Lindsay

by Paul Rybak

Feature Film
Email: Paul Rybak

Lindsay explores the personal consequences of Shell shock upon Lindsay Sotheran, a former Australian machine gunner at the Somme and the subsequent disintegration of his family and friends as he returns to Goulburn as a carpenter in the NSW Southern Highlands in 1918. From April 1916 to November 11 1918, 295,000 Australian soldiers fought on the Western Front. 179,537 60 percent became casualties. More than 46,000 of them were killed in action or died of wounds. LINDSAY is the story of one of those courageous men who returned home damaged and confused not only to himself but also to his loving family.

As LINDSAY theme plays- the following quote appears on screen.

Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man.

MARK TWAIN

 

ON SCREEN THE WORD- HUBRIS

 

FADE TO:

 

EXT. 1902 ROCKY HILL GOULBURN - DAY
A Panorama of the richness of Australia -     Golden fields, green hills, sheep, wheat and cattle.

CUT TO

EXT. 1905. GOULBURN SYDNEY ROAD COTTAGE - DAY
An elderly woman is smoking a pipe on her porch and looking at a newspaper. A MAN walks by and looks at her.

MAN
Morning Mrs Belgrove.
MRS BELGROVE
Mornin’. See there’s been another train wreck.

MAN
Things are going to fast these days. Best go back to the Horse and Surrey.

As the MAN walks past the newspaper is turned upside down by a small boy aged 10 LINDSAY, who laughs.

LINDSAY
Grandma your’e reading upside down!
MRS BELGROVE lights up her pipe again.

 

MRS BELGROVE
Well nobody notices. Can’t really read you know.

LINDSAY
Can I try?

MRS BELGROVE
Expect you already know.

LINDSAY
No! Smoke.

MRS BELGROVE
How old are you?

LINDSAY
Just on ten.

MRS BELGROVE
Well I guess it won’t hurt you. I started a touch earlier in the Araluen goldfields.

She brings out another pipe and they light up and regard the world. LINDSAY coughs yet seems to enjoy it.

LINDSAY
Any advice about life?

MRS BELGROVE
The muck of the earth are Lawyers and surrey salesman.
(Beat)
Maybe Catholic men too. Make a woman have to many children. Watch out for men like Ned Kekky too.
Gold fields and money are the Devil’s fodder.

LINDSAY
Ned Kelly! Not Kekky!

MRS BELGROVE
Anyrate still owes my ma for a pair of horseshoes he borrowed on the run.

She points to the road.

MRS BELGROVE (CONT’D)
Right here it was. Had flaming red hair like the devil.

 

She brings out a few pennies and give them to LINDSAY.

MRS BELGROVE (CONT’D)
Go and see the butcher and say, “Kate Belgrove needs some scraps for her dogs.”

LINDSAY grabs the money and runs.

MRS BELGROVE (CONT’D)
No sugar sticks or it’ll be the chimney stoker for you.

LINDSAY hops on am old bicycle, and laughs.

LINDSAY
Reckon I’ll buy a new smokers pipe!

KATE
I’ll box your ears into next week!
He rides off.

LINDSAY
Ned Kekky! Ned Kekky!

CUT TO:

INT. ST PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY blesses himself, genuflects and kneels in prayer.
LINDSAY
Dear Lord please don’t let Grandma’s dogs die from her scraps.

He blesses himself, genuflects and runs out.

CUT TO:

 

EXT. AUBURN STREET - MOMENTS LATER
LINDSAY is riding fast to his home. He smiles.
LINDSAY
This is heaven!

CUT TO:

EXT. SYDNEY ROAD COTTAGE - AFTERNOON
KATE is cooking some very cheap meat. Some rough men come out of their bedrooms.

MAN
What’s that?

KATE
Fillet steak.
KATE dishes the “meat” out to 3 men sitting at a table. One starts to pray.

KATE (CONT’D)
Praying is for the Church not house.

The MEN eat and gag.

MAN
Praying I won’t be poisoned.

KATE
Your’e damn lucky you get both board and food. What the hell you boarding for? On the run from the Police?

MAN
No family.

MAN 2
I‘m runnin’ from a wife.

MAN 3
I’m runnin’ from the debtor man.

KATE
Damn never stopped me from living and surviving.

The MAN throws his arm out at her in dismissal.

KATE (CONT’D)
Damn do that to me and...
KATE gets a steel fire rod.

KATE (CONT’D)
...ram it right through you.

The MEN get up and walk out.

MAN
Gonna get something at Towne’s pub.

The front door opens and LINDSAY walks towards KATE. He gives her some cotton reams.

LINDSAY
Grandma can I watch you make ma a dress?

KATE
You a sissy?

LINDSAY
No! Just like the sound of your zig zag machine.

KATE brings out an old Singer machine.

KATE
Scraps for the dogs! One way to save money. You best be going to mum’s now. My borders look like they're are going straight over the road to Gaol.

LINDSAY
One day I’ll be a border. Be on the run!

KATE
If I ever see you a border here or somewhere else I’ll tan your hide red and blue with a bulls belt!

LINDSAY
See you later Ned Kekky!
KATE waves the stove poker at him.
LINDSAY runs off and grabs his bike. He sticks the pipe in his mouth and laughs at the people who stare at him.

CUT TO:

EXT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY arrives home, opens the gate and is tripped up by a girl of fifteen. She laughs.

 

GIRL
Dopey dora!

LINDSAY pushes her into a rose bush and she is slightly grazed.

LINDSAY
One day I’ll pack my case and be off! You’ll be sorry.

The door is opened by a beautiful young woman RUBY.

RUBY
Get inside now it’s getting cold.

LINDSAY helps May up and then pushes her up the steps. She swings at him and misses.

CUT TO:

 

INT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE - EVENING
RUBY, LINDSAY and MAY are sitting at the table.

LINDSAY
Where is he? Buying a bottle of ginger beer I bet.

MAY
Devil to take your tongue!
LINDSAY throws salt at her.

RUBY
Stop it. Bad luck will come.

MAY
Jesus will hate you for being superstitious.

RUBY just shakes her head.

RUBY
Best thing I should have done was strangle you both at birth.

MAY
Mum!

LINDSAY
Mum!

The front door rings and LINDSAY beats MAY to the door and opens it. A elegantly dressed man smiles. He holds a toy little train and a little doll in his hands.

MAN
Salvation Army! Donations for the poor appreciated.

He grabs LINDSAY and hugs him. Then he does the same to MAY.

LINDSAY
Got some ginger beer?

MAN
Yes.

They walk towards the kitchen.

RUBY
About time.

The MAN kisses RUBY.

MAN
Ruby my dear, rarer and lovelier than a rose and ruby glistening Jewell.

RUBY
Being nice won’t work. Dinners burnt.

THOMAS gives the gifts to MAY and LINDSAY and they hug him.

The MAN sits down and is solemn. He starts to pray.

MAN
Bless us, O Lord,
and these your gifts,
which we are about to receive from your bounty.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

They start to eat a roast. THOMAS brings out a bottle of ale.

RUBY
No. How many have you had already?

THOMAS
Ruby Mick Molley had triplets. Man needs...

RUBY
I need a sober man! Plus it was his wife who had the agony of...

THOMAS
Okay, one last one for tonight.
RUBY walks out.

RUBY
Stay there. I just need a few bits of wood for the fireplace.

She leaves. LINDSAY and MAY look at THOMAS. He nods his head to them and LINDSAY runs and grabs two glasses and THOMAS pours beer and they all laugh and drink.

LINDSAY
Do Goulburn sheep drink beer?

MAY
If they look like you do.

LINDSAY swings and misses at MAY.

THOMAS
Be easy on poor old Dad. Hammered nails at Church all day.

MAY
Is it finished?

THOMAS
In about four months God willing.

LINDSAY grabs the glasses and washes them and puts them back just as RUBY arrives with the logs.

LINDSAY
Grandma had to shoot one of her borders.

RUBY
Don’t talk nonsense.

LINDSAY
He was blucher Morton.

RUBY
Morton? The big man who wore those silly boots?

LINDSAY
German boots! After Blucher the butcher of Africa.

RUBY
Just saw him an hour ago selling milk.

LINDSAY
Well he should be shot wearing boots like that.

THOMAS
Lindsay!
They finish their dinner.

CUT TO:

INT. PARLOR ROOM - EVENING
The whole family are playing cards and drinking tea and cake. They are all laughing.

THOMAS
Perhaps your mother has another set of cards?

LINDSAY
Mums a cheat!

MAY
Lindsay’s a cheat!

RUBY goes and plays the Pianola. The tune is “Over the hills and far away.”

THOMAS smiles. He goes and opens the window. He grabs MAY and LINDSAY. He points to the Southern Cross star formation.

THOMAS
There is where Santa waits and waits for Christmas and he loves Australia first because it’s hot and not cold like the rest.

MAY
Dad your’e the best dad!

LINDSAY
Reckon’ so to.

THOMAS
Never has there been a happier man.

There is a knock on the door. LINDSAY and MAY run and he pushes her to the ground and opens the door. It is a young woman dressed in black. She gestures with her hands. Her voice is unclear.

WOMAN
Faaaer. Faaer!

LINDSAY holds his hand up.

LINDSAY
Stay there.

He runs with MAY to the Kitchen. THOMAS and RUBY are hugging.

MAY
Mum!

LINDSAY
The ghost next door want’s you dad.

RUBY
Her name’s Noeleen.

MAY
She’s a ghost! So’s her sister. They just sit and drink brandy and stare at people. She can’t talk or hear.

RUBY
May please be kind.

THOMAS
What does she want?

LINDSAY
Don’t know.

MAY
They stare at me through my bedroom window!

NOELEEN suddenly stands next to them. LINDSAY and MAY run off. RUBY can speak with her hands. She asks her.

RUBY
Yes Noeleen?

NOELEEN
Need Mister to please replace a bulb. Don’t like these modern things. Like kerosene better.

RUBY
Far safer is the bulb Noeleen.
RUBY explains to THOMAS He walks off with her.

THOMAS
Back in a minute.

MAY
Ghost! RUBY grabs her.

RUBY
Sit down and eat. They lost their only brother in a train accident. Never judge people yet they may judge you.

CUT TO:

INT. NOEELEN’S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
The house is dark and musty. Her sister Meredith is sitting at a corner table and you can see a nearly empty bottle of brandy on the floor. THOMAS smiles and picks up a new bulb.

THOMAS
Hello Meredith. Fix this right quickly. They are hard to screw in.

MEREDITH gestures to the Brandy. She is quite drunk.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Quick one Meredith.

They all laugh and THOMAS takes a drink with them. MEREDITH points to a photo on the sill.

MEREDITH
You always remind me of Clem.

THOMAS stands on a chair and then the kitchen table as MEREDITH and NOELEEN take another slug of Brandy each. THOMAS screws the bulb in.

THOMAS
Meridith turn the switch.

She turns it on and THOMAS is blinded by the light and moves forward falling heavily to the floor. The sisters gasp and try to help him up but he is to big.

CUT TO:

 

EXT. BRADLEY STRRET HOUSE- MOMENTS LATER
The bell rings. LIDSAY rushes to answer it.

LINDSAY
Who the hell is that?

He answers it and NOELEEN is ghost white. She gestures wildly. RUBY arrives.

RUBY
What is wrong?

KARLEEN
Mr Sotheran has fallen from the table.

CONTINUOUS:
LINDSAY rushes next door and sees THOMAS walking unsteadily along the hallway.

 

LINDSAY
Dad!

THOMAS
I’m alright. Just help me home.
MEREDITH cries and drops the brandy bottle and it breaks. NOELEEN cries also.

CUT TO:

INT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
THOMAS is on the bed with blood rushing from his nose. RUBY grabs LINDSAY.

