AustLit

Sky Without Birds

by Oriel Gray

(1950)

Characters

ACT ONE, SCENE ONE

THE POST OFFICE IN THE SETTLEMENT OF KOORORA, WHICH HAS GROWN UP BESIDE THE RAILWAY LINE ACROSS THE NULLARBOR DESERT. THE POST OFFICE IS SMALL, BUILT OF FIBRO. A LOW COUNTER RUNS ALONG THE LEFT SIDE AND CONTINUES, L-SHAPED ALONG THE BACK WALL. ABOUT HALFWAY ALONG THE WALL IT STOPS SHORT AND GIVES PLACE TO A DOOR, WHICH OPENS ONTO A SECTION OF VERANDAH, THE POSTS VISIBLE TO THE AUDIENCE. A GLASS WINDOW, BROWN WASHED, IS BEHIND THE BACK COUNTER AND IN THE LEFT CORNER. THE COUNTER HAS LIFT-UP SECTION FOR PASSING IN AND OUT.

ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE POST OFFICE IS A LONG BENCH AND HANGING ON THE WALL BEHIND IT ARE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT POSTERS AND POSTAL NOTICES. IN THE UPPER CORNER NEAR THE WINDOW, WALLED IN ON ITS OWN SMALL COUNTER, BUT OBVIOUSLY A TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT, IS A SMALL SWITCHBOARD. IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER IS A DOOR WHICH LEADS INTO THE DWELLING, WHICH IS BEHIND THE OFFICE.

ON THE LEDGE BEHIND THE L-SHAPED COUNTER ARE TELEGRAM FORMS, POST OFFICE IMPEDIMENTA, A TYPEWRITER WITH A CHAIR IN FRONT OF IT. ON THE COUNTER ITSELF, RACKS OF FORMS.

THERE IS A FEELING OF EXTREME HEAT. THE LATE AFTERNOON SUN POURS IN A BLASE THROUGH THE OPEN DOOR AND THE BROWN PAINTED WINDOW GLOWS WITH IT.

AS THE CURTAIN RISES A TRAIL WHISTLE SOUNDS IN THE DISTANCE. AFTER A MOMENT, THE HOUSE DOOR OPENS AND PEG ROBINSON, BIG-BONED, UNGRACEFUL, TOLERANT AND FRIENDLY, PUTS HER HEAD ROUND, SHOOTING A GLANCE ROUND THE OFFICE.

PEG: Major ... (ANOTHER GLANCE SHOWS HER THAT THE OFFICE IS EMPTY. SHE COMES IN, WALKS DOWN BEHIND THE COUNTER STOPPING TO GLANCE AT ONE OF THE TELEGRAM FORMS WAITING BESIDE THE SENDING MACHINE. HAVING READ IT SHE GOES ON, LETS HERSELF OUT BY THE HINGED SECTION AND GOES ONTO THE DOORSTEP, SHADING HER EYES AGAINST THE GLARE. SUDDENLY SHE WAVES AND BECKONS.

RICK O'HARA COMES IN, FOLLOWED BY HEINRICH SCHAFER. RICK IS FORTY, BURNT BROWN, HAWK NOSED, A 'TYPICAL' AUSTRALIAN; HEINRICH IS THIRTY, WITH A KIND OF TIRED GOOD LOOKS, UNAFFECTEDLY GOOD-MANNERED, OUTWARDLY PLEASANT, INSIDE HIMSELF A BLIND-EYED WITHDRAWAL FROM HUMAN CONTACT THAT SHOWS ITSELF WHEN THE SENSITIVENESS HE TRIES TO DENY IS TOUCHED.

RICK: Hello Peg ...playing postmaster. Where's Major?

PEG: Don't know, Rick. He can't have gone far ... I came in from the house and found him gone and the place all unlocked.

RICK: Then he hasn't gone far ... Peg, this is Heinrich Schafer I told you was coming ...

PEG: (SHE HAS A QUICK INTEREST IN EVERYTHING AS THOUGH A FRESH THOUGHT IS A DELIGHT TO HER) Oh, yes, you'll be working in the railway sheds. They're Koorora's one reason for existing, aren't they Rick?

RICK: Yeah, we clean the desert out of 'em and while we're cleaning it, the dust's blowing across the curve out there (GESTURING) and by the time they have shunted out, it's all blown into 'em again. But think of the fun we have!

PEG: Did you have a good trip? Isn't that train the last word! The way it just stops, miles from anywhere, without a single thing in sight ...

RICK: That's the slogan of the West Australian railways ... 'We stop at nothing'.

PEG: (LAUGHING) Oh Rick ... no! That's the Great Australian humour for you, Mr Schafer. And as an example, that's pretty dreadful.

HEINE: Surely not ... and my name is Heinrich ... or Heine, if you prefor it.

PEG: Mine's Peg ... or Peggy, if you prefer it ...

RICK: Or Margaret or Maggie, or Meg or just Earbasher.

PEG MAKES A THREATENING GESTURE AS SHE GOES BACK THROUGH COUNTER.

PEG: Are you two coming through to have a cup of tea?

RICK: We’ll take Heine’s stuff over home first, Peg ... Nereia might be waiting.

HEINE: It is so kind of you to give bed and board to an unknown ... I was so surprised when I heard from you.

RICK: If you knew how badly we need loco mechanics here you wouldn't think I was being kind –

PEG: (FROM HER CHAIR SWUNG AROUND IN FRONT OF THE TYPEWRITER) Besides he has to get people to listen to his jokes somehow.

HEINE: (GOING OVER TO HER AND LEANING ACROSS THE COUNTER) A secret between you and me ... I really did not understand that joke about the trains and the slogan. I think perhaps my English is not – conversant.

PEG: Seems pretty good to me. Have you been studying long?

HEINE: I learned it when I went to university. But learning a language so, and speaking it in the country of its origin are very different attainments. Already I find so many terms, and idioms, and colloquialisms ... they are quite beyond me.

RICK: You’ll catch on. Just hang on to your present vocabulary and I’ll give you about five words for everyday use. You’ll get along.

HEINE: And then I will be able to comprehend your good joke about the trains.

RICK: I wouldn't start studying again just for that. It’s not that good. Anyway, it’s not such a bad train – as trains go.

HEINE: It was a very pleasant train —— although I am afraid that quite often it did not go.

PEG: (TRIUMPHANTLY) There you are —- you've got it! That's the joke.

WHILE HEINE IS LOOKING FROM ONE TO THE OTHER, STILL UNCOMPREHENDING, HARRY ROBINSON – MAJOR – COMES IN FROM THE FRONT DOOR. HE IS A BIG MAN. HAS BEEN HANDSOME. NOW HE LOOKS RATHER BATTERED BUT WORKS HARD TO PRESERVE HIS SOLDIERLY APPEARANCE. HIS ATTITUDE TO PEG IS ONE OF PROTECTOR TO LITTLE WOMAN, TO RICK A CAUTIOUS FRIENDLINESS.

MAJOR: Hello ... Hello ... Hello ... How’s it going, Rick?

RICK: Fine, Major.

PEG: Major, this is Heinrich -— Schafer, is it? (HEINRICH SMILES ASSENT.) This is my husband, Harry Robinson.

MAJOR: (With a certain stiffness) How d’you do. Have a good trip?

HEINE: Very pleasant ...

PEG: (Cutting in merrily) We’ve just been explaining to him about the train. Rick was trying to be funny -—

RICK: Trying to be? Good enough for the Tiv. I'm sending it to Moey next week -— just as soon as I dirty it up a bit ...

PEG: I said the train just stops, for no reason, with nothing in sight, and Rick said that's the railway's slogan 'We stop at nothing'.

MAJOR: (POLITELY) Is it? Of course, you’re likely to have all sorts of mechanical holdups travelling through this desert country. (RICK GRINS IN PURE DELIGHT AT THE MAJOR) But that'll be your worry from now on, won't it. (WITH SOMETHING OF HOSTILITY) You'll be able to compare our trains with the ones where you've come from.

HEINE: In Germany ... (SUDDENLY HE HAS BECOME AWARE OF THE MAJOR'S HOSTILITY AND HIS FRIENDLINESS FADES WITH THE WORDS: THE NEXT WORD IS SOMETHING OF A CHALLENGE.) Germany.

MAJOR: (SIDESTEPPING IT) Ummm ... Yes ... yes ...

HE GOES OVER TO SWITCH, FIDDLES WITH IT.

MAJOR: Many calls through while I've been out, Peggy?

PEG: None at all, Major.

MAJOR: Wish they'd send someone from Perth to install this switch properly. This is asking for trouble, leaving it standing here. I've told them ...

RICK: Dont say too much about it, Major -— else they'll come and take it away again and we'll all be left without the benefits of civilization.

PEG: Oh, we'd have the radio ... all those lovely serials about girls who ought to have babies but can't, and girls who oughtn't to have babies ...

MAJOR CLEARS HIS THROAT ABRUPTLY.

RICK: Oh, yeah, they'll leave us the radio ... what'd the politicians do without it. But better watch out for that switch, Major —-

MAJOR: (SERIOUSLY) They couldn't leave a settlement of sixty-seven people without a switchboard ... but I do wish they'd put it over here behind the counter.

HE GIVES ANOTHER FOND BUT DISSATISFIED PAT AND GOES OVER BEHIND THE COUNTER.

RICK: Come on, Heinrich – we'll go home – see if my wife's back yet. Have you seen Nereia, Peg? Has she finished at the store?

PEG: Haven't been in there today, Rick.

RICK: Nereia gives a hand in the general store here —- does the books, too. She likes something to do.

HEINE Nereia ...

PEG: Pretty name, isn't it. Mum says she got it out of a book, but she can't remember what book it was. Some of the books Mum reads, Nereia's lucky she wasn't called Doralinda or something ... nice and fancy ...

HEINE: And did your name come also from a book.

PEG: Telephone Book. No, I was lucky, too. Mum was on basket work when I was born and she just asked asked the lady next door what she thought. So I got Peggy ... mostly chopped off a bit at that.

MAJOR: I always call you Peggy. I think it's much more ... more feminine.

PEG: (AFFECTIONATELY) I know you do.

HEINE: (SAVOURING IT) Nereia ... nereiads ... sea nymphs gaily ring his knell ... yes, that is beautiful ... and strange also, such a name, here in the desert.

PEG: It suits her, too, doesn't it, Rick?

HEINE: (RATHER INCREDULOUS) Does your sister resemble you Mrs. Robinson?

PEG: Lord no ... not a bit. But you'll see, won't he, Major?

MAJOR: (VERY GRUFF AND SO BUSY) Umm ... suppose he will ...

HEINE: (POLITE AND FRIENDLY) You say 'Major' ... you are in the army, Mr. Robinson?

MAJOR: Not in the army now ... was, of course. In the last show. You were too, I suppose.

HEINE: No.

MAJOR: (SURPRISED AND A LITTLE SCORNFUL) No? Thought all you chaps had to be in it.

HEINE: No ... even in the later stages of the war, the German army were not conscripting concentration camp prisoners who were being held for offences against the Nazi state ... especially if they were also Jewish. So I missed the last ... show.

RICK: On that note we'll be going. Got your stuff? (THEY COLLECT BAGGAGE, LEAVING ONE BAG SIDE OF COUNTER) See you both later.

HEINE: (RATHER FORMAL NOW) Good afternoon ... Major Robinson, Mrs. Robinson ...

PEG: (WARMLY) We'll see you soon, Heinrich ...

WARMED BY HER HE SMILES, GOES OUT AFTER RICK. AFTER THEY GO MAJOR STARTS CHECKING THROUGH LETTERS IN LETTER RACK; PEG STANDS BEHIND COUNTER NEAR TELEGRAM APPARATUS. HE IS PERTURBED BY MAJOR'S ATTITUDE TO HEINRICH BUT UNCERTAIN HOW TO BROACH IT. HER ATTENTION IS CAUGHT BY TELEGRAM FORM.

PEG: Oh, Mrs. Flannagan's niece had a daughter. That's nice she wanted a girl.

MAJOR: (SHOCKED) Really Peggy ... you know those telegram forms are private and confidential.

PEG: Nothing that happens to Gracie Flannagan's family is private and confidential. Not while Gracie's in it.

MAJOR: That may be. Nevertheless, in this office she is supposed to be guaranteed privacy.

PEG: Oh Gracie wouldn't like that!

MAJOR: How do you think tho post office authorities would regard it if they knew that my wife read private telegrams.

PEG: They shouldn't worry about Koorora, dear. We know everything that happens before it does.

MAJOR: That's not the point. It’s the principal of the thing. It may seem a joke to you, Peg ... and to most people here ... but I believe that when a man does a job he should do it seriously, making no allowance, proving himself worthy of confidence. When in the army it had to be that way and ... (HIS DOUBT SHOWING) Do you think it's a joke?

PEG: I don't think it's a joke Major ... of course everyone ought to do the job properly. I know we don't always agree about things but I admire your sense of duty ... and I won't read any more telegraph forms unless you tell me to in the way of duty.

MAJOR: (FEELING CERTAIN AGAIN) I know it's difficult for people to got that viewpoint. But if you'd been an officer under old Tubby Bell ... not that you could have been of course ... not an officer ...

PEG: (DEMURELY) I wouldn't go on with that, Major ... (MAJOR, A LITTLE RED, GOES BACK TO HIS LETTER SORTING) Major, you've never told me what the men called you in the army.

MAJOR: Don't know. Robbo, I expect ... never heard ... (SWITCH BUZZES. MAJOR GOES TO IT SAYING AS HE DOES) I hope they send someone to fix the switch properly ... something will happen to it while it's over here. Anyone can touch ... hello. Exchange ... Two-seven ... (MOVES PLUG) I don't know why they couldn't install it properly in the first place ... two seven? (SHIFTS PLUG, REMAINS LEANING UP AGAINST TABLE WITH SWITCH.)

PEG: That Heinrich seems a nice follow. (MAJOR SUDDENLY ATTENTIVE TO CALL) Seems a bit shy ... all inside himself, but nice ...(CALL FINISHES. SHE WAITS FOR MAJOR’S COMMENT, NONE COMES) He'll settle down. Must be hard to come to a strange country and start you’re life all over again.

MAJOR: No one asked him to come of course.

PEG: No ... although we're always saying we need people here, aren't we?

MAJOR: Selected immigrants ... that's different. We need a good type.

PEG: He seemed a good type to me ... of course, it's too early to tell. He ought to bo alright ... he's been in the concentration camp because he was against them.

MAJOR: So he says.

