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This is an ABC podcast. Hey Truth Squad. So yeah. I'm pretty hectic with what happened to me. Here's what we know. Zack's not missing. He's been kidnapped! Book me tooth. That might change to one seat plus a lot of excess baggage. Wherever she's going tomorrow, she's taking him with her, dead or alive. You can't keep me locked up here. I can do anything I want. I made you. Hey Zack! You're not hurt, are you? Nope. All good. I'm Zach, by the way. It's awesome to meet you. What? We're too late.

Mitchell, stop! We can't go back via the main road. Is there another way back to town? Through the paddock. Whoa, you two are adventurous. More than you'll ever know, Zach. Come on. How could she do that? How could Madeline just wipe her consciousness out of existence? Wait, where is he? Is he talking to that cow? Yeah, yes. Not wiped, huh? I'm not saying Zach wasn't wiped, but there's gotta be a backup.

Then we need to go back. We will, but first we need to get Zack to safety. Then we rescue his data and reinstall his memory. We get the backup. Where are we gonna find a computer powerful enough to do it? I have no idea, but I know.

Alex! Alex It's still dark. Alex, it's T. Open up. Fine, I'm coming. Oh my gosh, that's so cool. Bring him in. Get him out of the hallway before a teacher sees you. What is he doing to the blinds? Open close. Madeline wiped him. Open. I think he's um relearning basic motor skills. And that's why we're here. We need to restore Alzac from the backup. If there is a backup. And you need a computer fast enough for the job.

You have one. Heck no. But I do have login details for the university's supercomputer. So where's the file? Madeline's lab. We're going back later to get it. Okay, I'll head to the uni and see if I can get my head around it. It's not safe to stay at school with Pollock on the prowl. Zach, you should come to my place. Sure. Be careful, you three. We will. Thank you, Alex. Are you going to do that all day, Zach? Oh, sorry. Is it bugging you? Leave him alone, T. He's learning crucial skills.

Hello? Mitchell. Mr. Pollock here. Everything okay? I see you weren't in class this morning. Yeah. Sorry, Mr. Pollock. I slept in. I was a bit tired after we spent the night breaking Zack out of your boss's underground lair. Huh. I'm assuming Tang is listening. So let me be crystal clear. Zach is Madeline's property, and he will be returned to his rightful owner. Not on our watch. If you try to grab Zack, we'll yell so loud the whole town will know about it.

about it, Mr. Pollock. The whole town, including Constable Fernandez, will be cheering on the Macaburrers at the game this afternoon. So they won't hear you at all, Mitchell. He seems nice. Pollock's right. With everyone at the footy, it will be the perfect time for them to try and nab Zach again. There must be a safe place. We can't go to Stefan's. Besides, he'll be too busy making pies. So everyone is going to be at this stupid game. be too. I know you're a footy tragic.

This really the time No, don't you see? With Zack surrounded by Whole town, there's no way Madeline and Pollock can try anything. Do you think you can blend in at the footy? What a footy? Ladies and gentlemen, the tuck shop is open. Ceiling Stephanie's delicious pie. Any sign of Pollock or Madeline? Nothing yet. Are these seats okay, kids? Yeah, perfect. Oh Macaburrus. That was great. Zach, what are you doing? Ah, so you're Zach. Yep.

Good to see you escaped your kidnapper, Zach. You know, Tang, Mitch, filing a false report is a criminal offence. Yep, we sure learnt our lesson, Constable Fernandez. Yeah, Maccabari. Please sit down, Zach. Hi there. I love your jumper. Thanks. Where did you get it from? Zach, you can't do that. He's just doing what he's programmed to do. We can't go if Zach's gonna wander off to influence random people. Dad, you have to keep him occupied.

Just tell one of your boring stories. What boring stories?

I meant one of your awesome stories. Come on, Mitch, we have to get back to Madeline's lab. Zach, can I tell you about the time I had the perfect amount of money for the vending machine? No way. It all started one morning when I didn't have anything working. Oh, Madeline's lab! I hate this place. I feel bad that Zack was trapped in here by himself. Yeah. Well, until we find the drive with our Zack on it, he's still trapped here.

