Lois Achimovich > plays >

Meekatharra

Lois Achimovich

ACT ONE SCENE ONE

"I'VE GOT A POCKET FULL OF DREAMS" PLAYS.  A LITTLE GIRL TAP DANCES ACROSS THE STAGE IN A RED TUTU.
LIGHTS COME UP ON ABBIE CLEANING OUT THE ROOM THAT RUTH USUALLY OCCUPIES.  RUTH READS A BOOK.

ABBIE :  She's probably gotten used to luxury, but this will just have to do.  I washed this candlewick but there's a couple of holes in it.

RUTH :  She won't care.  Do you reckon she'll have an accent ?

ABBIE :  Sure to.  All Yanks have accents.  Bet she's still got the old sparkle.  Always ready for a party.  Gawd, we had some good ones in the war years ! You gotta hand it to the Yanks.  They've got it all over the Poms.' Course under the circumstances, she's bound to be feeling a bit sad, poor dear.

SHE FIDDLES WITH THE WIRELESS DIAL AS NEWS OF THE ROYAL VISIT COMES ON
With the Royal Tour on at the moment you can't get anything else on the wireless.  I don't believe in roy-lat-y and it makes me so angry to ...

RUTH : Don't you ?

ABBIE :  What ?

RUTH :  Believe in royalty ?

ABBIE :  No ! A lot of rich people being supported by the workers.  Waste of the tax payer's money.
The queen's got a nice skin though, I'll give her that.
I'm a real Red Ragger, always have been.  Wait till you're older, you'll understand.  If your husband works for the railways or something like that, well, you vote Labour, and that makes you a Red Ragger.

RUTH :  Mr.  Menzies likes the Queen.  "I did but see her passing by, and yet I'll love her till I die." It's in the Women's Weekly.

ABBIE :  I don't like him.  He's got a la-di-da voice and squinny eyes.  I seen him at the WACA once, when I was doing afternoon teas for the English Test team.  With all the nobs.  Just like roylaty.  Don't give thrippence about us.  Where would we have been in the last war without the Yanks , now I ask you ?

RUTH :  Don't you think it's strange, her coming all that way just for a funeral.

ABBIE :  It is her mother , Ruth !

RUTH :  But I thought she didn't like her mother.  I thought that was why she went away.

ABBIE :  Blood's thicker than water, Ruth, if I've told you once, I've told you a dozen times.

RUTH :  That doesn't explain anything, Nanna.

ABBIE :  Explains it to me.  You look too deep into things.  She didn't mean it.  Anyway, that was ten or fifteen years ago.  Mavis will be looking down from heaven and it will be a comfort to see her daughter here to pay her respects.
Poor Mavis ! What a life ! Maybe God will give her a better one now.

RUTH :  You think people come back ?

ABBIE : Sure of it.

RUTH :  Catholics don't believe that !

ABBIE :  Yes they do.  Jesus rose from the dead.

RUTH : That was resurrection, not reincarnation.

ABBIE :  Well, I don't care.  People come back, I'm sure of it.  God couldn't mean for us to have such rotten lives and that be the end of it.

RUTH :  Why would anyone want to come back if their lives are horrible?

ABBIE :  I think he sends us back as beautiful animals.  They're better than humans anyway.  I want to come back as a beautiful racehorse.  Phar Lap would do. 
He can't mean that this is the end for Mavis.  She's been sick for years and years.

RUTH :  She drank herself to death .

ABBIE :  It's a disease, Ruth, they can't help it.  Just because your mum's a wowser, you shouldn't be hard on them.  It's a disease - I heard it on 6PR.
Where's the pillowslip? Do you think she'll want a po ? The lav's so far up the back.

RUTH :  Oh, leave one out for her.  She can make up her own mind.

ABBIE : Now we'll have to get that letter off to Pearl and tell her about Mavis.  Put that book down and do it before the other fella gets home.  Start "I hope you are well.  "

RUTH :  You're not supposed to start a letter "I'm writing to tell you" or "I hope you are well".

ABBIE :  It'll do, Miss Know-all.  Write what I say.  Tell her about Mavis and say "what a life she had " and we're all very sad " and everything.
Say that your mum and me want to come over there to Moonee Ponds in August and will she put us up.  She will, I know, because we had her last year.  Tell her we'll come on the train.  I've never done the Nullarbor on the train.
What else ?
STRAINS OF " I'LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN, KATHLEEN" IN MALE VOICES ARE HEARD IN THE DISTANCE.

ABBIE:   There's his nibs now with half the pub with him.  Put that letter in your room.  He'll play larry-doodle if he thinks I'm going away.
RUTH DOES AS ASKED.  THUMPING HEARD.
Cut that out Bert, you gotta key.
Oh go and open it Ruth, he'll be there fiddling with it all night. 
And no back-chatting your grandfather, he's had a few.

BERT'S VOICE HEARD
Well, if it isn't the schoolmarm.  Give us a kiss , love.  RUTH RUNS PAST HIM.  Bugger you then.
ENTER BERT, CALLING OVER HIS SHOULDER.
Who do you think you are? Theda Bara ? What's for tea ?

RUTH ( ENTERING WITH DIXIE ):
When did you come down ? I thought you were in Kalgoorlie.

DIXIE :   Got sick of Kal.  Thought I'd go to Meeka. 

ABBIE :  Well, Perth's a bit out of your way, isn't it ? How are you, Dixie ? Been wondering what you were up to.

DIXIE :   Got to see the Repat about me chest.  Check-up, you know.

BERT :    Meeka-bloody- tharra.Who'd want to go there? I wouldn't go there for quids, not if they paid me.

RUTH :  You got anything for me? Chockies or anything ?

ABBIE :  Ruth, don't you be so forward !

DIXIE :   Reckon you're a bit old for chocolates.  You've always got your head in a book.  Brought you a couple of good-uns.

RUTH …    "Such is Life ".  Good, eh?

DIXIE :   I reckon.

BERT :    Bloody books.  You'll be wearing glasses before you're seventeen.

RUTH :  I am seventeen !

BERT :    'Struth, are you ? Time flies , eh Dixie ?
Can't anyone listen to a man ? What's for tea ? Sit down.

ABBIE :  Roast mutton.
Did you fix it with that funeral bloke ?

BERT :    'Course I did ? They do just about everything for you.  They asked me to do a eulo- something.

RUTH :  Eulogy.

BERT :    Yeah, a eulogy, but I know I'd blubber, so the priest's going to say something.  Poor Mavis, with no-one to see her on her way, excepting me.

ABBIE :  Jeanie's coming .

BERT :    So's Christmas.
Yes, they're all dropping off like flies now.  Jonesy got taken to the Home of Peace last week.  Last we'll see of him.  He was in the camp - what was it Ab ? - nine or ten months - before they took him.  Had another stroke. 
Mutton, eh ?

DIXIE :   He'd hate that , wouldn't he ?

BERT :    Fair dinkum.He was crying when they took him, but when you gotta go, you gotta go. We couldn't look after him any longer.

RUTH :  We ? Since when ?.....

ABBIE :  Sh ?

BERT :    He had this girlfriend, Bloody Kath.  Ab rang her up, but she said she couldn't have him.  Flamin' disgrace if you ask me.  Took all his money and won't even help him on his death-bed.

ABBIE : Now, Bert, what could she have done ?

BERT :    Taken the poor bugger home and looked after him, that's what.  "Bloody Kath," he used to say, "Bloody Kath, she'll see me right." Seen him right , all right ! Left him to die on his own !

ABBIE :  She lives with her husband , Bert, she can't very well take him home.  He's really been quite nice about the whole thing.  Anyway, there's chidren present.
You going to stay a while, Dixie ?

DIXIE :   Only a few days.  Bad time to come really, with Bert's sister passing away.

BERT :    She doesn't mind, do you Ab ?

ABBIE :  Bit of a full house with Jeanie coming, but we'll manage.  Two bob a night though, as usual, and meals out unless it's a roast.

DIXIE :   Got to see the Repat about me chest and told the bloke at the dairy I'd do a bit of work for him.  Won't be here long.

BERT :    Always a feed here, mate.  Even in the Depression.Kept the potato stews going, didn't you Ab? Even had turkey.  In the Depression.  She raised them in the backyard.  Couldn't stand the toms though, could you, Ab? Lopped off their heads as soon as lookat 'em.

ABBIE:   Useless articles!

BERT :    What ?

ABBIE :  Toms, I mean, good-for-nothing.

BERT :    Off with their heads.

DIXIE :   You sure it's not too much for me to be here ?

BERT :    Oh, she doesn't mind.  You can have a play of the piano, like down the pub.  You play just like Schnozzle Durante.  All by ear.  Who taught you to play like that?

DIXIE :   Mum, on the station, when I was a kid.

ABBIE :  You know that, Bert.

BERT :    If I knew, I wouldn't ask, alright ? We had some parties here during the war years, went all night.  Jeanie would sing and dance. TO RUTH Don't you ever go home ?

RUTH :  Would if I could.

ABBIE (TO DIXIE) Mary and Bill are in Carnarvon, (TO BERT) as well you know.  What a time for them to go ! We wired the caravan park but they must be on the road somewhere.  She's only here till they come back.

BERT :    If it's not her, it's the others.  Overrun with bloody grandchildren.  Never any peace and quiet.  Knows everything."The schoolteacher, the barmaid and the butcher".  This one's the schoolteacher.  What's this ? " Lorna Doone".  Don't say I didn't warn you.  You'll finish up wearing glasses.  And look- out in the sun again.

RUTH :  Playing basketball.

BERT :    You've been sunbaking.  Your skin will shrivel up ! Look at mine- SHOWS HIS UPPER ARM - white as the day I was born.  I've taken care of my skin.  You'll be old before your time.  Where's my dinner ?

ABBIE:   Nearly ready.

BERT :    Well, get it on the table, woman.  A man works all day and then his wife bloody starves him to death.  You got a great voice, Dixie.  We were singing with the barmaid- should have heard him.
Hungry , are you,? It's the Abo blood, keeps you skinny.  Not like me.  Look at this- solid muscle.

RUTH :  What's it like, Meekatharra ?

BERT:    Hot bastard of a place.

DIXIE;    End of the line.  Been there, have you, Bert?

BERT :    Once.  Fixing the rails.  Nothing there but flies and blackfellas.  What sort of yacka you got up there ?

DIXIE :   Out on the station.  A roof, some fencing, couple of doors for the boss's missus, that sort of thing.

RUTH :  But what's it like?

DIXIE:    It's my country.  It's home.

RUTH :  Can women work up there?

