Published: 13 Nov 2023

Upon arriving back at the property the boys were soon put to work reshooting the meeting of Tom with Logan and Chance. Most of the old footage that could be saved had been spliced in with the new although there were a number of scenes needing the boys on set. After viewing some of the new footage with Keith, now supporting black hair and eyebrows, they were surprised by his ability and quite amused when Ricky piped up saying collars and cuffs didn’t match.

Alun being ultra conservative on such matters needed further explanation.

“Keith’s head colouring and crotch don’t match,” Ricky exclaims.

“How do you know that Ricky,” Taylor asks.

“I am the set’s dresser Taylor.”

After the night’s meal Simon called a meeting and once the following day’s programme had been designed, Simon drew the boys aside, “Tomorrow you both have an appointment with Lora Shenfield and this time she wishes to see you together.”

“Not again,” Alun complains as he detested removing his heart from its hiding place to his sleeve.

“I’m sorry Alun it isn’t my decision, I can well do without the interruption. Unfortunately it is Mr. Barrington’s health and safety regulation since that episode when filming Madness when Cabe Reynolds sued for damages, brought on by the film’s violent script.”

“I don’t mind as it’s a bit of fun,” Taylor admits.

“Yea you play head games with Lora,” Alun suggests.

Simon gives a disapproving glance.

“I don’t,” Taylor denies.

“You do,” Alun and Simon contradict in unison.

On arriving for their appointment there is hardly enough time to be seated before being shown into the consulting room. As they entered they remain chatting, bringing Lora to break their playful intercourse with a question, “How are the budding young actors today?” With a pass of hand she offers them seating.

“No couch?” Alun asks.

“No couch Alun, are you feeling tired?”

They select seating at distance from each other.

Lora appears to be taking notes.

“What are you writing Lora?” Taylor asks.

“What do you think I am writing Taylor?”

“Whatever it is, I would love to proofread it for you. Possibly I could translate it into French.”

“That won’t be necessary. Yes I’ve heard you speak French.”

“Also German.”

“Est-ce que cela vous plait de vous venter de vos competences lingustiques Taylor?” Lora asks.

“Oui je fais,” Taylor smirks.

“What is all that about?” Alun asks.

“Lora asked me if I like bragging about speaking French and I said I do.”

Feeling somewhat left out Alun reverts to Laura’s original question. “In answer to your question on my wellbeing Lora, I’m feeling fine.” Even so he wonders if there is some catch in the wording, believing analysts never utter a single word without some hidden agenda.

“Couldn’t be better,” Taylor offers, he stretches his arms and cracks his knuckles.

“Why did you do that Taylor?”

“Do what Lora?”

“Take a deep breath then crack your knuckles, are you feeling nervous?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“I do have a question,” Alun says.

“What would that be Alun?”

“Isn’t it a little unusual to see us together?”

“I am doing so to ascertain how you react to each other.”

“I think we get along just dandy,” Alun suggests then gives Taylor a glance as if canvassing for support.

“Humour me Alun. It is something I have wanted to try for some time, consider the session experimental but I would like to see you individually after.”

“That’s fine by me,” Alun says, “I don’t mind being used as some Guinea Pig.”

“Oink,” Taylor childishly follows.

They both laugh.

“Guinea Pigs don’t oink Taylor, they squeak,” Lora corrects.

“It is only a play on the word pig Lora,” Taylor says.

“Do you enjoy wordplay Taylor?”

“Sometimes.”

“What about you Alun, what do you find humorous.”

“Funny things,” Alun quickly responds.

“What is your interpretation of funny Alun?”

“Irony.”

“Irony,” Lora repeats while writing a number of words into her notes. “Do you think Taylor’s humor is ironic?”

“Sometimes but often it is downright dumb.”

“What about when Taylor speaks in French?”

“He only does it to show off.”

“So Taylor speaking a foreign language annoys you?”

“Not at all; although I can’t understand a single word, I like listening to it.”

Lora turns to Taylor, “what do you think of Alun’s humor?”

Taylor laughs; “if I could find it I would comment.”

Both boys laugh loudly.

Half an hour goes by with numerous questions and much writing of notes by Lora, then as quickly as it had commenced, she calls time, asking Alun to remain with Taylor waiting his turn outside.

Another half an hour and their appointments were at an end.

The boys remained pensive on their return journey as if they are quietly assessing the value of the session. It is Taylor who speaks first, “what did you think of the joint session?”

“To be honest I couldn’t see its value.”

“I agree but later Lora did ask me a number of questions about you.”

“She also asked about you; what did you say?”

