All language subtitles for m.b.j.2001.s01e02.1080p.hdtv.h264-cbfm_track4_[eng]

Previously on My Brother Jack...

Vimy Ridge.
In France, at Vimy Ridge.

I saw men drowning in mud...

..and they were glad of it.

Minnie!

Where are you?!

Get back here now!

(GRUNTS)

Alright, Pop,
that was your last hurrah.

Alright, Pop,
Show us what you're made of.

Show us what you're made of.

(GRUNTS)
Show us what you're made of.

(GRUNTS)
Oh!

Yeah, I know.
I want to be a writer.

In fact, one day,
I mean to write a novel.

In fact, one day,
Will you put me in it?

Will you put me in it?

You write well, young man.
Will you put me in it?

You write well, young man.
You write very well.

You get that blasted contraption
out of this house, boy.

Darling heart,
did we order a drowned rat?

I've walked out of home.

Well, you'd better be ready
to betray

Well, you'd better be ready
everything you're comfortable with.

everything you're comfortable with.

Everything you believe in.

What I really want to know is,

what in God's name's
wrong with you?

Can't you bear to see anybody else
have even a moment's happiness?

This is Mr David Meredith.

He'll be joining your ranks
as of this morning.

Don't try to be funny.
I only see jokes by appointment.

Well, you tell them bunch
of chinless wonders

that you're tougher, smarter,
quicker than any of them.

that you're tougher, smarter,
Yeah, I know, Jack.

Yeah, I know, Jack.

Well, that's good.
I'm glad to hear it.

I won't have to beat the
living daylights out of you, then.

(DRUMMER PLAYS)

(BAGPIPES PLAY)

Let's get some faces.

There's Grandpa.

Anzac Day.

My first front-page story.

To this day, I can smell
eucalyptus and tea urns

and beer and tobacco smoke
at battalion reunions.

I can hear thousands of voices
singing Kipling's Recessional

and see the schoolchildren
with their little square flags,

chanting.

"On the 25th of April,
far across the sea,

"our brave Australian soldiers
stormed Gallipoli."

This one here.

Closer.

It was always, for me,
a day of mixed feelings,
Closer.

It was always, for me,
a day of mixed feelings,

but whatever I felt
had to be buried

in the required chauvinisms
of the story.

Good work.
of the story.

Good work.

The Morning Post
was no place for ambiguities.

The Morning Post
was no place for ambiguities.
It required one thing only -

It required one thing only -

a hymn to undiluted national pride.

You might like to see this,
Mr Meredith.

I've got a by-line!

"We fight because it is
a rite of passage,

"as necessary as the first
knuckle in the playground,

"the passage into manhood."

By-lines are earnt, Mr Meredith.

Sadly, not often enough.

"As the service finished,

"a white pigeon fluttered past
the shrine, across the dark sky,

"a white pigeon fluttered past
"and into the coming dawn."

"and into the coming dawn."

Inspired touch.

Alright, so it was grey.

But there was a pigeon.
Of course there was a pigeon.

The city's full
of the bloody things.

You do realise, old cock,
that, uh, traditionally

the Anzac March
is covered by yours truly?

Well, I didn't ask for it.
And everyone hates you anyway, huh?

Don't listen to the tosspots
in the reporters' room.

They're the sort of people who think
that syntax is a Roman ruin.

Your trouble is,
you take too much notice.

My trouble is, I'm the second son
of a tram driver.

My trouble is, I'm the second son
Always have been, always will be.

Always have been, always will be.

And they can't stand it.

So there I was -

David Meredith, newspaper reporter.

I was somebody.

And it was then that I rediscovered

a girl I'd met fleetingly,
years before.

Someone I remembered far better
than I ever let on.

Can I help you?

I don't believe it. David Meredith.

Oh, it's...it's Helen.
Helen Midgeley.

Oh, it's...it's Helen.
Remember?

Remember?

Oh, yes! Yes. Of course.

How are you?
Good.

This is uncanny. I saw your name
in the paper just the other day.

You did what you said -
you became a writer.

You did what you said -
And you were gonna be a...designer.

And you were gonna be a...designer.

Well, there's a little thing
called a depression.

Didn't you notice?

Look, I'm just about to close up.

Why don't you stay for a beer?

Or a cup of tea.

Thanks.

You know, I'd kill for your job -

to be able to do something
about things.

Writing isn't exactly
doing something.

Yes, but the whole world
is in trouble and nobody cares.

Just look at what's happening
in Europe - Hitler and Mussolini.

Makes me sick, it really does.

Mm.

Have you read Marx?

Oh, you know, I've dipped
in and out.

Oh, you know, I've dipped
You should, you know.

You should, you know.

It's important for your work.

Here.

Can I ask you something?

Mm.

What perfume are you wearing?

It's Lentheric.

Does that mean you like it?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

John Reed -
Ten Days That Shook The World.

John Reed -
Oh!

Oh!

Must be a weighty subject.
(LAUGHS)

So, will...

..will you be alright to get home?

Aren't you well brought up?

Well, goodnight, then.

Thanks for the tea.

'Night.

The new, bright, shiny David Meredith

knew far less about the world
The new, bright, shiny David Meredith

knew far less about the world
than he pretended.

In truth, I was only just
keeping my head above

the terrible din
and dissonance of the times.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Often, in those months,
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Often, in those months,
I would be sent to Port Melbourne

to interview the arrivals
from Europe.

to interview the arrivals
MAN: Seems to be the correct amount.

MAN: Seems to be the correct amount.

Those freezing mornings
taught me something.

MAN: ..ladies, thank you.

It was one thing
to read about suffering.

It was one thing
Next!

Next!

It was quite another
to see it at first hand.

Excuse me. I'm a reporter
from the Morning Post.

May I speak with you?
Oh... No.

You won't get into trouble.
I promise. I promise.

Hello. My name's David.

I had a teddy like that.

Have you got a name
I had a teddy like that.

Have you got a name
for this little fella?

Have you got a name
(SHOUTS IN YIDDISH)

(SHOUTS IN YIDDISH)

What?
Oh, I'm sorry.

She has these cigarette burns
all over her body.

She has these cigarette burns
from the Brownshirts.

from the Brownshirts.

I'm sorry.

MAN: Over here.
Hold them! Hold them!

No! No! No! No!
(WOMAN CRIES OUT)

No! No!
(CRIES OUT)

No!

What's going on?

WOMAN: They will be
put back on the ship.

Your country doesn't want the Jews.

Just their money.

Will you put THAT in your newspaper?

Lunching, dear boy?
No. Thank you.

Lunching, dear boy?
Copy boy!

Copy boy!

You were sent to Port Melbourne
to write a news story.

How long is a news story?
300 words.

What is its form, style and tone?

Objective, restrained, informative
and within the house style.

Have you heard how many Jews
are allowed on each boat?

They're being tortured
and put to death,

we're only prepared
to take six at a time.

This is a man parading his
conscience in the hope of applause.

This is a man parading his
This is an editorial.

This is an editorial.

When you are the editor
of this newspaper,

I will await your pronouncements
with breathless awe.

Until then, I'm not interested
in the opinions of David Meredith.

Now, get out of here
and bring me a news story.

300 words.

(THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE)

(EXHALES)

Goodness, you'll drink me dry.
That's your third.

Dutch courage.

What for?

# That old feeling... #

I've been reading a bit of Lenin.

Oh? Which one?

State And Revolution
or What Is To Be Done?

Uh, the first one.

It's...it's riveting.

Two weeks of scrupulous politeness
and meaningful glances

and I still hadn't moved
past the Russian Revolution.

# That old yearning

# And I knew the spark of love... #

I...

..should go.

My reaction was ludicrous.

I was overcome
by embarrassment and fright.

So where was he then,
the new David Meredith,

so cool, so cocksure,

when I needed him?

(LAUGHS)

Jeez, Mum! That'd fit me!
(LAUGHS)

Jeez, Mum! That'd fit me!
(LAUGHS)

Jeez, Mum! That'd fit me!
That you, Davy?