PEG: (STARTLED) Major, don't you believe him?

MAJOR: (RELUCTANTLY) Yes ... as a matter of fact, I do. (SHE IS RESERVED) But just the same, plenty of people who were against them wouldn’t be what I’d call the right types for out here.

PEG: Oh, I don't know ... after all they were people who stood out against what they thought were bad. They were right about that too, even though a lot of people didn't think so at the time.

MAJOR: (ON THE DEFENSIVE) If you mean me, I admit I saw a lot of potential good in Nazism at first ... for one thing it seemed to encourage a good healthy outdoor life, plenty of hard physical training, a sense of duty to one's country. Afterwards I realised my mistake. I did something about it anyway ... you know I was among the first to enlist ...

PEG: (AFFECTIONATELY) I know alright. Will I ever forget it ... all that time you were away. And how excited we used to got when your leave came due ... remember that one just after Vinc was born ...

MAJOR (STILL DEFENSIVE) It's easy to make a mistake surely ...

PEG: Oh it is. (MAJOR, SATISFIED BY HER TONE, COMES BACK TO COUNTER, BEGINS TIDYING RACK OF TELEGRAM FORMS ETC.) You could be making one about Heinrich Schafer.

MAJOR: Huh? ...

BARTLEY, OWNER OF THE GENERAL STORE, COMES IN. HE IS A HEAVY, RATHER FLABBY, VERY SELF SATISFIED MAN, WITH A HEARTY MANNER.

BARTLEY: Afternoon Mrs. Robinson. Hello there, sir.

MAJOR: Hello Mr. Bartley ... how's business with you.

BARTLEY: Can't complain, sir, can't complain. Well I can, really, but it doesn't do me any good.

MAJOR MOVES ROUND THROUGH COUNTER OPENING, UP TO BARTLEY ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF COUNTER.

MAJOR You want your stamps, I suppose. I've got them made up.

BARTLEY: I wondered whether young Peter had remembered to leave the list. He took it out when he started taking the orders and I thought he might have lost it ... you know what he is.

MAJOR: (LOOKING AT SLIP) Bit of a scatterbrain, young Peter eh? That's three pounds nineteen and ten.

BARTLEY: (COUNTING OUT NOTES) One, two, three, four. (STOWING STAMPS AWAY) Young people don't have the same sense of responsibility they had in my young day ... don't have the drive either. Heaven knows I don't think I've got very far (MODESTLY) but Peter has had more opportunities than I had and can't see him ending up ... well, even in my position.

PEG: Maybe he wouldn't want to keep a general store anyway. Some people don't you know.

MAJOR: (HE'S STILL RUFFLED BY HER) We're not saying that, specifically ... we're talking about the principal of the thing. I saw the same thing in the army. I've tried to tell young Peter that ... that's the life for a lad, I've said. Join the army.

PEG: Some people don't like that either.

MAJOR: (CRUSHING HER) It would make a man of him.

PEG: Perhaps he doesn't want ... alright Major. Would you like me to put out some clean blotting paper?

MAJOR: Thank you. (MEEKLY PEG STARTS LAYING OUT SHEETS OF BLOTTING PAPER IN DESK BLOTTERS)

BARTLEY Ah, there were nothing like the army days, were there? I can remember the 14-18 war ... before your time of course ...

MAJOR: Good life, healthy ...

PEG’S EYEBROWS GO UP AND SHE IS ABOUT TO RETORT. THE MAJOR EYES HER STERNLY. SHE SPEAKS TO BARTLEY INSTEAD.

PEG: Has Nereia left the shop yet, Mr. Bartley?

BARTLEY: Not when I came round Mrs. Robinson ... she was still doing the books for me. Will I tell her you want her?

PEG: Doesn't matter thanks. Rick was looking for her.

BARTLEY: Yes, I saw him coming out of here. Reminds me (ALL CURIOSITY) He seemed to have someone with him. I couldn't quite make out ... my eyes aren't what they were ...

MAJOR: The new loco engineer.

BARTLEY: I heard he was expected. Is he alright ... decent sort?

PEG: (QUICKLY) Very ...

MAJOR: (QUICKER OVER HER) Refugee chap ...(HEAVILY) German.

BARTLEY: (SHAKES HIS HEAD) Tch Tch. You wouldn't think they'd let them in, would you. Not a German.

MAJOR: He's a Jew, too.

BARTLEY: (THIS TIME HE IS SHOCKED) Not a yid! Tch! Tch! They're the worst, you know. If they're working for you, they’re always stirring up trouble and if you're working for them they sweat you dry. It's true what's said about them, you know ... they count every penny. Every penny. Fancy him being one of them. (SHAKES HIS HEAD SADLY AND PREPARES TO GO) Well good afternoon to you both ... (STARTS OUT. POPS BACK) Dear me ... I forgot my tuppence change!

MAJOR: Oh ... sorry. (HE HANDS IT OVER AND BARTLEY STOWS IT CAREFULLY AWAY.)

BARTLEY: (ON HIS WAY OUT AGAIN) That's really unfortunate, isn't it —- fancy him being German and one of them. Most unfortunate ... tch, tch, tch ... (ON THAT NOTE HE EXITS)

AFTER HE HAS GONE, MAJOR BEGINS CHECKING STAMP BOOKS, OSTENTATIOUSLY AT WORK, WHISTLING 'COLONEL BOGEY' BETWEEN HIS TEETH.

PEG: I dont think you ought to have done that, Major.

MAJOR: (INNOCENCE ITSELF) Um? What? Eh?

PEG: I dont think you ought to have talked about Heinrich Schafer like that ... as though there was something wrong with him. After all, we don’t know any thing ... he’s only just got here, and things will be hard enough, I suppose, without that sort of talk ... especially to old Bartley. You know what he is.

MAJOR: Bartley's alright ...

PEG: Alright to buy butter from -— if you don’t want it too fresh.

MAJOR: (EAGER TO TURN THE ARGUMENT) Now what's wrong with Bartley?

PEG Nothing ... nothing except that he’s a mean, money-grubbing, gossiping old busy-body. He ought to talk about young Peter not having any drive. Fat chance he’s ever had ... with his Father taking him away from school to help him in the store, and never paying him proper wages or any thing. I hope he does clear out -— it would certainly pinch old Bartley’s corns to have to pay the award.

MAJOR: (GETTING READY TO GO OUT. PUTTING A COUPLE OF TELEGRAMS IN ENVELOPES) You can be very biased sometimes Peggy.

PEG: Yes, I am ... very biased against people like Bartley. (DRILY) But I don’t get biased against them before I know them.

MAJOR: (IGNORING IT HEAVILY) No ... no, well I’ll drop these telegrams in ... won't take a minute. Hang round in case Perth calls, will you. (GETS HIS HAT FROM UNDER COUNTER, THEN ... AND THIS IS MAJOR'S OVERTURE TO FRIENDSHIP) I was going to tell you about Mrs. Flannagan's niece, anyway. I knew you'd be interested.

PEG: Thank you, Major.

HE GOES OUT. AFTER HE LEAVES SHE LAUGHS A LITTLE, SOBERS, SIGHS, SIGHS. GOES TO SWITCH, GETS NUMBER

PEG: Hello ... That you, Peter? Peg Robinson ... No, I was out when you came but I found the things. Look Peter, next time you leave the order, will you try to remember to put the biscuits on the top of the box ... Yes, I'd rather let the kids get them first ... stops 'em pulling the whole lot out, eggs and all ... Oh, doesn't matter ... Hey don’t you hang up! Is Nereia there? ... (PAUSE THEN) Nereia? Hello, love, how are you? Finished with the books? ... No one's absconded? ... Too bad. Look love, pop in when you finish, will you ... I want to see you about that pattern ... Bye.

AS SHE FINISHES HER CALL, HEINRICH COMES BACK INTO THE OFFICE.

PEG: Hello.

HEINE: I have found that I have forgotten my little ... little (STUCK FOR THE TERM HE IS RELIEVED TO SEE THE LITTLE GRIP) Ah here it is. I told Rick I would run over for it. It has some shaving equipment and after such a journey ... (HE RUBS HIS HAND RUEFULLY OVER HIS CHIN)

PEG: On such a train.

HEINE: I remember ... 'we stop at nothing' (THEY LAUGH TOGETHER)

PEG: Heinrich ... we don’t know each other yet ... I can't say much. My husband is really a good bloke in so many ways ... he had such a bad time in the war, and he’s having it still ... don't judge him too hardly ...

HEINE: Believe me I am no person to judge ... anyone.

PEG: Thanks I ... Golly, I've got a cake in the oven I forgot! Hang on! ...

(SHE STARTS FOR HOUSE DOOR.)

HEINE: Then excuse me.

PEG: No, don't go ... I won't be a minute.

SHE RUNS OUT. BECAUSE HE LIKES HER HE STAYS, SITTING ON SINGLE CHAIR NEAR THE COUNTER. HE LOOKS AROUND POST OFFICE. THEN HE GOES OVER TO POSTERS ON WALL AND IS STUDYING THEM AS NEREIA COMES IN. SHE COMES THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR, OUT OF THE BLAZE OF SUNLIGHT SHADING HER EYES WITH HER HAND. SHE IS YOUNG, LOVELY, WITH A KIND OF CHILDISH DIRECTNESS ... A COOL AND UNAWAKENED SWEETNESS.

NEREIA: Hello Major ... such a dreadful day ...

HEINRICH HAS SWUNG AROUND. HE STARTS AT HER WITH SOMETHING LIKE RECOGNITION.

NEREIA: Peg rang me to come over. Is she inside. Heavens. I can't see a thing for this glare. (SHE RUBS HER EYES.) That’s better.

THEN SHE SEES HEINRICH. THERE IS AN INSTANT CONTACT BETWEEN THEM.

HEINE: Where do you come from?

NEREIA: (GESTURING TOWARDS THE SUN.) From ... out there.

HEINE: From the desert? (HE GOES CLOSER) No you would not come from the desert ... the green and living sea with the ships on it. And the birds wheeling above. You belong to the sea.

NEREIA: (WITH NO EMBARRASSMENT) I love the sea. I always hate to leave it. But the desert can have a kind of beauty too. And after all if you love a thing you have it forever.

HEINE: (WITH GREAT INTENSITY) I knew you would say that ... you have always said that. Do you believe it still? I know ... once we believed it together ... but I have lost so much faith ... all of faith, all of of hope. Yet when I look at you I wonder.

NEREIA: What?

HEINE: Do the dead return?

NEREIA: Perhaps they never die.

AS THEY STAND CLOSE TOGETHER RICK COMES IN THROUGH THE MAIN DOOR.

RICK: I thought you must have left home.

HEIN: (SIMULTANEOUSLY) No I ...

NEREIA: (THEY STOP, LOOK AT EACH OTHER AS REALISATION COMES.)

RICK: You’ve met I suppose.

HEINE: No, but I come to a conclusion.

RICK: This is Heinrich Schafer. Heine this is my wife.

HEINE: (COMPLETELY WITHDRAWN AGAIN.) How do you do? I am so happy to meet you.

NEREIA GIVES HIM HER HAND. SAYS NOTHING. PEG COMES IN.

PEG: Hullo there. How are you? Were you starting out to look for her Rick?

RICK: Can’t afford to lose her ... you know ... not while she’s got a steady job with old Bartley. Expecting a big Christmas box at the end of the year aren’t we Neri?

PEG: Box of matches ... that'll be the only box you’ll get from Bartley.

RICK: You shock me Peg ... You’ll have Heine thinking you don’t like our dear old storekeeper. There’s nothing wrong with dear old Bartley. Of course, he’s a bit of a whiner and a bit of a bully and he’d crawl up anything. He might charge a starving man double for a loaf of bread, too, but that’s the law of supply and demand. He’ll tell you so himself.

PEG: And won’t he! And won’t he tell you how he used to trade in dole tickets during the depression and how the fellows'd pay three or four times the prices ... in dole tickets ... to get tobacco.

NEREIA: Yes, yes, he does.

RICK: What’s the matter old girl? Tired? Hard day?

NEREIA: It’s been hot, hasn't it?

RICK: (CONCERNED) Hell alright.

NEREIA: (VERY CONSCIOUS OF HEINRICH) Yep really Rick ... just tired.

HEINE: You are fortunate, Mrs. O'Hara, to have a husband so concerned with your welfare.

RICK: Expect you’ll find the climate trying for a while, Heinrich. In fact, you’ll find the whole place pretty dull after living in Europe.

HEINE: That is why I came here. I do not expect to regret anything from my old life ... to regret or remember ...

NEREIA Not the sea, not the birds ...

HEINE: (FURIOUS THAT HE HAS GIVEN SO MUCH OF HIMSELF AWAY TO HER) Why the sea or the birds?

PEG: Haven’t you noticed Heinrich ... no birds in the sky here.

RICK: They can't cross the desert, you see ... no water. After you leave Pirie or Kal, no more birds ... maybe a few crops of course, but they're no birds, they're bastards ... excusing the term. But no other birds ... none at all.

PEG: So I expect it will look queer to you ...

HEINE: (ABRUPTLY) Believe me, I will not be distressed. I do not like birds. I shall be happy to see no more of then.

RICK AND PEG AS WELL AS NEREIA ARE AWARE OF THE URGENCY OF HIS TONE SO OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE SUBJECT. RICK BREAKS IT.

RICK: We all need some tea. Coming Heine? See you later, Peg. (HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND NEREIA) Early to bed for you.

HEINE: (SUDDENLY AS THOUGH HE RESENTS NEREIA'S SILENCE) I hope that I have not offended you, Mrs. O’Hara. That I stared at you so rudely when you came in. Just for a moment ... gone in a breath ... you reminded me of someone I used to know ... someone who died a long time ago. Just for a moment, I even asked myself 'Do the dead return?'

NEREIA: Perhaps they do ... in one way or another. Or perhaps they never die.

HEINE: (HARD) They do, I assure you. Everything dies, I have discovered ... people, dreams, ideals ... forgive my poor English that it makes such big sounding words. But truly it is a comforting thought ... everything dies and one is left with a nice tidy mind and heart, swept clean like an empty attic ... no old ties, no obligations ...

NEREIA: And a sky without birds?

HEINE: Most assuredly ... a sky without birds.

