That Wasn't In The Script !

Like most soaps, 'Down On The Farm'was produced on a very tight budget and everyone hoped that they could get the scene down in one take. Much would depend on the acting novice who was central to this particular plot line. Debbi was acutely aware of this but was feeling pleased with her delivery of the few lines she had to say at the bar in her faux posh accent. The dance hit that was her cue to start stripping began to play over the pub speakers. Remembering the moves Sally had taught her, Debbi moved over towards the character Seth , swaying seductively and reaching behind her for the full length zip on her dress.

The cast began to respond vociferously as instructed. Debbi was soon down to her underwear which was a black set with red bows and trim, superficially sexy but cut conservatively so that not too much would be on show for the family audience. Debbi sat herself down on Seth's knee as the script required, putting her arms around his neck and asking him to take off her stockings. At this point, the furious Angie / Saffron confronted her angrily, again as scripted. "Leave my fiance alone you whore" she yelled, dragging Debbi to her feet and commencing the mock cat fight.

As they had rehearsed Debbi allowed herself to be tripped, stumbling to the floor and letting Angie / Saffron get on top of her. Also as planned, Debbi cast off the posh accent and reverted to her own voice for a slanging match in between the pulled slaps and punches. It was then that Debbi felt Saffron's fingers around the waistband of her knickers. This wasn't part of the script ! "Stop it, What're you doing ?" But taken by surprise, she had little chance to resist as Saffron peeled her knickers down to her knees and then off completely, hurling them across the set where they landed in the pint glass of a startled Jethro, the old patriarch of the soap clan !

"Cut, Cut !" cried the harassed director Giles. "What do you think you're doing Saff ?" he shouted. " I thought it'd add a bit of realism. That's how a real cat fight would go" Saffron excused herself. "But you know we can't show that on screen" Giles admonished her. A bottomless Debbi struggled to her feet. "Has anyone got a robe I could wear" she called but she was ignored in the general hubbub as Giles and Reg the producer held a hurried consultation.

"The reaction shot camera two got from Jethro when the knickers landed in his pint was priceless" Reg informed the director. "We can easily cut it so we don't show the knickers actually coming off. Great idea Saff" Reg congratulated her. "Has anyone got a robe I could wear ?" once again. "Just a minute Deb" said Reg offhandedly. "What about when she has to run from the pub ?" Giles objected. "We can shoot a rear view. It'll be even funnier if she's bottomless" Reg replied. "Can we get away with that ?" asked Giles. "I reckon so if we make it a long shot" Reg decided. "Change of plan love" he called over to Debbi who was still standing there dressed in only the bra and tattered stockings while Saffron smirked !