(OPTIMISTIC MUSIC) (ENGINE ROARS) Captions by Shrutika Gunanayagam. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2021 (OPTIMISTIC MUSIC CONTINUES) - Morning. - Hey. How are you? - Good. - Hi. (VEHICLE ENGINE ROARS) Hey! - Sorry! - (SIGHS) (OPTIMISTIC MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC ENDS GENTLY) - Morning, Soph. Early, as promised ` stock inventory is go. - Hey, Rose. - Nice night? Did Chris come over? - Um, no, he didn't. He's pretty busy right now. He has two commissions ` that new vineyard and a house in Auckland... and his football. - Uh-oh. Soph, how many times? Football. Rugby. Important. Maybe why Chris hasn't... - Possibly. Give him time. - Two years is time. What's up? - This came from King Family Farm. They're stopping production and taking a whole bunch of our sales with them just as I'm looking to expand the business. - But nobody makes yarn like Ida. - Why would she close the mill? - Sheep uprising? - I'm gonna get to the bottom of this. Can you handle the inventory while I do some digging? - No worries, boss. - Thank you. I'll be back. - OK. (LIGHT, CHEERFUL MUSIC) (BIRDSONG, SHEEP BLEAT) (CICADAS SING) - Oh, well, you can quit worrying, Dad. I'm here. Yeah, well, I would've called earlier, but I had to get a new SIM card for my cell and... Oh, yah. I can` Sure. I can do that. I'll be more... Oh, I'll be more expeditious. I can be... as expeditious as possible. Sure. Hey, say hi to M... (SHEEP BLEATS) (SIGHS) (DOG BARKS) (BIRD CHIRPS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - Have a biscuit ` homemade. - Thanks, Aunt Ida. - Just Ida will do. My brother giving you a hard time? - Oh, he's worried about me drivin' on the wrong side of the road. (CHUCKLES GENTLY) - And getting things done quickly, eh? - There was an element of that, yeah. - Well, I've got the books ready for you in the office, and when you wanna have a look around this place, there's gummies on the veranda. Gumboots for your feet. - CHUCKLES SOFTLY: Oh. - And ya need to change outta that gear too. It's muddy out there. Any jeans? - Oh, yeah, (CHUCKLES GENTLY) I came prepared. Great coffee. - Locally roasted. They're tryin' to grow beans in the Coromandel ` north-east. - So, Ida, are...? Are you OK with this? - Personally, sure ` fits in with my plans. But... (SIGHS) (TRAY THUDS) But selling off entirely ` I think that would be a shame, Sam. - Don't let Dad hear you say that. - I have. I told him on the phone at length. At least do an audit. - Which is why I'm here, but King Enterprises has outgrown it, and, well, Dad had pretty much forgotten the farm was still on the books. - (SCOFFS) - GRUFFLY: There is no room for sentiment in business. - (LAUGHS) That's actually scarily accurate. - Yeah. - That's what your father thinks. What do you think about selling up? This is where the whole business started ` history, Sam. - Yeah, I... I can see that. It's just history versus future ` put that to my father and no contest. - (SIGHS) (PENSIVE MUSIC) (SHEEP BLEATS) (PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES) (SHEEP BLEATS) - (GRUNTS) C'mon. (CAR DOOR SHUTS) (GRUNTS) - You might wanna sit down to do that. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Uh, you might be right. Ooh. (SIGHS) - Here. - (GRUNTS) - This pair might be a better fit. - Um... Thanks. I'm new to this. - Really (?) Never would've known (!) - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) - Your car? - Rental. Yeah, I'm from the States... like you, huh? What's a fellow American doin' way down here? - WHISPERS: Escaping LA. - Ah. Well, now, that I can understand. I'm not, like, a big fan of LA myself. East Coast born and bred ` New York. - Ah. So not liking LA would be mandatory, of course. - Oh, absolutely. I mean, poor you ` you had to grow up there, huh? - Hey, I managed to survive the sunshine. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) So, New Zealand. - Yeah, my mom's a Kiwi. She met my dad in the States and stayed. I'm here because of my grandma, really ` small inheritance. I came to find out about it, and three years later... - Escapee from the West Coast life ` nice work. - Well, turns out I'm a country girl at heart. - You don't miss home? - Well, I miss Mom, but... this is home now. And you have me calling her Mom already. No, I call her Mum now. - Oh. - I've picked up her old accent, she says. Eh, hi. I am Sophie. - Nice to meet you, Sophie. I'm Samuel... (GENTLE MUSIC) ...King. (CLEARS THROAT) - Oh. I hope you're not the reason I'm here. Are you? - Uh... - Sophie. - Hi. - What a nice surprise. - Hey. - I see you've met my nephew. Sophie sells our yarn in her shop, see. - Oh. - I'm s'posed to have an order for Sophie, but I'm sorry, love; it's still drying. Tomorrow, I promise. - No, that's fine. It's just... I'm here because I` I got your letter, Ida. I have to say, I'm so disappointed. I just can't understand why you'd be stopping production. - It's not just the yarn, love. It might be the whole shebang. - Which is why I'm here ` to see if King Enterprises should sell. - Right. I see. So you are the reason I'm here. What about you, Ida? - Either way, I'll go. I've been invited to Mosgiel to teach weaving and wool-dyeing ` mentoring a whole lotta young talent. - Wow, that's great! - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - I am so happy for you. (GROANS) But their gain is our loss. Ida's yarn is our bestseller ` - Oh. - local product from a great local artist. - Thank you, Sophie. - Thanks for letting us know so promptly, Ida. - Expeditious ` runs in the family. - Mm. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Speedy, you mean. The speed limit in town is 50 kilometres, Mr King. - Wow. That was you. I am` I'm so sorry. An unfamiliar car, wrong side of the road, and your speed limit signs have me so confused. I mean, I was... - Being overly expeditious, yeah? - Oh. - Good luck with the audit, Mr King. (LIGHT, AMUSING MUSIC) - Bye. ('"REVEILLE" BUGLE CALL' PLAYS DISTANTLY) Oh. - Hey, take off those gummies. - (SNIGGERS) (PENSIVE MUSIC) - (SIGHS) You're outta control. I mean, does all this land really need to be in rainbow-betical order? - I want it to look as beautiful as possible. It's incredible stuff. Can you believe Ida makes it all herself? - The customers are gonna be so disappointed when it's gone. - Maybe they don't have to be. Disappointed, I mean. Maybe we don't have to lose the yarn. - Here we go. (LIGHT, EXPECTANT MUSIC) Glenda. Kyle. - Last of the yarn? What's that about? - (SIGHS) - Well, I think it's a shame. - It is. It's a huge shame. But Sophie's got a plan... I think. - Formulating one. If Ida can turn out all this yarn by herself, maybe we can too. It's worth exploring anyway, and if I'm gonna build the business, it's probably more than worth it. - Yep. - You've made your shop the heart of this place, Sophie, and the bigger that heart, the better. - Hi there. Can I help you? - Hi. Um, I'm Lucy. I was wanting to join the knitting group, if you're still accepting people. - Oh, there's no accepting. People just turn up. Come through. Take a seat. I'm Sophie. You'll get to know everybody else. There's tea, coffee and pastries courtesy of Kyle. Kyle's our resident baker. - You sit here by me. I'm Glenda. Make yourself comfy. - Wow, that's a lotta baking. - Yeah. - Kyle starts baking at 4am. - Then he starts his knitting straight after that. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) - He's got his priorities right. - Yeah. - Hi, Lucy. I'm Rose. Eat those. Save me from myself. (GENTLE CHUCKLING) Oh, you're nearly done, Soph. I honestly didn't think you'd finish in time. It's for Chris, her boyfriend. - Oh. - It's his birthday tomorrow. Kyle's gonna bake him a cake. Right, Kyle? - Yep. - It's beautiful. Maybe I should make a sweater for my boyfriend. - Oh. I wouldn't do that if I were you. - Don't listen to her, Lucy. SPOOKILY: The sweater curse. It's ridiculous. - Ridiculous? Young lady, there is nothing in the knitting universe more powerful than the sweater curse. - Some people believe if you knit a sweater for your partner before you're married, they'll leave you. - It happened to me... twice, and I'm not the only one. - Yeah. I hadn't even finished the jumper I was knitting for my boyfriend when he emailed to break up. Who emails to break up? - Especially when you can text. Sorry. - (SCOFFS) - What about you and the sweater curse, Kyle? - He doesn't like to talk about it. - You knit whatever you like, Lucy. We can even get you started, if you want. We do one-on-one lessons. The first two are free. And it is just a dumb superstition. (SCOFFS) - I suppose we'll find out when Chris gets his sweater, then, won't we? (GLENDA CHUCKLES GENTLY) - SPOOKILY: Oooooh. (GENTLE CHUCKLING) SPOOKILY: Oooooh. - What colour can I start you with? - (CHUCKLES) - Hmm. I like that one. - Right. (LIGHT MUSIC) (DOOR HINGES SQUEAK) (CHEERFUL MUSIC) - (PANTS) - Do you want me to take that...? - No, no, no, I can take one. Thanks. - Is that the audit guy you were telling me about? - Mr Numbers, yeah. - (SCOFFS) You also failed to mention he's Mr Dreamy. - He is one of the reasons we won't be having Ida's yarns any more, so don't you being too nice to the guy. - But I always try to be nice, Soph. - Hi. - Rest of the yarn tomorrow, which is today, as promised. - Oh, thank you for delivering it, Ida. - So you're Samuel. Rose. Pleasure. - Hi. - The stockroom for now, please, Rose. Rose? - SOFTLY: S-Sure. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - May I? - Yeah, sure. Come in. - Huh. It's nice in here. To be honest, I've never been inside a knitting store before. - Really? What, you buy your silk cashmere online, then, huh? - Department store. Different vibe ` this place has a nice one. - I hope making it bigger is the right move, then. I have a proposition. If the milling equipment's not going with you, Ida, I'd like to buy it. - Oh, I'm not taking it. I'll be all set up there. But, I mean, equipment, it's... - ...part of the assets, which has to get sold at market price ` might just be a tad over your budget. - And how do you know that? - What? Um, sorry, I don't mean to be rude. It's just it's really expensive machinery and tough to operate too. - I imagine it is. Ida, when do you leave? - Two weeks. The boys can bring the city bloke up to speed on the farm, but I need to show him the area first ` the local economy. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - How 'bout a quid pro quo? Ida, you teach me how to make and dye the yarns, and I show Sam how things work around Kingsvale. - Well, I think it's a great idea. Sophie really knows the area and all the locals. She'd be a great tour guide. - And if you can tell me what the budget is, it'll give me two weeks to make sure I can manage it. Sound like a deal? - Well, I'm s'posed to have this all wrapped up inside a week, but I guess I can buy you a little time. - Deal. - Deal. - Soph, hey. - Happy birthday. I come bearing gifts ` a late-harvest Riesling from Mike Barnes' cellar door... He says, 'Happy birthday.' - Oh, that's nice. - Should go nicely with Kyle's contribution. I was thinking we could have a night in ` some wine... some cake. - (SIGHS) I was actually thinking we'd go down to the pub and have a beer with the boys from the team. - From the foot` Uh... From the rugby team. Uh, sure. We can do that. Your birthday, and, hey, it is one way of making sure all the cake gets eaten, but first, presents. Guess what. - New pair of rugby boots? - (SCOFFS) - Huh. - Ta-da. - Oh wow. That's` That's a nice pullover, Soph ` real nice. - It's not a pullover. - Oh. - And it's not 'nice'. This is a beautifully handcrafted cable-knit polo-neck sweater. - Mm. - Put it on. (LIGHT, AMUSING MUSIC) - (SIGHS) - Careful. - SOFTLY: Sorry. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) It's... (INHALES DEEPLY) It's a bit tight. - I'm` I'm sure I had the right measurements. - (SIGHS) And quite itchy around the neck. - Itchy? - Yeah. - That is the finest merino wool. Do you know how many microns those fibres are? - No. And to be honest, I don't` Look, I can't. I'm not gonna wear this. Sorry. - Hey, don't pull at it. C'mon. - Soph` Sophie, Sophie, I` I can't wear this down at the pub, OK? I'm sorry. - This isn't about the sweater. - (SIGHS) I think we should sit and talk... about us. - The sweater curse. - What? - N-Nothing. Um... Look, I know that I've been busy with the business... - (SIGHS) - ...and not as here as I could have been. - No, Soph. Look, you're great. You're amazing, OK? This isn't about you; this is about us. I think we're right in so many ways. It's just that, (SIGHS) I mean, you're so focused on all this. - It's what I do, Chris. - It's all you do, Soph. I mean, you must be the only person I know that can't get enthusiastic about rugby or` - Chris, I'm American; I can't get enthusiastic about the rugby. - Yeah, well, I can't get enthusiastic about knitting... or wool. - (SIGHS) (POIGNANT MUSIC) (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) 17.7 microns, the fibres ` twice as thick as human hair. (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) - (SIGHS) - (DOOR OPENS) (DOOR SLAMS) (KNOCK AT DOOR) (POIGNANT MUSIC FADES) - Let me guess. The sweater destroyed your relationship with Chris and left you sad and single. - Well, more puzzled than sad, but single ` definitely. - What? Wait. I was joking. You didn't really break up? - As Kyle would say, (IMITATES NEW ZEALAND ACCENT) 'Yup.' We actually broke up. - (GROANS) I should've stopped you knitting that thing. - No. If a man can get spooked by a bit of cable-knit, he is not the man for me. - Did he tell you it wasn't you and that you're really, really great? - Basically. - Yeah. They always say that. - (SIGHS DEEPLY) Guess I can always sell it at the store. - Good idea ` one of the last King Family Farm creations. - (SIGHS) - Oh, sorry. Today was not your day, huh? - GROANS: Ai-ai-ai. (KNOCK AT DOOR) - Don't answer it. It'll be Chris ` changed his mind. They always do that as well. - No, I'll get it. (CURIOUS ACOUSTIC-GUITAR MUSIC) - No, thanks. I already ate. - Uh... - Hi. - We were just... - Yeah, Ida found this box that we missed, and I said I'd drop it by, so... - Oh. Thank you. Uh, come in. - OK. Um... Nice sweater. - Mm, Sophie made it. But it's cursed. - Oh. Well, I better... - CALLS: Oh, hey, thank you. - CALLS: Uh, thank you. I bet he kept that yarn back on purpose. - Yeah, sure (!) Well, at least it wasn't Chris. (SIGHS HEAVILY) - OK, enough wallowing for one day. (DJ RICKY CAMPANELLI'S 'DAME UN CHANCE' PLAYS) - Oh, no, no, no, no, no. - # C'mon! # C'mon. - Cake and ice cream are doing it for me. No. - Soph. Come here. Look at you go! Nice moves. - (GIGGLES) - Love it, love it, love it, love it. - (LAUGHS) - (LAUGHS) - (SQUEALS) - What if we gave you free power... to use however you like whenever you like, just for being a customer? * (GENTLE MUSIC) - (BLEATS) (VEHICLE ENGINE RUMBLES) (BLEATS) (ENGINE PUTTERS) (BIRDSONG) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - What are you doing out here, eh? Ai-ai-ai-ai. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) There you go. (GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES) - (SIGHS) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - No, Mum, I don't miss the city. - But if Chris broke up with you... - It was mutual, Mum... I think. Anyway, that's no reason to just pack up and leave, not after nearly three years of work. - Pity. An architect would've been a great addition to the family. I closed on a gem of an apartment yesterday that would've been perfect for you. All you need to do is sell that shop and come home... with the cash to buy something. - This is home now. LA is... - The place where you got a degree in journalism, darling, just by the way. - (SIGHS SOFTLY) - You should be back here using it, doing great things. - I think knitting's a great thing. Lots of people do, including Glenda, who was asking about you again last week, just by the way. - She was a heck of a realtor ` Glenda. Shame she gave it up. - Uh, she didn't give it up, Mum. She retired. She still misses you. You should give her a call. - Perhaps I will. In the meantime, I have a business to run, viewings. Just think about what I've said, darling, OK? - Bye, Mum. - 'Mom'. (CELL PHONE CHIMES) - Mom. (KNOCK AT DOOR) (SIGHS) (LIGHT, EXPECTANT MUSIC) Hey. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) Wow. Uh... - Oh, uh, I was talking to my mum. - You sleep with sheep. - Yeah. It saves counting them. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Well... (STOMPS FEET) Reporting for duty. - You're up early. - You have an enthusiastic student. - OK. Good. I will be ready in 10 ` hard to believe, I know (!) But... - Oh, it's fine. I'll be waitin' out front. BLEATS: Bye. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) - (SNORTS) - ROSE: Doin' OK there? - Yeah. And then I go around. - That's the one. - OK. - Then out through, and then off jumps` Yeah. That's the one. - Oh. Nice. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Hey, Soph. I'm having my lesson. - Great. Let's take a look. Have to be quick, though ` Samuel's waiting. - So I'm thinking something structurally simple but with some variations in the stitch. - Yes. Good choice for starters. - It's a really nice scarf, Lucy. - Just I'm so nervous about making a mistake. I'm A bit of a perfectionist. - You know, I don't worry too much about mistakes. I call them 'design elements'. Every piece is unique. We see mistakes. Most people, they just see a lovely piece of work. - I volunteer at the Maker's Fair every year, but I never see you there. You're so talented. It'd be a great place to sell your work. I can organise a spot for you, if you like. - Really? - Yeah, really. - (EXHALES) That would be amazing. Do that. Thank you. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Uh, make it five free lessons. (CHUCKLES GENTLY) - Yeah? (GIGGLES) - Oh, I have to go. I have some other teaching to do. You're fine with this, Rose? - I am the ninja of knitting. Go. - Don't sell any more of that King yarn for the moment. - Where to, Teach? - A good place to rip out an undercarriage if we go in that thing. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) (OPTIMISTIC MUSIC) (SHEEP BLEAT) (OPTIMISTIC MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC SOFTENS) - Ah, he's probably been digging for some tuatua. Shellfish. See, the local iwi ` the tribe, they have fishing rights. There are quotas for what can be taken from the sea. It's all about management, self-sustainment. Ata marie. - Morning. Don't catch a cold, eh? - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) (SHEEP BLEAT) Didn't Ida tell you how Kingsvale got its name? - No. See, all this belonged to your family once, for generations. It's gradually been broken down into smaller parcels and sold, but in many ways, it's still one. - How? - The sheep ` they're just the top layer. (SHEEP BLEAT) Did you know there are four vineyards in this area? Think they'd be rivals, right? But if someone has a problem, they all pitch in to help. See, no one's gonna drive all the way down here just to visit one vineyard. They want to visit a few, go shopping. The vintners need each other. - And the rest? You? Well, my yarn might attract someone who wants to buy an antique or some artisan loaves of bread, and it could work the other way around. Kyle's bread could lead to a sale of my yarn. It's a microeconomy, self-sustaining. - So by definition... not profitable. - Well, that depends on what you consider profit to be ` money, happiness... a great life. - CHUCKLES: OK. - Seen enough? (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Posterity. - You enjoy taking photographs, huh? - Well, when I have time. - Well, we should all make time for the things we enjoy. - Oh. - C'mon. - OK. (GENTLE ACOUSTIC-GUITAR MUSIC) - Hey, I have a plan ` a booth at the fair. - Fair? - It is a big deal. Artisans and craftspeople from all over the region come together. There's wine, produce, woodworking, crafts, clothes ` everything. I am gonna raffle off the King yarn, sell as many knitted items as I can. I will raise the money for that mill equipment. - That is a lot of selling. - I have some savings too. I'm not as short as you might think. And like I said, there's a lotta support here. Everyone'll be happy to help. You'll see. (WARM MUSIC) (SOFT BIRDSONG) (SHEEP BLEAT DISTANTLY) (SHEEP BLEAT) Is everything all right? - Oh. Uh, not really. I mean, you wanna hold her? - Absolutely! - OK. (BLEATS) - Hey. Oh. 'Him'. - (BLEATS) - Oi! He is a strong little guy. - Yeah, he's starving. I heard him bleating in there and thought` - I'm tryin' to tell him ` he's bein' bottle-fed. - If he's being fed, then why's he wailing? - Uh, because they're like babies. The kids late for the feed again? - Yeah. - (BLEATS) - What kids? - Come on. - (BLEATS) - SOFTLY: Oh man. - (BLEATS) (SHEEP BLEATS DISTANTLY) The local school has a roster going for orphaned lambs. Bottle feeding ` it's a class project. They have four going. - Uh, OK. I should probably go back to the books, so` - Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I have my lesson with Ida. You can take over here. - Um... Oh. - See? Silence of the Lamb. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) (CHEERFUL MUSIC) (MUSIC DEEPENS) - Just a bit softer. You need to wash it, but you don't want to felt it together. - OK. I am getting a whole new appreciation for your yarn now, Ida. - Well, it's nice to spend time with someone who takes an interest. It's a pity Sam doesn't. - (SIGHS) It's hard to see things when your attention is channelled. Sam's never been allowed to chart his own course, and it's always been assumed that he'd just take over from my brother and run the textile business. - Yeah, well, that's where his head seems to be. - Maybe his head needs to be turned. - Well, it's a big place, and I'm going to need more time. I'll be outta range a lot of that time, so if you want the job done properly, Dad, you're gonna have to leave me alone to do it. I'll be in touch when I have some results. - Sic 'em, Tiger. - Results? - Projections for the next two years, which brings me to this, Ida. these wool grades ` the finest are the best, right? - IDA, SOPHIE: Right. - Most profitable, but we don't put any up for export. I mean, that's crazy. Where do they, uh...? (WATER SLOSHES) - (SNIFFLES, CLEARS THROAT) - Oh. Sophie, can I have a minute? - Sure. I'll let you two` - With you ` a minute with you. - Oh, uh... (SIGHS) (COW MOOS DISTANTLY) Looks like you did a good job. - Well, I'm taking my schooling seriously ` lamb feeding, self-sustainment, gummies... export. You're wastin' your time, Sophie. You're a businesswoman. You know part of running a business is letting go of things that aren't working. - Letting go of dreams? - Sometimes, if we have to, yeah. But crafting the yarn here is such a huge part of what makes all this so special, Sam. Your aunt knows that. - Sheep products make up over 4% percent of your GDP. - Wow (!) - (CHUCKLES DRILY) Yes, wow. It's` It's a major export. If this farm doesn't tap into that market, it'll have to be sold. - Well, isn't that what you want? - Well, it's not a question of what I want. It's what the books say, and the books are telling me that if we export the best wool, then, well, we can make a small