DIXIE :   The only women in the town are barmaids.

RUTH :  I wouldn't mind being a barmaid in Meekatharra.

ABBIE:   You're going to be a shorthand typist.

RUTH :  I am not.

ABBIE:   Don't you be so bold, young lady, or I'll give you what for!
All that study's bad for you.

DIXIE :   I remember when you were going to be a lolly shop lady..  Must have been dreaming.  What is it now?

RUTH :  I dunno.  Something where I can travel and meet people.  Not being ordered about by a boss like a shorthand typist.

ABBIE:   Or a barmaid.

RUTH :  Barmaids seem freer.  They can just up and leave and find another bar.

BERT :    See what I mean, she knows every bloody thing.  Never been inside a bar and she's an expert.  SNEEZES.  You'd better not be putting pepper in that gravy.

DIXIE :   Why don't you go on- further your education- you know ?

ABBIE :  We don't want any of that.  The boy down the street went to the University and those doctors' and lawyers' sons treated him so nasty he went crazy and they put him in the asylum.  Never been the same since.  No—a shorthand typist's a good solid job for a girl—and you can travel with that.  I think the Leaving's a waste of time myself, for a girl I mean. 
I suppose you could be a nurse or something.

DIXIE, PICKING UP ONE OF HER BOOKS.
Not reading Aussie books yet.  Pity.

BERT:    Never heard you talk about books before.

DIXIE :   Doesn't interest many people.

BERT :    Certainly doesn't! PICKS UP THE BOOK.'Lorna bloody Doone!' Lot of Tommy rot!

ABBIE TO DIXIE :        Anyone can tell you had an education.  Very well- spoken.  'Cept when you're on the booze.

BERT :    Give us a tune love.  Show us how you can tickle the ivories.

RUTH :  Don't feel like it.

BERT :    Go on, don't be a dill.

ABBIE : She doesn't want to.  Anyway, tea's ready.

BERT SNEEZING:
You shut up! You're putting pepper in that, just to spite me.  How many times do I have to tell you.  I'm allergic to pepper.  You do it on purpose.

RUTH :  She does not !

BERT :    You keep out of it !

DIXIE SITS DOWN AT THE PIANO AND STARTS PLAYING "I'LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN KATHLEEN".  BERT SINGS THE FIRST VERSE WITH PASSION.  AND THEN PULLS RUTH OVER TO SING TOO., PLACING HER ON HIS LAP, AGAINST SOME RESISTANCE.  EVENTUALLY SHE HALF HEARTEDLY SINGS TO THE END, WHEN HE LETS HER GO.
                 
                  "I'll take you home again, Kathleen,
                  across the ocean wild and wide.
                  to where your heart has ever been,
                  since first you were my bonny bride.
The roses all have left your cheek,
I've watched them fade away and die.
Your voice is sad when e'er you speak
and tears bedim your loving eyes.
And I will take you home, Kathleen
To where your heart will know no pain,
And when the fields are fresh and green
I'll take you home again, Kathleen.  "

Ah, you can sing, love, but you can't dance.  It's your Mum and little Jeanie that could dance.  They get it from my side of the family—Jeanie's mum Mavis being my sister, that's what you'd expect, wouldn't you? ' Course I never had the opportunity.  Not like kids HE DANCES UNSTEADILY
"My old man says follow the van
and don't dilly-dally on the way." Hup !

ABBIE :  Come on.  It's ready.  Can't keep it hot any longer.  Lovely song, Dixie..

BERT:    No-one likes to enjoy themselves around here.  Except me.  Sit here, mate

DIXIE :   I think I'll pick something up down the corner.

BERT :    It's dished up now.  It'll go to waste.  Sit down.  You too, Ruth.

RUTH :  I'm not hungry.

ABBIE :  Sit down, love.

                  THEY SIT DOWN TO EAT IN SILENCE EXCEPT FOR BERT'S VERY                   AUDIBLE CHEWING

BERT :    You can stay as long as you like, can't he, Ab.  Bone dry, that camp.  Chucked out most of the other fella's stuff and given the rest to St.  Vincent de Paul.  Very well appointed.  There's a bed and a stove up there now.  Better than the first time you came, eh? Just a humpy then.  Even got the electricity.  'Course, the council doesn't know about that

DIXIE :   I won't be around long.

ABBIE : Well, I don't mind having anyone around that's a gentleman and does his own washing and that.
How bad's the chest?

RUTH :  Bronchitis from smoking too much.

BERT     No , it isn't, Miss Know-all, he was gassed at Gallipoli in the first war.

RUTH :  I already knew that.

DIXIE :   No, I wasn't .  I was wounded at Gallipoli.  They patched me up and sent me to France.  Got gassed there. 

BERT :    Just about everyone went.  Ab's twin brothers lost an eye each , so they stayed twins, you know. 
Gallipoli and France.  Bastards of places.

RUTH :  Did you go?

BERT :    No, flat feet.  HE PAUSES AND EATS STUDIEDLY Never been the same since.

DIXIE :   What ?

BERT :    Never been the same since.  Your lungs.  HE POINTS THE FORK AT DIXIE'S CHEST.

RUTH :  You don't seem old enough to have been in the First World War.

DIXIE :   Was 16 then—put me age up.  I was in the Second too.  I was fixing a roof in Darwin when the Japs bombed it.

ABBIE :  I've always said you've got nine lives, you have !

RUTH :  Can't understand why men go to war, specially now with the A bomb.  Did you see 'On the Beach'?

DIXIE :   Walked out.

RUTH ;  Why?

DIXIE :   Didn't have Barbara Stanwyck in it.  I only like films with Barbara Stanwyck.

BERT (SNEEZING )You bloody bitch, you put pepper in this muck!

THROWS THE PLATE.

ABBIE :  Don't go on like that, Bert.

BERT :    This is my house.  I'll do what I like!

RUTH :  I'm going to pray for you.  You're evil! You'll go to hell.

BERT :    Get away from me! She's mad.

ABBIE :  Go to bed love, I'll bring your sweets in.

RUTH :  I don't want sweets!

BERT :    Get out!
RUTH EXITS
We were having a good time until you started preaching.  You blue stocking! Schoolmarm! I don't want her here anymore.

ABBIE :  Bert, think about Mavis.  It isn't the time or the place.  We'll settle it later.

BERT :    We'll settle it when I bloody well say we will !

ABBIE :  Come on, Dixie, I'll take some clean linen up to the camp.
It's dry and clean.  Had the walls lined since last time you were here.  You don't even have to come into the house.  You can come up the side.

DIXIE :   Look, I can find something down the dairy..

ABBIE:   No need.  Come on, it won't take a minute.

THEY LEAVE TO GO TO THE CAMP. BERT GOES TO THE BEDROOM DOOR AND PUNCHES IT.

BERT:    No respect,that's what.  No respect.  Who do you think you are ?
Yeah, lock the door , you better.  Preaching to me in my house ! This is my house ! Remember that !
BERT LOOKS AS IF HE MIGHT THROW MORE DISHES, THINKS BETTER OF IT. LOLLS IN THE CHAIR AND GOES TO SLEEP ? LISTENING TO THE RADIO.
DIXIE AND ABBIE RETURN FROM THE CAMP.

DIXIE :   What was that noise ? Like thumping.

ABBIE:   Oh, Ruth banging the door or something.  She's got quite a temper on her.  A bold disposition.  It won't do her any good.  What do you reckon about the camp ?

DIXIE:    I'll just put these in the wash-house.
Thanks, Mrs.  B., but I think I'll find a place down by the dairy.  I'll pick up a bit of work there - always do - before I go back to Meeka.

ABBIE :  Maybe it's for the best.  He always seems to stack on a show for you, Lord knows why.

DIXIE:    Reckon he's a bit much at times.

ABBIE :  Yeah, but what can you do?

DIXIE :   You could always go up the Nor' West.

ABBIE :  With my skin ? I'd be burnt to a cinder in a week!
Well, If you don't want it , well, that's that .

                  RUTH UNLOCKS THE DOOR AND JOINS ABBIE AND DIXIE.

ABBIE:   Pity.

RUTH:   He's not going to stay.

ABBIE:   Nup.

RUTH:   Well, never mind.  Would have liked to look at your books and talk about France.  Didn't know you' d been to France.

DIXIE :   You can have a look now if you like.

ABBIE:   Don't be long, you two.

ABBIE GOES TO KITCHEN SINK AND POURS SELF A DRINK WITHOUT THE OTHERS SEEING, THEN ANOTHER.  RUTH LOOKS AT DIXIE'S BOOKS.

DIXIE :   Got a few science books too.

RUTH:   You a travelling library now or something ?

DIXIE :   That's about all I carry in my suitcase.

ABBIE (BELOW TIPPLING): All the blokes he brings home are drunks.  He hauls them out of the front bar of the Beaumont and brings them home.  Some of them stay one night- some stay for years.  This fella's alright though, goes on the square for months at a time.

DIXIE:    Read most of these by candle light or hurricane lamp.

RUTH :  They say you go blind if you read by dull light.

DIXIE :   I heard that Livingstone - you know, the explorer,- he passed all his medical exams.  by studying just with a candle. 
You don't have to believe everything you read but it makes you think, doesn't it.

ABBIE:   He's okay if he doesn't touch wine or spirits.A real gentleman.  You can tell cause he never swears in front of ladies.  "cept when he's drunk.  Has a couple of shandies tonight and he's hunky-dory.  But once he starts, he can't stop.  That's why he stays up north - out in the bush.  Out of respect, because he can't hold his liquor.  Out of respect for me.  Because I don't smoke.  Or swear.  Or anything like that.

RUTH:   It was beaut when you wrote those long letters.  Why don't you write them anymore ? "Little Jack Horner goes to India" - "Why Lambs say Baa".

DIXIE :   You're too old for that now.  I still write to you.

RUTH:   Not much.

DIXIE :   Ah well, there you go.  One day runs into the next out there on the stations.  Always something to fix up.

RUTH:   I've still got my desk.  The one you built, with the quill painted on it.

DIXIE :   Must've grown out of it by now. 

RUTH:   I'm going to keep it.  It'll be an antique soon.

DIXIE :   Yeah.  That'll be the day.

RUTH:   Why don't you live down here ?

DIXIE :   No good for my chest.

RUTH:   We could look after you.

DIXIE :   And the grog.  You know.

RUTH:   You could stop.

DIXIE :   Did you find anything ?

RUTH:   Some poems.  Short stories.

DIXIE :   Yeah.  Take them.   You'll like 'em.
                  HE CLOSES CASE LEAVING A COUPLE OF BOOKS
Well, I'd better be off.  You want some help getting him into bed?

