

LEO
Yes!
(then)
Look, I’ve got, what, three
sources on this - I’ve seen the
place, I’ve got the doctor’s
quotes. I’ve got all that hard
stuff about the Chinese
investment ...

CASSIE
But, isn’t it hard to ever really
know what happened, I mean
actually happened anywhere?

LEO
This happened. After a week of
rain a side of a cobalt mine
collapsed. 170 people died. The
Chinese owners stopped it making
news. That happened.

CASSIE
But - if a tree falls in the
forest and ...
(MORE)
 102.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
and it kills 170 people - but
afterwards everyone says, apart
from a few people, that it did or
didn’t - is that a news story?

Cassie looks pained at Michael Rowle who is studiously

pretending to not be able to hear.

LEO
I’m not really following you.

Cassie looks to Michael for support. But he’s talking to

Jo.

MICHAEL ROWLE
I don’t care, put anything in
there. Twenty best recipes.
Anything, a fucking pesto
graphic.

Back with Cassie

LEO
Look - Cassie, please, there’s
local stringers picking this up.
The Chinese are trying to close
it down. This has to come out.

CASSIE
Yeah, I’m just ... not sure it
stands up.

LEO
(exasperated now)
Look will you stop saying that.
What does that mean?

Michael, is passing, Cassie doesn’t know what else to say,

offers the phone to Michael.

MICHAEL ROWLE
Leo, great work mate, we just
might have to put this on the
back burner till we can stand it
all up.

LEO
I have fucking stood it up. It’s
standing up.
(but he’s gone)
Michael? What’s going on Mike?

Leo is left hanging.

CUT TO:
 103.

60 EXT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - OUTSIDE STUDY - CONTINUOUS. DAY. 60

KRM is going into his study. James is there.

KRM
I’m excited. I’m excited about
China. I wasn’t sure, but I’m
glad to have been able to do this
for you, you know?

The implication hangs there.

KRM (CONT’D)
I wasn’t sure about China. You
weren’t sure about Chloe and
Grace. But we both can just see
the other guy’s POV. That’s what
I like about you and me.

JAMES
Right. So it’s a deal?

KRM
There’s no shame in making a deal
is there James? See you in five,
mate. Grab the others will you?

KRM goes into his study. He’s feeling pretty great. He’s
pulling it all together. He grabs a pen, starts crossing
and ticking some bits he does and doesn’t like in newspaper
layouts.

CUT TO:

61 INT. INTERNET CABIN - ZAMBIA. DAY. 61

Leo is on a call. We don’t see the other end of it.

LEO
I can’t fucking believe it. I’ve
been stiffed. I swear I’m ready
to give this story to someone
before they fucking cover the
whole thing up.
(he listens)
Okay, well sure, fuck it. Give me
that number. Fuck it.

CUT TO:

62 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM - CONTINOUS. 62

Lachlan is talking to Sara.

 104.

LACHLAN
I think, I think it could be on
again baby, I really do.

She’s weary. She’s seen the highs and lows. He’s like an
addict who’d nearly kicked the habit.

SARAH
Really? Are you sure honey, that
you want to dive in again?

LACHLAN
I’m not diving in. That’s the
sweetness. I’m just preparing the
ground. I’m playing him.

SARAH
You’re playing him?

LACHLAN
Uh-hu. I say yes - I’ve got him
right where I want him.

CUT TO:

63 INT. FOX GREEN ROOM. DAY. 63

Sharon Georgson is being greeted by Claire. They head into

the Fox green room. There are a bunch of other contributors
in there. They’re a pretty weird group. An angry young man
stands by himself in the corner. There’s a priest with a
Starbucks and his feet up, reading some briefing notes.

CLAIRE
Hi, Sharon it’s great to meet
you. You saw the DVD? You know
the shape of the show?

SHARON GEORGSON
Uh-hu.

CLAIRE
And your battle-line is ‘Tree-
Hugging versus Market Hugging’.
The damage Environmental
Protection Does.