That you, Davy?

Had a bath, Nipper?

Mum thinks Sheila's having Bigfoot.

You can knit
the christening robe yourself

if you think
that you can do it better.

Go on, congratulate Davy
on his big story.

Oh, I went clean out of me head,

then blow me down
if Sheila doesn't come home

with a bit of flathead
wrapped in it!

(TUTS) Oh!
A bit on the bugle by then, son.

Don't listen to him, Davy.
We bought three copies.

Yeah, you and your big fancy words -
had your poor mother

sitting with a damn dictionary
on her knee all night.

sitting with a damn dictionary
There's no pleasing some people.

There's no pleasing some people.

You ought to be grateful. He made
There's no pleasing some people.

You ought to be grateful. He made
you diggers look like Hercules.

That'd be right. He's just showing
off, that's what he's doing.

Jack says he hasn't
seen much of you lately.

Yeah, well, you know. Work.

Davy Meredith,

you look me in the eye and you
tell me you haven't met someone.

you look me in the eye and you
(SNORTS) I haven't met someone.

(SNORTS) I haven't met someone.

Are you sure?
(SNORTS) I haven't met someone.

Are you sure?
I haven't met someone.

Are you sure?
Really?

Really?

Really?
I haven't.

Come on. Come on, Davy,
you can tell me.

No-one who...

..who's ever gonna
speak to me again, anyway.

..who's ever gonna
Mother of God.

Mother of God.

You're starting to whinge
just like your old man.

Who's giving you curry, Nipper?

If it's your boss, take him on.

You're as good as any of 'em.

Don't, Jack. You wouldn't understand.
You're as good as any of 'em.

Don't, Jack. You wouldn't understand.
Oh, wouldn't I?

Well, I'll tell you
one thing for free.

If you keep lying down,
they'll keep firing at you!

Show a bit of
the Meredith gumption, man!

I said don't!
(CHUCKLES)

I said don't!
Yeah, that's more like it.

Yeah, that's more like it.

Now, if it's a sheila
giving you the runaround,

I've got one bit of advice for you.
Yeah, I know, I know.

Walk, don't run.
(LAUGHS)

Walk, don't run.
Is that what he told you?

Is that what he told you?

How about trying out some of
your own advice, eh, big fella?

How about trying out some of
Huh?

Huh?

It'll come, Davy.

Just keep your chin shaved and
your daks washed, and it'll come.

Oh, and ignore Dad
about the big words -

they're a hell of a leg-opener.

(GIGGLES)

MAN: That's enough reading
for a fortnight.

MAN: That's enough reading
Well, goodnight, Mr Cunningham.

Well, goodnight, Mr Cunningham.

Give my best to Marcy.

Would you like to come in?

Some music might help.

(RADIO STATIC SWIRLS)

(JAZZ SONG ENDS)

(SLOW JAZZ PLAYS)

Don't worry.
I'm just as nervous as you are.

Walk, don't run.
What?

Walk, don't run.
I said walk, don't run.

I said walk, don't run.

That's what they used to say
on the Somme.

Slow down, slow down.

Remember the Somme.

Yeah, but look what happened to them.

My mother died when I was nine.

Tuberculosis.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Was she like you?
(CHUCKLES) Oh, God, no.

She was round, and spongy,
and motherly...

..and I could never get my arms
all the way around her waist.

And she made scones for my father
practically every day of her life.

I'm nothing like her.

Why me?

You could have anyone.

So why me?

Just come back tomorrow night.

BREWSTER: "As Hitler talks
brave words to cheering crowds

BREWSTER: "As Hitler talks
"about what he calls 'Lebensraum',

"about what he calls 'Lebensraum',

"the stain spreads like bacilli
under a microscope.

"Today, I met a seven-year-old girl

"who had been used as an ashtray
by a mob of Nazi Brownshirts.

"who had been used as an ashtray
"When her father found her,

"When her father found her,

"she was dressed
only in a cotton singlet

"and her body
was studded with burns..."

I had, of course, written
Mr Condon's 300 words,

but what I didn't tell him was that
the complete version of the story

had managed to find its way
to the editor, Mr Brewster.

had managed to find its way
"Her crime? She is Jewish."

"Her crime? She is Jewish."

That, gentlemen, is the sort of
journalism I want in my newspaper.

Words that move people.

Writing that makes us
taste and smell and feel

Writing that makes us
as if we were there, gentlemen.

as if we were there, gentlemen.

Writing that shakes us
to our foundation.

And so began the rise and rise
of the second son of the tram driver.

Congratulations, Mr Meredith.

My dislike of you
has never been personal.

It is merely my view
that you do not have what it takes.

You think that
splashing pretty prose about

can substitute
for years of grinding slog,

that a few well-placed adjectives
can make up for the education

you clearly both lack and disdain.

No, it's not personal.

It's just that you represent
a decline in standards

and that your very presence
on this newspaper

brings disrepute
upon an institution that I love.

The pleasure's been all mine, sir.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Well, well, well.

Bad timing, old cock -
the red carpet's at the cleaners.

You know, on balance...

..I think it was
the "stain over Europe"

that clinched it.

Bloody fine piece.

You know, it says something
about your character.

You know, it says something
Like all the greats...

Like all the greats...

..you're prepared to ride to success
on the backs of the suffering.

..you're prepared to ride to success
Critical ingredient.

Critical ingredient.

I shall observe your progress
with great interest.

(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS)

Six months of almost nightly visits

and the Russian Revolution
was a distant memory.

Hello there, young man. Have we met?

Allow me to introduce myself.
Hm.

My name's David Meredith

and I'm a special writer
at the Morning Post.

and I'm a special writer
(LAUGHS) David!

(LAUGHS) David!

You've turned the couch around.
Uh-huh.

But...but anyone can look in here!

So? Let's put a thrill
But...but anyone can look in here!

So? Let's put a thrill
into their dull little lives.

Helen, I'm...I'm not having
our...our activities...

Helen, I'm...I'm not having
(CAR PASSES)

(CAR PASSES)

..perved on by every peeping Tom
(CAR PASSES)

..perved on by every peeping Tom
in the district.

..perved on by every peeping Tom
(CHUCKLES) Stick in the mud.

(CHUCKLES) Stick in the mud.

You sound like your father,
I'll bet.

You sound like your father,
No, if...if I was my father,

No, if...if I was my father,

I'd be chasing you around
No, if...if I was my father,

I'd be chasing you around
the backyard with a gun.

Well, they say all men grow up
to be versions of their fathers.

Well, they say all men grow up
Helen,

Helen,

I am nothing like my father.

Nothing.

I want what you want.

Do you, Davy?

Shouldn't I meet your father?
Oh, no, not today. He's busy.

I bought your mother a brooch.

I hope she wears brooches.

Listen, Helen, um...

I should warn you, Jack's
a bit of a rough diamond,

and, uh, well, Dad's
a pig-headed old so-and-so.

Mother doesn't take much interest
in things outside the house...

Mother doesn't take much interest
Davy.

Davy.

I'll love them.

I'm there with you.
I'll love them.

I'm there with you.
That's all that matters.

(MASHES KEYS)

I saw them all more clearly
that afternoon than I had for years.

I suppose I was instinctively
scrutinising them

for the faults and merits
that Helen might find.

Oh!
Mum, safe at last from the storm.

Happy birthday.
Thank you, Helen.

Pouring her scorned love
into the next generation.

And Dad like an old circus lion -

grown mangy and smelly,
And Dad like an old circus lion -

grown mangy and smelly,
with no appetite for his bones.

grown mangy and smelly,
(BOY CONTINUES MASHING PIANO KEYS)

(BOY CONTINUES MASHING PIANO KEYS)

I like it very much, Helen.

I hoped you'd like it.

I feel like I'm fresh from...

What's that street?

The Champs-Elysees.

# Mademoiselle from Armentieres

(JOINS IN) # Parlez-vous?

# Mademoiselle from Armentieres

We'll go soon.
# Parlez-vous? #

We'll go soon.
What do you think, Dad?

