All language subtitles for m.b.j.2001.s01e01.1080p1.hdtv.h264-cbfm_track4_[eng]

DAVID: My brother Jack doesn't
come into the story straightaway.

DAVID: My brother Jack doesn't
Nobody ever does,

Nobody ever does,

because a person
Nobody ever does,

because a person
can't begin to exist without parents

and legendary tales
told about ancestors without a home.

Ours was called Avalon.

The mess of memories and impressions.

Always at its centre was my mother

either holding our little household
together

either holding our little household
or ministering to the jetsam

or ministering to the jetsam

that the Somme and the Marne and
the Gallipoli beaches had thrown up.
or ministering to the jetsam

that the Somme and the Marne and
the Gallipoli beaches had thrown up.

How are you today, Gabby?

About usual.

Wake up, Stubby!

It's time for your dose.

Down the hatch, lad.

Got a song for us today, Stubby?

Oh, let me see.

♪ There's a rose that grows

♪ In no-man's-land

♪ And it's wonderful to see

PATIENTS: ♪ Though it's
sprayed with tears
♪ And it's wonderful to see

PATIENTS: ♪ Though it's
sprayed with tears

PATIENTS: ♪ Though it's
♪ It will live for years
sprayed with tears

♪ It will live for years

♪ In my garden of memories
♪ It will live for years

♪ In my garden of memories

♪ In my garden of memories
♪ It's the one red rose... ♪

♪ It's the one red rose... ♪

I was barely seven years old
when the First World War ended.

Having taken place thousands
of miles away from our suburban home

at the bottom of the world,

at the bottom of the world,
that gigantic and sombre event
had no powerful effect on me

that gigantic and sombre event
had no powerful effect on me

until the day
Father came home from France.

(CHEERING)

(BAND PLAYS LIVELY TUNE)

I'm comin'!

Wait there. Wait there.

WOMAN: Jack!

Over there.

Perhaps my brother Jack,
three years my senior,

had paid more attention
to the course of the Great War

and become more attuned
to its tragic undertow.

Oi...

..look after your pins, young fella.
Oi...

..look after your pins, young fella.
You're nothing without him.

Minnie!

Jack!

Pappi.

Thank God you're in one piece.

Jean, kiss your father.

Hasn't she grown?

Davey, your turn.

You're not gonna, right?
It's for sissies, isn't it, son?

You're not gonna, right?
Hey?

Hey?

Where's the other catastrophe?

Jack.
Jack!

Jack!

Go on, get your backside
over here, boy.

Where I can give it
a nice healthy boot.

Well, what have you
got to say for yourself?

Well, what have you
Why aren't you dead?

Why aren't you dead?

You just watch yourself,
little Jackie Horner.

I can still box you
around your ears.

I can still box you
My name's Jack.

My name's Jack.

Make yourself useful. Carry that.

Come on, young fella.

Let's go.

At the age of seven, the Great War
had meant only an absent father

and a succession
of mutilated young men

whom mother brought home
to convalesce.

The last of these was Bert,
a country boy who'd lost his leg

on the first and only day
of action he ever saw in France.

On the first and only day Davey!

Davey!

For what we are about to receive

May the Lord make us truly thankful.

ALL: Amen.
Amen.

ALL: Amen.
Hey!

Hey!

Now, if I want to be eating with
Hey!

Now, if I want to be eating with
a gang of peasants, young fellow,

I'd have stayed in France
with all the Frenchies.

I don't know what you've done
with these children, Min.

You let them all run wild.
That's not true.

You let them all run wild.
Jean's been an angel.

Jean's been an angel.

Davey's as good as taught himself
Jean's been an angel.

Davey's as good as taught himself
to read while you were away.

We sit together over a book
every evening, don't we?

We sit together over a book
And as for Jack, well...

And as for Jack, well...

I ran wild.

That'd be right, wouldn't it?

We kept all your cards and souvenirs
from the front, Poppy.

How was France?

Yeah, Pop, give us a laugh.
Say something in Frog.

Oh...

La...

..repas...

c'est magnifique.

C'est magnifique.
(ALL LAUGH GENTLY)

(COUGHS)

Pappi. Pappi.

Mustard.

He means the gas.

I beg your pardon.

Vimy Ridge in France. Vimy Ridge.

I saw men drowning in mud.

And they were glad of it.

Nice bit of cow, Mrs M.

Are you ready?

Oh, you don't ask. Ah.

Ah.

At that tender age, I couldn't even
imagine how we appeared to him

At that tender age, I couldn't even
after those years of slaughter.

After those years of slaughter.

On the surface, life at Avalon
seemed to go on as it had before.

But I saw
in my mother's anxious eyes

that nothing would be quite the same.

(COUGHING)

(COUGHING AND GAGGING CONTINUES)

Good night, Davey.

Give my love to the milkman.

Come on, you two terrors.
Haven't got all day. Hurry up.

Come on.

Come on, boys. March in step.
Hup-two. Hup-two.

We'll make tram drivers of you both.
Come on.

You're the man in charge here.
No-one can tell you what to do.

Engage your keys. That's a boy.
Reach forward. Cut a notch.

And here we go
at the top of Fitzroy Street.

And here we go
We're going down to the sea.

We're going down to the sea.

Now, look down there.

That's your terminus.
Now, look down there.

That's your terminus.
That's St Kilda Beach.

That's your terminus.
And that's a drunk. Is it Clarrie?

And that's a drunk. Is it Clarrie?

You better watch out. By crikey!
Look at him go!

Brake, boy! Brake! You'll hit him!
Oh, no! Oh, you squashed him.

Clarrie!

Good to be back.

It's good to have you back,
you mad bugger!

It's good to have you back,
No! Get out of it!

No! Get out of it!

They want you upstairs.

Strike me.
I've only been back five minutes.

This is young Davey.
What do you think of him? Eh?

Where'd he go?
(CLARRIE CHUCKLES)

You kept number 15 free for me,
I trust.

Actually,
you mightn't need this anymore.

They've got you
earmarked for a desk job.

Earmarked, have they?

I'll give them ear.