RUBY
Go get Doctor Little.

THOMAS
No money. Just let me rest. Please give me my beads.

RUBY takes a pair of rosary beads from the table and places them in his hand.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Just get a good nights sleep and we’ll see in the morning. God will look after me.

She kisses him and closes the door.

CUT TO:

EXT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE- MORNING
THOMAS is in his Sunday best at the verandah.
THOMAS
Can’t miss morning Mass. I am a collector.

RUBY
Stay home you are sick. Collect something for us. God forgives you know for missing Mass if you are sick.

THOMAS smiles and walks off.

THOMAS
But not skulkers. I just got a knock in the head that’s all.

CUT TO:

INT. ST PETER AND PAULS CATHEDRAL- MORNING
THOMAS is collecting money but is holding on to the pews for support. Some parishioners look at him. One says.

PARISHONER
I reckon he’s still drunk from last night.

CUT TO:

EXT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE - MORNING
LONG SHOT:  THOMAS is stumbling up the footpath to his house. A bicycle rider rides by.

BICYCLE RIDER
Shame on you! you drunk.
THOMAS opens the gate and just manages to ring the doorbell.
RUBY answers it and he drops dead in her arms. MAY runs up screaming.

EXT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
LINDSAY is outside cutting some wood with an axe. He hears MAY’S yell and runs inside with the axe. He sees his father on the floor with blood coming from his ears and holds the wall and shakes. He moves his Father to the bedroom and notices that where THOMAS fell he has crushed the little toy train and it is covered in blood. LINDSAY takes it and wraps it in his Father’s handkerchief and places it on a wall ledge.

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - EVENING
RUBY is walking with MAY and LINDSAY behind her. They approach a Funeral Parlor. MAY screams.

RUBY
Be strong now.

LINDSAY grabs her and helps her in.

CUT TO:

INT. FUNERAL PARLOR - EVENING
RUBY takes the rosary beads from her pocket and is about to place them in THOMAS’S hands. She stops and is about to break them.

RUBY
You are a beautiful God aren't you? Punish your most loyal servants.
Were finished now.

 

LINDSAY grabs her as she collapses and puts he places the beads in his Fathers hands.

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - EVENING
They walk back in the heat. RUBY is supported by LINDSAY and MAY.

RUBY
Where are his friends? Why didn’t they offer to drive us? Good Catholic men...good Catholic cowards.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRANDMA KATES BOARDING HOUSE - AFTERNOON
KATE is in tears and smokes her pipe and drinks freely from a bottle of brandy. LINDSAY arrives on his bike and hugs her.

KATE
You gotta be brave for your ma. Get a job.

LINDSAY
Good man he was pa.

KATE
That’s why I hate that thing they call God.          Worse invention then the gun. Took my husband also away and four children.

LINDSAY
Grandma maybe he does exist? It’s just life like you said.

KATE
Maybe. Wish I had your faith.
KATE points over the road to the old Goulburn General Cemetery.

KATE (CONT’D)
Day I’ll beleive is when the dead open those coffins and walk over here and share a pipe and a double brandy with ol’ Kate.

She hugs LINDSAY.

CUT TO:

PANORAMA OF GOULBURN THROUGH THE SEASONS

  1. WINTER SNOW AND FOG
  2. SUN AND HEAT
  3. WHEAT FIELDS BLOWING IN THE WIND
  4. SHEEP AND CATTLE GRAZING

CUT TO:

EXT. 1910 GOULBURN WOOL STORE - MORNING
LINDSAY is now a strapping lad of 15. He saws some wood and then measures it and sees that it perfectly fits into a join. The FOREMAN watches closely.

FOREMAN
Take pride in that don’t you son.

LINDSAY
Sure do. My dad was a knack hand at wood and bricks. Built Cootamundra church he did. Went broke as he couldn’t count the costs to well.

FOREMAN
Thomas Sotheran. Knew him well great man everyone liked him son.

LINDSAY
Just want to be like him I do.

FOREMAN
Well there will always be work for you if you keep this up.

LINDSAY smiles and goes back to work. Then stops and opens his bag and drinks some beer and smokes his pipe.

CUT TO:

INT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE - DAY
MAY is now 20 and making dresses on a sewing machine.

 

MAY
All silver with pearl buttons. Marie is lucky.

RUBY
I am lucky I have such a talented daughter who can help.

MAY
Mum! I love you and will always help you.

RUBY
Helped us? Nobody. Grandma lost the house because she couldn’t read and write and that Lawyer cur signed for her and he owns it now. Killed her it did.

MAY
I spat at him after Mass last week.
RUBY
Imagine a filthy Lawyer like him going to Communion.

MAY
Lindsay’s late.

RUBY
He better hurry up. There’s roast tonight.

The DOORBELL rings. RUBY gets up.
RUBY (CONT’D)
Naughty boy he is. Forgot his key.
They both laugh. RUBY answers the door. It is a MAN with a Church badge on his lapel.

RUBY (CONT’D)
Yes.

MAN
Mr Connor is the name. Hear you may need new premises.

RUBY
No go away.

 

MAN
Hate to see such a beauty out on the street. For a a pound or maybe something else...

He touches her shoulder and she brushes it off.

MAN (CONT’D)
I’ll get you a rental key more quickly. I work at Tanes estate agency.

MAY moves past RUBY and hits him with a stove poker.

MAN (CONT’D)
Call the Police I will!

RUBY
And you go to Mass? God damn you!

She closes the door and cries.

RUBY (CONT’D)
Why did God take your father away...he was a gentle good man.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOULBURN HIILY STREET - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is on his bike and is about to ride down when another bike rides up to him. They look each other over.

BOY
First one to reach the bottom and stop at Auburn street is the world’s best rider.

LINDSAY look at the boy.

LINDSAY
Rightio!

They both ride like the wind. Two streets down a young girl has set up a camera to take a shot of a Tennis Court. She adjusts it and sets it off. The camera goes off and the boys are portrayed in it.

GIRL
Fools!

LINDSAY’S  reaches Auburn St first with the BOY just behind. LINDSAY cannot stop and crashes into a line of bins and rubble next to a wall.

The BOY gets off his bike and assists him. LINDSAY is covered in blood and his bike is bent. The GIRL comes over and says.

GIRL (CONT’D)
Fools!

She sees LINDSAY’S injuries and yells.

GIRL (CONT’D)
You’ll die!

LINDSAY tries to get up but falls and the BOY helps him up.

LINDSAY
Call me Lindsay.

BOY
Call me Harry.

The GIRL looks at both of them.

GIRL
I’m Joan Mary.

She takes LINDSAY by the and. There is blood on it.

LINDSAY
Listen Miss. Let me go.

JOAN MARY
Take you to hospital.

LINDSAY
Just take me to Bradley St.

HARRY picks up the remains of LINDSAY’S bike.

HARRY
Get me pa to fix this mighty quick. Come to the Royal in 2 days time and ask for Harry.

He takes it and pushes his own bike along.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Ain’t worth stealing now is it?

CUT TO:

EXT. BRADLEY STREET COTTAGE - AFTERNOON
JOAN MARY rings the doorbell. MAY answers it.

MAY
Yes?

JOAN MARY
Does Lindsay live here?

MAY
No!

JOAN MARY looks confused. LINDSAY walks through the gate. MAY yells.

MAY (CONT’D)
Your’e a ghost!

RUBY arrives from the kitchen and nearly faints.
They all take him an lie him on the bed where his Father died. MAY cleans him as JOAN MARY puts some ointment on him.

RUBY
Not as bad as it looked.

LINDSAY
Feels bad I’ll tell you.

JOAN MARY looks at her watch.

JOAN MARY
Better go now.

She gathers her camera as RUBY thanks her.

RUBY
Thanks Joan Mary, where do you work?

JOAN MARY
At Knowlman’s. Photography is the future.

She leaves and MAY brings LINDSAY his burnt roast dinner.

MAY
Burnt offerings for the stupid devil.

LINDSAY throws a turnip at her.

LINDSAY
Mighty pretty that Joan Mary. Bit jealous are we?

MAY slams the door on him.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROYAL HOTEL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY watches through the window at the drinkers. He walks around and opens the gate. He sees HARRY and his Father polishing the bike.

LINDSAY
Gidday.

HARRY
Gidday.

HARRY’S Father smiles.

FATHER
Good as new.

LINDSAY walks over and rides it around.

LINDSAY
Thanks very much Mr Harry.

FATHER
Mr Townes will do. Heard you are mighty fast on this.

LINDSAY
Not really. Just like to got to the show ground and go round’ and pretend I am at those velodrome things.

LINDSAY shakes their hands.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Best be going...have to find another part time job.

FATHER
Should be at school.

LINDSAY
School and I don’t get on. Besides Dads up in the sky and I’m down here, Have to look after Mum and May. Workin’ at Tone’s carpentry.

HARRY
May’s mighty fine looking.

LINDSAY
She’s a horse.

FATHER
How about selling newspapers in front of the hotel? Two shillings an afternoon shift.

LINDSAY
Yes Sir! A bit extra for Ma and I suppose May.

He shakes the Fathers hand.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOULBURN SHOW GROUND - AFTERNOON
It is cold and slippery. LINDSAY is riding his bicycle round and round the circular ground. He has great control and can skid at will.

ANGLE ON: Harry’s Father who watches from the grandstand with binoculars.

CUT TO:

 

EXT. ROYAL HOTEL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is freezing and selling newspapers.

LINDSAY
Evening Post! Evening Post!

A drunk tries to steal a paper.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Got myself a cow cuter knife in me bag...open you up I will.

The DRUNK throws the paper back at him.

 

DRUNK
Time be coming soon that a real man be made of you.

LINDSAY
What?

DRUNK
Read the paper if you can read.

The DRUNK stumbles off and LINDSAY reads, “Kaiser tells Austria to secure border with Hungary.

LINDSAY
Stupid drunk. We’re in Australia not Europe.

CUT TO:

EXT. ST PETER AND PAULS CATHEDRAL - DAY
LINDSAY and HARRY are racing their bikes. LINDSAY suddenly pulls over to the side of the road.

LINDSAY
Won’t be a tick.
He enters the church.

CUT TO:

INT. ST PETER AND PAULS CATHEDRAL - LATER
LINDSAY prays to OUR LADY. HARRY secretly watches him from the doorway.

LINDSAY
Hi Our Lady. Lindsay here. I know you are busy with everyone doing wrong stuff and saying sorry. Just that can you keep an eye on Mum and May and my mate Harry. He is Anglican from over the road but he’s a good mate. Maybe help me meet that pretty Joan Mary too.
Thanks.

He walks over and burns a candle. He sees HARRY and walks over to him.

HARRY
Why do you do that?

LINDSAY
What?

HARRY
Pray to a guy dying on a piece of metal? He’s in heaven not here.

LINDSAY
Makes me feel good that’s why. Reckon’ I see him in agony here like a lot of people I know.

HARRY pushes him and they have a wrestle on the ground. They then ride off.

CUT TO:

INT. BRADLEY STREET COTTAGE - MORNING
LINDSAY is finishing breakfast. He looks at RUBY LINDSAY
Don’t suppose that Joan Mary told you where she works?

RUBY
Some photo studio in Auburn Street.
MAY pours some tea over his arm.

LINDSAY
Bloody horse!

They fight. RUBY pulls them away.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Bloody Horse is jealous as Joan Mary is pretty.

LINDSAY puts some ointment on his arm and walks out.

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - MORNING
LINDSAY is looking for JOAN MARY in photo shops. He finally finds her behind the counter at Warlows.

LINDSAY
Remember me?

JOAN MARY
No.

