by Jack Davis
He leaves. PEGGY imitates his gesture, then realises what he meant. She giggles.
SCENE SEVEN
In the Winallis’ house WILLIAM works at making a new didgeridoo, trimming bark from a length of wood with his axe. The RANGER enters. WILLIAM sees him, quickly hides the length of wood and sits on the table sharpening his axe. The RANGER approaches him.
RANGER: Morning.
WILLIAM: Hi.
RANGER: Forestry Department. Can I come in?
WILLIAM shrugs. The RANGER enters and casts his eye around the house.
What are you doing?
WILLIAM: I beg your pardon?
RANGER: I said, ‘What are you doing?’
WILLIAM: I’m sitting down sharpening my axe.
RANGER: May I ask what for?
WILLIAM: Because it’s blunt.
RANGER: You don’t intend to use that to cut down trees, do you?
WILLIAM shrugs.
What’s your name?
WILLIAM: Look, you attend to your affairs and I’ll attend to mine.
RANGER: You being here is my affair. Do you know who I am?
WILLIAM: Smokey Bear?
RANGER: I’m the Forest Ranger.
WILLIAM: Well, congratulations.
RANGER: And for your benefit, Section Twelve of the Forestry Control Act states that anyone wilfully damaging trees in a State Forest is liable to a five-hundred-dollar fine or six months’ gaol.
WILLIAM: Have you seen me wilfully damaging trees?
RANGER: No, but it’s pretty obvious—
WILLIAM: It’s pretty obvious you’re picking on me because I’m an Aboriginal.
RANGER: Now, listen, you’re very lucky the Forestry Department lets you rent this house. You were warned if there was any trouble—
WILLIAM springs to his feet.
WILLIAM: Now you listen to me! My people lived here for forty thousand years before you blokes came here. You took this land from us and now you expect me to be grateful? We lived here for centuries and we didn’t need written acts to protect things, not even ourselves.
RANGER: Maybe not, but times have changed.
WILLIAM: Times don’t change, Mr Ranger. Only people. It’s men of your skin that have changed this land, not me and mine.
RANGER: Well, now it’s my job to protect the forest.
WILLIAM: You’re two hundred years too late.
He picks up his axe. The RANGER steps back.
And do you know why? Do you know why? [Holding up the axe] Because of this! When you wadjellas came here with your steel you killed millions of trees and tens of thousands of my people. And now you’re telling me not to cut down one single tree! A thousand of your white laws won’t save this land.
RANGER: Alright, you tell me how the forest can be saved.
WILLIAM: Give up using the land the way you white people do. Stop owning it and let it own you. Start with the children. When they’re born, give them the names of the rocks, the trees, the rivers and the plains. The trees: … wilyuwa, the wattle—kudden, the red gum—jarraly, the jarrah. The animals: … yonga, the kangaroo—kumal, the possum—tjutidj, the native cat. The birds: … kulbardi, the magpie—waitj, the emu—gnwirlak, the black cockatoo. Then your children will learn to love and guard their namesakes for the rest of their lives.
Music begins quietly as the RANGER leaves.
Mr Ranger? You don’t have to change the colour of your skin. [Pointing to his head] Just change here—[pointing to his heart] and here.
The RANGER leaves.
SCENE EIGHT
PEGGY arrives at the honey spot and begins to do ballet stretches. The Winallis enter, WILLIAM lagging behind as usual, with an armful of cut didgeridoo wood and one completed didgeridoo.
TIM: Here we are, Mother, the honey spot.
MOTHER: Yes, good place for a rehearsal. Nice and quiet so’s no one can see you make a fool of yourself.
They meet PEGGY.
TIM: Hi.
MOTHER: Hello.
PEGGY: Where’s William?
TIM: He’s coming. Hurry up, Cousin!
WILLIAM struggles into the clearing.
Jeez, you always keep us waiting!
WILLIAM: Well, if you’d helped me carry these it would’ve been easier.
TIM: No fear. If Mr Ranger sees me with that lot he’ll reckon I’m a criminal.
WILLIAM: Don’t worry about Mr Ranger. I told him a thing or two this morning. Better hide these before he comes snooping around again.
