Club Clothes and the First of August (Part 5)
Tony reflects on why he leans on fashion and other people’s opinions, then finishes the story of the call with Lyssa. At midnight on August 1st he decides to watch Romeo and Juliet in memory of Jewell.
A Wednesday Night Argument With Lyssa (Part 4)
Tony writes up the phone call that has weighed on him all week. Lyssa talks about a party, her admirers and her friends, and tells him the old Tony was the one she fell for.
A Cinema Night and Romeo and Juliet (Part 3)
After a night at the movies with Jett, Min-Su and Anders, Tony walks to Video Ezy and ends up renting Romeo and Juliet, a film he has long refused to watch without Jewell.
Phone Calls, Driver and a Madden Showdown (Part 2)
Tony spends Saturday on the phone with Jett, Keith and Shawn, hearing about Min-Su and Jett’s seafood dinner and Keith’s night out. Jett comes over with his Playstation for Driver and a close game of Madden 98 before the movies.
A Petty Cash Run Across the City (Part 1)
Tony begins the last day of July by catching up on Wednesday at work. He runs a petty cash and filing errand between Bridge Street and the Supreme Court, and notes a chat with Linh about a nightclub on Sunday.
Lunch With Linh’s Crowd and a Birthday for David (Part 2)
Tony lunches with Linh, Thao and Matthias, who ogle a girl in a beret, then runs an errand and talks memoirs with David in the toilets. A confused express train trip home and a bus driver joke lead to the plan for David’s birthday drinks.
My Old Self and Najla’s Filing Pile (Part 1)
After a heavy phone call, Tony reflects on how his confidence faded once he started dating Lyssa. At HIH he stews over Najla’s habits, the legal department’s slow repairs and a printer that dies at day’s end.
Returning a Wallet and an Invite From Gawain (Part 2)
Tony catches up on Friday and Monday: a late train, lunch at Circular Quay, a cold train ride with Lyssa and a wallet he hands back to a taxi driver. In the work toilets Gawain invites him to a club.
La-La Land and Lyssa’s Full Moon Call (Part 1)
Tony misses his bus stop while daydreaming about a new month, a laptop and a night out. Lyssa rings about the full moon and snaps at him, and Imad then tells him some ugly stories about Naqi.
Najla’s Pink String and Lunch With Keith (Part 3)
Tony arrives late to HIH with a streaming eye and simmers over how Najla treats him. He then covers her failed pink string errand, lunches on Oxford Street with Keith and goes shopping after work.
Overhead Wiring and a Girl Who Looks Like Kalinda (Part 2)
Tony wakes with a crusted eye and then finds his train terminated at Campbelltown because of overhead wiring trouble. While stranded he walks Janice over to a girl who looks just like her and then waits an hour for trains to return.
Tired of Boiled Chicken and Slow Trains (Part 1)
After a week of poor sleep, Tony vents about the short-lived ticket gates at Campbelltown Station and writes up his Saturday workout. He also talks Mum into swapping some of the boiled chicken for baked pumpkin.
The Girl Who Danced on My Leg (Part 4)
A drunk girl will not stop dancing up on Tony’s leg as the night winds down at Chevy’s. After a last look at a girl he likes, he buys chicken on Queen Street and gets a lift home with Tyler and Binh.
Once Is Enough for Everyone (Part 3)
Seeing Lyssa leaning in to chat with a stranger sends Tony into a spiral about why people only give him one conversation. Naqi turns up on the dancefloor and a girl called Carys demands Tony be bashed.
Sitting Outside Chevy’s With Two Strangers (Part 2)
Tony sits on the kerb outside Chevy’s with two girls he finds unappealing, bumps into a man from a work lunch, then meets Miroslav, Redd and Joaquin inside. He keeps pestering the cloakroom girl until his jacket finally gets a ticket.
Blocked Ears and a Cockroach in the Shower (Part 1)
Tony catches up on a week of sickness, a pressure pop in his ear and a cockroach he drowns in the basin. He then walks alone towards Chevy’s and runs into Uati, freshly out of jail.
Keith Dogs It And Jett’s Prank Call (Part 3)
Tony resolves to write more tightly, then hears from Shawn that Keith left Ralf and Shawn waiting on Saturday night. A late call from Jett leads Tony into a heated prank call with a man from Auburn.