LINDSAY is despondent and walks out.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
Don’t be so thinned skinned. Of course I do.

LINDSAY
Just thought maybe I could buy you some cucumber sandwiches and tea at Knowlman's for lunch.

JOAN MARY
Okay. Only if...

LINDSAY
If what?

JOAN MARY
You change your smelly shirt and wash your hands you dirty dog!

LINDSAY
For sure. It’s just to thank you for saving my life that’s all.
Nothing else.

JOAN MARY smiles.
MONTAGE OF KNOWLMAN'S LUNCHES.

JOAN MARY
How many lunches have you taken me to here?

LINDSAY
Around fifty.

JOAN MARY
And...

LINDSAY
Maybe twenty picture shows.

JOAN MARY
So we are as they say serious?

JOAN MARY gets up.

LINDSAY
No way!

JOAN MARY
Well there will be no fifty one.

LINDSAY
Hold on.

He brings out a cheap yet elegant ring.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Will you marry me Miss Joan Mary?

JOAN MARY
Yes.

He puts the ring on her hand.

LINDSAY
Tomorrow I must...

JOAN MARY
Do nothing. Just be with me.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOLLONDILLY RIVER - DAY
HARRY  and LINDSAY is kayaking along the river. They stop and fish. The then get back in the kayak and it flows strongly with the rive.

HARRY
Nothing finer!

LINDSAY
Nothing finer!

CUT TO:

EXT.  1915 GOULBURN POST OFFICE - DAY
The annual Goulburn to Sydney bicycle classic.
JOAN MARY is with MAY and they look at LINDSAY. JOAN MARY takes photos of the event.

LINDSAY is sitting on his bicycle as HARRY and his Dad are fine tuning his bike.      LINDSAY looks determined yet slightly hesitant. HARRY nudges him.

HARRY
See that lean man on the red bike?

LINDSAY
What about him?

HARRY
Rode in the 1914 Tour de France. Look at his medals.

LINDSAY
Did he win?

HARRY
Some say he came tenth.

LINDSAY
Loser then.

FATHER
Don’t get a swelled head...remain unassuming.

HARRY looks to the sky.

HARRY
Reckon’ it will be rainy and muddy...plenty of ambulances.

LINDSAY gets off and starts to strangle HARRY.

LINDSAY
Got over six hours of hard stuff ahead of me! Shut up!

FATHER
Just remember to be a glutton and pedal like the devil is after you.

LINDSAY
Be like a muscular Horse at the track.

They take off and LINDSAY is stuck around the middle of the field.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROAD TO MARULAN - D
HARRY, MAY AND JOAN MARY are in a new car driven by Harry’s Father, They pull up next to other competitors cars.

HARRY
Should be here in 30 minutes. Don’t forget Joan Mary just throw the drink bag to him if he misses dad will be up front a 100 foot and throw another.

JOAN MARY
Harry?

HARRY
Yes?

JOAN MARY
What about the war? They going to be taking you and Lindsay.

HARRY
Hard to say. We aren’t shirkers or skulkers though.

JOAN MARY
Dead’s dead.

HARRY good naturedly throws a tire at her and she runs off.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROAD TO MARULAN - DAY
LINDSAY is making good pace and is amongst the leaders.
ANGLE ON: His pumping calf muscles and a Horse running and it’s calf muscles.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROAD TO MARULAN - MOMENTS LATER
HARRY runs back to the car.

HARRY
Coming!

LINDSAY is now in the top ten leads. He misses the catch from JOAN MARY and sees Mr TOWNES, he catches the bag but loses control in the gravel and crashes breaking his handle bars and a wheel. He gets up and is only slightly grazed. He looks at Mr TOWNES and walks off into the bush.

TOWNES
No way to quit son. Happens to everyone winners and losers.

LINDSAY walks up to them all.

LINDSAY
Let you down.

It starts to rain HARRY puts the bike on a rack and they all get in except LINDSAY.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Reckon I’ll walk back.

TOWNES
Rightio!

He drives off and LINDSAY slowly walks then runs as the car stops and he get in.

TOWNES (CONT’D)
We’ll practice the bag to you are perfect. Then you’ll win next year.

JOAN MARY reads the EVENING POST. The headline reads: “Aussies go to war!”

CUT TO

EXT. AUBURN STREET - AFTERNOON
A crowd is waiting at Belmore Park. LINDSAY and HARRY are smoking and drinking some beer.

HARRY
Listen!

The sound of men singing and marching is heard.

LINDSAY
They're come all the way from the Snowy River! “There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
(MORE)

LINDSAY (CONT'D)
That the colt from Old Regret had got away,”

HARRY
“And had joined the wild bush horses -- he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.”

MAN
They say captain Wedd wants to recruit 200 men!

HARRY
Won’t have any trouble in Goulburn.

LINDSAY
Goulburn boys aren't skulkers or shimmy waggers!

The marchers approach.

MAN
Maybe they have a monaro Brumby with them!

LINDSAY
Hope so. That means we have tough staying qualities.

Captain Wegg arrives to applause and mounts a pedestal.

WEGG
Boys! Men! And no others!
People laugh.

WEGG (CONT’D)
We cannot afford to laugh whilst eligible men are hiding behind women’s petticoats!

HARRY grabs a woman’s petticoat and she slaps him as everyone laughs.

WEGG (CONT’D)
They ignore their duty to their mothers sisters and county. Look over the mountain to Sydney. Do we want to see the pointed helmet of the Hun coming to ravage our gals?

The crowd say “No!”

WEGG (CONT’D)
“What can I say of the noble women of Monaro?    They along the route were ever fountains of energy, and the click of whose knitting needles along the route was an everlasting lullaby”

WEGG points to a small group of exhausted women. He steps down and walks up to LINDSAY and HARRY.

WEGG (CONT’D)
My God look at these boys! 6 feet high and strong as a malle bull. Boys do yo have your application forms ready?

LINDSAY
Find me one now and I’ll be on the train tomorrow!

HARRY
Me too! The crowd cheer.
ANGLE ON: JOAN MARY who watches from across the road. An elderly woman manages to be heard.

WOMAN
What if they don’t come back? Will you yell and rant like now or leave the mothers and sisters to cry?

There is silence. WEGG approaches the WOMAN. He points to St Saviour and St Peter and Paul’s Cathedral

WEGG
The Lord will protect...and if some of our finest never return they will stand proud soldiers                 guarding the gates of heaven.

LINDSAY
From who? The Huns? Rather like it here.

HARRY
Me too.

The crowd laugh.

WEGG
Good one boys. Time is short we have 142 to sign we are 45 short.

He points to a soldier and make shift tables.

WEGG (CONT’D)
This way to glory boys!

The OLD WOMAN says “This way to death.”
Boys and men walk briskly over. LINDSAY and HARRY included. One MAN tells HARRY

MAN
I’m from Queenbeyan. I wanted to enlist, but I could see no point in walking to Goulburn to do it. So took the train instead.

JOAN MARY runs away up the street in tears.   A hard rain begins to pour and the wind knocks over signs and tables.

CUT TO:

INT. TOWN HALL - DAY
The medical for induction. LINDSAY passes and HARRY is reading the eys chart.

DOCTOR
What color?

HARRY
Blue.

DOCTOR
This one?

HARRY
Red.

DOCTOR
Your’e bloody color blind or you just faking?

HARRY
I wan to go! Try again.

The DOCTOR changes some charts.

DOCTOR
This fools all the ones who don’t want to go.

HARRY
Green!

He runs off to the next test.

DOCTOR
Your’e staying here son. Blind as a bat in color you are. You’ll kill more than the Huns will if you go over the there.

HARRY is absolutely downtrodden. A SOLDIER grabs him and takes him to the exit.

SOLDIER
Listen mate. What the bastards don’t tell you is that seven out of ten get the bullet. So piss off and count your luck.

CUT TO:

EXT. 1915 BELMORE PARK - MORNING
LINDSAY is sitting looking at the roses. He is trying to decipher a form. JOAN MARY arrives holding a book.

LINDSAY
What are you reading?

JOAN MARY
Middlemarch.

LINDSAY
Any good?

JOAN MARY
It apparently is the book that wives to be should read.

LINDSAY
Oh?

JOAN MARY hugs him.

JOAN MARY
I don’t want to be a widow at twenty.

LINDSAY
You won’t. Let’s look at it as my little buck’s party with the boys. A ship and the ocean. Then to Plymouth in the old country and France!

JOAN MARY
No. Please don’t go.

LINDSAY
Nobody will send Lindsay Sotheran a white feather through the mail like Johnny got. Now Harry is worried he’ll get one. I’ll be taken on strength like the others.  Anyrate I’ll get experience fixing things. Be great when I come back on the carpentry shop.

JOAN MARY looks at the from and where LINDSAY has written his age. It reads 21 8/12 years.

JOAN MARY
What is that?

LINDSAY
Well I am 21 and 8 months before 12 old.

JOAN MARY
Silly! Just write 21 and 8 months.

LINDSAY
Right. Your’e the teacher.

JOAN MARY
Shut up!

LINDSAY kisses her.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
Not here! In public.

She stands up and sees her friend Emily who is walking with her head down.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
Emily!

EMILY walks faster.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
Stay here something's wrong.

She grabs EMILY who collapses into her arms. LINDSAY runs and takes them both to the park bench. EMILY has a small suitcase and opens it crying.

EMILY’
The bastards took over one year to send Roy’s belongings back! Form after form it took and look...

She reverently lays out a battered wallet, 2 torn photos, a torn leave pass and a battered cheap metal cigarette case. She is hysterical.

EMILY’ (CONT’D)
All that is left of my brother! I had to line up at the post office whilst the other girls were getting their new dress parcels from Sydney.

Passer by stare at her. She glares at them.

EMILY’ (CONT’D)
Go to hell! Go to hell all of you!

LINDSAY goes over to them.

LINDSAY
Get on your horse or I’ll clip you!

They look at him with disdain and walk on. One mentions.

PASSER BY
Look at that our future youth drunk as skunks in the morning.

EMILY
Mum’s in hospital with the nerves and I have to send form after form as they keep making mistakes...they don’t have this information they don’t have this. Sometimes they send the wrong soldiers belongings! He is dead! It does not matter any more.

CLOSE UP ON LINDSAY: As he watches JOAN ARMY and EMILY in tears. His army form blows away with the wind.

CUT TO:

EXT. FIRESIDE TARALGA - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY and JOAN MARY are drinking tea and eating scones. A horse and surrey are near by. LINDSAY point to the sky.

LINDSAY
Reckon we can just point out the Southern Cross. We are a young country.

JOAN MARY
England’s old. Germany’s old.

LINDSAY
You are right there.

JOAN MARY
God would want Australia to be populated by strong stock.

LINDSAY
Could be.

JOAN MARY throws a piece of wood at him.

JOAN MARY
Make a decision.

LINDSAY
Reckon I need a holiday. Somewhere foreign. Then I’ll come back and marry you.

JOAN MARY
I’ll be an old maid. 23.

LINDSAY
Yeah it’s a bit old.

JOAN MARY
Lindsay, you make me feel alive...not many men can do that to a girl.

LINDSAY
I’m just an ordinary boy. Just want to be Lindsay. Better be going back.

JOAN MARY assembles her camera and takes a photo of LINDSAY and the horse surrey. LINDSAY puts his hat on the horses head.

JOAN MARY lies her head on LINDSAY as he holds the reigns back to Goulburn.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Tomorrow’ s just another day.

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is walking along looking confident. He sees a little girl of ten admiring a new pair of dancing slippers in a window. She runs her hand along the window. They cost one pound.

LINDSAY
Cousin Madelaine Sotheran!

She turns and hugs him.

MADELAINE
Cousin Lindsay!

