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Good Guys Bad Guys: episode guide

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Only The Young Die Good

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Telemovie pilot (90 min)
Screenplay by Roger Simpson
Directed by Steve Jodrell

When the glamourous Loretta Monk prevails upon her son, Elvis Maginnis to investigate a series of death threats his first instinct is to say no. But the threats are being made against his step-father, the charmless Willie Monk and Loretta has a way of bending her son to her will. It's the start of a very bad week for Elvis. Investigating work is not his thing anymore—he's strictly into dry cleaning now—if only people would let him get on with the job. But the unlikely combination of his family's shady criminal connections and his history as a former cop make that extremely difficult. His investigations into the death threats aren't helped any by Willie's aversion to telling the truth. Willie has his own crooked reasons for not involving the police—the fact that he was suspected of being involved in a major fraud contributed to Elvis' decision to leave the police force. The deeper Elvis gets into Willie's business, the more he begins to realise how many people want Willie dead. Is there a link between Willie and the tortured death of a young man who was asphyxiated by a deadly dose of chemicals? And who is the grisly exterminator systematically eliminating humans with his chemical cocktails? No-one, least of all the police, can figure out the motive or any connection between the victims.

Guest Cast: Belinda Giblin as Loretta Monk, Bruce Venebles as Willie Monk, Nadine Garner as Jinx, Philip Holder as Orson, Sophie Lee as Amy, Lenita Vangelis as Anna Bitta, Phil Motherwell as Exterminator, Simon J. Hill as Gavin, Frank Bren as Bookie, Esben Storm as Jerry, Jenny Lovell as Mrs. Maloney, Magie King as Bookie's Wife, Matthew Green as Priest, Christine Earle as Librarian, Randall Berger as Comic Shop Man, Kym Carter as Hostess, Shauna Macewan as Bistro Waitress, Bob Pavlich as Dying Man, Martin Trainor as Coffee Patron, Luigi Cengarle as Fishmonger, Hugh Elphinstone as Security Man, Peggy O'Shea as Woman Bowler, Tanya Carter as Photographer

One Point Eight Million Reasons To Change Your Name (Part 1)

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Episode 1.01
Premiere: April 29, 1997
Screenplay by Graeme Koetsveld
Directed by Brendan Maher

Elvis Maginnis is in trouble and it's his family—as usual—who have put him in it. This time he's suspected of master-minding an armoured van robbery that netted 1.8 million dollars. Why? Because the over-alls the bandits wore came from K for Kleen. And because the MO is identical to a job suspected to have been committed by Elvis' cousin Declan, and Eddie Garribaldi, Elvis' best friend, two years before. When Elvis was in the Armed Robbery Squad—investigating that same case. Too much is coincidental. Declan Maginnis was not charged for the first robbery—he could prove his sudden wealth was a fortunate Tatts Lotto win. And Eddie Garribaldi disappeared. Now people are saying Eddie's back, and police are 100% sure he and a Maginnis are involved in the latest heist. So the police lean on Elvis—if he didn't do it, he's to find out who did or they'll frame him in order to get the bust. To make things worse, others start to lean on Elvis. His Uncle Finbar for example. Who reminds Elvis that "a Maginnis always looks after his own." Clear up the family name or else. Then there are the "blowies", criminals who are called "blow-flies" for their inclination to live off the earnings of the more resourceful. The biggest blowie of all, Baxter Hobbins, is now swarming for action. He puts the squeeze on Elvis to get the booty before the police do. And that's not all. At the same time as having to investigate this robbery, Elvis is mentor to Dermot, a wayward young cousin who manages a band. He has to deal with his unemployed cousin Suzie—who wants a job in his shop. And deal with rival Detective Sergeant Oliver Blanco who swears he'll nail Elvis for this job, by hook or by crook. Blanco is in love with Detective Skye Edwards, who used to be Elvis' partner in and out of the job. She's the 'one who got away', and Elvis has never quite got over her. It's not an easy time for Maginnis—in fact the only piece of good news is that Skye is working on this case too. Is a family member involved? Did Declan commit this robbery after all? Who else knew the MO? Is Eddie Garribaldi back in town? Is his wife Molly Garribaldi (another of Elvis' cousins) the woman on the phone, calling herself Mrs LeRoy, who ordered the generator that the robbers used to threaten to "fry" the armoured van crew? Eddie used to call himself the king—and that's what LeRoy means. Everything points to his best friend Eddie. When Eddie's coat turns up, Elvis is almost certain his friend has returned. It becomes a race against time, the police, and Baxter Hobbins, who gives Elvis 24 hours to come up with the money—or he'll start carving Elvis up.