He hides the wood behind the log. PEGGY starts to organise the rehearsal.
PEGGY: Alright, listen everybody. I’ve worked out how we’re going to do this dance. Now, the first thing that happens is there’s these two swans, a black swan and a white swan, and they’re swimming along on a lake …
WILLIAM: Hey, this is in Northam!
PEGGY: What?
WILLIAM: This story’s in Northam. It’s the only place they got white swans.
MOTHER: No, they do find them in other places.
WILLIAM: But they come from Europe
PEGGY: Look, it doesn’t matter where the swans are. They’re just swimming. So Tim and me’ll do the dance and then you can work out the music for it.
She gets up to demonstrate.
Now the first bit goes like this.
She dances a few ballet steps, humming a tune from Swan Lake.
Alright? Watch again.
She repeats the steps, calling out the French terms for each movement.
It’s just … glissade derrierè, pas-de-chat, posé arabesque, chassé through to fourth, preen, preen, posé pirouette in attitude …
TIM watches, mystified.
What’s the matter?
TIM: Nothing.
He signals ‘crazy’ to WILLIAM.
PEGGY: It’s not too hard. Come on, we’ll do it slowly.
She walks him through the first couple of movements.
You try it on your own now.
TIM tries hard but is very clumsy.
Nice. But just watch again.
TIM makes a big effort, aiming to get through the sequence, but he gets in a tangle and falls. WILLIAM thinks it is hilarious.
WILLIAM: Solid, Cousin Tim, real solid!
TIM gets up, angry.
TIM: Oh that’s weak, that ballet!
PEGGY: No it’s not.
TIM: It doesn’t even look like a swan. Have you ever seen a swan?
PEGGY: Of course.
TIM: Well where do you see a swan do this?
He parodies ballet movements.
PEGGY: It’s just supposed to suggest a swan. It’s ballet.
TIM: Well, you do it. I’m not gonna!
PEGGY: Look, I’m teaching you!
She repeats the sequence.
TIM: That’s easy for you. How long have you been doing ballet?
PEGGY: Since I was six.
MOTHER: Well, it’s a bit hard for Timmy to learn straight off, love.
PEGGY: Alright, how can we do it, then?
TIM: Corroboree style. The swan isn’t swimming, he’s walking along the bank looking for worms. He’s got a long neck, and a bushy tail and he waddles like a duck, only slow.
He demonstrates this, a corroboree-style dance.
Go on, try that.
PEGGY tries, but is attempting to be too graceful.
TIM: Not like that! Look, a long neck, knees in, and stick out your kwon! [‘… backside!’]
He pushes PEGGY’s body into this position. She attempts to dance, wiggling her bottom.
WILLIAM: Go, Peggy, look at that kwon!
PEGGY stops. She is angry.
PEGGY: Well it’s not very graceful doing it like that!
TIM: Well, swans don’t walk very graceful.
PEGGY: Why have swans in a dance then? Why not have wombats or something?
TIM: Trouble with you is, you’re just like all wadjellas. You want us to listen to you all the time, do everything your way!
MOTHER: Tim!
PEGGY: It’s just I know what ballet’s all about.
TIM: And I know all about corroboree!
MOTHER: Well, you two arguing’s not gonna help.
TIM: She won’t listen, Mum!
PEGGY: And you won’t listen to me!
TIM: Oh, I’ve had this. I’m going home!
PEGGY: So am I!
They storm off in opposite directions.
WILLIAM: You go get her and I’ll get him!
He heads off after TIM and drags him back. MOTHER fetches PEGGY.
Cousin Tim, you come back here mirryup mirryup, right this minute!
MOTHER: Come on, Peggy, we’ll try again.
TIM: It’s just a waste of time. Our kind and her kind just don’t mix!
MOTHER: Quiet, both of you!
MOTHER speaks to PEGGY.
Now, where have you been walking?
PEGGY: What do you mean?
MOTHER: Where are your footmarks?
PEGGY points vaguely.
PEGGY: There, I think.
MOTHER: Tim?
TIM points sullenly.
TIM: Nitja. [‘There.’]
MOTHER: Right, now you two are really going to feel this!