What do you think, Dad?

A bit of shush'd be nice,
What do you think, Dad?

A bit of shush'd be nice,
that's what I think.

A bit of shush'd be nice,
Hey. Hey there, Grandma's piano.

Hey. Hey there, Grandma's piano.

Boys! Come on, out.

Go on, out. You too.

Come on, out of there.

Aagh!
Go on.

Get out and stay out!
Aw! It's not fair!

Get out and stay out!
Have a sausage roll, Miss Midgeley.

Have a sausage roll, Miss Midgeley.

No. Thank you.

Honestly, I had a huge lunch.
I wasn't expecting such a feast.

Honestly, I had a huge lunch.
So, Jack,

So, Jack,

Sheila tells me you've taken
So, Jack,

Sheila tells me you've taken
an interest in the war in Spain.

Only 'cause of all them nitwits
running off over there.

Why do they want to go and fight
a bunch of Spaniards for?

Eh?

Perhaps they don't see it that way.

Oh, well, you tell me,
Miss Midgeley -

Oh, well, you tell me,
what other way is there to see it?

what other way is there to see it?

Go on, just one.

Jesus, Bert, give the lady a break.

You've fed her enough sausage rolls
to feed the Third blinkin' Army!

Why do we have to go over to Spain
and fight a war for, eh?

We've got a whole bloomin' raft
of things here to worry about.

Have you ever taken a walk
along one of them southside quays?

You seen the way
they treat them factory hands

down in them sweatshops
in Footscray?

I think what's happening
in Europe is appalling.

If we don't destroy fascism there,
it could very well destroy us.

That's all very well...
Oh, this is all way over my head!

We can hardly see our way clear
here. Let's make some room.

Yeah. Good idea.

SHEILA: Oh, no, no, Min,
you sit down.

We're supposed to be
spoiling YOU today, remember?

You feel like watering the horses?
Sure.

You serious about
this sheila of yours?

You serious about
Helen?

Helen?

Well, I'm probably gonna marry her,
if that's what you mean.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong,
Davy,

Well, correct me if I'm wrong,
but she's about the first girl

but she's about the first girl

you've had anything
but she's about the first girl

you've had anything
to do with, isn't she?

What's that got to do with you?

Nothing to do with me.
It's to do with you.

(GLASS SMASHES)
JEAN: Oh, look what you done now!

I'd hate to see you
make a mistake, that's all.

(INDISTINCT YELLING)
(BOY CRIES)

I don't know about you, Jack,
but I'm going back inside.

DAD: Oh, God spare me! Get
that mongrel of a boy out of there!

I don't think Helen will be killed
and eaten before tea.

I don't think Helen will be killed
Go on, get! Get outside!

Go on, get! Get outside!

Please, I don't want you
to be fussing about it.

Oh, I just want to get
this little bit.

Oh, I just want to get
It will be fine, really.

It will be fine, really.

Such a pretty dress.
(BOY CRIES IN BACKGROUND)

Such a pretty dress.
What's happened?

What's happened?

Oh, clumsy brat of ours spilt sweets
What's happened?

Oh, clumsy brat of ours spilt sweets
all over Miss Midgeley's best suit.

A thorough sponging before it dries,
that's all it needs.

Please, Mrs Meredith,
I can clean it when I get home.

Please, Mrs Meredith,
It won't even leave a mark.

It won't even leave a mark.

David, tell her not to worry.
It won't even leave a mark.

David, tell her not to worry.
Will you shut up in there?!

Jeanie, can you shut
your child up, please?

Why the devil do we have to
have the wretched kids

Why the devil do we have to
under our feet all day anyway?

under our feet all day anyway?

It's like...like living in
under our feet all day anyway?

It's like...like living in
a blasted sandpit.

JACK: Hey, what's a bit of
jelly and custard between friends?

JACK: Hey, what's a bit of
A mere trifle.

A mere trifle.

Do we have to have the children
swarming all over the place?

Uh, don't you remember, Davy?

It's Mum's birthday.
They're her grandchildren.

She likes having him around.
Don't you, Mum?

Can't someone keep an eye on them?

Please, David, it's not worth it.

It's not?

Or we're not?

Maybe Miss Midgeley
would be interested to hear

that when you were the same age
as this young fella

that when you were the same age
we had a party in this very room,

we had a party in this very room,

and you spluttered and you puked

all the way up the corridor
to the front door.

Helen's not interested in your
revolting stories, Jack,

Helen's not interested in your
and neither am I.

and neither am I.

You seem to have
and neither am I.

You seem to have
got it into your head

that you're pretty superior
sort of a person lately, Davy.

I don't know, maybe you are.

But you're still
part of this family,

these kids are a part
of this family,

these kids are a part
whether you like it like it or not.

whether you like it like it or not.

Oh, for heaven's sake,
will you stop fighting?!

Oh, for heaven's sake,
This is my birthday.

This is my birthday.

Who's fighting?

It's a happy family gathering,
isn't it?

Isn't it, Davy?

Ah...

As soon as you're ready, Sheil,

just get your things,
clean up the kids.

Argh! To hell with them all!

And so we got married.

The family somewhat nervously
And so we got married.

The family somewhat nervously
acquiesced.

Only Jack, his spirit
as just and generous as ever...

(JACK TAPS GLASS)
..hid his misgivings.

(JACK TAPS GLASS)
I'd like to propose a toast.

I'd like to propose a toast.

On behalf of the Meredith clan,

I want to congratulate
the family dark horse

for scoring himself
the prettiest missus there is...

GUESTS: Hear, hear.
Except mine, of course.

(LAUGHTER)

..and to welcome Helen.

She's done a bang-up job
of organising this auspicious event.

And it's good to have you, girl.
GUESTS: Hear, hear.

To Helen and Davy.

Good luck to all who sail on them.

ALL: Helen and David.

Helen had rescued me from Avalon.

We had rescued each other
from homes and families and lives

We had rescued each other
stunted by the sorrows of the past.

stunted by the sorrows of the past.

(MAN SPEAKS GREEK)

We stood together, reinvented,

intoxicated
on the thrilling brink of life.

Those first months, I remember,
were blissful.

And so continued the rise and rise
of the second son

into a new, modern,
sophisticated world

in which he knew he would cut
an ever more important figure.

Hey-hey-hey!

Look what Davo's got for Christmas!

See you tonight!

I don't believe it. Ginger Rogers!

What have you done with my wife?
I haven't stopped all day.

What have you done with my wife?
Mm!

Mm!

Close your eyes.

You mean I'm finally gonna
see my own study?

Are you sure, now?
I wouldn't want you to rush things.

Oh, it's taken me ages
to get it exactly right.

Oh, it's taken me ages
But now... Drum roll.

But now... Drum roll.

Drum roll.

Happy birthday.

In memory of Stunsail.

And my pride and joy,

what every self-respecting
senior journalist should have -

a bookshelf full of classics.

Not quite first editions,
but no-one will know.

Tolstoy.

(CHUCKLES)

Ibsen, no less.

Well, this is one very serious
senior journalist.

It's windscreens and hubcaps...
Oh, Wally, not the car story.

..that give the final touches
to a polishing job.

No, if they're not sparkling...
Oh, God.

..the whole vehicle
looks like nothing on Earth.

..the whole vehicle
Hors d'oeuvre, anyone?

Hors d'oeuvre, anyone?

You'll find that
with your MG, David.

You will take me for a spin
sometime?

Only if you're very good, Sandra.
Oh, never.

She never says that
about the Dodge, do you, darl?

No.
You have to admit it, Wally -

you've been outclassed
this time, old son.

you've been outclassed
Oh, I do, mate. I do.

Oh, I do, mate. I do.

Now, that polishing problem.

I can't think of
the name of it, but, um...

(LIVELY JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS)

No, darling. No. Come along.

Oh, Gavin. Can I tempt you?

Oh.

It's hard to choose, isn't it?

Thank you very much.

I must say, you've done fabulously
well, haven't you, Golden Boy?