ABBIE:   No.  He can stay there.  He'll wake at dawn, hoiking and coughing and sorry for himself.  He'd better not tie one on tomorrow, what with the funeral and everything on Thursday.
I'll make a mutton sandwich for you - there's a lot left over.
                  GOES OUT OF EARSHOT.

RUTH:   She needs the money.  He drinks it all.  What's it to you where you stay ?

DIXIE:    I don't like being mixed up in this sort of thing.

RUTH:   Why not? Everyone I know is.

DIXIE :   Gets a bit willing around here.

RUTH:   Sure does.  I wish I were you.  You can up and go whenever you please. 

DIXIE :   What makes you think that Meekatharra' s any different ?

RUTH:   I'd be in charge of myself.  I could come and go as I pleased.
If someone's here, we don't worry so much, me and mum.  We're not so scared that he'll finally up and kill her.

DIXIE :   Look, I dunno.  Seen enough of this in the past.  Can't really be bothered, Life's too short.

RUTH:   It's not your problem, I know.

              ENTER ABBIE

ABBIE:   There we are.  Nice mutton and pickle.  You'll enjoy that tomorrow.

RUTH:   Dixie's lending me some books, Nan.

ABBIE:   Oh good, she enjoys all that high falutin' stuff.  It's beyond me.  AS SHE SHOWS HIM TO THE DOOR I still like me Daily News and listening to the parliament, keeps me up with everything, though how half of them got in, God only knows.  When you have to leave school at 8 , well you don't get much education.  Well, you'd really know about that, wouldn't you ? Bet you didn't see much more of the inside of a school room than I did. 
I was with the nuns in Coolgardie and didn't they give us what for .  Long as you can read and write that's all you need really.........
You make sure you come back and see us before you head north.
                  RUTH SITS WATCHING BERT.
He's a nice bloke.  Pity about the camp.  You shouldn't have caused a fight - he was all ready to take it.

RUTH:   GOING TO HER ROOM AND SLAMMING THE DOOR
I'll never let a man treat me like that !

ABBIE:   You've got it all ahead of you, girl.
                  SHE COVERS BERT WITH A RUG AND THEN KNOCKS ON           RUTH'S DOOR.
Come and sleep with me, Ruthie, he might wake up.  There's a dear. 

              END ACT ONE SCENE ONE

                  ACT ONE SCENE TWO

MUSIC (John Charles Thomas: "The Green-Eyed Dragon with the Thirteen Tails") PLAYING ON THE RADIO .  TWO OR THREE VERSES ARE PLAYED BEFORE THE LIGHTS COME ON SLOWLY.  THE NEXT MORNING.  ABBIE AND RUTH ARE HAVING BREAKFAST.  BERT COMES OUT DRESSED IN WORK CLOTHES, TAKES HIS LUNCH AND A THERMOS AND CLIPS ON HIS BIKE CLIPS.

BERT :    I'll fix that tap after work.
                  NEITHER ANSWERS.  SILENCE.
Looks like a nice day.
                  SILENCE.

ABBIE:   Yeah.  That fella came back last night - I heard him come up the side.  Better call him down for a cuppa.

RUTH :  Dixie ! Dixie ! Cuppa time.

BERT:    See you around four.

ABBIE:   Yeah.  Don't forget it's the funeral tomorrow.HE LEAVES That'll be the day, that he comes home before the pub closes.

RUTH:   You make the best breakfasts - almost as good as your roast dinners....a bit of egg and bacon and tomato on each piece of toast and the egg nice and runny how I like it.
 I'm a bit worried about Dixie, Nan, he's so thin.

ABBIE :  Well, last time that Repat fella said they can't do any more for him.  It's not cancer, but the smoking isn't helping.  That's what they said.  He's taking my beef broth.  I swear by my beef broth.  He'll be okay.  He needn't think I'm running up and down to that camp though, if he gets worse.  One man's enough to look after.
Yeah - don't know how he does it - never misses a day's work and his head must be lifting off.  Most of those boozers die young but not him.  Keeps going like a draught horse.

RUTH:   That's because you look after him so well.  Why don't you leave him ?

ABBIE:   How many times have I tried that ? He always comes and gets me.

RUTH:   You don't have to come back.

ABBIE:   Listen young lady, don't get too big for your boots.  Why should I walk out ? I paid for this house, washing floors in the Depression when he was working one week in three and spent what he did earn down the corner.  Before that, it was moonlight flits when the rent was due - roll up the lino, get Poodge, the bottlo, to bring the horse and cart and off ! Seven hundred pounds I paid for this and I'm not moving.  I paid for it, it' s in my name so let him move out - God knows he did it often enough when he was young.

RUTH:   Mum says you'll have him under your feet all the time when he goes on the pension.  He'll drive you mad.

ABBIE:   I'll face that one when I have to.

DIXIE'S VOICE:  Hello, missus, you up ?

ABBIE:   Come on in - we're decent.  The kettle's boiling.  Changed your mind, did you ? Well, suit yourself.

DIXIE :   'Ten bob for the week, wasn't it.

RUTH :  I'm really glad you came back !

ABBIE :  You might not be here that long.

DIXIE ;   That's alright.  You have it.
 Ah, nothing like it.  Lan Choo ? Here's your book.

RUTH:   Ta.

ABBIE:   Bushell's.   Bushell's is best.
Mrs B, can I make myself a cuppa ?

RUTH:   I'll do it - sit down. 

DIXIE :   Brought this for you - read it ?

RUTH:   Australian poetry ? Nup.  A.D.  Hope.  Any good ?

DIXIE :   I think so.

ABBIE:   I'll get the tea.  Leave it alone.  You two 'll get caught up talking and we'll never have it.  Where did you get that book ? You've been out, haven't you ? You know you're s'posed to be in bed.  And you haven't the money to spend on books.

DIXIE     I got a coupla quid in the bank.

ABBIE:   Yeah, I bet.  Bonox or tea ?

DIXIE :   Tea.

ABBIE:   Bonox is better.  Gives you strength.

RUTH:   He wants tea.

ABBIE:   He's having Bonox.

RUTH:   Then why' d you ask him ?

ABBIE:   It's only manners to ask.  Mind your business.

RUTH:   You've marked a bit.  Or did someone else ? It's second hand, isn't it ?

DIXIE:    I marked it.

RUTH:   "They call her a young country but they lie:
She is the last of lands, the emptiest,
A woman beyond the change of life, a breast
Still tender, but the womb is dry.

              Without songs, architecture, history:
The emotions and superstitions of older lands,
Her rivers of water drain away inland sands,
The rivers of her immense stupidity.

              Flood her monstrous tribe from Cairns to Perth,
In them at last the ultimate men arrive
Whose boast is not; "we live" but "we survive",
A type who will inhabit the dying earth......."
It's bleak, isn't it ?

DIXIE :   I think it's spot on.

ABBIE:   I don't understand it - want a bikkie ?

RUTH:)  No.
DIXIE:)

ABBIE:   "No thanks!" They're good.  Hydro creams.  I'll put one on the saucer just in case.  Hope it's not T.B., Dixie.

RUTH:   Is that all we're doing - surviving?

DIXIE :   They said "emphysema".

ABBIE:   You'll get the T.P.I.  anyway - you don't have to work again.

DIXIE :   I don't like being in bed.  I want to go back to my country.

ABBIE:   I love the way he calls it "my country" - like he owns the entire Nor-West !
You can't go back yet.- you gotta see the doctor.

DIXIE :   He said he can't do any more.

ABBIE:   But he said to come back.  Might have a bright idea.  Some new treatment.  They're coming up with wonder drugs all the time now, aren't they Ruth?

DIXIE :   I want to go back.

ABBIE:   Well you can't and that's that.  You can't even sit up for an hour.  How would you travel that distance ? You'd need an ambulance !

RUTH    Don't go, Dixie, you're not well enough.

ABBIE:   No ifs, buts or maybes, you're not going.
I don't want anymore of your shennanigans.  You stay put in that camp, you hear me.  As if I haven't enough worries without this.  This is a house of mourning, remember that, it should be peaceful.

DIXIE :   I bought a car.

ABBIE :  You what ?

DIXIE :   I bought a car.  It's out the front.

RUTH :  You beauty.
RUNS TO SEE.

ABBIE:   Sheer waste ! When did you learn to drive ?

DIXIE :   I didn't.

              RUTH COMES BACK.

RUTH :  It's there.  You bloody did it !

ABBIE :  Watch your language ! He can't even drive, Ruth.  How'd you get it home ?

DIXIE :   Bloke at the pub drove it.  It goes really well.

RUTH :  I can teach you .  I've nearly got my licence

DIXIE :   You're on !

ABBIE :  She is not ! You won't get passed Midland.  You can't drive and you're not well enough.
May as well have a look I suppose.

RUTH :  There's a lady standing next to it.  In a red coat.

DIXIE :   That's funny.  Saw someone across the street when I came back last night.  You expecting someone ?

ABBIE:   Yes, we are.

DIXIE :   She asked me if I lived here and I said yeah.
RUTH RUNS TO SEE.

RUTH'S VOICE: She's standing over by Wing's garden.

ABBIE:   That's funny.  Why doesn't she come in ? I'll just put my dress on and go over and see.
EXIT ABBIE

RUTH:   You're going to die, aren't you.  You're not even trying to get better.  You want to go up north to die.

DIXIE :   Yeah - I do.

RUTH:   And you've decided we're "monotonous" and "stupid" like the poem said, haven't you ?

DIXIE :   No.  No.  Don't say that.  You' re all I've got in the world.  HE OPENS ONE OF RUTH'S BOOKS AND READS.
"I know a bank where the wild thyme grows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet blows
Quite overcanopied in lush woodbine
With muskroses and with eglantine
There sleeps Titania some time of night......

RUTH :  It's beautiful,isn't it ?

DIXIE :   Yes, it is.       

                  ABBIE BUSTLES THROUGH IN HER DRESS.

ABBIE: To think of her standing out there all night.....
                  SHE EXITS.

RUTH :  Do you think there's really a place like that ?

DIXIE :   I don't know any.  France maybe, but I wasn't look-ing for muskroses at the time. OPENS THE OTHER BOOK.
" She walks in beauty like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies
And all that's best of dark and light
Moves in her aspect and her eyes..."
Now that's beautiful.  Who wrote that ?

RUTH:   Byron.  It reminds me of Ava Gardner, that poem.  I think she's the most beautiful woman in the world.

DIXIE :   Don't go much on her myself.  I like the ones like Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, who stick up for themselves.

