Maintain The Rage
Prologue
1 INT GORDON HOME DAY 1
1975, November 11, CANBERRA.
A screen door opens and a little girl, TEDDY aged 5, walks tentatively into a kitchen. Its laminated square floor tiles, faux wood panelled cupboards and kitsch wall hangings are the hallmarks of a modest suburban Australian family.
The door swings shut behind Teddy.
From her POV we see the lower torso of both her parents, STAN (32) in a wash ‘n wear beige suit and BLANCHE (30) in an apron and cotton floral shift. Their faces are not immediately revealed. Only Teddy’s face is visible and it’s a picture of dread.
STAN and BLANCHE argue. TEDDY has heard it all before. The contents of the argument are not the focus of the scene, but rather background noise against the actions of the little girl.
STAN
Oh not this again!
BLANCHE
Why not? You’re never here to
see the worst of it. Always down
at the member’s bar with your
precious mates. Why don’t you
actually do something instead
of just talking all the time?
STAN
What do think is happening
out there? We’re making history.
BLANCHE
You’re making bloody fools of
yourselves. Do you read the papers?
Nobody thinks Gough's a hero now.
Not when they haven’t seen
housekeeping for five weeks.
Little TEDDY’S face looks up miserably at her parents. They still don’t see her standing there.
STAN
Don't you run Gough down in this
house. It takes guts to do what he's
doing.
BLANCHE
He's on a trip. He's done a nut and
so have you if you think I'm going
to keep living like this. (ASHAMED)
The greengrocer gave me credit today.
STAN moves to try and take BLANCHE in his arms.
STAN
Well good on him. That's what it's about.
It's a revolution and I’m standing
right in the middle of it. I’m a soldier,
Blanche. I’m on the front line!
BLANCHE
Soldier! You’re a cop! A cop who
hasn't had a promotion in five years.
TEDDY tugs at STAN'S jacket.
TEDDY
(quietly)
God’s been sacked.
The argument rages on and still they pay her no attention.
STAN
(ignoring her)
Well I was good enough for you
when you wanted a ring on your
finger. Good enough to get a
deposit for this place.
TEDDY
(louder)
Daddy, they sacked God.
He’s on the telly.
TEDDY wanders off from the kitchen and into the living room. She drops her school bag and sits very close in front of a large Bakelite TV set and switches it on.
BLANCHE
Which we are about to lose if we
don't get supply soon.
STAN
Well you're always saying you want
to move.
The crackle and static is very loud. An image wobbles into frame. On the screen is ARCHIVE FOOTAGE of the news report of PRIME MINSTER GOUGH WHITLAM standing on the steps of PARLIAMENT. Next to him, the SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL informs the swelling crowd that the Australian Prime Minister GOUGH WHITLAM has been dismissed by the GOVERNOR GENERAL, SIR JOHN KERR.
Little TEDDY stares at the screen. In the kitchen, the argument raging between her parents suddenly stops.
STAN walks briskly into frame. He is short and stocky and slightly balding with a very large handlebar moustache. He drops down next to Teddy and stares in horror at the screen.
On the box, WHITLAM rages.
WHITLAM
'Well may they say, God Save the
Queen, because nothing will save
the Governor General.'
STAN weeps. TEDDY looks at him and a tear falls down her cheek in empathy. She pats her dad’s knee but he doesn't feel it.
BLANCHE’S face is still concealed and she stands wringing a tea towel by the entrance to the living room.
BLANCHE
(the frustration of it all)
That's right. Just walk away.
But STAN is no longer listening. He is lost to the collapse of his world. He stares, his eyes fixed to the screen.
WHITLAM
(on screen)
..Maintain your rage.
STAN
Blood oath I will.
BLANCHE
That’s it. I have absolutely
had it.
STAN and TEDDY continue to sit mesmerised by the TV screen.
A car is heard, screeching violently down the driveway.
STAN doesn’t move.
TEDDY runs to the window. She climbs onto an armchair and pulls back the curtains. From her POV, she sees her mother reversing the family HOLDEN down the drive and screeching away down the street.
TEDDY
(quietly to her father)
Mum’s gone.
STAN
They sacked God.
He buries his face in his hands.
TEDDY looks from the window to her father and back again.
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Act I
MUSIC and OPENING CREDITS roll.
CREDITS play in black and white on the television, against images of the CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS of 1975.
2 EXT UNIVERSITY GROUNDS DAY 2
CANBERRA 1988.
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY forecourt. Banners and placards lie strewn along the grass. A FEMALE STUDENT shouts through a megaphone, chanting against the re-introduction of University fees. She makes an unsuccessful bid to encourage the stragglers from the rally into a semblance of unity. But something else has their attention.
It is TEDDY, brawling. She is now a young student at the University, short, skinny her angular face is tight as she flays into a young guy dressed in fashionable punk.
Around them, STUDENTS cat-call and egg the two on.
A few feet away, a tall, good looking young FURIO (FLYN) MARTINI watches with an amused look on his face. His PMG postal issue jacket is a sixties classic, stitched over with protest badges, uranium out, free East Timor etc.
TEDDY has the PUNK on the ground, her zeal more than any actual strength overpowering him.
20 year old ANGUS MAYBERRY, Teddy’s friend, pushes through the onlookers and drags Teddy off.
ANGUS is willowy in stature, with a slim, toned figure, more a boy than a man.
ANGUS
Teddy! Teddy. Stop it!
The crowd seem disappointed the show is over. They begin to move off, as does FLYN.
The PUNK hauls himself up and spits in Teddy’s direction.
PUNK
Get some counselling freak!
ANGUS drags TEDDY away to a quiet spot on the lawns. She is suddenly and horribly self-conscious. She calms down and sorts herself, checking for injuries.
ANGUS
Teddy?
TEDDY
He’s a fuckwit Angus.
ANGUS
So why fight a fuckwit?
Two students walk past, they see Teddy and chant, Ali, Ali, Ali
ANGUS drags Teddy further away from the crowd. They begin to head out of the University grounds to a bicycle rack where he undoes a combination lock on a ten-speed bike.
ANGUS
I’m going to my place, you
wanna dink?
3 EXT CANBERRA STREETS DAY 3
MUSIC and ADDITIONAL CREDITS ROLL
ANGUS manoeuvres his way through the wide streets of inner city CANBERRA.
TEDDY rides on the cross bar. Their energy is easy, intimate but platonic.
ANGUS
So what’d the fuckwit say?
TEDDY
(her face dark, remembering)
Nothing.
ANGUS
Come on, he must have said something.
TEDDY
He said Gough Whitlam was
a psuedo commie intellectual that
systematically destroyed the economy.
ANGUS
(laughing)
Gough…I knew it.
ANGUS wheels his way to NUMBER TWENTY-THREE, a standard house in a street by a large municipal park. The house looks every bit the generic rental with an untidy lawn, a broken gate, and a headless (stolen) garden gnome.
ANGUS
You better be careful Comrade,
I don't think scrapping on the
lawns is a good look for the party.
They’ll cancel your membership.
TEDDY
I doubt it. They just elected me
secretary.
ANGUS
Sucker!
4 INT SHARE HOUSE DAY 4
The living room is tragic tableau of student digs; a sagging
couch, ill matching chairs, music posters and a lava lamp, all of it revealed under the opaque light cast by a naked globe screened through a grubby and slightly torn parachute stapled to the ceiling.
ANGUS and TEDDY drop their backpacks on the floor.
ANGUS
Hot Milo?
TEDDY nods and follows ANGUS down the hallway to the kitchen. It is as badly put together as the living room but very large and welcoming. A hand made redwood slab/table is the feature piece in a room with tall shelves featuring labelled jars of rice, grains and other staples. Pot plants hang from the ceiling creating a comforting, organic look.
BOB (20, a droll, physically comfortable fellow) and PETE (20, mentally astute but socially awkward) are housemates of Angus. They are making a vegetarian curry on the stove. BOB is head chef, PETE snacking more than helping.
BOB
Ah..the avenging Gordon. I heard you
took out a Nazi.
ANGUS
More like a toy Sex Pistol.
BOB
So debating is the new blood
sport on campus.
ANGUS opens a jumbo size tin of MILO and spoons into two cups.
ANGUS
Once in primary school, Teddy made a boy
choke on his play-lunch. She winded him
for calling an Indian kid an abo wog.
BOB
Maybe you should form a new party
faction and call it Young Violent Labor.
ANGUS
Yes gentlemen it was lucky I was
there today. I am the United Nations
around Teddy.
BOB
And about as effective.
The friends are only joking but TEDDY’S face grows dark.
TEDDY
It's such a joke to you. You just stand
around being oh so clever. Gough fought
for the environment and the arts. You'd
be getting at degree at the KFC if it
wasn’t for him.
PETE
Chill Teddy. We were all there.
I marched. Rah Rah all of that.
TEDDY, uncomfortable being challenged and every bit the political drama queen, walks out. ANGUS rolls his eyes and goes after her.
BOB'S and PETE’S expression turn from slightly sheepish to giggles.
PETE
She really needs a girlfriend.
BOB
And her name’s Angus.
ANGUS follows TEDDY out the front door and we cut straight into..
5 EXT ANGUS' CHILDHOOD HOUSE DAY 5
1975…….where ANGUS a five year old, follows young TEDDY out his front door.
ANGUS
I didn’t mean it.
TEDDY
You said Gough had gorbies!
ANGUS catches up to TEDDY and tries to stop her by grabbing her arm. TEDDY turns, easily overpowers ANGUS and in a second has him on the ground.
TEDDY
Say it. Say Fraser’s a fuckwit.
From the front porch, ANGUS’MUM in apron and scarf tied around her head is shrieking.
MRS MAYBERRY
Teddy Gordon! You leave my
son alone you little commie.
6 INT GORDON KITCHEN EVENING 6
We're back in 1988 where little of the decor has changed in STAN and TEDDY'S house.
STAN is now a heavier man, with little elegance and less presence.
They sit opposite one another at a laminate table eating a shop bought meatpie, sauce and brussel spouts. A portable black and white television showing the NEWS, sits on a ledge close by.
TEDDY
I got the job Stan. A twelve-six vote.