I must say, you've done fabulously
This house. This wonderful spread.

This house. This wonderful spread.

Our gorgeous hostess.

These...these...

..prismatic pickled onions.

Why did it never occur to us
to dye our pickled onions?

Why did it never occur to us
Don't take any notice of him, Helen.

Don't take any notice of him, Helen.

I wish I could put on
something half as swish.

Maude Kirkwood over there thinks
that you're gonna be the next Chanel.

Oh! Approbation
from the social ledgers.

Oh, what did she say?
Let me think.

Uh, imagination, originality
and excellent taste.

You're fibbing.
Cross my heart.

You're fibbing.
Aw, Golden Boy and his princess.

Aw, Golden Boy and his princess.

Why do you call him Golden Boy?

Because he is the anointed one.

Mr Bernard Brewster,
who is, after all,

the editor-in-chief
of the Morning Post,

has chosen him.

He sees our Davy as...

..Oliver Twist,
David Copperfield, Pip.

We at the Post can trace
the tiny trail of gold dust

We at the Post can trace
he leaves behind him,

he leaves behind him,

sniff the smell of success...
(LAUGHS)

..sense the indefinable aura
of the coming man.

(GLENN MILLER'S 'IN THE MOOD' PLAYS)

I believe you owe me a dance, Peggy,

since it seems your husband
I believe you owe me a dance, Peggy,

since it seems your husband
has abandoned you.

Well, he was last seen
in vigorous debate with Helen

Well, he was last seen
about Czechoslovakia.

about Czechoslovakia.

I'd rescue her if I were you, Davy.

I doubt he's drawn breath
I'd rescue her if I were you, Davy.

I doubt he's drawn breath
for an hour.

We may respect him, admire him,

even be intrigued by a certain
fallibility in him, but...

..envy?

Nuh.

I'll tell you one thing
you should know, and never forget.

There is no guarantee in him.

There's no guarantee in him.

(MEN CHATTER INDISTINCTLY)

'Scuse me - just gotta get the
Davy Meredith VIP Chair in place.

Rest your load down there.

Sorry we didn't make it to your do.

Kathleen had gastro.

Could just see her spewin'
from A to B

Could just see her spewin'
all over Helen's good things.

all over Helen's good things.

How's Sheila?

She said to tell you to drop around.

And, uh, yeah, bring Helen, too.

You could've called, Jack,
told us you weren't coming.

She'd catered.
Yeah.

No, fair call.

Tell you the truth,
all them nobs you work with,

I didn't think
we'd really be missed.

Were we?

Yeah.

You were.

Yeah, nice try, Nipper.

Oh, look, mate,
this is where we belong.

Oh, look, mate,
You and me.

You and me.

And this is where you'll find me,
just the way I am now.

You get the idea.

These primulas are gorgeous!

I love the way you've arranged
These primulas are gorgeous!

I love the way you've arranged
all the colours.

I love the way you've arranged
Oh, good! There's David.

Oh, good! There's David.

I wish my garden
could look like this.

Davo!
Wally.

Davo!
Oh, David.

Oh, David.

Wally's brought around some of that
new Pimm's drink for us to try.

Ah.

Well, not for me, thanks.

I'm gonna be up all night researching
a background on Rudolf Hess.

I'm gonna be up all night researching
Oh. Who's he when he's at home?

Oh. Who's he when he's at home?

He's a rather prominent Nazi.

We should get some of them to join
the syndicate for the Caulfield Cup.

If they can make the trains
run on time,

imagine what they can do
with the gee-gees!

Oh, my God, have they
heard of secateurs?

What they need is a gardener.

It's quite elegant, though.

I'm afraid it's just the four of us.

To tell you the truth,
neither Peggy nor I

care very much
for big dinner parties.

Or big parties of any sort,
for that matter.

But four's always fun, I think.

(ALL LAUGH)

Well, think of it.

There's 5,000 books our great
government has on its banned list.

You think I can get on it?
Not for love or money.

Well, you have to write a book first.
I have.

Well, you have to write a book first.
Oh, you have not.

Oh, you have not.

What he wrote is a pamphlet.
Damn you, woman. It's a book!

D.H. Lawrence In Australia:
A Critical Study.

D.H. Lawrence In Australia:
You know, at one time or another,

You know, at one time or another,

they banned Joyce, Orwell,
Hemingway, Huxley...

Balzac, Colette, Daniel Defoe,
even poor blasted Norman Lindsay!

It's a veritable who's who,
I tell you.

And I will not rest until I see

the name of Gavin Turley
on that esteemed list.

Well, mine and Virginia Woolf's.

Why Virginia Woolf?

For being boring, of course!
(LAUGHS)

For being boring, of course!
Oh...

Oh...

This is a book -
Oh...

This is a book -
it's thick, it's heavy.

This is a book -
See?

See?

Now yours. Well, it's skinny, light.

Pamphlet.

Book. Pamphlet.

This woman is a constant
torment to me.

This woman is a constant
Our marriage is a complete sham.

Our marriage is a complete sham.

Well, I'd love to have a copy.
Our marriage is a complete sham.

Well, I'd love to have a copy.
Oh, take the whole lot.

Give them to your local
priest, or pastor,

Give them to your local
anyone who'll take up a petition

anyone who'll take up a petition

saying this kind of filth
should be banned!

ALL: Banned! Banned! Banned!
Banned! Banned! Banned! Banned!

There's been something
I've been meaning to ask you.

Hm?

You said something to Helen
Hm?

You said something to Helen
about me.

You said something to Helen
Yes.

Yes.

Something about me having no
guarantee, or words to that effect.

That was for Helen's ears,
old son, not yours.

Well, she didn't understand.

And neither did I.

But I suspect it means
that you think I'm a lousy writer.

But I suspect it means
But ARE you a writer?

But ARE you a writer?

When was the last time
you wrote anything

other than the usual
codswallop for the Post?

Alright, GB.

In one journalistically
precise sentence...

In one journalistically
(CLEARS THROAT)

(CLEARS THROAT)

..I am safe...

..and you are not.

I'll always play it for security,

for the cosy niche of the Post.

Not the stuff of a great epitaph,
but there it is.

What you have is...facility...

..adroitness,

a quite fantastic celerity
..adroitness,

a quite fantastic celerity
in getting your stuff written.

You also have, I suspect, a tendency
towards the unscrupulous.

You're like
one of those pond skimmers

darting about
over the surface of the water,

but you never get down into it,

you never reach below the surface.

And I think, to be honest,
that, unless you start

on the business
of becoming a REAL writer...

..you could be too late.

Because in the end,
that's what it's all about.

The real.

The authentic.

I have a guarantee.

You've left yours behind
in a back street of Elsternwick.

You can't go back.
You've gotta go forward.

Bashing and cheating
and striving toward some ideal...

..that up to now...

..you haven't even glimpsed.

And you carry no guarantee.

And for Helen...

..that means something
even crueller.

The notion that a pond skimmer
could ever stay put.

To love you is dangerous.

You are not safe.

What was it about that night
at the Turleys'

What was it about that night
that changed everything?

that changed everything?

It was cluttered and chaotic
and alive.

Authentic - that was Gavin's word.

But that can't have been it.

Can't have been ENTIRELY it.

Cup of tea before bed?

Mm.

Helen.

Mm?

When we make love...

..do you ever really...

..lose control?

What did you two boys talk about?

Nothing.

No reason.

'Night.

An ordinary Sunday morning,
just like any other.

I saw, with the power
of a revelation,

that there had been
more things of true value

in that shabby house called Avalon
from which I had fled

than there ever could be

in this facsimile of real life
called Beverley Grove.

And yet,

I had chosen it of my own free will.

I had mortgaged my life

for the privilege of living opposite
the Philands and the Treadwells

and directly alongside
Wally and Sandra Solomons.

What's this?
I've bought us a tree.

A gum tree?
A sugar gum.

One square foot of Beverley Grove is
gonna look exactly like it used to.

Well, personally,
I think it's rather ordinary.

It's so drab.