Guest Cast: Zoe Carides as Skye, Shane Feeney-Connor as Blanco, Christopher Mayer as Declan, Angela Kennedy as Molly, Brett Swain as Baxter, Samuel Johnson as Dermott, John Flaus as Finbar, Sancia Robinson as Colleen, Peta Brady as Susie, Gabriel Egan as Patrick, David Whiteley as Mears, Peter Stefanou as Eddie, John Penman as Manager, Nathan Godkin as Harry Delfont Jnr, Maurie Annese as Minky, Big Bad Ralph as Derelict, Stephen Dyson as Derelict, Richard Neal as Plain Clothes Policeman, Chris Wilson as Armoured Van Driver, Peter Robbs as Armoured Van Guard, Justin Anderson as Schoolmate, Andrew Carter as Schoolmate, Davin Taylor as Thug, Russell Frost as Thug, Mark Campbell as Thug

One Point Eight Million Reasons To Change Your Name (Part 2)

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Episode 1.02
May 6, 1997
Screenplay by Graeme Koetsveld
Directed by Brendan Maher

Elvis continues to investigate the 1.8 million dollar armoured van heist for which he is still the prime suspect. But time is running out for Elvis to find the real culprit. Both blow-fly Baxter Hobbins, and Detective Sergeant Oliver Blanco have started turning up the heat. When Eddie Garribaldi's signature red coat turns up in a local bistro, it seems certain Eddie is back in town. Or is he? No-one has actually seen him. Is someone trying to frame Eddie. Are these coincidences an elaborate frame up to protect the true culprit? Of even more concern to Elvis is Oliver Blanco. Elvis is arrested when incriminating evidence turns up in his apartment—Elvis claims it was planted. When Skye Edwards accuses Blanco of placing the evidence, he recommends that she be suspended from duty for associating with Elvis Maginnis an accused felon. Blanco's jealousy over Skye has taken a sinister turn. Slowly Elvis finds answers to this perplexing case. What is the significance of the red coat turning up when it does? Who placed it there if not Eddie Garribaldi? Why is cousin Dermot constantly hanging around? What does cousin Molly Garribaldi see in the despicable baker Declan Maginnis? What would Eddie say if he learned of his wife Molly's infidelity? Who did commit the first heist two years ago—and did they commit this one too?

Guest Cast: Zoe Carides as Skye, Shane Feeney-Connor as Blanco, Christopher Mayer as Declan, Angela Kennedy as Molly, Brett Swain as Baxter, Samuel Johnson as Dermott, John Flaus as Finbar, Sancia Robinson as Colleen, Peta Brady as Susie, Gabriel Egan as Patrick, David Whiteley as Mears, Mary Sitarenos as Cosima, Nathan Godkin as Harry Delfont Jnr, Richard Neal as Plain Clothes Policeman, Justin Anderson as Schoolmate, Andrew Carter as Schoolmate

Gone to the Dogs

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Episode 1.03
May 20, 1997
Written by Mac Gudgeon
Directed by Steve Jodrell