Oh, no. No, no.

Hey, Jack,

look after your little brother.

(KNOCKS ON DOOR)

Jack, good to see you.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
What do you mean, policy?

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

I'm not much truck
sitting behind a desk.

Take him home.

Make sure you go straight there.

How you going, Jack?

Oh, better after a beer.

Pow!

Kaboom!

Come on, Minnie, let's have a dance.

No. Come on.

(SLURS)..Palais... used to take you
there, the arvo session?

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

You don't have to work at that
hospital all the time, darling.

You don't have to.
I can support the family.

But you know it's not for the money.

I just...
What is it then, darling?

I just...
What do you mean?

What do you mean?

You want to go,
What do you mean?

You want to go,
all those dirty old cripples?

It's not the time to talk about it.
And you know that's not true.

Do you want to...
Stop it! That's not true.

Hey, want to taste
the back of my hand? Is that it?!

Hey, want to taste
You want this?! Hey!

You want this?! Hey!

Min!

(SOBS)

Min! Where are you?

Get back here now!

You'll stop nursing
and you'll stay home.

If that's what I want,
that's what you'll do.

You hear me?

Stop!

Young bastards in there
are making a fool of a man.

Min!

Min.
(SOBS)

(SOBS)

What I realise now

is that my father's life
What I realise now

is that my father's life
was oppressed by fear and change

and by disillusionment.

The world to which he had returned

was a constant and sinister reminder
of the price of glory.

And glory itself had for him
curdled in the tram sheds.

The frustration arising from his
failure to make anything of his life

affected all of us.

JACK: Come on.

All of us, that is, except Jack.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

Despite all the time and distance
between then and now,

Despite all the time and distance
that's the thing,

that's the thing,

the thing I simply have to get at.

What made Jack different from me?

Not just older or nobler or braver

or less clever
Not just older or nobler or braver

or less clever
than I believe myself to be,

or less clever
but different at the deepest level.

But different at the deepest level.

As soon as he was old enough,

Jack had been pushed out to work
for a plumber called Fred Foley.

Jack had been pushed out to work
He learned something of the trade,

He learned something of the trade,

but the impression he gave at home
He learned something of the trade,

but the impression he gave at home
was that all he'd learned

was how to get drunk
with his workmates

and drive poor Foley
to the point of a nervous breakdown.

Possibly Jack had no idea
what he wanted to be,

Possibly Jack had no idea
but a plumber certainly it was not.

But a plumber certainly it was not.

There's nothing I could do.
It's stuck.

Oh, crikey, Mum,

you don't want him dakked and duffed
on his first day, do you?

He's got more sense than you.
He won't let it happen.

Oh! Oh!
Get out of it, Jack.

It was only school, Davey.

Funny the things
you learn not to miss.

My own education
had also been cut short.

Because I could never grasp
more than the simplest mathematics,

I had failed
the Intermediate Certificate.

I had failed
My father had me indentured

My father had me indentured

for a six-year apprenticeship
with a lithographic firm.

Under this arrangement,

I entertained the prospect
of reaching manhood

as a fully qualified
decorator of jam labels.

At that stage, I'm not sure

that I even knew
At that stage, I'm not sure

that I even knew
what lithography really was,

but evidently there were no other
applicants for the job,

but evidently there were no other
so I was put to work immediately.

So I was put to work immediately.

Holy of holies.

Best litho stones in the country

and carried by Herr Klebendorf
Best litho stones in the country

and carried by Herr Klebendorf
all the way from Bavaria.

These are clean. Yes?

You may touch one.

Watch.

Listen. Study.

One day, six or seven years
from now,

you may be permitted to seat
yourself before one of these.

Dave, is it?

Well, everyone calls me Old Joe.

To avoid confusion
Well, everyone calls me Old Joe.

To avoid confusion
with young spotty face here,

To avoid confusion
the fruit of these loins.

the fruit of these loins.

But you won't catch me playing
favourites with him or anyone.

Now, within reason, you may speak
prior to being spoken to

and singing,
provided it's G&S, is permitted

as the day grows long.

Here are your nibs.

Ink,

pencils...

..gum Arabic.

I will instruct the paymaster

to draw you a salary
of 15 shillings a week.

Sign here.

♪ Come, friends who plough the sea

♪ Truce to navigation

♪ Take another station

♪ Let's vary piracy (WHISTLES)

♪ Let's vary piracy
♪ With a little burglary

♪ With a little burglary

♪ Come, friends who plough... ♪

Ow! Ow! Ow!

Ow! Ow!
Ow! Ow! Ow!

Ow! Ow!
(LAUGHTER)

Oh.

(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)

(THWACK! THWACK!)

You could say my backside became
(THWACK! THWACK!)

You could say my backside became
the barometer of an entire epoch.

On the last day of each
and every month,

dad called first Jack, then me,
into the bathroom.

(THWACK!)

His idea was to settle the account

for any offences
we might have committed

that had escaped his attention.

In the blind rage of those days

he seemed not to care about
In the blind rage of those days

he seemed not to care about
the strength he possessed,

he seemed not to care about
nor the injury he inflicted.

Nor the injury he inflicted.

Ow! Ow!
That was your last hurrah.

(GRUNTS)

I'm working now. I pay board.

Plus, I'm big enough to put you six
I'm working now. I pay board.

Plus, I'm big enough to put you six
feet under any time I feel like it.

Plus, I'm big enough to put you six
So the jig's up. Finished.

So the jig's up. Finished.

Alright?

Huh? Yeah.

Huh? Hey!

Come on. In here.

(WINCES)

You could have stopped the old man
belting me as well, you know.

You've got to fight
your own battles, Nipper.

How can I?

Listen, you...

You've got to have a go at things.

What things?
You've got to have a go at things.

What things?
Anything.

What things?
Not just Dad, the world.

Not just Dad, the world.

Even if you can't bloody win,
you've still got to have a go.

Even if you're just
pissing in the wind,

it doesn't mean
it's not worth giving it a burl.

Yeah. Easy for you.

No, it's not. It's not.

I just make it look easy.
Now, come on.

Show us what you're made of.