She takes off her shoe and begins to beat the ground on the children’s footmarks, chanting.
Gnuny nooning tjinna barminy,
Tjinna barminy, tjinna barminy.
Noonuk warrah, yorga warra nop.
Gnuny nooning tjinna barminy,
Tjinna barminy, tjinna barminy.
Noonuk warrah, yorga warra nop.
Gnuny nooning tjinna barminy,
Tjinna nooning, tjinna barminy,
Tjinna barminy tjinna barminy.
Cooo-ooo!
[‘I will beat your footsteps,
Beat your footsteps, beat your footsteps.
You are a bad girl and a bad boy.
I will beat your footsteps,
Beat your footsteps, beat your footsteps.
You are a bad girl and a bad boy.
I will beat your footsteps,
Beat your footsteps,
Beat your footsteps beat your footsteps
Woe!’]
TIM and PEGGY know that they have been chastised.
TIM: Sorry, Mum, I’m sorry.
PEGGY: Sorry, Mrs Winalli.
MOTHER: Alright, let’s try again. Maybe we gotta have another think. We got two different styles of dancing, right? So, if we want to do something together we both gotta bend a bit, so’s the two dances can blend together.
PEGGY: Well, what if we tried modern dance, like this …
She demonstrates a modern dance movement which incorporates elements of Aboriginal dance. TIM and WILLIAM join in enthusiastically and they are just starting to get somewhere when the RANGER arrives.
RANGER: Hey! What’s going on here?
PEGGY: Dad.
He sees the fresh-cut wood.
RANGER: And who’s responsible for cutting these?
PEGGY: Daddy, please.
The RANGER looks at WILLIAM.
RANGER: Looks like I caught you red-handed this time.
PEGGY: Dad, please, these are my friends.
RANGER: You’ve got a lot to answer for when I get you home, young lady.
He turns to TIM.
And I suppose you’re the short fat one with the limp called Tim who has to eat a lot of honey.
MOTHER: Mr Ranger, we just came here to help your daughter with her dancing.
RANGER: She doesn’t need your help. She’s lucky enough to have one of the best teachers in the state.
He turns to PEGGY.
Now, you’ve been covering up for these people. Go back and wait in the jeep.
PEGGY: But …
RANGER: Go on!
PEGGY leaves, close to tears.
MOTHER: Mr Ranger, you’re doing your daughter a very grave wrong.
RANGER: I’ll be the judge of that.
He picks up the didgeridoo.
Now, I’ll have this, if you don’t mind.
WILLIAM moves to grab it back.
WILLIAM: That’s mine.
The RANGER pushes him away.
RANGER: It’s made from wood illegally cut in a State Forest.
He finds the other wood.
And here’s more evidence too, as if we needed any.
He bends to pick it up from behind the log.
TIM: Look out, snake!
The RANGER is bitten and he jumps back.
Did it get you?
RANGER: My ankle.
WILLIAM kills the snake with the didgeridoo.
WILLIAM: Gawd, it’s a tiger snake—warrah. [‘… bad.’]
MOTHER: Quick, Tim, lie him down.
TIM tries to get the RANGER to lie down, but the RANGER throws him off.
RANGER: I’m alright, I tell you! I’m alright!
WILLIAM: So you don’t want a blackfella to help you, eh?
PEGGY runs back.
PEGGY: Daddy!
MOTHER: No time for pride, Mr Ranger!
PEGGY: Daddy, they only want to help you!
WILLIAM throws the RANGER to the ground.
WILLIAM: You butjarra yarginy—You stay on the ground!
Again the RANGER tries to rise but WILLIAM holds him.
WILLIAM: You dwonkalirt? You deaf? I told you we could save the land if you took notice. Well, now we can save your life if we want to.
He leaves the RANGER and goes to make a bush stretcher, using two didgeridoo poles and the RANGER’s jacket. TIM ties a tourniquet using MOTHER’s scarf.
You got a knife, Tim?
TIM: No, why?
WILLIAM: You got to cut a snakebite and suck the poison out.
TIM: I’m not doing that!
MOTHER: William, you do it!
WILLIAM: I’m not sucking on his leg, no way!