You’re looking at the new Secretary
for Young Labor on campus.
STAN’S face lights up. He ruffles her hair in a manner more suited to a young boy.
STAN
Teddy, my little Teddy trooper. Good on
ya love. Hey, eh? Just a matter of
time before you're elected President.
TEDDY
I'm not sure I want to be president.
We’re not very popular at the moment.
STAN
Waddya mean?
TEDDY
Full fees dad.
TEDDY nods at the TV, showing a clip from the student rally held earlier that day.
TEDDY
Campus editorial says it’s a
New Labor plot.
The political animal in Stan is never far from the surface. His face reddens and puffs up.
STAN
Labor plot. Robert J Hawke does not do
back room deals. When they were calling
for Gough’s blood didn’t he stand on the
front line and rally the men! Wasn’t he
there to give that streak-of piss-Fraser
a kick up the arse?
TEDDY gathers her plate and STAN'S and heads toward the sink.
TEDDY
Well it’s a pity Gough isn't
around now. This is the thin end
of the wedge, Dad. Another nail
in Gough's political coffin. We're
supposed to be the alternative.
What does this make us?
7 INT TEDDY’S BEDROOM EVENING 7
Though chaotic, it does not resemble the usual female teenage mess, but rather shelves of books, a desk littered with mugs, paper work, a Remington typewriter and a framed childhood photo, of TEDDY sitting on her father’s shoulders at a political rally in the seventies.
The floor is scattered with clothes, shoes, a bean bag.
One wall of the room is dominated by an enormous photo poster of the 1972 campaign poster- It’s Time.
Under it, TEDDY sits on her blue chenille covered single bed. A textbook is open next to her along with a ring binder folder filled with scribbled foolscap pages.
A tape rattles a mix- Style Council, Billy Bragge, Tom Waits..
A knock on the door and STAN enters.
He leans to kiss TEDDY on the forehead and plants himself down on the bed next to her. She shifts to make room for him.
STAN
(worried)
What’s up?
TEDDY
Nothing.
STAN
Come on love, tell your old dad.
TEDDY
(after a pause, sighing)
I'm surrounded by apathy.
STAN
We all are love, it's the eighties.
STAN notices a scratch on Teddy’s cheek.
STAN
What’s this then?
TEDDY
Nothing. (FORGETTING THE RUMBLE)
Had a bit of a blue with Angus.
STAN
(rising)
Did he touch you?
TEDDY
(laughing)
Angus couldn’t hurt a fly.
STAN
Because I swear… Why doesn’t he
come round anymore? He used to.
TEDDY
He’s a bit scared of you I think.
STAN
Scared of me? What the bloody hell's
wrong with him?
TEDDY
Dad, you're a cop.
STAN
What's that got to do with the
price of fish? (BEAT)
So are you two…?
TEDDY
Just friends.
STAN
He’s not a poof is he love?
TEDDY
Dad! He’s a mate.
STAN
Well in my day, blokes had other
blokes as mates and females was
for taking out to the pictures.
TEDDY
Yeah well in your day, wife
swapping was considered normal.
STAN
Steady on. Not in my neighbourhood.
More's the pity. That would
have given our Blanche something to
write home about.
At the mention of BLANCHE'S name, there is the tiniest of a pause between them.
STAN cups TEDDY'S chin in his hands.
STAN
(cont)
Must be time I taught you to shave.
It's an old game between them. STAN winks and moves to the door.
STAN
Don’t you start doubting Bob Hawke eh?
Gough fought for free education and
that’s how it’s always gonna be with
Labor on the job.
STAN is almost out the door.
STAN
(cont)
Full fees. No-one will
cop that again!
Just as he closes the door, he catches a glimpse of the framed photo on the dresser. He stares at it for a moment, TEDDY’S tape deck spews out a warped version of Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’ and the scene merges into…
8 EXT CANBERRA RALLY-CITY PARK DAY 8
DECEMBER 13, 1975
The scene is shot in black and white merging between ARCHIVE TV FOOTAGE.
STAN stands in a crowd, little TEDDY is on his shoulders. The look on his face is almost beatific. TEDDY waves a small Australian flag, excited by the activity.
Around them people surge along, pressing toward a platform where the ACTU President ROBERT J HAWKE rallies the masses to support the LABOR party and re-elect the sacked GOUGH WHITLAM.
9 EXT CANBERRA BOULEVARD DAY 9
STAN and TEDDY wander home along the wide tree-lined boulevard of an inner CANBERRA suburb. STAN holds Teddy’s hand.
A cavalcade of WHITE COMMONWEALTH CARS glide down the road. The windows are tinted dark. A POLICE ESCORT drives by on motorcycles.
STAN’S face lights up.
STAN
Teddy love, wave, wave. It’s him.
TEDDY and STAN join others along the street waving and cheering as the cars glide by.
TEDDY
Is Margaret with him?
STAN
You betcha, a good woman always
stands by her man.
TEDDY looks pained for a moment.
TEDDY
When’s mummy coming back?
STAN
Soon as Gough’s back in office, all will
be right with the world. You’ll see.
10 INT TEDDY’S BEDROOM NIGHT 10
TEDDY as the five year old is in bed, dressed in pyjamas. She lies back on her pillow praying.
TEDDY
Dear God, I hope you are re-elected
with an increased majority.
11 INT GORDON LIVING ROOM NIGHT 11
The room is decorated in recycled Christmas tinsel. An artificial Christmas tree stands in the corner covered in a wonky spread of baubles. The room is dark but for the flickering white light of the TV set and the flashing coloured bulbs.
STAN cradles a glass of FOSTERS. The bottle sits on a sideboard nearby. He stares at the television set in disbelief. His face is ashen. On the screen is ARCHIVE TV FOOTAGE of MALCOLM FRASER claiming victory with a 91-seat majority.
STAN flicks the channels to see BOB HAWKE announce,
HAWKE
I feel very depressed. I think it’s
a disaster for our party. I think it’s
a disaster for the government of this
country.
STAN changes channels again to see TV FOOTAGE of GOUGH WHITLAM addressing his supporters. His face is strained and tortured. MARGARET WHITLAM is by his side. GOUGH waves at the crowd, looking solemn and defeated.
STAN blubbers in the darkness, suddenly aware he is not alone.
BLANCHE appears in the room. She is dressed in a loose fitting rainbow coloured caftan with very low cleavage. Pinned on her left bosom is a large LIBERAL badge.
STAN looks cut to shreds.
STAN
What do you call the other one?
BLANCHE
Merry Christmas.
STAN
Happy fucking new year.
BLANCHE
Don't swear Stan.
STAN
Are you back? Are you? God I need
you Blanche.
STAN moves as if to fall into her arms, but she side-steps him.
Neither sees the little figure of TEDDY entering the room. TEDDY wanders over to the sideboard and helps herself to a sip of beer.
BLANCHE
I’ve just come to say I’ve got a
ripper new job and I want a divorce.
STAN is stunned. He doesn’t move.
BLANCHE
All right Stan? Stan?
In the darkness, little TEDDY burps on the beer.
12 EXT COMMON ROOM EVENING 12
Back in 1988 where a YOUNG LABOR PARTY meeting is underway in a campus COMMON ROOM. It is a semi-formal arrangement with plastic chairs strewn around filled with a few dozen (either) bored or overly serious students.
Two standard issue campus tables are the focus of the meeting where the PRESIDENT GARRY, (a pratt law student) and the TREASURER, PAMELA, (econometrics undergrad) sit.
TEDDY sits a little to their left, scribbling the minutes down, trying to keep up with the debate.
The meeting has been in progress for some time and the fatigue and agitation shows on most faces.
GARRY
At this juncture, I think we're
all agreed, a strongly worded
press release will explain our
position in respect to the Federal
Party's recent announcement. All
those in favour?
A student up the front interjects, much to GARRY'S annoyance.
STUDENT AGITATOR
What's that going to prove? They get
all our support and we get royally
rooted up the arse by our own party.
GARRY
Point of Order.
He looks to see if TEDDY is recording his objection.
GARRY
(cont)
You have to speak through the chair.
STUDENT AGITATOR
Oh fuck off Garry, this is a big deal.
Our membership rate is critical and all
you want to do to reassure people is
write a tepid little letter to the Feds.
GARRY
In a crisis you follow procedure.
We debated this last week and voted
on it.
STUDENT AGITATOR
Well I wasn't here, so read the
frigging minutes.
GARRY
No, we've wasted too much time.
Get on with the agenda and speak
through the chair if you want to say
something or we'll be here all night!
STUDENT AGITATOR
Oh piss weak!
But the mood is changing and the group are feeling bloody minded. Someone shouts, read the minutes.
Suddenly all eyes are on TEDDY who turns a shade of crimson.
GARRY realises he can’t win over the crowd by formal means and succumbs to the mob.
GARRY
Alright. Teddy, read the minutes.
In the sudden quiet, TEDDY’S voice seems overly loud.
TEDDY
I can’t. I wasn’t secretary then.
I don't have them.
GARRY looks set to snap. The room howls with laughter. TEDDY looks like she might throw up.
GARRY
So where are they?
TEDDY
I think Frank still has them.
GARRY
(seething)
So where’s Frank?
TEDDY
Deferred for a year. Got a job with
a bank, in Queensland.
The situation is pure gold for GARRY’S detractors. The meeting loses all momentum and the atmosphere becomes a free for all, members shouting from the floor, cat calling and heckling the besieged STUDENT EXECUTIVES at the head of the room.
TEDDY looks from the floor to GARRY and PAMELA beside her, slightly panicked by the unprecedented ruckus. Her attention is suddenly focussed on the tall figure standing against the back wall. It is FLYN, still dressed in his uniform leather jacket, leaning somewhat laconically against the back wall, smoking a cigarette and smiling quietly.
For TEDDY, it is as if she is riveted to the floor. The room is suddenly and artificially silent and the only noise is a sudden intake of breath that sends blood to the ears.
A hue of gold light shoots out around FLYN’S form and yes, a chorus of synthesised harps fill the air. To TEDDY, it seems like FLYN is looking right into her very soul.
In actuality, FLYN is quietly taking in the mood of the room. He stoops to pick up a chair and holds it high above his head.