Magdalena And The Irish Uncle (Part 2)
Walking home in new Guess shoes and all black, Tony strikes up a conversation with a married woman at Campbelltown station and later helps an Irish man find his train. He ends with a long cold wait and hot chips with gravy.
Staying Over At Lyssa’s Place (Part 1)
Lyssa phones Tony after midnight and asks him to stay, so he takes a taxi to her house. They talk about her Friday night, Ivan and the taxi money before he heads home the next morning.
Lyssa Calls And I Rent The Holy Man (Part 6)
Lyssa phones and soothes Tony, though her night out with Naqi and Penelope leaves him envious. He dashes to Video Ezy in his new outfit, rents The Holy Man and hears the story of her fight with her mum.
Nobody Wants To Go To Chevy’s (Part 5)
With Keith, Tamsen, Tyler and Binh all heading to Chevy’s, Tony cannot make himself go. After a small win on the pokies and a word with Jonas, he gives up on the night and fields calls from Tyler and Shawn.
Sex Talk With Johnnie And Florian (Part 4)
Sitting between Johnnie and Florian, Tony watches Lyssa and Naqi from across the club while the talk turns to sex and relationships. A second round of the night starts when he finally tracks down a sulking Tyler.
Wandering The Pokies And Hitting The Gym (Part 3)
Tony wanders the Catholic Club looking for company and hears a rumour about Naqi from Imad. The next afternoon he drags himself to the gym and finds he has dropped to 75.5 kilos.
Lyssa Holds Court At The Catholic Club (Part 2)
At the Catholic Club Tony runs into Lyssa, Janice, Penelope and Daniel and ends up feeling like an outsider. He then fights with Tyler in the quiet room and gets snubbed by a girl from last weekend.
Pink Eye And A Brylcreem Disaster (Part 1)
Tony wakes half blind with conjunctivitis and a heavy heart over Lyssa after a bad night out. He rewinds to the plans that fell apart, a Brylcreem hair crisis and the ride to the Catholic Club with Tyler and Binh.
Dancing In Socks And A Soft Spot For Penelope
Tony feels proud of running his own weekend plans and rings Johnnie, Keith and Shawn before a night at the Catholic Club. He steps on his glasses while dancing, then muses about Penelope and Naqi.
Lunch With Linh And Matthias (Part 2)
Tony goes to lunch with Linh, Leroy and three stylish new faces led by Matthias, and listens while feeling sick. At home he rings Johnnie and Shawn about the weekend and muses on his word choices.
A Pay Day Shopping Haul (Part 1)
After a quarrel with Lyssa and news from Imad, Tony buys $323 of clothes at Gas Station and finds the shine fading when he tries them on. He then recalls a freezing day at HIH running errands for Najla.
Pay Day Eve With A Pounding Headache
Too tired and sick to write much, Tony looks ahead to pay day shopping at Gas Station. He also muses on why he celebrated monthly anniversaries with Lyssa but never with Jewell.
Hot Chips With Lyssa At Hound Dog (Part 3)
Tony meets Lyssa for lunch, hears her story of a night with a Canadian and shops at Hound Dog and Gas Station. After a day of deliveries he rings round Tyler, Ace and Nero to plan the weekend.
Buying Lyssa Lunch Again (Part 2)
A sleepless night of tea and coughing leads Tony to work in freezing wind. On the train Lyssa complains about her diet and her body and tells him to shave, while he stews over who does the favours.
Becoming The Weekend Planner (Part 1)
Tony celebrates his return as the planner of nights out at the Catholic Club and Chevy’s. He then looks back on Friday at HIH, a train ride full of pretty strangers, and a chat with Zenia.
The Man With The Wooden Cross (Part 6)
A man with a wheeled wooden cross preaches to girls at Campbelltown, and Tony is amused. He ends with Friday at HIH, Najla in her glasses, a lost delivery man and a cold shoulder from Kalinda.
Lunch With Linh At HMV (Part 5)
Looking back on Thursday, Tony dodges Calla in the kitchen, gets his group certificate and hears office talk of nightclubs. At lunch Linh and an Italian friend discuss clubs, and the girls plan a gift for David.