Ugh. I think I found a backup drive. Or should I say drives? No! There are dozens! Which one is the right one? I'll call Alex. What? We are looking at a cupboard containing a bunch of hard drives. We think one of them contains Zack's soul. Any ideas how to work out which one's which? Are you for real? I'm trying to work out how to transfer an artificial consciousness onto a synthetic human body using a supercomputer.

And you're bothering me with this? Just bring them all here. Whoa. Come on, we can fit them in our backpacks. Done. Let's go. What is it, Mitch? Did we miss one? As long as this lab is here, Madeline can just wipe Zack again, right? What if the lab wasn't here? I've got an idea.

It's Dad. Ask him what the score is. Or not? Dad, you won't believe what we just found out. Holock's here. Meddling too. She wants to talk to you. Hey Tang! Where are you? You're missing a great game. I'm actually not that into footy. Listen T, I just received an alert that Alarm at the refinery was Would you? Oh no? Really? Hope it's all okay. Yeah, me too. I certainly wouldn't want anything to happen to the only backup of I'd suggest I'll be waiting with Zach.

And your dad. I'll let you know if it turns up. Hey, can you put my dad back on? Tang, you still there? We'll meet you at the university. They won't let us leave, T. They can't do anything in public, especially not with Fernandez sitting right there. Just be ready to go. Okay. At least we know now, Madeline did make a backup. Yeah. Now we just have to get him and Dad out of that stadium. Any idea how? Maybe. I need to make a call.

We have some fabulous halftime entertainment, including local rockers, Hive's. But before they take to the stage, we have a late addition to the bill. A few words from the principal of McElroy High. An LP Duval. Wait, what? No. What's she doing here? I've just returned from extended leave and I wanted to thank a few people for Deputy Principal Pollock here. Right here, Mr. Val. Constable, really, I I don't think it's necessary to uh this.

you are come on down mr pollock don't be shy yeah and is that madelyn talinsky with you bring her too Come on, Pollock, we don't want to make a scene. Don't you dare go anywhere, Zach. Wait, why? Nice, everyone give them a round of applause. Love you, Naddie. You're too kind. Really too kind. Good work, Madeline. We have to go now, Zach. But Madeline said, Forget Madeline, we're going. But I wanna hear Ivis. Okay, this is it, the Unigates. Where's your dad? He should be here by now.

Is that Ivy's playing? Yep, and that's Dad's car. Nice work with Miss Duel! You should have seen Pollock's face! Um Why is the music on so loud? explain but it's just another one of my boring stories. Oh, I was listening to that. This is my dad. Dad, this is Alex. Nice to meet you, Alex. Hard drive, hand it over. Uh I think you mean drives? Ugh, you really have no idea which one is the real Zack? Nope, not a clue. Fine, I'll just upload them all.

It shouldn't take too long to upload all the different versions of Zack. Man Fortune. So old school. Where's the laptop, Mitch? We can edit the show while we wait. The show? We are trying to save our friend T. So am I. Are you sure, Tang? Meddling is very dangerous. Trust me you two. Laptop now.

Your dad is right, T. Even if we get Zack back to normal, as long as Madeline is out there, he'll never be safe. Duh, what do you think our next show is about, Mitch? We're going to take her down for good. But wasn't our last show meant to do that? Yeah, but look at I can do anything I want. You're my property, Zach. I filmed Madeline keeping Zack a prisoner. Now I'm just editing out the bits that prove Zack is a robot. Then we send it to Constable Fernandez.

You are a genius, T. Madeline has two options. Be charged with kidnapping or admit that she's created a synthetic human to spy on us and sell our stuff. Win win.

Get over here. We're ready. I'm just going to plug you into the terminal here, Zach, if that's okay. Sure. Hold still for a second. Ow. Okay. I've written a program that allows us to cycle through all the versions of Zach. Mitch, T, all you have to do is ask a question only our Zack will know the answer to. Ready? But that could be anything. I know what to ask. Okay. Ready for the first contender? Ready.