Wouldn't a mock orange or one
of those dwarf maples fit in better?

Wouldn't a mock orange or one
(SCOFFS) Not on your sweet life.

(SCOFFS) Not on your sweet life.

No dwarf bloody anythings.

This is gonna grow
No dwarf bloody anythings.

This is gonna grow
to be 100 foot tall.

This is gonna be a landmark.

"The glory that was."

I looked around my study,

decorated, like everything else,
by Helen,

decorated, like everything else,
and I realised that I hated it all.

and I realised that I hated it all.

Davy!

What are you doing?

I'm just doing a bit of rearranging.

You're beginning to scare me.

What on earth's the matter?

(PHONE RINGS)

Hello?

Ah, Sandra.

No, no, no, of course
I hadn't forgotten.

Yes, it's just
crumbed cutlets today.

Alright.

We promised Wally and Sandra we'd go
over for a Pimm's before lunch.

We don't have to
if you don't want to.

No, how could I forget?

Outsiders saw no ruffling
of Helen's composure.

Only I saw the changes.

The subdued fears,

the anxieties,

the uncertainties.

And yet I would not
and could not confront her.

I made her suffer
for my own cowardice.

David, what's the matter?

Please, talk to me.

Nothing's the matter.

(WHISTLES MELODY)

It was from the sugar gum that
I derived a kind of spiteful comfort.

I came to realise that
I was using it as a weapon.

(CONTINUES WHISTLING)

Copy!

You're a machine.

I'll pick up the confiscation
of Jewish property, if you like.

It's kind of my speciality.
(SNORTS)

Heaven forbid that I should obstruct
your career path, old cock.

Perhaps you could leave
a trail of breadcrumbs for me.

(HELEN WEEPS SOFTLY)

(SOBS)

The realisation
that I did not love Helen

came to me
quite dispassionately at first.

So dispassionately that I was able
to examine the revelation

So dispassionately that I was able
with a kind of clear, careful logic.

with a kind of clear, careful logic.

And I found it sound.

And I put it aside for later.

Later, of course,
would be another thing altogether,

when I would blame her
for the predicament we were in,

and then passion and anger
would need to be invoked.

But not yet.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Sorry, Peg-Leg. There goes
the anniversary dinner.

Bluey!

To Mr Condon.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Mr Condon, sir!

Oh, just a minute.

Gentlemen!

Postpone your lives.

We're reporting a war.

What time?

Yeah, I got that.
Say that again?

Yep.

Uh, mate, do you know where
I can find Davy Meredith?

Jack!
Nipper!

What are you doing here?
What do you reckon?

You gonna be in it?
When can we sign up?

Look, nothing's clear
at the moment, Jack.

Look, nothing's clear
It hasn't even been announced...

It hasn't even been announced...

You're gonna find out
It hasn't even been announced...

You're gonna find out
before anybody about enlisting,

and we gotta be there early,
the both of us.

and we gotta be there early,
We join up together.

We join up together.

Yeah, look, mate, I'm right in the
middle of a phone call at the moment.

We're up to our necks
in a special edition.

You just let me hear
the second you hear anything.

We don't want to miss out
on this one.

No, no, no, I'll call you.
I'll call you.

Get on ya, Nipper.

Wait till bloody Hitler hears
the Meredith boys are on the way!

You still there?

Well...

..it's on, old cock. It's on.

Brewster's assigned Gavin and me
to work exclusively on the war.

Brewster's assigned Gavin and me
Is that good?

Is that good?

Well, it means I probably
won't be home much from now on.

Well, I suppose that will suit you.

Yeah, you've come a long way.

OK, once you're finished here
you go inside to see the doctor...

(MAN WOLF-WHISTLES)
..then you're finished.

(MAN WOLF-WHISTLES)
Alright?

Alright?

Off you go.

Next.
JACK: Well, that's it, mate.

You don't wanna be wasting
your time here for nothing.

If I was you, I'd just get home
and grab 'em, quick!

If I was you, I'd just get home
15th of August.

15th of August.

Sorry, mate, I'm just checking -

you do need your
Sorry, mate, I'm just checking -

you do need your
birth certificate, don't you,

you do need your
for the paperwork and that?

for the paperwork and that?

MAN: Right, sir. Thank you, sir.

Damn and blast!

DAVID: You see,
Damn and blast!

DAVID: You see,
my brother just joined up.

DAVID: You see,
It's a sort of family thing.

It's a sort of family thing.

We were all
in the last show, my boy.

We were all
But it's a question of priorities.

But it's a question of priorities.

I just feel I should do it
But it's a question of priorities.

I just feel I should do it
properly, sir, in uniform.

I just feel I should do it
David, wait a minute.

David, wait a minute.

You are in a War Cabinet classified
reserved occupation.

If you enlist, I'll simply
apply for your withdrawal.

Propaganda is one of the most
powerful weapons of war, you know.

I wondered then if Mr Brewster knew

he had saved me
from the thing I most feared -

the march into hell

that began on the same bush roads
that my father walked,

and Bert, and all the brave
and broken heroes of my childhood.

SOLDIERS: # Then no more will I roam
when I'm heading back for home

# Along the road to Gundagai... #

My brother Jack was different.

The myth of the noble Anzac was
lodged and burning deep inside him.

He carried the mantle with pride.

You remember all that tripe
I went on with as a kid?

"You gotta have a go, even if
you're just pissing in the wind"?

Trouble was, I never knew
exactly what it was

Trouble was, I never knew
I was supposed to have a go at.

I was supposed to have a go at.

Didn't stop you
knocking my block off.

It's this.
MAN: How you going, fellas?

This is what we've been
dragged up for.

This is what we've been
All these blokes,

All these blokes,

the Depression hit 'em,

never even had a job in their lives.

Now they've got a reason.

You reckon that's what Hitler
had in mind, do you?

You reckon that's what Hitler
Nah, don't smart-alec me, Nipper.

Nah, don't smart-alec me, Nipper.

This thing, Hitler and that,
it's not a curse -

it's an opportunity
a mug like me couldn't make

it's an opportunity
in his whole miserable life.

in his whole miserable life.

This?

It's a test, pure and simple.

Knowing any moment you could be
screaming for your mum.

Knowing you could fail.

Jack, I've wanted to...

Well, I haven't seen much of you
and Sheila the past couple of years.

Haven't been much of a brother.

Haven't been much of a husband
either, if it comes to that.

Yeah?

What I'm trying to say is...

I've missed you,
you miserable pongy bastard.

About bloody time.

Stand to!
About bloody time.

Stand to!
(SIREN WAILS)

Stand to!
Stand to, all of you! Come on!

Stand to, all of you! Come on!

(SOLDIERS SHOUT)

(SHOUTS ORDERS)

You couldn't, uh, persuade
(SHOUTS ORDERS)

You couldn't, uh, persuade
that brother of yours

You couldn't, uh, persuade
to try for a promotion?

to try for a promotion?

He's good NCO material.

He wouldn't have a bar of it
when we suggested it.

Said he'd rather stay with the boys.

That's Jack.

Agh! Aagh!

Aagh!

Did you find out?

From the barracks?

Is it gonna be France, or what?

Well, there's nothing definite.

Yeah, pull the other one, Nipper.

There it is.

Give the bastard a tug and we'll
fix the useless bloody thing.

Give the bastard a tug and we'll
Oh, here's trouble.

Oh, here's trouble.

Hello! Hello, Sheil.

Come to gloat over my corpse,
Hello! Hello, Sheil.

Come to gloat over my corpse,
have you, old man?

Yeah, well, if a busted leg's
the worst you got,

Yeah, well, if a busted leg's
you wanna bless your luck.

you wanna bless your luck.

Yeah, well, we can't all
crack it for mustard gas.

I wouldn't wish that on you, boy.

I wouldn't wish it
on my worst enemy.

G'day, Mum.

Hello, Jack.

You come to be my own
private nurse, have you?

Have one every day.

No - have two.

(CHUCKLES)

Hello, stranger.

You look well.

You too, Mum.

Yeah, look at the pair of you.