Lyssa’s Dream About Naqi (Part 4)
Tony takes a long bath, then catches up on his diary and a phone call with Lyssa. She tells him a dream about him and Naqi, and Tony thinks about her coming life and what he missed.
Trying On Contact Lenses (Part 3)
Tony fights an optometrist to try coloured lenses and decides neither colour is right. On the way home he passes Linda and chats to Maddox, then rings Lyssa and reflects on their friendship.
Glasses Shopping And Fashion Rules (Part 2)
After admiring a girl on a bench, Tony catches Kofi again at Campbelltown and plans a night at Rogues. He then shops for glasses and reflects on how much he trusts Lyssa’s taste.
Spider In The Towel (Part 1)
Too sick for work, Tony rings Jana, nearly dries his face on a spider and gets a lift from Dad to Macarthur Square. There he meets Kofi and a friend in a strange white hat.
A Cold Takes Hold And The Office Gossips (Part 9)
Tony finally admits his sore throat has turned into a cold and works through a stressful Wednesday filing. He chats with Zenia, hears Esme’s story about Ignatius and the stress ball, and hunts for a vest at Gas Station.
A Dream Of Two Girls And Errands To The Courts (Part 8)
Tony wakes from a dream about Lyssa and Jewell and heads to work, where he sorts mail with Najla and sits in a staff meeting led by David. After lunch with Thalia he runs filing to two courts, tries on glasses and walks back late.
Lyssa Tells Of Wollongong And The Psychic (Part 7)
A day of calls from Shawn and Keith ends with the call Tony was waiting for. Lyssa tells him about a Wollongong pub brawl, a night in a crowded motel room and a psychic who predicted her marriage, children and health.
A Kiss On The Cheek And A Hardcore Room (Part 6)
At two in the morning Tony borrows two dollars from Anders and tries once more to arrange a meeting with Marguerite. She leaves him with a kiss on the cheek before he retreats to the hardcore room and spots Diamond on his way out.
Dancing With Trinity And Glaring At Naqi (Part 5)
A second girl, Trinity, joins Tony and her friend for a crowded dance that has the whole club watching. Handshakes from half of Chevy’s and a tense stare at a lookalike of Naqi fill the rest of the hour.
Marguerite Lets Me Dance Behind Her (Part 4)
With Ace, Nero and Johnnie urging him on, Tony works up the nerve to ask a blonde from Ingleburn if she minds him dancing close. They dance for an hour before she steps off for a drink and he decides not to chase her.
Lyssa Punches Me Then Praises My Dancing (Part 3)
Lyssa lands a punch and swipes Tony’s yellow glasses before returning them on the stage. Her honest verdict on his dancing, plus a nudge toward Constantine, lifts a year of anxiety and lets the two finally move on.
Ace And Nero Show Up Before Midnight (Part 2)
Tony and Tyler bump into Ace and his brother Nero, then jog up Queen Street laughing as a police car trails them. After a detour to Tyler’s house and a midnight meal at Macdonald’s, they return to the line at Chevy’s.
A Sore Throat And A Bucket Hat (Part 1)
Tony is grounded by a throat infection and sorts out his shopping budget while Keith rings about the football. He then starts his Friday night story with Tyler, a bucket hat and a snub from Jonah at the Chevy’s door.
Pokies With Anders And Meeting Johnnie (Part 6)
Tony and Anders lose a few dollars on the pokies before Travis leads them to Johnnie. A mix-up over Gemma’s name and a hand he decides not to hold leave Tony uneasy, though his glasses and DKNY hat are a hit at the table.
Tyler Holds Out For Chevy’s (Part 5)
Tyler hugs, whines and bargains until Tony agrees to Chevy’s in return for a promise about the City next weekend. Between rounds Tony spots Kiley with new blonde hair and runs into Devon, who has cut his hair.
Juggling Shawn And Tyler On The Phone (Part 4)
With no energy to go out, Tony keeps both Tyler and Shawn holding on the line and hears about Shawn’s dull night at The Cave. Back on Friday, his dad drives him to the Catholic Club where Chí signs him in.
Memoir Worries And Driver With Jett (Part 3)
Tired from the night before, Tony stays in and worries about the toll his memoir writing would take on a new relationship. Jett drops off his Playstation, they crash cop cars in Driver’s Survival mode and then prank Min-Su on the phone.