The action has the effect of silencing the room, not instantly, but gradually until all eyes are on one FLYN MARTINI.
FLYN
(smiling)
Point of order Mr President. I’d
like to speak through the chair.
13 INT UNIVERSITY TAVERN EVENING 13
TEDDY, FLYN and members of the meeting occupy a booth in the rowdy tavern. FLYN holds court in quiet confidence.
FLYN
Look, it wasn’t a big deal. My uncle
had access to the building and we
abseiled down the wall to hang the
banner. We were just lucky to get
so much TV coverage. Effective
protesting is all about timing.
STUDENT AGITATOR
Did you get caught?
FLYN
Yeah well that's part of the job,
isn't it? But I was a minor then so I
got off with a warning. But my
uncle lost his job.
STUDENT AGITATOR
Bullshit, was he cut?
FLYN
(laconic)
Nah…yeah…a bit. He got another job but.
(BEAT) It was his first and last
bit of direct action though.(LAUGHS)
A WAITRESS carries a plate of pub food past their table. It contains meatballs and chicken wings. TEDDY looks at them hungrily. FLYN waves them away.
FLYN
(to the waitress)
No thanks, I don’t eat meat.
WAITRESS
(unimpressed)
It’s free.
FLYN
(with superior charm)
No, it comes at a very great cost.
The WAITRESS rolls her eyes.
TEDDY ruefully passes on the food. She is utterly spell bound by FLYN when the familiar voice of ANGUS interrupts her reverie.
ANGUS
Teddy?..Teddy? Where have you been?
I’ve been waiting at the library
for nearly an hour.
All eyes but TEDDY’S turn to stare at ANGUS. Against the crowd, he seems awkward and out of place. He shifts uncomfortably until TEDDY finally registers his presence.
TEDDY
Oh. Angus. (TO THE GROUP)
This is Angus.
In a sing song fashion the group chorus Hi Angus.
Now he is really uncomfortable.
ANGUS
My bike’s outside. I’ll give you a
dink’…a ride home.
ANGUS moves to leave.
FLYN
(cooly to TEDDY)
I can get you home.
The comment stops ANGUS briefly…but he keeps walking and exits.
TEDDY is too dumbstruck by FLYN’S offer and lets Angus go.
14 EXT CITY ROAD NIGHT 14
FLYN’S motorbike roars along the streets, weaving expertly through night traffic.
TEDDY, exhilarated, clutches onto FLYN'S torso.
15 EXT CONSTRUCTION SITE NIGHT 15
FLYN rides his bike into a NO TRESPASSING construction site.
He rides up a hill and stops at a spot that offers a spectacular view of the monuments of CANBERRA.
Beneath them, they stare down onto (OLD) PARLIAMENT HOUSE and the stretch in front of it toward the WAR MEMORIAL. Lights glimmer out over the artificial city, highlighting the spout shooting from LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN.
TEDDY
What are we doing here?
FLYN
(rehearsed enigmatic)
Do you always have to be
doing something?
TEDDY
(matter of fact)
We're trespassing.
FLYN
What are you, a catholic? You should
know about this. It's important. This,
the site of the new parliament house,
is a Sacred Site. That's trespassing.
All we're doing is showing our respect.
He grabs TEDDY’S hand and pulls her along the wet grass, higher up the hill until the view is almost panoramic.
FLYN
Look down there.
He points to a cluster of tents that form part of the ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY
FLYN
(cont)
Native Title? Ever talk about that
at your party meetings?
TEDDY
(suddenly defensive)
We talk about a lot of things.
Gough fought for land rights.
FLYN
Yeah, sure, he invented reconciliation
right. Vincent Lingiari and all that.
Didn't stop him from digging up all that
yellow cake though.
TEDDY
He was trying to fix the economy!
FLYN
When did it all get to be about money?
FLYN approaches TEDDY as if he might grab hold of her. But instead he picks up a stone and hurls it at a construction sign hitting it hard. It ricochets off the tin with the impact of a bullet.
FLYN
And what do you want to do Teddy Gordon?
TEDDY
(lamely)
I don’t know. Make a difference.
FLYN
(mocking)
Duh. Like EG Whitlam I suppose. Look,
I’m an agent for change. I’m here with you
because I think you are too. So here's
my first observation. Governments don’t
respect student marches. They expect them.
That's how they want us to respond. They
want us all to think of the self first.
It the oldest trick in the book.
TEDDY
What are we supposed to do?
We have democratic rights so we
exercise them.
FLYN
We don't have rights. We never did. But we
have brains and that's what they're scared
of. At a time like this, you have to forget
social order and take a whole other approach.
TEDDY
That's just fascism dressed up as
anarchy.
FLYN
What did you call it when Gough
and his deputy mate Barnard took over
all the portfolios when they were first
elected? Fascism or Anarchy?
TEDDY
I call it brilliant. A master stroke.
FLYN
That's just rhetoric. Dressed up as
despotism.
TEDDY
It was a smart move. They had a lot to
do and not much time to do it. Someone
had to take control and he did it to make
it right for as many people as possible
FLYN
(nonchalance again)
Oh Crunchy Granola. Ok then what's
stopping us? Take control. Get the fees
issue sorted. A master stroke.
With benefits to many.
TEDDY is unsure if he is serious.
FLYN
(cont)
Well writing a letter to the Minister
is about as sexy as a limp dick
on a wedding night.
FLYN walks a short distance away from TEDDY for full effect. When he turns, he is illuminated in silhouette by the construction lights.
FLYN
There's a way Teddy. A really
good shot at something unprecedented.
TEDDY
(all ears)
Go on. What?
FLYN
(sighs)
It needs leadership, vision,
some commitment to direct action.
Not… Garry.
TEDDY
Garry's a good president Flyn.
FLYN
Garry's..Garry’s just a housing commission
for a head full of snot, Ted. He’s a
liability. If you want to make a difference
you’re going to need someone with a lot
of energy.
TEDDY
I've only just been elected Secretary.
FLYN looks closely at TEDDY studying her, disappointed. Then he walks toward her and past her to his bike.
FLYN
Come on, I'll take you home.
Must be past your bedtime.
16 INT FEDERAL POLICE HEADQUARTERS DAY 16
STAN sits at his desk in a window-less cubicle. The usual mound of police paperwork forms small skyscrapers around him.
He is scribbling on some paperwork with a pen that doesn’t seem to work very well. He throws it aside, tries another with no luck.
A plain clothes OFFICER- DETECTIVE SERGEANT PIDD, (30’s, tall and well built with a healthy mop of tight curls) swings past STAN’S desk, swooping on him in an officious manner.
PIDD
Got that report ready yet Gordon?
STAN
What’s it to you?
PIDD
Don’t want to keep the Minister waiting.
STAN
I’m the senior officer here Tony.
PIDD’S grin suggests a man in The Know.
PIDD
We don't need any fuck-ups today.
STAN
So what's that supposed to mean?
PIDD saunters off, full chested.
STAN
(muttering)
Lick my arse, copper.
17 EXT UNIVERSITY FORECOURT DAY 17
TEDDY pounds across the campus grounds, bee-lining a generic building, wearing her perennial look of studied intention.
She doesn’t hear ANGUS cycling up behind her and jumps when he brakes with a screech beside her.
ANGUS
Thought I’d find you.
TEDDY
Far out Angus, you nearly gave me
heart failure.
ANGUS
Sorry. You gotta keep an eye
out for the BMX bandit.
He wheels around, circling her with reasonable skill. But his bike is a racer, not a BMX and he tips at the last minute crashing into her.
TEDDY
Angus!
He straightens himself, but tumbles to the other side. His clumsiness clearly annoys her.
ANGUS
Coming to the rally today?
Should be a good show.
TEDDY
I can't. Later. I've got a meeting.
ANGUS
Meetings! Give it up Teddy.
Let someone else run the
revolution for a day.
TEDDY
I gotta go.
TEDDY quickens her pace away from ANGUS.
ANGUS
(calling after her)
Don’t want to keep Mr leather jacket
waiting.
TEDDY takes the comment in but keeps walking.
ANGUS wheels away on his bicycle.
18 EXT PARLIAMENT HOUSE STEPS, CANBERRA DAY 18
Protestors surge up the steps toward (old) PARLIAMENT HOUSE shouting and chanting. They carry ANTI URANIUM BANNERS.
A media crew merge in and around the protest. Among the faces are ANGUS, BOB and PETE.
At the head of the steps is a POLICE CORDON of stiff-faced officers along with STAN and five other PLAIN CLOTHES POLICE OFFICERS. They radio signal to each other, keeping a watchful eye on the crowd. The scene merges with snippets of archive protest action from the eighties.
At the windows above, curtains are parted and faces peer below.
OFFICER PIDD bounds up the stairs to STAN.
PIDD
Security indicates there could
be some trouble. I recommend
we call for reinforcements.
STAN looks at the serious line of Police at the head of the stairs.
STAN
Mate, Ghengis bloody Khan couldn’t
break though this lot.
PIDD looks up and almost spits out a crack salute. STAN turns casually to see the POLICE MINISTER ALAN SHRANK (50's, large brows and forehead) emerging from PARLIAMENT HOUSE heading toward STAN.
SHRANK
Good day gentlemen. Under control?
PIDD
Seem to have them at bay, sir.
STAN rolls his eyes.
STAN
(under his breath)
We’re still a democracy aren’t we?
SHRANK gives him a somewhat shrivelling look.
STAN
Congrats on the new job Alan.
Seems like just yesterday you were in
a uniform.
SHRANK
(grinning)
Sure doesn't feel like it. Oh I just
saw your wife inside. She’s looking fit.
STAN
Ex-wife. Making more than me these
days I hear. Right then, you're up.
STAN leads SHRANK to a podium with a microphone.
19 INT COMMON ROOM DAY 19
TEDDY arrives, breathless, to the meeting room and looks expectantly around.
At the far end of the long room, a figure in a leather jacket is staring at a small black and white television set.
TEDDY smiles and creeps up on him, overly keen, then recoils. It is not FLYN but GARRY.
GARRY
(preening)
Waddya think?
TEDDY
Waddya doing?
GARRY
I think it works.
TEDDY
I think you’ve lost it. Where’s Flyn?