Hey?

Oh.

Not too shabby, Nipper.

Not too shabby at all.

Look at that.

Oh, sorry.

Off, out?

Pop's lending you his car?

Told the old coot I'm going for
Pop's lending you his car?

Told the old coot I'm going for
a talk at the Mechanics Institute.

Told the old coot I'm going for
When really...?

When really...?

Three guesses.

Are you meeting a sheila?
Tart with any luck.

Are you meeting a sheila?
What's the diff?

What's the diff?

A tart is a Sheila
What's the diff?

A tart is a Sheila
on her second shandy.

A tart is a Sheila
So, where are you taking her?

So, where are you taking her?

A dimly lit little car park
at Point Ormond.

The advantage...

No. You don't want to know.
What?

No. You don't want to know.
What? Tell me.

What? Tell me.

The advantage of being
near the beach is seawater,

The advantage of being
in case you sprog on yourself.

in case you sprog on yourself.

it's the only thing
for getting it off your daks.

Sprog?

You ever heard of the penis?

The male penis?
Yeah, that's the one. Good boy.

You know what
you're supposed to do with it?

You know what Leave it alone.

Leave it alone.

You leave it alone

it'll come home with its tail
between its legs, Nipper.

The male penis is specially
designed to do battle

with the female apparatus.

And remember...

In love, as in war,
the male penis never surrenders.

(CLOCK TICKS)

(COOR CLATTERS)
That bloody door.

This was the one time in my life

when I came close
to hating my brother.

If the old man asks,
I got home no later than one.

Alright.
Huh?

He was forever braying about semen
stains and coupe crouch,

a hilarious curvature of the spine,
according to Jack,

induced by buttoning your waistcoat
into the fly of your trousers

inside a darkened vehicle.

♪ And I polished up the handle
of the big front door

♪ Polished up the handle
of the big front door.

♪ I polished up that handle
so carefully

♪ That now I am the ruler
of the Queen's Navy

♪ He polished up the handle
so carefully

♪ That now he is the ruler
of the Queen's Navy

♪ As office boy
I made such a mark

♪ That they gave me the post
of a junior clerk... ♪

Jack!
(DOG BARKS)

What are these things
doing in my automobile?

I thought
they'd make an excellent duster.

Never, never do I want to see
the likes of these things

in my automobile again.
These?

Never?
Never.

In our car?
In my automobile.

You've got yourself a deal, Pop.

Dad.

Bert's got something
he'd like to say.

Bert's got something Has he?

Has he?

I won't stand
if that's all the same.

Well, um...

I...

..that is... we.

Aye-yai-yai-yai-yai.

What's this 'we' business.
Jean and me.

Oh, Jean and I.

We...

That is I.
(SNIGGERS)

What is everyone staring at?

Your hair, dear?

I beg your pardon.

You were saying, Bert.

(STAMMERS) Mr Meredith...
Mmm.

I'd like to ask for...
for Jean's hand in marriage.

Is that all?

You don't mind, Poppy?
No.

You don't mind, Poppy?
It's your funeral.

It's your funeral.

If you're happy with the prospects
It's your funeral.

If you're happy with the prospects
of...

Of course I am. I love him.
Oh, good for you. That's lovely.

See, Jean, I'm not going
to get my bowels in a twist

See, Jean, I'm not going
over some female folly.

over some female folly.

Cheers to you.

The future of this family,
Cheers to you.

The future of this family,
the future,

the Meredith line, lies with
these fine young fellows here.

I've got bad news for you, Pop.

You've put half your eggs,
at least, in the wrong basket.

I quit Foley's. Told him to shove
his U-pipe up his S-bend,

and I'm off.

You're what?
Off where?

You're what?
The Wimmera.

The Wimmera.

Sit down. Sit down at this table!

Calm down, Pop.
Take a look at that.

In case you missed me. I've left you
a year's supply of dusters.

With you gone...

..I won't know what to do.

So? You didn't know what to do
when I was here.

What's that?

Come on.

Come on, my girl.

He'll be back as large as life
before you know it.

You mark my words, he will.

(COUGHS)

I think I'll sleep in here tonight.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Ah! Ah! Ah!

Ah! Ah!

Stop!

I forbid you to hit my boy
once more.

With any other family I would file
a police report post-haste.

But I am loath to put a man from my
own division into the authorities.

If I could have some assurance,
there will be no repetition?

You have my word, doctor.

I started leaving home
an hour earlier in the mornings

to have some time to myself
before Klebendorfs opened.

I came to be aware,
for the first time in my life,

of the existence of true beauty.

A world of infinite promise
that had nothing to do

with the shabby suburbs
that had engulfed me since birth.

This beauty
filled me with an excitement,

almost an exultation
I could tell nobody about.

I can't really draw.

Never a truer word spoken.

We must do something about that.

Where did you find this?

Oh, on a beach near the port.

Oh, who knows how many thousands
Oh, on a beach near the port.

Oh, who knows how many thousands
of miles it must have travelled.

Where's Antofagasta?

On the way to South America,
Where's Antofagasta?

On the way to South America,
on the nitrate routes.

They were the days, my boy.

When the bay was a-shimmer
with so many white sails.

It was as if a fog
had rolled in at the blaze of noon.

Four-masters
home from the Fuzhou Tea Races,

trimming their stun'sls
against the Cutty Sark.

Stun'sls?

Look it up, my boy.

In your own time, need I add?

I did more than just look it up.

I tracked down everything I could
about the era of sail.

And it was as if
I had been led to this moment.

And that all the reading
in my bedroom,

the exercise book of attempted poems
stuffed inside my mattress,

had been a preparation,

all coming together
into the semblance of a path

all coming together
that could lead somewhere.

That could lead somewhere.

I was 15 and I was a writer -

lonely, secretive and desperately
anonymous, but still a writer.

I was too afraid back then to sign
my name to what I had written.

Perhaps I could use
some of that fear now.

Now that I am driven to use
not just my name, but my life

and the lives of everyone I have
known as fodder for what I write.