Pleased as punch
I'm stuck in this joint

instead of getting a hide
full of lead for my country.

instead of getting a hide
Aren't you?

Aren't you?

(BABY FUSSES)

Wouldn't be able to get
my leg over you now, Sheila.

Looks like you're safe
for the duration.

(SHEILA LAUGHS)

All in favour, say 'aye'.

BOTH: Aye!
Aww!

Good luck, Gavin.
Stay safe.

Ah!

Put Mr Meredith down for ten bob.

He's a man of deep pockets.

Jesus, Gavin. Why?

I need a rest, old cock.

They've been working me
far too hard here.

Whole war effort's on your
slender shoulders now, GB.

It'll be a comfort to know
you're here

to background
my intrepid exploits.

to background
Oh, come on, GB.

Oh, come on, GB.

One can't go on scribbling
Oh, come on, GB.

One can't go on scribbling
ad infinitum about the noble Anzac

One can't go on scribbling
without having a crack at being one.

without having a crack at being one.

You of all people should know that.

You told me Gavin Turley and I
were reserved occupations!

You told me Gavin Turley and I
Turley felt compelled to enlist.

Turley felt compelled to enlist.

I suggested a commission,
PR, even intelligence.

But no, he must
go and join the ranks.

Then why the hell
did you concoct this story...?

If you insist on putting me
on the spot,

If you insist on putting me
then, given the choice

then, given the choice

between sacrificing Gavin Turley
then, given the choice

between sacrificing Gavin Turley
and sacrificing David Meredith...

..I wouldn't hesitate.

To the overall war effort, you are
by far the more valuable asset.

Is that what you wanted to hear?

But why?

Why am I?

Because, my boy, of your facility.

My position...is totally invidious.

David...

David... (SIGHS)

David, I have
gone out on a limb for you

more times
than you could possibly know.

Great patriots
have worn mufti, you know.

Trust me now, my boy,
and your loyalty will be repaid.

There are big things
in the wind for you, David.

Very big things.

Now, that shouldn't be too much of
a cross for you to bear, should it?

Mr Brewster's
"big things in the wind"

took me from one end
of the country to the other

to report on Australia's
preparedness for total war.

The time away was a gift,

one more opportunity
to avoid confronting

one more opportunity
the sad stalemate of my marriage.

the sad stalemate of my marriage.

Oh, jeez!
(SOLDIERS MUTTER APPROVINGLY)

Oh, jeez!
(GUNFIRE)

(GUNFIRE)

(LIVELY SWING MUSIC PLAYS)

Davo!

How are you, mate?

Buggered, actually, Wally.

Ah! Beer'll fix that.

What's going on?

You should have let me know
you were coming home.

You should have let me know
Its Wally's embarkation party.

Its Wally's embarkation party.

SANDRA: Davy!

Hello!

Looks like you're gonna be
the only one left soon.

We're just gonna have to
share him, aren't we, Helly?

We're just gonna have to
(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

So, how's it working out
for you here, Jack?

Uh, once a storeman,
always a storeman -

Uh, once a storeman,
that's what they reckon.

that's what they reckon.

But they didn't reckon on...

..this!

(CHUCKLES) Hey?

Ha!

I call it the
Ha!

I call it the
Jack Meredith FU Club.

The call's gonna come, Nipper,
and when it does,

your average mallee bull's gonna
have nothing on Jackie Meredith.

They've been talking about
your stuff in the mess.

The way you've been promoting
the war effort and that.

Reckon you're turning into
a right bloody recruiting officer

there on the front page.

Well, I'm glad I'm being appreciated.

I had a thought.

Since you're always hobnobbing with
I had a thought.

Since you're always hobnobbing with
the brass down at the barracks...

..you might have some influence.

To get me away, I mean.

Well, it's not that simple, Jack.

I've never asked you
for a favour before, have I?

The most I could do is try,
but I can't promise anything.

Yeah, no, just...just do your best,
Nipper. That's all I'm asking.

You haven't thought about
throwing your own hat in?

I've been too busy
to scratch myself.

Yeah, it's just,
it kind of worries me,

Yeah, it's just,
this, uh, propaganda you're writing.

this, uh, propaganda you're writing.

Bloke'd be a bit of a dingo
if he got into that

and didn't join up himself.

Gotta be part of it, haven't you?

My brother Jack never doubted.

Never fell prey
to the dark fears of childhood.

The deaths and maimings
and ruined faces

that drove me
more and more cold with dread.

I envied the profound certainty
there was about him

when I was so terribly,
shamefully uncertain.

To our new allies...
Mm.

To our new allies...
..the Russians.

..the Russians.

And our future allies.

The Americans?
And our future allies.

The Americans?
Mm.

The Americans?
We live in perpetual hope.

We live in perpetual hope.

(SLOW BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS)

I'm not much of a pants man,
David, never have been,

but this war seems to have flushed
out some gorgeous bloody women.

HELEN: No more martinis for me.

(LAUGHS)

You, um...you wanted to
ask me a favour.

I'm sorry?

Ah! Yes. Um... (CLEARS THROAT)

Actually, it's ab...
it's about my brother.

Yes, you might remember him.
He was, um...

I'm sorry. Would you excuse me
just for one moment?

Surely.

I'd love to. (CHUCKLES)

(SONG ENDS)

Davy.
Helen.

(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY)
This is...this is my husband.

(PIANIST PLAYS 'LITTLE BROWN JUG')

He's a very important person.
(CHUCKLES)

Come on. You're making
a fool of yourself.

Oh, I love this song!

Davy, come and dance with me.

For God's sake, Helen!
Davy, come and dance with me.

For God's sake, Helen!
Ugh!

Everything alright, sir?
She's alright.

Get up, would you?
You're behaving like a child.

Leave me alone! I just want to
dance! What's wrong with you?

Come on, we're leaving.

You think that's
acceptable behaviour, do you?

I wasn't the one
that created a scene.

I was simply enjoying myself.

Can't a girl enjoy herself
now and then?

Can't a girl enjoy herself
You seem to forget, Helen -

You seem to forget, Helen -

people know who I am.

They know who YOU are.
people know who I am.

They know who YOU are.
Oh, yes.

They know who YOU are.
And we can't have people thinking

And we can't have people thinking

that David Meredith,
writer extraordinaire,

that David Meredith,
can't control his wife, can we?

can't control his wife, can we?

Look around.

The house, the furniture,
your clothes -

The house, the furniture,
my writing pays for all of it.

my writing pays for all of it.

And the least you could do
is show some gratitude.

(SCOFFS)

Sometimes I don't know
who you are anymore.

I hardly ever see you,
and when I do, you're so cold.

When did you become so cold, David?

Go to bed, Helen. You're drunk.

Oh, fine. Fine. Just ignore me.

I'll just vacuum the castle
and polish the silver

and water Golden Boy's
little gum tree.

I finished the main piece,
but I would like to do a follow-up.

Peggy, if there's
anything at all I can do...

My friends.

There's something I must show you.

He wrote and said he wanted them.

God knows how he thought
he'd be able to carry them.

Well, look what they are.

(CHUCKLES TEARFULLY)
I thought he hated Virginia Woolf.

(CHUCKLES TEARFULLY)
He does.

He does.

He did.

I gave them to him
when we were courting.

I gave them to him
Oh, where are my manners?

Oh, where are my manners?

Tea?

Oh, thank God you didn't go, Davy.

Thank God.

He adored you, you know?

(SNIFFLES)

Why them?

They loved each other.

Peggy Turley was killed
three weeks later

Peggy Turley was killed
when her car ran off Brighton Road.

when her car ran off Brighton Road.

She'd been drinking.

The following month,
the paper carried the report

The following month,
of Gavin's escape from Crete.

of Gavin's escape from Crete.

BREWSTER: Congratulations, my boy.

You are to be the Post's
first war correspondent.

A week to tidy things up here,
and then you fly to Port Moresby.

You'll be unarmed.

If you happen to fall
into enemy hands,

under the Hague Convention,
you have the status of a major.