GARRY
Went mad and I sacked him.
TEDDY
Seriously.
GARRY
How should I know? Isn't he a
member of that anti uranium lot?
TEDDY
He's non partisan. He doesn't
believe in joining. He's into
direct action, not politics. We
were supposed to be meeting here.
GARRY
What meeting? You can’t start
calling meetings.
TEDDY
Oh relax Garry.
GARRY
I mean it, Teddy. If you’re calling
party meetings without informing
me, you’re in breach.
TEDDY
Of what? Can't two people meet?
GARRY
Not when one of them has sensitive
information and the other is obviously
an agitator from the opposition.
TEDDY
Get real, will you. We were just going
to talk about the fees thing.
GARRY
Splitter! You’re forming a faction.
TEDDY
Oh get a grip.
The scene on the television set catches their attention where the MINISTER SHRANK is trying to talk to an unco-operative mob.
At the top level of stairs where the PODIUM stands, a young man in a leather jacket has taken centre stage.
GARRY
Direct action. Direct ego.
20 EXT PARLIAMENT HOUSE STEPS, CANBERRA DAY 20
FLYN has the protestors worked up, shouting down the minister and calling- Uranium Out Now
STAN and PIDD lead their special OFFICERS to protect the MINISTER.
In among the faces, the TV camera lights on ANGUS who is staring almost serenely up toward the Police Cordon.
Next to him, BOB and PETE catch on to the thing ANGUS is looking at.
Suddenly everyone sees a large helium balloon rising from behind the line of POLICE. The balloon floats into full view of the MINISTER, PIDD and STAN.
Written on it, in large black text is URANIUM OR BUST
In an unprecedented act of stupidity, PIDD pulls his revolver and fires at the balloon, exploding it in one easy shot.
MARIJUANA CIGARETTES shower the crowd who roar with delight, gathering them up.
POLICE react by trying to make arrests. As a consequence, the crowd erupts and scatters; some resist arrest, dragged away to vans. Others scarper down the steps, away from PARLIAMENT HOUSE.
21 INT MEMBERS’ BAR EVENING 21
STAN sits uncomfortably in the plush red furniture of the politicians’ watering hole.
Glass doors open and ALAN SHRANK barrels through and greets STAN audibly.
STAN half rises but seems stuck in mid air and descends heavily back into the chair.
SHRANK
Well that was a royal cock-up. Beer?
STAN nods.
22 EXT CITY PARK EVENING 22
ANGUS, BOB and PETE sit on a bench in the middle of a park watching the sun set over the city, eating take away felafel.
They are also, very stoned.
Fifty metres away is a sheltered BUS STOP made of pebble dash. Painted in large green graffiti are the words NAZI SKINS.
PETE
(pointing at it)
They walked into the pub, about
seven of them, interrupted the set,
trashed the stage then set the pub
on fire.
BOB
Well the bouncers should have let
them in.
PETE
Did you just hear what I said?
BOB
They wouldn't have trashed the joint
if they got a drink. They were
discriminated against.
PETE
Bob, they're Nazi's.
BOB
They're not Nazi's they're just
students who don’t appreciate jazz.
PETE
You're fucked in the head mate.
Someone should just get rid of them.
A bus pulls up and deposits TEDDY. The sudden sight of her
Serious figure makes the BOYS laugh.
BOB
(to ANGUS)
Made any progress yet?
ANGUS
Not me…(AFFECTING COOL)
I don’t got the leather.
TEDDY waves warily and crosses the street toward them. ANGUS shifts his weight, trying not to care. BOB and PETE notice and hide a look between them.
BOB passes her a joint. She shakes her head.
BOB
It has aphrodisiac properties.
TEDDY rolls her eyes.
ANGUS
No meetings tonight?
TEDDY
Not tonight.
BOB
You missed a good rally today Teddy.
Just your style.
TEDDY
So I heard.
PETE
(digging)
Flyn spoke well?
TEDDY
So I believe.
ANGUS looks like he might give PETE a kick.
PETE
(making it worse)
Maybe I just heard that he did.
TEDDY
Where did you hear it?
PETE
Nothing. Stop Bogarting Bob.
PETE takes the joint from BOB and walks off a short way with it.
TEDDY
I was busy today. We were discussing
what to do about the fees.We haven't
decided yet.
BOB
I already took out a loan to do my
degree. I'll be fucked if I have to cop
another one.
TEDDY
They reckon it'll be retrospective.
BOB
Well how's that going to help?
TEDDY notices ANGUS has taken the joint from PETE and wandered away. She gets up to follow him.
ANGUS
Is your dad alright?
TEDDY
What about?
ANGUS
About today? He was there.
TEDDY
Really? He’ll be cut. He hates
drugs. I expect Flyn will know who
engineered it?
ANGUS
I doubt it.(TEDDY GIVES HIM A
LOOK) No-one's owned up.
They wander along a way in silence.
ANGUS
So how’s it all going?
TEDDY
It’s good. (BEAT) It’s a mess.
Flyn has some amazing ideas… (and no-one..)
ANGUS doesn't bother to hide his disappointment.
TEDDY
I know you don’t like him.
ANGUS
I don’t know him. Neither do you.
(DELIBERATELY CHANGING THE SUBJECT)
Heard from your mum?
TEDDY
No? Would I?
ANGUS
Well, a lot's happened, changed.
Thought maybe the war was over.
TEDDY
Why should I make an effort? She’s
never made one.
ANGUS sighs, all he seems to do is make the situation worse.
ANGUS
(gently)
Come back to our place tonight. We’ll
play Scrabble or nude twister with oil.
Shock horror, have some fun?
But TEDDY is distracted by something at the far end of the PARK.
She sees the unmistakable figure of FLYN talking to a MAN in a SUIT, by the bus stop.
23 INT MEMBERS’ BAR LATER/EVENING 23
Both SHRANK and STAN are red nosed and feeling loose. They are seated in the deep red leather lounge chairs, rehashing their glory days.
SHRANK
..I mean a steak, for Christ’s
sake. We were all shitting ourselves,
worried sick he’d thrown himself out
a window and taken Margaret with him.
But he was wolfing down an almighty
great steak. What sort of a
constitution can manage that?
STAN
A constitutional fortitude.
SHRANK double takes at STAN.
SHRANK
Some people know exactly where
they were when Kennedy was shot.
But when they sacked Whitlam, I
was trousers down, old fella out
and recovering from crowd control
at a demo. Last thing I expected
when I came out of the gents was a
dismissal.
STAN looks ready to weep.
STAN
I’d a dog’s day at work. I remember.
Nothing but trouble and the toe
cutters onto me about an unreliable
grass. Threatened me with demotion
that day.
SHRANK looks uncomfortable for a moment.
STAN
..came home after a drink with the
lads and all the wife wanted to do
was argue. (STAN LOOKS UP AT SHRANK,
AS IF SEEING A GHOST) That’s what I
was doing, having the blue to end all
blues with Blanche.
SHRANK
(peevishly)
I told you I saw her today? She
got promoted again.
STAN
(shrugs, maudlin with alcohol)
You and me Alan, we go way back.
Look, look at this.
STAN produces his Labor Membership card from his wallet. It is lovingly dog-eared.
STAN
That’s me, number 23 in my district.
D'you remember? I have a photo of us
signing up together, straight out of
school. Sixteen and still a virgin.
Oh Alan! (HE TRIES TO HUG HIS PAL)
SHRANK
Jeez Stan, we look like a couple of
pillow biters on a bloody date. Let
go.
STAN rises in an effort to maintain his pride and staggers toward the glass doors to exit.
SHRANK
Stan, Stan let me call you a cab.
STAN
Mate, let me call you…
He notices PARLIAMENTARIANS staring in superior disgust at his steaming state.
24 EXT CITY PARK NIGHT 24
TEDDY is torn between leaving ANGUS and his friends and taking up with FLYN.
In the long shadows of late afternoon, she stands between the two groups pondering until FLYN turns casually. His smile is infectious and she forgets her other friends immediately.
FLYN
Synchronicity! This is good
Comrade Gordon. Hey, did you see
it on the news?
TEDDY
(smiling)
I saw you. In the common room.
FLYN
Took 'em by surprise.
TEDDY
With Garry.
FLYN
(remembering)
I knew you'd understand. I got a
message just before our meeting.
They were really stuck for a speaker.
Gave me a chance for a bit of a con-fab
with one of my sources though. This
will blow your mind.
25 EXT SUBURBAN OUTSKIRTS NIGHT 25
FLYN and TEDDY ride out past urban Canberra and up toward the hills.
26 EXT STATE FOREST NIGHT 26
FLYN and TEDDY are lying in among the large buttress roots of a towering old Yellowbox.
FLYN
Ssh.
TEDDY, who wasn’t saying anything, is suddenly aware she can’t talk and tenses up.
FLYN
Relax. Take a deep breath and go
inside.
TEDDY
Inside where?
FLYN
Inside Teddy. Inside you. Feel the
natural rhythm of the tree. It’s breathing
you know.
TEDDY
But the bullants.
FLYN
Ssh, Teddy. Surrender to your needs.
You need to quieten your soul if you
want to take control.
FLYN takes out a vial and dropper and motions for TEDDY to open her mouth.
TEDDY
What is it? LSD.
FLYN
Not drugs. Tincture. It's from the
Acacia plant. Some Amazonian guys I
met travelling gave it to me. It keeps
you in synch with the forest.
TEDDY opens her mouth like a little bird.
FLYN
Let it take you back, feel the
ancient life force beckoning
you into its songline.
TEDDY lies in FLYN'S arms. His breathing turns from meditation to seduction. As TEDDY responds to FLYN'S personal interpretation of Tantric Sex, we see vivid images of her imagination.
Initially, TEDDY sees refracted images of leaves and vines appearing in flashy psychedelics against her eyelids. She feels a rushing sensation as if she is water.
She imagines herself on the motorbike, winding up the road. The bike becomes a horse, racing through the trees and then TEDDY is flying up over the canopy, circling the terrain until landing in a tree where she can see both the horizon around her and herself with FLYN below.
She sees light shoot from her body and pitches herself forward, floating as a leaf back down into herself again. She lands in foetal position, rocking and rocking, looking up to see a woman, her mother, smiling.