Ringing Round For A Night Out (Part 2)
Tony phones everyone he knows to build a big Friday night, and a long chat with Ace’s girlfriend lifts his confidence. Then Shawn drops out for Ralf, Keith folds and Tyler refuses to take a train.
A Rebirth Of Confidence And Shawn’s Boots (Part 1)
Tony starts the day buzzing from a night out where he felt like a new man, then goes back to Friday evening when Shawn asks to borrow his boots. Tyler and Keith both pop up in the plans, and Shawn tries on Tony’s belt.
An Hour On The Phone With Lyssa (Part 3)
Lyssa tells Tony that Penelope and Naqi are back together and brags about her weekends. Tony snaps at her, thinks about leaving his old group behind, and catches up on his chronology at midnight.
Clear Lens Glasses And Women’s Shoes (Part 2)
On his lunch break Tony prices designer glasses and contact lenses and puts a pair of unisex shoes on lay-by. On the train home Shawn tells him about trivia night and how Ralf tricked him into a drive to the City.
A Poem For Jewell And New Ticket Gates (Part 1)
Tony is fed up with friends who stay home and with fines at the new Campbelltown ticket gates. He shares a poem about Jewell, then a Monday with Najla, Calla and the train ride home with Shawn.
Madden, Parakeets And Maccas (Part 4)
Shawn comes over and beats Tony at Madden before a late drive around Campbelltown and Macarthur Square. They end up in a Macdonald’s car park trading insults, and Tony catches up on his diary.
Waiting On Ralf Again (Part 3)
Tony and Shawn give up on Ralf ever being on time for The Mummy. Ralf finally arrives, drives Tony the long way to Macarthur Square and goes on a pointless chase.
Dancing On Stage And Snubbed By Janice (Part 2)
Tony spots Daphne, catches up with a crowd of Chevy’s regulars and ends up on the stage with Tyler. He gets snubbed by Janice and loses a chance to talk to the girl from the Catholic Club.
Filing Woes And Old Faces At Chevy’s (Part 1)
A bad day of rain, a fine and an unhelpful Najla gives way to a night at Chevy’s with Tyler. Tony catches up with Lily, Jonas, Miroslav and an old school acquaintance.
Brylcreem, Fake Names And A Rhyme (Part 4)
Tony chases Jett by phone, misses his chance with a brunette, and tells how he bought Brylcreem on Queen Street. After Keith and Tamsen drop by, he drives to Chevy’s and ends the entry with a rhyme.
Calling Myself Bob (Part 3)
Tony turns on his sarcastic side and invites Yolanda to sit at the table, then sticks to a false name and a gay joke all night. Across the room a tall girl keeps meeting his eye but never speaks.
Yellow Glasses At The Catholic Club (Part 2)
Tony reflects on how yellow lens glasses and club clothes gave him confidence after years of poverty and ridicule. At the Catholic Club he and Tyler meet Anders in the drinks queue and find a seat in the Quiet Room.
Taking Charge Of The Night (Part 1)
After his City plans collapse, Tony phones Keith, Tyler, Ace and Ralf and decides to run the night himself. He and Tyler swap clothes and use up the last of a film in the bedroom before heading out.
Mail Run, Lyssa’s Call and My First Appraisal
After wrapping up the mail and lists at HIH, Tony recounts his argumentative phone call with Lyssa. His first appraisal with Jana goes well, and she promises to ask for extra help in the legal department.
A Syringe in Hyde Park and a Tale for Jana
A heap of filing, a sushi lunch under a fig tree and an unpleasant syringe find fill Tony’s day. When Xavier calls again, Jana and Esme hear the whole story and offer some blunt advice.
A Centrelink Surprise and a Fantastic Five Plan
Tony starts a Monday night catch-up with a Centrelink surprise, Tamsen’s party photos and her cutting remark about him. He then rewinds to Friday’s train chat with Shawn and a plan for a core group of clubbing mates.
A Platform Stare and Tamsen’s Party Photos
After a long wait at Central, Tony plays a stare game with a girl on another platform and goes home to count his spending. Keith and Tamsen later visit so Tony can choose reprints from her party photos.
Lay-by Clubbing Clothes and Sketchers Shoes
Tony spends a payday evening in the City collecting a jacket and trying on clothes for lay-by. He then buys shoes and finishes at The Changing Room.