CURTAIN

________

ACT ONE, SCENE TWO

ONE MONTH LATER. IT IS LATE AFTERNOON. THE LIGHT IS DULL AND STORMY AND FADES THROUGH SCENE. THE MAJOR IS AT WORK WITH A FEATHER DUSTER CLEANING UP THE DUST THAT LIES ON EVERYTHING. AT THE SAME TIME HE IS CARRYING ON AN ARGUMENT WITH RICK WHO IS LOUNGING IN THE DOORWAY. 'JUMBO' TOLLIS, LARGE AND CONVERSATIONAL, IS BALANCED PRECARIOUSLY IN THE ONE CHAIR, READING THE PAPER WHEN HE IS NOT TALKING.

AT CURTAIN RISE THE MAJOR IS SAYING AS THOUGH NO ONE HAD SAID IT BEFORE:

MAJOR: That’s all very well, Rick, but you’re overlooking one thing ... you can’t change human nature.

RICK: Hell ... not that one again! Listen, Major, they’ve been changing human nature over since people lived in caves ... before that. They had to change it to make it human, didn’t they now?

JUMBO: I knew a bloke once that lived in a cave ... used to be a mate of mine on the goldfields till he got some kind of religion ... let his beard grow and found this cave and talked about living on locusts and wild honey ...

MAJOR: (RUMINATIVELY) I think he was a bit queer ... not enough locusts on the fields to live on. I told him that. But it was a roal nice cave ... fixed up real nice ...

RICK: (LAUGHTER) Bloody fool Jumbo. People do change, Major ... look, a hundred years ago, they were working kids to death in mines, they were letting people starve. Maybe people are still starving, but it’s not being taken so much for granted, is it? Look at India ... a million and a half are going to die in this famine and they cant stop it ... but this is the last time they say ... in five years we’ll produce enough food so this won’t happen again. Its been happening for generations, now there's a hope that it won’t happen again ... that’s progress, that’s human nature ...

MAJOR SHAKES HIS HEAD OMINOUSLY ... AND SHAKES THE DUSTER. RICK SHIES AWAY.

RICK: Put that dust back in the desert, not on me.

JUMBO: You’re a helluva housemaid, Major ... you got no style ... only knees.

MAJOR: (THE BUSY BEE) Gets the job done ... can’t have the office looking like this.

RICK: The storm this afternoon made a mess alright.

MAJOR: Never seen a stronger wind ... gale forces ... blew right through the office, even with the doors closed. And this office is very solidly built.

JUMBO: I never seen such good timber ... don’t the white ant thrive on it, Rick. Good condition ...

MAJOR: You’ve never seen a white ant in this office.

JUMBO: Give you another six months and the office will be in the white ants! (LAUGHS UPROAROUSLY, RETURNS TO PAPER.)

RICK: What makes you reckon human nature's so bad, Major. You saw some pretty good things, didn’t you? ... when you were in the army.

JUMBO: (CONFIDENTIALLY TO RICK) He was a skull. Can’t talk to them about human nature. Wouldn’t know what it was.

MAJOR: (JOKING WITH SOME EFFORT) I don’t see why an officer ... Alright Jumbo, a skull ... can’t be as human as anyone else.

JUMBO: (COMPLETE EXPLANATION) He’s a skull.

RICK: (TEASING MAJOR) Mind you, some skulls wore nearly human, Jumbo. We had a few ...

MAJOR: No doubt you educated them.

RICK: We did our best.

MAJOR: I’m glad to know they improved. That’s my argument ...

RICK: No, that’s mine. If you can improve skulls, you can improve anything.

PETER, BARTLEY AND CLIFFIE ROYCE COME IN. PETER IS ABOUT TWENTY RATHER NERVOUS, INARTICULATE, TRYING TO PLAY UP TO CLIFFIE WHO IS THE SAME AGE, BUT BIG, GOOD LOOKING, LOUD VOICED.

CLIFFIE: (AS THEY COME IN) ... You dont want to let ’em put it over you. You’re too soft, that’s your trouble. Treating ’em like movie stars! Just wasting your time ... specially where Fanny Adams is concerned. If you think that’s her first walk out beyond the engine house ...!

PETER: Well, how do you tell if a girl ... (HOOTS WITH LAUGHTER) How do you tell, Jumbo ... 'specially that girl.

JUMBO: A bit of soap on the inside of the mouth’d help you Cliffie ... you’re too bright for yourself.

CLIFFIE: Peter isn’t ... he gets around to a girl after everyone else has taken her out already ... did she say you were first Peter?

PETER: Aw shut-up Cliffie. (TO MAJOR ... AT COUNTER) Dad sent me over for some income tax papers you had for him, Mr. Robinson.

MAJOR: Now where did I put those ... we're still topsy-turvy after this afternoon.

PETER: Some storm wasn't it?

CLIFFIE: Come on Pete, what did she say? ... you were first or thirty-first ... or can't she count that far?

PETER: (LOOKING ANXIOUSLY AT THE OTHERS) Can it, Cliffie.

RICK: Did the store get much of a doing this afternoon, Peter?

CLIFFIE: You did say the store, did you Rick? ...

PETER: It wasn't too bad, Rick ... pulled a lot of packing cases down at the back and loosened a corner of the roof ...

RICK: (IGNORES HIM ... BUT UNOSTENTATIOUS ABOUT IT) Loco shop is in a helluva mess ... we've got to get back and help to clean up. I should've stayed prospecting.

PETER: That's what I'd like to do. (MAJOR IS GETTING PAPER OUT OF CUPBOARDS BEHIND COUNTER, GOES THROUGH THEM MARKING HERE AND THERE) I always wanted to. I've talked to a lot of prospectors ... they reckon there's gold all over the west.

RICK: Oh, there's gold alright ... but it's got an awful lot of Australia sticking to it. But you never know your luck.

PETER: I always wanted to. But Dad'd take a fit.

RICK: Only get one life, son. (PETER LOOKS A QUERY) I'm not trying to put you against your father, Pete, but it's time you were doing what you want to do. Don't want to serve in a shop all your life do you?

CLIFFIE: He's being doing other things, too haven't you, Peter. Go on ... tell 'em about it.

PETER: Aw you're mad! (TO RICK) No, I don't want to serve in the shop ... but can't see myself getting out of it.

MAJOR: Your father worked hard to build up that business, Peter ... anyway the proper place for a lad like you is in the army. Fine life ...!

JUMBO: I wouldn't do that if I was you Peter ... It's dangerous. I've heard of people getting killed in the army.

RICK: That's so ... people start shooting at you! Of course, if you become a skull that's different.

JUMBO: They go through it too, Rick. I knew a skull once ... he fought a rearguard action at Victoria Barracks in the the east ... that man's backside was a mass of corns ... just from sitting! Make your blood run cold.

THE MAJOR IS HARD PUT TO IGNORE ALL THIS.

RICK: They're a queer lot alright ... skulls. We had some odd ones with us ... mind you, we were pretty tolerant, we went our way and they went theirs.

MAJOR: Got to have officers in the army you know.

RICK: Often wondered why.

JUMBO: Like this, see. Silly bloody skulls make things difficult and making things difficult helps to develop the men's initiative and that's why you got to have officers in the army.

MAJOR (POINTED) Shouldn't you be back at the shed by now? (LOOKING AT CLOCK ON WALL) Getting late, y'know. Must be a lot of clearing up to do.

RICK: Jumbo, I reckon we're being hinted at.

SWITCH BUZZES. MAJOR GOES TO IT.

MAJOR: Hello ... Exchange. Number please ... Five-one. Hello ...

JUMBO: (GETTING UP) We come to fill in their time with a little bit of intellectual conversation ...

MAJOR: Hello? ... (MAKES CONNECTION) I do wish they'd come and fix this switch ... make it permanent ...

JUMBO: No public services'll do that. I knew a bloke once ... nice little bloke, worked for the registrar-general's office for years ... passed all the exams, tried and tried to got made permanent ... couldn’t do it. He worked for them for twenty nine years and they called him temporary all the time.

RICK: What happened him?

JUMBO: Died eventually ... motor accident. Died happy though. When they asked him for last words he said: 'No, I die happy. Death is so permanent.'

THEY LAUGH ... EVEN THE MAJOR.

RICK: God you're a liar.

JUMBO: That's Gawdstruth, Rick. Some feller must've been there at the time and they started using the slogan for the traffic notice ...

HE IS STILL TALKING AS THEY GO OUT. MAJOR LISTENS, REMOVES PLUG, CROSSES BACK BEHIND COUNTER.

PETER: He's a good bloke, that Rick.

CLIFFIE: Oh ... he's alright, I suppose. Bit queer for me. Remember the time we were having a bit of a game with that old abo and he butted in and swore blazes at everybody ... interfering bugger!

PETER: (UNCOMFORTABLE) Well ... wasn't much of a game, I suppose. Poor old Charlie's just about blind ...

CLIFFIE: Here, take my handkerchief if you're going to cry. Quick, run round to his humpy and say you're sorry.

PETER: I'm not being sorry. I’m only saying ...

BARTLEY COMES IN. PETER IS SILENT IMMEDIATELY.

BARTLEY (TO PETER) You still here. You better get back, you know. I had to leave young Johnny in the shop. (FRIENDLY) Hello Major Robinson, Hello Cliffie ...

CLIFFIE: 'Lo Mr. Bartley.

BARTLEY: (ADMIRING) Mmm ... you're a big fellow, aren't you, Cliffie. Getting to be a real man ... (SHARPLY) Peter did you –

PETER: (SULLENLY) I heard.

BARTLEY: Go on then. I'll get those papers from Major Robinson.

PETER: I been stuck in the shop all day ...

BARTLEY: When I was your age, I was working twice as long as you do ... and for half the money. Young people today don't know when they're well off ...

PETER: (HE'S HEARD IT ALL BEFORE) Oh alright. Coming Cliffie ...

CLIFFIE: Yeah ... (THEY MOVE TO DOOR) Oh Jeez ... here comes 'Wot you Want' (HE PANTOMIMES A JEW AS HEINRICH COMES IN.)

HEINE: (PLEASANTLY) H ... Hello ...

MAJOR: Um ... yes ... how are you. (SWIFTLY BACK TO HIS PAPERS)

HEINE: Left quite breathless after the storm. I did not realise a desert storm could be so fearful ...

CLIFFIE: (DELIBERATELY) Eh Mr. Robinson, did you see that in tonight's paper about the jerries and the Jews having a go at each other in Berlin. I'daliked to have seen that.(MAJOR VERY ABSORBED IN HIS PAPERS) (TO HEINRICH) You'd know all about that, wouldn't you?

HEINE: I know all about it. And it was not in tonight's paper ... It was reported on Tuesday. Perhaps you have been cherishing it for some time.

CLIFFIE: I like to see a bit of fun, like that.

HEINE: You have always enjoyed such ... fun ... your kind ...

CLIFFIE: You picking me?

HEINE: If you would consider it so?

CLIFFIE: That's alright with me.

PETER: Come on Cliffie ... come with me. You promised me ... (IN A WHISPER) We got a date.

CLIFFIE: (STILL EYEING HEIN) That's right. Still...

PETER: Come on ...

BARTLEY: We'll see you later, Cliffie. (VERY KIND)

CLIFFIE: (AT HEINE) Later.

HE GOES IN ANSWER TO A LAST TUG AT HIS SLEEVE FROM PETER. BARTLEY COVERTLY STUDYING HEINE WHILE APPARENTLY BUSY WITH PAPERS. MAJOR BUSY BEHIND COUNTER.

HEINE: (BITTERLY) That boy's face is familar ... the face of scorn, hatred, mistrust ... the face of one who needs a scapegoat. (SHRUGS IT AWAY, SPEAKS TO MAJOR) But then one would need more than a new country to escape from it, one would need a new world.

MAJOR: Cliffie's alright, I suppose. Only a lad ...

BARTLEY: After all you can't blame people for distrusting foreigners ... a national inheritance. It's a natural feeling, Australia for the AustralIans ... always has been.

HEINE: Not always, I believe. Rick loaned me a book about your Eureka Stockade. It is, I see, something very important in your tradition. (MAJOR NODS RELUCTANTLY) That had an Irishman for a leader, an Italian to tell the story, two Germans for lieutenants –

MAJOR: That was a long time a go. You were wanting -—?

BARTLEY: (CUTTING IN) A long time ago ... and not so wonderful -— whatever Rick might think of it. A handful -— foreigners, too, you say so yourself -— putting themselves up against the law ...

HEINE: (FIRED BY THE STORY) Which was so framed to deprive them of representation, of right, of the living they could win for themselves ... such a law, framed by shopkeepers and businessmen -— as yourself, Mr Bartley -— so perturbed that the gold fever and its reward deprived them of their wage labor slaves, sent them racing to the fields in hopes of winning security and freedom to replace the day to day drudgery of their lives.

BARTLEY: I notice that when you people (CONTEMPTOUSLY) talk of freedom, you mean freedom to shelve responsibility towards your employer.

HEINE: And when you talk of freedom, Mr Bartley, you mean freedom to shelve responsibility towards the rest of humanity.

BARTLEY: (ANGRY) Poppycock! Poppycock. Of course, I couldn't expect one of you to be reasonable.

HEINE: (WHO HAS BEEN RECOVERING HIS DETACHMENT) No ... we are the international bankers – or the international revolutionaries -— whichever you do prefer. But, as you say, you cannot expect reasonableness ...

BARTLEY: (WITH DIGNITY) I'll have my papers. Major Robinson.

MAJOR: (HANDING OVER PAPERS) Everything in order, I think.

BARTLEY: Thank you, Major ... thank you. As for your comments, sir – I never held with Hitler, not for one moment –

HEINE: But he had some correct ideas?

BARTLEY: (WITH DIGNITY) I did not say that. But I can see good in everything. Good afternoon Major Robinson.

BARTLEY IGNORES HEINRICH ELABORATELY AND GOES.

HEINE: Yes, they saw much good in Hitler, those businessmen, those correct businessmen, who would do little more than wear a Party button in their lapel and contribute every Saturday. But when Jewish shops were battered and Jewish faces bashed –

MAJOR: You were wanting ...?

HEINE SEARCHES HIS FACE. THEN HE DROPS A LETTER ON THE SCALES.

HEINE: Stamps – for Germany.

MAJOR: Three and three ...

HEINE: Thank you. (HE TAKES STAMPS MAJOR GIVES HIM, GIVES MONEY) Why do you dislike me so much Major Robinson?

MAJOR: I'm not a Major now.

HEINE: In your heart, I think you are still. Why do you dislike me?

MAJOR: Nonsense -— hardly know you. I'm a very busy man —-

HEINE: (CONTINUING) If I thought it was because you believed me to be a Nazi, I would welcome your distrust. But you know, I think, that I am not. So why do you distrust me so?