profit. - But if we sell it at local domestic prices... - ...a loss. So even if I sell you the equipment ` - (SIGHS) - which` believe me, my father's gonna want market value... - I won't have the raw materials to make the yarn. I see. (SIGHS) (POIGNANT ACOUSTIC-GUITAR MUSIC) (SIGHS SOFTLY) (SNIFFS, SIGHS) I love that smell ` lanolin. - SOFTLY: 'Oh. (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) 'K.' - (SIGHS) - (SHEEP BLEATS DISTANTLY) - Hey, um, I'm sorry. (POIGNANT MUSIC CONTINUES) - Do you like it here? - Um... Yeah, it's` it's beautiful. - It is. Do you know what? At one point, I tried to convince myself that I wanted to be a journalist, but I always dreamed of making a living doing something that I love. And, well, yeah, it's weird mainly, but... I love knitting. - Well, weird's not always such a bad thing. - So... what was your dream? - Uh... photography, maybe. - But, what, it got replaced by 'make it big in the city'? - Well, (CHUCKLES DRILY) yeah, that's what I've always been told, yeah. - No. No one tells us what to dream. We choose our own dreams... or they sneak up on us from behind and grab a hold. Maybe I always was a small-town girl and... I just didn't know it yet. - Maybe. (PENSIVE MUSIC) Wool. - (SIGHS) Thank you. Can't afford to be (SLOWLY) woolly-headed. I've got things to do. Do you remember what I told you? That this is a community here. People help each other. - Uh-huh. There are a lotta farms here, Sam, a lotta those sheep with the finest wool, and when I see a challenge, I don't back down. (SHEEP BLEATS DISTANTLY) (CAR DOOR SHUTS, ENGINE STARTS) (GENTLE MUSIC) (GENTLE ACOUSTIC-GUITAR MUSIC) So just pulling the piece... Like that? - Yeah. Perfect. (GENTLE MUSIC DROWNS OUT SPEECH) ...being fed in on that conveyor belt, and it goes through all these various... - MAN: Keep goin'. Keep goin'. Around. There you go. There you go. Whoa. Hey. Yeah. (GRUNTS) OK. (LOADER-BUCKET MACHINERY WHIRRS) Yes. - That's fabulous. - Beautiful. - Yeah. And the longer you leave it in... (GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES) - (CHEERS, WHOOPS) Nice! (CLAPS) Yeah, buddy. (LAUGHS) Whoo. (ENGINE TURNS OFF) (GENTLE MUSIC FADES) - Calling it a day? - Yeah, knit group this afternoon. - Oh. Well, how's the spinning going, Rumpelstiltskin? - Turning to gold. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) (SHEEP BLEATS DISTANTLY) - You wanna come? To the knit group. - Me? Well, I don't` I don't think I fit the target demographic, you know. (GROANS) - LAUGHS: Hey! - (CHUCKLES) - You would be surprised how young our crowd is. We even have some guys who come along. - Really? - Sure. Real men don't just drive wool bales around on mini loaders. - Oh. And here was me thinking that the only people that knit were old ladies. - Excuse me?! Do I look like an old lady to you? - Oh, well, yeah (!) - Oh! Tread very carefully, Mr King. I have needles in my car. - You have knitting in your car? - Yes. 'Course. You never know when you might wanna decorate a tree or... someone's mini loader. - You take yarn everywhere you go. - Pretty much. - LAUGHS: OK. - Got a problem with that? - Oh, yeah, Ida gives me that look too. - Good. You deserve it. You know, you should update your knitting stereotyping, Sam. A good businessman knows demographics shift all the time. - Oh. OK. Well, I might have to take you up on that offer, then, being the good businessman I am. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) All right. What time? - 4. And don't be late. A stitch in time... - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - See ya later. - See ya later. Is that a date? - More of a challenge, I think. (CAR DOOR OPENS, SHUTS) I have to learn how to knit. (CAR ENGINE STARTS) - (LAUGHS) Knitting ` you? - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) Mm. - Wow. She must be pretty special. (CHEERFUL MUSIC) (MUSIC FADES) - Oh wow. Look who's here. - I invited him. If he sees where the wool ends up, might change his thinking. - Uh, so, uh` Samuel, or Sam, ready to make a fool of himself. - Hi, Sam. - Hey, Sam. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Hi. - Ida let me borrow these needles, so... - Come in. Take a seat. - OK. - Oh! (CHUCKLES GENTLY) There you go, Sam. Sit yourself down. - Hullo, Sam. - Col. - C'mon. (COL, SAM SIGH) - Did you bring some yarn? - Uh, yarn ` that` that would've been a good idea. (CHUCKLING) - Might I suggest... this? Our finest wool ` locally produced. - You don't say. - First skein is on the house. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) Uh, I will be right back. Good luck. Hi there. - OK. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) - Can I help you? - Right, well, do you know how to cast on? - No. - Oh, Col will show you. He's a natural. - Oh, yup. OK. Hey, thank you. (CHATTER) (CHEERFUL MUSIC) (CHUCKLING) OK. - He's getting it! (LAUGHTER) - Like that? - Yes! Yus! - Great. - See ya. (CHEERING) - Good. (CHUCKLING) - So how's he doing? - Well... - ROSE: Having a ball! - Yeah. See? - Sweet as. He's a natural. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Yeah. Eh, hey, guys, thanks for the lesson, you know, I` and the pastries are... Might even come back. - Yay. - Well, that's how we get them. - Always. Always. (CHUCKLING) - OK, I'll see you guys later. - Yeah. - WOMEN: See ya. - Bye. - See you, eh? - Hey, now, I, uh` I don't wanna brag, but... kind of a genius at this whole knitting thing. - Oh. (GIGGLES) - Hey, do you advertise these sessions? - Yeah. They're listed on our website. - Oh. Social media? - I hardly ever update it. Rose does... - Oh. - ...sometimes. - OK. Let's have a look. (CELL PHONE KEYS CLACK) 'Homespun'. Uh, wow. OK. It's, uh` It's a bit bare-bones. - C'mon, it's not that bad. - Yeah. Hey, no, you've dropped a stitch here. Look, if you hadn't invited me, I would've never known about this group. Your social media doesn't show how much fun it can be. - Yeah, well, once people meet us and find out, they seem to come back, so... - OK. But maybe you could use this to get more people in here. - OK. I could update it more often. - Yeah. I mean, what you got here is just so good. You know, I bet we could get you a bunch of new customers just by upping your online presence. - 'We'? - Sorry. I'm being presumptuous. I see a business problem I can fix, and I just can't help myself. You just need more images and some decent photographs. - OK. Yeah, if you want to. - It'd be my pleasure, Miss Markham. But we should do it sooner rather than later. - OK. OK. That would be great. - OK. I'll see you later. - Sooner. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Bye, Sam. Thanks. (INTRIGUING MUSIC) - No ring. I reckon he's single. - It is just business. - Yeah. Sure it is (!) * - This is nice, you calling me. - Well, I want to talk with you about the store. - Great. You're selling the business. Glenda can probably help. - No, Mum. Not even close ` the opposite, in fact. I want to expand the business. I'm... (EXHALES) I want to buy my own milling equipment. - Oh. - Making my own yarn is a smart investment. It's a way to grow the business naturally. See, our best-selling wool is locally made, but they're stopping production, so` - You wanna buy a failing business. - It's not failing, Mum. The owners are just moving on to other things, and I'm... I'm just buying equipment. Not many knitting shops make their own yarn on-site, so` - Are they willing to sell this equipment? - Yes. Yes, they are. But I only have a week left to raise the money. Now, I can manage most of it, but I think I'm gonna come up short. So I was wondering if` - Sophie, please don't ask me to help you do something foolish. - I'm not. I just thought... you're my mother and maybe you might wanna support me. - (SIGHS) - Why do you hate knitting so much? - I don't. That's absurd. - Mum, Grandma told me she tried to teach you to knit. - I tried. Finicky little needles and knots ` just not my thing, darling. - You're allowed to not be good at everything, Mum. - No, I'm not. Knitting can't possibly have any real future in a world of evolving technology, and, Sophie, I can't help you rush headlong into what sounds like disaster. - Has my mum always been such a pain? - (CHUCKLES) She was a scallywag as a kid ` good fun. When your grandma had the shop, we spent lots of time here. Wasn't so flash in those days, of course, but we loved it. We used to play tiddlywinks with buttons on the floor right there; later when we're a bit older, making dresses. So, no, dear. She wasn't always a pain. - You still miss her. - Some friendships just won't go away. We went into real estate together, and that's what took her away in the end. I was sad when she went to America, for a long time. And then I was very happy when your grandma left you the shop and you decided to take it on. You should give her a call, have a chat. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - She'd like that. - I might just do that. (GENTLE MUSIC) - These ones too, I think. - OK. You know, what we need to do is find a really cool spot, showcase these natural products in their natural environment. - Great. Ooh, I think I know just the spot. - OK. - How's it goin'? - Chris, hi. Good. Great. Uh, really busy. You? - Yeah. Yeah, nah, all good, yeah. The vineyard thing fell through, but the house in Ponsonby's still a go, so... Hi. - Hi. Samuel, or Sam. - I'm sorry. Chris ` Sam. We're doing a photo shoot for my website. - Oh, right, you're Photographer Sam. - For today, I am, yeah. - Hi. And... w-we really... need to get this thing on the road. - Yeah, nah, all good. Hey, it was` it was good to see ya, Soph. Good luck with everything. - You too. - All right, I'll, um... I'll catch ya round. (LIGHT, AMUSING MUSIC) - Nice guy. Ex-boyfriend? - (SIGHS) You got that, huh? - CHUCKLES: Yeah. - (CHUCKLES DRILY) Recently ex. - Oh, um, I'm sorry. - No, no, no, it's fine. Rugby versus cable-knit ` two worlds, one long story. Short one, actually. And I think I know just where to shoot. Bring that box. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) OK. (GRUNTS) (GENTLE MUSIC) - Hey, what about this blue one? - Yeah. Put that over there. - Oh, it's such a beautiful colour. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Put that on there. - Yeah. Oh, that is such a good contrast. - Like that. Nice. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS REPEATEDLY) Maybe... What else? Hey, is this one Rose said you made yourself? - Labour of love. It's going into the Maker's Fair. - It's so soft. - Not itchy. - No, it's beautiful. You know, we should get some good shots of it, promote the booth, you, the sweater ` show people what yarn can become. I mean, man, this... This really is beautiful. Here, put it on. - What? No, it's too big for me. - CHUCKLES: No. Even better. Put it on. - OK. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Don't look. - I know. Sorry. - (GIGGLES SOFTLY) (GENTLE, WARM MUSIC) See? Doesn't fit. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - (EXHALES) Uh... (EXCLAIMS SOFTLY) - Uh, yeah, I know; I'm terrible. I hate having my photograph taken. - No, you're fantastic. It's, uh` It's me. - Yeah, sure (!) That's what Chris said. - No, (CHUCKLES GENTLY) really ` it's my framing. I just need more practice. You're beautiful. I mean, you're great. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) See? Great. So, how recent was Chris? (SIGHS) Too recent for it to be comfortable yet. - Yeah, he kinda looked like he was regretting it. - Oh, I doubt that. No, he's probably relieved. Maybe they were never really right for each other, if I'm being honest. - That's a shame. - Well... it takes two to... not tango. - Yeah. (BOTH CHUCKLE SOFTLY) - What about you? Anyone on the dance card in New York? - No. Never had time ` two left feet, I guess. (BOTH CHUCKLE GENTLY) - I doubt that too. (SIGHS) (GENTLE, WARM MUSIC CONTINUES) Uh, yeah, this one is terrific. - Yeah. - (EXCLAIMS SOFTLY) They're fantastic. - Sophie's modellin'. - Your shots. Ooh, I've had another idea for the Maker's Fair. - Uh, live sheep? - A knitathon ` a race, all skill levels welcome, turning out a scarf. The longest one wins. Could be the ugliest thing ever ` that's what makes it fun. And... an auction ` this. We'll make more money from it that way. People always spend more when they're competing against each other. - She's gettin' the hang of this. - We are gonna push this weekend's events big time on my social media. - 'We'. - Yeah, well, you used the term first. This is all your fault, Mr King. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) These are gonna get a whole lotta extra bodies along to the store and to the fair. - Sounds like we're gonna need all the help we can get. (FEEL-GOOD MUSIC) - OK, hold them out. Hold them out. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) OK, hold on. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) Perfect. - That one, yes ` you get all of the sign. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - Yeah, yeah. Stay. Stay. Stay there. - OK. (LAUGHS) - OK, got it. - Yes! - (LAUGHS) - Go... (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS REPEATEDLY) OK, nice. Got it. OK, hold 'em out. Nice. Yeah, nice. I like that. Let's go. Perfect. - There. That looks great. Rose was right. The promo ones are amazing too. - Yeah, well, the camera likes you. I mean, they're... beautiful. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Looks like you inspired Rose too. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - CHUCKLES: Yeah. She's certainly into her subject. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Hey, I really appreciate you doing this. - Well, I told you ` I can't help myself. You know, I'm really startin' to get, like, this whole yarn thing. But don't worry; I'm not gonna open my own store any time soon, even though I know you like a challenge. - (SCOFFS) A challenge? - Yeah. - You? Oh, you wouldn't stand a chance. - Which is why I'll stick to what I know ` the books. Um... But I'll, uh` I'll post the ones that we've picked out, and then get the rest printed. - Great. Thank you for today. - (SIGHS) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Ooh! Samuel! Your` Your camera! (HAPPY MUSIC) - I got new donations. - Oh, wonderful. Hey, Rose, what do you think of this? (CHATTER) - Sure. - Oh. - Yeah, yeah. So lots of our yarns are actually... - Please. - I'll just double-check. Do we have any more of this sapphire colour out the back? - Um, yes, but it's another dye lot. - Everyone loves it. - Are they saying they're coming to the Maker's Fair? - See ya. (SIGHS HEAVILY) (HAPPY MUSIC ENDS) (BOTH CHUCKLE GENTLY) (SIGHS HEAVILY) * - How's Sophie doin'? - With the lessons? Really well. She isn't just good at knitting. - Oh, she's a woman of many talents. - You haven't reconsidered selling the equipment? - No. It's still the right decision. - (CLICKS TONGUE) - Ida, if I change the business plan, this place'll lose money. I can't just do that because the person that wants to buy the machines is a friend. - Is she... just a friend? - Hi. - Sophie. - Oh, Sophie, I completely forgot our dyeing lesson. Do you mind if we put it off? I, um, need to get some supplies. - What supplies? I can` - Yeah, sure. We can do it later. - Just things. You two, stay out of trouble... - (SCOFFS SOFTLY) - ...or not. - Um... (SIGHS) Uh, coffee or tea? - Sure. Some tea, please. - Wow. You have assimilated. - (EXHALES) - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) So, how's the social media workin' out? - Great. You know, we did 20% more business this week