Skin Cleverman

Yeah, run, baldy. Run!

Not so fast now, are you?

SHE PANTS

Hello, baldy.

HE YELLS

It's OK.

SIRENS WAIL IN DISTANCE You should go.

WOMAN SINGS IN OWN LANGUAGE

# Take the hand and the body will follow

# Take the hand, take the hand Take the hand

# Take the hand and the body will follow

# Take the hand, take the hand Take the hand

# Take me home

# Take me there. #

She's in there.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Nerida. Oh, God, you're safe.

I'm here for Alinta.

Come in.

Please.

This place is as much yours as it is mine.

I'm not coming in.

Mum?

-Linta.

-Mum.

Just give us a minute, bub.

-Linta.

-It's OK.

Where have you been? I've been looking for you.

I thought you were both dead.

You should have called me. I could have protected you both.

Like you did at the Zone?

Come on. Hmm?

Come inside, it's safe.

You can have a shower, get some rest.

We can talk later, promise.

You're not the man I married.

What you've done to our community...

What you're doing to them now...

-You abandoned us.

-Come on, you done?

You left your daughter in front of a troop of armed men.

I can't ever forgive you for that.

You had Koen with you.

You're her father.

Get inside.

Please... just let me have her.

I can give her far more than you can.

Stay on the streets. You just remember this was your choice.

-I'm not leaving her here.

-Mum!

Go to your room.

SHE BANGS ON DOOR Waruu!

-Now.

-Waruu! Give me Alinta!

Waruu, please!

Linta!

KEYPAD BEEPS

This is Waruu West.

There's a Hairy sympathiser at my house making a scene.

I need CA here as soon as possible. And I need this handled discreetly.

I'm still here, baby!

Linta!

Alinta!

DOOR OPENS

DOOR CLOSES

-MAN OVER RADIO:

-'We have a 313 in progress, sector 217.

'Request immediate assistance south end of Corneal Street, 191.

'Waruu West's residence.'

This is Charlie-Alpha-249, close by. Responding.

'Discretion advised.

'Any vehicles in attendance should approach with caution.'

Copy that.

Alinta!

Linta!

Linta!

CAR APPROACHES

Linta!

Alinta!

Nerida, you need to come with me.

-Alinta!

-Hey, he called the CA.

Gutless bastard.

Listen, if you don't come with me, they're just going to get someone else.

Watch your fingers.

ENGINE STARTS

KNOCK AT DOOR

I can come back with the CA.

Trevor.

-Oi, Trevor.

-HE KNOCKS

Trevor!

You had a red streak in your hair... when you had hair.

You're Billamanju. Bindawu.

My wife's Billamanju.

One of your people took something that belongs to Slade.

We are going to get it back.

Just me and you?

You're the secret weapon, Trevor.

You might want to go and put on your shoes.

CAR ALARM DEACTIVATES

What have you come as?

You're just another slaver.

What makes it worse is that you're a black slaver.

I'm more black than you'll ever be.

Your skin's the only thing about you that says black man.

You don't get it, do you?

It only takes one of our mob to side with them to make it feel all right!

-I'm not siding with anyone.

-Exactly.

You're out for yourself.

Shut your initiative down, Waruu, or I'll do it for you.

Really?

The only reason the government hasn't caught you yet is because of me.

How's your scar?

Healed yet?

HE GROWLS

ENGINE STARTS

WARUU: What did Uncle Jimmy say to you?

-ALINTA:

-He just told me a story.

You know, the one about the sun and the moon?

The grandfather has to decide which of his two sons to pass...

His knowledge.

Yeah.

And he chooses the sun and that makes the moon angry,

and that's why the moon only comes out sometimes,

because he's jealous of the sun.

Did I get it wrong?

No. You got it right.

Come here, bub.

CHILD SHOUTS

What's your name?

-His name is Daku.

-Oh.

-Hello, Daku.

-Hmm.

What's he saying?

-He wants to speak to you.

-Oh.

He's such a sweetie.

SHE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE

-It means thank you.

-Oh.

Your child will learn this. And you will learn this too.

MITCHELL: All attempts to reverse the decay have failed.

Cellular material continues to collapse.

PHONE VIBRATES

-We need to take a new approach.

-Just do what needs to be done.

Minister.

-This won't take long.

-Very well.

No word on your wife yet?

I assume Steve McIntyre is reinstated.

It's important your wife is found,

but I won't forget about your aggression here, Jarrod.

I only made a suggestion I thought would be of assistance to your government.

Well, either we find a way to make our relationship mutually beneficial

or there'll be no relationship.

How can I help you?

I need this tested. I'm sure it's nothing.

Background checks are all clear, but I just want to be sure.

Passed the mandatory public service DNA test, but was alone when tested.

I'm sure it's nothing.

I appreciate you'll keep this between the two of us.

Of course.

I'll be in touch.

SIREN WAILS

Mr West, you can't just barge in here!

-This media release.

-FRITH: What about it?

-It's already gone out.

-This morning, yeah.

The initiative is losing momentum.

People are actively avoiding the included.

Bennelong Estate... initiative-run buildings and facilities

are bringing down local housing prices, markets are suffering.