A Taxi Full of Briefs and the New HIH Gym
Tony turns to Thursday, where an eccentric man in a green tie talks to him in the washroom and a hectic day of briefs ends with a lost taxi ride. He also tours the new staff gym and chats with Kelsey.
Keith, Tamsen and the Rumours Jett Brings
Jett and Tony dissect the breakup and make up of Keith and Tamsen, from a cruel prank on Min-Su to a flat battery on the road. Keith then calls and comes by with Tamsen after dinner.
Jett’s Pranks on Fred and a Furious Caller
After a great footy game, Jett knocks on Tony’s window and shares news about Imad and Naqi. He then tells three wild stories, including a car full of condoms and a night of prank calls to a furious stranger.
Peeling Hands and a Rushed Haircut at Bradbury
Tony pauses his catching up to ramble about notepads, ideas and strangely peeling hands. On Sunday he finds the Bradbury hairdresser shut, runs for the bus, bumps into Jett and gets a rushed trim in the Mall.
A Train Ride With Xavier and His Book of Homer
Tony dodges Xavier on the train home, only to be called over to a saved seat. Xavier reads Tony’s poems and gives him a cheap book of Homer, and Tony escapes at Campbelltown and shares a bus with Idris.
Dodging Xavier and Lunch in Hyde Park
Xavier rings Tony twice at work, so Tony escapes to Hyde Park with sushi and a quiet lunch. A baby blue sweater, an expensive shop and a missing wallet fill the rest of the day.
Paper Jams and Passing Smiles at Work
Tony catches up on a busy Wednesday in the HIH legal department, where briefs keep landing on his desk and the photocopier keeps jamming. Linh finally talks to Najla, and a shy smile passes between Tony and Zenia in the hallway.
Ringing Round for a Night Out (Part 5)
Ralf offers three poor club ideas and Tony phones each one for him. When that fails, Tony suggests a movie, and the plan becomes The Mummy at Liverpool and then a hang out at Parramatta Leagues Club.
Housewarming Visit at Imad’s Flat (Part 4)
Tony finds Imad’s new flat in the dark and gets the grand tour, then they play Playstation while Imad shares his worries about Naqi and Lyssa. They also talk about Imad’s two new credit cards.
A Haircut Plan and Ralf’s Bad Ideas (Part 3)
A trip to the Bradbury hairdressers ends with Tony thinking he has spotted Sabine. Ralf and Shawn then turn up with another doomed night out, and Tony calls Sweeney’s only to find it closed for a private function.
Linh’s Lucky Pokies Win at Lunch (Part 2)
Tony tells Linh about Xavier over sushi and a stop at a small pub, where Linh hits free spins and walks away with about $220. Back at work Tony chats with Zenia and Kelsey, runs an errand for Jana and takes one more call from Xavier.
Dodging Xavier’s Phone Calls (Part 1)
Tony writes up a great Friday night at Chevy’s with Tyler, then backtracks to Tuesday at HIH. Najla fields Xavier’s repeated calls while Tony fills in a Centrelink form and daydreams about Calla.
A Night With Lyssa and a Slow Morning (Part 3)
Lyssa stays the night and tells Tony about the new guy she met, then cries to a song on the radio. In the morning she drags her feet before they catch the train to the City.
Lyssa Tries on My New Style (Part 2)
Lyssa knocks on the door just as Tony finishes writing about her. They hug, joke about his new glasses and clothes, and Tony decides not to complicate the night.
Shopping Bags and Lunch With Xavier (Part 1)
Tony arrives home loaded with shopping bags and catches up on Monday. He has an awkward food court lunch with Xavier, who keeps ringing the HIH legal department.
Old School Stories And Xavier Ringing (Part 3)
On the drive home Ralf and Shawn retell school pranks and Keith’s evening-the-score habit, and Tony reveals his Batman jumper. Monday at work brings repeated calls from Xavier and a lunch date that promises trouble.
Golf At Sharks With Ralf And Shawn (Part 2)
Tony, Shawn and Ralf wander Menangle Markets, then Ralf drives them an hour across Sydney to a golf range. After a free burger and Keith’s borrowed clubs, Tony hits his first ever golf ball.