than the same week last year. - Excellent. And the market prep? - It's coming together. - All under control? Since it's under control... and Ida's deserted you... - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - ...you wanna help me instead? - Sure. What were you thinking? - Ehh, just cleanin' out the water troughs, checking on the lambing ewes. - Mm! - WHISPERS: Easy. (WARM, HAPPY MUSIC) - (GRUNTS) - (GIGGLES) That's it. You got it. - Uh, you could me! This is heavy. Where do you want them? - Uh, I dunno. (BOTH SHOUT) - (LAUGHS RAUCOUSLY) - (CHUCKLES) Whoa! (SHOUTS) Help! - What did you do?! - Get in there! - LAUGHS: What did you do? - Aargh! - (CONTINUES LAUGHING RAUCOUSLY) (SQUEALS) - CHUCKLES: That's great (!) - Oh, you could've warned me. I was not prepared for that. - Hey, I didn't see you rushing in to help. - (GIGGLES SOFTLY) - Oh, well, I guess my shirt will dry. And, hey, look ` knitted socks. My feet are still warm. Wet wool retains heat. - Oh. I bet you're wishing your shirt was made from wool, huh? - Oh, like the Vikings used to. They used to make all their clothes out of wool, because they spent so much time on the water. Sometimes their sails were even wool too. - Huh. - It is amazing stuff. - So you're saying my next attempt at knitting should be sails or socks. (GUMBOOT SQUELCHES) - Oh. (CHORTLES) Looks like socks wouldn't be the way to go. - (CHUCKLES) - (LAUGHS) - (SIGHS) Oh, you know, we have a blanket that my grandmother always said was made from the wool of the very last sheep that her ancestors from way back raised in England, and when they came over and settled, they didn't bring much, but they brought that blanket. - Aw, that's lovely. - Yeah. - Yeah, knitting's like that ` heirloom jumpers` um, sweaters... - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) ...handed down through generations. It connects people. - I-It's your creative energy that connects the people here. It's fantastic. - Thank you. - Your passion for what you do is... It's my favourite thing about you. I mean, you built a whole community just off that passion. I wish I had that for what I do. - Maybe you just need to look for it somewhere else. (GENTLE MUSIC) Uh, racing cars, perhaps? - I haven't broken the speed limit for days. (BOTH CHUCKLE GENTLY) I dunno. It's like there's more time here to figure out your wants, your passions ` like a whole new pace to life. In New York, I always feel like... I'm movin' fast. You know, even sitting behind a desk, it can be... relentless. - Yeah, well, sometimes it's good to slow down ` helps you see what you've been missing. (COWS MOO DISTANTLY) - Yeah. I'm gonna miss all this when I go back to New York. - Well, you can't go until after the Maker's Fair, because otherwise you won't have time to acknowledge my triumph. - OK. Well, I'll at least stay to do that. I promise. (SIGHS) - Oh, you might wanna... sit down. - Sit down. - Yeah. - OK. - Balance, Sam ` it's very important in life. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Balance. - (SIGHS) (SHEEP BLEATS DISTANTLY) - Oh, it's fine. It's just water. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) Col. - Sam. (GIGGLES) (SIGHS) - Oh. (CHUCKLES GENTLY) Whoa. - Col and the gang have been working on it in the utility shed for the market. Whaddaya think? - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) It's... - Isn't it wild? - Uh... - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) - I` I think you'd better get your knitting project outta your car and give me a free private lesson. - (GIGGLES) (CELL PHONE BUZZES) Mm. (PENSIVE MUSIC) (LIGHT, CURIOUS MUSIC) (MUSIC ENDS GENTLY) - Uh, I mean, at least it's still driveable. - Concentrate. Here, bring the yarn to the front. - Yeah. - Put it through. - Around. - Right. Purl's just the same as knit except the bump ends up on the other side. - Like that? - Perfection. - You know, I'm gonna finish this scarf and donate it to your cause. - (SCOFFS) Don't get ahead of yourself. We only have three days. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Hey. - Mm, might wanna reconsider and make it into a coaster. - Well, you're not the only determined one around here... or the most focused. - (SNIGGERS) - In. Around. Under. And off. - Yeah. - MOCKINGLY: Practise, practise. (GASPS) You know what? I think I might even keep my knitting and needles in the car. (LAUGHS) Right? - (GIGGLES) - Stop, stop! - You're going to pay. - Hey, truce, truce. Hey! (LAUGHS) Hey. Hey, stop. - You're gonna pay for that, Mr King. You're gonna pay. Here I am` - Hey, you guys gotta come see this. There's 'a' ewe. She's come into the hay shed. She's hunkered down, ready to lamb. - Really? I have never seen a lamb being born before. - Me neither. - You gonna love this, then. C'mon. It's the circle of life. - C'mon! (CHEERFUL MUSIC) (SQUEALS) The circle of life. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Col was right. - That was amazing. - Col was just great. - I'm so happy we got to share that together. - Yeah, me too. (CELL PHONE RINGS '"REVEILLE" BUGLE CALL', BUZZES) - SOFTLY: Oh. - Are you gonna get that? - Oh, uh, that can go to voicemail. My father's ringtone ` you know, kinda suits him. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - He's on my case about getting home, closing deals. (CELL PHONE STOPS RINGING, BUZZING) - So, here's the important part. We attended the birth, so it is our duty to come up with a name, right? Uh, Woolly, cos sheep are w... (LAUGHS) - (EXCLAIMS) - Yeah, no, OK. - What else have you got? - Jumper, cos sheep... (LAUGHS) - Oh, c'mon. I really did get all the creativity in the gene pool. - That's not true. I'm a photographer. - Oh. You finally realised that, huh? Good for you. So, uh, the lamb, she's a girl, so... - S... Baa-bara. - (GASPS) - Obviously. - Yes! - (CHUCKLES) - That's great. - (GIGGLES) You know what? I think Baa-bara needs to come back and join Team Homespun. Yeah, every yarn shop needs a resident sheep, and I'm surprised you don't have one already (!) - Oh, c'mon. I'm focused on the milling equipment for the moment. - Mm. - And I should probably go. I'm late for knit group... again. You're leading me astray. - W... - Hey, thanks... for an unusual day. - Thank you. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - (SIGHS) (SIGHS) (GENTLE MUSIC) (MUSIC BECOMES WARM) (SIGHS) - It was amazing. Did you know the newborn lamb can stand up within a half hour? I mean, I knew it, but I'd never actually seen it before. It was so gorgeous, so cute... unsteady ` kinda like Sam, really. - He's pretty special, huh? - Yeah, he is. The` She ` the lamb. It's` It's a girl. - Sophie, newsflash ` you're falling in love with this man. - SCOFFS: No! (STAMMERS) Rose, I just broke up with Chris two weeks ago. It's too soon. - You've been breaking up with Chris for a long time, Sophie. And guess what. Knitting follows a pattern; love doesn't. Maybe this is exactly the right time. - But he's so stubborn and determined. - Like someone else I know. - And he's leaving in two days. No. No, I just need to focus on that mill. - Stubborn, determined. - Stop. Romance can come later... if and when. - I don't think that's quite how these things work, Sophie. (CRICKETS CHIRP) (CAMERA BUTTONS CLICK SOFTLY) (GENTLE MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) TJ: Have I done enough to wear the jersey? Gotta sweat out that fear because this is bigger than me. I do it for my fans and my family. ION4 hydration. Sweat it out witih Powerade. (BIRDS SQUAWKING, BONGO DRUMMING) Excuse me, where am I? You're lost in the procrastination place. Yeah, right. That makes sense. MAN: Slap yourself out of it. Whoo! * (GENTLE MUSIC) - And slip off. Awesome. - (SIGHS) Wonderful. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) - Thank you so much. - Lucy's a natural, eh? - Yeah. - Yeah. See ya. Keep practising. - K. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) Bye. Have a good day. - Bye. - Bye. Good job! It is really impressive how far you've come so quickly, Lucy. If you can help someone with their own knitting, it means yours has really improved. You keep it up. Soon you're gonna be as good as any of us, maybe even better. - (CHUCKLES GENTLY) I dunno about that. I do feel more confident, though. - Good. Hang on to that confidence. We're gonna need it for the Maker's Fair. - Sophie. - Hey. - Quick, it's important. - What...? - Uh, can you manage the store, Rose? - My pleasure. (OPTIMISTIC MUSIC) (SHEEP BLEAT DISTANTLY) - Sam? (BIRD CALLS) Sam? - I'm back. Hold out your arms. Guess who. - (EXCLAIMS SOFTLY) Baa-bara? (EXHALES, GIGGLES) She's gorgeous. She's so soft. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Yeah... - Hey. - ...cos she's all wool. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - You beautiful girl. She's gorgeous. (WARM MUSIC) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - (BLEATS) - (GIGGLES) - To Baa-bara. - (GIGGLES) (GLASSES CLINK) (WARM MUSIC FADES) - Now, Col has managed to source us a very special seafood delicacy ` - Ooh, yum. - paua. Uh... Oh. God, (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) I'm` I'm sorry. It's` - It's fine. - It's black. - It's supposed to be. It has the most beautiful shell. Yeah. Here, look. See this? It's made outta paua shell. Pretty, huh? - Yeah. - Oh, and it tastes delicious. Try this. - Ooh. Um... (CHUCKLES GENTLY) That is amazing. - And so are you. HESITANTLY: I mean the photos. It really is a good idea. - Well, I do have the occasional one. You know, you and Baa-bara ` great social-media posts. Pics with animals always get a lot of likes and interest. - (GIGGLES) - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Probably need about four of those and, um... Oh. (LIGHT MUSIC) - Thanks. The shots are great... again. - Well, hey, had a good subject ` - BOTH: Baa-bara. (LAUGHS) - Yeah, I'll pull some prints together. You just try to post every day leading up to the weekend. It'll really help with the turnout at the market. - I will. Thanks, Sam. - To quote Col, (NEW ZEALAND ACCENT) 'Sweet as, bro.' - (GIGGLES) (CELL PHONE BUZZES) (SIGHS) (PENSIVE MUSIC) Hey, Chris. - Soph, I've been tryin' to get ahold of ya. - I know. I'm sorry. - Look, I think we made a mistake. - 'We'? - Me ` I` I made a mistake. Can we just`? - Chris, I` - No, no, no, Soph, please. Just hear me out, OK? Just gimme a chance. (VEHICLE ENGINE RUMBLES, SHEEP BLEAT) - Thanks again for letting us use it. - Oh, no problem. You know, I think they might actually leave it like that. - (GIGGLES) - Hey, um` Hey, I'll get your last batch of yarn. You should take that with you too. - Oh, great. (SHEEP BLEAT DISTANTLY) (UTE DOOR OPENS, SHUTS) - Hi. - Gidday, love. It's a wee bit early, I know, but I'm looking for Mr Samuel King ` here to measure up the fibre-milling gear. - Oh. You're... Are you gonna buy it? - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) That's the idea. Gave me a new price; I'm here to sign off ` just need to make sure it's all in working order and measure it for transport. You work here? - Uh... I, uh, used to... help out around the place. - Great. So, where can I find Mr King? - Want me to take both? - No, no, no. I'll take one. - That's Mr King right over there. - Thanks. Have a good day. - One minute. (CAR DOOR SHUTS) - Sophie. Sophie. Hey. I can explain. (CAR ENGINE STARTS) - You didn't even give me a chance. - (SIGHS) (POIGNANT MUSIC) Hey. Sophie. - (SNIFFLES, SIGHS) (SOBS SOFTLY) - Oh. Chairs are being picked up. Volunteers are ready to go. I think we're all set. - Has anyone seen Glenda? - She took off last night. - Oh, she's disappeared. Hey, Soph, look at all these donations. - (SIGHS) Great. It doesn't matter any more. There's no point. Sam's selling the mill to someone else. - What?! He can't do that. - He can do what he likes. He has made that perfectly clear. This is just business. - Soph, regardless, everyone's put so much hard work into this... - (SIGHS) - ...and love. It'll still be a great promotion for the shop, eh? - Yeah. Yeah, you're right. - And Samuel's gone to so much trouble for us. Maybe it isn't what you think. (POIGNANT MUSIC FADES) - (SIGHS) (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) These are amazing, Ida. You really are an artist. - Actually, that's not mine; that's hers. - (SIGHS) I really messed up, huh? I mean, Sophie's never gonna trust me again. - I don't know. But what I do know is you have to start trusting this, like she does. Admit it. You've fallen in love with this place, Sam, just like I did. I can see it, even if you can't. Listen to this. Maybe this was your path all along. - What do I do? - An explanation is a good start. - (CLEARS THROAT) (OPTIMISTIC MUSIC) (CHATTER) (OPTIMISTIC MUSIC CONTINUES) Oh, Kyle, have you seen Sophie? - Yup. - Oh, yeah. Yup. (MUSIC ENDS PENSIVELY) Thank you. Hey, Chris. Nice of you to come. - I wanted to wish you good luck. I-I was hoping maybe we could hang out later. - What's Chris doing with Sophie? Thought they'd split. Guess not, eh. - No. - The Homespun knitting contest starts on the stage in one hour. (FEEDBACK WHINES) Come see me to sign up. - I wanna fix this. Missed you... a lot. (POIGNANT MUSIC) - That's really sweet, Chris. We are gonna have to talk later. I have a contest to run. (MUSIC ENDS PENSIVELY) - With a bit of rearranging in the stockroom, this place'll fit the mill machines and still have room for the knitting club. - You shouldn't have those keys. - Perks of the trade. (GENTLE MUSIC) - (SIGHS SOFTLY) - Changed a bit, eh. It's normally full. They're all at the market. - All these years... - Haberdashery, patterns, buttons. - Tiddlywinks. (BOTH CHUCKLE GENTLY) You're a very cunning woman, Glenda. - And persuasive. I got you on that plane, didn't, I? - Only so I can deal with this mill foolishness. - Oh, come on, Liz. It's a great idea. You should be supporting it. - It's a huge risk! - I remember... a certain young woman who wanted to open her own real-estate office. Her parents didn't approve of that, but she did it anyway, and look at her now. Sophie is just as passionate about this place as you are about your work. She's more like you than you know, Liz. (CRICKETS CHIRP) (FLY BUZZES) THINKS: Hmmm... If I get hurt, who's gonna take Mia to karate? - Hah! Ah! - Who's gonna chat to Auntie? - And this is Morocco. - Oh. - Yes. It was a beautiful sunset. - Hmmm... - Who's gonna take Nui for a walk? - (DOG WHINES) Hmmm... 