So we're undertaking a PR push to combat the concerns.

I know. My question is, why am I not credited as executive director?

You don't understand the Hairies.

The initiative is my creation.

More than that, it's in here, it's not just some project.

This is what I wanted to achieve in the Zone.

Bringing humans and Hairies together, making everyone feel safe.

Wanted. Like they have a meaningful existence.

A safe place to raise their kids

without the fear that diversity brings.

It's the only hope for lasting peace.

-Well, there's a quote from you in the release...

-Which I never said.

You were asked to find a way to make the initiative

-more acceptable to our voters. You haven't done that.

-I will.

Just like you said you'd locate the blue light thing.

When you have some actual results, we'll talk about moving forward.

PHONE VIBRATES

Tell me you got somewhere.

You actually did it.

Shall we?

Not so indestructible now.

Go ahead, pick it up.

The gateway between here and the Dreaming has been disturbed.

Control your brother...

and we control the gateway.

The Dreaming, you mean.

I'm going to need somewhere to transport the liquid.

Patience, Waruu.

We need to be sure the liquefication will hold.

We're still testing the phase transitions.

I don't have time.

None of us has real time anymore.

We must do all we can, Waruu.

Our Hairy friends may be strong enough to survive,

but you and I...

our self-preservation must be meticulously designed.

That's why all the Hairy biotech?

The green vials.

That was just the beginning.

I've succeeded in creating an elite cellular composition.

The best of both worlds, so to speak.

How else can we hope to combat the wrath of a dying planet?

What did you want to run by me?

I don't trust Waruu West.

He used to speak for the Hairies and now he's trying to neuter them.

I want to see the inclusion clinic for myself.

Why would you even go there?

Cos we need to know what we're putting people through.

Marion, I...

I think you should keep your concerns to yourself for the moment.

It won't be a good look.

We are struggling to sell the benefits of inclusion.

We need to be consistent.

If we start diluting our own policy...

Let's just stay focused on allaying the public's fears.

Wait.

-Nah.

-What's up?

Tough gig, saving the world.

-Isn't that what you're doing?

-Sure.

So, what's next?

I've got to deal with this initiative shit.

And that's none of your business.

Well, can I help?

No.

Why not?

No.

Why not?

It's got nothing to do with you.

-Just let me help. LINDA:

-Help with what?

Getting more supplies.

You're a terrible liar, girl.

I've seen something in this one.

Keep her close.

You're driving. That's it.

Ow!

HE GROANS

HE WHISTLES

BOONDEE WHISTLES

THEY WHISTLE

HE COCKS GUN

Keep quiet.

It's been 20 years since I've stepped foot on this country.

I need to honour the law of my people.

Don't worry. No-one's listening but my ancestors.

HE GRUNTS

Minister. Minister.

Oh, uh, no, no, no, it's OK.

Sarah. Sarah Gottlieb.

Well, it's been ages. Ah, Lucia Conti, this is Sarah Gottlieb.

We went to university together.

I've been watching your star rise. Very impressive.

Thank you. And I yours.

Sarah's been working out of the Hague.

Her team of public interest lawyers are responsible for

exposing human rights abuses by the British forces during the Iraq War.

Mm. Thank you.

I wish we could be meeting under better circumstances, Marion.

I am so disappointed that it's come to this.

I agree. You know, these are frightening times.

The Government's doing everything it can for our people.

You misunderstand me, Marion.

What I mean is as our appointed minister,

you could be celebrating coexistence with a peaceful species

instead of stripping one of its culture.

We should go. Just a moment, Lucia.

I'd hardly call the subhumans peaceful.

We've all witnessed their brutality, the deaths.

You give me three victims of a Hairy attack and I will give you 30 more of human.

That's why we have the penitentiary system.

Last time I checked, correctional justice was not the same

as systematically castrating an entire race.

Emergence has been unprecedented and vicious.

-The inclusion reassures the general public...

-That we punish people who are different?

The initiative isn't about elimination or punishment,

it's about integration.

Giving subhumans the choice to live as we do.

You might not be mass-producing yellow stars, but bald heads are just as conspicuous.

And make no mistake, when I come knocking it's your name on the door.

And your name on the wrong side of history.

Remember, you wanted to enter politics to make a difference, Marion.

-Nice to meet you, Miss Conti.

-Mm.

There you go, little one. That won't hurt anymore.

-Thank you.

-It's my pleasure.

-It's good to see you, Minister.

-You're doing a fine job.

Oh, it's a privilege working with these people.

-You haven't had any issues?

-No, not at all.

They're so generous with their stories about the land and things they've seen.

Some of them are hundreds of years old.

Well...

it's just great that you listen.

Well, why wouldn't you?

OK, you're next.

Are you ready?

OK, there you go.

HAIRIES CHATTER

HAIRIES GASP

Jarli!

I know this man. He worked for my husband.

Her husband forced me to lead him here.

He knows his wife is with the Bindawu.

None of you are safe as long as I'm here.

-You will go back to him?

-I have to do what's best.

-Her child is one of us.

-You know too much about us.

No, you misunderstand.