RUTH :  Do you ? Ava Gardner doesn't have to stick up for herself.  She just gets that look and men are totally in her power.

DIXIE :   Fancy that.

RUTH :  We've got a girl at school like that.  She just goes like this and all the boys go sheep-eyes - so do the teachers.  She just puts her leg out in the aisle and strokes it and Mr. Moody sort of gulps and stops writing.  Works every time.
Bet none of your Australians can write like Byron.

DIXIE :   I don't know any.  But someday - you have to see the country - sort of drink it in.  When you wake up in the desert and the spinifex is quivering in the wind and the windmill's creaking and half a dozen crows start a bingle, - that's beauty.  One day, some poet will come along and do it justice.

RUTH : It looks like Death to me- I can't wait to get away.

              A WOMAN SNEAKS IN THE BACKDOOR AND SITS DOWN AT THE TABLE WITH RUTH AND DIXIE, MOTIONING THEM TO BE QUIET.  SHE IS SHORT, PLUMP, HAS A SLIGHT TREMOR AND BLEARY EYES.

ABBIE'S VOICE.  Well, she's not there now, can't think where she could have got to.  Couldn't have been Jean, there's no reason in the wild world why....

JEAN :   "You'll miss your little baby
Some of these days ."

ABBIE:   Oh, Jean, oh Jeanie, dear little Jeanie, I thought I'd never see you again.  I didn't think you'd come.

JEAN :   Organised a flight as soon as I could.  when I got your wire.  Jeez, I thought, I miss my Auntie Ab.  Rock of Gibralter.  Tell everyone stateside, "my Auntie Ab is the Rock of Gibralter ".

ABBIE:   Oh, Jeanie, you don't.

JEAN :   Indeed I do and you are.  And you must be Ruth.

RUTH :  Hello.

JEAN :   No likeness whatsoever, eh Auntie Ab.Wouldn't have picked you for Mary's daughter.

ABBIE : 'Course you would.  It's been a long time.

JEAN :   Well it's good to meet you anyway, girlie.  Give your Auntie Jean a kiss right there.

ABBIE:   And this is our lodger, Dixie.  He's a returned soldier.  From two wars.

JEAN :   Well, I got a lotta time for servicemen.  Must have married three of them, heh, Aunt Ab.

DIXIE:    Pleased to meet you.

JEAN :   Likewise.  Hell man, you look crook.

RUTH :  He's just got a spot on the lung.  He's having it treated.

ABBIE:   Emphysemia.

JEAN:    Hell, you gotta watch that thing right there.  Got a touch of it myself.Three packs of Lucky Strikes a day can kinda hurt a person !
This calls for a celebration.

ABBIE:   I'll make a nice cuppa and Ruth can go down the dairy and get some cream.

JEAN :   I was thinking of something a little more.....  Oh, hell, let's have one for old times, courtesy of Uncle Sam's Commissary.

DIXIE :   Think I'll be going...

ABBIE:   Use the bathroom if you like.  There's a towel in the cupboard.

DIXIE :   Nice to meet you.  (EXITS)

JEAN :   Don't go on my account, old fella, have a drink with us.  We're celebrating.  The return of the prodigal, hot damn !

RUTH :  He can't drink.  It's bad for him.

JEAN :   Good for what ails ya, if you ask me.  But suit yourself.

ABBIE :  Sit down, darling, I'll get you a glass.  Off you go, darling, the money's in the little purse in my room.

RUTH :  But Nan....

ABBIE :  On your way.  There's plenty of time to talk to Jeanie later.
RUTH GOES TO GET MONEY
We've arranged for you to see your mother.  At the funeral parlour.  They said it would be alright.

JEAN :   No !

ABBIE :  What !

JEAN :   No, I don't want to see her.

ABBIE:   Jean !

JEAN :   I never wanted to see her alive and I don't want to see her dead.

ABBIE :  You can't come all this way and not see her.

JEAN:    The hell I can't !

ABBIE:   I'd die if my daughter went away like that and left me!

JEAN :   Get this straight.  I divorced her ten years ago.  I'll pay my respects- that's it !

ABBIE:   You can't divorce your mother !

JEAN :   The hell I can't

ABBIE:   I organised a viewing.

JEAN :   Cancel it.

                  DIXIE COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM AND TRIES TO ESCAPE          BUT JEAN SEES HIM.

JEAN :   Been in the Service eh, sarge.  You see action.

DIXIE:    Coupla times.
RUTH REENTERS WITH THE PURSE.

JEAN :   My Chuck, he saw action in World War 2 and Kor-ea.  Now they're thinkin' of posting him in some place called "Vit- nam"

RUTH :  How long are you going to stay?

JEAN :   Just a coupla days.

ABBIE:   Oh, no, Jean.  You've got to wait to see Mary - she's up north at Carnarvon with Bill and the other two.I'm sure she'll be back once they can find her and giv e her the news.

JEAN :   Naw, Chuck can't stand to be without me - only been married a coupla months, you unnerstand me ? He's me darlin'.

ABBIE:   Third time lucky, eh?

JEAN :   Christ, I dunno, we live and learn, eh ?

ABBIE:   Yeah, some of us do.

DIXIE :   And some of us just live.

JEAN :   Gard, that's a hell of a flight.  Why'd you have to live at the end of the earth.

DIXIE:    Maybe it's you who lives at the end of the earth.

RUTH:   "They call her a young country but they lie ".

JEAN (WITH A SUDDEN FLASH OF ANGER) What's that supposed to mean?

ABBIE:   Ah, don't listen,they always talk like this.  It's poetry or something.

JEAN :   Sounds like they're taking the mickey to me.

DIXIE:    Look I'll be off up the back.  Hope you enjoy your stay.  In spite of the circumstances.

RUTH :  I'll take the water jug for you.

DIXIE:    I can manage.

JEAN :   You look flamin' sick, old fella, if you ask me.
Wanna hand, Ruth?

RUTH : No, I'm O.K.

JEAN:    Whoa ! I'm not pushing the old ma-ri-ju-ana, you know.

RUTH:   He coughs.

ABBIE :  Now hurry up and go down the dairy and get that cream like I told you.
DIXIE AND RUTH EXIT.

ABBIE:   We can't turn him out on the street - he's almost part of the family.

JEAN:    No problem.  Just don't like the way he makes wise-acre remarks.  Gawd, you don't look a day over fifty, Aunt Ab.

ABBIE:   I know.  Everyone says that.  It's vaseline.  If you use it every night, your skin will stay smooth, too - that and rain water.  Always have a tank of rainwater for your face.  Cut potato's good too.  My Dad told me that.

JEAN:    Will it be big, the funeral ? Lots of people ?

ABBIE:   Just immediate family.

JEAN:    Good.

ABBIE:   Your mum didn't have many friends in later life - had a lot as a girl, of course.  She was so beautiful - the men used to go wild about her.  Then your dad was killed in the war and she married Joe and they just kept to themselves.  Didn't go out much.  Just over here on Sundays.  The rest of the week they just stayed home and watched telly.

JEAN:    That a fact? Where's Uncle Bert?

ABBIE:   Where do you think ? At church ? I hope he comes home in one piece with the funeral to- morrow

JEAN:    Thought for a moment you might have traded him in on a new model.  No such luck eh?
Aunt Abbie - how come none of the drunks we knew were happy drunks ?

ABBIE:   You never saw them at the pub.  That's where they're happy.  They bring their misery back home.
Dixie's alright though.  Goes on the square for months at a time .  Fixes things around the house for me when he's down.

JEAN:    His fixin' days are over, if you ask me.

ABBIE:   No, he'll get better.  Always has.  Bonox puts the strength back in him.  And egg flips.  I'm a great believer in egg flips.

RUTH RETURNS

RUTH :  He's really sick.

ABBIE :  He'll be alright.  The broth will fix him.

RUTH :  He should be in hospital.

ABBIE:   Will you go down the dairy or not ? She just doesn't want to miss anything, do you Ruth.  Get some fresh cream and pick up some scones down the corner.  Now I mean it !
RUTH STARTS TO GO
 Little Jeanie- I can't get over it.  Haven't changed one bit !

RUTH :  So you're sort of my second cousin.

ABBIE :  Ruth !

JEAN :   Bert's my uncle, so yeah, I think I'm your second cousin.

RUTH :  You look like my mum- like you could be her sister.

JEAN :   Well, we grew up as sisters.  I always looked up to her.  I was the tear-away, wasn't I, Auntie Ab?
ABBIE IS DIVERTED.

ABBIE:   Both of you were lovely.  (TO JEAN) Your mum and me used to go and watch you both on the stage at the Luxor - at the vaudeville, Ruth - in their lovely costumes.  They were so pretty.

JEAN :   Yeah I was in the chorus and your mamma was the dainty soubrette.

ABBIE:   In a lovely red tu-tu.  You looked so pretty together.  Funny.  Mary won't wear red at all now.  Says it's common.  Now what do you think she means by that ? I think it's lovely.
'Course I could never wear it with my colour hair, but you could, and Mary.  I look best in blue.
I never had the opportunity in my day, but I made sure that Mary did and you as well.  A woman has to have some accomplishments, then she gets some respect, you know.
Go and get the things at the shop, love

RUTH IS ENGROSSED IN THE STORIES

RUTH :  Do I have to ?

ABBIE:   Yes you do.  RUTH FINALLY GOES.  You can forget about school today.  This is a special day.  But go and do as you're told.
If it weren't for your mum and that, we'd have a party.

JEAN :   No.  I don't want to see anyone.  Just you, Auntie Ab.  I'm joining Chuck in Hawaii- the Army's given him three weeks leave before he gets shipped out.

ABBIE:   Jeanie, what's wrong ? you always used to come here when something was wrong ? I don't understand.  Ten years and you come back to your mother's funeral and you don't even want to see her.

JEAN :   You understand alright, Auntie Ab. 
                  POURS HERSELF ANOTHER DRINK

ABBIE :      Jean ! This early.

JEAN :   You'll miss your little baby
Some of these days "

ABBIE:   Oh, go on, you little devil, you could always get around me!

JEAN:    Want a Lucky Strike ?

ABBIE    Jean !

JEAN:    Sorry, I forgot.  "Have one yourself, Jean" Don't mind if I do !
Ah, that's the shot !

ABBIE:   Why didn't you come in last night ?

JEAN:    Wasn't sure you still lived here, 'specially when that guy said it was his place.  And I was scared.  It hasn't changed one bit, has it ? So I went and sat in Wing's market garden - hid in the sugar cane like when I was a kid - and I felt safe again.  Come to think of it - that's about the only time I felt safe as a kid - hiding in the sugar cane.  Don't believe I've ever felt safe as that since.