What do greyhound racing and the martial art Capoeira have in common? Nothing, until Elvis Maginnis comes onto the scene. All Elvis wants to do is learn the Capoeira, so he can win the heart of a beautiful Brazilian Capoeirista, but his aunt Maizie Mern has different ideas. She arrives on Elvis' doorstep and needs a place to stay till Saturday, the day of the big greyhound races. Her dog Slippery Min is a cert and Maizie is set to win big. But there's a problem—as there always is when members of Elvis' family ask for favours. Maizie needs protection. Maizie hadn't told Elvis the full story when she arrived. She hadn't told him about the Romanians threatening her with knives and axes. They want to get their hands on Slippery Min. They don't want her to race, in fact, they'd paid Maizie a lot of money so Slippery Min wouldn't race, but Maizie and husband Jack were greedy and wanted to have their cake and eat it too. Now Maizie's problems become Elvis'. In the guise of sister and brother; nasty Nadia (razor sharp and as dangerous), and soporific Zoran (vain and dim witted), the Romanians stop at nothing to teach Maizie a lesson—and to stop Min from running—at all costs. When Maizie is kidnapped, Elvis resorts to dog-napping. When the Romanians call on their forces to stop the race, Elvis relies on the Capoeirista, a Mr. Whippy van, and some fast talking to get Min to the starting gate. And in the most surprising move of all, he borrows $20,000 from the head of the Romanian clan, and places it all—on Min—on the nose. Will Min win? Will the Capoeirista—with the help of Stella and Reuben—outsmart the Romanians? If Elvis loses the bet will he lose his shop? Where is the elusive Uncle Jack who was supposed to come down on the day of the races? And will Elvis, once all the dust has settled and the race is run, win the heart of his Brazilian Amazon?

Guest Cast: Anne Phelan as Maizie, Anita Cerdic as Nadia, Vince Colosimo as Zoran, Alberto Vila as Lazar, Danielle Baker as Meme, Andre Cerutti as Ernesto, Paulo Seares as Capoeira Dancer, Luiz Serafin as Capoeira Dancer, Norberto Silva as Capoeira Dancer, Peter Dunn as Sergeant Kearney, James Armstrong as Customer, Bill Bennott as Irate Dog Owner, Frank Sheerer as Uncle Jack

New Dog, Old Tricks

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Episode 1.04
April 22, 1997
Written by Peter Gawler
Directed by Steve Jodrell

Spike's gone over the wall. Spike Maginnis is Elvis Maginnis' impetuous young cousin. He reckons his new wife Stacey is having an affair, and he's going to get even with the bastard who's stolen her. The problem for Elvis is—Stacey is infatuated with him! Another, but possibly even more lethal a problem is that Spike has escaped from jail in the company of Ray Fox. Known as "The Snake", Fox is in jail for murder. He is a cop-hating madman—and that includes ex-cops. His sole aim, before he gets caught again, is to wreak as much havoc as he can, by killing as many police as he can. And he doesn't care if he or Spike are killed in the process. Elvis' first task is to try and locate Spike before he can get into more trouble. Then, once found, he's got to get him away from his mentor. Knowing his cousin, and second-guessing the psychopathic "Snake", Elvis manages to track them down before the police do. He finds the escapees in an old fishing shack. And is promptly taken hostage by the Snake. Spike, in the meantime, learns of Stacey's flirtations—and who she's flirted with. Murderously angry, Spike threatens to annihilate the cousin he once looked up to. This 'small' complication makes it near impossible for Elvis to prise Spike away from the influence of the wily Ray. Thus begins a battle over Spike's heart and soul. In a deadly game of cat and mouse, Elvis has to outsmart Ray, forestall the planting of a very large bomb, convince Spike to give himself up, and reunite Spike and Stacey by convincing Spike that he, Elvis, and Stacey are not the couple Spike thinks them to be.

Guest Cast: Peter Hosking as Ray, Scott Major as Spike, Belinda Cotterill as Stacey Maginnis, Matthew King as Det. Sgt. Leigh Shanks, Jerome Pride as Det. Const. Dave Ahmat, Gary Adams as Waiter, Robert Armstrong as Clergyman, Margie Bainbridge as Mother, Shane Jolley as Clubber, Jason Loangley as Bithday Boy, David Watson as Surveillance Cop, Joanna Coburn as Surveillance Cop, Chris Brotherton as Surveillance Cop, Sebastian Gunner as Surveillance Cop

Fatal Distraction

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Episode 1.05
May 13, 1997
Written by Chris Middendorp and Mathew Bates
Directed by Pino Amenta