LINDSAY grabs her and twirls her around. They laugh.

MADELAINE (CONT’D)
You have to go also?

LINDSAY
Want to.  Don’t want to be a brick builder all my life.

He takes MADELAINE by the hand into the shop.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
I say Madam, your best dancing slippers for this young star!

MADELAINE
No!

LINDSAY
Better spend my money on you then grog.

MADELAINE pushes him.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
And, please engrave them with the initials MS.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHOP - MOMENTS LATER
MADELAINE is examining the slippers in ecstasy.

LINDSAY
When I come back I want you to be famous. Someone in this family has to do it!

He grabs her and puts her on his shoulders and runs with her screaming in delight. He sees JOAN MARY coming out of a baker shop.

JOAN MARY
Lindsay! Madelaine!

MADELAINE
What have you got?

JOAN MARY
Apple pies for..three! Let’s go to Belmore Park.

LINDSAY puts MADELAINE down and they are about to cross Auburn St which has a lot of traffic. LINDSAY grabs JOAN MARY and MADELAINE’S hands and protects them as they cross.

LINDSAY
Don’t want my two favorite girls to get run down by a horse and surrey!

JOAN MARY
We look like a family!

LINDSAY
Maybe in a few years.

JOAN MARY smiles and hits him on the arm.

CUT TO:

EXT GOULBURN RAILWAY STATION - DAY
LINDSAY and JOAN MARY are on the train smiling.

JOAN MARY
Imagine me going to see the sea for the first time at 23.

LINDSAY
And me.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILWAY TO SYDNEY - DAY
The train arrives at Central. JOAN MARY and LINDSAY are arm in arm. They walk along the platform to a taxi.

LINDSAY
Let’s walk.

CUT TO:

EXT. GEORGE STREET - DAY
They walk up to Simpson's Tea Rooms. An older couple walk past and LINDSAY sees that the man has no arm and has a scar on his cheek. He looks at LINDSAY.

MAN
Don’t go son.

LINDSAY looks worried and JOAN MARY looks at the man with compassion. They enter SIMPSON'S and order.

JOAN MARY
Cucumber sandwiches, vegetable soup and tea.

LINDSAY
Same here thanks.

JOAN MARY looks at LINDSAY and takes him by the hand.

JOAN MARY
Your decision. Not mine.
She pretends to read the menu.

LINDSAY
I am not a coward.

JOAN MARY
Perhaps we should have had tomato soup.

He grabs the menu.

LINDSAY
War is a bloody, killing business. You've got to spill their blood, or they spill yours.

JOAN MARY
Not if you don’t go.

LINDSAY
Once war breaks out the situation at home becomes awful, because people don’t not like to see men or lads of army age walking about in civilian clothing, especially in a military town like Goulburn.

JOAN MARY
Women are the worst. Mrs Connor told me they come up to you in the street and give you a white feather, or stick it in the lapel of your coat. A white feather is the sign of supreme cowardice, you are a coward and that you should be in the army doing your bit for King and Country.

LINDSAY
Some of the boys go to the pub by side streets.

Their lunch arrives.

JOAN MARY
I’d hate for you to be necessary Government service or "Reserved Occupations". Tony and Mark have all of a sudden become train drivers.

LINDSAY
No one talks to them and too right that is.

CUT TO

EXT. CIRCULAR QUAY - DAY
JOAN MARY and LINDSAY take the Manly Ferry. They are stunned by the Bridge and water.

JOAN MARY
"Water, water everywhere nay any drop to drink.’

LINDSAY
What?

JOAN MARY
Nothing.

CUT TO:

EXT. MANY BEACH - AFTERNOON
They walk arm in arm along the waters edge. LINDSAY picks her up and pretends to be about to throw her in the water. She screams.

LINDSAY
Reckon’ I’m about as happy any man deserves to be.

CUT TO:

INT. CARPENTRY SHOP - DAY
The FOREMAN watches LINDSAY working with precision.

FOREMAN
Lindsay when you come back I’ll be just on seventy. Reckon a fellow like you could run this place? I don’ t have any sons so...if you want it’s yours.

LINDSAY
Mine? Can’t afford it.

FOREMAN
Free son. You never steal or get sick like the others. I only get compliments on how exact and well finished everything is.

LINDSAY
Take it now sir!

They shake hands. He notices LINDSAY’S crucifix on his neck.

FOREMAN
Hope he brings them all back.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRANDMA KATES BOARDING HOUSE - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY dressed in his Private’s uniform arrives on his bicycle. He opens the gate and sees a “For Sale” sign. He takes out a small package from his pocket and bends down and digs up some earth and buries it. He looks towards the cemetery.

LINDSAY
Something for you and I to remember.

He closes the gate and rides off.

CUT TO:

EXT. FULL SHOT. TENNIS PARK - DAY
LINDSAY and JOAN MARY arrive on their bicycles. They walk off arm in arm oblivious of the looks of others at the tennis courts and commence their game.

JOAN MARY
Hit it harder.

LINDSAY
Like this?

He aces her and she is upset.

JOAN MARY
Bastard.

LINDSAY
Easy.

JOAN MARY
No.

JOAN MARY aces him back. LINDSAY aces her back easily.
JOAN MARY faults then double faults. JOAN MARY starts hitting her racquet on the ground.

LINDSAY
Stop it! It is only a game.

LINDSAY rushes up and grabs her. She resists then settles down.

LINDSAY (CONT'D)
What is the matter?

JOAN MARY
You don't understand.

LINDSAY
Practice. You'll get better.

JOAN MARY
Don't worry about me. I'm just crazy.

LINDSAY
Determined.

JOAN MARY
Determined enough to die trying.

LINDSAY
Why are you like this?

JOAN MARY
You tell me.

JOAN MARY takes a brandy from their picnic basket and takes a hard slug. LINDSAY joins her.

LINDSAY
Photo for mum and family?

JOAN MARY tries to grab the camera. LINDSAY smiles and puts it away and they drink.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Two drunks in a pod. Drink helps me to remember that success and failure are both imposters. Just like you!

JOAN MARY hits him hard on he arm.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Joan Mary, you have a friend here. Not a dance man for out the back.

JOAN MARY slaps LINDSAY across the face and screams. LINDSAY pins her down to the ground.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Stop it!

JOAN MARY
I acknowledge no weakness! (Beat)
Lindsay, you make living possible for me.

JOAN MARY rises and draws an image in the sand. It resembles LINDSAY. He is smiling. She then draws a gun and a coffin.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
A widow and stranger to her husband.

LINDSAY
Joan Mary you will never be a stranger to me.

JOAN MARY
Lindsay, you and I are alike. We always have a        passion for something else. You the army. Me the camera.

LINDSAY
Young woman! You know nothing.
The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through her veins is heard.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
A man must not show emotion...a coward does... not me.

JOAN MARY brings out a small book. She reads solemnly:

When I was one-and-twenty I heard a wise man say,
`Give crowns and pounds and guineas But not your heart away;
Give pearls away and rubies But keep your fancy free.'
But I was one-and-twenty No use to talk to me.

A.E. Houseman. “When I was one-and-twenty”
JOAN MARY destroys the image of LINDSAY in the sand.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Joan Mary, when will we meet again?

JOAN MARY
May you go hell Lindsay Sotheran if you go to that war!

LINDSAY smiles and starts to gather up tennis balls. He picks one up.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
Maybe we will be destined to be together.          You know, I would find it very hard to live a life alone.

LINDSAY
(Laughs) Destiny does not exist. Everything is up to chance.

LINDSAY throws the ball into the air and JOAN MARY tries to catch it but to falls to the ground and rolls away.

DISSOLVE TO

ON SCREEN:

PART TWO-    NEMESIS

Note: Lindsay now has a gravelly voice due to being nearly starved and inhaling gas.

EXT. GOULBURN RAILWAY STAION 1918 - DAY
A train arrives.
ANGLE ON:. A tennis ball falls from the door and runs across the platform.     A shiny pair of army boots step onto the platform.

JOAN MARY picks it up and looks towards the train where a gaunt white haired man staring at her. He rushes up to her and snatches the ball from his hands.

MAN
Mine!

He pushes her away.

JOAN MARY
Sorry!

MAN
My name is Private Lindsay Sotheran.

JOAN MARY
I’m waiting for a Lindsay Sotheran too!

LINDSAY
Go to hell.

He pushes past some people and walks off towards Auburn Street. JOAN MARY asks a SERGEANT.

JOAN MARY
Have they all gotten off?

SEARGANT
Yes ma'am. We make sure they do.

JOAN MARY
I’m missing a Lindsay Sotheran.

SEARGANT
You were talking to him.

JOAN MARY
I was talking to a middle aged man.

SEARGANT
Listen my little beauty...the men who left Goulburn and were lucky to come back are no longer boys.
They're..

There is a quiver his voice.

SEARGANT (CONT’D)
Don’t judge them.

A woman sees JOAN MARY walks up to her.

WOMAN
I need a photograph of the dance on Saturday.

JOAN MARY
Too late.

WOMAN
Don’t get on your high horse you hussy.

JOAN MARY runs out of the staion but LINDSAY has gone.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROYAL HOTEL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY waits outside the hotel tapping his feet on the concrete. He looks though the window and sees HARRY serving drinkers. He has hardly changed. LINDSAY walks over to the phone box and dials the hotel. HARRY picks up the line.

HARRY
Royal Hotel.

LINDSAY just stares at the receiver. His hands are shaking.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Hello? Hello? Go to hell!

HARRY replaces the receiver and stares out of the window where he sees LINDSAY looking straight at him. HARRY grabs the bar boy.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Now’s your chance to be a Bar man. Be back in a minute.

CUT TO:

EXT. PHONE BOOTH - MOMENTS LATER
HARRY extends his hand to LINDSAY.

HARRY
Lindsay? Lindsay? You look like an old man!

LINDSAY just stares at him. HARRY goes to tackle him.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Forwards run all the way!

LINDSAY pushes him hard to the ground.

LINDSAY
Whisky.

HARRY
Sure...sure forgive me...come on over. Lindsay what happened over there...did you...

JOAN MARY is approaching them.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Fancy a window glass?

JOAN MARY
Yes. Lindsay?

She tries to hug him but he pushes her to the ground hard.

HARRY
Hey! We are not Germans.

A DRINKER walks from the bar and tackles LINDSAY and starts to hit him.

DRINKER
Don’t care where you been ain’t hitting a lady.

HARRY pushes the DRINKER away.

HARRY
Okay! Okay! Go back and say Harry says you get a two doubles and a beer free.

The DRINKER smiles and walks back to the Bar. LINDSAY is wiping blood from his face and a tear flows from his eye.

LINDSAY
Joan Mary...Harry. Let me die.

LINDSAY brings a revolver from his tunic and place it to his head just before he fires HARRY pushes him to the ground.
The revolver bullet goes off into the ground.

HARRY
What have they done to you?

JOAN MARY runs to him.

JOAN MARY
Lindsay it’s us your’e friends.

LINDSAY opens his bag and changes his shirt.

HARRY
What are you doing? You’ll freeze.

LINDSAY
Dirty.

JOAN MARY
The one you had on is clean.

He walks off. His walk is that of an old defeated man.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
They have scarred for life...what did you see? Please let me help you...

HARRY takes her by the arm.

HARRY
Come for a drink. Let him see his family and tomorrow...

CUT TO:

EXT ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH - EVENING
JOAN MARY enters the church blesses herself with holy water genuflects and goes to burn a candle but they are all burning. She kneels and looks at the cross.

JOAN MARY
What have you done to the world? To these boys? How do I help him?

She cries and an OLD WOMAN touches her on the shoulder.

OLD WOMAN
Your brother is dead?