And yet, having begun, there's
no more turning back for me now

than there was
for that boy in a library,

than there was
first discovering the power of words

first discovering the power of words

to make his world
an intelligible and a bearable place.

And so it stood in all that curious
time, midway between two wars,

the world
was so sure of itself then.

Prosperous.

Smug.

Complacent.

You'll report
to the Gallery art school

every Tuesday evening
for drawing lessons.

Why me?

Shouldn't Young Joe
or one of the others...?

Ah!

Your need is greater.

"Dear Davey, Generally speaking,
life up here in the Wimmera

"Dear Davey, Generally speaking,
"is you beauty bottler, mate.

"is you beauty bottler, mate.

"There's a nice girl working
on the same property as me.

"We've been going steady now
for two weeks

"and you'll never pick her handle.

"She's a sheila called Sheila.

"Come Saturday,
we hightail it into Dimboola

"for the old time night

"at the Mechanics Institute,
would you believe?

"at the Mechanics Institute,
"And blow me down, Nipper,

"And blow me down, Nipper,

"If under Sheila's guiding hand

"I'm not becoming an expert
at the polka, the veleta

"I'm not becoming an expert
"and the parmer bloody waltz."

"and the parmer bloody waltz."

Morning Post, please.

With the relentless optimism of youth

and a state of apprehension
With the relentless optimism of youth

and a state of apprehension
in equal proportions,

I bought the paper every morning
on my way to work,

both expecting
to see my story in print

and at the same time
expecting nothing.

It was like a mighty river flooding
and changing its course

the way the Great Depression came.

One by one
the factory machines fell silent,

and the men who had stood at them
were swept away.

My father was now depot foreman,
and he kept his job at the tramways.

But even those of us
who held on to our jobs

felt the press of the unemployed
at our flanks,

felt something rub off on us

from the black-dyed army coats
they wore like a stigma of suffering.

From the black-dyed army coats
JOE: I'm sure everyone here knows

JOE: I'm sure everyone here knows

how hard people are doing it
JOE: I'm sure everyone here knows

how hard people are doing it
these days.

Good men are being laid off
wherever you look.

Mr Klein and I have been
in discussions with the owners,

and we've come up with a scheme.

If everyone has two weeks leave
without pay,

we think we can keep the place going
without giving anyone the sack.

Naturally, Young Joe and I
would go first.

This would give the rest of you

the time to make whatever
preparations you need.

the time to make whatever
(MEN MURMUR)

(MEN MURMUR)

The one good thing
the Depression did

The one good thing
was bring Jack back into our lives.

Was bring Jack back into our lives.

Jack.

Look at you, Nipper. Hey? Alright.

Where's the Sheila?

Get me bags, will you?

If you ever need anything,
I'm your man.

If you ever need anything,
Just take care.

Just take care.

Double pneumonia, Nipper.

It's Mum's speciality.

OK.

Give me some elbow room, Jack.

Tongue.

Nice coat. From Myers?

Family heirloom.

I hope you're not planning
to bunk down

in the same room
as that young madam.

I don't think it's contagious, Pop.
Or I would have caught it by now.

It's not your physical health
that bothers me, boy.

Unless I haven't been told
something,

Unless I haven't been told
the pair of you are not married.

the pair of you are not married.

While you live in my home, I'll not
have you living in sin with some...

What?

Roman Catholic piece of baggage.
Oh, is that what's up your khyber?

What's wrong with being a Mick,
for Christ's sake?

The Catholics have been
the ruination of the tramways.

(LAUGHS)

Oh, you think it's funny,
do you, boy?

Well, every soldier
loyal to the Crown

was risking his life out there
on the lines in France.

The Micks were back here
in Melbourne,

and they were helping the Kaiser
by opposing conscription.

All of them, Dad.
Every single one of them.

You'd be the man to know,
wouldn't you?

You'd be the man to know,
Hey? You've got a bloody hide.

Hey? You've got a bloody hide.

You come crawling back to me
Hey? You've got a bloody hide.

You come crawling back to me
with your arse out of your trousers,

dragging your floozy with you,
and you stand in my home

and you tell me
about the men I served with.

Just. Just wait a minute.
You know nothing about it.

Just hold on, Pop. Just stand back.
Right?

I brought Sheila here
because she's sick.

I thought Mum would know better
than anybody

how to take care of her
while I look around for a new job.

I promise you, the moment
she's well enough to move,

I'll be out of here like a shot.

But what I really want to know

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

I know you had a rough trot,

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

I'll run Sheila a good hot bath

with some eucalyptus
for her head and chest.

Now, Jack, you see
that she has a good long soak.

(WATER SPLASHES)

Are you having a fair dinkum bog
in there

Are you having a fair dinkum bog
or are you just reading as usual?

or are you just reading as usual?

Use the garden like you always do.

I'll tell you. I've got to get
Sheila out of the old man's way

I'll tell you. I've got to get
now that she's better.

now that she's better.

Just got to scrape some money
now that she's better.

Just got to scrape some money
together first.

I've got a bit saved up.

Well, it's not much, but you can
have it if you need it.

No, thanks, Nipper,
but I'll make my own way.

I'm thinking of going rabbiting.

Reckon you can make a few bob at it
if you're smart.

Smarter than a rabbit, anyway.

You should romp it in.

(HUMS TO HERSELF)

There you go.

Oh. Thank you.
You're welcome.

Excuse me. Would you good folk,
by any chance have a spare shekel?

I could give you a hand
with that, if you like.

Never you mind about that.

There you go. There's sixpence.

And good luck to you.
Thanks, lady.

Those old army coats they make
them wear, it's terrible.

Government dyes them black, so
there's no honour in wearing one.

What did he want?
Nothing you'd know how to give.

That would be bloody right,
wouldn't it?

Your boy in the bloody Vatican,

he's finally squeaked up about
what Joe Stalin is doing

to Christians in Russia.

Your boy wasn't too worried about

the Christians I knew at Vimy Ridge,
Passchendaele.

Left them bloody lying there.

These poor bastards in Russia,
he'll leave them lying there too.

Because they're not his sort
of Christians, are they?

Because they're not his sort
Nor yours.