“Not a lot.”

“A little can be a lot to a shrink.”

Once through town Alun again opens up, “she did ask me about my father.”

“Had you spoken to her about your father before?”

“No nothing specific; although this time she appeared to know something.”

“I think it is called fishing Alun. She drops bate and hopes you will take it – did you?”

“Umm, I think I may have. I hope you didn’t mention what I told you about my last home visit.”

“I wouldn’t.”

“Stupidly I did mention my outburst and saying I was gay to anger the old man, she then asked me if I had fear I may be gay.”

“How did you respond to that?” Taylor asks.

“I said I was straight and she said I didn’t appear convincing. She then said my portrayal of Logan could possibly be having some adverse affect on me and if so, did I think it would be lasting.”

“What did you say to that?”

“I said it didn’t but I was being a little dishonest and I think she saw through my answer.”

Taylor brings the vehicle to the side of the road as they are close to returning, believing their conversation needed expanding before reaching the property and losing the ambience.

“Why do you say you were dishonest?”

“Do you remember when we were on set while shooting your meeting with Scobie and I said I had a strange sensation I was becoming Logan?”

“I do.”

“It was more than that. It was as if Logan’s sexuality has become mingled with my own and I can’t unwind the two.”

“Do you mean you feel you may be gay?”

“I never thought so but during my outburst with the old man I felt it came from a part of me I didn’t know existed.”

“Did you tell Lora that?”

“No and don’t you. I’m somewhat over the sessions as they are causing me more harm than good.”

“You should do what I do and treat them as entertainment.”

“That isn’t in my character Taylor.”

“I realise that but please you can trust me and if you need a friendly ear be sure to use it.”

“I’m not gay Taylor,”

“No one is saying you are.”

“Come on kick life into the motor as we have work to do and you will have Simon on our back for being late.”

Within half an hour of returning Simon is issuing instructions for further shooting to take place down by the creek just beyond the approach to the property. It would be replacement for the first meeting of Tom with Logan and Chance but since the original footage, the site along the creek’s banks had been churned to muck from the wheels of trail bikes. With a little makeover a new site was soon prepared further along the creek and by late afternoon the equipment arranged with the boys in costume.

As the site was readied for filming Bill Harris the neighbouring farmer ambles towards the fenceline on his side of the creek, he is carrying a long handled shovel as one would a weapon. Simon notices his presence then crosses over using some stepping stones in the shallow stream. He approaches Harris, “Good weather for the time of year Mr. Harris,” Simon greets.

“Could do with some rain.”

“We are about to do some filming.”

“As long as you keep off my property.”

“Is the far side of the creek you property Mr. Harris?” Simon knew it wasn’t but wished to enforce the fact.

“As long as you stay there and don’t muddy the water as it is pumped up to the tanks for house usage.” Once spoken the farmer turns and departs.

“Are there any problem Simon?” Taylor calls.

“No problem to concern with, are you ready for the shoot?”

“As ready as I can be.”

Alun remains seated fiddling with his boots, “I think they’ve shrunk, or my feet are getting bigger,” he calls while trying to force the heavy leather boots over the thick woolen socks.

“The warmer weather swells your feet, try wearing them without socks.”

Keith is ready first while patiently waiting for Alun and Taylor to take up their positions.

“We haven’t got all day Alun!” Simon calls and receives a hand wave in acknowledgement.

“Boots on but they pinch without socks.”

“It’s only a short scene so try and put up with the discomfort. Keith, you will take you place beyond the creek amongst those bushes. When you hear Taylor threaten with his firearm, you will stumble out and fall into the water, then soaked through, wade across to where Logan and Chance are standing.”

Keith waves his understanding from his side of the creek and moves into position.

Twilight is drawing on as Simon calls ready to Alun and Taylor.

“I have a question Simon?” Taylor issues.

“Go on.”

“Isn’t this supposed to be an early night scene?”

“Filters Taylor – are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Alun?”

“I’m ready Simon.”

“Camera?”

“Ready.”

“Then roll scene-139 and in one take please!”

Chance is carrying his firearm over his shoulder as he and Logan slowly walk towards the small creek after setting up their camp for the night.

“Cut!” Simon loudly calls over the silence on the set.

“What now?” Taylor protests.

“You Chance, what are you carrying across your shoulder?”

“The gun.”

“Should you be carrying it?”

“Oh, sorry I wasn’t thinking,” Taylor returns the gun to their campsite and the scene recommences as the two walk towards the creek. Chance has questions on Logan’s father as they approach the creeks bank.