MAJOR: Nonsense, I —— (THEN IN A BURST) You were such a mixed bag, you lot. Communists, socialists, religious people, atheists -— you never know what you're getting. You could be anyone of those -— or something else again. And frankly, I think that the place for foreigners is in their own country. It takes too long to learn new ways -— we can't assimilate

—-

THEY ARE BOTH SO ABSORBED IN THE ARGUMENT THAT THEY DO NOT HEAR NEREIA. SHE COMES TO THE DOOR DURING HEINE'S NEXT SPEECH.

HEINE: And if we have no country? What of those of us for whom Europe is a wasteland —- where we walk the streets looking for lost faces -— where sad and terrible memories revive at the sound of a name. Can there be no place for us in all this wide and empty land? Do not think we want to share this life of which you are so jealous, so niggardly -— most of us are finished with life, anyway. Surely we can work out our days in some kind of numb peace -— if you think it is too easy for us, let me assure you that sleep is still filled with the stench and the horror and the sound of blows ...

(HE TURNS AT THE SOUND OF NEREIA'S SOFT MURMUR OF PITY.)

NEREIA: Heine -— poor Heine –

MAJOR: (IRRITABLY) Oh, it's you, Nereia – what is it?

NEREIA: (STILL LOOKING AT HEINRICH) I -— don't know ...

MAJOR: Really Nereia ...! What are you wanting. I am waiting to get my afternoon tea.

NEREIA: (HAPPILY) You get it, Major, at once.

MAJOR: I have a couple of important things – Perth may call ...

NERIEA: I'll get you.

MAJOR: Oh, I don't think I should -—

NEREIA: (FLASHING OUT) Get your afternoon tea, Major – get your afternoon tea!

MAJOR: (NOT SURE HOW TO MEET THIS) Well, if you're sure you don't mind -— (POTTERS ROUND COUNTER, NOT SURE HOW TO LEAVE, NOT SURE WHETHER HE SHOULD STAY) Hmmm ... getting dark. You'll have to light the lantern, Nereia -— the wind this aftornoon blew the lightbulb out of the socket and broke it -— have to be cleaned out. It's all ready, under the counter ... (WAITS ... STARTS ... GETS AS FAR AS HOUSE DOOR, STOPS) I did give you your stamps, didn't I?

HEINE: (NOT CARING) Thank you -— yes.

MAJOR: Well ... let me know if Perth calls ... (HE WAITS AGAIN FOR THEIR REPLY.

FINALLY AND HELPLESSLY HE GOES OFF)

DURING FOLLOWING DIALOGUE NERIEA BRINGS OUT LAMP, TRIMS IT, LIGHTS IT.

HEINE: (BEGINNING CONVERSATION WITH A VISIBLE EFFORT) I am not surprised to see that the light was smashed here; in the sheds, I believed the roof must blow away at least. I have never seen such a wind.

NEREIA: We have big winds here -— they blow up from nowhere and then they're gone again. Today was specially fierce. I sat at home, with the doors and windows shut – but that didn't keep it out. I couldn't feel its full force -— but I could hear it outside and see it moving the curtains and coming under the door in little puffs of dust. It was like something outside, trying to go at you, trying to reach you -—

SHE HANGS LAMP ON NAIL AT DOORWAY. THE LIGHT SHINES ON HER WHERE SHE STANDS. SHE TURNS TO HEINRICH SITTING ON SIDE BENCH.

NEREIA: Why do you avoid me?

HEINE: I assure you, you are mistaken. I have never ... (HE IS DRAWN TO MEET HER GAZE) Yes, I have avoided you.

NEREIA: Why?

HEINE: Rick is a find person. I think ... he has been most kind to me.

NEREIA: That is meant to snub me, isn't it. Do you believe me, then, when I tell you that I know he is fine. He has been everything good to me and I love him. But it's not the same kind of love that I'd imagined I'd feel. That love I never felt until -— (SHE LOOKS AT HIM)

HEINE: Why do you tell me this?

NEREIA: I don't know. Betting on the blind ... (EXPLAINING) poker.

HEINE: You do not think that I have worked in an Australian loco shed for three months without learning that? Or what happened to Phar Lap ... Or the injustice done to Ned Kelly ... And that the —- the long price? —- the long price horse is always a good wager for the Melbourne Cup! (SHE LAUGHS) You see -— I am becoming acclimatised!

NEREIA: Aren't you! (THEN GRAVELY) I wonder if you will ... ever.

HEINE: (A LITTLE BITTERNESS) Would I be wanted. Even today, here in this post office, I have seen the old hatred, the old contempt that they feel for me but that I feel, too, for them! (THEN RECOVERING HIS DETACHMENT) Oh, but I am acclimatised for my purpose, for eating and working. For getting up in the mornings and going to bed at nights.

NEREIA: I think of you at night, alone in your room, under our roof. And in the mornings, when I do the room and the bed is still warm -— There is more to life, Heine, than getting up in the mornings and going to bed at nights.

HEINE: I have had everything from life except that. That is, the leavings ...

________

ACT TWO, SCENE ONE

THE POST OFFICE A MONTH LATER. PEG IS SITTING BEHIND THE COUNTER KNITTING, NEREIA LEANING AGAINST THE DOOR LOOKING OUT OVER THE DESERT. IT IS ABOUT ELEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING OF THE P.O. CLOCK AND THE SUNLIGHT IS FULL AND GOLDEN BUT WITHOUT THE HEAT OF AFTERNOON.

PEG: ... So I said I thought young Pammy was alright ... bit silly but then what could you expect with that stupid old father of hers. She never had chance. Anyway, Major got confidential – he said 'Peggy, this isn't the thing to say about any girl, but from the way Cliffie's talking, the girl may not still be – a – a virgin' and I said 'Well, I don't expect I would have been either, but you were terrible scared of dark corners, Major! (Poor Major – he was shocked!

NEREIA: (MOODILY ... SHE IS THE MOST DEPRESSED WE HAVE SEEN HER) Why doesn't someone tell him that the old queen is dead.

PEG: It’d be a terrible shock to him. You know, he really is old fashioned. After all the years we’ve been married, I can still make him blush.

NEREIA: (SWINGS ROUND) How do you stand it, Peg – how do you stand it. The same thoughts the same opinions – all day, every day ... (CROSSES SWIFTLY TO FRONT OF COUNTER) Darling, don't be annoyed with me. I know the Mjor's alright – I like him, truly I do – but he is a bit old world ... you said so yourself. And just lately, it's been getting on my nerves ... the way he passes judgement on things he can't ever understand ...

PEG: (DRILY) Just lately, this has been happening?

NEREIA: (DROPPING HER EYES FROM PEG’S FACE TO HER KNITTING) That’s a pretty stitch – blackberry stitch, isnt it? It was in that knitting book -—

PEG: I’ll knit you a set in it -— when you have a baby.

NEREIA: (SWINGS AWAY TO BENCH OPPOSITE. STANDS BACK TO PEG STARING AT POSTER) Don't want a baby.

PEG: That’s new, isnt it. You always said -—

NEREIA: I was always saying lots of things – most of them pretty – silly, I think.

PEG: When did you decide about the baby? Just lately, too?

(NEREIA STARES OBSTINATELY AT POSTER.)

NEREIA: She’s rather attractive, isn't she, this girl in this poster. I like that short hair cut if it suits you ...

PEG: I've never known you to find the posters so interesting. I must tell Major.

NEREIA: (ROUND – LAUGHS RATHER WRYLY) Do that. He could put it into a report. (SHE SITS ON BACK BENCH) I wonder if they ever read those reports of his, in Perth. He must put just about everything that happens in Koorora.

PEG: He enjoys doing it. He says you never know what may be important. (LOOKS AT NEREIA SHREWDLY) And he's right there.

NEREIA: Yes -— he is. (DETERMINEDLY KEEPING ON SUBJECT) Major’s been in this office nearly three years now, and all that time he’s been waiting for some kind of answer arising out of those reports. And he hasn't got it, has he?

PEG: Not yet. Of course, he has phone calls from them there -— at Christmas and New Year and about the relieving man for holidays and about installing the switch properly but not just -—

NEREIA: Not just what he wants. He wants them to ring him up and congratulate him on a good idea and thank him ... Oh, Peg, we need other people so terribly, don't we. We need them to bolster us up, tell us the things we want to believe about ourselves, we need them all the time.

PEG: There's nothing to be ashamed of in needing people, Nereia – nothing wrong with that. The people who are wrong are the people who try to live without them -— the way Heinrich’s trying to do ...

NEREIA: (DEFENSIVE) He's been so hurt -— everybody's failed him -— everybody in the world. He can't believe in humanity any more.

PEG: Still seems to be plenty of it around.

NEREIA: Dont laugh at him, Peg!

PEG: I'm not laughing, love ... only grinning my grin I keep for people who say they’ve given the world away or something just as though that was that, and everyone please lie down and die. It's silly -— and that's why I’m sure Heinrich doesn't mean what he says —- not really.

NEREIA: He seems so warm and friendly, and you put out your hand and bang! ... like a door slammed on your finger.

PEG: He's frightened -— that's all. (SWITCH BUZZES. BOTH WOMEN MOVE TOWARDS IT. PEG WAVES NEREIA TO STAY SEATED. SHE LIFTS RECEIVER) Hello ... He's frightened. He's like young Vince saying he doesn't want to play with his train because he’d have to get it from the cubbyhouse – and he's afraid of the dark. Hello ... Exchange here ... (PUTS DOWN RECEIVER) Someone's changed their mind. Of course, Vince doesnt admit he's afraid —- and neither does Heine. But that's what it is.

NEREIA: You're so smart -— you could arrange the world so much better than God. (SHE IS RESTLESS AND MOVING THROUGH OUT THE SCENE. NOW SHE GOES TO COUNTER, TAKES TELEGRAM FORM OUT OF RACK AND WHILE TALKING COMMENCES TO TEAR OUT AN ELABORATE PATTERN IN IT.) But just the same, Heinrich's attitude isn't so unique, you know, look at Major – he's not that mad about humanity -— I've heard him talking often enough about mixed blood and mongrel breeds and Good Stock ... like a recipe for soup. And none of us seem to have the necessary bones.

PEG: You know the Major -— he doesn't mean it that way.

NEREIA: (HOLDING UP PATTERN) Pretty? (TAKES ANOTHER AND BEGINS TO TEAR THAT) He certainly hates Heinrich. It sticks out a mile. Every time they meet they argue -— It's almost as bad as Heine and old Bartley ...

PEG: For a man who doesn't care what happens to the world, Heinrich seems to do a lot of arguing over it. But it's wrong to say that Major dislikes Heinrich.

NERIEA: (INCREDULOUSLY) Is it?

PEG: It's the idea of Heinrich he dislikes -— a foreigner, German at that ...

NEREIA: (SHARPLY) Heinrich's no Fascist.

PEG: Major doesn't think he is. But he doesn't know what he is —- except that he's a Jew and that's alien to the Major. And it doesnt help that Heinrich is determined that we should think of him as belonging nowhere.

NEREIA ROLLS TELEGRAPH FORM INTO BALL AND SHOOTS IT INTO WASTE PAPER BASKET.

NEREIA: Do we have to have labels? Do we have to be divided into camps?

PEG GETS OUT ANOTHER BATCH OF FORMS AND PUTS THEM INTO HOLDER.

PEG: Keep your hands off this lot! (SERIOUSLY) No – we haven't got to be divided into camps ... in fact we shouldn't be, mostly. But there are essential things to want ... and some people find it more profitable for them if those things are withheld. Oh, I can't explain it very clearly, Neri -— it's more something I feel than something I can put into words. But I know that people from different countries and different governments can be togethor on this, just as people from the same countries can be opposed.

NEREIA: How can we know -— the things we really want.

PEG: They're pretty essential ... good days, security and a future for your kids, the chance to work while you can and the right to be respected when your working time's over. Peace of course ... real peace. Everyone who wants these things would work for them —- no-one expects things too easy ...

NEREIA: But over and above those essential things -— I admit they are essential —- but apart from them, each one of us needs so much —- and we know so little how to get it.

PEG: (PUTTING HER HAND OVER NEREIA'S) I know love —- but the essentials are the only things We can get for each other. The other things -— you can only get them for yourself -— or maybe decide they're not yours to have.

NEREIA: Not mine to have ...(PEG LOOKS OVER HER HEAD TO THE DOOR. HEINRICH HAS APPEARED IN THE DOORWAY.)

PEG: But at least you can decide ... Watch the office for me, for a minute.

NEREIA: Alright I ...

HEINE: Peg, I only want some stamps ...

NEREIA TURNS. HE WILL NOT LOOK AT HER.

PEG: Neri, get the man some stamps.

NEREIA COMES BEHIND THE COUNTER AND GOES TO THE STAMP DRAWER KEEPING HER HEAD DOWN NOW. NOW HE LOOKS AT HER TILL SHE LOOKS UP AND CATCHES HIS EYE. THEY BOTH LOOK AWAY.

NEREIA: You didn't say how many.

HEINE: Six thank you ... Australian postage ...

SHE COUNTS THEM OUT, TAKES MONEY THEN:

NEREIA: You're not pleased are you?

HEINE: (HE HAS STARTED FOR DOOR WITH HIS STAMPS BUT HER WORDS HALT HIM) Pleased? ...(THEN HIS DESIRE TO TALK TO HER DRAWS HIM BACK) Pleased ... your English words are not adequate at times. Pleased ... to see you ...

NEREIA: (HER HEAD BENT OVER STAMP FOLDER) It can't hurt just to say 'Good Morning ... it's a lovely day.'

HEINE: It can't hurt. When every time I hear your voice in the house I sit in my room and tell my rebellious feet not to run to you ... when we do meet, when I must keep my eyes fast on the ground because they would tell to others what I may not tell to you. It can't hurt. you say ... It hurts my arms to ache for you, my body to want you. And now since I have seen you it is indeed a lovely bloody day!

HE IS GOING. SHE RUNS DOWN COUNTER, SLIPS OUT THROUGH LIFT UP SECTION.

NEREIA: Heine! (HE STOPS) Heine ... (HE TURNS TO FACE HER, SHE STANDS IN FRONT OF HIM, SERIOUS, YET WITH A TEASING CHARM ... SHE IS STILL GIRL ENOUGH TO MAKE SOMETHING OF A GAME OF IT) For a man who has given the world away, that's a pretty earthy speech.

HE GOES TO MOVE PAST HER. HER HAND IS INSISTENT ON HIS ARM. SUDDENLY THEY CLING TOGETHER.

