by A R Dent
~~~~~
Saturday nights were different to other nights in Null. At the hotel people gathered to socialise. People socialised with a drinking partner or drinking group. One group sat and said nothing and drank nothing. This group was waiting for the excitement to begin. A party to gatecrash. This group knew if there was a party they could gatecrash, they could get drunk for free. This group happened to be half of the first grade football team. One player was related to Gary Smith, another player was related to Eloise Buchanan, and another player was related to Patricia Overton. Their ears were sharp. A local old timer walked over to the group and said, ‘Would you boys like some orange juice? There are no parties tonight. Go home and watch TV.’ The group left the hotel and each person went to the boat ramp to see who was catching what? Something could be of interest in Null on a Saturday night.
In another part of Null this Saturday night.
In the Dawson’s home, Penny woke in the middle of the night. Her thoughts of all the stories her father told her. Penny lived in a fantasy world as her father, Ron, took her to far places on earth. Distant travels into space. The world of Hollow Log was created one night. The nights of storytelling Penny became whoever she wanted to be.
Penny switched on the light, walked to her desk, sat down and wrote until the morning star appeared. Penny returned to her bed and slept. At the side of her bed was Charlie. At the bottom of her bed snuggled into her legs was Escere the cat.