“What did Hamish do when he was in England,” Chance asks.

“I don’t rightly know, he never spoke much of home, I believe his parents were farmers.”

“How did your father and Uncle Edward become partners in Elsie Downs?”

“They were both assigned convicts to a free farmer near Parramatta and on getting their tickets of leave they decided to find their own selection.”

Chance then breaks conversation, “Shh;” he hisses.

“What?”

“I heard something beyond the creek.”

“More than likely it is a wild dog or some irate bull.”

“Dunno’;” Chance quickly returns for their gun and points it in the direction of the sound, “come out or I’ll let you have it!” he loudly demands.

It is now Keith’s turn and on queue the lad stumbles through the scrub and falls into the creek. Soaked to the skin with the heavy costume hanging loosely from his small frame he wades across to where the boys are standing, “don’t shoot, please mister don’t shoot.”

“Cut,” Simon calls.

“Got it,” Camera says as one of the crew offers Keith a blanket.

“Better get you out of those wet clothes, if you catch a cold I’ll have you mother on my back,” Simon warns.

“What about the rest of that scene,” Alun asks.

“Most of the campfire scene can be done back on the property but good work both of you.”

Keith is shivering within the blanket, “what about my part?” he asks.

“Yes you too, now quickly back and take a nice warm shower.” Simon praises and calls Alun aside, “That scene,” he says.

“Is there a problem?” Alun is automatically defensive.

“Not at all, in my opinion you played it better than during the original shooting. I think you are becoming comfortable with the role.”

“Thank you.”

“Tomorrow we will finish the reshooting of the night scene around the campfire when Logan and Chance first meet Tom, then it will off to Sovereign Hill for filming of the beginning of the miner’s dispute with the miners burning their Miner’s Right documents, leading up to the rebellion.”

“I’m looking forward to the rebellion scenes,” Taylor admits.

“Possibly so, although in the most you and Alun will be onlookers as Keith as Tom will have most of the limelight.”

It was quite dark as the boys make their way back to the property and approaching the gate the dinner bell sounds, also Alun’s mobile demands attention. Taylor pauses while Alun answers the call.

“You go ahead while I take this, I’ll catch you up.”

Taylor walks on.

“Peter.”

“Hi bro’ what are you up to?”

“About to go in for dinner, what about you, I don’t usually hear from you at this time of the day.”

“I need a favour.”

“Go on.”

“I need to borrow some cash.”

“What for?”

“It’s dad; I can’t stay here anymore and I need to get out. I have a unit lined up in Elwood but haven’t enough for the bond.”

“What’s dad done this time?”

“He is blaming me for your outburst, saying I encouraged you and he won’t believe you only spoke in anger.”

“What about mum?”

“She’s constantly in tears.” Dianne offered me a room but living with her and the kids and that dumb husband would be worse than being at home.”

“Point taken, how much do you need?”

“Five big ones for the bond should help. I have enough for the first month’s rent.”

“I can do that.”

“I’ll pay you back,” Peter quickly promises.

“No bother, I will transfer it to your account as soon as I’m off the phone.”

“You’re a lifesaver Alun.”

“What about the position you were offered in Queensland?”

“It fell through, they wanted an immediate start but I have been offered the position of office manager at Wilsons and Garrard in the city and start there next week.”

“You do have an economic degree, so why not use it.”

“I hate economics.”

“Then why did you choose it?”

“It was dad’s idea of having me come into the business but I’m shit at that stuff. I only scraped through after repeating a module.”

“Is you new job to do with economics?”

“It will be mostly managing others I’m good at that, as for dad making me take economics like you I should have done what I wanted.”

“What was that as you never said?”

Peter laughs.

“Out with it?”

“A degree in surfing.”

“I think I came under dad’s radar, he was too busy complaining about you at the time. I’ll transfer the money in a couple of minutes. How is mum coping?”

“Much the same, tears one minute, bolstered the next.”

“I better go or I’ll miss dinner.”

“Thank you brother, I owe you one.”

“While I have you on the blower, what’s the go for Christmas and you minding the house?”

“That’s a good question, dad remains interested in fishing and as I won’t be here he will close the house down.”

“How is he with you moving out?”

“In the most he appears pleased; what about you Alun, I should think production will close down during the holidays, what will you do?”

“That’s a bridge too far.”

“That’s your answer to everything but Christmas is only a month away.”

“I won’t be minding the house and that is a certainty.”

Gary’s stories are about life for gay men in Australia’s past and present. Your emails to him are the only payment he receives. Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Conder 333 at Hotmail dot Com

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