JOAN MARY
No.

OLD WOMAN
He took my son away from me? How do I ever beleive again? I should have died not him. She takes her rosary beads and breaks them and the beads roll all over the floor.

JOAN MARY
No. We are just animals if he does not exist.

CLOSE UP:
The Church Organ - The PRIEST has over heard everything. He starts to approach them but hesitates and takes out his rosary beads and fingers them.

A stream of late sunlight flows through a stained glass window and hits JOAN MARY and the OLD WOMAN as they pick up the beads.

CUT TO:

EXT. BRADLEY STREET HOUSE - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY stops at the cottage. A young man is on the verandah.

MAN
Yes mate?

LINDSAY just walks on by. NOELEEN the deaf and dumb girl next door somehow recognizes LINDSAY. She runs from her door and grabs him. LINDSAY is about to hit her when he recognizes her also.

NOELEEN gestures to LINDSAY to come inside. He resists and finally lets her lead him.

CUT TO:

INT. NOEELEN'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
She sits him down and brings out some brandy and pours out long shots. LINDSAY points to a picture of MEREDITH. NOELEEN brings a crucifix from a wall table and lies it on the ground and pours sugar over it. She takes out a piece of paper out of a biscuit barrel and gives it to Lindsay. He reads.

“Death of Meredith Connell aged 24 by train.” LINDSAY cries and NOELEEN stokes his face with compassion. She points to the covered crucifix and then to Lindsay.  He smiles and shakes his head.  She gives him a note.

“Dear Lindsay, We could not afford the rent and now live at
12 Marsden St. Love Ma and May.”

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - AFTERNOON
It is growing dark and LINDSAY looks at his reflection in a clothing shop window mirror. He touches his facial skin and neck. Then he touches his grey hair. As he walks off he pulls out a phot of himself with JOAN MARY. It has only been 4 years and he looks like her father.

CUT TO:

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY and HARRY are drunk.

HARRY
Why didn’t you answer Joan Mary’s letters?

LINDSAY
Did. Sent nearly twenty of them.

HARRY
She never received one.

LINDSAY
Sent em’ care of May because Joan Mary was always moving flats as of her camera gear being large.

HARRY
You know May and I are getting married?

LINDSAY
When.

HARRY
Soon. Were waiting for you. Just a small ceremony. Joan Mary is getting famous look.

He brings out the “Evening Post.” On page 6 it has a photo of her advertising Pond’s beauty cream.

HARRY (CONT’D)
She waited for you. She can go to Sydney now and be famous. Men have asked her...

LINDSAY throws his beer glass at the wall. HARRY grabs him.

HARRY (CONT’D)
You didn't answer her.

LINDSAY
Where do you live?

HARRY
Old Faithful street the famous old lava cottage.

LINDSAY
Funny name.

LINDSAY looks at an old ad on the wall. It reads, “Keep them clean with evergreen soap.”

LINDSAY takes HARRY by the hand and HARRY notices how bad it trembles.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Wash.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL BATHROOM - DAY
LINDSAY is washing his hands so hard with solvol they start to bleed.

CUT TO:

EXT. MARSDEN STREET - AFTERNOON
HARRY throws a brick through the window. MAY runs out with a kitchen knife.

MAY
Harry are you crazy. Mums asleep.
He rushes past her into the kitchen.

LINDSAY
Where are they?

MAY
What?

LINDSAY
You know!

He starts to move everything. MAY looks at him with hatred.

MAY
Stop!

She goes to the Pianola and rolls it back. There is a pile of letters.

MAY picks them up and throws them at him.

MAY (CONT’D)
That’s right. I always hated her. She’s so pretty and everyone likes her in an instant. Bugger you and her! You were going to lead perfect lives and I’d be stuck here in Goulburn as the wife of Hotelier who took more interest in beer and mates than me.

LINDSAY hits her and she falls to the floor. RUBY appears and is stunned.

RUBY
Lindsay. Lindsay? Is that you? What have they done to you?

He collapses into her arms totally exhausted. RUBY put him on a bed and turn out the lights. A blood curdling scream is heard from LINDSAY.

LINDSAY
No darkness! Lights!

RUBY switches the light back on and walks away despondent. MAY just stares at LINDSAY.

CUT TO:
Lindsay’s dream “ We see him in Goulburn patting his horse and then mounting it and trotting along in the golden winter sun. Another horse and rider are catching up to him. As the horses are parallel to each other we are back in the Somme and the horse is eating the rotting flesh of an Australian soldier.  Lindsay is shooting at the horse but the bullets keep hitting the rotting corpse. The corpse looks at him with confusion. “Thought you and I were mates Lindsay...why shoot a mate?”

ANGLE ON: LINDSAY IN BED SHAKING.
Lindsay is covered in sweat.

CUT TO:

EXT. MARSDEN STREET - MORNING
LINDSAY is on the porch and moves his finger testing the slight wind.

CUT TO:

INT. MARSDEN STREET - MOMENTS LATER
RUBY is putting a match to strike the gas oven for the kettle. LINDSAY puts his hands up to his face.

LINDSAY
Optimum wind fifteen miles an hour.
LINDSAY starts to gag and falls to the floor. RUBY yells. “May!” MAY runs down the hallway and they manage to lift him up and he sits next to the wall.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
We were lucky mate. Just got the mask on in time. Still we got a sniff...lucky we are...not like Mick and Vince...not like Mick and Vince...not like Mick and Vince.

MAY slaps him across the face.

MAY
Stop it!

RUBY looks at a portrait of her husband Thomas.

RUBY
Wherever you are please help us. Look what the Government bastards have done to your son!

CUT TO:

EXT. ST PETER AND PAULS CATHEDRAL - DAY
LINDSAY is leaving MASS. People come and ask how he is. He just manages a smile. The PRIEST touches him.

PRIEST
Perhaps it would be better if you come to the returned Mass. Your old mates will be there.

The PRIEST walks off.

CUT TO:

INT.  ST PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL - DAY
The PRIEST is saying Mass and the congregation is only of returned soldiers who are disfigured. No arms, legs and facial scars.

LINDSAY looks at the PRIEST with hatred. At Communion he nearly hits him. The final blessing is said and the PRIEST hurries off into the sacristy. LINDSAY runs in.

PRIEST
Get out!

LINDSAY
Why a separate mass? Why the cold way?

PRIEST
Suits the parishioners better. Had some old and young ladies faint when they saw the men.

LINDSAY
Saw the men? They are heroes! What your poor box would be depleted would it?

LINDSAY runs to the wardrobe where top shelf liquor is found.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
For the poor?

PRIEST
Listen carefully. They need something to hide their injures. It is an abomination.

LINDSAY
What to you? To God? To the cowardly congregation?
Go to Hell! Your God can go to Hell!

PRIEST
I’ll have you excommunicated!

LINDSAY runs out and shakes.

CUT TO:

EXT. BELMORE PARK - EVENING
LINDSAY is looking into the wishing well with it’s pennies. He tears the crucifix from his neck and throws it into the well.

CUT TO:

INT. DOCTORS OFFICE - AFTERNOON
RUBY is talking to the DOCTOR.

RUBY
I can’t take it anymore. He’s like a ghost. Just a piece of flesh.

RUBY breaks down.

RUBY (CONT’D)
My son!

DOCTOR
Pull yourself together! Do you know how many mothers sat where you ere this week? Twelve. It’s war we are in it for the good of God and country. Do you want the Hun here raping and pillaging?

RUBY
You are a hard man.

DOCTOR
Hard?

RUBY
And weak.

She rises and leaves.

RUBY (CONT’D)
All of Goulburn knows how you cut your son’s foot tendon so he could not be enlisted. Made it look an accident you coward!

DOCTOR
Get out!

RUBY
And you collect the money for Mass! May you and your son rot in hell you coward.

RUBY slams the door.

CUT TO:

EXT. ST PETER AND PAULS - MOMENTS LATER
RUBY walks past then stops and enters the church. She kneels and looks at the Virgin Mary.

Mozart's ‘Laudate Dominium” softly fades in.

RUBY
What do you think of me? If you exist I would like to ask you something. You invent little games like a war.  You give us children we love and wish to see grow and then you kill them for us. And, then you leave it all up to us. Yet we do go through with things. Try to live...but in reality we are dead people. And, as a prize you give us a well of loneliness. You were a mother don’t you understand? But I do try. I go and try to find my boy again. Please give my son back to me.

Streams of tears fall down her face.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMERA STORE - DAY
LINDSAY is outside admiring the photos of JOAN MARY on the window. She opens the door for business and notices him.

The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through her veins is heard. The sounds of gunfire and shells exploding also is heard.

LINDSAY
May kept all the letters under the Pianola. She hates you! You know why.

JOAN MARY
It’s been three years now. Maybe we have grown old and distant from each other.

LINDSAY
No.

JOAN MARY
We are still young and can have lives.

LINDSAY
No.

LINDSAY raise his hand to her and stops with it trembling.
She goes back into the shop and bursts into tears as LINDSAY walks aimlessly down the street.

CUT TO:

EXT. OLD ROAD - DAY
HARRY has LINDSAY’S old bike and twirls the pedals faster and faster with his hands. LINDSAY looks at the bike and moves away.

HARRY
You rode like a banshee was after you. The girls twirled their petticoats as you rode by.

LINDSAY looks at the bike and slowly smiles.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Time now to ride again.

He grabs LINDSAY and gives him the handle bars. LINDSAY smiles if seeing something only he can see. We hear the cheering of the old 1915 Race. He gets on the bike and falls off. HARRY just stands there.

LINDSAY
Help?

HARRY
No.

LINDSAY remains on the ground. HARRY looks at his watch.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Have to serve the dinner roast at the pub.

He walks off and hides behind a fence. LINDSAY rises and tries to ride the bike side saddle, he gets a little distance and falls. He tries again and falls. He tries again and falls. He is about to throw the bike away. HARRY shrugs his shoulders and goes to rescue him. LINDSAY tries again and goes a few hundred feet and hops over and rides.

ANGLE ON: His wide eyed smile.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Bloody hell the bastard did it.

LINDSAY rides back to HARRY.

LINDSAY
Champion.

He rides off and nearly gets hit by a car.

HARRY
Dead champion. What the hell goes on in your mind when you just stare? What did you see over there you poor mongrel?

CUT TO:

EXT. ROAD TO ROYAL HOTEL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is slowly riding as HARRY shows him a paper.

HARRY
Listen I have never trusted anyone in life only family and you. They say that Wollongong may have a steel works built and employ thousands. Reckon they need pubs built there to quench and feed them.

LINDSAY
Beer and steak.

HARRY
And our fortune. Already paid the council off to get first licence down there. It’s easy. You build and I run the bastards.

LINDSAY
Girls.

HARRY
We send for Joan Mary and May when we are finished. They will live like Queens.

LINDSAY
Pictures?

HARRY
No movies mate just hard work for a while.

LINDSAY
Camera.

HARRY
Ahh..Joan Mary can get first in to photograph the making of the Steel works and town. Make her name.

LINDSAY
Old foreman promised me the carpentry shop. Have to decide.

HARRY
Look mate...the way you are you’ll cut your hands off. You need a mate to watch over you.

CUT TO:

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY spills a drop of beer on his hand.
ANGLE ON: His eyes which seem to be seeing another time and place.

LINDSAY
Wash!

HARRY
No.

HARRY holds his hands down on the bar.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Stop it! Stop it for God's sake

HARRY quivers with emotion.

CUT TO:

INT. MARSDEN STREET - DAY
LINDSAY tries to open a biscuit jar but his hands tremble. He then gets a rolling pin and breaks it apart all over the floor. RUBY walks in and cries.

RUBY
I can’t stand it any more. Please Lindsay seek help.