ABBIE:   You'll catch your death......

JEAN:    Aw, it wasn't cold last night. 
I musta been ll or l2.  They were over here, rowing over something or other and I just lay there snug as a bug in a rug .  Wing used to know that I came, but he never told on me.  Once I slept in and he watered me by mistakes - you know, with one of those Chinaman's watering cans you hold over your shoulders.
"Oo, girlie, time to go home.  You turn into pumpkin." What ever happened to that ole son of a gun ?

ABBIE:   He died on his way back to China - never saw his wife again and he's been gone near enough to sixty years.

JEAN:    Ain't that just pitiful ? God plays some pitiful tricks on us, don't he, Auntie Ab ?

ABBIE:   Yeah, Bert's one of 'em.

JEAN:    You got that right.  Still as bad as ever ?

ABBIE:   Every bit.  Mind you, if you drink any more, you're going to have a hangover.

JEAN :   Think I'd know better, wouldn't you, after Mum and Uncle Bert.

ABBIE:   You look very smart, Jean.  How's the kids, Chuck ? You like America ? Ah, you got to hand it to the Yanks, they've got it all over the Poms.  Without them, where would we have been during the war ? I won't hear a word against them.

JEAN:    Yeah, I wouldn't want to come back.  I'm a citizen now.  We got a nice place, couple of cars.

ABBIE:   Two ? Oh, heavens above !
Jean, you've got to see your mother.  Whatever will I say to her ? You broke her heart once, by going away, you can't do it again.

JEAN:    I broke her heart ? That's a laugh.  262 Bangalore Street.  The heartbreak capital of the world !

ABBIE:   Look, I know she wasn't the best of mothers ........

JEAN:    She wasn't my mother - you were my mother.  She was a witch.  She terrorised me from the moment I was born.
Do you remember - when she would go on binges and leave me at home alone - for days ? I was only three - I'd scavenge for food.  And the Welfare would be called and they'd pick me up and then they'd return me to her and it just went on and on.

ABBIE:   Don't dear, you'll only upset yourself.  It's best to put those things behind you.

JEAN:    I live with those memories every waking hour.  Just a bit more - for the road.  And I'll never forgive her, never....

ABBIE:   Don't Jean, please.

JEAN:    I walked those miles from her house to yours, I was only three - dragging my doll behind me.  I came to the door and you picked me up.  "Jeannie, where's your mummy?" you said.  And I said "Mummy drunk, Auntie Ab.  I hundry.  Dolly hundry too.  "And you have me a food and then we sat down and had a tea party with the doll and I felt - almost safe - not quite, because I knew she would come and she did. 
                  DIXIE RETURNS WITH THE JUG AND HEARS THE REST OF          JEAN'S SPEECH
She stood in this doorway with such hatred in her eyes.  I wished I could die, I was so frightened.  She said "This is what happens to little girls who run away and worry their mothers half to death ".  And she grabbed the doll and threw it into the fire.  I can still see it burning - it's little celluloid face shrivelled and old and black.  And then it wasn't there ! Just like that.  Nothing.  I broke her heart ? She hasn't got a heart to break !

                  DIXIE LEAVES UNSEEN, BY ABBIE AND JEAN.

ABBIE:   I'll never forget it Jean.  I never saw anything that cruel before or since.  But boozers often do things they're sorry for ......

JEAN:    Don't you make excuses for her.  She was stone cold sober.  I remember her face.  She enjoyed it.  I try to blot it out, but that face comes back.
Oh, Auntie Ab, I love you.

ABBIE:   I love you too, Jeannie.  Dear little Jeannie.  I wanted to have you with me, but Bert said one child was enough.

JEAN:    It wasn't much better here was it ?

ABBIE:   A drinking mother is worse than a drinking father.  The child's got nowhere to go.

JEAN :   I don't know about that.  Bert's had his moments.

ENTER RUTH

RUTH:   Saw Dixie going down the side.  Where's he off to? He looked upset. 

ABBIE:   I don't know.

JEAN:    And I don't care.  And so - how's life ?

RUTH:   Oh, good.

JEAN:    Hear you're passing all your exams.  Heading for the big time, huh.  My kids are pretty smart too.  Been moved around a lot that's all.  Being in the Service ain't all roses - money, security, decent housing - but they move you around a lot.
God, but those soldiers know how to party !
Chuck's gonna leave when he does twenty years.  Who knows - we might come back here.  No place like home, eh Ruth.

RUTH:   You going to see my Mum while you're here ?

ABBIE:   Yeah, can't you stay till Mary gets back? She'd love to see you.

JEAN:    No, she never could stand to see anyone drink, even just a little.  I'll send her a postcard. 
Now tell me about school and your mom and daddy - he's a real gentleman - they were thin on the ground in those days still are come to think of it.  He gave me away, you know - my step-daddy didn't show.  Story of my life. 
God, I was glad to get on that boat to Yankeeland !

              END ACT ONE SCENE TWO

ACT TWO, SCENE ONE

              THE NEXT MORNING.  EVERYONE IS AT THE FUNERAL EXCEPT BERT AND DIXIE.  "THE OLD SPINNING WHEEL" IS PLAYING ON THE RADIO.  GIRL DANCES ACROSS THE STAGE AS LIGHTS GO UP ( OR ? TAPPING ONLY HEARD )
BERT'S VOICE HEARD OFF.

              They'll never be another one like you, Glad.  Maid of the Mountains.  What a voice.  Greatest singer that ever lived.
Abbie ! Ab ! Where is everyone ? A man can't even get a cup of tea around here.
SEES HIS BLACK SUIT LAID OUT.
Aw Gawd ! Aw Gawd Almighty ! Aw Christ !
MAKES AS IF TO HAVE A SHAVE BUT REALISES IT'S A LOST CAUSE.  TURNS RADI0 OFF.
Aw, never mind, Mave, I'll come and see you in the cemetery, pay me respects.  Gawd knows you won't know the difference.  Jesus, me head !
SEARCHES CUPBOARDS.  FINDS BRANDY BOTTLE AND TAKES A SWIG.  TALKS TO HIMSELF AS DIXIE COMES IN.
They'll give me what for, missing me sister's bloody funeral.
They bloody better not.  She was my sister, the last one I had left.  Won't make a skerrick of difference to her.
SEES DIXIE.  HIDES THE BOTTLE.
" Oh, Death , where is thy sting ?" That's what they used to say when I was an altar boy.  " Oh, grave, where is thy victory ? "
"Don 't you cry," they'd say.  "Altar boys don 't cry." And I didn't. 
I was good too, till they caught me getting stuck into the communion wine and chucked me out.
Bloody teapot's lost.  You seen it ?

DIXIE :   It's in the wash house.  Wait a minute.RETURNS WITH THE TEAPOT.

BERT:    Missed the bloody funeral.  They should have woke me.

DIXIE :   They tried.

BERT:     Couldn't have tried too hard.

DIXIE :   For about half an hour.  You were out cold.

BERT:     Gawd ! Ab upset, was she ?

DIXIE :   Dunno.  Said to expect them around twelve.  The funeral mob give them a lift home, don't they ?

BERT:    Yeah. 
Well, it's my sister that died.  I should be getting the sympathy, not the rest of that mob.  Nobody ever gives me any sympathy.  She was a beautiful woman, may she rest in peace.  She didn't have much on this earth and no thanks to her daughter, going away and leaving her for a Yankee sailor.
TAKES ANOTHER SWIG OF BRANDY AND OFFERS IT TO DIXIE, WHO DECLINES.
But not as beautiful as my other sister Cecilia.  Died in childbirth at 25.  I was never the same after that.  You don't know what it's like, losing a sister like that.  She looked like one of them religious paintings and she had a disposition to go with it.  Never a nasty word passed her lips.  They don't make women like that these days.  Broke the mould.
That's the way we all looked back then SHOWS PHOTO ON THE WALL.  Me , Mavis and Cecilia.
I never forgave God for that.  Bugger 'im, I thought, that's it.  Was a Catholic up til then.  It's his fault, that's it.  Wouldn't have a bar of him after that.
Wanna nip ?

DIXIE :   No, can't touch it anymore.  The stomach, you know.

BERT:    So now I don't even have one sister.
You're a goner too, mate, you know that, don't you ?

DIXIE :   Yeah, I know.

BERT:    Be your funeral next.

DIXIE :   No.

BERT :    ' Course it will.

DIXIE :   Not me.  I'm going up the nor-west.

BERT:    How you going to get there ? Shank's pony , eh, like in the Depression ? Like hell you will.  You couldn't make it up the end of the street.  Better go into the Repat.  They'll look after you.  Ab won't let you go anyway.  Always gets her own way.  Never listens to anyone.
VOICES OFF.  BERT HIDES THE BRANDY, STARTS MAKING TEA. 

DIXIE :   Think I'll make myself scarce.

BERT :    Gawd no, mate, if they catch me alone they'll tear strips off me.  Fair go.
DIXIE SITS DOWN RELUCTANTLY, THEN TAKES OVER TEA MAKING FROM BERT WHO IS DITHERING.  ABBIE, JEAN AND RUTH ENTER.
Oh, g'day, there you are ! We're just making a nice pot of tea.
How did it go ?
Oh, getting the silent treatment, am I?
I said how did it go ?

JEAN:    Oh, it was a bundle of laughs.

ABBIE:   Jean !
Managed to drag yourself out of bed, did you ?

BERT:    Shut your mouth, you ! It was my sister that died.   I'm entitled to a bit of consideration for a change.  Entitled, see ! I won't put up with being nagged today.  I'm the only one left now.
BEGINS TO CRY.

ABBIE:   Look who's here, Bert.  Do you know who this is ?

BERT :    Never seen her before in me.......  Gawd, strike me pink, look what the cat dragged in.  Give your old uncle a hug, Jeanie, there you go.
Bit bloody late, aren't you?

ABBIE :  Now, Bert, she had a long way to come.

BERT :    Well ? Well ? Am I telling the truth or telling a lie ? Was Mavis asking for her or not ? On her death bed ?

JEAN :   Too bad.

BERT:    What did you say ?

JEAN :   I said, "too bad" ! I'm here to pay my respects.  That's all.  I didn't want no damned reconciliation.

BERT     You've grown into a hard woman, Jean.  It's family. 

JEAN :   Family's an accident of birth, old man.  It ain't no life sentence, praise be to God.

BERT :    A very hard woman.  Lookin' a bit the worse for wear, too, - now that I look closer.