Veronica Flaherty is the love of Elvis Maginnis' life. It's love at first sight for them both—but there's a small complication... Veronica is married to Clem Flaherty, a tough waterside union boss. Veronica has employed Elvis to find her husband—Clem has mysteriously and suddenly disappeared. Elvis tracks him down and brings him back home, sadly acknowledging his job has ended before he can get to know Veronica any better. Until he's rudely awoken in the middle of the night—to learn Clem has been brutally killed. Unless he can provide an alibi, Elvis is the suspected culprit. He was the last person, other than Veronica, to see Clem alive. Managing to extricate himself, Elvis returns to Veronica. In Clem's death lies the chance for Elvis' love to bloom. He takes the stricken Veronica in, shielding her from the glare of police questions, and from the waterside "cleaners" who relentlessly pursue Clem's murderer. Why did Clem die? Who attempts to kill Veronica by blasting in her kitchen window? Who is the mysterious man who begins to shadow Elvis? And where are the two million dollars that disappeared from the union coffers—before Clem died?

Guest Cast: Annie Jones as Veronica Flaherty, Tony Rickards as Det. Sgt. Forbes, Charlie Powles as Ashman, Marie Trevor as Noreen Meuller, Stewart Faichney as Clem Flaherty, Richard Sutherland as Trent, Dennis Coard as Chuckles, Lou Toth as Carnaby, Robert Price as Curly, Ross Simmons as Barman, Kate Langbrock as Female Detective, George Dinon as Old Man in Bottle Shop, Tamsin Durrant as Bank Teller

Angel

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Episode 1.06
June 10, 1997
Written by Deborah Parsons
Directed by Pino Amenta

A dazed Elvis finds himself lying in the sleeping cabin of truck. The female truckie returns him to K for Kleen. She doesn't think it's odd that he's in his under-pants. Stella does. She thinks Elvis is drunk and is furious with him—he was supposed to have delivered a wedding dress yesterday—and he—and the dress—disappeared 24 hours ago. He's got some explaining to do. When Elvis can't—all he can manage is to fall into a faint—it becomes blatently obvious that Elvis is more than drunk—he's drugged to the eyeballs. Somebody wanted him dead. And what's almost worse, 24 hours of his life are missing, and Elvis doesn't know where they went. Well, no-one's going to steal a day out of his life and get away with it. With his trusty friend Reuben, Elvis embarks on locating the missing 24 hours. Retracing his route, with nothing but painful, dream-like flashes of angels, guns, and white lace to guide him, Elvis tries to recall his last movements before he blacked out. In the meantime Stella has been left at the dry cleaners to deal with the search for the wedding dress Elvis was supposed to deliver, and a host of irate customers who come in complaining that in the last twenty-four hours, a crook called Elvis conned them out of money in exchange for dry cleaning services never delivered. Has Elvis lost his mind—or is someone out there creating havoc in his name? Elvis remembers having driven to an outer suburb. He remembers driving past a house and a girl running out, and his car hitting the girl. But she ran back into the house and he followed her... then nothing but the flashes of guns and angels and white lace... Something happened in that house, it holds the key. But when he does find the house it's empty and un-lived in. Who-ever lived there—only yesterday—has fled. Undaunted, and using his detective skills, Elvis gradually pieces together what happened, and the significance of his dreams—of the angel—becomes clear.

Guest Cast: Ola Chan as Angel, David Walters as Sharkie, Doug Bowles as Len, Red Symons as Irate Customer, Humphrey Bower as Male Nurse, Michael Pope as Real Estate Agent, Michael Bishop as Frank Little, Christopher Connelly as Police Officer, Diana O'Connor as Mother of Bride, Christina Azucena as Asian Woman, Denise Scott as Waitress, Bobby Bright as Chicken, Judith Stewart as Beryl, Raymond Marr as Diner Customer, Robert Ralti as U-Hire Manager, Marijana Dujmovic as Junior Constable, Tony Farrell as Police Raid Officer, Kristen Lee as Police Raid Officer, Phil Edge as Police Raid Officer, Mick Jones as Police Raid Officer, Darryl Spencer as Heavy, John Echeion as Heavy, Judith Graham as Lady Customer, Penelope Hanby as Distressed Woman, Casey Hawkins as Little Girl, Saasha Burns as Little Girl