Nor yours.

They're not bloody Catholics,
are they?

Yeah, you and you're holy poly
bloody...

Bloody Catholics.

You know, I can't help it
if I'm as Irish as Paddy's pig,

You know, I can't help it
as you so charmingly put it.

as you so charmingly put it.

(EXAGGERATED ACCENT) I'm twice as
dirty. Oh, to be sure. To be sure.

Any chance of enough hot water

for a filthy darn tyke
to bathe in, Mum?

I'll put some more chips
in the bath heater.

I promise not to baptise any passing
little babies while I'm in there.

♪ Oh, Danny boy

♪ The pipes, the pipes are calling

♪ From glen to glen

♪ And down the mountainside

♪ The summer's gone

♪ And all the flowers are dying

♪ It's you, it's you must go

♪ And I must bide. ♪

No amount of drawing cubes
and cylinders or bowls of fruit

had prepared me for
the challenge of the life class

at the National Gallery School.

There, for the first time,

I found myself in the company
of young Melbourne bohemians,

and it was there that I had my first
unsettling confrontation

and it was there that I had my first
with the spectacle of a naked woman.

With the spectacle of a naked woman.

MAN: Two minutes.

Quite good.

Except for that unfortunate bit
in the middle.

Philistine. I'm Sam, by the way.

David.

Do you feel like joining us later?

Having a little soiree
back at my digs.

Uh, well...

What... what brings you here?

Given my total lack of any
What... what brings you here?

Given my total lack of any
discernible talent, you mean.

Given my total lack of any
Yes, in a nutshell.

Yes, in a nutshell.

You should come to this party.
I'll give you the address.

Here, you can write it on the back of
nude with the unfortunate middle.

Here, you can write it on the back of
Time, ladies and gentlemen.

Time, ladies and gentlemen.

(MUSIC, CHATTER)

Give it a burl.

(MUSIC, CHATTER)

Ooh.

Ooh...

Have you read this?

The Sun Also Rises.
It's about astronomy?

Please tell me
you're not another artist.

I'm only training as a designer
at the tech,

I'm only training as a designer
and I'm feeling distinctly left out.

and I'm feeling distinctly left out.

Are you at the Gallery School, too?

Well, yes, I'm afraid so.

do you want to be a real artist
Well, yes, I'm afraid so.

do you want to be a real artist
like everybody else in the room?

Well, I don't know about an artist,
but I want to be a real something.

A real what?

Writer.

Yeah, I want to be a writer.

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

Will you put me in it?

If you give me your address.

You wouldn't prefer
If you give me your address.

You wouldn't prefer
to start with my name?

Now, Jessica. Meet David.

You might remember him
Now, Jessica. Meet David.

You might remember him
from our art class today,

though what he was doing there
still remains a mystery,

as indeed what he's doing here,
for that matter.

But what is clear is the man
needs a needs a drink.

Just a small one.

Nurse, the patient shows acute
symptoms of Presbyterianism.

Cheers.

Now, young Christian soldier,
you and I have a mission.

We do?

Together, you and I

are going to shake this drab,
retrograde dump of a town

till its teeth rattle.

And how are we going
to do that again, exactly?

With these.

You see, religion is merely
With these.

You see, religion is merely
the opiate of the masses.

You see, religion is merely
Art is their suppository.

Art is their suppository.

If I was going to go around
impressing pretty girls at parties

with the claim that I was about
to become a writer,

I thought I had better
at least look the part.

Have a go, Sheila.

Right...
(KEYS CLATTER)

Oh! (LAUGHS)

What is that?
It's a typewriter, Pops.

Don't you have them in the tramways?
I've got eyes in my head, haven't I?

I can see what it is.
What's it doing here?

I can see what it is.
It's mine.

It's mine.

What do you mean it's yours?
It's mine.

What do you mean it's yours?
It's not, is it?

You don't type.
It's a bloody woman's job.

I need it to write my articles.

Look what you've gone
and done to this boy.

Forget about your articles, Davey.

You've got an apprenticeship.

You've got a trade. And you're
bloody lucky to have either.

I'm not gonna have you doing a Jack.

I'm not having you chasing after
some silly pipedream.

I'm not having you chasing after
I won't have it.

I won't have it.

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

And if you don't like it, mister,

you can take yourself with it
for all I care.

Davey.

It really will be your house
when there's no-one else left in it.

Darling heart, did we order
a drowned rat?

Davey.

I've walked out of home.

What's happened?
This.

You've eloped with your typewriter.

Jess, could you, um, clear
some of your stuff off the couch

so Davey can doss down here
for the night?

No, please, Sam. I just need
somewhere to leave the machine.

And where will you go?
I'll sleep in the park.

No.
It's alright.

It's all just experience, right?

Well, I prefer my experiences
indoors with beautiful women,

but if that's what you want.

Take this. And please,
please call back in the morning.

Thank you, Sam, but I'll be fine.

No, bugger you.
That's my favourite coat.

Thanks.

The trouble was the bloody...

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

Yeah, yeah.

(HARMONICA PLAYING)

Who is to blame for this?

The bank?

(COUGHING)

Oh, no, thanks.

Give it time.

(TYPEWRITER KEYS CLATTER)

Jack.

So, I finally tracked you down, eh?

You here by yourself?

Sam's just gone out
to bring some friends back.

Sam's just gone out Mmm.

Mmm.

What sort of a frigging
joint is this place, anyway?

Is this Sam bloke
some kind of Tonk, or what?

Is this Sam bloke
Smells like a tart shop.

Smells like a tart shop.

Hey.

Oh, cripes.

That doesn't leave much
to the imagination, does it?

Have you moved in here?

Sam's letting me stay here
for a while till I work things out.

So, when did you get back?

This morning.
Sheila's found us a room.

This morning.
We've moved in together.

We've moved in together.

So, you're back for good, then?
Yeah.

So, you're back for good, then?
Listen, Davey,

Listen, Davey,

Mum got herself in a real stew
Listen, Davey,

Mum got herself in a real stew
when you shot through,

so I thought
I'd better come and find you

before she starts
calling the cops.

