All is not well with Grandpa and Ngaire, as a chance run in with a parking warden reveals a long lost associate – Sparky. He has sworn off women and is living a new under cover life as a respecter of rules and writer of tickets, but Grandpa sees a golden opportunity to get his crew back together. Sparky is reluctant, but Grandpa blackmails him to do one last job. The problem is deciding what it will be. Ngaire is finding that living with her husband is ruining their sex life, so appeals to Judd to take Ted back. But when Grandpa discovers this, he feels betrayed and walks out on Ngaire.

Loretta is giving Van his first training in management. But to be on the safe side, she’s diverted the Tool Guy phone. Van finds management so dull and easy he suspects that Loretta has been ripping them off. In revenge, Loretta turns the phone back on.

Evoking the feeling of hunting pussy. - Aaron

Loretta and Hayden have low budget plans to refurbish the brothel, but when Aaron and the Gooch are inspired, Hayden sees a way to harness their creativity. Loretta is not impressed with their plans, but allows Hayden free rein, as long as he agrees to pay for it. She also baulks at Judd’s quote to install security. But when Grandpa sees the quote, he is very inspired. He calls the crew together for their first job, but they are slightly mystified when it seems to be some kind of office building with no obvious loot.

Grandpa delivers his cut price security system to Loretta, with Sparky to install it. Loretta blackmails Sparky into further electrical work and encourages the tools to further excess in order to punish Hayden. Ngaire, worried for Ted, lobbies Judd afresh as Judd discovers that one of his clients has been robbed – and what is missing is the security system itself. Grandpa crows at this victory over the oinker, though Jethro is a little worried and also not keen to have Grandpa living on his couch. Judd finds the whereabouts of the missing security system and takes Grandpa on. Seeing that Grandpa is not about to back down, Judd offers a compromise. But Grandpa has conditions: Judd has to move to the caravan and make a full apology. It’s back to stalemate as Judd repossesses the stolen goods.

Loretta now demands restitution and Grandpa once again gathers his crew. But they find the mission demeaning and bail, leaving Grandpa crewless. In desperation he seeks out Ngaire, who is now missing Ted and prepared not to heed Judd’s warnings. Ngaire and Ted knock off an appliance and electrical warehouse. Their passion is rekindled, but they now agree that they need to live apart. Grandpa feels victorious, but Jethro counsels caution. He needs Grandpa on the outside. Grandpa finds a new place of abode, bunking at Van’s with Eric.

Back at the brothel, Angel is taking an interest in Sparky and Eric feels put out. Loretta is put out to find the workers slacking off, as Hayden is rewarding them for their hard work at ‘Loretta’s’. Loretta is shocked to find this will be the name of their establishment, and also discovers that Hayden has finessed the workers into finding their own materials. And for their labour, they’re being paid in sexual favours. Aaron and the Gooch are not unhappy with this deal. Sparky is more worried, having sworn off women – but fortunately perhaps, Angel is no woman.

Catch Sophie Henderson (Bailey) in DOG SEES GOD at the Basement Theatre September 28 – October 9.

DOG SEES GOD - It’s really f**ked up, Charlie Brown!
Didn’t fit in growing up? Well, neither do they…

CB’s dog is dead, his sister has gone goth, his best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation and his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalised. But a chance meeting with an artistic kid sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits.

Based on Charles M. Schulz’s iconic Peanuts comic strip, this is a black comedy about drug use…, suicide, eating disorders, rebellion, sexual identity and the hope that, one day, we might grow up…

Featuring:
Byron Coll (Heat)
Sophie Henderson (The Scene, The Little Dog Laughed, Outrageous Fortune)
Todd Emerson (The History Boys, Songs for Guy)
Barnie Duncan (Outrageous Fortune)
Chelsie Preston-Crayford (The Cult, That Face)
Morgana O’Reilly (Bare, When the Rain Stops Falling)
Sam Bunkall (Romeo and Juliet)
and Natalie Medlock (Assassins)

Directed by Sophie Roberts (Broken China, Wolf’s Lair)

8pm
Tickets – $20 / $16 / Groups 6+ $15
Tuesday 28th Preview – all tickets $15
Book at iTicket – www.iticket.co.nz / 361 1000

Robyn stopped in yesterday to chat to Willie & JT. Listen here.

Van is restive about finding the twins. Judd already has a result with the Brownlows but it’s not something he feels good about sharing, because the adoptive dad is a cop. Van is outraged and wants to uplift the twins right now but Judd advises caution. Van is appalled to realise his siblings are not supportive, on account of not wanting more cop involvement and turns to Munter. They bond, but Kasey sees warnings ahoy if Van gets custody. How will he cope, and will she ever see Munter again? She appraises Pascalle of this.

Hayden and Loretta are involved in the problem of finding suitable brothel premises. Loretta rejects Hayden’s attempt to return to nostalgic knocking shop glory on the grounds of zoning, and Hayden gazumphs Loretta’s cheap alternative by deploying the Angel taste test. They are at stalemate. Loretta gets a visit from Jethro lobbying about Grandpa’s eviction and her lack of loyalty. Loretta distracts from this telling off with news of the twins and their possible paternity.

“You would have made a brilliant dad. The best.” - Pascalle

Judd has found that the cop is not a bastard; and the Brownlows believed the adoption was legal. But Van feels as if Judd is stonewalling and rejects him. Pascalle moves to assist, but now Jethro also hoves in to offer assistance, and Van is even prepared to take his help. Judd is alarmed and Loretta now decides to drop the bomb that Jethro rooted Sheree – and could be the twins’ father. Horror abounds, but Judd goes to stop Jethro. Jethro and Bailey see a golden opportunity in Van’s case for Cheryl – another instance of West Auckland police corruption. Judd is more worried about Van, who will not cope with media, legal scrutiny – and a paternity test. Judd makes it clear he knows about the dubious paternity of the twins. Jethro confesses the truth to Bailey, but rather than being appalled, she is impressed – and has constructive suggestions to his family woes re Judd and Loretta. So when Hayden presents with his brothel problems Jethro has a helpful solution. Loretta is dubious – it’s Jethro. It has to be bad, but in the end, he finesses her and she accepts the deal. Because she thinks she sees Jethro’s weak point, so that’s okay . . .

Meanwhile now Jethro is involved, Judd has seen that he needs to reassess his attitude to Van, rather than keep him out he needs to let him step up. He does this by introducing him to the twins and the Brownlows. And when Bailey threatens the Brownlows, – Judd lets Van deal with it, and take on Jethro. Jethro, deciding to play politics, apparently backs off. But Jethro deploys his ace on the Van issue – Cheryl – who wants action now. This causes discord between Cheryl and Judd. Pascalle feels guilted into pledging her support. But when Bailey threatens the Brownlows, Van is riled to act in their defence, and stand up to Jethro – who amazingly backs down.

Van is triumphant, but he still has the problem of negotiating to take the twins, and this he is not sure about. But then comes this offer from Loretta – Van has no idea that this has been orchestrated by Judd – but the management offer is what he wants and there are so many reasons he should take it and sort things with the Brownlows. This he does and feels he has won, made the best decision by himself.

But Pascalle knows who really worked this out and this was – Judd. Who would have made the best dad ever.