The rocking becomes more tremulous and then TEDDY is on a swing, in an ordinary children's park, but now the smile looking down on her is Stan's.
TEDDY is again wide awake, staring at FLYN. He kisses the tears from her cheek, tenderly without a word.
27 INT GORDON LIVING ROOM NIGHT 27
STAN is asleep in front of the television. When TEDDY enters, he wakes badly.
STAN
That you Ted?
After a long moment, the door slides open and the light from the kitchen silhouettes TEDDY’S wan frame at the door.
TEDDY
Going to bed, Stan. I’m pooped.
STAN
Come here and give your old man a
kiss goodnight. Jeez what time is it?
TEDDY
Late. You should be in bed.
Reluctantly, TEDDY steps over and tries for a peck on his cheek hoping STAN won't notice the dishevelled state she is in.
But STAN sweeps her into one of his asphyxiating bear hugs.
STAN
(rocking her)
My little Ted, remember when we
used to hand out How to Vote cards
on polling day?
The suggestion alone is enough to send her another flash of vivid memory. TEDDY is suddenly back on the swing, but now STAN seems to be clutching at her.
In reality TEDDY is fighting out of STAN'S hug.
STAN is genuinely offended.
TEDDY stands her ground, trembling.
TEDDY
Why did Blanche leave?
STAN
(stunned)
Blanche. She left.
TEDDY
Why? You've never really given me
a good enough answer. Was it me?
STAN
No love. Of course not.
TEDDY
You then. Did you do something?
STAN
(too tired for this)
Why all of this now? What's
happened?
TEDDY
No-one else has a mother who
left their daughter.
STAN
(she's not making sense)
You were a little girl,
too little to understand.
TEDDY
I'm not a little girl now.
STAN'S shock settles in and he gently takes TEDDY'S chin in his hands, then points her face toward a standing lamp.
STAN
What are you on?
TEDDY pulls her face away, blinking, but STAN holds onto her arm.
TEDDY
Nothing.
STAN notices TEDDY'S dishevelled state.
STAN
What have you been up to?
TEDDY
Don't talk to me like that.
Accusing me.
STAN
Well what is it then, pot?
Amphetamines?
TEDDY
Oh now you're the big shot cop.
TEDDY breaks free of him and moves swiftly to the door.
STAN is a pace behind and stops her.
STAN
No you don't sweetheart, you
think I wouldn't notice?
TEDDY
Is that why mum left, did you
hit her?
STAN
(visibly shaken)
I never bloody hit her. Not even when
she deserved it.
STAN lets go of Teddy's arm, not taking his eyes from hers.
TEDDY slips out through the door.
28 INT TEDDY’S BEDROOM MORNING 28
A very hung-over STAN, holds a steaming cup of tea and knocks gently on TEDDY’S door.
When there is no answer, he pushes the door ajar. It creaks open and reveals an empty, clean bedroom and on the wall, a large blank space where TEDDY’S GOUGH POSTER used to be.
Act II
29 INT SHARE HOUSE DAY 29
ANGUS and BOB are buried under a large mattress they carry through a slim hallway into a square, carpeted bedroom. They throw the mattress down on the floor.
It has a visible age stain on it.
BOB
(chldishly)
You did that.
ANGUS
I did not.
30 INT SHARE HOUSE/LIVING ROOM DAY 30
ANGUS strains to push a heavy metal filing cabinet into the corner of the living room.
ANGUS
Any more stuff?
TEDDY
(sheepishly)
Flyn's bringing a few things over.
ANGUS
(alert)
Will he be coming round much?
TEDDY
Spect not.
31 INT SHARE HOUSE/HALLWAY DAY 31
ANGUS waits outside the bathroom.
FLYN exits, smiling at ANGUS. Drying his hair with a towel. The mess left behind is not appreciated.
32 INT SHARE HOUSE/KITCHEN DAY 32
FLYN exits the kitchen holding a cup of tea. ANGUS pours his own cup, reaching for the milk. There’s none left.
33 INT SHARE HOUSE/HALLWAY DAY 33
ANGUS waits outside the bathroom again.
34 INT SHARE HOUSE/HALLWAY DAY 34
ANGUS and BOB carry in a throwaway couch from the street. They try to move it into the living room and discover FLYN holding court in a crowded room of students.
TEDDY jumps up and signals to the boys to give them five more
minutes and closes the door.
35 INT SHARE HOUSE/ANGUS' BEDROOM DAY 35
ANGUS lies in bed watching the walls shake. In the next
room, TEDDY and FLYN are rutting like wild things.
36 INT SHARE HOUSE/ ANGUS' BEDROOM DAY 36
ANGUS, BOB and PETE try to meditate together in the living room. Their efforts are interrupted by FLYN on the telephone.
FLYN
They won't be expecting anything
like this. They have to go for it.
We've got the numbers.
37 INT SHARE HOUSE/HALLWAY MORNING 37
ANGUS waits outside the bathroom. He holds a telephone bill in his hand. The door opens and steam gushes out. This time BOB steps out with a towel wrapped turban style on his head and another round his waist.
ANGUS
Hot water?
BOB
Yeah, saved you some.
ANGUS
Why would he be making calls
to Thailand?
BOB shrugs.
BOB
Relos maybe?
ANGUS bends down to collect his towel. A pillow ruffled FLYN wanders past, smiles sweetly at ANGUS, walks into the bathroom and closes the door.
ANGUS
House meeting, I think.
38 INT POLICE PUB EVENING 38
STAN stands by the bar drinking with SHRANK. In the rear, a group of enthusiastic PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICERS are toasting the promotion of TONY PIDD to Senior Sergeant. PIDD skulls a jug of beer to a chorus of..
OFFICERS
skull..skull..skull.
STAN looks less than impressed.
SHRANK
(Slapping him on the back)
Cheer up, it might not happen.
STAN
Is that supposed to make me feel better?
(NODDING AT PIDD) That kid's been at
the job for exactly half the years I was
before my promotion. What does that say?
SHRANK
Look Stan, maybe you can’t afford to be
so transparent all the time.
STAN
A bloke's entitled to let another
bloke know where he stands without
getting shafted. I reckon.
SHRANK
(heard it before)
Another?
STAN
(collecting his keys)
Nah, I’ve had just about enough.
The group behind cheer again as PIDD'S second jug is downed in seconds.
STAN walks quietly toward the glass door and exits with a dejected look at the lads.
39 INT STREET NIGHT 39
STAN staggers along the street, maudlin. He passes a beautifully appointed restaurant, lit by glass chandeliers. His head passes the elevated window frame where his ex wife BLANCHE, is dining with a short, well dressed gentleman with a shock of white hair.
40 INT GORDON KITCHEN NIGHT 40
STAN sits at the kitchen table nursing a can of beer. The room is an outrage of take-away food mess, other mess. STAN’S mess.
He is watching a cop show on the black and white TV. He sees himself in place of the TV hero, arrest the crook.
An ad break jolts his fantasy and a news report appears showing PRIME MINISTER BOB HAWKE, dogged by journalists, climb into a COM CAR, followed closely by ALAN SHRANK and guarded by TONY PIDD.
The report cuts to ARCHIVE FOOTAGE of BOB HAWKE, weeping publicly at a press conference with a journo’s VO explaining allegations of his daughter’s drug addiction.
The TV show resumes and it's STAN again on the COP SHOW, down an alley way, rolling over the unconscious body of a heroin addict. It's TEDDY'S face.
41 INT PARLIAMENT HOUSE STEPS DAY 41
STAN walks heavily up the steps. He looks unwell, unkempt
and wracked with nerves.
An immaculate SHRANK, flanked by PIDD and two CIVIL SERVANTS are marching down the steps.
SHRANK
Jeez, Stan. You look like death
warmed up.
STAN
G’day Alan. Just a bit overworked.
Heading up for the briefing.
SHRANK signals his staff and PIDD to move on.
SHRANK
(quietly to Stan)
Mate, that was yesterday. We
appointed Tony Pidd in charge of
the operation.
STAN
(paling)
You demoted me?
SHRANK
Stan, you’re not in form. The PM’s
got his nose out of joint about heroin
importation. It's all hands to the pump.
You're not up to it at the moment.
STAN
Oh bulldust Alan. This was my
assignment.
SHRANK
Stan…I want you to take some time
off. Spend it with your daughter.
At the mention of Teddy, STAN turns on his heels and marches down the steps, half tripping past a group of school children on excursion.
PIDD eyes him from a distance.
SHRANK
Stan!
STAN
I won't be Stalinised!
42 INT COMMON ROOM EVENING 42
A small group of overly serious looking students are assembled around a long table in a generic student common room.
GARRY and PAMELA are talking in quite tones between themselves, five others dip into a plate of sad looking COON cheese squares and pour cask wine into tumblers and coffee cups.
TEDDY sits alone at the head of the desk, drawing up sheets for note taking and passing out roneoed copies of information.
GARRY looks up and calls to the group.
GARRY
All right its time. Lock the doors.
TEDDY looks up and checks her watch. She signals ‘TWO’ to GARRY. He doesn’t look impressed, instead, shakes his head and calls again.
GARRY
This meeting of the executive
council will come to order. Lock
the doors.
TEDDY rises with a shrug and moves to the doorway. The imposing figure of FLYN enters, full of charm and leans to kiss TEDDY affectionately on the cheek.
FLYN
Hey babe, just in time.
TEDDY is obviously relieved.
FLYN casually takes his seat. GARRY throws him an imperious look.
GARRY
This is a meeting for the elected
reps mate. In other words, a
closed set.
EXEC REP
Don’t be a dick, Garry. He’s why
we’re here.
Outvoted by peer pressure, GARRY takes his place at the head of the table with PAMELA and TEDDY.
GARRY
All right, all right. Let’s skip
the formalities. Teddy read the
motion.
TEDDY
(flicking through pages)
A motion put to the Executive
Representatives of the Australian
National University Young Labor Party
reads “to allocate treasury funds to
raise monies for a legal challenge of
the re-introduction of University
fees on Constitutional grounds."
GARRY is instantly on his feet.