JEAN :   Likewise.

BERT :    And don't call me "old man ".  I don't take that sort of cheek from anyone.  Walking into my house after all this time, throwing your weight around.  Who do you think you are ?

JEAN :   Oh, excuse me, maybe I should stay in a hotel.

ABBIE :  No need for that , dear.

BERT :    Listen, this is my house...

JEAN :   Jeez, I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard you say that when I was a kid ! "This is my house".  SHE MOCKS HIM.

BERT :    Oh I see, it's like that, is it ? Well, Dixie and me were just going down the rubbedy, weren't we? We know when we're not wanted.  At least a man gets a little respect down there.

RUTH :  You know he can't go down there.  It's bad for him.

BERT :    Mind your business.

RUTH :  It is my business.

JEAN:    Anyone care for a bourbon ?
POURS ONE FOR HERSELF.

BERT:    Just a nip.  Good to have you back, Jean, this mob are all wowsers.

JEAN:    And we're the boozers.

RUTH:   A new rock and roll group - "The Wowsers and the Boozers", celebrating their inaugural concert on the event of the death of one of their members.   First offering - "Crying in your Beer".

BERT:    If you're going to take the mickey, you can get out of here right now.  No respect, that's what, just no respect.  Come and sit here, Jean, I got some photos of the old days.  Here's one of your Mum, see, looking  like ........

JEAN:    I don't want to see them.

RUTH :  Come on, Dixie, let's try out the car.  We can go up and down the lane.

BERT:    And this is her first communion.

JEAN:    Yeah, great.

ABBIE :  He's not going anywhere , Ruth, he's sick.

BERT :    And here's you and Mary at the Frolics.
(SINGING)  
"Two little girls in blue, lad,
Two little girls in blue
They were sisters, we were brothers,
And learned to love the two
Then one little girl in blue, lad,
JEAN JOINS HIM IN THE REST OF THE SONG.  ? WITH TAP DANCE.
Stole your father's heart
 Became your mother
I married the other
And now we've drifted apart.

              That's the way ! Mavis always loved that song.

ABBIE:   Bert, I really don't think this is the time or the place....

JEAN:    Why the hell not ? What's a matter with everybody ? Think it's a funeral or something.  'Scuse me but you gotta laugh or you'd cry, wouldn't ya.  You'd cry and you'd cry and you'd cry and you'd never bloody well stop crying ! So sing, goddamn it !

ABBIE:   Jeannie, dear, I ......

RUTH :  Come on, let's try out the car.

BERT :    What are you talking about ? He's staying.  Going to give us a tune in a minute.  Who knows this one ?
BERT BARS THE DOOR SO THEY CANNOT LEAVE.
" Whatta ya wanna make those eyes at me for,
If they don't mean what they say
They make me glad, they make me sad
they make me want a lot of things that I never had
JEAN JOINS IN RELUCTANTLY THEN ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
 Well, you're fooling around with me now
 You've had your fun and then you've run away
 Well, that's alright, I'll get you alone some night
 And baby you'll find you're playing with dynamite
 Whatta you wanna make those eyes at me for
 If they don't mean what they say- ay- ay-ay.
 If they don't mean what they say."

ABBIE :  Now that's enough.  There's a time and a place.,,

BERT:    Shut up ! You shut up.  Come on, Dixie, give us a tune.

RUTH:   He's not well enough.

DIXIE :   I don't think Abbie wants .......

BERT:    Yes, she bloody well does.  Tell him, Ab, tell him to play.

ABBIE:   Well, if you want to, Dixie, maybe just one.....

              DIXIE GOES TO THE PIANO, HESITATE AND THEN STARTS PLAYING A HYMN.

BERT:    What the hell is that ?

              RUTH GOES TO JOIN DIXIE AT THE PIANO.

RUTH (SINGING)
"By cool Siloam's shady rill
How sweet the lily grows,
How sweet the breath beneath the hill
Of Sharon's lovely rose".
HE PLAYS ON AS SHE HUMS.

BERT:    Mavis wouldn't have liked all this.  She was always one for a party.  Morbid rubbish !

JEAN:    You got that right.  Momma always loved a party.  The Chinese had it right - party on thru' the night and help that son of a gun into heaven, or hell, as the case may be.

RUTH (SINGING AGAIN)
"How sweet the breath beneath the hill
Of Sharon's lovely rose".
Thank you.

DIXIE :   Thank you.

BERT :    No, don't get up, now for something with a little life in it.
"Roll out the barrel
We'll have a barrel of fun ......"

DIXIE :   I just don't feel up to it, Bert.

BERT:    Ah, go on.  Just one, be a sport.

RUTH:   He said no.

BERT:    Mind your own business.

RUTH:   It is my business.

ABBIE:   Not today, you two.

BERT:    Shut up.  This is my house ! I decide what we sing.
PUTS MUSIC IN FRONT OF HIM.
"In the shade of the old apple tree
When you first told of your love for me ....."
Gawd, that always makes me cry.
Go on, start.  Can't quite get the words.  Go on !
Play it, damn you !

DIXIE :   No, I won't ! Push off !

BERT:    Who do you think you're talking to, you Abo bastard !

JEAN:    Charming !

RUTH:   You pathetic bully !

BERT:    This is my house.  Get out !

DIXIE:    I'm going.

RUTH :  No, Nanna, don't let him do it ! Don't you touch him !

ABBIE:   You better go, for the sake of peace and quiet, you know.

DIXIE :   Yeah, I know.

BERT:    And don't come back.  Have some respect for the dead !
DIXIE LEAVES.  RUTH LOOKS UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHETHER TO FOLLOW HIM.

RUTH :  Why don't you have some respect for the living !
BERT GOES TO HIT HER.  ABBIE RESTRAINS HIM.

JEAN :   Jesus Mary ! Just like old times !
RUTH GOES TO HER ROOM CRYING.'   
JEAN GOES TO HER DOOR AND KNOCKS LIGHTLY.
Heh, baby, don't be like that ! It's been a helluva day all round.  Can I come in ?
She's pushed something against it.  Damn !
Let me in.
SHE PUSHED HARD, AND MANAGES TO GET THE DOOR OPEN.  SHE ENTERS AND SHUTS THE DOOR.
BERT AND ABBIE SIT IN SILENCE FOR A WHILE.

BERT:    Sorry.  Ab, about the funeral.

ABBIE:   It's alright. 
HE TRIES TO KISS HER.
Had breakfast ?

BERT:    No.

ABBIE:   Sit down, I'll get you some eggs and bacon.

BERT:     You little beauty ! Abbie !
TRIES TO KISS HER AGAIN.

ABBIE:   Not now, Bert.  Have a bit of Jean's whisky.  It'll settle your nerves.

BERT:    Yeah, I've had a hard day.  I'm the only one left now.  The only one.  Don't understand it, Ab, can't work it out, why God's given me such a rough trot.  What did I do to deserve it, now I ask you, what did I ever do ?
SITS AT THE TABLE WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS.

              E N D  S C E NE

              ACT TWO, SCENE TWO.

              LATER THAT DAY - ABBIE AND JEAN STUCK INTO A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY.

JEAN:    It's hard to keep in touch with the other war brides, but we have a reunion every now and then.

ABBIE:   Yer gotta hand it to the Yanks.  Churchill woulda let the Japs take over without turning the hair.  He's got squinny eyes, too.  Never trust a man with squinny eyes.

JEAN:    Greatest damned country on earth.  Got me citizenship - dinky-di Yank I am.

RUTH:   Isn't that something of a contradiction in terms ?

JEAN:    Wha's 'at supposed to mean ? Some sort of smart-assed comment or something.

RUTH:   Have you been to New York ?

JEAN:    Why in hell would I wanna go there ? Got some good bars, but hell, - they got those everywhere.  I been to San Francisco and LA and San Diego. 
"I left my heart in San Francisco
Above the high ....."
God, I love that song.
You can come visit any time you like.  Chuck gets a little - awkward - now and then, but then what man doesn't ?

RUTH:   What do you mean - "awkward"

JEAN:    Well , once that son of a gun halls off and socks me one and do you know he broke m'damned jaw.  That was one hell of a punch.  Don't do it no more.   Can't catch me, ole broke down cowboy that he is.

RUTH:   Didn't you call the police?

JEAN:    The pol-ice ? Why'd I wanna do a thing like that ? Every man gives his wife a backhander oncet in a while, don't they, Aunti Ab ?

ABBIE:   Don't know why you put up with it.  You gotta job. 

JEAN:    Guess I love the guy.  And he sure was charming.   They're all charming, that's why they call 'em Yanks!
I got the kids and a mortage too.  It ain't that easy.  Anyway I don' wanna leave him.  He's okay most of the time.  You always said you gotta take the good with the bad, Auntie Ab.

RUTH:   It'll be years before I can save the money to get out of here.  How much is the fare ?

JEAN:    I dunno.  700 some dollars.

ABBIE:   You ought to get those selfish ideas out of your head.  That's enough for a down payment on a house.  You get out and get a job and settle down and stop those silly shennanikins.  If you want to go away - to East - or have a trip to Singapore like everyone else.

RUTH:   I don't want to go to Singapore.

ABBIE;   "I do' wanna go to Singapore".  Good enough for everyone else I know It's those schools that do it.  Puttin' high-falutin' ideas into girls' heads.  Now Jean, I could understand - she had a terrible home life, but you got no excuse.  Just selfishness.  Anyway, it hasn't all been a bed of roses for you, Jean.

JEAN:    SINGS.  "They sent me someone else's roses
The flower they sent just wasn't meant for me"
Story of my life.

ABBIE:   Maybe you shoulda married a good dependable Australian boy.

JEAN:    Now there you have a contradiction in terms, girlie ! Yeah, maybe it hasn't all been smooth, but hell, I ain't been stuck here.  "The most isolated city of its size in the world".   Tried to get a reservation in Seattle and they only had the schedules for Sydney.  Had to insist that planes actually flew to Perth.   Then they reckoned there was only one a week.

              I was talkin' to one fella in Settle about the Korean War and I says "Well Australians fought in that danged war" and he said "That so ? Which side were they on ?" That's the truth, no lie.  That's what he said.  An everyone here acts like it's a little island tied off the coast of California.  American films, American potato chips, American music.  May as well join the union and be done with it.  Makes no difference.  This place is Smallsville, always has been always will be. 

ABBIE:   That's how we like it, don't we Ruth ?

RUTH:   Don't know, can't compare it with anything.  Where's Dixie ? I think we should look for him.