Shawn’s Racer And Keith’s Bad Night (Part 1)
Tony battles his diary backlog, then rides Shawn’s rusty racer to Macarthur Square for a weekly ticket. Shawn and Ralf turn up and report that Keith spent the whole night staring at Tamsen without a word.
Silly Glasses And Keith Chasing Tamsen (Part 2)
Tony and Shawn buy three cheap pairs of glasses and turn a revolving train seat into a card table. Back home Shawn heads out with Keith and Tyler, and later reports that Keith’s night with Tamsen was a dud.
Bucket Hats And Skechers Across The City (Part 1)
Lyssa stays the night without things going further, and Tony picks up the Saturday shopping trail. He and Shawn try on boots, a beret and a bucket hat, and Tony orders his Skechers at Cobra.
Hugs And Hard Words For Lyssa (Part 2)
Lyssa admits she is sad on the day they broke up a year ago, and Tony tells her the fault was Naqi’s. After a second call he invites her over for a hug and waits, hoping for a fresh start.
A Year Since I Lost Lyssa (Part 1)
Tony delivers a document near Lyssa’s work and rides home hoping to see her, then a girl from the train ignores him. At the bus stop Jessamy shares news, and Lyssa’s story about Naqi leaves Tony furious.
Braiding Dreams And Ignoring Lyssa (Part 3)
Tony explains why he did not return Lyssa’s call, then follows a tip to a Soho salon where braided extensions are priced at up to four hundred dollars. The shoes he wants turn out to be too small.
Chasing Club Shoes On Oxford Street (Part 2)
Tony and Shawn start up Oxford Street, trying on club shoes, reflector pants and jackets. Prices bite, sizes run out, and a friendly shop assistant at Morrissey sends Tony off with a smile.
A Train Ride To The City With Shawn (Part 1)
Tony struggles to catch up on his diary before Shawn arrives for a big Saturday in the City. They skip the Bradbury hairdresser and take an express train, where talk turns to being sixteen.
Meeting Kalliope on the Train Home (Part 5)
A sleepy question about Glenfield turns into a long conversation with Kalliope about work, nightclubs and sushi. Tony steps off at Campbelltown without her number and spends the night thinking how much he wants a girlfriend.
Noam’s Taxi and a Crowded Train (Part 4)
A late errand for Jana puts Tony in a taxi with Noam, a young Lebanese driver raised in France. After cancelled trains he squeezes onto a crowded carriage and picks a seat next to a girl reading a novel.
Lunch With Aleka at Pitt Street (Part 3)
Back at HIH, Tony earns Jana’s approval, turns down Linh’s birthday drinks and meets Aleka for lunch. Over meatballs she talks about her boyfriend and family expectations while he talks about clothes.
A Cab Charge Court Run and a Beret Hunt (Part 2)
Sent to file documents at the court house with David, Tony hails the taxi, meets Kelsey in the waiting area and offers to do her filing. He then squeezes in Raben Footwear and a clothes shop before heading back to work.
A Shopping Spree and a Glimpse of Lyssa (Part 1)
Tony looks ahead to a night out and back at a Friday in which he spots Naqi at Sydenham and Lyssa with Penelope at St James. At HIH he does mail with Najla and covers errands for Jana.
Tyler’s Money, Fred’s News and Crazy Love (Part 2)
After a cash withdrawal at the bank, Tony chats with Fred, drives with Tyler to Shawn’s and learns how flat the weekend plans are. At home he grumbles about his friends, misses Naqi and ends with the lyrics to Crazy Love.
Women’s Shoes and a Foggy Train Window (Part 1)
Tony looks ahead to a big Saturday in the City with Shawn, then recounts window shopping for club sneakers at the QVB in the rain. On the packed train home he sits next to a blonde girl and finds the nerve to speak.
Club Shoes and a Call From Xavier (Part 2)
Tony feels confident in every conversation at work, from Linh and Jonas to a lunch plan with Aleka. A call from Xavier and a lunchtime hunt for club sneakers round out the day before the rainy trip to the station.
A Late Start and Cab Charge Errands (Part 1)
Tony wakes late, daydreams about a laptop for the train and starts the new month at HIH doing the mail with Najla. A friendly hello from Calla and a string of errands for Jana keep him buzzing.