GARRY
Right, well as you no doubt are aware,
I am not remotely in favour of any
scheme that's prepared to get into
bed with radical activists who frankly,
have no respect for the governing
rules of democracy. Not to mention
the fact it probably won't work.
EXEC REP
Thought you wanted to make silk,
Gaz. Here's your big chance.
GARRY
You can't litigate against legislation.
It's absurd.
FLYN
Find a weakness and you can litigate
anything.
TEDDY scribbles furiously, over her head a clock ticks by
segueing into….
43 EXT CITY PARK LATE EVENING 43
BOB and ANGUS hover around the graffittied pebbledash bus
stop waiting for a stray commuter to cross the road and desert the street.
As soon as they are alone, they reveal pots of paint and begin work on the existing NAZI SKINS text.
CUT BACK TO
44 INT COMMON ROOM EVENING 44
The room is suspended in tension.
The CLOCK on the wall reveals more than two hours have passed since GARRY’S speech.
Half the members of the EXEC COUNCIL have their hands raised in the air, while the rest seem to be sitting on them.
TEDDY is poised, pen aloft counting the raised hands.
GARRY is standing on the table, pointing at FLYN.
The mood in the room is nearly hysterical, GARRY certainly is.
GARRY
Put your hand down. Flyn! Put your
hand down. You are not entitled to
vote.
FLYN, charming as ever, infuriates GARRY and keeps his arm raised.
GARRY
Don’t count him.
TEDDY hears but is distracted and fails to respond
GARRY
I warn you Teddy!
In a single, swift movement, FLYN is out of his seat and grabs GARRY by the waist, he lifts him back into his seat. The action is not violent, but more like a martial art strike.
Stunned, GARRY sits obediently.
FLYN
Stop shouting Garry and relax man.
It’s a tied vote. It’s your call.
45 INT SHARE HOUSE/KITCHEN NIGHT 45
ANGUS has large sheets of cardboard spread out across the kitchen table, next to them are pots of DERWENT paints, brushes and jars of coloured water.
He hears FLYN’S bike pull up in the driveway.
46 EXT SHARE HOUSE/VERANDAH NIGHT 46
FLYN and TEDDY climb off and walk towards the house. Insects bombard a naked bulb.
TEDDY
Coming in?
FLYN
No.
TEDDY
It was always going to be a hard
one to win. Come on, Gough never
took things lying down.
47 INT SHARE HOUSE/LIVING ROOM NIGHT 47
ANGUS creeps into the living room and edges to the front window where he can hear the couple on the verandah.
FLYN'S VOICE
Bloody Gough. He was a dreamer
and so are you.
ANGUS is suddenly poised, wondering if he is about to witness one of TEDDY’S brawls.
48 EXT ANGUS' HOUSE/VERANDAH NIGHT 48
FLYN slaps a bug on his neck.
FLYN
(to the bug)
Parasite! There's only one other
way Teddy.
FLYN accidentally kicks a pot plant.
TEDDY
Just one?
FLYN
One direct one. We split, Ted.
TEDDY yawns and it gives her voice a strained and teary quality.
TEDDY
(yawning)
Flyn, I think it's over.
49 INT SHARE HOUSE/LIVING ROOM NIGHT 49
ANGUS is frozen in his tracks.
Outside, he hears FLYN jangle his bike keys.
FLYN
It’s not over, Teddy. It’s
just fucked up.
The bike kicks into motion.
The front door opens and slams.
When TEDDY appears in the doorway, ANGUS is long gone.
50 INT SHARE HOUSE/KITCHEN CONT 50
ANGUS, expecting the worst, but thrilled by what he thinks he has heard, plays calm and indifferent to TEDDY’S appearance.
ANGUS
Tea’s hot. Want some?
TEDDY stretches from fatigue.
TEDDY
Thanks. What are you doing?
ANGUS smiles, mysteriously, then holds up a delicately drawn but very striking poster design.
ANGUS
Bob did 'em. Wilderness Society
Fundraiser. Remember? Bob and Pete
are playing support.
The look on TEDDY’S face reveals the event has totally slipped her mind.
TEDDY
Where is everyone?
ANGUS
They got tired of waiting
for you.
TEDDY
(suddenly remembering)
The house meeting?
ANGUS nods and puts his work down.
TEDDY
I had another meeting, late notice.
ANGUS
With Flyn?
ANGUS pours her a cup of tea and hands it to her, trying to draw her into an embrace. It falls short and becomes his usual platonic squeeze.
ANGUS
(meaning the assumed break up)
I’m sorry. I heard.
TEDDY thinks he means the end to her's and Flyn’s campaign.
TEDDY
News travels fast. Yeah…it’s a pity.
Some people just don’t get it.
ANGUS
(forgetting himself)
Well, not anymore.
TEDDY looks at him blankly.
TEDDY
(meaning Garry)
It’s not that he lacks vision.
He’s just…I don’t know, scared
of taking a risk?
ANGUS
Well, for what’s its worth, me and
the guys think he’s a bit wrong.
TEDDY
Really? Didn’t think you paid much
attention.
ANGUS
(snorting)
How could we not? It's a bit in
our face. Anyway, you’re better off
without him.
TEDDY
Not much chance of that unless we
cause a spill. It just doesn't sit
right with me. Seems disloyal.
ANGUS
It's not disloyal if you're doing
the right thing.
TEDDY
D'you think? I doubt Garry'd see
it that way.
ANGUS
(suddenly getting it)
Garry?
TEDDY
(yawning again)
Yeah the great white hope. No chance of
buying back the farm now. (YAWNS) I'm ragged.
TEDDY gives ANGUS a sisterly kiss on the cheek and exits to bed.
ANGUS covers his face with his hands, leaving a streak of paint all over it.
51 EXT SHARE HOUSE DAWN 51
ANGUS cycles out the front gate with his backpack and helmet on.
FLYN drives into the driveway in his usual leather gear.
ANGUS doubles back on a hunch and discovers FLYN extracting mail from the letterbox.
ANGUS
(over the drone of the bike engine)
Teddy's not home.
FLYN
What? (HE KILLS THE ENGINE)
ANGU
(lying)
She's not home.
FLYN
I know, I just left her. She asked me
to pick up her mail.
ANGUS looks at the pile of mail in FLYN'S hand; bills, advertising and a small parcel with many Asian stamps.
ANGUS
(nodding at the parcel)
What is it?
FLYN
Private I should think.
The two men stare at each other in silence a moment.
FLYN
Nice bike.
Then ANGUS cracks a mono on his bike, startling FLYN. ANGUS deftly takes the mail off him.
ANGUS
I'll see she gets this then.
FLYN
(inscrutable)
You better.
FLYN takes off down the road.
52 EXT CITY PARK DAWN 52
The park is deserted. The light is still thin and the air frosty.
BOB and PETE appear, both are dressed in WILDERNESS SOCIETY KOALA SUITS. They carry donation buckets filled with dark objects.
BOB points and PETE skips over to a mound by a tree and picks three golden top mushrooms. He drops them into the bucket. He looks up and sees FLYN on a park bench at the other end of the gardens.
He motions silently to BOB to crouch quietly behind him.
They watch as FLYN greets the MAN in the SUIT. They are too far away to hear and watch a slightly heated interchange. FLYN seems to be remonstrating.
The SUIT stands and without a look behind him, walks off.
FLYN remains on the park bench. He looks up to see the two KOALAS approaching him with the bucket proffered for a donation.
BOB
Save the forests?
FLYN
Fuck off.
53 INT SHARE HOUSE KITCHEN MORNING 53
BOB and PETE wear long aprons over their koala suits, with the heads pulled back like hoods.
They stand in front of a large pot cooking on the stove, stirring with a wooden spoon.
TEDDY enters in pyjamas, pours herself a cup of tea from a pot and sits at the table sleepily.
TEDDY
Is that porridge?
PETE
Kind of. Do you want some?
BOB shoots him a look.
PETE takes a cup of tea, yawns and exits.
TEDDY
Where's Angus?
BOB
Early lecture.
TEDDY
Don't you both have an early
today?
BOB
Nope.
They are both silent, slurping and stirring.
TEDDY
Don't you have a full-on course
load?
BOB
Nope.
TEDDY is bothered by something.
TEDDY
But.
BOB
But I deferred.
TEDDY
No way?
BOB
Yep.
BOB sniffs the soup, pours himself another cup and takes a deep slurp.
BOB
Here's a funny thing. Where is the
seat of Wills?
TEDDY
I dunno, Melbourne. Inner?
BOB
Correct. And who holds the seat of
Wills?
TEDDY
Well Bob Hawke does dummy.
BOB
Very good. And who also comes
from the seat of Wills? Me.
TEDDY
(guileless)
Really?
BOB
My name is Roberto Coreno. I grew up
above a fruit shop in East Brunswick.
My mother still doesn't speak English.
My father only just opened a bank account.
I don't think I'm going to be an artist.
TEDDY
So you deferred. Bob you're talented.
BOB
Talent can't survive without support.
TEDDY
You could teach.
BOB
I don't want to teach. I want to
paint. I want to study painting.
But not now. Not if it’s going to
Cost me five thousand bucks. My folks
would never understand.
TEDDY opens her mouth to say something and BOB jumps back in.
BOB
And don't tell me Gough would have
made a difference. Gough's not here.
Gough left the building.
54 INT FEDERAL POLICE HQ MORNING 54
STAN arrives for work. His appearance reflects a man who has given it a good shot and failed dismally.
He sidles in, keeping a low profile and stands by the WHITE BOARD in the main office, taking in some of the details.
The BOARD shows a trail of names and details related to international drug trafficking. There are two photos of ASIAN men in their thirties, POSTAL DOCUMENTS from Thailand and a black and white STILL of ANGUS MAYBERRY collecting his mail outside the share house.
Partially obscured underneath a document, is a photo of TEDDY GORDON. Stan is about to lift the document covering the photo when TONY PIDD and another DETECTIVE, ROKE, enter.
PIDD
Stan, mate! What can I do you for?
STAN
Eh? No I'm right Tony. Onto
these leads then?
PIDD adopts an avuncular approach with STAN, placing two hands on his shoulders, urging him gently toward the door.
PIDD
Thanks for your interest, Gordon,
but we’ve got it covered.