In the background we can see the earlier segment of the

show Sharon’s going to be appearing on playing out. John
Kendall the macho presenter is taking down a liberal guest.
The strap line is ‘Battle Line: Stem Cell Murder’.

SHARON GEORGSON
Yeah. Nice.

Her phones goes

 105.

CLAIRE
Now there are other contributors
and it will be a rolling
situation, so we’ll see when and
how we ask you to take John on,
okay?

SHARON GEORGSON
(distracted)
Great. Can I just take this?

She answers the phone.

SHARON GEORGSON (CONT’D)

Hello?

LEO
Hi, Sharon? Sharon Georgeson?

SHARON GEORGSON
Hello. Yeah? I can’t talk really.

We see Leo with his notes.

LEO
Er, I’m a friend of your
colleague Kelly? Kelly said you
might be on a TV show sometime
soon? I’ve just got this story?

SHARON GEORGSON
Uh-hu?

LEO
170 killed in an open cast mine.

SHARON GEORGSON
Hello? What?

LEO
No one was watching. Zambia. This
Chinese firm just paid out hush
money, shipped the injured out to
three different countries.

SHARON GEORGSON
Okay. Shit I read on a blog that
was meant to have ... was that
for real?

LEO
I’ve stood it up.

SHARON GEORGSON
And this is - news?
 106.

LEO
This is total news. My boss has
wimped out. So I’m just really
really keen in like a public
spirited way to get this out
there. I mean, a name-check would
be great but that’s not
important, people should know
about this? It’s Leo Walsh.

SHARON GEORGSON
And this is cast iron? Cos I’m
going on TV.

LEO
It happened.

SHARON GEORGSON
Well then this - it’s my line -
this is what happens without
regulation.

LEO
Exactly. It’s a big scoop. It’s
rock, rock solid.

SHARON GEORGSON
(gets out her pen)
Okay this might be perfect for
me. One hundred and seventy?
That’s a big number. Give me the
details.

Off Sharon scribbling we:

CUT TO:

64 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM. DAY 64

At the apartment, all four siblings are talking to their

partners - exchanging glances. Ready to go in to see their
father. We’re with Matthew and Liz. She’s getting ready to
go in. But Matthew’s got his task in mind. His pitch, his
brief.

MATTHEW
So, what are you thinking? Still,
feeling bruised?

ELIZABETH
Well yeah. But it’s important to
keep emotions out of these
things.

MATTHEW
Wise words, wise words indeed.
Words of wisdom.
 107.

ELIZABETH
I mean I don’t know, who knows
what the future holds?

MATTHEW
Nobody does Liz. No one.

ELIZABETH
I mean first it was Lachlan,in
pole position, now it’s James.

MATTHEW
Exactly.

ELIZABETH
And I was talking to Dad and he
obviously doesn’t rule out
another change of fortunes so - I
mean, maybe it would be fairer -
Chloe and Grace?

MATTHEW
Indeed. There is an issue of
fairness. Of almost, racial
equality at stake here.

She’s finding Matthew a little odd.

ELIZABETH
Yeah?

MATTHEW
I feel that.

ELIZABETH
Right?

MATTHEW
Ebony and ivory - side by side on
the piano keyboard, oh lord, why
can’t we?

ELIZABETH
Have you - why are you - has my
Dad spoken to you?

MATTHEW
He was eager that you say yes -
and you’re up for saying yes so.
That’s cool.

ELIZABETH
Right?
 108.

MATTHEW
So a great way to finesse this
would be that you were wavering
and I added the key argument.
That would pimp my ride.

ELIZABETH
(pissed off)
Right?

MATTHEW
Oh honey - come on. Then it’s
double bubble. Triple bubble. You
me and him all get bubble. It’s a
bubble bath.

ELIZABETH
He took you on to PR his own
fucking daughter?