HEINE: Oh damn you, my darling, mein liebchen ... oh damn ...

NEREIA: (LEANING BACK TO LOOK INTO HIS FACE) It was my fault I wanted it this way. I'm to blame.

HEINE: You are such a little libertine ... no man is safe ... (WONDERING) I had forgotten how good it is to held.

NEREIA: So good to be held.

HEINE: And so foolish. (RESOLUTELY HE PUTS HER ASIDE. GOES DELIBERATELY TO SIDE BENCH AND SITS ON IT) Now I will sit here and you ... behind your barricade. So we may talk.

NEREIA: (BACK AGAINST THE COUNTER) Here ... (HE SHAKES HIS HEAD) Here? (COUNTER OPENING. HE SENDS HER ON) Here then. (WITH HER BACK BEHIND COUNTER HE AGREES) And now? ...

HEINE: And now ... now I do not know. Except that there must be no more of this between us.

NEREIA: There hasn’t been very much.

HEINE: I cannot understand you in this. I know you honest, faithful and loyal. What of Rick?

NEREIA: That’s the one question that I can't answer ... not to you ... not to myself. Yet, deep in my heart, I have a feeling ... Rick would want me to work this out, not run away from it. If I can’t turn away from you because of love, he wouldn't want me to do it because of fear. That's one of the things he hates most to see ... fear. He says it rules us ... fear of war, fear of our jobs, of other people, of ourselves ... so often he says such pointless fears and yet so often kept alive. You can't say I am only making it easy for myself, but I do know ... Rick would want me to work this out for myself.

HEINE: He loves you.

NEREIA: I know ... I know. And you don't?

HEINE: That isn't true ... not the way you say it. (CROSSES TO HER ... COUNTER BETWEEN THEM) But I am not a man for love any more ... not love, as I remember it. Oh you are lovely and sweet and I am man enough still to want you, even as we stand like this, with the Major's virtuous counter between us. But I hope I am man enough also to tell you ... you are worth more than my desire can give you. You are worth a loving and living man ... and I am not that, dearest, I am not that.

NEREIA: I'll take my chance with your divided heart, although it's an eerie thing to have a dead woman for a rival.

HEINE: No, that is not so ... if she lived in my heart, I might still live in myself. But she is dead and the world is dead ... (HE GRIPS HER HAND) yet I warn you, you tempt me to play at living ...(HE SLOWLY UNCLASPS HER HAND) yet I warn you, you tempt me to play at living ... (SLOWLY HE UNCLASPS HER HAND, LETTING IT SLIDE TO THE COUNTER) yet, I warn you, it would be only play.

NEREIA: I'll take my chance ...

(HOUSE DOOR OPENS SUDDENLY AND RICK COMES IN. IF HE NOTICES ANY STRANGENESS BETWEEN NEREIA AND HEINRICH, HE SAYS NOTHING)

RICK: Hello love ... I went home first and when you weren’t there I came over the back way. Peg says lunch is ready.

HEINE TURNS TO WALK OUT.

RICK: Hey ... you too.

HEINE: I have remembered ... something forgotten at the shed. I will purchase something ... a sandwich.

RICK: You're not going to risk Bartley's? How old's that sausage now Neri?

NEREIA: Ten days till sausage day.

RICK: She's well matured. Peg could do better ... Anyway, you'll only fight if you could get into Bartley's.

HEINE: We tend to that ...

RICK: I just had a go ... told him if he was so keen on a war, he could go and fight it. We didn't want it.

HEINE: (IN DOORWAY) I wonder ... I tell you I believe in no one any more, not even you Rick ... even in you somewhere the will to violence lives. I cannot believe now as I believed once, that given the honest chance men would choose for peace and goodwill. I've seen how often, given a choice they elect for violence and cruelty. The things I've seen men do ... (HE TURNS AWAY WITH AN EXCLAMATION OF DISGUST)

RICK: I've seen men do things, too. I've seen a man hold up the roof of a shaft, while his mates got clear and him knowing there was no one to hold it up for him, I've seen an abo go through a flooded river to save the wife and kids of a bloke who always called him a nigger ... (CHUCKLES) I've seen him tell the bloke to stick his public presentation too! Seen man and woman (WITH A GLANCE AT NEREIA) fighting bushfires, losing their own places, going on to try to save the next one with no whining about their own troubles. Oh yes, I've seen 'em do lousy things ... crawl and scab and put the boot in ... but I reckon they're worth more than just giving 'em up.

HEINE: No doubt, to you I sound so egotistical and so stupid. Who am I to abandon mankind and how can it matter if I did. Yet to me it is so important that I should determine how I feel ...

RICK: Don't reckon it's stupid ... in fact, I reckon we'd be a lot better off if people would decide definitely if they were for the human race or against it ... and then do something about it. No good saying 'Oh, yes, I love peace ... or brotherhood or humanity to feel so bucked up that they'll get along without further help. Now me I've worked around people a bit. I got rather partial to them. I think they've got possibilities.

HEINE: You know, Nereia , this man is a very good man.

NEREIA: I know he is. I know he knows too, that sometimes people have to do things ... they can't help themselves.

RICK: Well, they do help themselves eventually ... but they've got to learn.

HEINE: Rick ... I wish I ... (HE IS TOO CONFUSED TO THINK FURTHER) had time for lunch. (HE GOES QUICKLY)

THERE IS A LONG PAUSE BETWEEN RICK AND NEREIA. SHE IS PUTTING THE SAME BOOK AWAY WITH ELABORATE CARE YET NOT SEEING IT.

RICK: How's the bird today?

NEREIA: The bird? ... the petrel? ... oh, he's getting better every day. His wing is knitting beautifully, don't you think? ... and he's getting so much stronger. He knows me now ... he's beginning to eat out of my hand. (HER THOUGHTS LEAD HER AWAY AGAIN) Soon he'll be quite well again.

RICK: (WATCHING HER) Then you'll have to let him go.

NEREAI: Oh no, I could keep him ... I could make him want to stay.

RICK: Fish out of water ... silly I mean bird out of air.

NEREIA: I could make him stay, Rick ... I know I could.

RICK: He's got to go back, Neri ... and he's got to find his own way.

NEREIA: But when he goes ...

RICK: (TENDERLY) When he goes ... that bird ... you’ve always got me.

(SHE TURNS TO HIM, TEARS IN HER EYES. HE IS ABOUT TO PUT HIS ARM AROUND HER, THEN HE CHECKS HIMSELF AND HIS HAND DROPS TO HIS SIDE.)

CURTAIN

_________

ACT TWO, SCENE TWO

(THE POST OFFICE A MONTH LATER. AT CURTAIN RISE, NEREIA IS OVER BY THE SWITCH WITH RECEIVER OFF AND JUMBO IS SITTING IN THE CHAIR, TILTED BACK AT A PERILOUS ANGLE AS HE TALKS TO HER.)

JUMBO: And this little bloke, Lanky O’Connol ... (SHE MAKES CONNECTION AND HANGS UP RECEIVER BUT STAYS BY SWITCH) this little bloke used to travel around with the side shows. All over Australia, he went ... never made any money, but he saw life alright. Talk about yarns, Lanky. I don't know where some fellers get their yarns from.

NEREIA MOVES PLUG AS CALL FINISHES.

NEREIA: (LOOKING AT HER WATCH) They must’ve had nearly twenty minutes.

JUMBO: Who was it?

NEREIA: (WITH A GRIMACE) Mrs. Flannagan to Mr. Bartley. Pilot to navigator.

JUMBO: Jees, someone hasn’t got a reputation any more.

NEREIA: (HER FACE SHADOWS) No ... (THEN LIGHTLY) No, I expect Mrs. Flannagan traded it for a tin of sliced peaches. What were you asking about Lanky O’Connol.

NEREIA SITS ON BACK BENCH NEAR SWITCH.

JUMBO: You know sideshow people ’ve got a language of their own ... snorks and heeleys and heeley whackers ... you know what a heeley is.

NEREIA: No.

JUMBO: It’s the trick ... the clue to the game. (SHE IS PUZZLED) Now you take those shooting galleries with the rabbits passing along ... most of the time nothing ’d make those rabbits fall down ... not even that feller in the Bible with a trumpet. That’s the way they’re made and balanced ... that's the heeley, see?

JUMBO: Lanky said that when things were rough and the crowd were coming around a stall, the whisper 'd go round to the other showmen, 'Come on in ... the heeley's off!' That meant ... no tricks, come in and try. The fairground blokes ’d be in it and cop a few prizes, and then the crowd ’d come round, thinking this was one stall where they’d be sure to win a gold alarm clock for Mum. After that, the heeley’d be on smartly and your only chance of knocking down one of them rabbits was with a paling!

NEREIA: Well ... next time I’m at a carnival, I’ll listen for someone to say 'the heeley’s off'. You’re a handy person to know, Jumbo.

JUMBO: Lanky put me up to a lot like that. He married a real nice woman. She owned a merry-go-round when he married her, but she used to be a tattooed lady. Didn’t like it, though ... thought it was vulgar. But if things looked like getting bad, she could always go back to it ... those tattoos are made to last. Lanky said he always knew the merry-go-round wasn't paying whenever his wife would practice flexing her left arm to make Salome dance.

NEREIA: Oh Jumbo, I wish I’d known them. Carnival people really get me in ... here one week, gone the next ... a language and a world all your own. Little horses and monstrous mice and lovely spangley blondes.

JUMBO: No security there though.

NEREIA: Where? ... the spangley blondes. (THEN SERIOUSLY) I don't know ... being secure is having what you want and need ... knowing where you're going. Maybe lots of those people have that ... more than the people who sit in their little houses and listen to the world outside and who are scared stiff.

JUMBO: Lots of people want that most ... little houses to sit in.

NEREIA: Good luck to them ... so long as they sit in the houses and don’t let the houses sit on them!

JUMBO: Getting to be a bit of a fire-eator yourself, eh?

NEREIA: I come from an old fire-eating family ... haven't you heard Peggy on the soap box? Anyway, you're a great ad for security ... I don't see you settling down.

JUMBO: I'm settled being unsettled, if you get what I mean. No, but just the same, you don’t have to be a stick in the mud just because you got a roof and a vase to put the flowers in ... (NOW HE IS ON TOUCHY GROUND AND KNOWS IT) Rick isn’t stodgy.

NEREIA: I know he isn't Jumbo.

JUMBO: You got a good bloke there, Neri.

NEREIA: I know it really, I do.

JUMBO: (MAKING AN AWFUL MESS OF IT) He’s got plenty of go, Rick ... don't know how the sheds 'd get on without him. Anything that wants doing, he’s chosen rep. Every time. Everyone knows he'll get the job done. Age doesn’t matter with a bloke like Rick ... I mean his being older than you shouldn’t make any difference ... I mean I know it doesn't make any difference ... (HE DRIES UP)

NEREIA: (KNOWING HE MEANS WELL) It doesn’t Jumbo. I don't think of Rick as being older than I am ... wiser, yes and braver and more responsible ... perhaps I take advantage of that, Jumbo, without meaning to be unfair. But I wouldn’t want to hurt Rick ... ever. But sometimes you come to some thing that you have to do ...

JUMBO: (HORRIBLY EMBARRASSED) Oh I know ... I knew a bloke once ... nice little bloke ... named Charlie Cross when I knew him. Now he had to get married ... couldn’t help it. Meet a girl take her out next thing he knew he’d be at the altar. Shearer, he was ... used to work here and there, always moving on, victim of circumstances, really, because next place he'd meet another girl and take her out and there he was ... just couldn’t help it. Married nine before they caught up with him ... and meant well every time. (JUMBO GETS UP, KNOCKS CHAIR OVER, MAKES A BUSINESS OF PICKING IT UP, STARTS OUT. AT DOOR) Don’t take any notice of me Neri. I’m a bit ratty, like most of them in Koorora. We all talk too much -— nothing else to do. Don’t you take any notice ... (AT DOOR TURNS DACK) And don forget, when the heeley’s off you’ve got a fair chance.

HE GOES. NEREIA LOOKS AFTER HIM AFFECTIONATELY.

NEREIA: A fair chance ... (WITH SOFT DISTRESS) Whose chance, though (GOES TO DOOR, LEANS AGAINST FRAME. LOOKS OUT. AfTER A PAUSE, CLIFFIE COMES UP ON VERANDAH BEHIND HER)

CLIFFIE: Looking for soomeone?

NEREIA, STARTLED AND ANNOYED WITH HERSELF FOR SHOWING IT, TURNS AWAY AND GOES BEHIND COUNTER.

NEREIA: Hello Cliffie.

CLIFFIE: They ought to be knocking off any time now.

NEREIA: What do you want.

CLIFFIE: (AFTER AN APPRECIABLE PAUSE) I'll take six postage for the moment. (SHE IS GETTING STAMPS OUT) Did anyone ever tell you you were beautiful?

NEREIA: (AFTER A SWIFT GLANCE AT HIM.) Hundreds of people ... a constant stream in and out of the post office all the time ... and they’ve all seen the same picture you have.

CLIFFIE: I don't have to go to the pictures to find out how to tell you you're beautiful. I’ve always thought you looks pretty classy. But I thought you were the freeze ’em off type.

NEREIA: Apparently not. (PUSHING STAMPS ACROSS COUNTER) One and six.

CLIFFIE: (TOSSING IT ON COUNTER) Two bob.

SHE TAKES OUT CHANGE AND GIVES IT TO HIM. HE HOLDS HER HAND AS HE TAKES IT.

CLIFFIE: Gee, I’m keen about you.

NEREIA: Have you been drinking?

CLIFFIE: I can take a drink – not that I need it to tell you I like you. I can take it or leave it alone.

NEREIA: Leaving it alone might be an improvement.

SHE TURNS HER BACK TO HIM, MAKES BUSINESS OF GOING THROUGH LETTERS IN PIDGEON HOLES.

CLIFFIE: I can tell you I like you can’t I.

NEREIA: Rick might not think so.

CLIFFIE: Don’t tell me what Rick thinks matter to you any more.

SHE STOPS DEAD, LETTERS IN HAND. SHE HAS EXPECTED SOMETHING LIKE THIS. NOW IT HAS COME AND SHE IS UNDECIDED HOW TO ACT.

CLIFFIE: (RATHER TRIUMPHANT) You must know that address by heart, you been staring at it so long. You wouldn't like me to help you sort 'em would you. I could spare the time.

NEREIA PUSHES LETTERS BACK INTO RACK, SPEAKING AS SHE DOES.

NEREIA: I think you'd better take yourself for a walk.