STAN
Don't patronise me, pal. I'm up
to speed.
PIDD
Stan, take it up with the Minister.
But take it out of here. Roke, see
Gordon gets to his car in one piece.
ROKE
(to Stan)
Sorry mate. (HE GESTURES TO THE DOOR)
55 INT UNIVERSITY LAWNS DAY 55
TEDDY is reading the Student Paper. It shows a stunning photo of FLYN at the ANTI URANIUM RALLY.
A pile of solid, exotic looking nuts drop into her lap.
She looks up to see FLYN smiling. He drops down beside her.
FLYN
Bunya nuts. You could feed a nation
on these if the eco system was given
a chance. (HE KISSES HER) Angus tell
you I dropped by?
TEDDY
Haven't seen him all day.
FLYN
Been home?
FLYN
Nope. Staying for the Ellis lecture.
Coming?
FLYN
Sure. (MEANING THE PAPER) That today's?
TEDDY
No, last weeks. Should be out today
though.
FLYN
You know, there's a lot of energy
behind this legal thing. Be a pity
if you missed out on it. Wouldn't
take much to give Garry another push.
TEDDY
It's a conflict of interest now.
We voted. You have to respect that.
FLYN
I respect you. I respect your
commitment. But you have to work out
whether you're just another number
to crunch, or somebody to count on.
56 EXT PARLIAMENT STEPS NIGHT 56
STAN, beaten, wanders up the steps of Parliament House to the great entranceway.
He looks out over the empty space toward the War Memorial.
In his mind, he sees the rallies, massing toward him, much as they did for WHITLAM on November 11, 1975.
A reporter presses a tape recorder to his face.
REPORTER
Mr Gordon. Is it true you’ve been
dismissed?
STAN watches himself quieten the crowd.
STAN
(looking out to the rally)
Maintain your rage!
STAN stands engulfed by his fantasy, tears pouring down his face.
From behind, a figure emerges and STAN is suddenly aware he is not alone.
It is BLANCHE, dressed demurely, fit and attractive.
BLANCHE
(softly)
Bloody Gough.
57 INT LECTURE HALL LATE AFTERNOON 57
TEDDY sits close to the front of a steeply tiered lecture hall, engrossed in a lecture given by AUTHOR BOB ELLIS.
The hall dwarfs the smattering of attending students but not the robust figure of ELLIS standing in front of a huge transparency of a dramatic GOUGH WHITLAM photo from the 1972 'It's Time' Rally at St Kilda Town Hall.
ELLIS
...and if you look not upon the
light but upon the legacy of the
light, no doubt in your delicate
green dreams you might fail to see
the way of things. You might forget
to smell the roses, you might even
miss the very bus you were born to
catch.
TEDDY is swept up by sentiment, a rare look of contentment on her face. From an entrance at the top of the hall, GARRY appears, followed close behind by PAMELA.
ELLIS stops for a moment, to watch GARRY scour the lecture hall looking for TEDDY.
TEDDY is blissfully unaware of his presence.
ELLIS
..But the legacy of the light is
still burning bright for all who
care to care and all who do not care.
We were there, we were there.
GARRY abandons protocol and begins calling out.
GARRY
Teddy. Teddy Gordon.
In her seat, TEDDY freezes.
GARRY
(cont)
Teddy. I know you’re in here.
At the podium, ELLIS stops, looks at GARRY.
ELLIS
Is there a Teddy Gordon in the
house?
Humiliated, TEDDY rises from her seat.
GARRY sees her and bolts down the aisle toward her. Self-consciously PAMELA makes apologetic noises to the students in their seats but skips down behind GARRY.
At the podium, ELLIS waits to see what will happen. Every student in their seat cranes their neck to witness.
As GARRY reaches TEDDY, he throws down a fresh edition of the STUDENT NEWSPAPER on the lecture desk in front of her.
In enormous print is the headline
YOUNG LABOR IN LOANS AFFAIR
TEDDY is genuinely shocked.
At the podium, ELLIS coughs.
ELLIS
Perhaps you’d like to be alone?
STUDENTS call out for more from ELLIS, jeering at GARRY to shut–up and sit down.
GARRY catches himself for a moment, suddenly realising the enormity of his faux pas.
He and PAMELA squish in next to TEDDY.
GARRY
(whispering)
Somebody leaked a document to the
bloody editor (GETTING LOUDER) and
it’s bullshit.
TEDDY
(whispering-embarrassed)
Garry, I swear I don’t know anything
about it!
ELLIS
(into the microphone)
If I may?
STUDENTS applaud ELLIS, over which GARRY continues.
GARRY
Bullshit, somebody leaked. Who's got
good reason?
TEDDY
Assuming I would!
Again, the interruption is too much. ELLIS looks at the three, shakes his head.
ELLIS
Perhaps we’ll adjourn to the
nearest pub.
STUDENTS start booing ELLIS for leaving and TEDDY and GARRY for the interruption.
GARRY motions TEDDY to follow him toward the corridor.
58 INT CORRIDOR CONT 58
TEDDY shrinks into the wall.
TEDDY
(grabbing the paper)
Give me a look.
PAMELA
It says Garry and I support the
Labor White paper on fees re-introduction.
It says you're in bed with the opposition
over going for this loan to fight the fees
in court. It identifies you as a leader of a
new protest faction.
GARRY
I warned you not to have private
meetings!
PAMELA
We want to know if you're
planning a spill?
GARRY
You won't get a chance. I'm calling
an extraordinary meeting to sort this
out. I've got the numbers Teddy. I'll
block supply if I have to.
59 EXT UNIVERSITY CAMPUS EARLY EVENING 59
TEDDY wanders across the University without seeing.
She covers the length of the campus grounds and finds herself across the road from the TAVERN.
60 INT TAVERN EVENING 60
TEDDY cradles a pint of beer in a corner seat, staring out the window. After a long moment, she registers a face staring back at her.
It is BLANCHE.
LATER….
Seen at a distance, the two WOMEN in the corner are deeply engrossed in conversation, their faces reacting with striking similarity.
BLANCHE
He didn't look too good. That's
all.
TEDDY
Is he sick or something?
BLANCHE
Yes, but I think they call it ennui.
He's just worried. We both are.
You alone with all those boys.
TEDDY
They're actually more like girls.
BLANCHE
And this boyfriend? What's he like?
TEDDY
(a strange look crosses her face)
No, he's a boy. Man. Boyman.
He's different. Blanche, I have to go.
BLANCHE
(disappointed)
Really? I thought it was going
along nicely.
TEDDY
(bluntly)
Why did you leave?
BLANCHE gives TEDDY an impossible look, as if to say 'too much to explain'.
BLANCHE
What did your father tell you?
TEDDY
(after a while)
He said you read the Female Eunich
and things were never the same after.
BLANCHE does not immediately respond, but when she does, she laughs.
61 INT BENEFIT VENUE NIGHT 61
In a STUDENT HALL attached to the CAMPUS, the WILDERNESS BENEFIT is in full swing.
The hall is a pot pourri of poster art, oversize plastic toys and metal sculpture. Many students are dressed in MARSUPIAL SUITS.
On stage, BOB and PETE (still in their koala suits) are leading a scratch band performing a fairly decent grunge repertoire.
Familiar faces from TEDDY’S meetings wander throughout.
ANGUS slips through the crowd, scanning the room.
He drifts into a carpeted, cushioned area in a separate room. In the dark, he makes out the form of FLYN, leaning closely into an attractive young woman.
62 EXT CAMPUS CARPARK NIGHT 62
BLANCHE slots the key into the driver-side door of her car.
STAN suddenly appears at her side, looking somewhat better than earlier.
BLANCHE
Jesus Stan, are you stalking me?
STAN
Sorry love. Just wanted to know
how it went?
BLANCHE
You know it wasn’t that hard to
track her down, flatfoot.
STAN
I could have found her. (SOFTLY)
But she doesn’t want to see me.
BLANCHE
It’s not that. She’s just…
STAN
What…confused? It’s not a
prerogative of youth. Blowed if
I know what’s what.(SIGHS)
Nice night for a walk?
BLANCHE
I came for Teddy, Stan, not you.
STAN
(frustrated)
Just a stroll Blanche! Bugger me.
Two STUDENTS in costume walk by on their way to the BENEFIT. One is a KANGAROO, the other, an ECHIDNA.
STAN
Don’t suppose you have a spare
rabbit suit in the car do you? We
could join the party.
Finally BLANCHE smiles and it is a lovely moment between them.
STAN smiles back.
STAN
So..any plans? To see her again
I mean.
BLANCHE
Early days yet. She’s very angry…
at me Stan, not you. She’s just
taking it out on you because she knows
you’ll always be there. (AS THE PENNY
DROPS) Must be nice.
A silence drifts between them. It is not very comfortable. STAN tries to lighten the mood.
STAN
Hey Blanche, you remember that holiday
we took up the coast to Terrigal?
BLANCHE
It wasn’t a holiday Stan. It was the
National Labor Party Conference. Teddy
got stung by a blue bottle and I got a
case of thrush from all that heat.
STAN
(suddenly roaring)
Hah…fanny fungus. I remember.
BLANCHE
The bloody caravan broke an axle and
Teddy and I had to get a lift back with
Alan Shrank.
Now STAN grows uncomfortably quiet. BLANCHE realises her faux pas.
BLANCHE
The stupid thing about all that Stan.
It was all over in a month. From the
day Gough was sacked to Fraser’s
election night. He dumped me.
STAN
(resigned)
Me too.
BLANCHE opens her door and climbs in. STAN holds the door and closes it gently after her.
BLANCHE
She’ll come round Stan. She’s lovely you
know. Under all that rage. You did okay.
STAN watches BLANCHE drive away.
63 INT BENEFIT VENUE NIGHT 63
The band is on a break.
BOB and PETE move through the hall together, surreptitiously offering mouthfuls of something dark from a sealed plastic container.
Delighted FRIENDS sip the juice, screw up their face and smile broadly at the two, drifting back into the party.
From the end of the room, ANGUS spots TEDDY when she appears at the door. She looks strained and distant.
TEDDY hands her money to the GIRL at the door, the attractive one seen earlier with FLYN.