So they can shoot me,
but I can't shoot them.

So they can shoot me,
(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

Just remember that the only good war
correspondent is a live one.

We want you back, you know.

Big plans. Remember?

There's not much we can do with you
if you're dead, is there?

Hm.

There it is.

To Davy.

To Davy.
To Davy.

To Davy.

Always said there has to be
one in the family.

And by crikey, you're it.

Should've been the both of us,

but I won't get into that.

You'll keep your head down,
won't you, Davy?

You'll keep your head down,
Now, don't get all sooky, Mum.

Now, don't get all sooky, Mum.

She's proud as punch, really.

Aren't you?

And you, you old bastard.
(GRUNTS)

He's been skitin' like mad to all
his mates down at the Home Guard.

He's been skitin' like mad to all
I'll watch the big words.

I'll watch the big words.

It's not me.

It's your mother.

She likes to keep up with things.

You're gonna be in it.

You're gonna be really in it.

Well, reporting on it. Not doing it.

Oh, for Christ's sake, Nipper,
what's the bloody diff?

Oh, for Christ's sake, Nipper,
Significant.

Significant.

I don't have a gun.
Yeah, well, there's you and me both.

Well, don't let's
start that now, Jackie.

I just spent
the best part of three years

giving them out to mugs who couldn't
shoot a wooden duck at Luna Park.

But they sent them away,
didn't they?

But they sent them away,
Three bloody years, Nipper,

Three bloody years, Nipper,

shelling out Owen guns,
Sten guns, Brens and mortars.

I feel like a bloody counter-jumper
at a haberdashery at Myer's!

Only favour I ever asked you.

Just to have a word with some nob.

You never bloody did it, did you?

Well, I, uh...

Only thing I ever asked you.

I did everything I could, but...

Davy, can't you see?

He would've died for you.

He has never had to be ashamed
of anything in his life,

but he IS ashamed, Davy.

Jack, of all men, he's ashamed,
and I can't bear it.

Jack, of all men, he's ashamed,
(SOBS)

(SOBS)

Please, Davy, you must try for him.

You must try. Please.

Of all the betrayals
I have ever committed,

Of all the betrayals
it is this simple omission...

it is this simple omission...

..which, even now, from a distance
of thousands of days and miles...

..still wakes me at night.

Right.

I've been through
your brother's file.

I'm sorry - there's no chance.

In fact, strictly speaking,

he should be
out of the army altogether.

he should be
Was there ever any chance?

Was there ever any chance?

Well, maybe back in '40.

But then he would have been
with the 8th in Malaya.

God knows what's happened
to those poor beggars.

We've all heard about
the atrocities being committed

We've all heard about
on the Burma-Siam Railway.

on the Burma-Siam Railway.

You wouldn't want to wish that sort
of fate on your brother, would you?

Hypothetically speaking...

..what would happen
if I was to go over your head?

I've wrangled something.

It's not much, but...

..it's the best I could do.

Come on, then. What's the news?

Darwin.

Oh, they were pretty badly
bombed up there.

Oh, they were pretty badly
I mean, they were in it.

I mean, they were in it.

Well, I would have preferred
New Guinea, of course.

Nah, balls to that, Nipper.

Nah.

Well, once I'm up there, I mean,
that's half the battle, isn't it?

If I can't find some strings to pull
once I'm that bloody close,

If I can't find some strings to pull
my name's not Jack Meredith!

my name's not Jack Meredith!

Eh?

I'm grateful to you, Davy.

Thought you might like
a demonstration -

Thought you might like
angle for your story, so to speak.

angle for your story, so to speak.

It's, uh...it's only the women,
unfortunately.

It's, uh...it's only the women,
Only the women will be fine.

Only the women will be fine.

Not anticipating seeing any
Only the women will be fine.

Not anticipating seeing any
for quite a while. (CHUCKLES)

Hm.

Take posts! Number one, go on!

Take posts!

Come on, girls!

Flying left, high,
moving left to right!

Dummy round - load!

On! On!

Hostile target - engage!

Auto fire!

Bullseye!

I take it you got him,
Gunner Morley.

In flames, sir!

Yeah, very good. Stand easy.

Stand easy!

Very efficient, Gunner.

And does Gunner Morley
have a first name?

Yes, sir. Cressida, sir.

Instrument specialist.

There's no need to call me 'sir'.

Technically speaking,
I'm not your superior.

Well, don't tell anyone, but
technically, this is not an air raid.

Well, don't tell anyone, but
Stand easy!

Stand easy!

Accredited war correspondent?

Yes. I'm flying out
Accredited war correspondent?

Yes. I'm flying out
to New Guinea tonight.

Yes. I'm flying out
New Guinea? What time's your flight?

New Guinea? What time's your flight?

1900. Why?

You'll be able to watch the sunset
from the plane.

You'll be able to watch the sunset
Thank you very much, ladies.

Thank you very much, ladies.

Dismissed.
Dismissed!

You may go, Gunner Morley.

Yes, sir.

Cressida Morley had more life
in the corners of her mouth

than most women had
in their entire bodies.

Did I know then
that she would be my salvation?

MAN: One, two!

(MEN GROAN)

New Guinea. 1942.

I had landed
in my father's nightmare.

How I wanted my brother there
in my place,

How I wanted my brother there
not from cowardice this time,

not from cowardice this time,

but because he had earned the right
to this grim adventure,

while I had not.

MEN: Arggh!
MAN: Get down!

MEN: Arggh!
(MEN YELL)

(MEN YELL)

I did as I was told.

I wrote copiously
and I wrote brilliantly.

And I skulked and dodged

and was desperately afraid.

And I wrote myself into my own lie.

I was the perfect man
for the job that must be done.

A reporter with tendencies
towards the unscrupulous.

A writer of hymns to national pride.

Arggh!

Oh!
You right?

Oh!
Oh.

Oh.

(SIGHS)

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

JACK: "Dear Davy,

"I'm writing to you
from Civvie Street.

"I got to Darwin alright,
but I took another tumble.

"Over a cliff in a dodgy jeep -
how's that?

"And the old pelvis
gave up the ghost.

"And the old pelvis
"So here I am.

"So here I am.

"A returned bloke
without ever getting away.

"Sheila had a little boy
two months ago.

"He's got a good left hook
on him already.

"He's got a good left hook
"But what I really want, I reckon,

"But what I really want, I reckon,

"is for him to get
a decent education -

"not end up a mug lair
like his old man.

"Met a lady friend of yours
the other day, from the AWAS.

"Met a lady friend of yours
"Bombardier Morley. Cressida.

"Bombardier Morley. Cressida.

"Said to remember her to you."

(EXPLOSION)

(GASPS)

New Guinea became New York,
London, Rome.

New Guinea became New York,
And all my despatches home,

And all my despatches home,

written from more bars
than battlefields,

written from more bars
were headed,

were headed,

"David Meredith,
were headed,

"David Meredith,
somewhere in Burma."

"David Meredith,
Or Ceylon, or Chongqing,

Or Ceylon, or Chongqing,

or the palace of the kings of Naples.

(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Somewhere further,
(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Somewhere further,
always further from my own country

Somewhere further,
and my own people.

and my own people.

(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Grazie.

And I sensed that I had already
and deliberately

begun to sever the ties
with my homeland

begun to sever the ties
and my countrymen.

and my countrymen.

I saw that my face
was not the same as their faces.

Not the same
as my brother Jack's face.

It was the face of a man
who has travelled too far.

And I knew that
I was not quite one of them.

I never had been
and I never would be.

But the sum total of my life
would be simply this...

.."David Meredith,

"somewhere in somewhere else."

Might drive on a bit, alright?

Back to the city.

New book's selling like hell,
I hear.

Not thinking
of making it a career, huh?

To be honest, I don't know
what I want to do anymore.

I don't think
I can settle down here again.

Not long ago,

I would've
sat you down in that chair

and lectured you
about loyalty, duty,

and lectured you
esprit de corps.

esprit de corps.

Why not now?

I've just spent a fortune
on gold leaf...