If I can just talk to him,

I know I can convince him that what he's doing is wrong.

And then I will return. I promise.

-Why would he listen to you?

-Too risky.

Look, today he's brought this man, tomorrow he could send an army.

Do you understand?

No. I will go to the city, kill him. And finish what I started.

No more killing. There's been too much violence already.

Your husband is the one who did this to Boondee and too many others.

-He deserves to die.

-No. That will just provoke the humans.

Please. He won't harm me or the baby.

I have to try.

I'll be in and out.

You wait here.

If you see anything go down, just bolt, OK?

Go tell Harry. Got it?

Koen... camera.

How's it feeling?

Hm. Oh, yeah.

Now drink this. Then you're ready for the next stage.

I'll be back in a sec with your IV unit.

-MAN OVER RADIO:

-'We have a disturbance.

'All officers, urgent assistance required.'

Copy that.

Don't do this. You're proud of who you are.

And where you're from. ALARM BLARES

Think of Latani.

I need to be able to look for her on the streets openly, without fear.

-It won't always be like this.

-I want to find my daughter.

This is the only way.

Please.

You shut this down, then what?

I go back to being hunted on the streets.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

On the ground! Now!

Koen. This way.

THEY PANT

MITCHELL: The tests are positive. The hair comes from a subhuman.

Although, curiously,

not the same cellular structure as those we've worked with before.

Run an ID check on the DNA.

Thank you. If you'll excuse me.

PHONE BEEPS

Waruu.

Have you seen this footage of Koen?

This is on your shoulders. You withheld the sap from me twice.

It's the only thing that can stop him.

Careful, Waruu, I'm the only ally you have.

Well, it's not doing me much good right now, is it?

-We will find Koen, overpower him.

-It's too late.

You've been distracted, unfocused, keeping things from me.

Let us talk about deception, Waruu.

When were you going to tell me the Hairy essence works in you?

Or did you think I wouldn't notice?

Don't push me. I can ruin you any time I want.

You just remember who I am now.

What I can do.

PHONE BEEPS

PHONE RINGS

Jarrod.

I'm sorry to disappoint you,

but the hair you brought in, nothing unusual there at all.

It belongs to a healthy specimen of human.

I see. Um... I mean, are you absolutely sure?

You know our DNA equipment is state-of-the-art.

-Is there any value in retesting?

-Waste of time.

WARUU: We don't have to be afraid anymore.

The Inclusion Initiative will give us a real opportunity

for humans and Hairies to live peacefully, side by side.

The initiative means Hairies are no longer a threat to humans.

The Hairies can live freely and safely

in an open, assimilated society.

So, just you today or is your family here?

Most of them.

-WOMAN OVER RADIO:

-'Suspected escaped subhuman sighted.

'Abandoned building on Mansfield Road.'

Clear.

'Subhumans considered armed and dangerous. Shoot to kill.

'Shoot to kill.'

GUNSHOT SHRIEKS

CONFUSED SHOUTING AND SCREAMING

MACHINE GUNS FIRE SCREAMING

SILENCE

SHE SAYS THANK YOU IN BINDAWU LANGUAGE

You don't have the right to speak our language anymore.

You disobeyed us, Jarli.

You put us all at risk.

You must leave.

When my generation becomes the leaders...

..things will change. They have to.

I will find our people and I will take back our land from the humans!

You won't be doing that as a Bindawu!

Now!

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

The two most important people have been taken from me because of you.

Because I trusted you.

-I shouldn't have lied to you. I'm sorry...

-Don't!

Did he hurt you?

Where is Latani?

She wasn't processed.

-What do you mean she wasn't processed?

-I don't know, OK? I'm trying to find out.

You were scared of her.

She should have been scared of you.

What?

No-one moves like you.

How does this all work?

-It's all this.

-No, it's not.

You shouldn't do that.

Feed your doubt.

I don't need another shrink session.

I'm just saying.

What was that about?

Nothing.

Oh, Charlotte.

Oh, thank God.

Are you all right? Oh, darling, come and sit down.

Did they hurt you? Huh?

The baby?

This is... incredible.

Well, there's...

nothing like this anywhere else on the planet.

But we should get you home, darling. You look exhausted.

I'll organise the doctor for you.

-Jarrod...

-A full check-up.

..I'm not staying.

-What?

-All this has to stop.

You're here to fight their cause?

What you're doing is completely unacceptable. Can't you see that?

You're speaking from a place of ignorance.

No, I'm speaking from a place of common decency and compassion,

which is more than you've ever...

Charlotte...

Don't.

-Charlotte!

-No! No, Jarrod!

-Shh.

-Jarrod, no.

We need to get that baby out of you for both of your sakes.

Oh, God, no. SHE WHIMPERS

Shh, shh, shh.

Charlotte!

-Shh, shh, shh.

-No, don't you take my baby!

No, not my baby! HE GRUNTS

-No!

-It will be all right. Shh, shh, shh.

Jarrod, no. Please, please don't. No.

When you wake up, it will all be over

and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

Shh. Shh.

What have you done?

SCALPEL CLATTERS ON FLOOR

No.