CLIFFIE: Rather take you.

SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND SWINGS TO FACE HIM.

NEREIA: Don't be stupid, Cliffie.

CLIFFIE: Don't act so high and mighty. Or maybe I'm talking wrong just talking Australian.

NEREIA: And that not very well.

SHE GETS OUT PARCEL OF TELEGRAPH FORMS FROM UNDER COUNTER AND OPENS IT, TRYING TO IGNORE CLIFFIE.

CLIFFIE: Why don't you give the local boy a break?

NEREIA: What do you want broken?

CLIFFIE: (GIVING HIMSELF AN IMAGINARY JOLT IN THE JAW.) One two, One, two ... just like that! Aw come on, Nereia, be nice. You can't blame me for trying. Everyone knows ...

NEREIA: (RIPS PACKAGE PAPER DECISIVELY AS SHE FACES HIM) What?

CLIFFIE: (NONPLUSSED) Well – you know. You know the way people talk here -— and you've been making it a bit willing. Out walking all hours of the night -— and where would anyone walk to on the Nullarbor. You'd have to have -— something else to do.

NEREIA: (GOES DOWN COUNTER TO PUT FORMS IN RACK NEAR HINGED SECTION) You ought to do something'about your mind Cliffie. They do say DDT is wonderful.

CLIFFIE: (DOWN OTHER SIDE OF COUNTER) That's not all they say. (AS SHE STANDS IN COUNTER OPENING HE PULLS HER TOWARD HIM) Come on, Nereia -— be a bit nice.

SHE PULLS AWAY, PUSHING HIM OFF VIOLENTLY.

NEREIA: Get out of here, you beastly little larrickin, before I wrap a chair round that stone age skull! Honestly, I'd be a lot more angry if it didn't make me laugh. I believe you were serious ... serious to me! My God! You might cut a dashing figure with the milk bar trade, Cliffie, but not with me. Now got out.

HE IS TAKEN ABACK AT HER ANGER. BUT CONTINUES WITH ELABORATE POLITENESS.

CLIFFIE: Well, excuse me Mrs. O'Hara -— I have to apologise. I didn't realise you were so stuck on your refo boyfriend. The boys thought it was just because you couldn't get anything better at the time – people don't think that anyone who acts so high and mighty 'd be letting a bloody Jew –

SHE HITS HIM HARD WITH HER OPEN HAND. HE STOPS COMPLETELY AT A LOSS, RATHER ABASHED BEFORE HER FURIOUS FACE.

CLIFFIE: (RETREAT IS ALL THAT IS LEFT TO HIM FOR THE MOMENT) Alright then ... alright! You might be sorry – still if that's the way you feel ... alright!

HE GOES QUICKLY. ALONE NEREIA RELAXES. SHE LEANS AGAINST THE COUNTER SHAKILY, HER FACE STILL REFLECTING SHAME, ANGER, DISGUST.

NEREIA: Oh Jumbo ... seems the heeley's off ... and they're shooting.

CALMER NOW SHE WALKS TO THE DOOR, SLOWLY SHE FALLS INTO THE SAME POSITION SHE WAS IN WHEN CLIFFIE ENTERED, LOOKING OUT. THEN SHE SEES SOMEONE ON THE ROAD. SHE IS ABOUT TO WAVE, HESITATES, GLANCING RIGHT AND LEFT. NOW SHE IS AWARE THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING. THEN DEFIANTLY SHE WAVES AND RECKONS AND AS SHE WAVES, HER FACE SOFTENS INTO TENDERNESS.

CURTAIN

_________

ACT TWO, SCENE THREE.

LATER THAT EVENING. THE SKY, SEEN THROUGH THE OPEN DOOR, IS DARK EXCEPT FOR A LINE OF BLUISH LIGHT ALONG THE HORIZON and THIS FADES OUT INTO BLACKNESS AS THE SCENE PROCEEDS.

MAJOR AND HEINE ARE STANDING ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE COUNTER. THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ARGUMENT OF WHICH THE CLIMAX IS JUST ABOUT REACHED.

MAJOR: Well, I'm telling you ... it's got to stop! It's just got to stop!

HEINE: And I am requesting you ... who has given you the right to tell me anything!

MAJOR: Nereia is my wife's sister ... my sister in law. She is young still and silly. I won't have everybody in Koorora talking about her ... and you. I won't have people here ... in my post office ... young Cliffie Reilly's been all over the place talking ... made me feel a damn fool.

HEINE: (THROUGH HIS TEETH) I will break young Cliffie Reilly's bull neck.

MAJOR: No good blaming him. You asked for it, you know. Meeting each other all over the place ... I myself saw Nereia call you in to the office this afternoon. Poor show!

HEINE: Nereia called me in to tell me that young Cliffie Reilly had been in himself, offering her a second and better chance to redeem any mistaken friendship ... more obviously, he told her she could have him instead of a dirty Jew.

MAJOR: (UNCOMFORTABLY) Don't know anything about that. Cliffie probably forgot himself ... he's been drinking this afternoon. But Nereia has brought that sort of thing on her own head. Frankly I can't understand what Rick can be thinking of ... I'm sure nobody can.

HEINE: Still everybody is willing to think for him ... everybody is willing to advise him as to his future actions, in order that he may play the outraged husband to give satisfaction.

MAJOR: (SHOWING HIS GENUINE CONCERN FOR NEREIA) I don't know what Nereia's been thinking of ... or you, either if you ... you're fond of her. Nothing can happen here without people noticing ... especially if you have anything to do with it.

HEINE: Am I then so interesting a personality.

MAJOR: (STIFFLY) You're noticeable. You're a German ...

HEINE: A Jew? ...

MAJOR: You haven't made yourself exactly small ... You've had a lot to say about conditions in the sheds here, I believe ... been backing Rick and Rick's always disturbing the peace ... meaning it for the best of course, but still ... apart from that, you've had some very heated arguments with Mr. Bartley and made some very wild statements.

HEINE: Is it so wild to protest that this beautiful land should be hampered with the old prejudices, the old injustices, the old hatreds which have scared older countries? Is it so wild? ... to be angry to see in a little country storekeeper, the hypocracies, the cruelties which were put at the service of the Nazis in my own Germany? If this is to be my country, may I not be jealous for her honour?

MAJOR: You've been so damned indiscreet ... about the whole works.

HEINE: You mean I have not been surreptitious ... not enough to satisfy your morality at the same time as I am obvious enough to satisfy your suspicions? Forgive me.

MAJOR: (OFFENDED) Don't believe in making a show ... especially in the office ... but you need a good punch in the nose.

HEINE: (DANGEROUSLY) I do not advise the attempt. I know more tricks than you ever learned in your army. I know all the tricks of the storm troop interrogation room and the concentration camp. I know where a man is most vulnerable ... in the eyes, the throat, the belly, the groin. I have seen them done, I have done them to me, I have done them to others, when my chance came. I warn you, Major.

MAJOR: There is such a thing as fighting fair.

HEINE: If you are forced to fight ... why fight fair? To me it is not a game, a boxing match, a sport between gentlemen. To fight is to put yourself in pawn to savagery, perhaps never to be redeemed. To fight is to put dignity, humanity on the scale and hope that the thing for which you battle will weigh heavier than they do!

MAJOR: Damned if understand you ... sounds like a pacifist.

HEINE: (GENUINELY) Try to understand me, Major ... try, please. You have seen men broken, embittered, before today. You have seen what it does to men to see ... to do ... terrible things ... to kill, to maim, to hate. The hatred is the worst of all and when you have done those things and then you find that you believe no longer in the possibility of the things for which you fought, that you trust no longer the people you killed for ... that you have only a hatred left to you ... Major, can't you understand how a man may dream a love, even though in waking it can never be his.

MAJOR: (UNCOMFORTABLE) Well even so ... anyway, a man's got a right to hate something that's ... (FLOUNDERING) that's hateful ...

HEINE: Don't mistake me. I have nothing against a good honest – constructive – hatred. You are afraid here – of course, you must be afraid – that we Germans bring Nazism with us as part of our travelling equipment. Some of us – no, some of THEM, for we and they are aliens to each other – some of them do. Under the quiet blue suit, the charming manner, the swift efficiency – they try to hide it from you – and for a while, they may. But from us they cannot hide it – we have seen it, suffered it before – we will know them again, wherever they are!

MAJOR: But it is such a risk, you know. I admit you do sound genuine about it, but it could be a ruse. Sort a lot of that sort of thing in Malaya – fellow passing as Chinese or Malayan – language, dialect – all right. Turn out to be a blasted Japanese! Amazing! And it's possible that you too –

HEINE: Do not trust us, then ... watch us, see how we behave in the homes, in the offices, the workshops, in the lunch hour break and the union meeting. It is there we will betray or justify ourselves. So, until then, do not trust us. But wish to trust us, Major – while checking your suspicions, hope that they may prove groundless. (DESPAIRINGLY) We fought for a world where people would want to trust each other ... and it seems that nobody does ... no people, no nations ... so our fight was wasted.

MAJOR: Wouldn't say that, you know ...

THEY ARE CLOSE TO SOME KIND OF UNDERSTANDING, BUT THE MOOD IS BROKEN AS BARTLEY COMES IN, SOLICITOUSLY LEADING CLIFFIE. CLIFFIE IS DRUNK, STILL HOLDING A BOTTLE BY THE NECK.

BARTLEY: Better come in, boy – better come here for a moment. I can understand how you feel but drink's no answer to – (SEES HEINE WHO HAS SWUNG AROUND AND IS LEANING AGAINST COUNTER) Oh.

CLIFFIE: Here's Major – hello Major. (SEES HEINE) Well, look who's here. The very man I wanted to see.

(HE THROWS OFF BARTLEY'S ARM AND STANDS FACING HEINE.)

BARTLEY: You need to sit down, Cliffie ... you sit down till you feel better.

MAJOR: This isn't a rest room, you know. (GETS OUT HIS FAVOURITE RECORD BOOK AND TRIES TO REMOVE HIMSELF FROM THE SCENE BY WORKING OVER IT.)

BARTLEY: Won't take a minute, Major Robinson. Besides, I want some stamps! Yes —- stamps. Now, just a minute ... you sit here, Cliffie. (LEADS CLIFFIE TO CHAIR) There!

CLIFFIE: You're a good feller, Bartley ... have another drink! (BARTLEY AVOIDS BOTTLE) You have a drink Major.

MAJOR: Sorry – not on the premises.

HEINE: You wanted to see me you said?

CLIFFIE: You're not getting a drink – no drinks for Yids. (HEINE – RESTRAINS HIMSELF) I wanted to see the Major – (GETS UP AND GOES OVER TO COUNTER OPPOSITE MAJOR) She called me a larrikin – your own sister in law ... a larrikin, she said ...

MAJOR: Probably joking ... you know Nereia! She and Peggy went to the Progress Association meeting ... but you better go home. How many stamps Mr Bartley?

(SUDDENLY PETER [...] INTO THE OFFICE)

PETER: ([...]) Gee, there you are ... gee, Dad, what's the matter with you? Why didn't you take him home, like you said ...

CLIFFIE: I can take myself home.

PETER: Gee, I rang up Mrs Mac's and she said he wasn't in. Gee! Why didn't you stop him coming in here. I told you Heine was here!

BARTLEY: (SAVAGELY) Shut your mouth!

CLIFFIE: Why couldn't I come in here, I like it in here, or I will like it when I throw him out! ([...] TO HEINE) Bartley said we were coming to see the Major – and we came.

HEINE: Yes, you meant him to come, didn't you, Mr Bartley – you meant him to come here – you meant there should be trouble and gossip and all the things you profit from in your nastly little shop, as you profit from your sharp business practices ...

MAJOR: Come now, Schafer, don't make it too dramatic. Cliffie's alright – will be in the morning, anyway and you can always avoid trouble by leaving yourself.

HEINE: Yes ... (HE IS ABOUT TO GO WHEN BARTLEY SNEERS.)

BARTLEY: After all, everyone knows that your people aren’t too fond of a bit of a scrap, We expect that from you ...

HEINE SWINGS BACK.

PETER: Shut up, Dad! You're making things worse!

CLIFFIE: Leave him alone. He's alright. (CLIFFIE STANDS UP. STILL HOLDING THE BOTTLE, HE IS DANGEROUS DRUNK, [...] AND SAVAGE TEMPERED) (TO HEINE) Come on, you – get!

(VERY DELIBERATELY, HEINRICH TAKES OUT PIPE AND FILLS IT.)

PETER: Come on, Cliffie – you come home with me. You're gonna have an awful head in the morning. Come home now, eh ...

CLIFFIE: (UNDECIDED) I'd have to have one for the road.

PETER: Oh yes, sure – one for the road. – we'll have it on the way to keep us going.

CLIFFIE: (MEASURING OPEN BOTTLE) Not much left – only one ...

PETER: We'll split it – come on Cliffie ...

MAJOR: That's right Cliffie –

CLIFFIE IS ABOUT TO MOVE BUT BARTLEY INTERVENES.

BARTLEY: You leave him alone, Peter. After all, a fair thing's a fair thing, and I won't see this boy hounded out of the office because of – well, someone who doesn't belong here. Cliffie has his rights.

CLIFFIE: He's right. Your Dad's right, Peter. He knows!

PETER: (TO BARTLEY) Why do you do it. Why don't you let him go. What do you want to happen!! Cliffie ...!

CLIFFIE: I'm not going ... he's the one who's going! Not me! A larrikin, she called me, Major – that's what she'd rather have. (MOVES TOWARDS HEINE) Come on – outside!

HEINE FALLS BACK A LITTLE TOWARD THE COUNTER, WATCHING INTENTLY AND YET AT EASE AS THOUGH THIS IS FAMILIAR GROUND.

MAJOR: (ANNOYED WITH EVERYONE) For heavens sake, Schafer, You're no kid -— show some sense, and go. Then Cliffle'll go and sleep it off and that will be that. Don't make a fuss.

HEINE: That is what you have said before, Major. (THE MAJOR IS ABOUT TO DENY IT.) Will you ever learn? In the Rhineland -— in Austria -— in Czechoslovakia -— in Spain -— you said it, 'Go,leave them alone -— don't make a fuss.' And when we did make a fuss you called us troublemakers. Oh, when at last you recognised them for what they were – when you had to fight – you fought beside us, and bravely. But why does it always have to come to the fighting, when they could be stoppod without it? And why do you let them hoodwink you —— why do you play their game!

MAJOR: What absolute nonsense! ...

