Well, it's New Year's Eve and according to Brookie, the eve of the new millennium too (*actually* and to be *particularly* pedantic, that's next year, but let's not get into that discussion here!). Obviously, most people's celebrations (and I use the term 'celebrations' extremely loosely - this is Brookside, after all!) are building up towards the midnight hour and if you're Ron Dixon, the end of the world. Therefore, this summary departs slightly from it's usual format...
Following Mark's untimely death (from a broken neck, we discover), Darren is left to comfort Victoria. She's understandably distraught and is tearing herself apart worrying whether Mark died hating her, believing that she wouldn't be able to cope with looking after him as his condition deteriorated.
The other thing which is playing on Vic's mind is just *why* Darren left the pub early, and returned to the house (when he found the body). Darren is unable to explain. He just had a "feeling" he says.
There will be an inquest (into the death; not into Darren's 'feeling', I hasten to add!).
Over at Mick's house, Gemma is listening covertly to a conversation between Tim and Leo. Tim is telling Leo about some Ecstasy pills which will be available in the Club that night. He tries to encourage Leo to partake:
"The ones he's got for tonight are supposed to be boss," says Tim, in salesman mode. Or perhaps not.
Leo's not interested. Gemma is though! Allowing her eavesdropping to be discovered, she insists that Tim arranges for her and a couple of friends to be admitted to the club. Otherwise she threatens to tell Mick about the Ecstasy. Tim looks concerned and has little choice other than to promise to see what he can do.
Gemma, incidentally, is *supposed* to be going to a friend's house. Mick has promised to take her there. Which he does.
We leave the Close now, for a visit to Anthea's house. Except that Anthea isn't there - she's had as much as she could stomach of Ron's millennium bug nonsense that she's taken herself off to that popular, Ron-free zone, known as her sister's until it's all blown over (then she'll return and show Ron how to cook pasta, I guess!).
Mike is at work, so it's just Rachel there to listen to Ron's scaremongering. He recalls (almost fondly) the difficulties encountered during the Winter of Discontent and confidently predicts that things'll be *much* worse this time around. All this balderdash causes Rachel's contractions to start (okay, not exactly true, but it was a nice idea!). She insists that he calls an ambulance; an idea which Ron doubts is very wise.
"The hospital mightn't be safe," he warns. (Well, possibly not - but it sure sounds like a good place to be, if you ask me!)
Nevertheless, Ron does get Rachel to the hospital, but once there he's more concerned about his own personal safety rather than that of Rachel and the baby. He's determined to be home before midnight and resolutely refuses to be stuck in the ozzie at that hour, since it's "bound to be run by computers".
"We could be swamped with a dangerous virus," he predicts.
The Mussie's have locked Luke in his bedroom whilst they decide what's to be done. Meanwhile, Niamh traipses over to Jessie's where, after a spot of quick-talking to prevent the door from being slammed in her face, she tries to apologise and ends up pouring her heart out.
Outside in the Close, Jimmy, ably assisted by Ray, is setting up his 'pro-ject' for the great unveiling. Lindsey, who happens to be passing, comments that she'll be sorry to miss it.
"What makes you think that you're invited?" asks Jimmy, scornfully.
Lindsey tells him that she'll be working anyway and that she'll be on her own because Susannah and Jacqui are "no longer interested".
"Oh, they *will* be," says Jimmy, stirring things. "When they find it's full of under-age kids off their box, thanks to *you*."
Mick and Sinbad reflect on their planned quiet evening in, grateful that they won't have to do battle with the throngs fighting their way to the bar just to get served and struggling to find a cab home.
They wonder whether they're just sad.
"Surely we can't be past it already? asks Mick.
"I hope not," replies Sin. "I'm still waiting to hit me prime."
"Shall we go out?"
"Yeah."
They make their way to the New Millennium Club, unaware that Gemma is already there. Also arriving at the same time are Max and Susannah, the latter *much* to Lindsey's consternation.
Susannah is absolutely livid when she finds that the whole club is seemingly hosting a teeny-bopper's disco.
"Lindsey, what the hell is going on?" she demands to know.
Excuse me, but just what has it got to do with Susannah, anyway? She doesn't own any shares in the club, does she? Just the restaurant franchise.
Still, she's worked herself up into quite a lather and Mick, Sin and Max throw in their two-penneths as well.
"I'll *certainly* be talking to Jacqui about this," Susannah warns. "Come on Max, we're leaving."
On the dance floor, Gemma pops an E; an act which is witnessed by Leo. He storms over to her:
"What was that you just took?" he asks. "Are you off your head?" Err, no, Leo. Not yet - it won't be long though!
Tim spots Mick and Sinbad standing by one of the bars (the 'top' bar, to be precise!) and warns Leo to get Gemma outside before it's too late. It *is* too late, however (for Gemma, at least).
"She's off her cake," Leo points out. "Can't you try and keep them away?"
"Look at the state of her. I just *know* I'm gonna get the blame for this," predicts Tim, ruefully.
In the Mussie's household, Niamh appears to have made her decision, and it's *not* a popular one. She's of the opinion that packing Luke off to Ireland isn't the best solution. Joey disagrees:
"There is *no way* I'm staying in the same house as that lying rapist," he declares.
"He's our son and I *won't* abandon him, whatever *you* decide to do," says Niamh.
Back in the hospital, Ron, Rachel and Mike are in an lift when it suddenly shudders to a halt.
"My God. It's started," cries Ron, assuming that the millennium bug has kicked in early.
"It's not even midnight yet," points out Mike, anxious to avoid any panic in such a confined space.
Ron, however, is concerned that they'll still be trapped in the lift when the clocks do strike twelve (or "when it all goes off" as he describes it). "We might be the only ones left alive," he claims.
Meanwhile, Rachel's contractions are becoming increasingly more frequent and they're having to rely on shouted messages from hospital staff outside the lift in order to try and pacify Rachel.
And so the seconds to midnight begin to be counted down...
With six seconds to go, Gemma collapses on the dance floor and at the stroke of twelve Rachel gives birth (in the lift) to a baby girl, Jackie throws the switch to illuminate Jimmy's 'pro-ject' - a millennium arch (apparently!) and Joey walks out on Niamh. "If you're standing by him [Luke], then our marriage is over," he tells her as her strides off down the path ignoring Jackie's new year wishes as he passes the arch.
Episode written by Roy Boulter
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001