LINDSAY
Have.

RUBY
You need more.

The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through her veins is heard.

LINDSAY
See blood and men in pieces. (Beat)
Scared. Scared. Cannot sleep.

He falls to the table. RUBY hugs him and cries. MAY come in and holds a form.

MAY
Police came and say maybe he should stay on his own for a while. I have saved 5 pounds. Just to things settle down.

INT.  MARSDEN ST -EVENING
LINDSAY is trying to sleep. He gets up and changes his shirt and washes his hands. He opens the front door.

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - NIGHT
LINDSAY is roaming along aimlessly. A POLICE MAN approaches him.

POLICE MAN
Where you going?

LINDSAY
Nowhere.

POLICE MAN
Should be asleep. It’s three in the morning.

LINDSAY
Can’t.

LINDSAY walks on.

POLICE MAN
Just a minute.

LINDSAY stops near his old Carpentry shop and fingers the lock.

POLICE MAN (CONT’D)
Take your hat off. You look familiar.

LINDSAY takes of his hat.

POLICE MAN (CONT’D)
Your’e always walking along here.

LINDSAY
Freedom. Been away.

POLICE MAN
See action in France?

The POLICE MAN takes out his club. The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through her veins is heard.

LINDSAY
Sick. Somme.

The POLICE MAN puts his club back.

POLICE MAN
Listen my brother came back to Canberra and can’t speak...sent him to Kenmore...go there mate just to see if they can help you. Some of the other cops aren't so nice. They see you here and the club is used first then questions.

LINDSAY
Need a job first.

POLICE MAN
Go over to the gaol. They need warders by the bucketful.

CUT TO:

INT. GOULBURN GAOL - AFTERNOON
A working party just outside the prison wall are clearing grass with hoes. Three wardens including LINDSAY are watching them. One WARDEN swings his rifle in a circle and marches a little way.

WARDEN
One, two,three, four. Turn around and face the Hun!

The other WARDEN laughs and repeats the same. He then stops and points his gun at the prisoners.

WARDEN 2
Try to run for a rugby try mates and I’ll put a bullet in your brain as sure as there is day.

LINDSAY looks at the wardens.

LINDSAY
Where did you serve?

WARDEN 2
Serve?

WARDEN
Serve? Us? We didn’t go...saw a doctor and he cut our foot tendons for us for five pounds and we were knocked back.

WARDEN 2
Couldn’t care less when the white feather came in the mail. We are alive and they are still over there being eaten by birds.

A PRISONER puts down his hoe.

PRISONER
My brother died over there you mongrel.

WARDEN 2 walks to him and cracks him on the head with his riffle butt. The PRISONERS down tools. The other WARDEN clicks his rifle.

WARDEN
Four of you and 12 shots. Want to take a chance mates?

LINDSAY walks over and hits the WARDEN with his rifle and he falls down. LINDSAY turns the rifle toward the other wardens head.

PRISONER
Kill the coward.
The PRISONERS all yell in unison. “Kill the cowards.”

Some more WARDENS rush from the prison door and confront LINDSAY. An older one says.

OLD WARDEN
Put it down nice and slowly son.

LINDSAY fires at the cowardly Wardens foot and the warden runs off into the bushes. A prisoner runs off after him.

OLD WARDEN (CONT’D)
Let him be mates.

The PRISONER grabs the warden and hits him hard in the face. He then brings him back.

OLD WARDEN (CONT’D)
Give me the gun Lindsay.

LINDSAY slowly gives him the rifle.

OLD WARDEN (CONT’D)
Gonna be tough one now Son. Just tell me why?

PRISONER
Other wardens provoked him. Mocked the war dead.

Another PRISONER points over towards the Cemetery.

PRISONER 2
Mocked them bad. My brother lies in France and there is only an empty coffin with his name in stone just a few hundred feet away from here.

He breaks down and cries. Another PRISONER touches him on the shoulder.

PRISONER
He’s more a man then these cowards ever are mate.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOULBURN GAOL - MORNING
LINDSAY is about to leave the Gaol when the OLD WARDEN walks up to him and they walk out together. He puts his arm around his shoulder. It is cold and sleet falls with fog.

OLD WARDEN
Lucky you aren’t looking out of bars. After all said and dusted.

He laughs.

OLD WARDEN (CONT’D)
Maybe we might have a little hanging where the wrong men get the noose. Proud of what you did Lindsay but worried too.

They walk towards a black car. HARRY gets out and lights up a cigarette. JOAN MARY opens the door and walks towards them and then stops.

OLD WARDEN (CONT’D)
Man’s lucky in life if he has two things. One, a woman he loves and who loves him. Two, a mate. Reckon’ you got the jackpot.

LINDSAY slowly smiles and shakes his hand.

OLD WARDEN (CONT’D)
Don’t know what you saw there but please son try to live again. Most of the boys here are better off in a grave.

He grabs LINDSAY by the neck.

OLD WARDEN (CONT’D)
Come back here and I’ll hang you myself on the first day. If you need a break go see Miss Goat. Goat and bitch by nature but sometimes she keeps me from opening cells here.

He slowly walks back to the Gaol. JOAN MARY hugs LINDSAY but he just lies limp in her arms. She walks with him to the car and he then grabs her and hugs her. HARRY smiles and the car drives off in the Goulburn winter fog.

CUT TO:

EXT. MISS GOATS OLD BOARDING HOUSE - DAY
LINDSAY looks at the old house and opens the gate and kicks some dirt away from some roses. He finds a old rag and opens it. It is the crushed train that his father gave him. An old woman comes out with an axe.

MISS GOAT
Friend or enemy?

LINDSAY
Friend.

MISS GOAT
What you dig up there? Money box? Well it’s mine.

He shows her the old train.

LINDSAY
Been here before.

MISS GOAT
A train? You crazy?

LINDSAY
Yes.

MISS GOAT
Well just shut up while your’e here and I won’t make you more crazy by a axe whack.

He enters with his old bag and sees an old bedroom now a beat up office.

LINDSAY
Looking for lodgings. Warden told me about you.

WOMAN
Bet he did with those shit swear words and makin’ fun of my name. Pound a week if you smoke or don’t smoke, drink or don’t drink couldn’t care less. Money given to me each Monday or the Police give you a better place.

LINDSAY
Here is a weeks.

WOMAN
Third door on right. Mind the step in the hallway. It does drunks and sober drunks in.

LINDSAY
Sober drunks? Don’t worry I know the way.

MISS GOAT
Everyone’s drunk thanks to the war. All lost someone. Reckon I’ll be takin’ a likin’ to you son if you don’t mess up.

LINDSAY sits down on an old single bed and places his head to his hands, He hears GRANDMA in V/O

GRANDMA V/0
If I ever see you a border somewhere I’ll tan your hide red and blue with a bulls belt!

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMERA STORE - MORNING
LINDSAY walks in and gives JOAN MARY a movies show ticket.

LINDSAY
Please.

JOAN MARY
One last time.

She takes the ticket and her hands shake.

LINDSAY
Pick you up at six?

JOAN MARY
No. I’ll wait in the foyer for you.

LINDSAY
You won’t come.

JOAN MARY
Can you not trust me after all these years?

CUT TO:

EXT.  PLAZA CINEMA - EVENING
JOAN MARY walks towards the foyer. She stops and takes a hard slug of Brandy and starts a cigarette.

From the other side of the road LINDSAY does the same.

CUT TO:

INT.  PLAZA CINEMA - EVENING
They watch the famous Silent film NOSFERATU SYMPHONY OF HORROR by F.W.MURNAU. JOAN MARY tries to hold his hand but he resists.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLAZA CINEMA - LATER
They walk along Auburn ST and atop at a Teashop. It is closed.

JOAN MARY
Lindsay just tell me this. The film was silent and full of horror. You are silent and suffering. How can I help you when you won’t speak to me of what you saw?

LINDSAY
I...I...help.

He raise his fists and hits himself. JOAN MARY very slowly brings his hands down.

JOAN MARY
I am going to Sydney. I have a job as a sepia model. I’ll see how things go. Maybe we just need to be away from each other for a while.
(Beat)
If you hate me so much then hit me as hard as you can.

She gently lets his hands go and walks away. She turns to look at him one last time and turns around the corner.

CUT TO:

EXT. CARPENTRY SHOP AUBURN STREET - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is working on a stove. He stops building bricks. He looks over and sees a young couple walk hand in hand.

IN HIS MIND WE SEE: Himself walking with JOAN MARY.
His hands tremble and he forces them to stop by cutting the tips of his fingers on a wall. The old FOREMAN places his arm on him.

FOREMAN
Son, go and see a Dr. Russell over at Kenmore. They say she does wonders. The place is yours. It will always be here.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GRANDMA KATES BOARDING HOUSE - DAY
LINDSAY is walking along the road with an old suitcase. He sees a car drive by towards Sydney. In the back is JOAN MARY.

ANGLE ON: Her beautiful green eyes and his sad brown eyes.

CUT TO:

EXT. 1923 KENMORE REPATRIATION HOSPITAL - DAY
LINDSAY walks into the garden foyer. Patients are walking around screaming, bewildered and confounded. The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through her veins is heard. He turns around and walks out. A middle aged female DOCTOR follows him. She radiates intelligence and compassion.

DOCTOR
Lindsay?

He keeps walking and she Catches up to him near the gate.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Don’t go back...let me help you.

LINDSAY
Can't help me.

She gently takes him by the arm.

DOCTOR
My name is Margaret Russell.

She looks him into the eys.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)
I cannot see what you saw over there...but in the years to come for you perhaps I can...

ANGLE ON:
LINDSAY who starts to shake and tears flow down his eys.

LINDSAY
Judgement.

DOCTOR
Nobody will judge you here....nobody...we are all human you know.

She leads him gently back to the Hospital.
ANGLE ON: The rosary beads dangling next to the Doctors overcoat.

A man walks in front of Lindsay.

MAN
Stand to attention!

LINDSAY
stands.

MAN (CONT’D)
I will not have defiance here in the trenches! You’ll be put on latrine duty and night watch!

An ORDERLY takes the MAN away.

DOCTOR
Lindsay, The problems of shell- shock    or war - strain are the similar problems of "nervous breakdown." They existed before the war, and they will not disappear miraculously with the coming of peace.

LINDSAY hesitates in the foyer.

LINDSAY
I am no longer like other men. I am a coward. The enemy...

DOCTOR
The enemy are those who lack understanding.

LINDSAY
I am afraid. Never been afraid.
He points to the Doctors rosary beads.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
What does he think?

The DOCTOR smiles.

DOCTOR
For many years I have thought the same. I have learned not to ask...Lidsay we will never know until we die...so let’ s try to live well in the meantime.

A patient walks to the door. He has two clenched fists. The DOCTOR asks,

DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Desmond where are the tennis balls? They will help you to release your fists.

DESMOND just stares at her. LINDSAY starts to shake uncontrollably.

LINDSAY
Hit it back! Joan Mary Hit it back.
The DOCTOR rings a bell and two warders come and take DESMOND back. Another tries to take LINDSAY as well.

He struggles with LINDSAY as another DOCTOR comes and takes Dr. RUSSELL aside.

DOCTOR
David Riles has hung himself from the carousel oak.

DR RUSSELL fingers her rosary beads and her hands tremble. They both walk outside. LINDSAY just stares at the patients.

CUT TO:

EXT. KENMORE WARD - DAY
LINDSAY is sleeping. RUSSELL asks an orderly.

RUSSELL
How long does he sleep?

ORDERLY
Most of the day. Been weeks like this.

RUSSELL
He’s had enough rest. I’ll book him in for a new therapy.