Yeah, well, I didn't shoot through,
did I?

Yeah, well, I didn't shoot through,
Huh?

Huh?

Dad kicked me out.

Davey, that flamin' house
is no good for anybody.

But it's Mum we've got to think of.

We just can't leave her alone
with him, can we?

We just can't leave her alone
I mean, that wouldn't be very fair.

I mean, that wouldn't be very fair.

Fife and drum
till the fun begins.

Fife and drum
My bloody oath it does.

My bloody oath it does.

Have we got enough?
My bloody oath it does.

Have we got enough?
Plenty, mate.

Oh. Excuse me.

Well, who's this divine specimen,
Oh. Excuse me.

Well, who's this divine specimen,
then?

Fancy getting your togs off
for an impromptu life class?

How do you fancy the inside view
of a dead dingo's bum?

Jack...

Hello. So, you found him then?

Am I the only one
who hasn't been introduced?

Sorry, Sam. This is my brother, Jack.

Oh, my dear Stunsail.
I didn't know you had a brother.

You must make yourself absolutely
at home while we organise...

..the orgy!

ALL: Yeah.

He was just leaving.
Was I?

If I'd realised
you were having a brawl in here,

I wouldn't have broken in,
follow what I mean?

I wouldn't have broken in,
No trouble, Jack.

No trouble, Jack.

(COUGHS AND SPLUTTERS)

She lets you paint her like that
without a stitch?

She lets you paint her like that
Stitchless.

Stitchless.

Absolutely completely stitchless.

You know, she's as frivolous
as you or me.

She'll sleep with you or me
or anybody.

Yeah?

That brother of yours,
he has serious purpose.

Yeah, he was born serious.
Mmm. What's wrong with that?

Nothing. Kid's alright.
Just serious, that's all.

Mmm.
Yeah. You know what worries me?

It's the first girl he meets.

Give him a dose of the clap,
or worse, get up the duff,

Give him a dose of the clap,
his whole life's ruined.

his whole life's ruined.

You watch out for him for me?

I can be trusted
to act as his moral guardian.

I reckon for a ponce,
you're not too shabby.

I reckon for a ponce, Mmm.

Mmm.

To ponces.

A phone call
for David Meredith, Esquire.

I trust it's important enough
to be taken on the firm's time.

Two minutes.

David Meredith speaking.

Who the hell are you?
Meredith, Sir.

Who the hell are you?
I hope to God that's your surname.

I hope to God that's your surname.

David Meredith.

You can't possibly be Stunsail.

Yes, sir.

We were under the impression
you were a retired sea captain.

A sailing ship man,
an old shellback.

Huh!

Fascinating.

What do you do?

I work in a lithographic studio, sir.

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

Even though you have a weakness
for splitting the infinitive.

Have you considered journalism
as a career?

I mean, as a full-time thing.
Not just as a contributor.

No. Not really.
Think about it.

You clearly have a bent for it.

You could start
on the shipping columns.

I'm indentured, sir.

Well, your father could
buy out your indentures.

I don't think so, sir.

He doesn't approve of my writing.

Really?

How extraordinary.

Well, there's no urgency.

Just keep the articles coming.

500 words on my desk every Thursday.

Think you can do that?
Yes, sir.

Think you can do that?
Thank you, Sir.

Thank you, Sir.

You're next.

Come on, Nipper, have a trot.
(LAUGHS)

Come on, Nipper, have a trot.
Come on. Come on. Up you get.

Come on. Come on. Up you get.

First things first.
Come on. Come on. Up you get.

First things first.
Get a nice, firm grip on the girl.

First things first.
That's it.

That's it.

Loosen up.

He's not bad, you know.
Loosen up.

He's not bad, you know.
He's a natural.

He's not bad, you know.
Give him a kiss, Sheila.

Give him a kiss, Sheila.

That's not a kiss.

Go on, give him a real kiss.

(GIGGLES) Jack!

To the family genius.

At least one of you boys
is going to be staying put.

You're not heading off on one
of your trips again, are you, Jack?

You just got back.
A man's got to go where the work is.

You just got back.
They say New South Wales is the go.

They say New South Wales is the go.

It's like the Depression
They say New South Wales is the go.

It's like the Depression
never even hit up there.

Who told you that?
Jungle telegraph.

I'll be back before you can say
'yours truly, Robinson',

with more money in my pocket
than our famous family author here.

Cheers.
Cheers.

(BURPS)

(BURPS)

Typical blasted Mick!

I've been thinking about home
and everything.

And I reckon I probably could put
up with Dad again for a while.

For Mum's sake. After all,
I survived you for 15 years.

JESSICA: (SHOUTS) I spend days
at a time sitting here for you

when I could be doing
my own work.

I'm not even allowed
to express a bloody opinion.

I'm not even allowed
And what am I to you?!

And what am I to you?!

When you sit there,
And what am I to you?!

When you sit there,
you are form, light and colour.

You're nothing more
than a bowl of fruit.

A bowl of fruit doesn't
need to express a bloody opinion.

How dare you? I'm just as much
of an artist as you.

How dare you? I'm just as much
You have an artistic temperament.

You have an artistic temperament.

As far as actual skill, talent,
dedication for real artistry,

the second you put your clothes
back on, that is where it stops.

Stunsail.

I just came to get the Remington,
toothbrush and razor.

Oh, you're going to shave your legs
at this time of night?

That's right. Everything's a joke
to Sam 'smart-arse' Burlington.

Oh, my dearest Jessica,

the hairiness of the human leg is
the overwhelming issue of our time.

the hairiness of the human leg is
To hell with you. Let me go!

To hell with you. Let me go!

Where are you going?

Oh, God. Oh, God.

Gone too far. Gone too far.

God, I'm a bastard.

Go after her, will you?

Make sure she's alright.

I feel like such a fool.

He really is sorry.

I mean, I don't think
it was just an act.

Maybe you should call him.

Why do you care?

Because I grew up

seeing what happens when two people
Because I grew up

seeing what happens when two people
stop talking to one another.

I know how it ends.

I will call him.