TIM: We don’t suck at all. That’s the old method.
WILLIAM: You gotta get the poison out.
TIM: Look, I know from St John’s. You just tie a tight bandage and get him to the hospital. Where’s the jeep, Mr Ranger?
RANGER: Down on the fire break.
TIM: Who’s gonna drive?
MOTHER: William’s got no licence.
TIM: None of us have.
WILLIAM: Look, this is an emergency.
He finds a wood chip and spits on it.
Right, Cousin Tim, wet or dry?
He flips the chip into the air.
TIM: Wet.
Before it lands WILLIAM yells.
WILLIAM: Dry it is! I’m driving. Woolah!
They carry the RANGER. Their voices can be heard as they move further away.
MOTHER: Be careful!
WILLIAM: Dubakieny, dubakieny, allewah, dubakieny! [‘Steady, steady, look out, steady!’]
INTERLUDE
MOTHER sits at table in the Winallis’ house. WILLIAM comes back in with a present hidden behind his back. He makes MOTHER hide her eyes and places the present on the table in front of her. She opens her eyes and sees the present—a new kettle. WILLIAM, very proud, shows her his pay packet.
SCENE NINE
PEGGY is slowly walking home from school. She is depressed. TIM whistles to her.
TIM: G’day.
PEGGY: Hello.
TIM: You been avoiding me at school all week.
PEGGY nods.
How’s your dad?
PEGGY: He’s alright. They’re just keeping him at the hospital a couple more days.
They are silent for a while.
TIM: Funny, eh?
PEGGY: What’s funny?
TIM: Things never turn out the way we plan.
PEGGY: How do you mean?
TIM: Well, we still going to do this dance or not?
PEGGY: I don’t know.
TIM: What about your scholarship assessment?
PEGGY: I’m not trying out for it. I’m giving up dancing.
TIM: Why? Just ’c
ause of your dad? That wasn’t your fault. Anyway, with him laid up in hospital he hasn’t been round to kick us out of the Forestry cottage.
PEGGY: He can’t do that. You saved his life.
TIM: So, let’s go on working on that dance. We’re just getting keen on it. We’ve worked out the music and Cousin William’s got a new didgeridoo, all painted up and everything.
PEGGY: It’s too late now.
TIM: You know what’s wrong with you? You got no guts.
PEGGY: What?
TIM: You’re just plain dumb and weak as water.
PEGGY: I am not.
TIM: You are. You’re one of those people that gives up just as soon as anything gets a bit tough for you. You didn’t think our dance would be any good and you’re just using your dad as an excuse.
PEGGY: I’m not.
TIM: Well, prove it, then. We got a week to go before you gotta go for that scholarship assessment. If we work hard, we can do it!
PEGGY is convinced. She throws her arms around TIM and gives him a kiss.
PEGGY: Oh, Tim!
TIM pretends he is disgusted.
TIM: Argh! Get going. See you at the honey spot in half an hour.
He wipes off the kiss as he runs off.
Yuk! I hate girls!
INTERLUDE
MOTHER and WILLIAM enter their house. Both are dressed up in showy costumes, improvised from second-hand clothes. They admire each other.
SCENE TEN
PEGGY and the RANGER come to the honey spot.
RANGER: I don’t know what I’m going to say to them. They knew I didn’t trust them but they still saved my life.
PEGGY: They knew you were just doing your job.
RANGER: Maybe I was a racist and just wouldn’t admit it.
PEGGY: Anyway, you have to see our dance. It’s our last rehearsal before I go for the scholarship.
RANGER: For once in my life I’m scared I’m going to be tongue-tied.
PEGGY: No, you won’t be.
The Winallis arrive, rattling clapsticks and blowing blasts on the didgeridoos. WILLIAM wears a sandwich board which reads ‘Honey Spot Dancers’.
TIM: What do youse reckon?
PEGGY: Great, William looks really moorditj!
WILLIAM: ‘Moorditj’! We’ll make a nyoongah out of you yet.
PEGGY: My dad’s come to see our last rehearsal.
MOTHER: Good, we need an audience now. How’re you feeling, Mr Ranger?
RANGER: Not too bad, thanks to all of you.
He hesitates.