Return of the Phantom

Episode 1.07
April 08, 1997
Written by Everett DeRoche
Directed by Brendan Maher

Stella is incensed. A wrecker's yard is constantly on the phone wanting Elvis to remove some bugs—bugs neither Elvis nor Stella know anything about. It turns out, it isn't bugs, but "bogs", a consignment of portable potties that have arrived in Elvis' name. Elvis is still in the dark. He knows nothing about portable toilets, or this mysterious Geoff Wizan who has sent them. It turns out Wizan is a pseudonym for prison inmate Gavin "The Goat" LaRousse, a former acquaintance who ordered a shipment of cut-price portable toilets and used Elvis as Consignee. But that doesn't explain the mysterious thugs who've started turning up at K for Kleen, hassling Stella to tell them where Elvis is. Which only makes Stella madder. And even more mysteriously—when Elvis and Reuben finally get to the crate of portable potties, they find there's been a swap—they're now dealing with a crate containing clearly more controversial contents—a supersonic jet capable of leveling a small city. At least it explains what the thugs are after. The thugs work for international arms dealer Rufus King. He offers Elvis $10,000 just to give him the where-abouts of his missing crate. Elvis is strongly advised by agents of the Federal Police to accept King's money and turn a blind eye. Elvis isn't inclined to be part of an international arms deal. He's not going to unleash weapons of war. But he can't single-handedly fight a man as powerful as Rufus King. Not when agents of the government are behind him. So Elvis does the next best thing. He outwits his foes in true Maginnis style, pockets the money—but ensures the blame can never be pinned on him.

Guest Cast: Magda Szubanski as Bella Bouvier, Grant Piro as Goat, Peter Hardy as Kirby, Dennis Miller as King, Leo Taylor as Clough, Bradley Hume as Lt. Scott, Christpher Barry as Joch Rivers, Tim Aris as Costanzo, Tom Coltraine as Snr. Inspector, John Keskeridis as Catman, Peter Leiss as Prison Officer, Amber Vickers-Willis as Lee, Paul Teiwes as Jnr. Inspector, Reiss Porter as Baker, Glenn Brittain as Soundre, Mary Nuske as Dance Teacher, Southern Exposure as Country and Western Band

Storm Warning

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Episode 1.08
April 01, 1997
Written by Elizabeth Coleman
Directed by Brendan Maher

Elvis is stunned when he's contacted out of the blue by Wendy Johnson, wife of his best mate Johnno who was killed while on a police job six years ago. Wendy and Elvis have long since lost touch, mainly because Elvis felt guilty about Johnno's death. Now Wendy's testifying at the Royal Commission into Police Corruption, and after a suspicious car accident, she's scared. Elvis leaps at the chance to make amends—he'll protect Wendy and her daughter Laura. He's gob-smacked when he discovers that the cute eight-year old he remembered is now fourteen—uncommunicative, sullen and openly contemptuous of him. It's not easy coping with the blazing hostility of a fourteen year old. Particularly when he's trying to date the sexy, but vacuous weather-girl Allie—who is jealous of his platonic friendship with Wendy. Wendy's open amusement about Allie forces Elvis to ask himself a few uncomfortable questions about his choices in relationships. Combine that with the guilt about Johnno's death, and having been a lousy friend afterwards, and Elvis is having a bad week. A week that promptly gets worse when Laura is kidnapped. Desperate at the thought of losing her daughter, Wendy decides not to testify. As Elvis sets out to find Laura. He clashes with an old police colleague who was distrustful of Elvis and Johnno as a team, and tracks down an icily intellectual businessman Rowntree, who stands to lose from Wendy's evidence. Rowntree takes a lustful shine to Elvis, and drops a bomb-shell, telling Elvis the inside story of the corruption ring. Devastated, Elvis struggles to push closer to the truth of Laura's kidnapping.