..adding the names of dead men
to the Morning Post honour roll.

It was loyalty and duty
that put them there.

(SIGHS)

Get stuck into it. It's prewar.

To before the war.

Before the war.

(MACHINE BEEPS)

Six years ago, I asked the question,
"Why do we fight?"

And I answered myself,
"Because it was ever thus."

This war has changed the world.

There is no going back.

And we who have fought it,

we hope that the generations to come

will understand
the Australia we have fought for.

will understand
Her generosity, her humour.

Her generosity, her humour.

That way we have of giving
the shirt off our own back to a mate.

A sense of honour
that drives us to have a go -

sometimes stubbornly,
sometimes foolishly -

sometimes stubbornly,
in the face of overwhelming odds.

in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Australian way of setting the jaw
and taking it on, no matter what.

Today, I lay my hat at the feet
of those who have given their lives

Today, I lay my hat at the feet
for that creed.

for that creed.

And just as crucially,

to those who struggled,
day after day,

generation after generation,

to go on living by it.

And yet, even as we stand here,

on the very edge of history,

that creed
is fading into obsolescence.

And so I plead with our children

and our children's children...

(CLICK!)

..don't let my Australia
become a footnote in a history book.

MAN: Evening, sir.

(LAUGHS) Hello.

I know you.

You have come up in the world.

Oh, that. There's a war on.

It's in all the papers.

Thanks for your message, by the way.
It's in all the papers.

Thanks for your message, by the way.
I got it in New Guinea.

Oh, I liked your brother.
Talks about you all the time.

Oh, I liked your brother.
(LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS)

You, um...

..you wouldn't be here
You, um...

..you wouldn't be here
by yourself, by any chance?

Here? Hardly.

Yeah. Yeah, it's a pity.

'Cause I am, you see. (LAUGHS)

Actually, I'm here with my boss
'Cause I am, you see. (LAUGHS)

Actually, I'm here with my boss
and, uh,

Actually, I'm here with my boss
I'm absolutely, perfectly sure

I'm absolutely, perfectly sure

he wouldn't mind if you joined us.

(LAUGHS) Well, if you're
absolutely, perfectly sure.

(LAUGHS)

Be still my beating heart!

It's Golden Boy!

Gavin bloody Turley.

Where the hell did you come from?

Gavin, how...?

Oh, it's too sordid.

Lost the wretched thing in a brawl
in a brothel in Alexandria.

I don't like to speak about it
in front of the child.

I was terribly upset
about Peggy, Gavin.

I was very sorry.
Yeah, so was I.

Well, let's arrange ourselves
comfortably and get some more grog.

Be a darling, Cress,
and catch a waiter's eye, will you?

Some of your stuff's
been pretty good.

Some of your stuff's
Is that in spite of yourself?

Is that in spite of yourself?

I just followed your advice.
(MAN SINGS IN ITALIAN)

Preserve that precious little asset
of the unscrupulous.

Well, well, well.
A white pigeon strikes again.

Well, well, well.
(LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS)

Alright. What would
you have done in my place?

He would've done
exactly the same thing as you.

Wouldn't you?
And less well, probably.

For what it's worth,
I like what you write.

Propaganda.

The nation must have its myths.

God, I believe you might be
The nation must have its myths.

God, I believe you might be
developing a degree of honesty.

Watch out, old cock.
That'll be the stone end of you.

I'm going to go to Venezuela
after the war.

I'm going to go to Venezuela
And New York and London and Paris.

And New York and London and Paris.

And then beyond the Silk Road.

Where you went.

And places people haven't been.

Like Timbuktu.

Hey, I'm an impolite bastard.
Like Timbuktu.

Hey, I'm an impolite bastard.
How's Helen?

Hey, I'm an impolite bastard.
I should've asked.

I should've asked.

You know Helen.

She has her friends.

(MAN CONTINUES SINGING)
This bloody war.

What you have here is a savage.

An authentic savage.

Born on a barren mile
on a Pacific beach.

Didn't wear a pair of shoes
until you were 13, did you, Cress?

Didn't wear a pair of shoes
Well, not quite.

Well, not quite.

But I know you'd like to think so.

Why don't you take her with you?

Take her to Paris. Or Swaziland.

Some unlikely place.

There's a challenge for you.

She's like you, though.
Remember that.

She's got no guarantees either.

Excuse me.

Tell me about New York.

I've read so much.

Have dinner with me tomorrow night.

Please.

We've only got one more night.

Unless, of course...

I'd love to.

(SIGHS)

Fellas! Here he is.

The man of a thousand adventures,
my brother Davy!

The man of a thousand adventures,
(SCATTERED APPLAUSE)

(SCATTERED APPLAUSE)

Can I buy you a drink, Mr Meredith?

Yeah, a pot. Thanks, Thommo.

Oh, you mean the real Mr Meredith?

Give us a break, Jack.

Here, one at a time,
one at a time. Slide in there.

Here, one at a time,
Set 'em up.

Set 'em up.

Come on, Thommo. Get it over with.
Our hero won't bite.

I-I've read some of it already,
Mr Meredith.

I-I've read some of it already,
I think it's brilliant.

I think it's brilliant.

I read everything you write.

Um, if you could...
To Tom?

Yeah, yeah. Just Tom.

Just Tom.

Ha!

There's no need
to actually curtsy, you blokes.

I was at the right place
at the right time, that's all.

Hey, I keep telling you,
he's not even a real digger.

Hey, I keep telling you,
(ALL LAUGH)

(ALL LAUGH)

Did you hear me, Jack?

I got lucky.

Hey, if you ask him nicely...

I thought of Jack as I had seen him
five long years before,

I thought of Jack as I had seen him
hard and strong and confident

hard and strong and confident

like the fighting men with their
ribbons of the deserts and jungles

and the mountains and the beaches.

And I knew that all the Jacks
were marching past me,

And I knew that all the Jacks
all the Jacks were marching still.

all the Jacks were marching still.

But my Jack was not among them.

My Jack had invested all
his brave pride and purpose in me.

I was his brother Davy.

I just wish I'd had the guts
to tell you before now.

When I started...when I started this,
I was running away.

We both were.

I didn't know what I wanted.

I've never known what I've wanted.

But it's not this.

It's not this.

Why do we imagine that inflicting
such pain will be easy...

..that the telling of a simple truth
will somehow absolve us

of the deceit
and neglect and cruelty...

..and of simply not loving enough?

I'm so sorry.

(SWING MUSIC PLAYS)

There was something I had to do.

I can't explain.

You look tired.

Are you alright?

Yes.

Yep.

Yes.

The kitchen's closed.

Perhaps we could go for a walk.

Mm, perhaps we could.

You'll think this is just part
of the repertoire.

Standard wartime cliche.

But...

But I want...

..whatever indefinable thing

that makes you what you are
to rub off on me.

I want to take you to Swaziland
and...and to New York

and...and the Gobi Desert and...

Swaziland will still be there
after the war.

I could start by walking you
to your plane.

She was more risk
than I had ever taken in my life.

We were hurtling headlong
into wonder and terror

and the potential for pain.

But for David Meredith,
who did not deserve it,

But for David Meredith,
it was the chance at last

it was the chance at last

to seize with both hands a life
that might - just might - be what?

Authentic, perhaps.

(TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK)

It's odd that in all the years since
I abandoned the country of my birth,

I've heard from my brother Jack
only twice.

Perhaps he'd said all he had to say

in that long-distant land
Perhaps he'd said all he had to say

in that long-distant land
of our childhood.

"Got to have a go at it, Nipper,

"even if you know
you can't bloody win.

"Even if you're just pissing into
the wind, you've got to have a go."

"Even if you're just pissing into
Jack.

Jack.

Hello, Tom.

No, don't sit down.

That's Davy's chair.

Farewell, Jack.

I'll see you when I see you.

Yassou.

Daddy! Daddy!

Show Dad your castle.

Daddy, look at my castle!

It's a beauty.

Come on, darling.

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright
Australian Broadcasting Corporation