MATTHEW
Hey easy. Spin control, watch it,
that’s just a nasty way of
putting something nice.

ELIZABETH
That’s un-fucking believable.

CUT TO:

65 INT. UK BROADSHEET NEWSROOM. NIGHT. 65

Michael Rowle is handed a layout of the front page, he

looks at it.

The headline we see is ‘Collision Course on EU Treaty’

CUT TO:

66 INT. CHINESE INFORMATION MINISTRY. NIGHT. 66

A large impersonal room. It’s full of mid-level Chinese

media monitoring officials scrolling through foreign news
web-sites and watching news feeds. Making notes.

Our guy clicks on a page and the headline we’ve just seen
in London. He makes a note on a keyboard hooked up to
another computer.

Behind him another official is doing his rounds.

CHINESE INFORMATION OFFICIAL

(in Mandarin with
subtitles)
Anything unpleasant?
 109.

JUNIOR CHINESE INFORAMTION OFFICAL

No. No, nothing in line with what
was feared. It’s all ...
(he scrolls through the
page )
Clean. Totally clean.

CUT TO:

67 INT. FOX GREEN ROOM. DAY. 67

Sharon is waiting in a room with a few easy chairs and

couches, masses of fruit and a range of still and sparkling
waters.

She is fingering her notes from Leo. And looking up

occasionally to check the oddballs in the green room with
her and watch a little of John Kendall doing his previous
segment on BattleLines. She’s nervous.

Angle on the TV:

JOHN KENDALL
Next up: is it time to wipe away
the era of top-down environmental
protection and instead let the
market look after the greenery?

Claire joins Sharon in the Green Room.

SHARON GEORGSON
Okay, I’m ready to roll all over
this asshole.

CLAIRE
Sharon, er, yeah, first up we’ve
got another - guy, to put up some
of the other arguments.

SHARON GEORGSON
Oh. What? Right. Who?

CLAIRE
Are you familiar with, The Vonk?

On screen a hippy guy with some dreadlocks is sitting

opposite John Kendall.

JOHN KENDALL
Let me ask you one question to
start with. Is environmental
protection in this country
working?

THE VONK
The Vonk says no.
 110.

In the green room.

SHARON GEORGSON
No, I’m not familiar with the
Vonk.

CLAIRE
Yeah, he’s got an interesting
perspective.

Angle on the TV.

JOHN KENDALL
You’re a tree-hugger?

THE VONK
A tree never started a war. A
tree never abused a child or
poisoned a river.

JOHN KENDALL
So a carpet of trees from sea to
shining sea, and where will the
folks get jobs, Mr Vonk?

THE VONK
People don’t need jobs if they
...

JOHN KENDALL
(he’s enjoying this)
Oh people don’t need jobs? Okay?

In the Green Room.

CLAIRE
I’m sorry. You’ll get your fee
and travel expenses even if you
don’t make it on.

SHARON GEORGSON
I’m not going to make it on?

Sophia is there. Watches a bit of the TV.

THE VONK
The world could live without
people a lot better than it could
live without trees. That’s what
the Vonk says.

SOPHIA
This is great TV.

CUT TO:
 111.

68 INT. MURDOCH APARTMENT. DAY. 68

Chloe and Grace are playing Monopoly with Wendi. James

spots something as he passes.

JAMES
Ah, no. See you don’t want to buy
that Chloe - waterworks is a one
off hit. Save it and put some
hotels on Pennsylvania Avenue,
then you’re putting the squeeze
on.
(whispers as he steals a
note)
And, when the bank’s not looking,
slip yourself a cool 500.
Everyone does it.

He winks at her. KRM comes out of his office.

KRM
Okay. Roll up, roll up, roll up,
this way for the signing!

He is ushers his kids towards his office. But as they go in

he just goes to have one final word with Lachlan. As James
and Pru head in, KRM takes him aside for a final firm-up.

KRM (CONT’D)
So, you alright son, everything
clear?