CUT TO:

INT. WARD 6 HOSPITAL - DAY
RUSSELL is attending a MAN who is shaking and has thrown a bottle of whisky to the ground.

RUSSELL
How can I help you...when you steadfastly refuse?

She tucks him in the bed and gives him a needle and he sleeps.

CUT TO:

EXT. KENMORE REPATRIATION HOSPITAL - DAY
LINDSAY and RUSSELL are walking along a decrepit garden. He holds a shovel and his hand is shaking. A HORSE from a farm next door comes up to LINDSAY.

QUICK SHOT: LINDSAY’S HORSE DREAM.

LINDSAY
Death!

He swings the shovel at it and it runs off. RUSSELL ignores him and picks up some dirt and throws it away.

RUSSELL
I find it very effective myself. My thoughts are only on the earth. I have troubles also Lindsay...my husband...

LINDSAY looks at the fractured brick retaining wall.

LINDSAY
I used to be a builder. Built Cootamundra Catholic church.

RUSSELL
You still are a builder.

LINDSAY
Went broke though as the payments did not arrive on time.

He just stares at the old garden. He stares at the shovel bringing it above his head and is about to strike his neck.

The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through her veins is heard.

RUSSELL
No Lindsay...

LINDSAY
I do not want to (Beat)
Die. I don’t want to die but I cannot live.

RUSSELL
You must live for the men...live for yourself.

LINDSAY
Myself? My selfish self?

RUSSELL
The worst thing is to be a...

LINDSAY
What?

RUSSELL
Childless man! You have a wife who loves...

LINDSAY
Girlfriend who once...loved.

RUSSELL
Loves you! Leave here and be a father the greatest joy a man can have. Most here cannot...yet you...

She grabs the shovel and throws it away.

RUSSELL (CONT’D)
Live for revenge! Revenge for what has happened! Live and be that gentle compassionate and intelligent man you always will be and were.

LINDSAY goes to strike her with the shovel yet stops.

LINDSAY
You have a temper! I know why! Your husband is an alcoholic. I saw you attending him in ward 6.

RUSSELL stands away from him and slowly come back to be close to him.

RUSSELL
And I cannot help him. Medically or as a wife.

She wipes a tear away.

RUSSELL (CONT’D)
Terribly unprofessional. Never happen again.

LINDSAY goes and brings back the shovel. He slowly starts to dig.

LINDSAY
You have showed me what it is to be human again.

She looks stunned.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
See all I ever see is me. I blame me. I hate me. Now I see another person who is at this brick wall.

He pushes it down. And gleefully throws bricks aside and starts to make headway with the garden. RUSSELL slowly walks back to the foyer.

MONTAGE OF LINDSAY BUILDING A GAZEBO.

  1. In the pouring rain.
  2. Showing another patient how to mix cement.
  3. Sitting down with a cigarette and admiring his handiwork.
  4. Hammering nails into the circular wooden roof.
  5. Planting roses.

CUT TO:

INT. KENMORE WARD - DAY
LINDSAY is praying the OUR FATHER. A MAN bandaged at the eye is in the bed next to LINDSAY.

MAN
You say it with sincerity.

LINDSAY
The only way. (Beat)
My last chance.

MAN
If you beleive.

LINDSAY
Sometimes hard.

MAN
Where you from?

LINDSAY
Goulburn born and bred.

MAN
Where was your action?

LINDSAY
Somme.

MAN

Could you do me a favor? You are young I presume?

LINDSAY
Just hit thirty.

MAN
Could you lead me to the foyer one day? Maybe also to the rose garden? Heard a strong fellow built it.

LINDSAY
It was...yes I will.

MAN
Tell me son why do you beleive in God after world war one?

LINDSAY
Because if I cannot I am a doomed animal.

MAN
Martin Luther said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

LINDSAY
Educated.

MAN
Only in books.

The MAN gets up and places his hand across the wall and reaches Lindsay. He places his hand across his face. He stumbles and his hand lands on LINDSAY’S crucifix. He is slightly cut.

LINDSAY calls a NURSE. She gently bandages his hand.

NURSE
Of you go! Mind it easy now.

LINDSAY
I will.

The MAN starts to shake. He then stops.

MAN
Damn nerves.

CUT TO:

INT. KENMORE REPATRIATION HOSPITAL - DAY
LINDSAY watches as other patients have visitors who give them presents and take them out.

ANGLE ON: Wall calender as months flow by.
NOELEEN approaches LINDSAY who is sitting on a seat near his bed. He looks up and hugs her. She gives him a letter.

NOELEEN V/O
Lindsay,  I have wished to see you for months. I was sent to Sydney to wind up our magazine called “The Gesture” now we are teaching at the Catholic schools.

The bandaged man next to LINDSAY groans. He tries to give himself some water but drops the jug. NOELEEN strokes the mans head and gives him water from another jug. He makes a strange motion with his hands and relaxes.

NOELEEN V/O (CONT’D)
Lindsay, I too suffer but can communicate and see a beautiful world. Please come with me and try again to see that world.

LINDSAY has tears running and slowly nods his head. A Taxi driver appears and looks at his watch. NOELEEN takes LINDSAY by the hands and kisses them.

CUT TO:

EXT. KENMORE GROUNDS - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY slowly holds the MAN and points out some objects.

LINDSAY
Here is that wall you asked about.

The MAN glides his hands across the wall.

MAN
Still fresh I can feel the brick dust. Smell the mortar.

 

LINDSAY
What is your name?

MAN
Oh forgive me. Thomas Ryan.

LINDSAY
Here is...you tell me.

THOMAS glides his hand up a plant and just nicks it on a rose thorn.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Good old Rose. Goulburn city of roses. City of dead young men.

It starts to rain. LINDSAY moves him quickly.

THOMAS
No. Can we sit down near the rose garden?

LINDSAY sits him down as it pours.

LINDSAY
We will get pneumonia and die despite all they are trying to do here.

THOMAS
Wouldn’t that be horrible! (Beat)
Thank you Lindsay. Since being here nobody has offered to take me out in the fresh air.

LINDSAY
Man’s go to help another or...
They both laugh.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Pneumonia! Russell would kill me!

More laughter.
Two ORDERLIES rush out and take them back.

CUT TO:

WALL CALENDER -THE MONTHS GO BY.

INT. KENMORE WARD - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is staring out of the window at the horse which is trotting.

THOMAS
Do you remember when we first met? That afternoon I decided to commit suicide. I was a broken man who had given up on my fellow human.

He stands up from the bed and stumbles. LINDSAY tries to grab him.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
No! He stands up.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Then next to me I hear the prayer I have recited also thousands if times. The man I heard praying had authority and more importantly belief in saying that prayer.

THOMAS walks slowly but assuredly to the window.
THOMAS takes his bandage off and undoes the top button of his shirt. There is the dog Collar of a Priest.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Then I learn that the only person who will give me water is a deaf and dumb woman. I felt her mercifulness.

LINDSAY is stunned.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
How many times I recited the Our Father at funerals weddings and baptisms all the time with a inch by inch further loss of faith.

HE is about to put his fist through the window but stops.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
No Priest no Dr. Could really help me because I decided to give up. I was gassed and blinded for 2 weeks and then shot and sent back here.

THOMAS moves over to LINDSAY’S Crucifix and places his finger along it.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
And to slowly rot away here to spite my God and not help my fellow man. But guess what? It all catches up with you and time passes quickly. Remember your Shakespeare? “I doth wastest time now doth time wastets me.”

LINDSAY looks stunned.

LINDSAY
No more Father.

THOMAS
Have not been called that for years. I knew that men committed suicide here and I could not, did not want to give them the last rites.

THOMAS gently places the crucifix back on the desk.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Do you remember that day I cut myself on the crucifix and shook? Something reignitrd my soul. When I nicked that rose thorn I immediately thought of Christ and his crown of thorns.
(Beat)
And a deaf and dumb woman!
All given to me by a fellow human who decided to help a filthy, cowardly, misanthropic blind man see.

The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through his veins is heard.

THOMAS takes off his bandages slowly. The light is too much and he places his hands to his eyes. They are dull and swollen. THOMAS looks again.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
I now see a fellow human again without first feeling hatred.

CAMERA LENS OUT OF FOCUS as we see an image of Lindsay as Thomas sees it.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
The cut rose thorn, the water by a deaf and dumb woman and then a man of faith ignites a long lost flicker into a flame.

THOMAS goes to his little bag and unwraps a necklace with a crucifix. He puts it around his neck.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Seven years of hate and guilt.
LINDSAY regards him with awe.

LINDSAY
I too hated God! I hated Priests! The Father at St Peter’s had a separate mass for the maimed so as not to upset the plate paying faithful.

(Beat)

THOMAS
He died last year. He was my first mentor...man of massive belief... His brother was killed in Verdun. Try to forgive him.

CUT TO:

INT. DR RUSSELLS OFFICE - AFTERNOON
RUSSELL is talking to another DR.

RUSSELL
Lindsay was subjected to every kind of strain, physical, mental and moral, and in addition was wounded twice, gassed twice, and buried under a house and after all this experience he had not qualified for sick leave, but was granted five days ordinary leave to return home, apparently in a good state of health. After reaching England and while waiting for a train in the railway station, he suddenly collapsed, became unconscious, and for months afterwards was the subject of severe neurasthenia.
(MORE)

RUSSELL (CONT'D)
Apparently at the front the excitement, the sense of responsibility and especially the example that he felt he should set his men broke him.

DOCTOR
I beg to differ. Once a lunatic always a lunatic. Give him electric shock treatment.

RUSSELL
You cold and heartless man! It only works in rare cases. The rest all it does is to...

DOCTOR
Rubbish! An English variation of such therapy, was used in the 1800's.     They called it the Darwin Chair invented by the grandfather of Charles Darwin. Patients were strapped in and the chair rotated very fast until blood oozed from their mouths, ears and noses. For many years successful cures were reported from using this therapy.

RUSSELL
This is 1925!

DOCTOR
And we will always be descended from animals...Your way and my way of treating these “shell-shock” patients are vastly different. Plus you are a woman doctor! Should not be here!

RUSSELL storms out.

CUT TO:

INT. WARD HOSPITAL - MORNING
LINDSAY is staring from his bed window. Two orderly's come and grab him.

ORDERLY
Dr. Russell wants to see you at her office.

LINDSAY
Don’t need boys to help me.

ORDERLY
Let’s go.

They drag him to a room. They throw him in and lock the door.
DR RILEY is adjusting some belts on a bed with electric wires around it. LINDSAY shakes.

RILEY
Dr. Russell is away for a few days and suggested we try something new.

LINDSAY
Why didn't she tell me?

RILEY
Listen do you think you are the only one here with so called shell shock? There are over 100 others.

LINDSAY tries to open the door. Two orderlies grab him and push him to the bed eventually securing the belts on him.

RILEY (CONT’D)
A very brief shock, typically lasting several seconds, will be administered to the head to induce a short seizure. This will help your memory.

LINDSAY screams and the shock is administered for over thirty seconds. RILEY stops the machine and LINDSAY is just prone and lifeless.

ODERLY
Too long. He’ll have brain damage.

RILEY
Already did. I'm just using the best new methods recommended from London.

CUT TO:

INT. WARD HOSPITAL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is on his bed and obviously distraught. DR RUSSELL walks in and smiles.

RUSSELL
I thought today we would walk along the river and perhaps you could replant some shrubs from the foyer.

She looks at LINDSAY and is stunned.

RUSSELL (CONT’D)
Lindsay do you hear me? What’s wrong?

A NURSE come over.

NURSE
He’s had shock therapy.

RUSSELL
From who! I did not authorise anything!

She runs out and sees RILEY. She yells at him.

RUSSELL (CONT’D)
What did you do to Lindsay.

