In Her Skin Page #4

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$500 for a couple of hours.

$300, and you get clothes

and travel money.

It's easy,

but there's a condition.

It's strictly confidential.

It's highly confidential.

You know, ethics,

that sort of stuff?

I'm not allowed

to give the results to anyone

for the study...

the research to work properly.

I'm not...

It's confidential.

You can't tell anyone,

not your parents or Manni,

or it won't work.

We could do it

after your tap class.

I'm free Monday night.

We could meet

at Flinders Street Station.

No, think.

There are cameras there.

I'll meet you at...

Bridge Road.

I need you to pack a bag

as if you were running away.

I need to see

what you would take

if you were going

to run away,

you know, ID, money,

ballet shoes,

photos, that sort of thing,

for the research.

It won't take long.

Then afterwards,

you can tell.

You can tell later.

Remember, it's a secret.

[chiming xylophone music]

I want them so much.

I want to buy them.

Guess what.

I'm going to buy them tomorrow.

In your dreams, babe.

That's, like, 300 bucks.

You haven't even got

enough money for tram tickets.

Oh, yeah?

Well, I'm going

to buy them tomorrow,

because I've got a job

tonight.

A job?

What kind of job?

Oh, I can't really say,

you know?

I said I wouldn't.

You can't say?

Since when?

It... [sighs]

What?

It's... the job is...

Well, it's confidential.

That's all I can really say

right now.

But I can tell you everything

afterwards.

I mean,

that's part of the deal.

No, I don't understand this.

I mean, what kind of job

is confidential, huh?

What have you

got yourself into?

It... I'm not stupid.

It's nothing immoral,

and I get free clothes.

Look, Rachel,

this is not right.

Now, what the f***

are you doing?

Where are you going?

Manni, I'm just going

to do this job.

I'm gonna get some money,

and then I'm going to come back

and buy my shoes.

I'll come with you, then.

[sighs]

Three, four, five...

Rach, you still want

a lift to Bridge Road?

No, I'm gonna walk.

What are you going there for?

Oh, I'm going

to take the tram,

and Dad's

going to pick me up.

Isn't that the wrong way?

So do you want a lift or not?

No, it's fine.

Really, it's fine.

Okay.

I mean, you're sure

you don't want a lift?

You hate walking.

Come on!

Call me.

I love you!

I love you!

Come on.

[tram engine idling

and stopping]

Oh, thank you so much,

Caroline,

for getting me to do this.

I mean, you have no idea

how good it would be

to have a little bit of money

to take Manni out,

the two of us, you know,

because it's always his mum

or my mum,

and we never get

any time together,

just me and him and...

Come on.

[tram rattling]

Food okay?

Oh, yeah.

I'm a pig.

I was starving.

You've got no idea

what dancing does to you.

It's like, I just can't

get enough food into me,

you know?

Tell you what,

if you wanted to lose weight,

you should just dance.

Before we start,

I need you to relax.

Okay.

I know some relaxation

techniques that will help.

I'll put a splash of vodka

in our drinks.

No, I don't think so.

Come on, Rach.

One drink won't hurt.

I know I'm not very good

at relaxing,

but I've got to go home,

you know?

Your parents?

Well, no,

but it's a school night.

Rach, maybe

this is not a good idea.

I'm only supposed to interview

people who are over 18,

people who can make

their own decisions.

I do make my own decisions.

I do.

I don't want to get you

in trouble with your mum.

Oh, come on.

You know Mum.

She thinks

I'm still a child.

They just can't accept

you've grown up.

Must be really hard on you.

She just loves me.

That's all.

I bet she doesn't know you

as well as

she thinks she does.

She'd kill me

if she knew

some of the stuff I do.

Can we please keep going?

Please?

You want that drink?

It's hard to find

the right people,

gifted people like you.

Well, you should talk

to Manni.

He's so gorgeous.

You have to meet him.

You know, I don't know

what I'd do without him,

you know?

I mean, we're soul mates.

We were born

to find each other.

I love him so much.

Here, try this.

So, Caroline,

are you ready?

Do you mind

if I call my dad first?

I'm going to the Grand Prix,

and I need to talk to him.

Sure.

I've... I've got those clothes

there for you,

if you want to try them on.

See what you want

to take home.

Awesome.

I think they're your size.

The bathroom's through there.

Hi, Dad.

It's me, Caroline.

I'm just calling because...

can you pick me up

on Saturday?

Okay.

I had the day off again today.

My head...

I'm anxious.

Caroline,

these clothes are fantastic.

I actually wanted

some of these.

How cool is that?

I'm confused.

Well?

What do you reckon?

I think I look pretty good.

Dad, I have to go.

Bye.

You're perfect.

Thank you so much.

Manni's gonna love these.

Do you reckon

I could call Mum quickly?

I reckon

I've tortured them enough.

They'll be freaking out.

Mum will have called the cops

by now.

Called the cops?

That's a bit extreme,

isn't it?

Yeah, well...

[sighs]

I kind of lied.

See, I told Dad

to pick me up hours ago,

and me and Mum

had this massive fight,

and then she was yelling at me

and telling me to grow up,

and I... I just feel

really bad.

Rachel, sit down.

I reckon what you're doing

is good.

It will make them

think twice.

I don't know.

Rach, I just want

to get this done, okay?

Yeah, sorry, Caroline.

What do you want me to do?

Close your eyes.

That's it.

Take deep breaths.

Think of something beautiful.

[exhales]

Have you got something

in your mind?

Manni.

And we're dancing.

Concentrate

on your breathing.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Still dancing,

and Manni is there.

[breathing slowly, evenly]

[choking and gasping]

Ah!

[gasping, wheezing]

[yelps]

[gasping]

[grunts]

[panting]

[panting]

[chokes]

[gasping]

[rope strains]

[wheezes]

[whimpers]

[choking]

[grunts]

[rope straining]

[coughs]

[growls]

[groans]

[gasping]

[haunting music box music]

[thunder rumbling,

rain pattering]

7:
15, get up,

shower,

wash hair,

get dressed.

8:
30, go to work.

Cancel Gelique appointment.

9:
30, ask Janice

if she wants to move in

with me.

Where's my wallet?

My ID?

[dragging and scraping]

[groaning]

[grunts]

[panting]

[sobbing]

Ohh!

Ahh!

[wailing]

No!

No!

No!

No!

[sighs]

[sequins jingling]

I am a wild, free spirit.

I live on the edge.

I am passionate

and highly talented,

moody, and mysterious.

F*** you!

You are ugly, pizza face!

Look it!

Just look at you now!

[gasping]

Please,

don't be angry with me.

Today was the end

of my life.

There are so many things

that ended it.

You only know a fraction.

But I swear

till I'm dead

that today was the end

of my life.

[swelling orchestral music]

[keys clicking]

Yes, hello,

I just want to inquire

if you have any trains

going to Sydney today?

What time?

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