BARTLEY: (WITH GREAT POMP.) I’m not a young man, more’s the pity but I'm not going to stand any more of this fellows cheek. (LOOKING MEANINGLY AT CLIFFIE) I don’t know about anyone else ...

MAJOR: Damn it all, Bartley, that’s not helping. You’d better go home yourself.

BARTLEY: When I’m ready, Major Robinson. When we're ready, eh, Cliffie.

CLIFFIE: it won't take a minute ...

HE IS MOVING ON HEINE, THE BOTTLE STILL IN HIS FINGERS. HEINE FALLS BACK UNTIL HE BACKS AGAINST THE COUNTER.

PETER: (SHRILLY) Why are you doing this? -— What’s your idea? It's all so crazy ...

HEINE: (SOFTLY) (WATCHING CLIFFIE ALL THE TIME.) They have their reasons. Cliffie is using up years of repression ... days spent in undistinguished toil that belies his own picture of himself ... those dreams when he sees himself swaggering and powerful, kicking faces as he feels himself kicked ... a jungle world where his strong arm rules. And your father – a hatred, a fear – for something he thinks I am, beliefs he thinks I hold, strengths he believes are in me ... the strength of the common people he cheats on their flour and sugar and would cheat of bigger things if his chance came. (TURNS ON BARTLEY) No, I am not worthy of your hatred – like the weakling I am, I left my beliefs and my battles in Germany. But you are right to be wary, Mr. Bartley – for there are many – my people, your people – who continue to fight.

BARTLEY: (FURIOUS) You dirty Yid – you dirty ... like I said Cliffie ... a [...] ... a – Did you hear him, Cliffie.

CLIFFIE: I heard ...

MAJOR: (REALISATION OF THE SITUATION AT LAST -— HE SOUNDS LIKE AN OFFICER NOW.) Peter -— get Constable Clegg.

PETER: Right I –

HE GOES TO RUN OUT, FINDS HIMSELF FACING HIS FATHER WHO IS BLOCKING THE DOORWAY, NEAR HINGED SECTION OF BACK COUNTER WHICH IS RAISED.

BARTLEY: (WITH REAL VENOM AND INTENSITY) You go out of that ... Peter ... it'll be the last thing I'll stand ... I mean it ... the last thing.

PETER STANDS IRRESOLUTE, FRIGHTENED BY HIS FATHER'S VOICE.

MAJOR: Peter!

PETER: (STRICKEN) Major, I ...

MAJOR: By God I’ll end this.

HE MARCHES DOWN COUNTER TO HINGED SECTION. As HE REACHES IT:

CLIFFIE: You’re a sick man Major ... I wouldn't like to hurt you too bad. Stop him Bartley.

BARTLEY DARTS BACK AND DROPS THE HINGED FLAP IN THE MAJOR'S FACE. AS THE MAJOR GOES TO LIFT IT AGAIN, BARTLEY PUTS HIS HAND ON IT.

BARTLEY: (IN TRIUMPH) Don't do it Major ... I could stop you ... even I could stop you.

THERE IS A MOMENTARY REALISATION FOR THE MAJOR THAT HE IS RIGHT. IT STOPS HIM. DAZED, HE LOOKS DOWN AT HIMSELF AT HIS [...]

MAJOR: (AN INCREDULOUS WHISPER) It's true ...

SIMULTANEOUSLY CLIFFIE SMASHES THE BOTTLE ACROSS THE COUNTER AND FACES HEINE WITH IT.

CLIFFIE: Jew bastard!

IN THAT MOMENT, WITH EACH HELD TENSE, RICK APPEARS IN THE DOORWAY. HE STANDS FOR A MOMENT WHILE HE TAKES IT IN. THEN ...

RICK: You'll never get your zack back on that bottle, Cliffie.

STARTLED, CLIFFIE DROPS BOTTLE. BARTLEY FALLS BACK INTO HIS USUALLY MILD ATTITUDE.

MAJOR: (SIMPLY AND MEANING IT) Thank God you came in.

RICK: Thank that bloody seven-o-o-nine ... if she been in, I wouldn't have been working. One of these days she's going to blow herself right back to where she came from ... and God isn't there ... leastways, not according to my information. (CASUALLY TO MAJOR) You alright?

MAJOR: Yes ... I'm alright.

RICK: Lot of glass you got there Cliffie. Dangerous things to play with ... bottles. You might get hurt. You shouldn't buy him a bottle of steam, Mr. Bartley, if he's going to do things like this.

BARTLEY: You ought to be grateful to us, O'Hara ... We were sick of the show your wife's making of you ... it's not right. We were doing it because o you.

RICK TALKS TO BARTLEY BUT HIS EYES ARE ON HEINRICH.

RICK: Don't be so kind to me. Whenever there is a law that suits you or a war that's just nice, you always think of me ... or how I'd like to go ... and you blokes can't wait to get busy on it. Don't trouble yourself Bartley. I know my own fights ... and they're not the ones you'd pick for me. (ONCE AGAIN HE LOOKS BACK TO HEINE.) You better come and have a cuppa, sport, you're getting into low company.

(AFTER A PAUSE HEINE GOES TO HIM, WHERE HE STANDS IN THE DOORWAY.)

HEINE: I cannot say my thanks ... if there are words I do not know them ... not in your language, not in mine.

RICK: I'll buy you a violin. Come on.

AS THEY WALK OUT TOGETHER VERY LIGHTLY RICK'S ARM BRUSHES ACROSS HEINE'S SHOULDERS IN A FRIENDLY PAT.

IN THE SILENCE LEFT BEHIND THEM, PETER BREAKS OUT.

PETER: I didn't want to be in it ... I wanted to help him. I tried Mr. Robertson ... I tried. (TO HIS FATHER) But I let you frighten me like I've always done ... I didn't do anything ... I just stood. I dunno which is the worst of us. You or me! I dunno ...

CURTAIN

_________

ACT THREE, SCENE ONE

THE POST OFFICE, THE FOLLOWING MORNING, ABOUT NINE O'CLOCK. PEG IS SWEEPING UP THE LAST OF THE BROKEN GLASS INTO A DUSTPAN. THE MAJOR IS TALKING TO HER, BUT HE IS REALLY ARGUING WITH HIMSELF.

MAJOR: ... It was just ... like an explosion.

PEG: (FINISHING WITH THE GLASS) Certainly looks like an explosion.

MAJOR: I can't understand it. I suppose it's a lack of discipline since the war ...

HE WAITS FOR PEG'S REPLY. PEG IS RATHER WITHDRAWN FROM HIM BECAUSE SHE IS REALLY ANGRY ABOUT THE WHOLE AFFAIR AND DOESN'T WANT TO SAY TOO MUCH.

PEG: What's your suggestion, Major – that we have another war to get back our discipline?

MAJOR: (EARNESTLY) Peg, you don't think I was to blame in any way – for last night? (SHE DOESN'T ANSWER. SHE CAREFULLY TIPS GLASS INTO NEWSPAPER, ROLLING IT UP.) You must admit they were indiscreet – Schafer and Nereia. They started people talking.

PEG: Maybe. The day people start worrying about their own moral duties as much as they worry about other people's, God can knock off. Morals aren't the point, so far as I can see. Take Cliffie – no you take Cliffie – we all know about Cliffie. He'd be hanging round a street corner if we had two streets in Koorora to make a corner. (BARTLEY COMES IN WHILE SHE'S TALKING SHE IS AWARE OF HIM, BUT GOES RIGHT ON.) And Bartley – well, Bartley hated Heinrich from the first time they argued, just as he hates Rick, and Jumbo ... and me ... anyone who isn't prepared to lay down their lives for the glory of individual enterprise and an

extra penny a pound on the price of sugar!

BARTLEY: That's not a very charitable thing to say, Mrs. Robinson. But then ... (TRYING TO SNIGGER) ... they say listeners hear no good of themselves.

PEG: No ... but it's more fun when you know they're listening.

PEG SLAMS THE DUSTPAN DOWN AS SHE EXIT TO THE BACK OF THE HOUSE – SO VIOLENTLY THAT MOST OF THE GLASS FALLS OUT AGAIN. THE MAJOR BEGINS TO SWEEP IT UP AGAIN. AS HE MOVES AROUND THE POST OFFICE, BARTLEY FOLLOWS HIM, WHINING GENTLY.

BARTLEY: It's not true that I ever raised the price of sugar – not without the proper authority. Not that I wouldn't be justified. If you knew the costs of carting and bagging and – Oh, but women never understand business.

MAJOR: I have great faith in my wife's judgement. Even if I am sure of myself, I am sure of her.

BARTLEY: I certainly hope that doesn't mean you feel that any blame attaches to me, because of last night's episode. Young Cliffie's a hot-head – a good lad, but a hot-head, like most of these young ones. I thought I should stay with him. When a lad like Cliffie gets an idea into his head – especially when he's had a drink – well, you can't shift if, can you?

MAJOR: Did anyone try? I know I didn't. (WITH SOME HARDNESS) And then, when I tried, I couldn't do anything. You told me that.

BARTLEY IS RATHER NERVOUS ABOUT THIS. HE DOESN'T WANT TO LOSE THE MAJOR'S GOODWILL.

BARTLEY: Oh ...

MAJOR: You said, 'Even I could stop you' ...

BARTLEY: Well, of course, I didn't mean to ... I mean I couldn't. You're a very ... man in fine physical nick ... I've always said –

THE MAJOR HAS A BRIEF RETURN TO ARMY DAYS.

MAJOR: Oh, grease it with your own butter before you get there –

PETER COMES IN. BARTLEY IS GLAD TO TURN ON HIM, NOT NOTICING RICK BEHIND HIM.

BARTLEY: Who's in the shop?

PETER: Young Johnny.

BARTLEY: You had no right to leave him there. You know what he is.

RICK: Might be giving the right weight ... Where'll business be then? (STILL CALM, HUMOROUS, BUT MEANING IT) And by the way, Bartley, one little word about my wife – coming from you – and Peter will inherit a declining business.

BARTLEY: You can't say that to me!

PETER: He's just said it, Dad.

BARTLEY: Of course you'd have to run after your hero.

PETER LOOKS VERY ABASHED.

RICK: (TO BARTLEY, WITH FEELING) You really are a Grade A –

PETER: (TO BARTLEY) All right – so he is what I'd like to be! I'd love tobe able to grow into him – saying what you want to say, never fighting unless you have to, but looking after yourself pretty well if it came to it. (DIRECT TO RICK) I've felt this way about you ever since I was a kid.

BARTLEY: A boy should look to his father.

PETER: I do. That's what frightens me.

RICK: You don't have to – I mean, see a bit more of the world –

MAJOR Join the army. Well, get around, anyway –

BARTLEY: You're influencing a son to leave his father!

RICK: You've got no kick coming, Bartley. This'll be the first time you'll have to pay the union wage since old Sam Jeffries left you to take the job on the night cart.

MAJOR: (PLEASED WITH HIMSELF) Man's got a right to improve himself, eh?

RICK IS DELIGHTED WITH THE MAJOR'S WIT. THEY LAUGH. BARTLEY IS VERY UPSET.

BARTLEY: (TO PETER) I warn you – if you try it, I'll deal with you. And you won't forget it, son!

PETER HAS BEEN GROWING UP BY THE MINUTE.

PETER: Dad, I won't be here. Can't you get that? (HEINRICH COMES IN AND PETER PASSES HIM ON THE WAY OUT.) Sorry, Heinrich – about last night –

BARTLEY: You won't be here? And how will you get away? You won't get a penny –

PETER: There's plenty of transport on the new highway. I'll hitch!

PETER RAISES HIS THUMB IN A HITCHHIKING CALL AND THEN, WITH RATHER MORE MALICE, JERKS IT IN HIS FATHER'S DIRECTION. AS PETER GOES, HEINRICH ADVANCES ON BARTLEY.

HEINE I want to talk to you, Mr. Bartley, I have been talking to that poor fool of a boy you used – I mean Cliffie. I don't blame him. Any man – well, most men – are driven by jealousy. But you didn't have that excuse. You just wanted to hurt ... and I – am – angry!

HE MAKES A VIOLENT AND IMPULSIVE MOVE TOWARD BARTLEY. RICK GRABS HIM.

RICK: Don't hit him, you bloody fool! It'd be like that bastard to drop dead out of sheer malice!

BARTLEY: You think that's a joke, O'Hara. I've got a weak heart – it runs in the family. I could drop dead any minute! I'm going to Constable Clegg about this. I'm going to lay a charge. As for the things that have been said about me – I could get damages! (BARTLEY STAMPS OUT. AT THE DOOR, HE TURNS BACK.) Young Peter won't go. If he does, he'll be back. He couldn't manage without me.

THERE IS A PAUSE AFTER HE GOES.

HEINE: That poor ... bugger ... (RICK AND THE MAJOR LAUGH AT THE WAY IT COMES OUT.) Isn't that the right word?

RICK: Peter's got to go. Better in the long run –

MAJOR: I ... err ... thought of offering him a couple of letters of introduction – if he wanted to join the army. Oh, well, maybe it doesn't suit everybody. (HE MOVES BEHIND HIS COUNTER, HIS STRONGHOLD.) Err ... Schafer ... sorry about last night ... damned sorry ...

HEINE: Please do not think about it, Major Robinson. One can always confuse orders –

PEG LOOKS IN FROM THE DOOR THAT LEADS TO THE HOUSE SECTION OF THE POST OFFICE.

PEG: Tea.

RICK (TOGETHER) Thanks ... Very fine.

HEINE

THEY GO OUT TO THE HOUSE SECTION. THE SWITCHBOARD BUZZES.

MAJOR: (INTO THE RECIEVER) Hello ... Hello ... (HE GETS NO ANSWER, SO GOES ON TALKING.) Never come up against this sort of thinking, Peggy. In the army you have your problems, but you know what to do. Well, you seem to know what to do. (INTO THE RECEIVER) Hello! (PUTTING DOWN THE RECIEVER) Damn them! Sometimes I think I need that switch to work to know that we're still on this earth! (REALISING THIS IS A FLIGHT OF FANCY FOR HIM) Don't mean that, of course ... But Peggy, it's easy for Rick to talk about changing and learning – makes it sound enjoyable. (EARNESTLY) I'm not so young as I was, Peggy, and I don't think I can manage it.

PEGGY GOES TO HIM.

PEG: Harry – Harry darling, don't feel so bad about it. Learning oughtn't to make you feel awful. It's good to change – makes you know you're alive.