'Who's gonna give me a bath?' - No thank you, darling. - (WATER DRIPS) (FLY BUZZES) (SIGHS) * (BIRDSONG) (HAPPY MUSIC) (CHATTER) You did not enter me in this. - Oh, yes, I did! (LAUGHS) - The knitting contest starts in one minute. - Sit down. (LAUGHS) Come on. - Just relax. Enjoy yourself. (CHATTER) - Hello, everyone. I'm Sophie Markham, the owner of Homespun in Kingsvale! (CHEERING) Thank you. Today's contest is not one of skill; it is one of speed. Whoever can knit the longest scarf in an hour wins. (APPLAUSE, GENTLE CHEERING) OK, so as I was saying, it doesn't have to be the most beautiful scarf or the most technical; you just have to... (EXHALES) Mum? SOFTLY: (CHUCKLES) What?! Hey! (SOFT CHUCKLING, GENTLE EXCLAIMING) What...? Uh, sorry. Um... surprise contestant ` ladies and gentlemen, all the way from LA, my mum. (GENTLE EXCLAIMING, CHEERING) Uh, OK. This is just about using your two needles and some of this home-milled King yarn to knit the longest scarf you possibly can. (APPLAUSE, CHEERING, WHISTLING) - Room for one more? - Yep. - (SIGHS) - Today's prize is very special. King yarn won't be around for much longer. (GENTLE EXCLAIMING) I milled this batch ` (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) the last one ever. OK. When I say go, you can start knitting. Three, two... Mum. Not yet, Mum. - Oh, sorry. (SIGHS) (GIGGLING) One, go. (CHEERING, CLAPPING) (CHEERFUL MUSIC) - C'mon, Sam. (WHISTLING) C'mon, Sam. - C'mon, Liz! Let's go! (CHATTER) (CLAPPING) - Whoo! - C'mon, Liz! You can do it! (PEOPLE CALL OUT) (PERSON YELLS, LAUGHTER) - Whoo-hoo! - Didn't know you had it in you. (CHATTER) - Whoo! (CHUCKLING) (MUSIC BECOMES PENSIVE) (MUSIC BECOMES CHEERFUL) - And we're into the final straight now, and the needles are flying. We've got some serious competition here. Kyle the Baker on the home stretch. Lucy Goosey picking up the pace, with Mr Christopher and King Samuel neck and neck ` which is handy, cos it's a scarf ` while Pride of LA is battling away there, and Big Hands Col is charging down the back straight and coming home fast. But here we go ` it's over to the stewards now. - OK, everyone ` - SOPHIE, AUDIENCE: 10, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two one. - Needles down! (COW BELL RINGS, CHEERING) Mom, needles down! (GIGGLING) Thank you. (CHATTER) Uh... (GASPS) Lucy... that's amazing. - Thank you. (GIGGLES SOFTLY) - 10. (GROANS) Mum. (LAUGHTER) All right. - Well, at least you tried. - Wow. Hmm. - Oh, that's pretty good. (CHATTER) - WHISPERS: Sam came third. - Um, OK, everyone... in first place with an impressive 22 inches... Lucy Collins. (APPLAUSE, CHEERING, WHISTLING) Congratulations. (LUCY CHUCKLES) I told you. And in second place, the most unlikely of knitters ` with probably the messiest and ugliest piece ` (SCATTERED LAUGHTER) - Aw. - my mother, Liz Markham. - (LAUGHS GLEEFULLY) - (APPLAUSE, CHEERING) - See? You can knit. Thank you for coming. It is so good to see you. - You too, darling. Congratulations on this. - Thank you. (PERSON COUGHS) - Oh, I'll do it! (GIGGLES) - Oh. Oh. Oh, ow! (CHUCKLES) - (LAUGHS) Sorry. (PEOPLE EXCLAIM) - And in third place... Samuel King, King Farm's financial adviser. (GENTLE EXCLAIMING, APPLAUSE) Congratulations. The last of the yarn ` memento. - Sophie. (POIGNANT MUSIC) - Well, thank you, everyone, for coming. Hope to see you all at Homespun ` no speed-knitting required! (LAUGHTER) - Well, I'm a terrible knitter, but that was a lotta fun. - Maybe you just need more lessons. - Yeah. Yeah, I-I'd like that ` more lessons. - Oh, but that's all it would be, Chris. I'm happy to be friends, but that's all. I'm sorry. - Yeah, I understand. I just want you to be happy, Soph. - Excuse me, Sophie. Can we talk? (HURRIED FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - (EXHALES) You're not gonna believe this. - Uh... Believe what? - It's your mum. Come and see. - She is not tryin' to sell my store, is she? I can so see her doing that. - SOFTLY: Gorgeous. Ooh, it fits. - Your mum had the highest bid. - Aw. Aw, thanks, Mum. It looks great. - No, you don't get it. She bid high. - Mum. This is way too much. You didn't have to. - 'Mom'. - No, you can't. - I can and will. Think of it as an apology. I see the community you've built around this business, and what kind of mother would I be if I didn't help you keep it alive? You can repay me in knitting lessons. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - How 'bout that? (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Thank you. - I love you. - Love you. (GENTLE MUSIC) - This is huge. Now you can buy the equipment. The mill is yours. - Except you're forgetting ` Sam already sold it. - Has it gone yet, though? Maybe you can outbid this other buyer now. - Rose, I'm not gonna beg him. - (SIGHS) Come on. If the immovable Liz Markham can come around, so can her daughter. - Go. Go. - Just give him a chance to explain. - Samuel. Let's go get some air. - MAN: See you next week. (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) - (EXHALES SHAKILY) I would like to make an official offer on the mill ` a higher bid if that's what's needed. - (SIGHS) Sophie, can I just explain? - What's to explain? It's all about the bottom line, isn't it? So` - I haven't sold the mill. Yes, I lined up a buyer not long after I got here, but then I got to see how deeply Ida feels about all of this ` the farm, everything. God, she loves this place, and I... (SIGHS) I realised she'd do anything to keep it in the family. - Yeah. - Then you and I started to get to know each other, and I could see you'd done exactly the same thing ` fallen in love and stayed. So... I changed my mind. - I` I don't understand. You offered that guy a better price. - No, I didn't. I called him and told him the price had gone up. I-It's just... I dunno, he turned up today to try and change my mind, but I already knew. The equipment, the` the yarn, the last mill, it all belongs to you. So I said no. (BIRD CAWS DISTANTLY) Then I stole the needles outta your car, so, uh... - (STAMMERS) So the mill ` it's still for sale... to me. - Yeah. - OK. This is my mother's investment in me, so I am going to use it to pay for that equipment. - OK... partner. - Partner? But aren't you going back to New York? - No. I'm not. I've kinda fallen in love myself... with this place. Yeah, I would... have to get used to the speed-limit signs and... - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) ...maybe help Col deliver a lamb or two. - What is your father gonna say about you not going back? - I'll handle my father. You know, I'm gonna do what I want to do. Right now, it's making you some fine, fine merino wool ` (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) 17 microns. You know, it'll be nice to be around you still, even if we're just friends. - Just friends? - Yeah, well, I, uh` I saw you with Chris before, so... - Oh, no, Sam, Chris is great... but we're not getting back together. No, I need to be with someone who gets me. You get me. You would do anything to help me and the business. You care about what I do. It's you I wanna be with. - OK. That's good... cos I've finally figured out I want too ` you. - Hey. (BOTH CHUCKLE SOFTLY) (GENTLE MUSIC) (CHATTER) - Mum. This is Sam. We are going to be business partners. - (GASPS) Looks like more than that to me. (SOFT CHUCKLING) - Let's hope you can help my daughter make Homespun bigger and better, then, Sam. She deserves it. - She certainly does. - Ooh, and I think you deserve this. It'll look much better on you. (GIGGLING) - Wow. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) (PEOPLE EXCLAIM) - Aw, he's a Kiwi. - Nice. Nice one, Sammie. - Yeah, yeah. - It's perfect. - Sophie, I think you just officially ended the sweater curse. - I think you might be right, Glenda. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - KYLE: Lovely. A well-made jersey's like a well-made loaf of bread ` both crafted with love and each perfect in their own particular way. Mm. Biscuits? (LAUGHTER) - SAM: He speaks! - That was very eloquent, Kyle. - Yep. (CHUCKLING) - Well done, love. - Oh. Thank you. - Ooh. - Oh. - Biscuit? - Nice. - Yeah. (GENTLE MUSIC) (MUSIC DEEPENS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Hi. Hey, Mum. - Hi, darling. - Hey. - Guys, come check these out. - Ooh. So this is where the mill and carders and tumblers and tubs are gonna go. - Sweet as. (CHUCKLES) - And stock can come in here. - (BLEATS) - Hi. Say hello to Homespun's newest mascot. - Baa-bara?! - Yeah, makin' her debut. She's all yours. - I don't know what to say! - Don't say a thing. She'll be available for special events, photo shoots, picnics, weddings. And she live at the farm, so you'll get to see her every day. - You know exactly who I am, don't you? - I do, and you're exactly who I want. - Aw. - Aw. - Aw. (GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES) - (BLEATS) - (LAUGHTER) (CHEERFUL MUSIC) www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2021