There's no phone where I stay,

but I can use the box
There's no phone where I stay,

but I can use the box
at the post office.

but I can use the box
I'll come with you.

I'll come with you.

Carting that thing?
Well, I promised Sam.

It's 50 yards down the street.
I'll be fine.

If Sam's calmed down a bit, I might
even catch a taxi back to his place.

If Sam's calmed down a bit, I might
Thanks.

Thanks.

Bye.

I couldn't have known
that I would never see Jessica again.

That the tragedy
brewing for my two closest friends

would soon dwarf the simmering
tensions in my own family.

Eggs Marconi.

For those of you who are interested,

the Meredith family vehicle departs
for service at St Andrews

the Meredith family vehicle departs
in 10 minutes.

in 10 minutes.

He is glad you're back.

He just doesn't have the first clue
how to make the words come out.

Hey, listen to this.

"In the course of the interview,

"the self-styled artist
Sam Burlington

"admitted that intimacy had taken
place between him and the victim."

"admitted that intimacy had taken
Her.

Her.

If that's anything to go by, I'd be
willing to admit intimacy myself.

How many times?

Oh, just once would do me.

Just once.
(LAUGHTER)

What's wrong with you?

Hey!

(LAUGHTER)

The police are here.

The newspaper said that Jessica
had been brutally assaulted

and strangled to death in a desolate
area beyond the tramway.

Sam Burlington was the only suspect.

He'd been taken to Russell Street
police station,

where he was being held
for questioning.

What the police didn't know

was that I was the last one
to have seen her alive.

Was that I was the last one
But I haven't been there.

But I haven't been there.

You know of any threats
or physical violence?

Sam and I weren't even friends.

We hardly even knew each other.

And as for Miss Rae,
we'd barely ever met.

You'd be much better off asking
someone else all these questions.

What I didn't understand then,
and barely do now,

is the panic of denial
that took hold of me that day.

And what I cannot justify
ever in my life

is why I didn't simply tell them
that Sam was my friend,

is why I didn't simply tell them
a gentle, kindly sort of person

a gentle, kindly sort of person

who could never have done
the terrible things

of which he'd been accused.

What's all your news?
Nothing.

Well, you have now. A letter.

And from Jack, too, I think.

"By the time you get this,
I will be working my passage

"By the time you get this,
"on a steamer to Chile."

"on a steamer to Chile."

Chile. Where's Chile?
Oh, shush up.

"There's work laying a pipeline
across the Andes.

"Incredibly well paid over there,
so they say."

"Incredibly well paid over there,
That would be right.

That would be right.

You ever heard such a harebrained
That would be right.

You ever heard such a harebrained
scheme in your life?

That boy will come home in a box.
You mark my words.

That boy will come home in a box.
I just hope it's not a C.O.D.

I just hope it's not a C.O.D.

Dad, that's an awful thing to say.

What else has he done?

Is he well? He's alright?

Read us some more, Davey.
Read us some more.

Of course I never read them
Jack's postscript.

"That terrible business about
that murdered girl

"even made it
into the into the Sydney papers.

"I'm sure
you're doing the right thing

"and standing by your mate Sam.

"Give him my regards, if they're
letting you visit him on remand."

You can knock as long as you like.

But Sheila packed all her things

and hoofed it off
up the road last week.

Did she leave a forwarding address?

I was going to ask you
the same question.

I was going to ask you
Oh, this came in the mail today

Oh, this came in the mail today

from that, uh, husband chappie
of hers.

If he is her husband.

Not that it's any of my business.

I won't keep you, then.

Well, I can't say I blame her
I won't keep you, then.

Well, I can't say I blame her
for doing a bunk.

That rapist fella
struck again, apparently.

The what?
A 12-year-old this time.

Can you believe it?

Still one good thing, at least it
wasn't that poor model's fancy man.

Still one good thing, at least it
Coppers are letting him go.

Coppers are letting him go.

Here, do you want this letter?

Used to think it might be possible
to live in a new country like this.

Used to think it might be possible
Be different.

Be different.

I'll have to pay a price.

You know, you're the only one
of my so-called friends

who's bothered to visit me.

My brother wanted you to know

he never believed
My brother wanted you to know

he never believed
any of the accusations.

Not even for a second.

Shit.
Don't make 'em like you two anymore.

Look, I'm so sorry.
No, no, no, no.

Occasionally,
when I was locked up...

..they let me see a newspaper.

The poor thing looked like
the moths had been at it

after everything to do with the
investigation had been cut out.

Once a week, there'd be
the good old Stunsail column.

Kept me going.

What are you going to do in Europe?

Stuffed if I know.

Just pray I don't end up
growing roses.

Why roses?

It's what my father did.

Wouldn't that be the ultimate irony?

After everything we strive for,

we end up becoming our fathers
regardless.

we end up becoming our fathers
God, I hope not.

God, I hope not.

Well, you'd better be ready

to betray everything
you're comfortable with.

Everything you believe in.

Do you think you can do that?

(KNOCKING)
Mum???

Mum!

Is he alright?
I don't know. Let's get him inside.

So, you'd like that
in Friday's morning edition, sir.

Missing persons section, thanks.

Well, blow me down
if it isn't Stunsail.

Well, blow me down
I've been meaning to call you in.

I've been meaning to call you in.

No, really, I have.

There's a vacancy coming up
on the reporting staff here.

Are you out of your indenture
to that, what is it,

Are you out of your indenture
lithographic firm yet?

lithographic firm yet?

Not quite, Mr Brewster.
That's a pity.

We could use someone like you who
can crank out words like sausages.

But I can't hold the spot open
indefinitely.

Well, leave it with me, sir.
I'll work something out.

Well, leave it with me, sir.
Will you? Good man.

Will you? Good man.

That'll be three shillings,
thanks, sir.

How is he?
He's pretty crook.

Can you come and see him?

Can you keep your old man
out of the way?

I can try.

I'm not bringing the baby.

Whose baby?

Jack's, of course.
Whose do you think?

Why didn't you get in touch, Sheila?
I could have helped.

You must have had an awful time.
I managed.

It's the reason I took off
without telling anyone.