Guest Cast: Sonia Todd as Wendy Johnson, John Stanton as Rowntree, Gemma Bishop as Laura Johnson, Jane Hall as Allie Andrews, Greg Stone as Sgt. Steve Mason, Davin Taylor as Jeff Blake, Robert Allen as Snoz, Mark Oddie as Barrister, Paul Torten as Solicitor, Michael King as Roger, Kate Ingram as Snr. Sergeant, Anne Vercoe as Police Woman, Graham Andrew as Detective, Frank Raco as Male Receptionist, David Armstrong as News Presenter, Robert Mitchelson as Executive Producer, Barbara Hall as Make-up Artist, Warped as Spew Band

A Bilby in Rat's Clothing

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Episode 1.09
June 24, 1997
Written by Ray Boseley
Directed by Steve Jodrell

Paul Morello has gone off the rails. Paul's the son of local football legend and chocolate factory owner "Maddog Morello" who is Elvis' old football coach. Paul is also the star player in the local footy final, and Maddog wants Elvis to find out what's wrong. The fact that he gives Elvis $5,000 for his troubles convinces Elvis to do a good turn. Easy money—he thinks—baby-sitting a kid. How wrong he is. At first he suspects Paul to be the classic junkie. Paul steals goods—even from the family home—and hocks the stuff. He must be supporting a habit. But when Elvis searches his room to consolidate evidence, he finds a well thumbed "girlie" magazine and a sheet of figures which reveal Paul's real addiction. He's in hock to the tune of $17,000 and the people he owes it to are sending in the heavies to get a return. When Elvis confronts Paul he breaks. His relationship with his father has soured, he can't ask for help there, all he wants is a chance to sort it out himself. Remembering what a hard bastard Morello can be, Elvis appears to acquiesce. But he covers his bases by sending Reuben undercover into the world of teenage rebels, to keep an eye on Paul. Reuben discovers crucial information about Paul's big pay-off—when, but not where. When Elvis follows it up, he is not prepared for what he finds.

Guest Cast: Frankie J. Holden as Sergeant Brann, Roger Oakley as Ron Morello, Sullivan Stapleton as Paul Morello, Petra Yared as Taylor, Tobi Webster as Lane, Chris Inglis as Darvis, David Kambouris as Thing, Tess Masters as Angie, Peter Raymond-Powell as Sam Russo, Linda Hsia as Chinese Woman, Natalie Carr as La La Land Waitress, Brett Cousins as Hoon, Hayden Dingle as Hoon, Peter Schofield as Goon, Gavin Fisher as Goon

The Sound of One Hand Killing

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Episode 1.10
April 15, 1997
Written by Graham Hartley and Peter Hepworth
Directed by Steve Jodrell

Can a tiger change its stripes? Can a hit-man embrace the tranquillity and inner light of the soul by becoming a Buddhist monk? Oscar Drake says he can, says he has. But there's just one thing he has to do, before taking his final vows. Oscar wants to meet his daughter Aimee - he hasn't seen her all the years he's been away - and wants to make his peace. And he needs Elvis Maginnis to help him find her. Elvis was the one cop he trusted - even though Elvis helped put him away.
The problem is , as soon as Oscar arrives in town, people start to die. Unnaturally. And Oscar is suspected of returning to his old ways. Even Elvis has his doubts. He's not helping Oscar because he believes in him - he's helping because he's scared. It takes a good deal of time, and of persuasion, for Elvis to realise that perhaps Oscar has changed after all. Particularly when he sees that the gentler Reuben has taken a shine to the peace-loving ex crim.
It's not very easy locating Aimee. Oscar's ex-wife has remarried and swears Oscar will never find out where his daughter is. Elvis' investigations are interrupted when Oscar is arrested for the murder of a businessman, only to learn - the man died of fright. But when a second death is linked to the first, Elvis begins to smell a rat. Is someone trying to frame Oscar? Why?
Finally locating Aimee, Elvis has a difficult time persuading her to meet her father. Ironically Aimee is a straight-laced police cadet, who wants nothing to do with the one time crim. Aimee is bitter and full of hate. Her father abandoned her, left Aimee and her mother to struggle without money, and never bothered to find out how they were. Why should she see him after so many years of neglect.
From cruel killer to gentle monk? But why then, as soon as he comes back, do people start to die? Is someone framing Oscar - or is there a more sinister reason for Oscar's sudden return?