JEAN :   Hell, maybe he's gone to Meekatharra- in his car.

RUTH :  That's not funny.  He was really hurt.

JEAN :   If that's the worst hurt he's struck in life, he's had it easy, girl.

RUTH :  How can you say that ?

ABBIE :  You take everything too serious.  He'll be back.  Youwere talking about America, Jean, about the pictures and everything.  Wish I could see it , to know what it's really like.

JEAN:    Well, hell, I'll send you some picture postcards.  You'all like getting my letters and cards, don't you.

RUTH:   Yeah, always start "I hope you are well".

JEAN :   Say what ?

ABBIE:   Well,when all's said and done, this is where I live and this is how I like it.

JEAN:    Hell, Auntie Ab, you haven't always felt that way.  You were always talking about leaving when I was a kid.  What happened ?

ABBIE:   I woulda gone up the hill to Mary's or over to  Pearl's.  Not to America.   I've always been a good girl, anyway.  You got married, you stay married.  Marriages are made in Heaven.

JEAN:    Even marriage to Bert?

ABBIE:   Don't talk that way, Jean.  It's family.

JEAN|:  Family ! You're my family and that's it., Ruthie here - she can be family if she likes.  Come visit anytime.  I'm at the age when I can choose my family.  Bert ain't in it.  What did he ever do for me ?

ABBIE:   We all went through a lot together, Jeannie, in the Depression.

JEAN:    What's wrong with you ? That bastard never supported you.  He beat you.  He's disappeared for days at a time.  And you want me to say "Why howdy, Uncle Bert, how the hell are ya ? Let's talk about old times.  "
 The trouble with him, he ain't got no class.  Can't stand a person with no class.  He don't know how to treat people right.

ABBIE:   You haven't done much better than me, Jean.

JEAN:    Least I can hate.  Least that's honest.

ABBIE:   Maybe, but I think it's chewing up your insides.  Why do you have to drink so much ? Surely you saw enough of that when you were a kid. 

JEAN:    That's my damn business. 

ABBIE :  Watch your language !

JEAN :   I work every day down to the store - been there ten years. 

ABBIE:   So does Bert.  Never misses a day.  Can't understand why he never gets sick.

RUTH:   He's pickled, that's why - no germ could live in that body.

JEAN:    I brought up my kids right.  I obey the law.  I love America.  Still say my rosary. 

ABBIE:   So does Bert.

RUTH:   I tried to get him to join the Methodists with me.

JEAN:    You're kidding.

ABBIE:   She's not - she goes into the room when he's got a hangover and reads the Bible to him - drives him half nuts.

JEAN:    Baby, you don't cure a Catholic of drinking .  Guilt and drinking - they go hand in glove.  Jeez - must tell Chuck that one - he'll bust his gut !

ABBIE:   Don't be so bitter love - you got your whole life ahead of you.

              DIXIE PASSES WINDOW

JEAN:    Oops, here comes General Patton now.  Come right in, soldier, your country needs you.

RUTH:   Oh no, why did he have to go and do that ? He promised !

              DIXIE' S VOICE IS HEARD, SHOUTING CAREFULLY ARTICULATED ABUSE.

              You filthy swine - all, all filthy swine ! Ah, what a falling off was there ! Bastards ! Bloody rotten bastards, that what you all are !
CONTINUES MUTTERING
RUTH GOES TO LOOK

RUTH:   He's really drunk - can't stand up straight - and he's talking to the clothes prop.  It's Bert's fault.  I hate him.

ABBIE:   Sit down love.  Act like nothing's happening and he'll go away.

RUTH:   He's coming in,.

ABBIE:   Sit down !

              ENTER DIXIE

DIXIE:    Precisely - madam - precisely - what do you expect of me ?

ABBIE:   Get out, you're drunk.

JEAN:    Can't think how you figured that out, Ab.

DIXIE:    I am, indeed, madam - but I am a gen'leman - always the gen'leman.  Bloody bastards !

RUTH:   How could you ? How could you ?

DIXIE:    In vino veritas.

JEAN:    Bullshit.

ABBIE:   No language in this house ! Get out !

DIXIE:    I wish to say goodbye to the lady - and the doll.  Oh the doll !

JEAN:    That's my story, sucker, don't lay your foul tongue to it or I'll rip it out.

DIXIE:    I was - I wasn't - I was trying to say that it was without doubt ...

ABBIE:   Get out, Dixie - that's three times !

              SHE PULLS THE RUG FROM UNDER HIM AND HE FALLS HEAVILY AND DOES NOT GET UP.

RUTH:   Oh, you've really hurt him.

JEAN:    He's out cold.

ABBIE:   Now, get out ! One drunk's enough around here.

DIXIE:    Madam, may I offer my 'umble 'aplogies.  I'm perfickly cap'ble....
JEAN AND RUTH HELP HIM
Oh the horror, the pain.

JEAN:    You'll know all about pain in the morning.

DIXIE:    Tha's not what I mean.  You been there, haven't you ? Doesn't matter when it happens - in a trench with flak all round, or being hunted like dogs - and shot - and burnt - you see the doll's face, I smell human flesh and kerosene - doesn't matter the terror's the same.  You know.

JEAN:    What're you talking about ? Dunno what ...

DIXIE:    You know.  You been there - to the edge of hell ....

JEAN HESITATES AND THEN BURSTS OUT :
Gawd almighty, do I have to put up with this garbage ? Move it, soldier - quick march ! Get a hold of him, Ruth.  Damn, he's hard to budge.

              THEY TAKE HIM TO THE BACK DOOR AND PUSH HIM OUT.  JEAN POURS A DRINK AS RUTH WATCHES.

RUTH:   He's just there lying on the grass.

JEAN:    Let him sleep there.  Good a place as any.

RUTH:   What about his lungs ?

ABBIE:   Mind your own business ! As if one drunk isn't enough around the place ! He's out in the morning, ten bob or no ten bob.  That's it.

RUTH:   I'm going to put a rug over him.

JIM'S VOICE:  "She 's only a bird in a gilded cage,
   A beautiful sight to see "

ABBIE:   Shut up that racket ! The other one'll be home soon and then we'll have what-for.

ENTER RUTH

RUTH:   He's going to die !

ABBIE:   Rubbish

RUTH:   He is.  He's got to go to the hospital.

ABBIE:   He doesn't want to.  Her hates those dingy wards.  Once he's sober, we'll fix him, don't worry.  Then he can buzz off to Meekatharra.  I'm not having another drinker on my hands.  He's done his dash.

RUTH:   I don't want him to die.

ABBIE:   Stop wailing !

ENTER BERT
What the hell's going on ?

JEAN:    Everyone's got to die.

RUTH:   No !

ABBIE:   You cut it out ! He'll hear you.  Anyway, he's not your father or anything.  I don't see what the song and dance is about.  It's very bold, the way you go on about him.

BERT:    Will someone please tell me ...

JEAN:    She's talking about Dixie.

RUTH:   I love him.

JEAN:    Now I've heard everying !

ABBIE:   You do not ! Don't be silly.  Act your age ! He's a friend and we'll look after him, but I don't want to hear anymore of this love nonsense.  Wipe your face !

BERT:    What would you know about love at your age ?

RUTH:   A lot more than you !

ABBIE:   That's enough !

JEAN:    Give her a whisky.

RUTH:   That's your answer for everything, isn't it ? Call a doctor.

BERT:    Get this through your thick skull.  There's no point.  His lungs are finished.

RUTH:   I wish it were you instead.

              BERT TRIES TO HIT HER, IS RESTRAINED BY JEAN

JEAN:    Christ Almighty !

              RUTH RUNS OUT THE BACK DOOR

BERT:    Did you hear what she said to me ? That's it.  Either she goes or I go.

ABBIE:   She's just being dramatic.  It'll pass.  Go and have a wash, Bert, and I'll get you something to eat.

BERT:    That's it, I said.  I'm not standing for any more.

ABBIE:   Yes, I heard you.  SHEPHERDS HIM OUT TO WASH HOUSE.  She'll get her head stuck into a book and forget everything.  Can't distract her, you know.
JEAN LOOKS OUT AT THE AUDIENCE IN DESPAIR AS BERT AND ABBIE'S VOICES ARE HEARD IN THE WASH-HOUSE.

BERT:    I said I won't stand for any more.

ABBIE :  Now you have a nice wash and get some of that grease off.  Where's all the grease come from ? Fiddling with the bike chain again.  The Solvol's on the sink.
Once I was hoovering right next to her and do you know she didn't even look up.  She just went straight on reading.  'Course she was doing the Leaving at the time, so we had to make allowances.  Terrible strain it was, ...  And this University stunt - don't know about that either.  All that study - must clog up the brain, you know.  Might go right off the deep end.  She'd better bring Dixie down here.  It's warmer.

              SHE GOES ON TALKING AS LIGHTS AND HER VOICE FADES.

              ACT TWO, SCENE THREE.

LATER THAT DAY.  JEAN AND RUTH ARE HELPING DIXIE INTO THE HOUSE AND ONTO THE COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM.  HE HAS SOBERED UP BUT LOOKS VERY ILL.  THEY WALK PASSED BERT AND ABBIE WHO ARE FINISHING TEA AND SANDWICHES.

JEAN:    Lay him on the couch. 

BERT :    Yeah, put him on the lounge.  I don't mind.

DIXIE :   Sorry about this morning, Mrs.  B.

ABBIE :  Water under the bridge . 

              THEY SETTLE HIM ON THE COUCH.  ABBIE AND BERT CONTINUE WITH ACTIVITIES IN THE KITCHEN, ABBIE CLEANING UP, BERT SHARPENING THE RAZOR ON THE STRAP, CLEANING HIS BOOTS, UNINTERESTED IN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE OTHER ROOM.

JEAN :   That camp sure aint the Ritz.  No wonder you got pneumonia.

DIXIE:    It's a roof over my head.

JEAN:    It's a dump.  Ya shoulda put some roots down when you were young, had a family, coupla kids.  Never knew no-one who had but one suitcase.  'Cept a beatnik.  We got a few of them stateside.  Comm-u-nists.  Think the world owes them a living.

RUTH:   Dixie's always worked for a living.

JEAN:    The Communists I mean, not Dixie.  Dixie's OK.  Thought I would crack up when you started playing that hymn.  Now you take care, old fella.

DIXIE:    You too.