It's the reason I took off
I didn't want Jack finding out

I didn't want Jack finding out

he had a little girl
he couldn't afford to raise.

And I'll be damned if I'm going
to torture him with her now,

if he's not
going to pull out of this.

Come on! Get back.

Get up.

We gradually pieced together
what had happened to Jack.

After a year
of bitter disappointments in Chile,

he fell into a mysterious fever

and was shipped back to Sydney
as a distressed British subject.

And was shipped back to Sydney
(CALLS OUT)

(CALLS OUT)

Shh. It's alright.

Without a penny to his name,
he set out to walk home to Melbourne,

a journey of over 700 miles.

By all the standards of reasonable
chance he should have perished,

of starvation, of exposure,
of exhaustion.

Yet somehow, Jack being Jack,
he survived.

(MUMBLES AND MUTTERS)

Yellow or black?

Yellow.

(SOBBING) I can't watch you.

What I couldn't grasp
through the whole ordeal

was why opportunity after opportunity
should fall into my lap,

while at every turn,
Jack's decency and goodness of heart

were rewarded
with a kick in the teeth.

G'day, Nipper.

Sheila.

Here.

I've called her Sharon.

Sharon.

I'm sorry...

For being a mad bastard?

We can't help the way we're born.

None of us.

By my reckoning, you owe us
22 more months hard labour

for the time
and money we've invested in you.

for the time
We might be willing to release you

We might be willing to release you

if you're prepared
to sign a guarantee.

A guarantee?

That you won't practise commercial
art with any of our rivals.

I think I can definitely
guarantee that, Mr Denton.

I think I can definitely
Definitely.

Definitely.

I'll have the paperwork drawn up.

Tell me one thing.

Why?

Why now?

Well, my brother's seriously ill,

and my mother could use the help
Well, my brother's seriously ill,

and my mother could use the help
at home.

And I have something else lined up.

The newspaper?

Yes.

(CHUCKLES)

Try putting something of yourself
into your new work.

Who knows?

You might even get good.

Jack, I've been thinking.

If I didn't completely
burn my bridges with Old Joe,

he might be willing to swing you
a storeman's job at the printery

once you're back on your feet.

Yeah?

You hear that, Sheil?

Ha-ha!

I'm gonna be a breadwinner again.

Hey.

I might just have a job for you,
too, Nipper.

How'd you like to be my best man?

Oh, wouldn't I?

Come here.

Even armed
with a smart suit and hat,

I felt unprepared for the new world
that I was entering

and the brave new face
I would need to present.

The Morning Post was rather
a special sort of newspaper,

known in those days for
its high standards of reporting.

First-year cadets were expected
to have private school educations

First-year cadets were expected
and impressive university degrees.

And impressive university degrees.

Having neither,
I felt like an imposter.

I'll show you
where you'll be working.

Good morning, Mr Brewster.

Kevin. Bernie.

It's a real honour to be here,
Mr Brewster.

It's early days yet, sunshine.

And it needn't concern you
for quite a while.

And it needn't concern you
This is the special writers room.

This is the special writers room.

And the Shakespeare with his feet
This is the special writers room.

And the Shakespeare with his feet
up on the desk is Gavin Turley.

And the Shakespeare with his feet
Special writer.

Special writer.

Reptiles.

If I may have your attention.

This is Mr David Meredith.

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

I trust you will all make him
welcome at the Post.

I trust you will all make him
And assist him in learning the ropes

And assist him in learning the ropes

as swiftly
And assist him in learning the ropes

as swiftly
and as painlessly as possible.

as swiftly Curtis?

Curtis?

Sorry to interrupt.
Oh, just a minute.

Yes, sir.
Meredith. That rings a bell.

Wesley. Coxless fours.

Well, they're all coxless at Wesley.

So I've been told.

Uh, actually, I went to Elsternwick
High if you're that interested.

No rowing there, I wouldn't think.

No, no. Just boxing.

Ah, Mr Meredith, laddy.

Condon, Curtis Condon,
Ah, Mr Meredith, laddy.

Condon, Curtis Condon,
chief of staff.

Condon, Curtis Condon,
You found yourself a desk, I see.

You found yourself a desk, I see.

If you want to stay in my good
books, you'll remember three things.

One, a sentence has to make sense.

Two split an infinitive
and I'll split your head.

And above all, three.
Don't try to be funny.

I only see jokes by appointment.

Here's your list of day rounds.
That tie could use a straighten.

Condon took particular delight

in assigning me to cover the cover
the drownings, car accidents,

in assigning me to cover the cover
and suicides.

And suicides.

But since the Post and suicides.

But since the Post
never ran a suicide story,

But since the Post
as it was a respectable paper,

as it was a respectable paper,

the sole purpose
of sending cadets along

was to have our natural sensitivities
rubbed into calluses

against the raw, stark facts
of death and life.

Against the raw, stark facts
Oh, struth.

Oh, struth.

Oh...

Yeah, well, you got two choices.

Either you go under
or you toughen up.

You tell them
bunch of chinless wonders

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

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

Yeah, I know, Jack.

That's good.
I'm glad to hear it.

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

I won't have to beat the living
I told him I studied boxing.

I told him I studied boxing.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah, I do remember that uppercut.

And I remember that haymaker.

Yeah, it wasn't too shabby
at all, was it, Nipper? Hey.

It was Jack who convinced me to put
the childish things behind me,

to hammer out the past
and seal it all off forever

behind a sheet of polished veneer,

desperately driving nail after nail

through the treacherous emotions
of a tiny suburban history.

(GLASS SHATTERS)

(HAMMERING CONTINUES)

Give it a spark, Mum.

Then I bade farewell to the crutches
and gas masks,

to the memory
of mother weeping in the night

of Jack's body sprawled
in exhaustion at our front step.

Of Dad
imprisoned in his own nightmare.

And of myself running through
the rain with a banished typewriter.

And I steeled myself
for whatever might happen next.

(POPS AND EXPLOSIONS)

(HEARS GUNFIRE AND LOUD EXPLOSIONS)

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright
Australian Broadcasting Corporation