LACHLAN
Yeah, yeah I think so.

KRM
Good. Cos. You know. I hope you
can be there for your Dad, cos
I’ve always been there for you,
right son?

This is just a bit too much for Lachlan. He laughs.

LACHLAN
Yeah right.

KRM
What?

LACHLAN
Nothing Dad. It’s fine.

KRM
Okay.
 112.

LACHLAN
(can’t quite let it go)
Just - when I did need you, when
I was on the inside - maybe you
could actually have muzzled the
attack dogs who chewed my ass
off?

KRM
(ushering him in)
I never knew Lachlan. It was all
behind my back mate ...

LACHLAN
I got fucked six ways hard by
each Tuesday lunch and you were
always looking the other way?

KRM
A business isn’t a cruise ship
Lachlan. Friction makes heat.
Napoleon didn’t have a fucking
career development officer,
right?

LACHLAN
Fine. I don’t want to get into
the old stuff.

KRM
Exactly.

It might be okay if they both leave it.

KRM (CONT’D)
You’re older now. You know what
you’re doing now.

LACHLAN
I knew what I was doing before
Dad, I knew what I was fucking
doing, I just needed some back
up.

KRM
Well I fired Cal didn’t I?

Lachlan wants to let things lie, but he can’t quite let

this go.

LACHLAN
Today. Today you fired him, when
you wanted, not when I said we
should. It always suits you
doesn’t it?
 113.

KRM
Have you been speaking to your
mother? What’s eating you?

LACHLAN
Here we all are - and you’ve
dropped this bomb on us - and
we’re trying to have a party for
you and you’re nearly 80 and
you’re playing these games and
why can’t we just be a family and
hang out?

Liz is on her way in.

KRM
Liz honey - just will you tell
them I’ll be two minutes, me and
Lachlan just need to finish
something and ...

ELIZABETH
It’s a no.

KRM
What?

ELIZABETH
No, no fucking way.

KRM
Oh come on, hold on ... but, no,
Liz sweetheart ...

James and Pru come and check out what’s going on.

JAMES
What’s up?

LACHLAN
She’s saying no.

JAMES
You’re saying no?

KRM
No she’s not.

ELIZABETH
Yes I am.

KRM
This is hasty.

LACHLAN
But Dad, why? Ah? What’s it all
for?
(MORE)
 114.
LACHLAN (CONT'D)
All the, the acquisitions and the
deals and the - this today -
bullshit? What are you building,
what shape is it even meant to
fucking be?

KRM
(dry)
The final shape hasn’t been
determined. C’mon kids let’s get
in there and ...

LACHLAN
But what the fuck is it all for?
Why have you built this fucking
Noah’s ark of money and fucking
newspapers and us?

KRM
(joking trying to keep
it light)
Keeps me alive. A few more deals
I reckon I can go to 120.

He’s joking. But a bit of him isn’t.

LACHLAN
But Jesus Dad, is it worth it? I
mean, what ... profits a man if
he gains the world but, but, but,
fucks his family in the jam-hole?

KRM
Are you looking for rosebud
Lachlan? Ah? The key to it all?
Well, fuck rosebud. The yankee
dollar, that’s all rosebud is. A
hundred dollar bill mate. So stop
worrying your heads and let’s
sign up.

LACHLAN
I don’t buy it.

Rupert can feels things slipping. Then, to all the kids:

KRM
You know what the whole world is
to me? Family.

LACHLAN
Yeah it’s your greatest
achievement. Funny how we all
live on different fucking
continents isn’t it?
 115.

KRM
This is a good family. How many
billionaires do you know without
a smackhead kid? Or one who’s
gone tits up on booze or God?

LACHLAN
Yeah this family is better than
Harvard business school. But how
come you had to sow the seeds of
fuck in everything? Did we ever
have a game that wasn’t a
competition? Ah? And if it’s all
about the family - was it a good
idea to have three different
ones?

KRM
That’s too much.