JEAN:    Seen a lotta miles and that's the truth.  Got a few more in me.  Never seem to get far away from here.  Funny thing, that.  Every damned night I dream about this god-forsaken hole - my momma and the doll and old Wing.  Funny old Chinaman.  Used to pretend to get a thrippence from behind my ear and give it to me, like magic, you know.  Reckon he might of loved me.  Pitiful, ain't it, the little kindnesses you remember, that keep you going.  Won't be coming back again.  Reckon this is goodbye.  You all will have to come see me.  Whaddaya say, old fella ? Gonna come and visit me stateside ?

DIXIE:    Think I'll give it a miss, Jean.

RUTH:   You sad about your mum ?

JEAN LIGHTS A CIGARETTE : I hope she rots in hell.

              EXIT TO KITCHEN

RUTH:   She doesn't really, does she ?

DIXIE:    No, I don't think so.  But she's bitter .  No percentage in that, Ruth.  It makes you old before your time.

RUTH:   Want me to read you a poem before you go to sleep ?

DIXIE:    I'm going tomorrow, Ruth.

RUTH:   Going where ?

DIXIE:    Up the northwest.  Back to my people.  Up to Meeka.

RUTH:   You can't.  Nanna won't let you.

DIXIE:    Just bring the car up the lane and help me into it.

RUTH:   You won't be able to drive a straight line.  You don't even know how to change gears.

DIXIE:    I can do it - it's not much to ask.

RUTH:   You won't come back, will you ?

DIXIE:    No.

RUTH:   We haven't had a chance to talk ....

DIXIE:    Hey - we know where we stand.  I'm not much good with words.  Better when I can put pen to paper.

RUTH:   Me too.  Will you write when you get there, like you used to ?

DIXIE:    Sure thing.

RUTH:   Want me to read to you ?

DIXIE:    Love it.
                    
RUTH:   This is e.e.  cummings.  We're doing him at the moment.       "What if a much of a which of a wind
gives the truth to summer's lie
curries with dizzying clouds the sun
and casts immortal stars awry ....."

DIXIE:    Don't go much on that.

RUTH:   I like him.

DIXIE:    Not Aussie, is he ?

RUTH:   American.

DIXIE:    Yeah, well , there you go.  Let me get some sleep.  Got a long way to go tomorrow.

RUTH:   I'll wait till you're asleep.

DIXIE:    Sing "It's a lovely day tomorrow".

RUTH:   That makes me cry.

DIXIE:    Go on, I like it.  Reminds me of the war.

RUTH:   "It's a lovely day tomorrow,
Tomorrow is a lovely day.
Come and feast your tear - dimmed eyes
On tomorrow's clear blue skies
But if today your heart is weary
and every little thing seems grey
Just forget your troubles and lear to say
Tomorrow is a lovely day."

              SHE SITS WITH HIM AS ABBIE AND JEAN TALK IN THE KITCHEN.

ABBIE:   She's getting herself all upset about him.  It's silly.  It's time she acted her age.

JEAN:    Damn, Auntie Ab, I don't see nothin' wrong with it.

ABBIE:   He's going to die and she'll be upset.  He should be in a hospital.  I'll call the doctor in the morning - he'll put him in.  We can't go on like this, day in, day out.

JEAN:    Ah, leave him be.  He'd hate it in the hospital.

BERT:    I'm sick of this.  Dixie! Dixie! Dixie!  I'm going down the corner.  Maybe a man can get a bit of intelligent conversation there.

              RUTH SCREAMS AND RUNS IN AS DIXIE FALLS.

RUTH:   He's dead.  I held his hand and there wasn't a pulse.  Then I shook him and he fell on the floor.  He's dead.  No ! No !

JEAN:    Jesus ! Call an ambulance !

ABBIE:   No phone.  Come on, love, settle down.

RUTH:   He's dead, I said.  Didn't you hear me ?

JEAN (TO BERT)  Go call an ambulance.

BERT:    Ambulance ? What ?

JEAN:    Oh, hell, I'll go.  You help Abbie get him back to bed.

BERT:    Me ? I can't stand sickness.

JEAN:    Listen, asshole.  Get your shit together and get him back on that couch or I'll kick you where the sun don't shine.
SHE GRABS HIM.  HE COWERS.
Get in there.  Do one decent thing in your pitiful life !

BERT:    I can't.

ABBIE:   There's a phone next door, Jean.  You go.  Come on, Ruth.

              THEY GO TO LOUNGE TO PUT DIXIE TO BED.  JEAN RUNS OUT.  BERT WANDERS AROUND AIMLESSLY.

BERT:    I can't .  I'm no good around sickness.  It's not fair to expect me to.
HE LOOKS FOR THE BOTTLE, CANNOT FIND IT, BECOMES FRANTIC. 
She's always hiding things from me.  At a time like this ! He's not part of the family.  What should I ? If he was part of the family ....  Everyone up and dies on me.  I wish  it was back to old times, when everything ran smoothly.  Me nerves are shot now with all this going on. 
JEAN COMES BACK
It's all very well for you.  He's not part of the family.  I don't know why everyone's running around like chooks with their heads cut off.  Everyone's got to go sooner or later.

JEAN:    Even you, you worm.

BERT:    Don't you speak to me like that in ....
RAISES HIS FIST.

JEAN:    "in my own house." Yes, we all know it's your bloody house.  I don't give a shit if it's the Taj Mahal.  Come near me and I'll bust your ugly nose.

BERT:    No respect.  That's what's wrong.  No-one's got any respect.

              ABBIE AND RUTH COME INTO THE KITCHEN.

RUTH:   He didn't get there.

ABBIE:   Doesn't matter now.  He thought he was going, that's the main thing.
TO JEAN
Thanks love, you got a steel backbone, like me.  It's in the female line.  The blokes are no-hopers.  Write-offs.  Men.  They're all the same.

BERT:    Could do with a cup of tea.  Anyone feel like making it ?
NOONE TAKES ANY NOTICE SO HE MAKES IT HIMSELF.

RUTH:   He wanted to go back to Meekatharra.  It's not fair.

ABBIE:   Well, life isn't fair.  No-one said it would be fair, did they, Jean?

JEAN:    Sh !

              THEY SIT IN SILENCE.  KNOCK AT THE DOOR

JEAN:    There's the ambulance.   I'll see if he has any ID or anything.
ABBIE GOES TO THE DOOR WHILE JEAN RUMMAGES THROUGH DIXIE'S POCKETS.  THE MEN ENTER WITH A STRETCHER.  THERE IS MURMURING BETWEEN JEAN AND THE MEN.
RUTH WATCHES .

RUTH :  They're not going to take him now, are they ?

ABBIE :  Well of course they are,dear.

RUTH :  Not now, Nan , not now, it's too soon.  Don't let them.
ABBIE HOLDS HER AS SHE SOBS.  THE MEN CARRY HIM OUT AND TAKE DETAILS FROM JEAN.

JEAN :   Someone will be back to interview you - police or something.
TO RUTH This is for you.  It was on the floor.

              RUTH SLOWLY OPENS IT, STARTS TO CRY.

BERT:    What is it ?
What is it ? Is everyone deaf ?

ABBIE:   Can't you see she's upset ?

JEAN:    Belt up !

BERT:    Now you listen .......

JEAN:    Ah, shut up, ape-man, your fighting days are over.  Try acting like a human being, if you can remember how.

RUTH:   It's his will.  He left everything to me.
BERT LAUGHS AND CHOKES ON HIS TEA.

BERT:    What's he got ? A suitcase full of books ?

              JEAN TAKES THE WILL

JEAN:    Actually, it looks like he's got l000 pounds.  Cash.  In the bank.  Who woulda thought ?

BERT:    l000 quid.  We're rich !

ABBIE:   He earned good money.  Up north.

JEAN (TO BERT)  He left it to Ruth, remember ?

RUTH:   Where did they take him ?

JEAN:    To the morgue, honey, that's where they all go.

RUTH:   It's cold there.  He hated the cold.  He wanted to be buried up north.

ABBIE:   He'll be buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery, same as everyone else.

RUTH:   He wanted to go back to Meekatharra.  To his people he said.  Who are his people ?

ABBIE :  Don't know.  Think he might have a brother or a sister up there.

JEAN:    Well, it's too late now.

RUTH:   He could be buried there.

ABBIE:   Don't be silly, darling, think of the expense.

              RUTH TAKES THE WILL AND GOES TO THE CAMP

BERT:    She wouldn't.  Bloody waste of money !

JEAN:    None of your damned business !

BERT:    Bloody waste !
RUTH COME BACK, CARRYING DIXIE'S SUITCASE, ? CARRYING THE CAR KEYS AS WELL, KISSES ABBIE AND JEAN AND WALKS OUT.
Bloody cheek ! Where do you think you're going ? Come back and say goodbye properly ! Where do you think you're going with that suitcase ? Meeka-bloody-tharra ?

RUTH:   No, Dixie's going to Meekatharra.  I'm going to America !
EXIT

BERT:    What did she just say ?

ABBIE:   She said she's going to America.

BERT:    Tell her to come back

JEAN:    Ah, leave her be.

BERT:    She'll be back.

JEAN:    Maybe so.

BERT:    The cheek of her ! Who does she think she is ? At a time like this.  No respect.

ABBIE:   Everything's happening too fast.  Everyone's leaving.  I'm scared, Jeannie.  Don't go, Jeannie.  Stay a while with me.

JEAN;    Sorry Aunt Ab, can't be done.

BERT:    You better stay - she's scared.

JEAN:    You're the one who's terrified around here, old man.  You'll have no-one push around and won't you be lonely ?
TO ABBIE;
Don't cry.  We all survived didn't we ? We got through.  Still giving 'em hell ! Sockin' it right to 'em.
"Pick yourself up
Dust yourself off
Start all over again."
Me  stay and care for you two ? Hell, I can't half take care of myself, sorry mess that I am.  Still ya gotta make out that you're doin' it, don't ya ? Think I'll get some shut eye.  What a helluva day !

              EXITS.   ABBIE STARTS TO CRY

ABBIE:   It isn't right Bert.  Get her back ! Family's all you got in this world.

BERT:    Don't start that.  She doesn't mean it.  And Ruthie'll be back tomorrow or the next day.

ABBIE:   Ah well, tomorrow's another day.  Better go and clean up  the camp.  That Dixie.  He was a good bloke.  I'm going to miss him.

BERT:    Yeah.
ABBIE GET OUT A BROOM AND MOP AND GOES TO THE CAMP. BERT REALISES HE IS ALONE.
Hey Ab, wait a moment.  I'll come and give you a hand. 
HE STUMBLES.
Heh ! Wait for me !

RADIO PLAYS "A POCKET FULL OF DREAMS'

T H E    E N D

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New: 14 September, 2022 | Now: 14 September, 2022