Guest Cast: John Waters as Oscar Drake, Victoria Eagger as Mia, Ross Williams as Jack Pye, Asher Keddie as Aimee, Kirk Alexander as Arty Bassett, Barry Friedlander as Calloway, Paul Karo as Joe Tyson, Norman Hancock as Hodges, Lawrence Price as Tyson's Assistant, Andy Mcphee as Grassy, Yumi Umiumare as Japanese Translator, Shauna McEwan as Waitress, Chris Bidie as Barman, Sarah Doyle as Nursery Worker, Russel C. Bedford as Accountant, Theo Verbeyen as Piano-Acordian Player, Gudi Brandt as Yodeller, Nigel Andrewartha as Drag Queen, Gary Baade as Drunk, David Sulivan Coles as Detective, Monty Maizels as Pianist, Eng Aun Khor as Buddist Monk, Craig McLauerty as Thug, Phil Reiley as Thug, Scott Manis as Thug

Little Time Bomb

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Episode 1.11
June 3, 1997
Written by Mac Gudgeon
Directed by Pino Amenta

Zippi is a time bomb waiting to go off. She materialised in Elvis Maginnis' car just as Elvis is driving off for an appointment with his bank manager. Elvis is so focused on his upcoming presentation, he doesn't even notice Zippi bunked out in the back seat. All Elvis can think about is getting a loan for his new business venture. The last thing he need is an unknown and very odd kid telling him his spiel is pathetic. Surprisingly, her pointers on how to "make friends and influence people" are right on the mark. Zippi says she's a street kid. She's looking for a place to stay, and a job that'll put some food in her mouth. She's cheeky, confident and a pain in the neck Elvis wants to get rid of. But Zippi manoeuvres her way into his life. It isn't until a little later that Elvis realises she's a girl with a dark past, who has specifically come looking for him to get her out of trouble. She was only testing the water—seeing if Elvis could be trusted. Zippi's sister was in trouble and told Zippi to find Elvis Maginnis. Tania was the girl Elvis was going to marry. She's the owner of a high class escort agency, who has gone into hiding. What Zippi doesn't know is that Tania has been murdered in the last few days. It falls on Elvis to break the news to Tania's little sister. And it's Reuben who comforts her. Reuben's taken one look at Zippi and fallen head over heels in love. Tania's clients were high fliers, many of them politicians, people who couldn't afford to be linked with the likes of her, and the pictures she took of them, in compromising positions. The photos were for insurance, she said, and now the negs have gone missing. Just recently Tania had taken on a business partner—a man who may have wanted such a lucrative business for himself. Elvis begins to investigate his one time lover's death when an old mate, Mora, is taken off the case and replaced with an incompetent junior. He begins to smell a rat. Elvis knows Tania's killer is on the loose, an incredibly tall man, carrying a water pistol filled with sulphuric acid. Zippi is his next target. He wants those negatives and he thinks she has them. Reuben is delighted to be Zippi's guardian, and the two go into hiding. While Elvis hunts the killer, Reuben comforts Zippi, and their relationship deepens. When Elvis doesn't seem to get any results, Zippi convinces Reuben to take matters into their own hands. But their plans go terribly wrong. But will Elvis be in time to save Reuben?

Guest Cast: Bruce Spence as Squirt Man, Alex Sangster as Zippi Shaffer, John McTernan as Commissioner Fuller, Denis Moore as Det. Sgt. Sergio Mora, David Cameron as John Renko, Damien Pree as Neville Crumb, David Armstrong as TV News Anchor, Bernadette Doyle as Bank Manager, Lincoln Edwards as Rastafarian, Brian Worth as Priest, Peter Maver as Valuer, Dawn Hales as Renko's Secretary, Jennifer Chang as Fuller's Wife, Daniel and Benjamin Ella as Fuller's Children, Sharlene Sault as Tania, Val Demoet as Hospital Patient, Sam Hales as Small Boy, Trent Small as Spud, Liam Janke as Winkle, Jason Blake as Bomber

Bloody Nosy

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Episode 1.12
June 17, 1997
Written by Graeme Koetsveld
Directed by Pino Amenta