LACHLAN
So, you know what? No. I’m not
signing up so you can keep things
sweet here. I’m not a turkey and
I’m not voting for Christmas. So
screw you Dad. I love you Dad.

KRM
(Re Liz and Lachlan)
So. That’s two on ice. You two,
we’ll sort out the deal we need
to make later. But you two.
(to Pru and James, as he
goers into the study to
get the legal papers)
Okay? Signing up.

He looks at James and Prudence.

JAMES
Well it’s academic, right?

KRM
No, no, cos, critical mass of
opinion, and they’ll be signing
later and ...

JAMES
It doesn’t work for me Dad. How
would this fit into my strategy?

KRM
What?

JAMES
China works. China stands or
falls on it’s own.
(MORE)
 116.
JAMES (CONT'D)
And so does this and it’s a
shitty deal. That’s all it is
Dad, it’s not a personal thing
it’s just a shitty deal.

Pru looks at the others. She smiles at her dad but she
doesn’t want to be left on her own, shrugs an apology.

KRM consider for a beat. There’s something else. He doesn’t

want to do this, but he has another card to play.

KRM
Okay. Look, come in, come in
here, I have something to tell
you, in private. Something
important.

The kids look at each other - Lachlan makes it into the

office. KRM closes the door.

KRM (CONT’D)
Guh. Okay. Yeah. So, here’s the
thing.
(beat)
I didn’t want it to go this way
but, today. The story is I’m
dying.

There’s shock. Lachlan laughs a squeak of embarrassed,

shocked laughter.

JAMES
Are you serious?

KRM
Yeah I’m serious. So. I just
really want to get a few things
straight and signed off. I need
to get everything straight.

ELIZABETH
Really? What? Are you - how long?
For sure?

KRM
Yeah. Could be soon, could be
later?

PRUDENCE
Oh shit Dad.

Prudence starts to cry.

JAMES
Right and you tell us now?
 117.

KRM
I didn’t want to do this but ...
I thought you deserved to have
the full picture.

LACHLAN
Oh God. God. Dad?

KRM
Yeah.

LACHLAN
And the, the only way you can
tell your kids you're going to
fucking die is when it’s a
negotiating tactic?

KRM
That’s not the situation. But
that is the back-story so can we
sign this stuff up?

JAMES
Yeah. Wow. Jesus. God.
(beat)
I guess re all this, my only
question is - how does this make
a difference?

LACHLAN
It makes a difference cos he’s
going to fucking die, dude.

JAMES
No need for the guilt trip, I’m
just saying they’re two different
things.

ELIZABTH
Yeah but James, a dying man. A
dying man’s wish?

KRM clicks a pen. The kids look at the papers.

JAMES
Sure. No. No. I know. Look I’m
shaken up
(beat)
But, I’m going to need to see
some medical evidence.

KRM
What?
 118.

JAMES
Look - I’m sorry and this is a
weird day, and Dad we’re going to
beat this, and we’re going to get
through this, and we all love you
Dad, but before I sign anything,
can you get your Doc on speaker
phone?

KRM
No. I’m your fucking dad and I’m
telling you I’m dying.

KRM offers the pen.

Elizabeth and Lachlan look at one another. James’s casting

doubt on things has rocked them too. Neither of them make a
move for the pen.

JAMES
Dad, let’s not let things get
mixed up here. Can we see
something?

KRM considers he’s seething. But he’s not about to call his
Doctor. Because he can’t or he won’t face the humiliation?

KRM
Go on, fuck off out of it.

ELIZABETH
Dad? Are you okay? Do you want to
talk about this?

KRM
No, no I don’t. Go on. Piss off.

The kids step outside the door.

KRM glowers. Shifts in his seat. Was it a tactic? Is he

dying? He looks at a flat screen monitor. Looks at the
newspapers on his desks. Suddenly he punches the flat-
screen monitor. It hurts his aged fist. It topples over
pathetically backwards.

ENDS