Oh hi guys. Would you like some ice cream? Mmm, sure. What's your favourite flavour? Next. Next. Oh, hi guys. Would you like some ice cream, Zach? Oh only if you're having some. Next. Oh, hi guys. Do you want some ice cream? Oh never again. That's him! Zach? How did I how how did I get here? Yes! Yes! You're back! We missed you! Missed you too, T. Shhh! Listen! That sounds like my car!

And the rats come running out of their cave. Enjoyed your day off, I hope? Sure did. And we are pooped. So Madeline, Mr. Pollock, if you could step away from my dad's car, we're going. Oh we won't stop you Tang. Just simply return what's mine. He's not yours. I built him so yeah he's kinda mine. I don't belong to anyone, Madeline. I'm free. Very nice work restoring Zach from a backup. Although it's

is gonna make transport more uncomfortable for Zack. Zack is staying with us. And if I were you, I'd leave while you can't. Oh, you're so cute when you're making threats, Tang. But when are you going to learn that you can't win? I did. You two had your chance. Madeline Talinsky. Constable Fernandez. These are the children responsible for vandalizing my future hub. I'd like to press charges. Well, you'll have to do it from prison because you're under arrest for kidnapping.

Mr. Pollock, please tell Constable Fred. Pollock? Pollock! Get back here! Aren't you gonna go after him? Don't worry, we'll catch up with him. It's Miss Tolinsky we'd like to speak to now. And who exactly? Am I supposed to have kidnapped me, Madeline? I have a video that shows you detaining Zach against his will. You're going down for kidnapping, Madeline. Unless, of course, there's something else you'd like to tell Constable Vanessa.

Well played, Tang. This white plays. We did it! We won! Woohoo! You're free! Wait. No he's not. Not yet. Wait, why? What do you mean? We need to do one more show. And for the first time ever, we're gonna cover up the truth. Hey Tang. Hey T. I saw the video you posted last night. Thanks for covering my back. Hey Tang, you really shouldn't make up rumours about other students. I always knew you weren't a robot. See you in geography. Hey Tang, a hoa?

How desperate for attention are you? Turns out people don't like finding out they've been lied to. I thought things were only getting nasty online. It's not just online. But at least everyone believed it. Well, you do know what a good cover up sounds like. And at least this lie is keeping Zack safe. Thanks, T. Well, until it all blows over, you can always hang in our room. It's the least I can do. Oh yeah. House Life is a border. Great.

Well, my roommate snores. I do not. You do too. It takes me ages to get to sleep. Dude, I don't. Macaroni Cupboard was recorded and produced. hands of the Gadigal people of the Yor Nation. And Warundri Willem people. Coolin' nation. Tang is played by Aaron. Mitch by Zachary Fuller. Abigail Adriano played Alex. Harper Pollard played Madeline.

Principal Duvel is played by Felicity Jrd, Acting Principal Bullock by Henry Nixon, and Ken by Alfred Ong. McElroy Uncovered was written by Cleon Prince, Paul Garden. And Dave Cartell, the team that made this series for you. Producers Kyle Slavin and Production Coordinator Veronica Light. Sound Design John Jacobs. And voice director, Justine. Executive producers are Jan Stradling. Terima kasih kerana Ian Walker dan Justin

The manager of Audio Studios is Kelly Rearden and head of Children's Content is Libby Doherty. McElroy Uncovered is a production of ABC Children's and ABC Audio Studios. If you'd like to hear another great podcast, try short and curly. It's all about ethics and tackles life's curly questions. Like, is it ever okay to be a cannibal? And when should you stop being friends with someone? You can listen to Short and Curly for free on the ABC Listen app or podcast apps like App.

Mitchell...That's yours!Mitch!What?! T? What is going on? Is Zack there? Yes. Okay, listen to this. What is that sound? It's been randomly blaring from my dad's car stereo for weeks. I ignored it for as long as I could, but then I decided to record it. And tonight I put it through a few filters and this is what I found. T, a are you still there? What is it? What does it mean? I don't know. I think it means our show may not be cancelled after all. And we're in serious danger.