Dennis Dreeble's got Roly Finster hanging out of a fifth story window. He's going to let Roly fall to a horrible death if Roly doesn't answer his questions satisfactorily. Roly Finster is a Nosy, a Nosy Parker, an honest crook who lets other crooks "park" their belongings—usually illicit gains—with him for safe keeping. Elvis Maginnis looks upon Nosy as the father he never had. You couldn't find a more reliable, a more honest crim if you tried. That's why it's hard to believe that Nosy robbed his own safe of Stella's diamond brooch, Dreeble's coin collection and Tilson's (the whole-sale butcher) half a million bucks. Not to mention Hector Stubbs' (the hardest man in the under-world) silver. But that's what Dreeble says Nosy did—and Dreeble should know—he's a cop. Elvis persuades Dreeble to let Roly go, and hold a general meeting with his clientele instead. After all, a puddle on the foot-path isn't going to tell him where his coin collection is. It's at that meeting that Stella and Dreeble, Tilson and Stubbs hire Elvis to find out who broke into Roly's safe. But then Stella's diamond brooch mysteriously reappears. As does Dreeble's coin collection and Hector Stubbs' silver. Everything has been given back, except Arnold Tilson's hard earned black cash. Elvis discovers the safe break-in was the handy-work of Angus Ibrahim the best "tank" man in town. But Ibrahim has disappeared. And Dreeble seems to have an unhealthy interest in his answering machine. It's only when Elvis and Reuben locate Ibrahim's big English sheep-dog Bambi that they begin to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Who hired Angus Ibrahim to break into the Nosy's safe? Who sent Roly Finster a ticket to New Zealand, paid for by Ibrahim's credit card? Who stands to profit the most? Why does Elvis believe that Roly is innocent despite the overwhelming evidence? A Nosy Parker is safer than the banks in Switzerland. It's Elvis Maginnis' job to uncover that this is still so…

Guest Cast: Norman Kaye as Roly Finster, Nicholas Bell as Dennis Dreeble, Paul Sonkkila as Hector Stubbs, Geoff Paine as Arnold Tilson, Beverley Dunn as Norma Finster, Marie-Louise Walker as Isobel, Keir Saltmarsh as Mort, Peter Houghton as Waylon, Vinny Jones as Neighbour, Rocky Dabscheck as Folk Singer, Darren Nicholls as Waiter, Peter Culpan as Oswald

Unfinished Business

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Episode 1.13
May 27, 1997
Written by Bill Garner
Directed by Mick Connolly

Families! If it isn't Elvis' family, it's someone else's, wanting Elvis Maginnis to solve their problems for them. Big John O'Malley summons Elvis to his death bed to be executor of his will. Elvis is to ensure that Big John's properties are fairly and equitably distributed to wife, son and daughter. "Make sure they don't stuff things up" are the old man's dying words. Wife Fay is to get the legal properties—that's all above board. But the stuttering psychopath Brian, and the sultry sex-pot Denise are to inherit those properties daddy never mentioned to the taxman. Problem is, each want the casino, the porn shops and the brothels to themselves. And each sets out to woo Elvis in their inimitable ways—Brian with a blow-torch and horrible threats, Denise with the promises of steamy sex. To make matters worse, Big John's mistress Angela arrives on the scene and demands her share—equal third. If she doesn't get it she'll expose the whole shebang to the authorities, and nobody will get a cent! Elvis has to sort through this mess and it's attendant kidnappings, bruisings, and invasions of his property, privacy and peace of mind. He finally succeeds in distributing what he thinks is a fair deal to each of the players—and gratefully washes his hands of the O'Malleys. He wishes…

Guest Cast: Ben Mendelsohn as Brian O'Malley, Lisa Hensley as Denise O'Malley, Ann Burbrook as Angela Slater, Sue Jones as Fay O'Malley, Joseph Spano as Carlo, Robin Dene as Big John, Jennifer Jarman Walker as Gina Correlli, Merridy Eastman as CAE Supervisor, Jachie Loeb as Courier, Tony Pride as Auctioneer, Mary Little as Trainee Phone Sex Lady, Vanessa Ready as Phone Sex Lady, Carole Ann Aylett as Phone Sex Lady, Jan Fraser as Phone Sex Lady, Barbara Jungwirth as Phone Sex Lady, Lisa Heenan as Nurse, Penny Schlam as Nadine, Les Toth as Big Man