The DOOR GIRL throws the cash into a tin of flowing notes.
DOOR GIRL
Good to see you cough up?
TEDDY
What?
It takes a moment for TEDDY to realise the comment is sarcastic. But she is too distracted by the sight of ANGUS to take issue.
TEDDY
Seen Flyn?
ANGUS is bolstered somewhat by his serve of the magic mushrooms.
ANGUS
Tall guy, full of himself. Hangs
off my best friend all the time?
TEDDY
(smiling)
What are you on?
ANGUS
The question is, why aren’t you on
it too? Come with me.
ANGUS leads TEDDY over to where he can see BOB and PETE and their soup.
BOB
Here she is, girl with a mission.
TEDDY
Have you seen Flyn?
BOB
Yeah, he was round the house
earlier. Here you go.
TEDDY & ANGUS
(alert for different reasons)
Was he?
BOB lifts the container to TEDDY’S lips.
She reacts, shaking her head.
TEDDY
No thanks.
PETE
Sometimes if you get too straight, you
just get bent in another way.
She shakes her head again.
The three boys roll their eyes.
TEDDY
What I do need is a drink.
PETE
Squaresville. Hurry along Bob,
we’re on in a mo’.
BOB pulls out a stylish looking hip flask from his KOALA suit. He hands it to TEDDY.
She holds it to her lips then stops.
TEDDY
What is it?
BOB
Bloody bourbon and ginger ale,
you paranoid.
TEDDY takes a swig and hands it back.
BOB
Keep it, I’m on the real stuff.
BOB and PETE make their way back to the stage and tune up for the next session.
PETE
Are you taking responsibility for
damages mate, 'cos I'm not.
BOB
Believe me, she needs it.
ANGUS leads TEDDY away from the main noise, toward the room where he earlier saw FLYN making his moves. But FLYN is no longer there.
FLYN is now at the far end of the room, visible in the background, talking again to the DOOR GIRL.
In the foreground, ANGUS leans close to talk to TEDDY.
ANGUS
What’s up with you tonight? You look
funny.
TEDDY
I just saw Blanche.
ANGUS
What? Where?
TEDDY
In the pub. She tracked me down.
ANGUS is becoming more affected by the magic mushrooms. He leads TEDDY out the room and through a back door to a stairwell. They climb it and ANGUS shows TEDDY a ladder leading to the roof.
64 EXT ROOF TOP NIGHT 64
TEDDY, ANGUS and two other STUDENTS lie on the rooftop staring at the stars. The STUDENTS are a distance away and giggle without cause. It sets ANGUS off, though he tries to remain focussed.
TEDDY
Dad's worried himself sick cos he
doesn’t know where I am.
ANGUS
I thought he was a detective.
TEDDY
They demoted him.
ANGUS
Why?
TEDDY
Don’t know exactly. Blanche was a
bit short on detail.
ANGUS
But what about your mum? She can’t
just turn up out of the blue and
tell you to be the good daughter.
TEDDY
She didn’t. She’s just said she was
worried. Wanted to let me know.
ANGUS
Weird. Are you going to move
back home?
A STUDENT pops his head through the skylight access.
STUDENT
Hey you lot, Pete's tripping and
now he's stripping.
The two STUDENTS rise and disappear down the trap door.
ANGUS
At least he'll get out of that
Marsupial suit. Have you smelled the house
lately? Like living with curried
Caramello.
TEDDY
Sorry I missed the house meeting.
Is Bob mad at me?
ANGUS
I don't think so? He did move into
Pete's room for you tho'. Teddy, maybe you
should spend some time with your mum.
TEDDY
I feel numb.
ANGUS sits close to TEDDY, giving her body warmth.
TEDDY
She said she was suffocating with Stan.
That she had to learn to breathe again.
ANGUS
And Stan couldn't cop it?
TEDDY
Dunno still. Maybe it was me.
The mushrooms are taking their full effect on ANGUS.
ANGUS
You’re not the problem. You’re
amazing. You’re so full of energy,
you have vision. You’re brave.
TEDDY
You make me sound like an indian.
TEDDY is unaware of the LSD trip heading her way.
TEDDY
I have to find Flyn.
ANGUS
I think you should ditch Flyn,
immediately.
ANGUS sits up and nearly topples down the tiles. TEDDY grabs him.
TEDDY
Don’t kill yourself. I’m not worth it.
ANGUS
Flyn’s not worth it. Seen him
tonight?
TEDDY
(covering)
He’s busy.
ANGUS
(taking a deep breath)
That’s for sure.
TEDDY
You've never given him a chance.
ANGUS
I don't trust him. I don't like
what he's doing to my best friend.
TEDDY
Like what?
ANGUS
I saw the paper!
TEDDY
It's misreported.
ANGUS
Like turning her into a
megalomaniac.
TEDDY
Thank you for reducing my entire purpose
in life into a singular ego trip.
She stands, uneasily and descends down the trap door.
ANGUS
Idiot Angus.
ANGUS leans back heavily on the tiles, then stands up too quickly. His head swims and he slides dangerously, plunging off the other side of the roof, hanging onto the guttering. For a moment he just swings, quite calmly, until the guttering rips and he falls again, gripping the downpipe.
It holds tight. He lets out a deep breath, hearing the band rage on inside. But seconds later the pipe rips from the wall and he falls with it, away from the building until he lands, winded on the grassy verge by the carpark.
65 INT BENEFIT VENUE CONT 65
TEDDY is inside again. The party has evolved into a more provocative and indulgent occasion.
PETE’S KOALA suit is around his ankles. He is singing into the microphone and swigging on a bottle of GREEN GINGER WINE.
TEDDY hovers near the door, looking for FLYN and keeping one eye on the stage.
The DOOR GIRL motions to her.
DOOR GIRL
(shouting over the noise)
Can you watch the door for me? I was
supposed to get a break but everyone’s
off their face. I won’t be long. (TEDDY
NODS) The till’s mostly coins. I’ve put
all the cash in my bag.
TEDDY glances at an innocuous back-pack lying by the front table and then at the till filled with silver coins.
The DOOR GIRL disappears through the bodies. TEDDY follows her with her eyes. She sees a flash of leather jacket before the performance on the stage takes her attention again.
Out of PETE'S unattractive underpants, pokes a possum tail in crude taste. He wiggles and shakes and then stage dives badly, landing heavily in the pit below.
The band continues, but for BOB who throws down his guitar and dives off stage as well.
TEDDY forgets the till and rushes over to PETE.
PETE is groggy but otherwise okay.
By now, the effect of the LSD has taken hold of TEDDY and her vision shifts oddly.
BOB is trying to shake PETE awake. TEDDY whips out the flask he gave her and holds it to PETE’S mouth.
TEDDY
He needs fluids.
BOB
No, not that.
The AUDIENCE cheer for an encore.
PETE hears them and tries to stagger up.
TEDDY
Pete, don’t move.
PETE
What are you, a cop? They love me.
But it is FLYN who suddenly appears on stage. He takes the microphone, modestly accepts some applause.
FLYN
I'd like to start by acknowledging
our aboriginal custodians, on whose land
we are now meeting.
TEDDY stands, mouth agape at FLYN on stage.
FLYN
Like our indigenous elders, we must
become the guardians of the planet.
We are the generation who will
make a difference.
Suddenly remembering the till, TEDDY leaves PETE to BOB‘S care and pushes through the crowd to her post at the door.
The DOOR GIRL has returned and is furrowing hysterically through the backpack.
DOOR GIRL
Where is it? The money. It’s gone.
TEDDY grabs the bag to see. The DOOR GIRL grabs it back.
DOOR GIRL
Fuck you, Teddy Gordon. Where is it?
TEDDY
I don’t know.
DOOR GIRL
Bullshit! I left it with you?
TEDDY
I didn’t rip it off?
On stage Flyn raves on to a receptive audience.
FLYN
And you can bet there's little to be
gained by relying on our current political
leaders for that.
DOOR GIRL
Why should I believe you? I hear you've
got a thing about other people's money.
FLYN
They are currently dismantling the
right to free education. Why?
To stop as many fresh, radical minds from
getting into graduate positions where we
might challenge their economic policies.
DOOR GIRL
You think you're king shit on
Campus. But you're just another Labor crook.
FLYN
Even right here on campus, our own Federal
representatives, those brave Young Labor
can't even agree among themselves about their
position. The only people who will defend
your right to a future, do not sit on pussy
whipped committees.
It’s just all too much for TEDDY. She sees the DOOR GIRL but it is really FLYN she attacks. She swings back for a king hit.
Around them, the crowd roar at the performance on stage and the one below.
66 EXT CARPARK/VERGE CONT 66
ANGUS lies winded. The party seems miles away and the mushrooms hold him in a mild state of oblivion. He is unaffected by the wet grass beneath him or the cold of the evening.
He hears the sound of a car approaching the curb. He turns his head and strains to see the wheels.
A match lights a cigarette.
Inside, he can hear chanting ALI ALI ALI
He watches a pair of legs walk toward the car. He sees the unmistakable Blundstone Booted heels of FLYN.
He hears muttering, a muffled exchange between FLYN and an unfamiliar voice. The tone is aggressive and rapid.
A cigarette butt hits the ground.
The car engine revs and takes off down the road.
ANGUS watches Flyn’s feet moving toward him. He tries to move but can’t. He closes his eyes and FLYN walks straight into him, kicking him accidentally but quite heavily.
FLYN
What the..?
ANGUS groans as if just coming to consciousness.
FLYN
What are you doing?
ANGUS
(still winded)
Fell..fell off...Roof.
ANGUS sees FLYN standing over him.
FLYN
How long have you been here?
ANGUS
Don’t know.
FLYN
(disingenuous)
Jesus mate, are you all right?
ANGUS
Yeah..feels good actually.
FLYN exhales. He kneels down to ANGUS.
FLYN
Broken anything?
ANGUS
Pride.
FLYN
Why didn’t you call out?
ANGUS
Winded.
FLYN
Wait here. I’ll get help.
FLYN takes off at a pace but not inside the venue. Instead, he runs toward his parked bike and takes off.
ANGUS tries to get up, struggles and collapses again.
Act III
~