RILEY
You mean Sotheran. I gave him what every patient here needs...a shock into reality!

RUSSELL
You bastard! You knew he was the wrong personality for it!

RILEY
They don’t have any personality left here.

RUSSELL
You are an animal! Why do you hate them so much!

She pushes him and he falls and gets back up abut to strike her. An ORDERLY grabs him.

ODERLY
No. Try me first.

RILEY
Your’e finished I’ll send you to the mortuary!

RUSSELL
I’m reporting you.

RILEY
They’ll see it as difference of medical opinion.

He walks off.

RILEY (CONT’D)
Only fools would work here! I’m Going back to general practice.

RUSSELL
These men here are heroes...warriors...you are...

RILEY
A warriors heroism counts for nothing when the mustard gas arrives.

CUT TO:

INT. WARD HOSPITAL - DAY
RUSSELL is using very early physiotherapy on LINDSAY and helping him to write again.

ANGLE ON: Wall calender as the months go by.

CUT TO:

INT. KENMORE HOSPIATL - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is signing some forms at the office. He is dressed in civilian clothes. RUSSELL observes him. He walks with a limp from his muscles not recovering from the ECT treatment.

RUSSELL
I am always here if needed.

LINDSAY
I still feel....I cannot tell you what I saw.

She walks him to the gate.

RUSSELL
Lindsay I have seen men, stalwart, tranquil, robust men, who have never known nervousness, neither personally nor in their families — unimaginative, stolid men, who, being suddenly hurled through the air, torn and lacerated, buried alive perhaps by falling earth, when they ultimately regained consciousness, transformed instantly into disorganised neurotics, exhibiting all the characteristics typical of the grand-hysterics.

LINDSAY walks towards the horse and strokes it.

RUSSELL (CONT’D)
To see these strong men suddenly reduced from the flower and vigor of youth to doddering, palsied wrecks, quivering at a sound, dreading the visions of the night, mute or deaf, paralysed or shaken by violent agitations, rent from time to time by convulsive seizures as though tormented by many devils
— this wreckage of men's souls seemed to me to mirror more vividly the horror of war than any picture drawn from the carnage of the battlefield.

LINDSAY
The devil taunts me.

RUSSELL
No. Just your sensitive personality. It is a rare gift to have...I know it causes you more pain then others but you
(beat)
live more than others.
LINDSAY  shakes her hand and walks off. He touches her rosary beads.

LINDSAY
I have about an inch of hope left.

RUSSELL
Hope has two beautiful daughters', said St Augustine. 'Their names are anger and courage: anger at the way things are and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.'

LINDSAY
Was St Augustine at the Somme?
LINDSAY watches some birds fly by.

LINDSAY (CONT’D)
Where do they go I wonder? Maybe it is best to be a bird and just fly without worry to another place each day.

RUSSELL
How are you getting to Bradley Street?

LINDSAY
With my feet...I like to think and walk.

RUSSELL waves goodbye and tries to stop her tears.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROAD TO GOULBURN - AFTERNOON
MONTAGE OF LINDSAY WALKING AND OBSERVING:

  1. Horses at a farm.
  2. Cars driving by.
  3. Standing on a bridge observing the river.
  4. Picking up rocks from the road and throwing them.
  5. Trying to enter the old Catholic Cemertery but stopping.
  6. Watching Kookaburras as they fly to the sky from a tree.

LINDSAY aims his hand at them like a gun and slowly smiles and picks up his suitcase and walks on.

CUT TO:

EXT. 1925 GOULBURN RAILWAY STATION - DAY
A train is approaching.

CUT TO:

JOAN MARY in a carriage takes out a series of photos of her time in Sydney.

MONTAGE:

  1. Walking along George Street.
  2. Meeting her new woman Manager.
  3. Being a Pond’s cream model.
  4. Being taken to great restaurant’s by men.
  5. The woman manager dead next to a open stove and Police. JOAN MARY opens a letter as the train arrives.

“My Dear Joan Mary, Do not judge me. I have watched you for nearly a year and saw something rare. A woman who has such beauty not only in face but more importantly soul. You met many men but I knew you loved your Lindsay more. As I did my Mark. He left me for a younger model as will always happen in this city and contrived world. Do not do as me.           Always, Marie Jeffers. PS: If your God does really forgive say a prayer for me one day.”

JOAN MARY wipes her tears away and steps out of the train.
CUT TO:

EXT. 1925 BELMORE PARK - DAY
JOAN MARY sits on their old chair. LINDSAY looks to the ground confused. She hold his hand.

JOAN MARY
What do you see that I cannot? Do you remember when you read Huckleberry Finn, Treasure Island, or Robinson
Crusoe, and I books like Anne of Green Gables or Wuthering Heights?

She stands him up and they walk slowly around the Park. They stop at a long concrete path.

 

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
Here you would play with boys. Nearly every boy had a bag of marbles, including a favorite ‘cat’s-eye’, or
perhaps a ‘steelie’. I watched you from the library and thought, “There is a man.”

She moves him to the rose pergola.
JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
Later on we would watch skipping, hopscotch, cricket and billy- cart racing.

She brings him back to the seat.

JOAN MARY (CONT’D)
You would give me lemon squash laced with whisky. Take me to a dance and be a superb dancer and ‘the lightest person on his feet’.
(Beat)
Allow me to help you see life again.

LINDSAY looks her in the eys.

LINDSAY
Help... me... Joan Mary. I try...I try.

Suddenly he stands and goes to the old wishing well. He looks and sees the old now rusty crucifix tangled in mesh near the wall. He finally manages to pick it up and puts it on his neck.

From over the road HARRY is carrying some beer boxes. He sees LINDSAY and JOAN MARY together.

HARRY
What about me?

CUT TO:

INT LINDSAY’S CARPENTRY - AFTERNOON
LINDSAY is making tables and chairs. He measures them and smiles.

CUT TO:

INT. ST PETER AND PAULS CATHEDRAL - EVENING
Late Mass is being said. Mozart’s Laudate dominium plays on the organ.     LINDSAY rises and confidently goes to communion led by Father Thomas. He returns to the pew and for the first time looks happy.

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - EVENING
LINDSAY drinks with HARRY and some mates. He keeps control and even laughs. He looks a this watch.

LINDSAY
Time to go now.

They shake his hand and HARRY sees him out.

HARRY
I am a happy man mate. You seem so much better.

CUT TO:

EXT. AUBURN STREET - EVENING
LINDSAY looks at his watch and takes a shortcut through the railway line. He stumbles and falls down a ditch and brings himself up again dirty and with a small cut is on his forehead.

LINDSAY
Rocks.

An old woman sees him and crosses the road.

WOMAN
Lindsay you are drunk. You will never be a man!

LINDSAY
No...fell..hurt.

LONG SHOT:
LINDSAY is approaches the Wollondilly River bridge. He steadies himself on a lightpole. He looks down and sees an apparition. A canoe is  approaching. It contain’s HARRY and himself when they were young. He hear’s laughter.

YOUNG LINDSAY
Nothing finer!

YOUNG HARRY
Nothing finer!

LINDSAY wades into the river until he disappears.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOLLONDILLY BRIDGE - MORNING
A POLICEMAN has dragged LINDSAY out and wrapping him up. He notices a wet piece of paper and a pair of It reads.

“ I am catholic. In case of death please call a Priest.”
CUT TO:

EXT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
A PRIEST is riding a bicycle across and is motioned to stop by the POLICEMAN. It is Father THOMAS RYAN.

CUT TO:

EXT RIVER BANK - MOMENTS LATER
FATHER RYAN gives LINDSAY the last rites. As he says the name LINDSAY a V/O is heard. FATHER THOMAS RYAN has tears running down his face.

THOMAS V/O
You helped me to see a fellow human again without first feeling hatred.

CUT TO:

EXT. DECEMBER 1925 GOULBURN CATHOLIC GRAVEYARD -DAY
A gentle wind is blowing. A train, motorcycle and car roar past in the background.

ANGLE ON
Lindsay’s  grave.

CUT TO:

EXT.  1969 BRADLEY STREET - DAY
JOAN MARY at seventy -five sits on her porch and puts down her paper. The headlines read, “Man walks the Moon!”   She walks towards her postbox. She stops as a ghostly man smiles at her dressed in a faded bronze buttons of a ww1 infantryman. She tries to hug him but he is an apparition and disappears.

JOAN MARY
I can smell steak smoke and perfume!

She opens the post box and falls to the ground dead.

LINDSAY V/ O
Joan Mary sensed that she once again was to meet a man in uniform for tea and scones.
She smelled steak, smoke and perfume.
At 75 years of age she again tried to find desire. In her memory a man who was once called Lindsay was calling her. She was destined to never glance at another man with desire again.
There was to be no perfection in her life just a past striving for wholeness.

CUT TO

EXT. SYDNEY BALLET - DAY
MADELAINE  is now 35 and does a perfect pirouette.
MATCH CUT TO:

EXT. 1915 AUBURN STREET - DAY
LINDSAY
When I come back I want you to be famous. Someone in this family has to do it!

He grabs her and puts her on his shoulders and runs with her screaming in delight.

V/O
Madeleine became principal artist of the fledgling Australian Ballet. Many times in her room she sensed  A ghostly man smiling at her dressed in a faded bronze buttons of a ww1 infantryman. She sensed that he once had held her on his shoulders to buy a doll in Auburn st.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROYAL HOTEL - AFTERNOON

HARRY is stacking boxes of beer. His hands shake.

V/O
Harry lived to be sixty years old and became an alcoholic attending Kenmore on many occasions. He was killed in a car accident on a straight road near Goulburn airport. Most knew it was suicide. He purposely walked an extra two miles to the hotel each day so he would never again have to daily see a ghostly figure ride a bicycle in the velodrome.

CUT TO:

EXT. 1987 SYDNEY DAILY TELEGRAPH- FRONT PAGE
A photo of a middle aged Dr. resembling  Lindsay. Headlines: “Merciful Dr. Halts horrific Shock Treatment and instigates Royal Commission”

LINDSAY V/O
Joan Mary had our first and only child nine months after my death. She called him Steven and he was instrumental in halting the infamous Chelmsford Shock Therapy treatments and instigated a Royal Commission into psychiatric treatment saving many lives.
(Beat)
(MORE)

LINDSAY V/O (CONT'D)
I would have liked him to have known me as a decent yet flawed man.

CUT TO

EXT. ROCKY HILL WAR MEMRIAL GOULBURN - DAY
The Flag is flying half mast.

V/ O
The Goulburn War Memorial was built by public subscription and officially opened in 1925 as a lasting tribute to the gallant men and women of Goulburn who served in World War I. Inside the tower is a tablet inscribed with the names of those who enlisted from this district. The lookout gallery at the top of the Memorial provides spectacular views over the city of Goulburn and it's surrounding environment.

CUT TO:

An emotional montage of Goulburn sepia period photos that JOAN MARY took of people and times portray on the screen especially soldiers and their families - enforcing the tenet of individuality and the tumultuous times that Australia has lived through. Also included:

  1. LINDSAY at the start of the Goulburn to Sydney bicycle race.
  2. JOAN MARY and her first shot of HARRY and LINDSAY racing down the hill.
  3. LINDSAY and JOAN MARY at Manly.
  4. LINDSAY working at the carpentry shop.
  5. JOAN MARY and LINDSAY outside the Cathedral.

FADE IN:
The sound of LINDSAY’S heartbeat and blood rushing through her veins is heard.

JUST BEFORE CREDITS ROLL -

The following W B Yeat’s poem appears on the screen.

“So like a bit of stone I lie Under a broken tree.  I could recover if I shriek My heart’s agony To passing bird, but I am dumb From human dignity.”

CREDITS

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