MAJOR: Once I knew I was alive. I knew I was alive, because I lived five years close to being dead. The difference was that much ... (INDICATING WITH HIS FINGERS) ... that much, Peggy. But every minute I knew I was alive. Now – I don't. I don't enjoy it so much. Oh, I love you, and the kids. And I thought I enjoyed the job here – the responsibility. After last night, I wonder – what responsibility? I didn't come through, Peggy. Bartley laughed at me. I didn't come through.

PEG: Oh, you did, Harry, you did. What you said to me last night – about looking at yourself – just looking at yourself means you've come through, Harry – (THE SWITCHBOARD BUZZES) Leave it – just for a minute, Harry. Let's finish what we're saying.

MAJOR: Sorry, Peggy, can't do that. (AND PEG KNOWS HE NEVER CAN.) (INTO THE RECEIVER) Koorora Exchange ... Robinson speaking ... (THEN HIS VOICE EXPRESSES HIS PLEASURE.) Oh, Mr. Randall ... Yes, I did suggest that in my last report ... Yes, it could be a big question for the PMG ... Thank you, sir ... Goodbye. (HE HANGS UP. VERY PLEASED) That was superintendent Randall.

PEG IS A BIT WASPISH BECAUSE SHE IS DISAPPOINTED THAT HER CHANCE TO TALK CLOSESLY TO HER HUSBAND HAS BEEN CUT OFF.

PEG: Did he say when they'd move themselves to install the switch?

MAJOR: Oh, Randall doesn't deal with that sort of thing. They're very interested in my report on mail distribution. Some suggestion that could be applied to all outlying areas. Bit of a hint of a conference coming up ... (HAPPILY) Nothing much said. You know the Top Brass – terrified to give anything away.

PEG: Harry, we were talking ... It was important, Harry ...

MAJOR: Yes, must have chat about it again sometime. Don't get much chance to talk, do we? (HAPPILY) Helluva job, this job. Did you say the tea was made?

RICK COMES TO THE DOOR LEADING FROM THE HOUSE SECTION.

PEG: (KNOWING SOME BIG CHANCE HAS GONE) You go on in, Major – and salute.

MAJOR: (TO RICK, AS HE PASSES HIM IN THE DOORWAY) She never lets me forget that I was

in the army.

PEG AND RICK ARE ALONE.

RICK: Major seems quite cheered up.

PEG: (BITTERLY) Oh, he is – he is. They've rung him up from Perth to congratulate him on a report, and maybe one day they'll put his switch in! Y'know, Rick, I got the closest I've ever got to him since he came back from the war, and then the bloody Perth GPO sings in his ear like a loving mistress.

RICK: You could shake him to earth, Peg. You could tell him the truth, and he'd have to believe it from you. Because he does believe you, Peg.

PEG: What's the truth for him, Rick? That in this – place – (HER FRUSTRATION SHOWING) – it's not a town, it's not ... anything ... It's not even a point of arrival and departure, because no one stays here long enough for that. They just sit in their carriages until the engines are turned around. So, in this place, he lets people like Bartley use him, because he has to feel like a leader still?

RICK: That's not the truth, Peg. When it came to the crunch, the Major couldn't be used by Bartley.

PEG: There are other truths ... He's a sick man, he's getting stiff in his back and his mind, people laugh at him behind his back – Bartley's one – laugh at his parade-ground manners in a desert post office ... (SHE CONTROLS HER RUSH OF WORDS, DROPPING BACK INTO HER USUAL EASY MANNER. SHE PICKS UP THE TRAY OF GLASS.) You said he'd believe me. If I told him what I've just told you, it'd take his life away. You can't do that, Rick. They call it murder.

SHE ASSUMES HER JAUNTY SELF AND GOES THROUGH THE ENTRANCE TO THE HOUSE. RICK CALLS AFTER HER.

RICK: Give Heine a yell for me! (HE GOES TO THE SWITCHBOARD. AFTER SOME FUMBLING AND SHAKING, HE GETS IT TO WORK.) Nereia? Drop into the post office, will you ...? No, no trouble ... Good, as they say.

AS HE PUTS DOWN THE RECEIVER HE DOES A BIT OF A JIGGLE WITH THE PLUGS. HEINRICH COMES IN.

CURTAIN

________

ACT THREE, SCENE TWO

RICK PUTS DOWN RECEIVER AND MAKES A COUPLE OF TENTATIVE EXPERIMENTS WITH THE PLUGS. HEINRICH COMES IN, STILL WITH A CUP OF OF TEA.

HEINE: The Major will not like it that you play with his telephone. Have you, please, a match?

RICK THROWS A BOX ACROSS FOR HEINRICH TO LIGHT HIS PIPE.

RICK: I thought the Germans invented safety matches. Why didn't your family keep some?

HEINE: We did not belong to the Krueger branch of the family. Poor but honest, that described the Schafers. (UNTHINKINGLY, HE DROPS THE MATCHES INTO HIS JACKET.)

RICK: (CLICKING HIS FINGERS) Not too damned honest. Give me my matches. (HE CATCHES THEM.) I just rang Nereia. (HEINRICH BECOMES ALERT.) I asked her to come over. You and she had better have a talk.

HEINE: I wish you would say, 'Get to hell from her'. I like you, Rick – I would get.

RICK: You're the only one who can decide where you're going, sport.

HEINE: I know you are right. The right of self-determination, the one thing one must not give away. The first freedom, the hardest freedom – to choose for oneself ... right or wrong, good or evil ... the freedom to choose for or against freedom itself. And sometimes it seems that men choose against it.

RICK: I thought you got over that, from what you said last night.

HEINE: No, I will not go back. I have learned a great deal here in the desert. How good a man may be, how honest, how impersonal of his own private interests in the pursuit of right. 'While there are people like that', I have said, 'like Rick, Peg, Jumbo, the men at the roundhouse ... like Nereia ... the world has great food, even this tiny arid corner of it'. And then I said, 'They are not here alone, they are everywhere. You left them, not they you. All the time you have been turning your face from the sick world, they have been working and thinking and talking to make it well and beautiful. Now ask them politely if they will have you back among them'. All this, Rick, I said to myself.

RICK: Some blokes got to earbash someone. Even themselves.

HEINE: Ach. You Australians – so afraid of saying much – covering the things that matter most to you with a jest ... preferably dirty.

RICK: (STOPPING TO LISTEN) Oh, always dirty.

HEINRICH IS AWARE THAT NEREIA IS COMING.

HEINE: Rick ...

RICK GOES QUICKLY THROUGH THE HOUSE DOOR SAYING:

RICK: I haven't had my second cup of tea – and I'm not good without it.

HE GOES AS NEREIA COMES THROUGH THE STREET DOOR. SHE SEES HEINRICH AND STOPS SHORT.

NEREIA: Rick rang me just as I was on my way out from Bartley's for the last time.

HEINE: Peter, also. (SHE NODS.) An exodus – a very Jewish word.

NEREIA: If it's a good word, you don't have to have an apology for it.

NEREIA HAS LOST HER CHILDLIKE UNAWAKENED QUALITY. NOW SHE IS SAD, COMPOSED AND AT EASE. SHE SITS IN THE CHAIR. HEINRICH IS THE ONE EMBARRASSED.

HEINE: Rick has just gone for his second cup of tea.

NEREIA: He never has a second cup of tea. He meant us to talk.

HEINE: When we came home last night, he did not talk about the ... incident. I suppose that he did – to you – late?

NEREIA: Yes. I'm glad he came in when he did, Heinrich. Maybe it looked just like a drunken kid waving a bottle. But Rick said there was something ugly, something ferocious and bad here last night. Anything could have happened.

HEINRICH HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED HIS DEPARTURE AS INEVITABLE, BUT HE IS STILL MALE ENOUGH TO BE JEALOUS.

HEINE: Always what Rick said ... I think I can defend myself. That much, at least, my homeland taught me.

NEREIA: Have you no pleasant memories of Germany?

HEINE: Now that I no longer refuse to admit it – yes. I have. A beautiful country. A mingling of the old and the new, the past and the future. Oh yes, bombings destroyed much, but the meadow grasses around Bonn still grow high enough to shelter a boy as they did young Beethoven. And in the Black Forest, one still believes in dwarfs, trolls – and die Lorelei still sting. (MEANING IT) How would you like me to take you on a personally conducted tour?

NEREIA: (BECAUSE OF HER REAL LOVE FOR HIM) Oh, don't, Heinrich! (CONTROLLING HERSELF) When are you going back?

HEINE: I am to go back?

NEREIA: Of course.

HEINE: And alone?

NEREIA: Alone. What use would I be to you in that would? It sounds wonderful with these dwarfs and trolls – and I'd love the hear the Lorelei sing. But that meant destruction, didn't it? No, I think I'd better stay in Koorora, where I just might live.

HEINRICH COMES TO HER AND PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.

HEINE: I love you.

SHE LOOKS AT HIM. SHE REALLY DOES LOVE HIM.

NEREIA: Not quite. You have a tender love for me, Heinrich – no the love you can't do without. You found me when you needed someone. And I'm glad of that. I'm glad we had – the little we had. Now it's got to be acocunted for. Oh, not some kind of punishment. But my love for you, and Rick's love for me, and your love – and it was love – for both of us ... can't be wasted.

HEINE: And I have to go? (SHE NODS.) It will be hard to leave you and go back to unfamiliar streets, looking –

NEREIA: For that face in your mind? Somewhere you may find her – the real her. I hope you do. With all my heart.

HEINE: She's dead.

NEREIA: You don't believe that anymore. There's a hope in your eyes, even while you say that.

HEINE: Yes ... I cannot help thinking now that perhaps, perhaps, life endures in the strangest places. This I have learned from the desert. And from you, who bloom in the desert. As the things we believed in become real to me again, so she, too ... Now I cannot believe that she is dead. I see her ... and hear her ... and feel her touch ...

NOW HE IS FAR AWAY FROM NEREIA, BUT SHE IS ONE WITH HIS MOOD.

NEREIA: And sometimes there are birds in the sky. The wayfarers do fly in for shelter ... (THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER.) Just for shelter. Then they fly away again. You're wearing a look I've never seen. (SHE TURNS AWAY AND MAKES AN ELABORATE BUSINESS OF TIDYING UP THINGS ON THE OFFICE DESK.) I've got an aunt in Perth. She keeps cats – not Persians, you understand, just cats. She's very fond of Peg and me. So are the cats, after a couple of days ... She's always wanting us to go and stay with her ... (SHE FACES HEINRICH) This time, I think I'll go ... I'll go tomorrow. When I come back you'll be gone.

HEINE: You with that? (SHE NODS, UNABLE TO SPEAK.) Dearest, what have I done here? I have found myself again, but what have I left you?

NEREIA: A better self, I hope. Please go now, Heinrich. If I should see you again before tomorrow, I don't want us to be alone. (SHE LOOKS AROUND THE OFFICE.) I suppose it's silly. This problem looked so big to us, and it's so small ... beginning and ending in a little desert post office.

HEINE: All the problems – big and small, I think – all the problems have to start to be solved in desert post offices, in kitchens, in back bars. I have a thought ... I think that not until the big universal problems means so much to everyone as this meant to us – something each must personally question and solve – not until then can we make the good life for everyone.

NEREIA: You have found the right things to say. Say them.

HEINE: But we didn't solve our problem.

NEREIA: Yes, we did. (HE WOULD PUT HIS ARMS AROUND HER BUT SHE GOES THROUGH THE COUNTER TRAP DOOR, CLOSING IT AFTER HER.) Remember me. And even when you find her, remember me. Now ... goodbye, Heinrich.

HEINE: (FACING HER, AT THE COUNTER) I do not know how to leave you, Nereia ...

NEREIA: Just walk out – the way you've done so often before. Pretend you've been buying stamps, and now you've got them, and you're going home to write letters, and you turn back and say, 'See you, Nereia' ... it's quite easy, really .. You just turn your back and walk.

HEINE: (WALKING AWAY FROM HER) I have the stamps ... Goodbye, dearest, dearest Nereia ...

NEREIA: That wasn't quite right – No, don't look around ... It's good enough. (HEINRICH HESITATES AT THE DOOR, THEN GOES OUT. PAUSE.) Well, I had the love I wanted. The fairytale love ... Now it's finished. (THE SWITCHBOARD BUZZES. SHE ANSWERS IT.) (INTO THE RECEIVER) Koorora Exchange ... (RICK COMES THROUGH THE HOUSE DOOR.) I'll get Mr. Robinson .. Oh, if it's just a message then ... (SHE LISTENS.) Oh, Mr. Robinson will be pleased. Thank you. (SHE PUTS THE RECEIVER DOWN. DESPITE HER COURAGE, SHE IS – AND SHE SOUNDS – DISPIRITED.) Major will be pleased. They'll be in next week to install the switch properly. Koorora's moving into the twentieth century.

RICK IS ROLLING AND LIGHTING A CIGARETTE.

RICK: Heine ... not here?

NEREIA: Heinrich's gone – going, anyway. And I'm going away too.

RICK CONTROLS HIS HAND ON THE CIGARETTE.

RICK: (EVENLY) It's your choice – it's your right. Everyone's choice is their right.

NEREIA: I don't think you understand. I'm going away to Perth – tomorrow – to Aunt Flo – for a holiday.

RICK BEGINS TO BREATHE AGAIN. HE WAS PREPARED TO ACCEPT THAT SHE WAS GOING WITH HEINRICH, BUT HE LOVES HER.

RICK: With all those cats?

NEREIA: We'll just be girls together. I'll be back –

RICK: When he goes?

NEREIA: You didn't have to ask that.

RICK: I know. I'm a bloody fool – just be glad you're coming back, and ask no questions. But that's me. I always have to ask questions.

NEREIA GOES CLOSE TO HIM. SHE DOESN'T KISS HIM, BUT SHE TOUCHES HIS FACE TENDERLY.

NEREIA: That's you. If some of the questions – and some of the answers – are awkward ... well, it can't be helped. They have to be asked ... and answered.

RICK: There's one question I won't ask.

NEREIA LAUGHS.

NEREIA: And so you ask it! Did I love him – do I love him? Yes, Rick. But it was never a real practical love. It wasn't built to last.

RICK IS VERY EMOTIONALLY MOVED BY THE REALISATION THAT SHE WILL STAY WITH HIM, BUT HE COVERS IT.

RICK (VERY EMOTIONAL) Neri ... (HE TAKES HER HAND.) I'll have to stop calling you that.

NEREIA: Why?

RICK: It's a kid's name ... You're a grown-up lady. Maybe I'm not too old for you after all.

THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER AS THE CURTAIN FALLS.